Ready to Spin the Wheel of Time
I just bet those horses have names and histories…
Back in the 90s, I used to read the Sword of Truth books by Terry Goodkind. I really enjoyed the first couple, but then I realized something: three books in it showed no sign of stopping. A major threat loomed in the background, with implications that this threat would become imminent. And yet more characters came into the story, along with more side plots, and no real progress on what I thought of as the main plot.
I’m not trying to slam the series. I enjoyed the books I read, and what I wanted from the books was not necessarily what other people wanted. I’m just trying to establish my frame of mind here. I had just given up on a series because I thought it would never end.*
Cue my best friend, extolling the virtues of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.
“No,” I said. “No way. I’m not starting another endless series.”
Undeterred, my best friend continued to read Jordan’s books as fast as he could get them and tell me how wonderful they were.
So I relented. A bit. I said, “When they’ve all come out. When the series is finally done. Then, I will read them.”
I’m sure you see where this is going. Robert Jordan died before finishing his series, but Brandon Sanderson finished it for him (with full permission, access to notes, etc.). The final book came out last year.
My best friend was quick to point out to me that this meant that the series was finished. The throat-clearing was implied.
Not good enough for me. I waited to make sure it was the last book. No sudden codas, no newly discovered final book.** I wanted to make sure it was done.
So I gave it more time. Even I have to say, the series looks finished.
So, true to my word, I have started reading The Eye of the World. I’m only about a chapter in and so far I have to say, ye gods! does this guy like to throw names at you. But it seems interesting enough so far, so I’ll stay with it.***
Who knows, maybe after I finish I’ll go back and read the whole Sword of Truth series
Wish me luck.
Have an opinion on The Wheel of Time? Want to gush or warn me about what I’m in for? Let me know in the comments!
*I think this must be because the big threat, Jagang, looked so dangerous and so imminent that I needed to see him dealt with. Contrast that with the Vlad Taltos series by Stephen Brust and the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, neither of which shows any signs of stopping and yet I devour each new book on release.
**A la Gormenghast
***This does not constitute a promise to finish the series. It may not be for me.
