The Shadow Rising: Spoiler-free & Spoiler Review | 2 To Ramble

[@TathagataMitraTom]

Let's just accept that Austin does not like good literature, and be happy with the fact that he found Red Rising.

[@2ToRamble]

😂😂

[@landonkeenan5039]

I’d love to see richard just solo review the rest of the series or do the review with the alternate book tuber!

[@carrot6655]

I was thinking the same thing. I love hearing Richard’s takes involving the series!!!

[@ScottBass]

As much as personally I’d love that, I don’t want to see Andre and BigBoi move to opposite ends of the Country.

[@ShyFly1000]

This is actually a good idea. I don’t think people should read books they don’t love. I have listened to the series all the way through twice since the pandemic and I didn’t love it as much the second time. I still really really love it, but it gets a bit too gender role specific at many points in the series. If you can get past this, and the generic ness of calling the bad guy the “dark one” it’s the best book ever written. 😊

[@germanicusternus1982]

I kind of like the contrast of their perspectives better than just having someone who loves the series.

[@katymessick4051]

Genuinely, Austin should not be reading the wheel of time at this point in his life. No one should feel like they're forced to read something or feel pressured to because it takes all of the enjoyment out of it. If he later decides to pick it up and enjoys it, that's wonderful, but forcing yourself to read a 14 book series because other people want you to read it is hell.

[@obijuan-kenobi5117]

I like how Austin encourages Richard to talk about the specifics that he loves even if he didn't connect with it in the same way. That's how you foster good discussion. Going to miss these - As a big WoT fan, I both enjoy people loving and hating the series. It's a weird thing.

[@philippschmidt80]

I don''t think it's weird at all, I also like reading or watching negative reviews of media I love, it's good to get a different perspective in my opinion.

[@mattiasbt16]

Richard, I think you know what you have to do. Lock Austin in your basement and only let him see his family once he finishes the series.

[@jacobprice512]

This is actually quite fair, all things considered

[@CombativeRoboGuy]

Would you turn Richard into Duolingo?!

[@TolkienGeek.]

Finally!!! Been waiting for this for so long. Edit: Austin is now public enemy number 1

[@2ToRamble]

😁

[@sampson623]

Boo, if Austin has a million haters I’m one of them. If Austin has ten haters then i am one of them. If Austin has one hater then that hater is me. If Austin has no haters then I am no longer on Earth. If the world is supporting Austin then I am against the world. You HAVE to like the same books as me 😡

[@2ToRamble]

I would rather have no other hater. You weote your hate so poetically Im actually quite proud to call you my #1 hater. Brings a tear to my eye, a beautiful tear

[@sampson623]

@@2ToRamble Jokes aside love the channel. 🖤

[@corbinfreeman6607]

An older video of yours popped up in my feed, and I gotta say, Richard is looking phenomenal. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s talking about wheel of time, he’s more comfortable on camera, or if it’s the weight loss, but he’s coming across as far happier and energetic. I’m happy to see that you two are thriving (or at least, appearing to be) with this podcast!

[@2ToRamble]

Hes doing great. Seriously health-wise and personal. Proud of him (in a non condescending way) (Or actually make it condescending bc screw him) hes doing awesome

[@MichaelSteve145]

I finally finished Wheel of Time recently after reading it over a 3 year period. I both loved it and hated it in equal measures but the journey was epic. I agree entirely with all of Austin's points and all of Richard's points.

[@2ToRamble]

🤝

[@BBNBRM-mt4gs]

Agree with the pacing. The series did not need to be 14 books.

[@LuminousArc92]

@@BBNBRM-mt4gs in story the series is only like 2 years long

[@alb0zfinest]

@@BBNBRM-mt4gsPacing is not even the worst aspect, as bad as it is. The worst aspect is I can't take the books seriously because everyone and I mean everyone (forsaken, aes sedai characters 500+ years old etc, every character) besides Moraine and occasionally Rand, reads like they're a fucking child. George RR Martin does cleverness very well, Tolkien does wisdom very well, Jordan fails abysmally at both. The ideas are grand, the character work (if condensed) is great but everything else is terrible, from prose to pacing, to the logic of events. Definitely regret reading 14 of these books, especially annoying because the potential really was there, the author just wasn't the right one.

