Knife of Dreams Review (WOT 11)

[@jakebishop7822]

I could read about commanders being surprised about how capable Mat is as a general all day

[@justdave9610]

“Tuon looked at him, squatting there by the map, moving his fingers over its surface, and suddenly she saw him in a new light. A buffoon? No. A lion stuffed into a horse-stall might look like a peculiar joke, but a lion on the high plains was something very different. Toy was loose on the high plains, now. She felt a chill. What sort of man had she entangled herself with? After all this time, she realized, she had hardly a clue.”

[@AhsimNreiziev]

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[@Redfield982]

My favorite quote about Mat.

[@johnsterling4558]

This is one the best observations about Mat by anyone in the series. The other is from Siuan Sanche.

[@SirCharles12357]

I reread that chapter three times. Just loved it!

[@grenien4109]

I love that Mat feels much the same way about Tuon a lot of the time

[@mikesbookreviews]

*hears name at the beginning* Wait, what?

[@AhsimNreiziev]

BookTube cross-referencing is awesome.

[@nickywal]

Nynaeve rallying the Malkieri is basically everyone's favourite scene. Mat and Tuon's relationship is adorable, they have even cuter scenes coming up. The idiot siblings though bleh

[@angusferdinandleonardojone8501]

Absolutely one of my favorite scenes in the whole series!

[@DavidScotton]

I liked this review, but I gotta say that I loved Egwene SO much in Knife of Dreams it's painful to hear someone say she's not interesting. This was her book! The way she starts winning over the novices and then the Aes Sedai from captivity by example and by arguing her case is one of my favorite things in the entire series.

[@tommy_svk]

Holy smokes I almost cried when you read the Nynaeve quote. That's got to be one of the most epic scenes in fantasy. The golden crane flies for Tarmon Gai'don! EDIT: Also this vid was one of the few times I didn't skip the sponsor ad. That was quite a funny scene Merph, great job!

[@pep48ito]

Her reading that scene also almost made me cry, I'm glad I wasn't the only one.

[@TakiKimono]

@@pep48ito I loved the bratty Nynaeve who dumps Lan on the opposite side of the continent from where he's supposed to be and makes him swear to take any that ask to go with him, so he ends up at Tarwin's Gap with an absolutely massive army of Borderlanders.

[@pep48ito]

@@TakiKimono yeah that was brilliant.

[@KPCSlor]

When she tugged her braid in that ad I laughed out loud. It was just how I envision it in the books lol

[@LeahB31]

I cried listening to this part on Audible.

[@XcapeArtist1111]

Can you imagine what it was like waiting for book 12 and having Robert Jordan die. Soul crushing.

[@davidlantz3302]

It was brutal. But we really lucked out that Brandon was selected to complete it. He did a great job with it.

[@SeebsL]

Yes. It felt like Min and Egwene died when I heard Jordan died.

[@winglessrayven4294]

Nynaeve rallying the Malkieri is one of the scenes that makes me cry so much, I don't know why but I ball so much and I have the clip bookmarked on my Audible account and listen to it over and over.

[@LeahB31]

I cried listening to this part on Audible.

[@Joshua.zero29]

I'm unable to describe how happy I am you've made it through the slog. Watching this video makes me think about my reread. I didnt hate the slog, but it did have its difficult moments. Congrats, you'll love the last 3 for sure!

[@Magnums_Chronicles]

That quote from Nynaeve always gives me goosebumps. One of my favourite scenes in the entire series.

[@LeahB31]

I cried listening to this part on Audible.

[@SaintJimmy36]

Rand is the most incredible character I've ever experienced in fiction, The sheer depth and believable portrayal of his arc is incredible.

[@jonathankoan]

I love this book and Gathering Storm so much just because of the plot with Egwene. I just had to find out what happened with her. Can’t wait to hear your reaction to the end of Gathering Storm. Also, that ad for Squarespace was brilliant.

