The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan Continues To Take The Wheel Of Time In An Incredible Direction

This episode of Mike's Book Reviews continues his journey into the world of Robert Jordan's fantasy epic The Wheel of Time. This is a full spoiler review for The Shadow Rising, so use caution if you've not read the story yet.
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#WheelOfTime #ShadowRising #MikesBookReviews

[@TheKyfe]

Mike: "Battle of Emond's Field is BY FAR my favorite action scene..." Me: *Laughs in Dumai's Wells*

[@rd6416]

"Nynaeve is like the Hulk, you won't like her when she's angry" 🤣🤣 🤣 I'm dead. So on point!

[@mikesbookreviews]

And, like the Hulk, she's always angry.

[@baconftw11]

I laughed aloud when you said about Elayne being the only person who can get smashed on booze and end up remembering MORE things haha

[@mikesbookreviews]

I said it out loud when reading it. So true.

[@robertlester641]

13:50 Yessssss. Goooood. Let the Gawyn hate flow through you...

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha he’s such a tool.

[@brettpetty7840]

The chapters with Rand going through his ancestors history was my favorite read so far. It made the world so much deeper. It was a perfect lore dump in my opinion

[@nathanoleary1439]

All the fans saying that they love Matt and then having him die in the 4th book would be the most intense troll

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha indeed

[@ericsinger2692]

Lol

[@cameronf5647]

Lord Ingtar is the best character! He gets better by book six!

[@kght222]

6:42 the common aiel might dislike or feel distaste for the tuatha'an, but among those who know there is no true hate, the aiel wouldn't hesitate to destroy something that they hate. it is much more complex than that, while the tinkers abandoned their duty to the aes'sedai they did not abandon the way. the aiel abandoned the way but did not abandon their duty. so you are left with the jenn aiel, the "true dedicated" who neither abandoned the way or their duty. the tinkers are a reminder to the aiel of what they once were, their own shame is the issue.

[@workhard.nerdharder.3518]

I do audiobooks and have the physical alongside. Helps with the drag.

[@mikesbookreviews]

A lot folks have recommended the audiobooks. I just have a hard time focusing on them because I tend to do other things while listening and I get distracted. When reading a book, it's impossible to do anything else.

[@ziya8143]

The audiobooks really helped me finish this book very very fast. Definitely subscribing in the Audible

[@aharris206]

I do the same :3

[@williammeek765]

Fires of Heaven is also awesome. Shadow Rising one of the best of all time. The whole EPIC is a MASTERPIECE. similar to The Mote in Gods Eye. First contact with aliens novel, by Larry Niven. Take a 100 years you might see another comparable. But I seriously doubt it.

[@MrTofy1974]

I do the same 👍

[@TheDevler23]

IMO this is the fandom's favorite one to re-read. This is the one where I feel the season-wide story arcs change dramatically. The story cements itself as Wheel of Time in this book, in retrospect. If you ever do a re-read, I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on this book a second time through! Also, lets remember that Faile is roughly 15 when she meets Perrin. Maybe 16? I have so many Thoughts on Faile, but mostly not popular ones because I don't believe she's the devil the fandom makes her out to be, based on cultural and family information Jordan fleshes out later. I also love Perrin through the whole series and he has many of my favorite scenes overall. Did you catch all the references to Our Age in Tanchico? The Mercedes car emblem, the giraffe bones, etc? Jordan actually wove a TON of Our Age (First Age) stories into Eye of the World, actually! When Rand, Mat, and Thom are on Domon's boat, he tells some fantastic "stories". You should totally see if you can spot them! Egwene starts her apprenticeship with the Wise Ones, mostly off-page, in this book. You really should read the novela!! It's 20 years prior to the main story and it is the story of how Moiraine met Lan, how she and Siuan got started looking for Rand in the first place, and a ton of Lan backstory/POV chapters!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm currently in 10 and where everyone says the "slog" is better in a re-read, TSR is the one I think I'd enjoy the most in a re-read. So much to unpack and so much more I know now than I did reading it the first time. I caught a couple of the First Age Easter eggs. Very cool. I do plan to read New Spring just so I get to see Lan as an important character again.

[@kristenherrera2691]

I know this is a late reply, but I just found Mike, so... I'm so happy to see someone NOT bashing Faile! She not my favorite character, but she does so much reflection during her arc and matures so much. I really like her. She's a strong lady who isnt afraid to do what needs to be done. Like most teenagers, she gets a rough start. But by the end, I'm a fan.

[@clarkkalel1500]

Pro trick: watch movies at flixzone. Been using them for watching a lot of movies lately.

