my wheel of time journey so far

[@Christian-ut2sp]

“Never ever skip or rush through a moment in a story, because you can only read something for the first time once.” I hope I take this advice

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

We live in a fast world. Trends and technology speeding by. It is important for us to step back and go at our own pace. Especially with books!

[@Justin_Rose]

Im glad that you mention why you grew to like the repetitive descriptions. I think thats a criticism that is oftwn lobbed heavily without much thought. But those repetitive details are like establishing thoughts in a way. They refresh your appreciation of the characters as they come in and out of the story, reorient you, kind of like tags attached to the characters. Also, if youve been enjoying the callbacks in the series so far, just wait. There is a callback that goes back to the first book coming up soon that blew my mind! One of the most satisfying in-world callbacks ive seen in fiction that means so much to the whole original cast. I just found your channel the other day, but i really like it. You clearly have spent the time in these stories and enjoyed that time. :) My only nitpick is that Perrin is actually the best. Dont be hating on my boy Perrin.

[@BlameNerves]

This made me go and pick up the first 3 books, great video mate.

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

Love to hear it! Enjoy the simple beginnings! Excited for your journey!

[@hatthawattha]

I got into fantasy when I was a kid and read pretty much all the fantasy translated to Finnish. Which was not a lot back in the 90s. These were translated and I read a book in a week. However I think I got to something like 23 of the books before I got tired of nothing actually happening in one book. Yes in Finnish the series covers 25 books. Most likely because the language makes them so thick compared to English but not all have been even translated according to Wikipedia. I remember I enjoyed a particular plot with a female, who somehow walked in dreams. That's all I remember but there was basically not a lot moving that forward in 1 book. I think I was like 15 when I red them. Also looking back there was too much politics for my young mind. I enjoyed the Belagariad series a lot more. I read that before reading The Wheel of Time series.

[@nyamiles5423]

the no beard look is slaying

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

Thanks cuh

[@Bryan-qz4np]

Good luck on the last 3 books Thomas!

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

Thank you!

[@johnabell861]

You know, I’m joining my first d and d campaign tomorrow, and I was just looking for something to listen to while I sketch out my character. Figured fantasy reviews would be nice. And it’s like, hell yeah, this fellow nerd loves Wheel of Time as much as I do. The Mat and Thom dynamic is one of the best, they are my top two characters for sure. My controversial entry to my favorites list is Cadsuane, I just love that mean, bitter, overbearing, sweet old lady. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have one or two more favorite moments next book.

[@aldan7812]

Dude, you were born for this youtube shit these videos are great! Yeah RJ was a nuclear physicist who was a vietnam vet, so when you put that together i think it instructs how awesome the magic system and combat in general turns out. Its masterful. Mat IS the greatest character ever and there is no comparison, hope you enjoy Brandos entries - theyre all in my top 6 books for the series. Lord of Chaos is my no 1. Mate if Eye of the world is your favourite, please do yourself a favour and pick that book back up when you get to the end. The 1st re-read, as we Randland nutbags say, is the best read.

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

Dude thank you! Got goosebumps reading this. I'm SO excited to dive back in after my little break with Stephen King books.

[@aldan7812]

@@Thomas.R.Howell oh you’re welcome man, ur part of the Randland family :) great call a king a pause here btw! Which king books are u reading?

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

@@aldan7812 Just finished Pet Sematary. Reading Salem's Lot now! Then I think I will get back into Jordan's world of WoT.

[@ilovepersona3]

I believe book 14 will end up being your favorite, if you love eye of the world so much. Looking at everything then, and everything now. Its a great, tear-jerking experience to look at it as a sort of "before and after"

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

ugh I am beyond excited! I'm reading a couple Stephen King books but once I am done with those I will be right back on it with book 12!