[@jaikalapa6580]

I would recommend reading "a new spring" before moving on to book 12. You get to see morianes back story

[@megravitt33]

I finally started liking nyneave and mat in this book! The mustering of the malkieri was amazing and Ilved mat and tuon! Egwenes chapters were my fav though. Just finished gathering storm and it's one of my favs in the series right now. Egwene and Rands stories were just awesome. Starting book 13 today and I'm already pumped for perrins arc and the (hopeful) rescue of moirraine! Ahhhh!!

[@xyr3s]

rofl, the braid tugs during the sponsor gave me the giggles :D

[@blueeyedcowboy8291]

I am so glad you and Mike's BR are through "the slog" and about to get to the end. I love the different reactions about different characters, and how those opinions go up and down. For instance, where Mike's BR has said he is more interested in plot lines and story lines, you seem more interested in the characters, and both the plot AND the characters are constantly changing throughout this huge world. Great review. I love how you get a lot more of "the feels" that some of us had at certain parts. Of course it is the most challenging series, that's what makes it the best. I can't wait for you to enjoy the end. Also....Best Ending Ever "Alright, be quiet Wool-Brain"

[@mephestopholes]

Matt is my favorite character. His relationship growth Tuon and the Prophecies lining up are pretty amazing.

[@disres1337]

Really? I think his relationship with tuon is horrible. Tuon being a garbage person doesnt help as well.

[@raddude585]

Yeah I love them together

[@TDjerf]

I remember when they released the prologue embers falling on dry grass, and I knew that finally the drought had ended. I think that to this day this is my favorite of Jordans based to a large degree in that the slog ended, and I'm happy that Jordan got to release this before his untimely demise.

[@jessi4894]

"Moon eyed" Daughter of the Nine Moons. Oh Jordan, you foreshadowing genius.

[@cm24624]

Where is review for WOT 8, 9, 10??

[@Ulmo90]

The Golden Crane rides for Tarmon Gai'don

[@cymbaline4384]

The prologue to this one is fucking refreshing after the slog. Galad and Ituralde in particular are great

[@rameezarif242]

You know book 10 is uneventful when there’s not even a review for it lol

[@Haxerous]

I couldn't find for books 8 & 9 either. Quite understandable if she skipped those as well 😅

[@ferransilves907]

HHAHAHAHHAHAH😂😂😂😂 that was the best ad you've done so far, I had to rewatch it🤣🤣🤣🤣 I'm so happy you're enjoying the series again, and you'll love Egwene in book 12 you'll see!!!!!

[@niteglys]

Imagine the book series ends here. There is no next book. That is what we went through.

[@PsyrenXY]

I just don't get the Egwene hate, she's my favorite character next to Verin and Moiraine. Learning the rules of TAR through her eyes, and the Aiel Wise Ones, and how the Hall of the Tower works, she's such a great POV character for so many complex concepts and political maneuverings. Yeah getting captured by Elaida was dumb, but once inside the Tower she handled it masterfully, gaining a base of support in the belly of the beast so that {SPOILER}'s crucial information and the scene of her repelling the {SPOILER} followed immediately by purging the {SPOILER} was all fantastic.

[@arancourt5623]

If you go back to book 2/3ish I think, there’s the conversation with siaun that she says that no one would support a stilled/deposed amerlyn who would sweep floors all day, such a hint that I completely missed the first read through

[@aciooica4469]

Thanks for the video! I was eagerly waiting for you to get there! Its crescendo from now on IMO, so enjoy the binge-reading! :) For Egwene... next book is when your love for her should (hopefully) be rekindled.. :)

[@jaimieembrey2812]

Robert Jordan has some of the best character writing and progression that I've ever read. I personally relate most to Perrin, so seeing you enjoy his story makes me happy. Hopefully you'll enjoy Egwene in the upcoming books, too; she, Nyneave, and Birgitte (held back by Elayne, sadly) are my favorite female characters.

[@lokdog257]

I'm watching it a year later. And there aren't any reviews for books 8-10

[@apoorvajangale9667]

When you said egwene but we don't talk about her I just smiled nd went ohhh you will talk you will talk abt her all the time whenever WoT 's mentioned and yaa I didn't like a lottt of her or nyaneve's perspective too for some time but they do grow on you...