[@zainliam2899]

@Clark Kalel Definitely, I have been using flixzone} for since december myself :)

[@teawanpaul6208]

There was also an elephant carcass in the museum, plus Mat also notices a light bulb when he enters through the first doorframe into that other world

[@revan0890]

I don't know if you picked up on it, but the Aes Sedai that the Aiel POV characters meet in the first and last vision is the same Aes Sedai. Also Rands earliest ancestors served Lanfear directly. The whole span of time is around 500 years.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I did catch the Lanfear part, yes. On the second reading. Very cool.

[@Legionbass19]

Otter_Boom I can say that I never caught that Aes Sedai bit, myself. Makes sense in retrospect, for sure.

[@MrWDowner]

It's always fascinating to see people read these books back to back. Reading them as they came out over 20 years gave so much time to puzzle over everything and weasel things out. I can't imagine trying to process it all so fast!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's why it's hard to be bothered by "the slog" as much as the waiters did. Being able to always have the next book available helped quite a bit.

[@richardtalbot1542]

Mat had holes in his memory after the dagger. In the doorway they all got filled in with the memories of great battle commanders

[@mikesbookreviews]

I got that. Makes his role in Fires of Heaven amazing.

[@gary6754]

on the vision part - I read it backwards as presented but then I went to the end of the chapter, then read it forward in terms of chronology. its one of my favorite chapters in the series. i love knowing the background of things/

[@mikesbookreviews]

I still hold to my opinion that I hated it the first time I read it, then I re-read it and found it brilliant.

[@josies1604]

I'm doing a reread now, and watching your vids as I finish each book. I'm loving hearing your POV and take aways as a first time reader! So much good stuff to come!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I imagine when I am done, I will find others first-time read a joy. I remember seeing everyone freak out about Game of Thrones having read the books a decade prior and just laughing.

[@AnnamariaSedai]

Mike I had to come back and rewatch your first 4 WoT videos after your talk with Jared! Oh the nostalgia. You’re too hard on yourself - they’re so good! It’s what you say and how you say it that makes them so enjoyable; mic or video quality matters not. Congrats on 100k, these are great reminders of how you started down that epic path 😊. tSR is my fave BTW, but tGH is a very close 2nd.

[@danielvanrooyen9602]

Just finished Shadow rising, loved it. My favourite so far in the series. I agree that some parts drag, for me the first part of Tanchico was rough to get through, but the big moments were truly epic. I was meh on Perrin, but after this book I get the hype.

[@ultantuffy1194]

I just finished this book and oh my God that was brilliant! I had to reread the last two chapters as so many thing happened I didn’t know what was going on. That whole sequence of Rand leaving Al’cair Dal and resurging in Rhuidean to face Asmodean was great. I can’t wait to see Rand’s interactions with Asmodean/Natael I’m the next book, which I’m starting right away. Great review as well

[@michaelshort2388]

I truly believe that The Wheel of Time is a must read multiple times kind of series. each read through I pick up on different things. LIke you I found the Aiel stuff to be a bit of a slog the first time through, but the 2nd time through I found it more interesting and picked up on more of it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Michael Short I actually went back and reread the visions part and thought it was brilliant after being completely frustrated with it the first time. So I can imagine a series re-read is superb.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes

[@joshhoehne8281]

So much this!

[@omnitheus5442]

I feel sorry for anyone who even bothered to finish this series. It was awful. I got halfway through book 7. I wish I got that time back reading something far better. Sure the first book was OK as was Perrin returning home around book 4 or 5 but other than that the rest was just dross over simplified dross. I hear it steps up a bit around book 9 or 10 but there is no way it'd be worth the slog. The only series I'd re-read is Malazan Book of the Fallen. Now that is a series that is worth many re-reads and for any serious fantasy fan a must read!

[@michaelshort2388]

@@omnitheus5442 You gave up too early. :)

[@totesmagotes213]

I hated the Aiel flashbacks the first time too. But the 2nd time through I appreciated even more. I am currently on my first read through on Knife of Dreams and am also “re-reading” by listening to the audio books, and am on Crown of Swords. It really helps to get both perspectives.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Just re-reading that chapter after finishing book 4 was rewarding. I can only imagine reading that segment again after you know the whole story.

[@turtleanton6539]

This book is one of my favorites😁❤❤

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think it was what the series needed. It took a hard shift and became unlike anything else within the genre.

