Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series

[glen]

This web site,
http://www.angelfire.com/ca7/ewot/books/index.html,
has a wonderful chapter-by-chapter synopsis of the book, and I have heard some of them are better than others. So, for those of you who have read them all, are there any you would advise skipping and just reading the synopsis?

 

[Kelvrick]

book 4 to whatever one will be the last. skip them

 

[DAGTA]

I found them very entertaining up to Path of Daggers. They've been going steadily downhill in quality since then, in my opinion. The last book, Crossroads of Twilight, is terrible. Don't even bother reading it. Just read a summary of it.

 

[Lithium381]

i just bought book 4 - the end in hardcover...the first three in paperback....havne't started reading them yet

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: Lithium381
i just bought book 4 - the end in hardcover...the first three in paperback....havne't started reading them yet

Well, book mark that link!
It is really helpful to review.
This sounds really anal, but because I am such a poor reader, I found it helpful to read a chapter, and then read the synopsis provided at that link.
Just be careful not to read the footnotes or the character profiles or you will spoil some things for yourself.

 

[Supermercado]

Thanks for the link, glen. I've read all the books several times and rather than re-read the series before a new book like I usually do, I'll just read the synopses.

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: SuperCommando
Thanks for the link, glen. I've read all the books several times and rather than re-read the series before a new book like I usually do, I'll just read the synopses.

You are welcome.
So, after you have checked out the link, let me know about skipping some books or if you think I should just read them all.
Thanks!

 

[globalcitizen]

Well, i would like to say that I like all the books in the series, quite an interesting read, but he trails off a bit in the end.

Anyway it is a pretty fun series, not compared to the Dune series or LOTR or anything, but still fun.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
book 4 to whatever one will be the last. skip them

Well said. If you *MUST* read any of them, try the first three. I recommend not even starting the series as if you have at least half a brain you'll soon be bored to tears and bitterly disappointed. There are plenty of decent fantasy series to try, no need to waste your time on Jordan.

 

[bleeb]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
book 4 to whatever one will be the last. skip them

 

[glen]

So skip book 4 or read it?
How about read 1,2,3, and 4, skip 5,6,7,8,and 9, read 10?

 

[Supermercado]

Do yourself a favor and don't skip 4, 5, and 6. Those are probably the best three books in the series. The series builds to there and then declines as far as quality goes. Personally, I enjoy all of them, but the consensus among people who've read them is that those are the best, the previous three are good, and the following four aren't as good. I don't think I'd skip Crossroads of Twilight before Knife of Dreams comes out, though. Honestly, though, if you have the time, I'd read all the books.

 

[puffpio]

I like all the books

it's just that the story changes from adventure in the beginning..to brooding politics in the end...they are both good.just different

 

[MithShrike]

Originally posted by: DAGTA
I found them very entertaining up to Path of Daggers. They've been going steadily downhill in quality since then, in my opinion. The last book, Crossroads of Twilight, is terrible. Don't even bother reading it. Just read a summary of it.

OMG I just finished the 10th and I am pissed off! Fvckin' A! I mean come on! The ending of the 9th got me pretty interested again. Then I get into 10 and Jesus-titty-fvcking-Christ it took me 670 pages before I gave a sh!t about any part of that book and then he cuts it off. That asshat Jordan can suck me like a Hoover.

 

[LordMorpheus]

remember the real summaries? Lemme see if I can't dig them up . . .

here: http://www.ina-community.com/f...&highlight=summary

Only funny to someone who has read them, but they are good.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: glen
So skip book 4 or read it?
How about read 1,2,3, and 4, skip 5,6,7,8,and 9, read 10?

I'd say read 1,2,3,4 and skip the rest of them. I forget what will be his last, but 10 wasn't it. Don't bother with 10. Some might say read up to 6, some say to 3. But read to 3, then 4. Once a book seems to drag on, just drop it right there.

Just wait until a book comes out and a few days later there are threads saying "Wheel of time finally finished!!"

Then read that one.

Otherwise, all the books from when you decide to stop until the end, you might not even have to bother with the synopsis.

It'll be summed up as this.

1: Males suspicious of females, suspicion builds and they delay whooping down on the enemy because they just don't share simple information.

2: Characters grow in power as they make new friends and those friends die or are lost forever and so make no difference at all.

EDIT: for clarity

 

[Zysoclaplem]

I love the series. Unfortunately it won't be done until I am in my 30s. But I think Jordan has a few suprises left for the next few books.

 

[blakeatwork]

Originally posted by: Mith

Originally posted by: DAGTA
I found them very entertaining up to Path of Daggers. They've been going steadily downhill in quality since then, in my opinion. The last book, Crossroads of Twilight, is terrible. Don't even bother reading it. Just read a summary of it.

OMG I just finished the 10th and I am pissed off! Fvckin' A! I mean come on! The ending of the 9th got me pretty interested again. Then I get into 10 and Jesus-titty-fvcking-Christ it took me 670 pages before I gave a sh!t about any part of that book and then he cuts it off. That asshat Jordan can suck me like a Hoover.

No Kidding... I damn near threw the thing when I finished...

goddamm cliffhangers like that.. though he has said in interviews that a lot is going to happen in 11, and wrap up in 12.. hopefully so.. as much as I love the series, it's drawn on way too long..

 

[WhiteKnight]

I'm always surprised when I get to page 700 and I feel like nothing has really happened.

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
I love the series. Unfortunately it won't be done until I am in my 30s. But I think Jordan has a few suprises left for the next few books.

Jordan will never finish it. He's going to release 1400 more pages of setup and suspence and then he is going to die. I think he had this planned out when he started writing the series. It's going to be his claim to fame.

 

[blakeatwork]

Originally posted by: ggnl

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
I love the series. Unfortunately it won't be done until I am in my 30s. But I think Jordan has a few suprises left for the next few books.

Jordan will never finish it. He's going to release 1400 more pages of setup and suspence and then he is going to die. I think he had this planned out when he started writing the series. It's going to be his claim to fame.

LOL... same with King and the Dark Tower... after the accident, I didin't think it wouled ever be finished...

 

[datalink7]

I would personally read through 5 at least.

I actually thought 4 was very good.

 

[Encryptic]

Personally, I can't say I'd recommend that you start reading it UNLESS he gets it together and finishes the series already. I've read all of them and the series definitely took a nosedive after Crown of Swords, as far as dragging on way too much. Crossroads of Twilight bored the crap out of me AND left a cliffhanger that he could have introduced and resolved a long time ago, IMHO.

I used to be a hardcore Jordan fan, but personally I'd recommend checking out something else. I'm sure you've seen the horde of threads about George R.R. Martin and Song of Ice and Fire. I'll be the first to say that it lives up to the hype and more. Just don't hate us when he keeps pushing back the release date of A Feast For Crows.....