[@snkline]

I'm glad you've finally come to love Matt. Unfortunately you are about to move on to the Sanderson books, and if there is one character he just didn't quite get, it is Matt. Pretty much every other character feels like the character you've been with for 11 books, except Matt, who feels like some sort of impostor. Other than that, strap in, the final three books are a wild ride!

[@stevemarethyu3003]

He got better at writing Mat, but yeah in Gathering Storm especially there's a notable difference. Brandon openly admits that it was a struggle to get his sense of humor right.

[@aderounmuadedeji183]

Probably because Jordan himself is not consistent with Mat's mental state. Is he the sex slave who lets himself be bullied by Tylin and other women, or is he the great general? Writing him as both is a problem

[@SeebsL]

Oh I enjoyed Sanderson"s Mat. He was more concentrated in his Mat-ness and his POVs were hilarious.

[@joshuamoore6818]

Since you are not so much invested in Ewyene I will portray her this way. She like to attach herself to those who have power. 1st it was the wisdom, then Moirene, then the Wise women and dream walkers. By these lessons she is able to control and influence those in the White Tower

[@Cosplaythefamilyway]

Liked, commented, and shared because he will not ride alone!

[@KiLLzaLOw3]

Nynaeve and Moiraine are MVPs.

[@Liesmith424]

I noticed I had a lot less difficulty with the slog, and Sanderson's style for some characters, by listening to the audiobooks. Some inconsistent pronunciations aside, Michael Kramer and Kate Reading do a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life.

[@smuckfuzzer]

Nynaeve become one of my favorites while Egwene plummeted for me.

[@Elsie1588]

I am reading this series a lot slower than you are. But now when I finish a book I get to watch your review immediately and hearing your enthousiasm makes me even more excited for the next book.

[@aliciasorenson3807]

I really appreciate your ability to make a rational review that is pleasant. Other current reviewers of this series are driving me crazy with their whining and I just can't get passed the first 10 minutes. LOVE hearing a recap of all the awesome parts! You made me tear up just reading that section with Nynaeve! I see you don't like Egwene, which seems the norm. I don't know how I would feel if I reread the series now, but at the time(10-15 yrs ago) she was my favorite character. I was insecure and overly self conscious and I really loved moving through her arc WITH her. I gained so much from her being a nobody and then learning to be tougher and stronger and impressing people. I just, I loved her (despite her flaws) SO MUCH.

[@merphynapier42]

Wow it's really cool hearing your perspective on her. I'll try to think of her in that way as I read book 12

[@SaucyHotPocket]

Thanks for the reviews! Listening to you talk about your first impressions is almost like reading it for the first time again.

[@CMH82267]

I love seeing your excitement while reviewing this book. I feel the same way you do in many areas of these series, and have just finished my second read- through in its entirety, and almost want to read it again. I miss these characters, and the world. It's truly a wonderful, immersive, beautiful, expansive and awe-inspiring journey that Jordan takes us all on. I'm honestly smiling watching you smile and burst with excitement as you talk about this book. I hope you enjoy the home-stretch as much if not more, than you've enjoyed Knife of Dreams. 👍👍 I'm excited for you to continue and I'm looking forward to your reviews for the last book📖, and finally an overall review of the series. 📖📚! Thank you fir sharing your experience.

[@skullfullofbooks7398]

I still have to read the first book. 😂 Did you know that the series made the Great American Read list a few years ago? I've been trying to read all of the 100 books that made it on the list that I haven't already read. Unfortunately, I bought a mass market paperback version online so I ended up with tiny print so I keep putting it off.

[@officernasty6634]

Reading the last part of the epilogue with Tarim made me blow water out of my mouth when I finally figured out his twist.... all I kept thinking was “oh shit oh shit oh shit”. Such a good twist

[@berentook]

I loved matt courting tuon one of my favorites romances ever. The scene when lewis therin takes control is just so good.