[@TeaKay_421]

I started reading these books later, due to grad school I'm kind of getting caught up with the fantasy world genre. I have to say, your reviews are the most like minded and comforting. Some of the issues / questions you've had of "Did I read that right?" I've had same questions lol. Where you've found slogs, I agree. Nynaeve (ugh, annoying). And I agree with your assessments. And I'm like you, what others have loved I have not while what you have loved I have. I also abandoned the series after book 3 for a year b/c I found his writing too slow. Abercrombie's 1st law I read in a week and ready to read again. But, I'm glad I came back to this series and glad I'm pushing through. Great review! thanks

[@munki83]

I've been watching your videos each time I finsh one of the WoT books. So far the third book has been my favourite and while this book has some great moments I found some parts hard to follow. Really loved the Perrin story line and his taking the mantle of leadership, which reflects some of Rands story line. Mat seems to be the odd one out in the trio but his power of luck is interesting and considering how much of the book revolves around the threads I'm not sure if the power of luck is his or something else

[@mikesbookreviews]

I had to re-read a couple parts in this one. It's dense.

[@eyenuh300]

So I just finished Shadow Rising and we couldn't have a more opposite on our initial reaction to the Rhuidean scene. It was a bit confusing, and I re read the first few flashbacks to help me understand what was going on, but once it clicks I loved it. It completely re contextualizes the world, and the scenes during the breaking were great.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It sounds like we had the same reaction, IMO. At first I was frustrated and confused. Then I re-read it and thought it was brilliant.

[@Caredis12]

Feel free to take your time to avoid burnout, lol. It took over twenty years for all of the books to come out and for those of us that started reading back in 1990s or so we had big gaps of time to wait for the next one to get published (as well as extra time to read the books over and over again). One thing I truly enjoyed about Mat but didn’t discover until a re-read was that he actually got away with asking 6 questions in the twisted doorway in the Stone of Tear! Most people only get 3 questions, but Mat’s stubborn ta’veren-ess forced the ‘fenn’ to comply. Priceless! Enjoyed your video!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Caredis12 Mat always finding a way to buck the system.

[@pieniaurinko]

0:36 You forgot to mention the reactions of those around Mat until he starts remembering and gets almost paranoid about not giving himself away: "But... but, Mat, how can you read that?! It's in the Old Tongue!" :DDD Thank you for those little qoutes you put into your reviews, and your reviews in general: they remind me of those moments I loved reading about. I will never get to read those books for the first time again, and it is really great to listen to someone else who got to do just that!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you're enjoying them. I like to think they've gotten better as this channel has grown almost to the point I'd like to re-review these, but you can't ever really bottle those same emotions again that you can with instant reaction.

[@alynam82]

Going back and watching your WOT videos (up to where I've read, anyways) since you filmed these prior to me subscribing to the channel. But I'm amazed by how much your reviews, thus far, parallels the same thoughts I've had! Like the pacing of the Aiel scenes, and the Perrin battle at Two Rivers

[@PerfectCell9]

Shadow rising was a great book, my personal favourite has to be the great hunt

[@mikesbookreviews]

PerfectCell71 TGH is my jam, too.

[@noahsnyder3689]

Every time I finish a WOT book (as I did with The Shadow Rising last night) I come to these videos to help sort out my thoughts. This was my favorite book so far, but it definitely had some parts that dragged on for too long including most of the Nynaeve / Elayne story line and some of the Aiel world building. So far I really can't stand Nynaeve as a character but hope that she gets better going forward. The heist, Perrin going back to Edmond's field, and most of the Rand story line was all superb and enjoyable. Right now I'm looking forward to the next ten books and hope they stand up to this one!

[@mikesbookreviews]

The Aiel stuff was a drag for me in most of this one but overall it's great.

[@JoshuaJudd]

I'm so glad someone else enjoyed also the amazing scene between Moiraine and Thom!

[@Mazecraft]

Your reviews have me smiling ear to ear man!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I always fear when new folks find the channel they’ll bail at my early video production problems. So glad you’re enjoying them.

[@No1emilybrowningfan]

I love these videos. You make everything so clear and I agree with about 97% of what you have to say. I’m doing my first read through and I’m on to the fires of heaven. I was a little disappointed at first with the shadow rising, as it was most fans favourite, but then after re-reading bits I’d it, I realised how brilliant it really is and why it seems to be fans favourite. The Perrin and Min stuff were fantastic. The fires of heaven is brilliant. I can’t put it down. Can’t wait to read the rest

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’m happy almost 2 years later folks are still finding these videos fun and/or helpful.

[@No1emilybrowningfan]

@@mikesbookreviews all I can say is please keep making them. I see you’re a fan of Dune - someone got me a copy of it recently so looking forward to reading that

[@veaceslavpaladi3155]

The reveal of Rands parentage and the realization that it was foreshadowed all the way from the first book was what finally hooked me. Knowing that the author can deliver with payoff and not just let vague unresolved mystery boxes convinced me that the series will be great.

[@barakatown1978]

Great reviews. I just came across your channel by chance. I'm currently on a re-read, just starting Lord of Chaos. It may just be me but I think Nynaeves first vision being chased by Aginor in the terangreal in "The Great Hunt" is a foreshadowing for her battle against Moghedien. Although, it may just be me

[@mikesbookreviews]

No, that makes a lot of sense. I'm currently on WoT hiatus, but have Crown of Swords and Path of Daggers on the schedule in January.