[@TheHermos66]

Mate, be prepared to go through an emotional rollercoaster by the end of the series. I have never felt as much impact from a book series as I did with The Wheel of Time. I spent the weekend I finished the series in such a strange bittersweet state. My partner laughed at how much my mood changed lol.

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

I'm so excited

[@giovanni95922]

Hi I'm very curious about your opinion on the Sanderson books compared to Jordan's, and about the ending.

[@karlack2682]

Robert Jordens wife was his editor so I have always wondered were all the spankings his or her kink. haha. While the first book is not the top book in the series for me, I have the strongest memory of reading it for the first time in the early winter of 97. I was sitting in my friends empty toybox for forgotten reasons, next to that toy box was a book shelf, I recall looking up and seeing The Eye of the World and decided to read it. I started reading sitting in that toy box. Then later sitting in my dads car as we drove to the next town over. Or reading it in my basement bedroom while listening to music from The KMFD Godlike ep or DHI (a terrible Toronto industrial band). To this day both those albums have a strong link with the Eye of the world. if I hear any songs from either it makes me think of the book, or vice versa. It defiantly has the strongest sense of nostalgia around it for me as well.

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

Memory is a beautiful thing. Eye of the World will be very close to my heart. Who knows how the last book will hit me. What memories will be tied to the ending of the story. The spanks...my goodness. I honestly am going to make a top 10 spanks video. Because why not. Booktube needs that content lol

[@noodlemans]

Crossroads of Twilight really frustrated me after my first read. Fans waited four years for that book and there was no resolution at the end for any plot lines. The entire book was catchup and setup. I was really upset. It’s only on rereads that I embraced the story being told in that book and came to enjoy it.

[@mcina001]

Book 10 is not going to be better on a re-read. I think of it as a book 9 addendum. It was so enjoyable for me seeing you as a new reader experience this masterpiece for the first time. I have a lot of fav moments: - Book 1: the prologue; Thom’s sacrifice and its aftermath, where Rand kept looking back the road expecting him to catch up; Rand & Mat caring for each other in times of desperation; Lan poetically breaking Nynaeve’s heart - Book 2: Lan prepping Rand to meet the Amyrlin; Nynaeve’s Accepted test; flicker flicker flicker; Nynaeve’s badassery hatching the plot to save Egwene; the Ingtar reveal; Mat saying F it and blowing the Horn - Book 3: Egwene’s Accepted test; Perrin saves Gaul; the whole sequence with Mat at the end (rooftop stuff, wall blowing up stuff, High Lord fighting stuff, thankless semi-rescue stuff) - Book 4: Rand failing to bring a young girl back to life; Thom & Moiraine meeting in his room and revealing their knowledge about each other; Faile helping Perrin grieve his family’s death; the whole crystal column way-back ter’angreal telling the Aiel’s history in reverse chrono-beautiful; Nynaeve duel with Moghedien; the battle of the Two Rivers - Book 5: Mat taking charge at the battle of Cairhien (the start of the Band of the Red Hand); Rand reading Moiraine’s letter then meeting with Sulin who is breaking her spears - Book 6: Mat trying to “save” Egwene from “pretending” to be the Amyrlin; Nynaeve healing gentling & stilling; Rand breaking out of his box (and how well conveyed the captivity-induced psychological trauma that preceded it is) - Book 7: Mat meeting Birgitte for the first time (and the reveal that they’ve been speaking Old Tongue the whole time); Nynaeve finally breaking her block - Book 8: White Tower Aes Sedai (Seaine, Pevara, et al.) use the Oath Rod to start finding Black Ajah members; Rand’s forces & the Seanchan both thinking they’ve lost in what was actually a draw (I thought it was a beautifully written sequence); Rand has to poison Morr who’s gone child-like mad - Book 9: Mat saves the Seafolk even though he doesn’t have to - Book 10: after torturing Shaido warriors for information, Perrin finally gives up the axe in a context not dissimilar to what Elyas had advised in book 1; Mat is forced to give the order to kill the fleeing suldam Rendra - Book 11: Tuon realizes Mat is actually a badass in his element; the golden crane rides for Tarmon Gaidon; Morgase uses the One Power to alert rescuers (with Faile’s encouragement)

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

How am I just now seeing this! Love these!