[@caldwell0729]

I am just getting to the slog and it is great for work from home. I am listening to the audiobooks and I can just tune in and out.

[@Cableguy15]

Only downside to the audiobooks is that the name pronunciations for characters keep on changing. Moghedien is the worst offender. For some reason, midway through the series, they started pronouncing her name differently. It made me think she was a different character for a minute. lol Then, just as suddenly, they went back to the old way.

[@totocome1]

Love your reviews, I've never got past book 7 or so, but now motivated again ^^

[@hatchetmouth8211]

Faile's captivity scenes were the only reason I was still reading by this point. Those chapters were a lot of kinky fun.

[@randomcitizen943]

As bad as the slog is now, it was devastating in "real time", especially once news of Jordans illness went public and people started to realize that the series might stay unfinished with his only legacy being that slog.

[@xsithspawnx]

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself with WoT again! Knife of Dreams is awesome, especially after the slog. I'm one of those that doesn't really mind the slog, but even so going from those slower books to Knife of Dreams reminds me of that feeling going slowly up a roller coaster and then just zooming down at lightning speed. The pace picks up so fast and it would be jarring if it all wasn't done so well. I can't wait to see your reaction to the final 3 books! Be warned there will be some minor bumps as Sanderson gets his feet under him, but I think he does an amazing job overall.

[@iamthejolson]

Man if you loved book 11 you're in for a ride. 12-14 are just phenomenal. I'm glad you liked 11 as that was the last one Jordan wrote prior to his passing.

[@emilyking1473]

For me Nynaeve was my favorite from this book to the end. I think you will love her arc going forward.

[@s0rd3z]

This book is one ofv my faves, anything with Matrim honestly, but the perrin stuff is also a struggle for me. Mats arch here on out is great. The reluctant hero who hates the attention and acts a rogue but has this warped sense of honor is just intriguing to me.

[@alison4dice]

Were books 8-10 reviewed?

[@AstarothFlamel]

Oh man I am so glad you liked book 11. I was really hopying you would because I felt bad after your last reviews suffering through the slog for the first time. It was hard to watch for someone who really likes the series and wants other to enjoy it, too. You'll definitly like the rest. Brandon Sanderson did an awesome job finishing the series. I cannot wait to see your review of book 11. I felt the exact same way you did about Morains rescue not happening in book 11. Even on my 2nd reread of the series it still frustrated me to wait so long.

[@paulramen2535]

Welcome back to us who love the series! 😁 I never doubted you’d come back into the light because: TWWATWW

[@firstamongcows8426]

The ad was hilarious 😂

[@xilron5907]

What do you have against Egwene? Her story arc is absolutely awesome.

[@Narg_Smart]

Oh what happened to the book 8 and 9 reviews? They seem to be missing from the playlist and kind find them on YT

[@basicoptimalmouse]

Leaving out the best prologue in the series (so far) was diabolical Merphy.

[@1971stevan]

Knife of Dreams is the heart of the series...the next book you read, The Gathering Storm, is the soul...the real Memory of Light...my favorite two books in the series...followed by Lord of Chaos and The Shadow Rising. The last two books are very good as well, but KOD and TGS are the absolute best.

[@jaikalapa6580]

Btw this was Jordan's last book. I'm glad he went out on such a strong note.

[@Turvok]

I'm glad you have finally fallen back in love with the series and started to understand why so many of us have loved it for so many years. (closing in on 30 for me) You can now open the handmade bookmark i sent you without fear of the spoiler it contains. :)

[@Joemanji]

Enjoying watching you enjoy these books, and looking forward to seeing you review the final lap.

[@BTAColorado]

I first picked up WoT when *The Dragon Reborn* (#3) came out and I waited for every installation after that. The Slog portion of the series was not so bad, yet at the same time it was maddening. It was easy doing re-reads for the details but the story moved SOOO slow the years long spaces were brutal. Then Jordan passed, and for a time I thought it was over. When *The Gathering Storm* was released it was my first introduction to Brandon Sanderson and I moved backwards from there in to *Mistborne* and then to the series that swaps place with Wheel of Time at the top of my list *The Stormlight Archives*. You will love the last three and (I think) be satisfied with the wrap-up with Sanderson's interpretation of Jordan's notes. I never thought I would be awaiting anything in the Wheel universe again, but here I am looking forward to your reactions to the end :) ... Well, your reviews and the upcoming WoT Amazon Prime tv show!