[@blueeyedcowboy8291]

There are several more battle sequences in the books, but the Battle of Emond's Field is one of my favorite's of all time, and I can not WAIT to see it on the screen. Nynaeve is one of the strangest character arc's I've ever known. I mostly dislike her for the entire series, then gradually come to love her more than all. Also, I was SO confused about the Aiel, however, I dare you to say by the end of the series that the Aiel are not your favorite race of all time. On the second read through, I fell in love with them and respect them more than all others.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I can only hope that the show is a hit and Bezos throws some real money at it. There isn't a way to do that battle or Dumai's Wells on a budget.

[@boxerjeep]

Yes!!! I thought the same thing about the Aiel. You have had much of the same feelings on these books as me. As soon I finish a book I watch your videos and (a different guy) but you almost always feel the same way I do. The main difference I have liked this book the most so far. I can’t wait to read Fires of Heaven and seeing your response.

[@merc9nine]

Play the audiobooks in the car. Im going to say it every video as I binge theses. Your videos have been great and very fair. I had some of the same criticisms the first time. Still love them as part of the overall story

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm sure some of these things will be laughable when I look back on them when done.

[@taegiseoktrash8874]

I really enjoyed your reviews! Personally I read the books in 1 or 2 days (per book) on average but it took me 12 years to actually finish the whole series. Usually I'd read IDK like 5-6 books in a row, have something happen in real life, stop reading, take a break too long, forget what happened. start over with book 1 etc. I've never really experienced "the slog" but I think that's because I read too fast. I keep an eye on the subreddit and also on youtube, but I don't think I'm ready yet for a reread. I understand why Mat is a favourite for a lot of people, but IDK for me personally I'd say Nynaeve is probably my favourite character

[@mikesbookreviews]

I had some series like that. I was a super fast reader, then I had kids and everything changed and I rarely read/read really slow. They've just now gotten the age where they aren't old enough to be left home alone, but they're old enough to leave you alone for awhile. So my reading level has kicked back to pre-kids days. I never intended to do 14 in a row. But I believe I'll have them all done within a year. Thanks for watching!

[@ziya8143]

Me too Nynaeve is my fav , I don’t know why people hate her she’s just great lol she express the words in my heart truly

[@s.miklaski2286]

This has been my favorite so far.

[@AWDarcy]

Awesome review having only just finished book 4 myself this was great to go back over things that may have slipped my mind. Perrin is now my favourite character, so good.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Perrin was a BEAST in this book. I loved his arc so much.

[@luiscorella7955]

That was all Rands plan. Lanfear was actually impressed.

[@paperbackwriter80]

My personal theory on Mat's memories, is that they are bits of memories from all his past lives.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's what I got, too.

[@josies1604]

The two theories are essentially that, or that they are memories the eelfinn stole from others who had visited them.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@josies1604 Oooh. I like that.

[@marcbennett9232]

Still enjoying your journey. I agree about the waste part, its slower than I would like. Many of my reactions were the same as yours first time through. I disagree with the people who say Jordan cant write a romance. he writes a more realistic undertoned romance not a sensational over the top romance. My personal favorite is book 6, Lord of Chaos

[@mikesbookreviews]

A lot of the romances in this story have fell flat for me because I feel like they're so quick. However, I've really come around on Min and Rand.

[@iWizard]

Keep these amazing videos coming!! More fantasy reviews please. Can you do a series of videos on The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, by Donaldson? Or maybe The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons? Also, do you have a patreon account?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Haven’t read TC yet. Planning to start Hyperion in 2021. The Patreon link is in the description below.

[@confessorsedai]

I just finished Winter’s Heart & started Crossroads of Midnight (wish me luck), and from what I remember and have read in following books, I am pretty sure the strongest Aes Sedai goes something like this: *-Cadsuane was the most powerful Aes Sedai alive BUT in retirement. *-Moiraine, Siuan, Elaida, & another Blue were the most powerful of Aes Sedai who are ACTIVE agents of the White Tower, w/ Romanda (?), a Yellow, being equal to them but prior to the split, was in retirement. *- Elayne & Egwene have the potential to be the most powerful AS in a 1,000 years- surpassing Cadsuane. (I believe Egwene does this when being made damane (?) & Elayne still has a ways to go) *- Nynaeve has the potential to be the most powerful sister not seen since the Age of Legends (3,000 years) w/ strength equivalent to a Forsaken... since it’s safe to say she is a match in the One Power compared to a lower leveled Chosen like Moghedien in book 4, I’d say she’ll likely get up there w/ the other Forsaken ladies... maybe not Lanfear strong but definitely up there. She’s one of my top favorite characters & I used to feel a little guilty about that- now I say it with pride 😊

[@nathanhargenrader645]

This books is a wild ride. Has amazing highs and some pretty bad lows. Good book overall though and probably my favorite up to this point.

