I love experiencing the series again through fresh eyes, and I’m so glad you’re falling in love with the world now. I remember feeling the same on my first read, that I almost loved Great Hunt but was totally hooked by Dragon Reborn. Because I love detail in world-building, I loved Shadow Rising even more. I hope you do too. Jordan is notorious for big build-ups and fast-paced climaxes. It’s by design that the action sequences are vivid but tight. At the same time, I find them satisfying in that they give me appropriate palpitations. About the dream sequences throughout the first three books, it is supposed to be incompletely understood by this point in the story. Don’t worry. Your understanding will appropriately evolve here. Same goes for anything you’re not fully grasping. I’m fascinated by how your perspective on the characters differs from others’ (such as Mike’s Book Reviews or Merphy Napier). I agree with you that having a male author (in the American South no less!) who, over thirty years ago, envisioned a world with women being in charge is amazing. Pay attention to the women’s behavior in this world and how it is different than women in our world. On my first read-through, as a younger man, I was often annoyed by the women’s behavior, who sometimes came across as entitled or whiny. Now I recognize that having power has affected their opinions of and attitudes toward men and, on re-reads, I have been much more forgiving/understanding of why the women do what they do. Female characters often treat the male characters the way our real-world men treat women. Power corrupts our thinking. I think this shows up pretty strongly with how the Super Girls at the end of The Dragon Reborn show little outward appreciation for Mat’s contribution to their rescue. I tend to agree with Mat that he got short-shrift on that point. You’re right that the girls almost free themselves (which, yay!), but clearly Mat did play a role. I’ll be curious to see how your views on the women in the series evolves as you continue through the series. You’re doing fine on pronunciation overall. I think Aiel is pronounced “eye-EEL.” Keep these videos coming! We long-time fans derive GREAT pleasure from living vicariously through you, almost as much pleasure as a snake would, or even a fox....
stay spoiler free if you can, you will love the next bunch in this series if you liked this one, as for the end boss thing, he will mix it up going forward
It's Jordan's style to introduce things and fill in the details later. If you re-read the first three books six times you could probably figure some things out, but mostly you just have to RAFO. Read and Find Out. Ba'alzamon and Tel'aran'rhiod both get much more explanation in future books. The Children will also get explained more in future books. At this point you should consider them a private army, that can kill people they get their hands on them, because they have swords. Other than that they ain't nobody. That will change when a certain character flees to a specific country, but at the moment you're not there yet.
I suggest to re-read the part when Rand, Moiraine, Elayne and Egwene talking about Ba'alzamon (I think it's the last or second last chapter), they kinda explain the whole Ba'alzamon situation with his body.
Oh, and about your Whitecloaks and Lanfear questions, I’ll say what Robert Jordan (R.I.P.) often said when fans asked tough questions as the books were being published: “Read and find out.” I don’t want to spoil anything for you. You will not be disappointed. And I agree that Wheel of Time discussion on RU-vid isn’t up to par yet, but I suspect it will soon. I think it’s just that the series was finished being published a fairly long time ago such that most of the content is on Web pages and discussion boards. As the Amazon show comes out, I suspect the RU-vid content will explode.
Book 3 is great. I agree about Matt. This was the first book were he stands out. The online wiki is very comprehensive. If you want to check something it's easy to do without running into spoilers if you check by book.
I LOVE that you feel connected to the OG book covers! I'm the same, though I'm old enough to where those covers were all there was at the time, but I never quite could embrace the newer covers. I read a LOT of books with that style of cover back in the day, from Dragonlance to Forgotten Realms and even the old school LOTR book covers which I still love. I'd stare at them for hours just taking in the details. Good times.
Original ‘older’ fantasy hardcovers seems my favorite! I love to go into used bookstores and look at them all, even if I’m not interested in the series 🙈
It is at this point Jordan was informed He would be allowed to make this more than the usual trilogy series, He already had much more of this history mapped out but had previously thought the publisher would want the story concluded. This leads to him changing this story for the world of WOT to continue.
I just started the series recently as well and discovered your videos as I'm finishing The Dragon Reborn this morning... I re-read the glossary for each book too ;) SOOOO many characters and places, I love it. I'll be following your videos along as I finish each book! Curious to see where it all goes.
On my first read I kept looking at the glossary from book 5 on. Just because there was so much time between books AND it being such a large world. It might help you as well if you're losing track.
Book 4 is really good plus lots of new places to explore & cultures to get to know I read the series as it was originally released so a lot of the repetition was there to help out when you had 2-3yrs wait etc between books especially later. I’m on about 30th read/listen to (audiobooks are really good for read 4 or 5, as the narration brings a different feel)
Congratulations on 1k subscribers!! Are you thinking of doing a live chat? I loved this book and the white tower was my favorite part. There could be a whole series on channeling and the tower. I was kind of pissed at the girls for not saying thank you to Matt. He has a special place in my heart.
Good review. Everything you are saying is pretty normal on a first read through. This is definitely one of the top books, and the next one is even better, many putting it at the top of their list. The dreams will be confusing for a while, as will many other things throughout the series. In fact, some things you will not get answers until the final few books, just remember to keep telling yourself to be patient. Look forward to the next review.
Lansfere was one of the two Aies sadie that bored the hole of shietan. Told when rand went through the crystal columns at rudein. She was luewis threrons first girlfriend. But wanted power and prestige to much so he dumped her, needless to say she didn't take it to well.
I finished the series literally 2 days ago and my gosh it is EPIC! You seem to enjoy similar things in the series that I enjoyed so I'm pretty sure it will get better for you. Enjoyed your video and your take on The Dragon Reborn. Side note: I see Children of Time on your shelf but no Children of Ruin?
Mat is unbearable in the first two tomes that Is normal, but I loved it with this tome, funny, attachant and a super fight (I wasn't expecting) I find it as funny as boys regard the other boys with the strongest of the girls. I love the Aiels, so fascinating and strong, and I can't wait to read the rest. What’s your ranking of this characters? And unpopular opinion? (Like me, I have difficulty with Perrin while I love his power)
OMG I feel like I can't rank the characters yet. Thats such a difficult question! I love Egwene, I'm liking Mat more. I have always enjoyed Moraine and Loial. I don't think I can choose favorites yet!
haha unfortunately, since i'm reading them through my library, I have to wait in between books. So plenty of other books are being read in between lol.
Just finished book three (first read through) :D Didn't love it as much as you but I cannot continue either way. Here is a pronunciation guide that is really helping me: library.tarvalon.net/index.php?title=Pronunciation_Guide
I finished the series literally 2 days ago and my gosh it is EPIC! You seem to enjoy similar things in the series that I enjoyed so I'm pretty sure it will get better for you. Enjoyed your video and your take on The Dragon Reborn. Side note: I see Children of Time on your shelf but no Children of Ruin?
@@BookswithBrittany Glad to hear it. Yes I have read Children of Ruin and although i didnt feel the same connection to the newcomers that i did too Portia and her spiders, the story and where he takes it from CoT is amazing. He said on his twitter he is working on a sequel aswell, happy days.