[@ifokser2816]

@@alb0zfinest Logic of events ?

[@yenneferalvarez7122]

This video saved my marriage.

[@2ToRamble]

Your welcome

[@heidi6281]

Yes! The Gathering Storm is my favorite and the series could have ended there. I mentioned to John@ Talking Story that when he decides to pick up the books again he should invite you on for discussion. He read the first 6 books before he created his channel and had no one to share it with. When you were discussing WOT on his channel I loved all your insights! A John & Richard WOT collaboration would be booktube heaven!

[@ollebergqvist1690]

Finally. Been waiting for so long. Love your content/channel

[@michaelmills2691]

YESSS, I’ve been waiting for this video since I found your channel and watched your other 3 WoT videos; so excited to hear you guys talks about this book, especially since I just finished reading it a couple weeks ago! 🎉

[@Jan-gh7qi]

1:28:00 I respectfully disagree. I would't say, that the hierarchy of the Dark One works good in any way. The Forsaken aren constantly throwing each other under the bus, struggeling for power. Which ist, interestingly, how most totalitarian systems look on the inside. I'm German and I have a degree in history. Trust me, is you look behind the facade of the Third Reich, if you put way the courtain of all the propaganda about "German efficency", "fast and decisive action", bational unitty" and "unstoppable soldiers" you will find a bunch of weak pathetic men, sontantly stabbing each other in the back (sometimes literally) and squabbeling for power. For me the politics-part of WoT is in fact aout the opposite: Democracy (or at least a more egalitarian form of monarcy, because its still fantasy) in the end is the stronger system. It is just sooooo much harder to build and maintain. Rand in the beginning constaltly struggels with his friends and all of tehir inetrests, which are often understandable but really get in his way. And with all of the nations ist basically the same. But the good guy actually do it. They bite their teeth and they bargain. They learn about all these annoying cultures and values, they often heavily disagree with. And this makes their progress much slower, than the Shadow. But once it is built, it is also much stronger.

[@borasertgil5808]

I would love to see Richard review the wheel of time books, on his own with someone I don’t mind please carry on 😢

[@tylerhampton2612]

So glad you dropped this today since I reread Shadow last week. Perfect timing

[@joshseveck5040]

This review reminded me why I love this book series! I’ve been on break from the series since reading The Shadow Rising because I wanted to finish the storm light archives, but I’m definitely reading the Fires of Heaven when I finish Rhythm of War!

[@ddg4762]

Fires of heaven is great

[@lightblindedfool9510]

The thing about the importance of men and women working together is that this book (and arguably the series) isn't supposed to be an example of how they can best work together, it's a cautionary tale of what happens when they don't.

[@lightblindedfool9510]

And yeah, I would say that that is not the main theme or even one of the top 3.

[@corbinfreeman6607]

I’d love to see a series of videos where instead of talking about one book, Richard and Austin each talk about a book they really enjoy but the other might not have read. Essentially, take the older one sided reviews from the channel, like The Blade Itself, but both guys pitch a book and talk about it. It could be a nice solution for those who want to hear Richard talk more about Wheel of Time, while also providing Austin an opportunity to talk about something he enjoys and is excited about.

[@2ToRamble]

Thank you for the idea on this! We actually have a video series in mind that will be just like this

[@corbinfreeman6607]

@@2ToRamble hell yeah, I’m excited

[@josie2189]

I feel like I remember @iangubeli saying he wanted to get around to WoT? He always has such a positive attitude and open mind, I think it’d be really fun to see him and Richard together!

[@Sisyphaded]

Holding out my hope before I watch that Austin pulled a 180 and rated this above an 8

[@Sisyphaded]

Oh no….

[@0Arman0]

@@Sisyphaded xD he did nottt...

[@2ToRamble]

😂😂

[@MaiaGothmog]

What happened to the 10-point Rambler Rating scale???