[@CodyTaylor115]

I loved this book for perrin he story just gripped me and loved the return to home all of it

[@dookula]

Just finished it yesterday. Enjoyed it, but very surprising to hear this is the fandom's favourite. That does not sound like good news for the rest of the series.

[@boxerjeep]

She’s like the hulk!!!! Love it!!!

[@radomu1]

100% agreed with the Rhuidean visions chapter. It was confusing as hell.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I had to read it twice.

[@radomu1]

@@mikesbookreviews Same here. I went through it twice after figuring out that it's all a set of visions Rand is seeing rather than events that are actually happening. The later parts describing the Age of Legends was definitely intriguing though.

[@dcarman686]

Mat is my favorite

[@kght222]

6:01 moiraine and aviendah go into a different ter'angreal than rand or mat. rand walks through the pillars which is the second test for wise women and the only test for chiefs (the first is the rings, which is what moiraine and aviendah go to) and mat finds another doorway ter'angreal similar to the one earlier in the book that he, moiraine and rand enter while they are in tear. but it is kinda backwards, and instead of questions answered it gives items asked for, in exchange for........

[@thomasgibson7019]

I’m pretty sure Mat’s weapon is essentially a Naginata in Japanese culture. Very cool weapon when used the right way.

[@Finnssssss]

Not sure if you caught it or not but the woman Rand saw breaking open the Dark One's prison was Lanfear herself.

[@MrSentinel83]

Just recently finished this one. I must say it's the best one I've read so far in the series. I thought "The Dragon Reborn" had a much bigger slog personally with all the training in the White Tower.

[@nickdostanko2397]

I really liked Perrin's battle of Edmonds Field but was a bit disappointed that not one person died after battling thousands of trollocs

[@zahraferdous6548]

Yes! Aiel reminded me of Freemen too much. But a watered down version. I hope it gets better.

[@chilliverse7326]

I liked it less than 3 books. I DNF'ed it during May this year. But started to read it again end of October. Finally finished it yesterday night. Perrin and Elayne's part were interesting. Rand was fine until he went into Rhuidean, then struggled to read his parts, until his final battle with Asmodean.

[@benbutler9282]

as an old school dune fan. i think they share an ancestor so to speaks, derived from same/similar sources, both based on real world beleifs

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is 100% fair.

[@heatherqualy9143]

Just finished this one in my re-re-re-re-re-reread (I reread the first 9 books a LOT). Am always happy when I get to Shadow Rising, because it’s one of my favourites. Then I start reading it and say…wait, why? Forgot about all of this. BUT such a different view from me than most. I don’t give a flying fig about Perrin and Faile is a shrew. THOSE are the chapters I flat out have to skip. Through the entire series, I care so little about Perrin. I forget that why I LOVE Shadow Rising is for key scenes. Rand’s scenes in Tear. Rand outthinking Asmodean and Lanfear. And Nynaeve’s badass beat down of Moghedian. Also, surprised so many people say May is their favourite. He’s…good…for me. At times. Some story he gets, I also don’t care about. For me, I’m there for Rand, Nynaeve, Min, and a few others that haven’t shown up yet.

[@custarddavidson8104]

Hey Mike I gotta question for you. You’ve mentioned before that you originally read the first book in the series after catching up with ASoIaF, but gave up before finishing it. I’m curious as to what changed this time around? I ask because I got to this book and gave up back in October, this one is praised by many as the best in the serious but I just couldn’t click with it, I sorta felt like I absolutely loved the ending of every book, but getting there just wasn’t worth it for me, so again, what changed from your original read to this time round?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Honestly, because I felt like I needed to check it off my fantasy reading bucket list. I do have many editing and pacing problems with the books and that gets me a lot of pushback in the comments sometimes because I know many are super overprotective of the series. I feel like the good far outweighs the bad and Jordan's 3rd acts keep me thirsty for more.

[@azurepulse1870]

Yeah, I just re-read this one, and the main thing she did besides team up with Moirane was have the wise ones tell them how to find things in the dream world- by using need. Going through the portals: it was really fascinating to see how victimized jenn aiel became outcast after killing men to rescue abducted family. You see them harden and sharpen themselves while still not touching a sword. You see the jenn aiel dwindle and diminish as more of them are unable to keep the way of the leave or die in the harsh realities of the world. You see the jenn aiel woman who crosses over to the aiel, who is clearly the very first maiden of the spear. You see a noble whose family eventually founds the nation of Cairhien, whose remembered kindness is why they were allowed safe travel and trade. And Rand himself sees all the small turns of fate and foretelling that meant that he would be born and left beyond the dragonwall and continue to fulfill the prophecies. The way those scenes really tie things in together and gives new meaning to everything, if in reverse chronological order, is really one of the most striking parts of the book for me.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is why I can't wait to re-read this chapter after I finish the series and see how much was a history lesson and how much was foreshadowing.

