My Wife Reads The Shadow Rising - Spoiler Book Discussion

The Wheel of Time is one of Robby's favorite series. Let's discuss Liz's feelings on book 3 - The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan.
We'll see you on our next adventure!
- Liz and Robby
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[@mimi12320]

I love that the tension between Faile and Perrin really comes from a difference in culture. We learn more about why Faile is the way she is and how that informs how she navigates her relationship with Perrin.

[@johanjarvinen]

The female ceremonies have likely been preserved better over time. It's likely that during the Age of Legends both genders undertook certain ceremonies "clad in the light", but no such ceremonies survived the breaking that pertained to the male Aes Sedai.

[@bookwormcouple]

That’s an excellent point I never considered!

[@IamVendel]

Whenever someone brings up spanking I always feel the need to remind them that Robert Jordan grew up in a world where corporal punishment was common place.

[@GentleGiantJason]

Haven’t listened yet (Just starting) but I love that the first three videos are about 30 minutes and suddenly this video and the next are nearly an hour long. 🙂 the series picks up in complexity and number of storylines with this book and I expect the review might reflect that as well.

[@bookwormcouple]

Hahaha Yea we originally tried to keep the videos shorter, but it's just not possible the farther we get into the series.

[@mimi12320]

I think for the aiel, it's not necessarily that they are a warrior culture and used to be pacifists. But the aiel live and die by their honor. Their whole society is built around it. What they cant live with is the fact that they are all oathbreakers. They see their entire way of life as a lie. Aiel are all very proud and when they are told that they are basically oathbreakers, I cant imagine what that does to ones self-image.

[@bookwormcouple]

Totally agree, I think their whole culture and Ji’e’toh is fascinating

[@user-jm4nh4by2c]

Foal harmed Perrin too

[@juggernaut2117]

I'm always scared to say too much in case Liz is reading these, but I'm so glad she is moving forward with WoT. It is so interesting hearing her take on the WoT romance scene coming from her perspective as a romance reader. Robby, I don't know how you listen to some of this speculation or dismissal of "relevancy" for things that are major precursors without having more of a reaction. I've forbidden a friend of mine who is also reading through the series from talking to me about stuff except by text because I give too much away if I can't put some distance between my reaction and my response.

[@bookwormcouple]

I’ve told Liz to not read the comments for these videos so you should be ok. But yes it’s a continual battle to try and make sure I’m not spoiling anything or influencing her read in any way. Sometimes it’s easier than others lol

[@junkyarddog76]

Spanking had been a punishment throughout time until 70s. Kids got spanked in schools with a paddle or yard stick. Not really sexualized until 2000’s.

[@DangerToastLmtd]

Another great video...this book was Robert Jordan's "Oprah" moment, "you get a reveal, and you get a reveal, and you all get reveals!!!" Also, Robby is getting good with his poker face.

[@bookwormcouple]

It absolutely is, can’t go many chapters in this book without an earth shaking reveal lol. And thank you, I am trying VERY hard not to spoil anything or influence Liz in any way

[@davidcardoso3525]

Good discussion. I've read these books several times & have found a couple of sections to be incredibly frustrating. Perrin & Faile's relationship, especially early on, is one of those frustrations. I've also found what I consider to be frustrating differs from read-to-read. Nynaeve's character was nigh unto unreadable for me early on, but I appreciate her more with each read through.

[@bookwormcouple]

Yea it's unfortunate that their relationship seems to be such a big miss at this stage. And It is fascinating how our opinions on things can change from one read to another, but that's exactly what makes rereads so fun!

[@mcina001]

I love how each of you pays attention to and enjoys or is irked by different plot points and characters in each book. I suspect she will enjoy Mat’s story more next book. (Yes, Mat is indeed good with the spear, hehe.) Agreed that the spanking is legit out of control in this one and that the Perrin/Faile relationship is super toxic. However, I was able to enjoy the positives in their relationship as well. Faile did a superb job of comforting Perrin when he learned about his family’s death. Also, Faile was the Gandalf of the story at the end, bringing in reinforcements just when all seemed to have been lost; she got the upper hand in manipulation and stubborness. And while Perrin is wrong-headed to be so overprotective, he was raised to value women’s lives (specifically, his one woman’s life) over everything and anything. After his family is wiped out, he is overreacting from a place of grief. He cannot imagine losing the one person he has left in his life, and he will do anything to prevent that, hard stop. (Side note: I loved finding out he had one surviving little boy cousin at the end.) Yes, Perrin is wrong to try to take away Faile’s agency, but the good news is she’s a strong ‘90s working woman, and she’s not gonna stand for his tomfoolery! So I was a little disappointed that the Emond’s Field story was marred for you by the toxicity of their relationship, because many people revere that story line and put it side by side with the glass columns as reasons why The Shadow Rising is one of the best books in the series. But I was glad that you at least derived some enjoyment for how it ended. I love that the women’s stories hit hard. The adventures of Nynaeve and Elayne in this one are indeed refreshing, and who doesn’t love Aviendha’s badassery and Min’s sass?

[@bookwormcouple]

Thank you for the well thought out and well written comment! I know Liz struggled with specifically Perrin and Faile, and we both can sometimes get caught up on the specifics that irk us and miss some of the good aspects of things. She definitely enjoyed the overall Emond's Field story, I just know she had very strong feelings about their relationship and so that's what came out so much in the video. That all being said, I'm just happy she is engaged enough with the characters and story lines to feel strongly either way about them. That lets me know she cares and actively wants to continue, which is a win in my book

[@mcina001]

@@bookwormcouple Wholeheartedly agree! My wife also came to love this series after years of me raving about it-even though it’s not her usual fare. So glad Liz is enjoying the series so far overall!