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

On my reread I might take notes. So many amazing moments. Ugh I cannot wait to dive back into the last three books

[@noodlemans]

Can you update this post after he finishes reading it? This was great.

[@mcina001]

@@noodlemans Do you mean you want to read my fav moments from the last 3 books? If so, I’ll just include them now. MAJOR SPOILERS FOR BOOKS 12-14 BELOW! . .. … I MEAN IT-DON’T READ UNTIL YOU’VE FINISHED THE SERIES! …. ….. …… - Book 12: forkroot-impaired Egwene using a circle of Novices to terrorize Seanchan; Verin’s big reveal; Rand almost killing Tam (prelude to his Dragonmount veins of gold climax moment) - Book 13: Rand introduces Min to Tam; Perrin/Mat reunion (included a badger in a bag!); Ituralde defends the city of Maradon brilliantly against impossible odds; Nynaeve heals madness; Moiraine’s rescue including the reveal that the Ashandarei was the key & Jain Farstrider’s sacrifice/reveal - Book 14: Mat/Rand reunion (comparing accomplishments); Logain making the right choice at the end; Noal/Farstrider returning as a Hero to save Olver; Birgitte returning as a Hero to save Elayne; and so so many other Last Battle moments which are too numerous to list

[@noodlemans]

@@mcina001 that was exactly what I wanted!

[@bighos98]

can someone explain to a newbie, when reading a series books that are titled 1.5/2.5 do they need to read going through the series. As i can see it can significantly make a series a lot pricier any advice will be great thank you :)

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

My uncle and I noticed that the other day. He mentioned some books are published as a 1.5 version? Which is really odd. Because there are only 14 books and 1 novella. No half versions! I was just saying this on a post of mine, never skip a book in a series. The author wrote it for a reason and we need to trust the author. Trust the story and the process. It's there for a reason. Something as large as Wheel of Time, you cannot really skip any of the books. Each book is its own part of the overall story. The series is not for everyone. But if you like a slow and naturally paced story with many characters and some of the best character development and growth... then this might be for you!

[@sovereignprints_217]

I'm curious, how far along are you now? How's the journey going?

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

I am done with my venture into scary Stephen King books and I am finally back into the world of Wheel of Time. I am currently on chapter 4 of book 12. Loving Sanderson's style so far.

[@sovereignprints_217]

@@Thomas.R.Howell book 12 is one of my favorite WOT books, and probably one of my favorite fantasy books period. Glad your liking it!

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

@@sovereignprints_217 I am so excited

[@Bryan-qz4np]

Agree with just about everything you've said here, although being a political guy, I have to pick book 6 as my favourite. I think books 7-10 should have been 2 books which could potentially have fixed the slog, and I have a lot of issues with the gender dynamics in the series, but all that said this is still a great series. I simultaneously understand people who give up on it and also the people who are in love with it. A complicated, problematic classic. I don't know if it's a must-read, but I think for fantasy fans it's definitely a must-try.

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

Going into this series I heard so much about the love and hate this series got. Thankfully there is nothing I really hate. There is too much good that outweighs the negatives of this massive series. I absolutely agree with the slog aspect. Making the slog either 2 books or even 1 would've helps the momentum in this series. And exactly, I totally get it why people would give up on it. It takes commitment to get through 14 books. And they aren't surface level either. They are deep with so much information! I find it really hard to recommend this series especially in the time we live in. A lot of people just don't have the focus or want to dive into a long journey that is this series. I really have to know who you are to recommend this series! Thank you so much for watching and sharing your WoT experience with me!

[@Bigbluemeanie234]

"Ashamon.....KILL"

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

So good

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

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