[@wamprez]

good review, liked and subbed

[@mikesbookreviews]

Peace favor your sword.

[@bartsullivan4866]

After just finishing TSR. (SPOILERS) I think the most eye opening to me is that Aiel were basically Tinkers Way of the Leaf people. The Aei Sedai gave them all these artifacts and to wonder the world with no protection that seemed pretty stupid to me. Just asking for your people to be robbed and murdered. Kind of like going out on the Oregon Trail naked with no wagons or food from St. Louis to Oregon City in the dead of winter. I think the other thing that really got me was at the end we find out that Lanfear was the one who bore into the Dark Ones prison release him on the world. If anything rereading the Rand ancestors' chapters slowly was the thing I had to do to understand it all. Luc being Slayer I could see a mile away. I liked the book but a lot of this one dragged not really sure why people like this one the best. You would have thought Perrin being ambushed by the Trollocs after just telling Luc they were planning on an ambush that backfired that he was evil and a darkfriend that killed a lot of his young soldiers. Kind of expected more casualties at the main Edmond's Field battle as well seemed like the rescue force didn't take any loses but I loved the way Perrin dressed down the White Cloak cowards who didn't help the innocent people. more concerned with revenge than justice even with all their high and mighty rhetoric. Also at the end you never really know what Rand is really thinking did he know that 2 Forsaken were shadowing him. Hopefully in future books we can kind of see inside his head what plans he decides on like Paul Atreides in Dune.

[@MrTofy1974]

Why when I read about Tanchico Bay the song 🎵 🎶Montego Bay🎶🎵 pops into my head 😁

[@angelaholmes8888]

This book was definitely a step up from the dragon reborn to me

[@jamesbrownii9508]

Oh, Mat is definitely a reincarnation...

[@mikesbookreviews]

The Wheel weaves.

[@DanClapp]

I was listening to the audiobook while I was at work (generally I don't like audiobooks, but while I'm at work it's my only option) and when the aiel flashback part came on I was like "ayo, what the fuck is happening? What did I miss?" lol I was so confused.

[@mikesbookreviews]

😆

[@spdcrzy]

Getting hanged - not getting hung. Just a little grammatical quirk. :P Also, YES. NYNAEVE IS TOTALLY THE HULK OMG. :D

[@mrpolskija]

You'll love Rand's Rhuidean viewings when you re-read, if you ever do. They're like a huge lore-candy. I admit I didn't think much of that part either the first time.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I re-read it when I finished the book and loved it. I imagine reading it again when I'm finished will be wild.

[@jasminmemorando6694]

We are quite the opposite. I looove the Aiel history part in Rhuidean.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Listen closely. I said it frustrated me the first read. Then I re-read it and found it brilliant. Therefore, we are one in the same. As I loved it, too.

[@vampiricalchemist]

Man this book was so hard for me to read, I had to put it down and try again multiple times. I'm glad I did, but since everyone says this is the best book in the series, I was worried.

[@connorpinto7095]

Same. When he said it took him 2 weeks (and that was long) I was dying. I put it down for a good 2 months b/c it was so slow lol Glad I picked it back up tho

[@rosseller2045]

Lots of similar thoughts. I just finished this one and it really wasnt my favorite so far (probably great hunt gets that medal), but it was still good. The audiobooks help with some of the slow parts with the Aeil and Tancheko. They also help with knowing how to pronounce things!

[@mikesbookreviews]

The pronunciation alone makes it sound like a worthwhile investment. I still remember wondering how to property pronounce Egwene.

[@deanryanmartin]

hey mike, i have one question, who are those three characters in the cover? rand, mat and moraine or gawin, galad and min?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha the WoT covers are always a mystery. Just try to decipher Knife of Dreams cover.

[@deanryanmartin]

@@mikesbookreviews Moraine is the woman in blue in front of the table, right? She's a blue ajah so she wears blue,

[@afk2514]

I just finished it ...Holy mother Mary what's going on....

[@mikesbookreviews]

Alexander Karachatzis Ha Ha further down the rabbit hole you go.

[@afk2514]

@@mikesbookreviews after finishing the series which is your favourite book?