[@IamMeHere2See]

I'm glad you're enjoying this! The slog is considered to have ended last book, & everyone agrees that Jordan's last book is one of his best!

[@briancross9571]

I was looking forward to the WOT10 review only because I wanted to see if your impression was similar to mine. I ended the book thinking, 'I don't think anything actually happened for an entire book'.

[@smittenforfiction]

"The sweetness of victory and the bitterness of defeat are alike a knife of dreams." - From Fog and Steel by Madoc Comadrin

[@VoidSplendor]

Good morning, Merphy. I haven't picked up this series but I enjoy listening to your vids on my mornings drives. I kinda want to get more into Fantasy so I'm considering picking Wheel of Time after I read The Lord of The Rings.

[@praetorxyn]

It's all wonderful from this point onward. I look forward to your review of Gathering Storm.

[@matthewksiders]

When you get to the Last Battle, could you do your viewers a HUGH favor and record it so we can see your live reactions? I would love to see it.

[@merphynapier42]

I'll try to remember!

[@SeiShinCasios]

lol.. thats gonna be a looooooong video! but would be fun.

[@danielsvensson3449]

You are such a Wheel of Time fan now, its great to see. Excited for the next one. Also, "jordan has some of the best character work I have ever seen". Hello, my name is Joe Abercrombie...

[@abbys6260]

I love watching your reviews of books you adored because they are so happy and energetic! Might be an interesting video if you made a favorite characters video now and then another when you finished the series. I'd love to see how your feelings about the characters might change in the last few books

[@craigamore2319]

"Alright! Be quiet wool brain....."

[@JRCSalter]

Did anything happen to reviews for 8 and 9? I can't seem to find them. Though I do realise why book 10 wasn't reviewed. I mean, how can you review a book where Perrin throws away an axe, and Egwene gets captured are literally the only plot points?

[@hannahbrennan2131]

I've been watching these after finishing each book in the series. What happened to the reviews for books 8-10? I can't find them and they're not in the playlist.

[@nosferatum791]

The Wheel of Time? **Hits like before watching** PS: I am one of the people that enjoyed "the slog" - I had to wait for every book, because they were always borrowed by someone from the library, so I not only didn't mind the repetitive parts, but was quite happy that they were there because I was reading so many other things in the meanwhile. My second experience with the series was through the audiobooks and i enjoyed everything while wandering in a beautiful forest :) Hope You will enjoy the rest of the series!

[@jbizzlemcnizzle]

I think the “slog” is actually the best part of the series. Those books are what set the series apart for me. But I never thought of them as stand alones. Just the next batch of chapters in a huge novel.

[@raddude585]

@@jbizzlemcnizzle Yeah I don't think of any of the books past like 2 or 3 as separate books really in my head

[@gerarddonohoe5806]

Love your enthusiasm it shines through your videos, wish I could have liked the books as much as you (I only lasted 3 books..) But glad you enjoyed & I look forward to your next video..

[@andrewhanson405]

This book was so great. RJ should have saved the Nyneave Malkier for epilogue though, so that we had something at the end to wash out all the Elayne chapters in the 3rd act from our pallets.

[@Skyhunter826]

not sure if you or someone else might come along and let me know but your play list seems to be missing books 8-10. was really looking foreard to hearing your reaction to book 9. if your reviews for those books are out there i'd be happy to know

[@XcapeArtist1111]

I'm so excited that you're finally getting to this point!

[@debthompson5454]

Will Lan Mandragoran ride alone? One of the best lines in 14 books.

[@witchsorrowful1918]

So, there really are no review from 8, 9? Would love to know where the videos are.

