he did die but he left all his notes and whatever else to brandon sanderson so he could finish the series. because the last book was going to be so long, it got split into three books.

ShadowDrgn

United States2497 Posts

October 26 2009 01:58 GMT

#64

On October 26 2009 10:53 Chau wrote:
Wait, what?
Last I heard, he had died, and there was going to only be one more book to wrap it up. There are going to be 3 more books?

There were something like 28 viewpoints and dozens of side plots and loose ends to tie off. Turned out it was impossible to do that in one book. I've read the entire series this year, and I've got book 12 preordered.

Halfpastnoob

United States191 Posts

October 26 2009 02:17 GMT

#65

uh?

Biochemist

United States1008 Posts

October 26 2009 02:18 GMT

#66

I've been reading the series since right after book 8 came out (1999ish?). I wish it were possible to have been wrapped up in one book, but after reading Sanderson's blog I totally understand and agree with why he did it.

+ Show Spoiler +

I'm really annoyed with Rand being totally useless now since he's like half insane. They finally cleanse the taint and then absolutely nothing interesting develops from it two full books later.

sith

United States2474 Posts

October 26 2009 02:48 GMT

#67

I don't know how this book is going to turn out, but from what I've heard Sanderson is doing the source material justice and it's trying his best to make this book as faithful as possible to Jordan's idea of it.

I read the series up until...I don't know...the 10th book? But I didn't retain interest enough to read the next one since it was a solid 2 years away. I hardly remember most of the detailed plotlines and would probably have to go through them again to finish up the series. I'll probably get it done some time after the final book comes out.

Railxp

Hong Kong1313 Posts

October 26 2009 03:02 GMT

#68

Caught up in the moment of it, i blasted through 1-10 and then waited a year for 11 to come out. By the time it did, i've a;ready forgotten most of 1-10. Jordan is fun to read but ultimately shallow fun.

Since people are throwing recommendations out there, people should pick up the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. By far the best character development I've ever seen in fantasy books.

ThE_OsToJiY

Canada1167 Posts

October 26 2009 03:29 GMT

#69

Well RJ did die about a year ago. His wife and editors gave the finishing of the series to Brandon Sanderson (he wrote mistborn which is probably my favorite fantasy series) as RJ had tons of notes and shit written beforehand. I am really looking forward to the conclusion considering after book 3 they got really slow, albeit still very awesome. I'm rereading the series right now, I'm on book 8. I am so looking forward to this though :D

Sharkey

668 Posts

October 26 2009 22:44 GMT

#70

Just read the prologue and 1st Chapter. Pretty good, definitely sets the tone and mood of The Gathering Storm, imo. The prologue and chapter 1 raises two questions, which I hope this book answers+ Show Spoiler +

1) Who is Demandred
2) How will Rand get peace in Randland

I can't believe how little I remember from the series. I had to look up a lot of the major characters names. Does anyone know any website that has a relatively short synopsis of last couple books. I just want to get reacquainted with the major plot lines and characters.

Dark.Carnival

United States5095 Posts

October 26 2009 22:46 GMT

#71

wikipedia is probably the quickest to get a brief summary on the books and characters

Ichigo1234551

United States649 Posts

October 26 2009 23:08 GMT

#72

the ending was worth it.
I was going to give the series a 4 but the ending was so good and like climax that it made the story a 9.5

CauthonLuck

United States93 Posts

October 26 2009 23:25 GMT

#73

Book 12 release tomorrow, huzzah. Been reading this series since 1998.

CynanMachae

Canada1459 Posts

October 27 2009 03:39 GMT

#74

Yea I've only learned like one week about about the 3-book split and release date of the 12th o.o I've ordered it and right now I'm finishing a re-read of book 11. Let's hop I can finish it before it arrives

Really can't wait ><

LTT

Shakuras1095 Posts

October 27 2009 03:46 GMT

#75

On October 27 2009 07:46 xDark.Carnivalx wrote:
wikipedia is probably the quickest to get a brief summary on the books and characters

http://www.encyclopaedia-wot.org/ has a chapter by chapter summary of each book, including footnotes to help explain how things tie together like prophecies and dreams.

If you just want the bare minimum reminder, there is a recap of where everything ended in Knife of Dreams at http://www.dragonmount.com/Books/Gathering_Storm/WoT_Recap_KoD.pdf

StorkHwaiting

United States3465 Posts

October 27 2009 03:56 GMT

#76

really hope Sanderson writes in a cleaner less detail-oriented way. It was cool at first but after a while I got real tired of hearing about women with large bosoms and frumpy dresses with sashes and shawls ALL the time. I couldn't tell the difference between half the Aes Sedai, just knew they all had big bosoms and shawls and yarn and crap. Felt like I was reading descriptions of old Georgia grandmas all day long. Other than that, the series has been good though. Love the Aiel and those black-clothed dudes. Forget their name but the dude versions of Aes Sedai. They rock!

Headlines

United States482 Posts

October 27 2009 04:14 GMT

#77

I am so excited! I have been religiously reading the Wheel of Time since...damn...not sure how long it's been, hahaha! I am just hoping the bookstores around my town have one since I didn't pre-order.

Have any of you been reading Leigh Butler's re-reads on tor? She gives such insightful commentary on each of the chapters, and the comments by the users are definitely a big bonus.

Milton Friedman

98 Posts

October 27 2009 21:03 GMT

#78

Low cut dresses are the height of depravity for Robert Jordan.

I enjoyed reading the first three books, but then the number of subplots started to get crazy with a lot of characters and chapters from their view filled with lots of their random thoughts. I started to scan read each page, maybe taking more interest in reading the chapters involving fighting. A big disappointment for me is how Jordan killed off many of the Forsaken rather quickly - a consequence of having 13 to start with, I imagine. It would have been nice for them to have more time to show off their destructive power. Ishamael/Moridin seems somewhat unexplained too: why has he not gone completely insane as a result of constantly channeling the True Power? That particular side effect seemed to be something hyped up by the other Forsaken. Also, why did Ishamael save Rand at Shadar Logoth? He says he "has a reason" as it's part of his plan, yet this is still unrealized. Perhaps these are explained and I forgot/missed them during my readings of the later books.

Adeeler

United Kingdom764 Posts

October 28 2009 03:34 GMT

#79

WoT is really good. I also like A Song of Ice & Fire series thats more adult but really really good. The Belgariad & Mallorean Series.

I tend to listen to unabridged audio books of most of my fantasy as long as its got a good narrator.

RedTerror

New Zealand742 Posts

October 28 2009 03:37 GMT

#80

I just finished reading the latest book. I word of warning is that the series will consume your life for a while.