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@afk2514 Great Hunt

[@matthewerickson2006]

I agree, the third act is always what makes me start the next book. I'm 500 pages into Lord of Chaos, and my God, I am so bored. Do you remember about what chapter the "third act" starts in LoC? I struggling to find motivation to keep reading.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I don't recall the chapter, but once the Aes Sedai and Rand have a "moment" (you'll know it when it happens) the book takes off.

[@matthewerickson2006]

@@mikesbookreviews Alright, I'm just at the point where the Aes Sedai reached Cairhien to "escort" him back. Thanks for the reply.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@matthewerickson2006 For sure. Keep the faith!

[@mikemcquarrie4113]

Car - A - Carn. The aiel are based of fremen, tactics are mongol and Africa Zulu tribes. Oh and they are celtic. This is the start of mat awsome hes done being broke. Now its growth you see it next book. Thom and moraine ... spoilers The collar is important but not yet Lan. You will see more of later. Min becomes paramount book 6 You will see prophesy for mat Perrin starting next book. Read novella. Next as you are beyond its spoilers. Enjoy the break

[@mikesbookreviews]

Can't wait!

[@hashpond420]

Daes Dae'mar is dope

[@davidcarter6659]

Egwene is being trained by the wise ones in this book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Some would say she has a rather important role to come in future books.

[@TMAC_93X]

I just started reading this Series in March and I just now finished The Shadow Rising. I think out of the first 4 books this one is my favorite and my least favorite is The Great Hunt. I'm gonna take a short break and start FoH.

[@callum7081]

Fire if heaven is my favourite of the five I’ve read.

[@mndrew1]

As Ingtar sets up Verin's endgame; so Kadere sets up Lanfear's endgame.

[@rphitheta2539]

Been going through the reviews for each book, and I'm calling it quits on WOT Book 4. I really love the characters, and world building and story so far but i can't get past the cosmology of the world The moment came in the Waste when Rand and Mat, and everyone else was riding for the gathering of clan chiefs and mat said he wanted to leave but Rand was still holding him there, implying the Pattern was holding him there. He and many characters mention several instances of that sort of thing, the ta'veran effect and such. And that's when i realized, there's no real love here, there's no friendship or comradery which presupposes the freedom to love/reject and to befriend/reject. Everyone is pulled by the Wheel to preserve itself. People sacrifice and love not for the value of the person but for the manipulation of the Pattern to preserve itself and all life Finally, i said to myself, "is the point of everyone's struggles to preserve the Wheel or to save people's lives from DO?" Why do the Aiel care if they'll all die out, if Rand wins, they'll be back to get manipulated by the Wheel again, and if he loses, well, they'll lose their existence. And the answer i got was, well, people's lives don't matter. You'll be born again next age, given free will only to the extent that your life doesn't matter in the bigger picture. The real point isn't to save lives, but to stop the D.O. from destroying existence. That explains why Morianne and every AS (and nearly everyone honestly) sees people as a means and not end. People exist for the Wheel and the Pattern, not the Wheel and Pattern exist for people. And i suppose it's better to have the opportunity to off yourself if you happen to be born poor and crippled than for the Wheel to break and all existence end. Again, I love the story and the characters, but everytime someone does anything, I think, would he or she really fall in love/sacrifice/betray, etc, if they were really free to choice. And everyone time, someone tries to justify their efforts, very few (except once or twice) they said it was to save lives. But its better to have psuedo-immortality in a prison than for all existence to wink out, so I'm no Darkfriend! :P

[@777jplumb]

Jordan can write a fight better than anyone

[@mikesbookreviews]

He does so extremely well.

[@briangallagher3106]

I Spoilers kinda. I’ve started this video with 60 pages left in the book. The battle of Edmonds field is beginning and despite a slow middle (again) this is getting intense! I have to stop now because I don’t want any spoilers but man o man is this good!

[@briangallagher3106]

Just finished, brilliant ending. The battles with forsaken are unreal.

[@briangallagher3106]

I think this has been my favourite so far, followed by TGH, TEOTW, TDR...

[@aldenwilkins]

The flashbacks are only good on a re-read. You are 100% correct. Have to have context for it to make sense.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Like I said, I was frustrated as hell reading it the first time but when I went back and re-read it I thought it was brilliant.

[@Legionbass19]

Alden Wilkins I wouldn’t say ONLY good on a reread. My first time through, I knew they were special. Maybe it had something to do with my studies on the Hebrew bible back in college, but the idea of this Aiel covenant and their struggles to maintain their identity were fascinating to read, and became more tragic with each generation adding more context and illustrating their failures to keep to their original path. Right after I first read those chapters, I reread them in the correct chronological order and took notes to see the Aiel history. Two of the best worldbuilding chapters I’ve EVER read.

[@aldenwilkins]

Casey Miller first time through I could not really follow what was going on, due to the timeline. One if my favorite scenes now.