[@JillyMae89]

I've never read WoT but I recently reread Mistborn and felt the exact same way about the second time thru "the slog" of that book. Granted that's only like 300 pages and not 4 books worth of slog, but since I already knew the story I didn't struggle at all with the first half like I did my first time thru. I was able to really appreciate all the details and character work I found tedious the first time

[@MetalCharlo]

My love/hate relationship with Nynaeve became a strong love one by the end of this book. Such a powerful character.

[@mephestopholes]

I wonder if you will do a deep dive on Verin once you're done with the series.

[@Torsin2000]

Have you read anything by Elizabeth Moon? I think you would really enjoy her two sci-fi series and definitely her Deed of Paksenarrion and the follow on books.

[@joshuamininger7745]

Hey, been following you for a while on KZbin here and there, but never watched your WOT reactions/reviews. Absolutely my favorite series! But I got to this point and realized that book 7-10 reviews do not seem to be on KZbin?? Maybe you explain this elsewhere, but I was REALLY looking forward to seeing your reactions to some pivotal moments in the series, including the healing of the taint on the male half! I’m sure you are aware of this, hopefully it’s not some weird KZbin conspiracy to hide these reactions from us…but damn! Can you advise?? Thanks! Love your stuff! I was inspired by RJ as well as Tolkien to become an author. I’m starting on that journey (wrote and published a non/fic biz book) but my fantasy novel is still making its way out of me. Needless to say I love talking about and listening to others talk about these and other stories, so PLEASE keep it up! (I know these videos are years old soo…obviously you have kept it up. So good job on that. Yeah). But anyway, thanks for contributing to my heart as well as my head cannon!

[@TheEternalElir]

Best ending ever! I'm trying to get my partner into fantasy and the struggle is real. Want to start with Wheel Of Time but deep down I know Mistborn won't fail

[@bridgetspicer1624]

Matt just gets cooler and cooler as it goes on. He get just sooo awesome

[@daniel_arevalo_6490]

Love the commercial at the end! Haha

[@edwardguest1404]

Anyone know where the reviews for book 8-9 are?

[@Katie-ug3ep]

I hate Faile / Perrin's relationship so much that I was hoping she would leave him for the Aiel that was looking after her in the camp. I was SO sad when Perrin killed him! She had more chemistry with him than she's EVER had with Perrin! Not to mention, they actually were nice to each other - I feel like all Perrin and Faile has done is argue 😂

[@sanadafox1182]

EXACTLY. All they do is argue and it just feels so bad lmao. I hated the save faile plotline

[@silverfang3072]

I'm happy you made it to Book 11.

[@Deinorius]

Oh my. It's quite some time since I completed the series myself. Wonderful.

[@timweis493]

So many things I've forgotten. Now I have to read again

[@jackinthebox1993]

It's a little jarring not seeing the reviews for WOT 9 &10 but thank you for addressing it before jumping into your thoughts on "knife of dreams"

[@mommid3884]

there is a review for book 9, just not 10

[@jackinthebox1993]

My bad, i found it

[@obijuan-kenobi5117]

Glad you're enjoying it again post slog! I have a feeling you'll really enjoy the final 3 books :)

[@raddude585]

It's interesting to me that so many people don't like Egwene in this book. For me this is when I really started to like her character though that might have been because I had already re read the series several times by this point. She is one of the characters I came to like more and more with each re-read. She now is my second favorite right after Mat.

[@timpeterjensen2364]

These Toun and Mat chapters are some of my favorites.

[@loriannwhite8384]

Tim Peter Jensen I hate the slavery loving bit@h!

[@timpeterjensen2364]

Lori Ann White yeah thats why i hate all americans aswell. maybe you need a bit more nouance in your reply, to get a better answer back, than the one similar to yours i just gave back.

[@Eriksheart]

It is sad that this was Robert Jordan's last book but I think Brandon Sanderson did a great job finishing the series. Can't wait for your review on Gathering Storm!

[@anguha5528]

I would really like you to check out *house of secrets* if you havent already. Its everything you would want to see in a book