[@skalliedA]

what's the soundtrack during the intro?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZqWqnRpnJWEfaM

[@michaelc1626]

The first half of this book for me was a bit slow...but the second half I think makes up for it in spades...ALL the Perrin stuff is fantastic after he gets to the Two Rivers (the stuff before that while he and Faile are fighting is awful and cringey as hell)...The Tanchico stuff is all pretty great and the final movement of that in the Panarch's palace was good though I think I disagree that Elayne gets the spotlight...maybe she got more POV but Nynaeve really shows through with her power, even if I don't really care for her bullying attitude. Though drunk Elayne was so great. Glad Rand has a teacher now because all of the "it just happened because I needed it to and I don't know how I did it" stuff is not nearly as interesting to me as purposeful use of the one power. I do think Jordan's handling of romance is improving since the clunkers of EotW like Lan and Nynaeve but I just don't think it's there yet. I find it annoying the way Rand seems to attract literally every woman he meets. This might be a plot thing (this is my first WoT reading) but it's a bit eye-rolling.

[@cwesley2005]

Just finished this book on 6/6/24. So good but took a long time. Really dragged in the middle and ending was a little meh. Perrin though absolutely carried this book

[@Mohammed-zn8zt]

Goldeneyes stuff was really interesting! Dont why though I dont like egwene al'vera

[@caveman7608]

Everyone needs a break bro! Glad your still liking the series though. Also I think you maybe allergic to either WOT or KZbin cause that nose keep itching. Heck you started my nose itch every time I watch your videos lol

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha I don't know what the hell happened there. Stupid allergy season.

[@trevorfultz]

Just finished it and raced here to listen. I also agree it’s not my favorite of the first 4. Great book but overhyped by the fandom.

[@Aranneas]

Corkaron

[@mikesbookreviews]

Car'a'carn?

[@myrdraal2001]

The problem with speed reading is that you miss a lot of information and don't retain what you should. I'd recommend slowing down and paying more attention.

[@mikesbookreviews]

myrdraal 2001 I did. I stopped for a month after this book.

[@myrdraal2001]

@@mikesbookreviews I mean that it should take you longer than a week to read a 700+ page book, not more time between books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

myrdraal 2001 Ah. Well I can’t help that. I’ve always been a fast reader. And if a book is good, I won’t put it down.

[@myrdraal2001]

@@mikesbookreviews that's why I'm telling you that you're missing key details that you may pick up on in subsequent rereads, if you ever do them. RJ hid stuff, sometimes in plain sight and you need to pay attention and remember them. It is something necessary in large, complicated books like this. Speed will get you to the finish line but you'll miss the scenery and may even take a few wrong turns.

[@justdave9610]

@@myrdraal2001 I disagree because I actually find that reading at a faster pace keeps events fresh throughout the whole read where as reading a book slowly causes me to have to get my mind back into the book's world and recall what's going on because I've forgotten details in between everything else I have going on in life between sessions.

[@frodofraggins]

I think you get a little too caught up in what you heard are the fan favorites.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sometimes, for sure. Having a few hundred comments after each book and responding to them all it was tough to avoid who everyone said is their favorite.

[@nearzero12]

Just deleted a comment because I realized most ppl were reading it around the same same time as you were. Lol

[@544001]

Perrin's chapter's were the best imo, the Elaine stuff was insufferable. Also I just read the Dune series and yeah the Freemen make the Aiel look so lame in comparison lol.

[@onestepcloser5925]

Just finished this book and is it just me or does women insulting men in almost every interaction get irritating? I mean it literally happens with every interaction. I don't get it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I wish I could tell you that it gets better on that front.

[@evelic]

I thought this book was boring as fuck.

[@Uhlbelk]

When I see someone (and a lot of reviewers say this) talk about Lan being one of their favorite characters, or who they want to see more from, it unfortunately really brings down my opinion of their review. Its equivalent to someone saying they love the transformers movies. Lan is a bad ass bodyguard, and while watching a mindless action flick (or reading one) can be fun, it certainly does not make a movie or book good. The stoic ultimate soldier trope is really a bad plot devise, and reminds me of the movie Gladiator where Russel Crowe yells "are you not entertained?!" Lan is a boring character. Everything that would be interesting about his character happened to him before to get him to this point, and he has almost no where to grow that is consistent with the story, his limited growth in books 1 & 2 are about as much as makes sense and giving him "screen time" to swing his sword around serves no purpose for the story. I'm glad you picked up on some of the subtle story telling points like Moiraine and Thoms sparring.

[@christianefiorito3204]

The payoff cimes in later book

[@warbrothers7745]

I love wot but the aiel history was soooo boring to me , I just felt like i didn’t care. Also the start they just hang out at tear for soooo long doing nothing .