[@2ToRamble]

We are using stars now and will explain in a future video - but using it to be more understandable and helps us with rating things!

[@BookishGecko]

I just finished Shadow Rising and immediately began watching your review and just for that you’ll have to physically kick me out of the patreon… I refuse to leave 😂 I really enjoyed The Shadow Rising and have requested The Fires of Vengeance from my library. I should get it mid-august unless I break and buy it for myself before then (I’ll buy them eventually anyway 😅)

[@2ToRamble]

😂

[@CandyMan_Bob]

1:31:07 funny enough, I haven't read the wheel of time, I just like the banter between you two. :)

[@2ToRamble]

🙏🙏

[@reirei7086]

Oh my god! Okay it’s happening! Everybody stay calm! 😂

[@KALtheLostie108]

STAY F****** CALM!!!

[@andrewdemarco3512]

I love how teh Aiel twisted the rule of "not take up arms" to become "not weild a sword"

[@s.p.8508]

Ah, the Shadow Rising. I’d put it smack dab in the middle to slightly above average point in The Wheel of Time. When I read it I had no idea it was almost universally praised as the best book, I had a good time but it wasn’t anything special. The Fires of Heaven and The Lord of Chaos though… THOSE are what REALLY got me into The Wheel of Time and are probably the only reason I actually made it through the slog. And the slog is real Austin, the slog is real. None compare to The Gathering Storm though, that’s the best book in the series. Btw, when are you guys gonna read The Will of the Many??? I think you guys would really enjoy it. I was OBSESSED with that book.

[@2ToRamble]

Richard read that, once I read it we will definitely review!

[@simonepiranio1380]

55:01 really are you saying Rand has no reason to mistrust ae sedais ? have you read the books up to this point?

[@basicoptimalmouse]

Bro is skimming through the story for sure, wouldn't be surprised if it's all audiobooks, but even then, if he was, he wouldn't call Selene "Sylene" either. I don't understand how you can read ~1 million words and comprehend close to none of it 😂

[@alexlatella8220]

I think Richard could review the rest with Daniel Greene. He used to be one of the biggest Wheel of Time youtubers.

[@MikeyHansen]

F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. Holy mother of braid tugging, I have been waiting for this for so long ! Sad to see the reviews go though... Whelp

[@judokoga2145]

Oh that's sad you guys are stopping with the reviews. I just finished TSR and I was intimidated by WOT for years and finally started it this year and it is the best fantasy series/books I have ever read so far. I keep thinking back to moments from dragon reborn and the ending of the great hunt

[@FOURM44]

The Wheel of Time and Game of Thrones, and a dash of Feist were my Teenage years. Fires of Heaven was my favorite but yeah reviewing it straight through us too tall of an ask. Also I love Matt if my profile shot didn’t give that away

[@MasterZealot09]

So many thoughts and feelings here. Come on Austin. Did you dislike Words of Radiance and Oathbringer because of the love triangle? Richard, you should just do reviews alone if he isn't enjoying the series.

[@bigboy4137]

It’s not the fact that’s it’s a love triangle, it’s a love triangle written by Robert Jordan, bro cannot write romance

[@2ToRamble]

Id agree with bigboy on this and I think from my POV - the message of the Wheel of Time is going for a critical message between men and women working together, with other themes of course, but I see this as a primary driver of the series - the relationship between men and women. While Stormlight is primarily about mental health (multiple personality disorder, redeeming oneself from guilt, suicide/depression) while the love triangle is hardly a drop in the bucket and didnt distract me from the main themes. Whereas in WOT it’s very distracting because it is the main purpose, in my opinion. And if the romance doesn’t connect, the story wont. And I see the romance as very superficial and am not invested. But hey - just my 2 cents

[@gustavolamego9913]

Don't worry too much about it. I spent years reading untill I finished wheel of time. In between I read all of the cosmere, first law, wittcher and several other series. Its a good series to read a book, put it away, and then pick it back up once you hear it calling for you again

[@thewingedserpent5823]

So maybe malazan next? I've only read book 1 so far but it would be cool to read it alongside your reviews

[@ivorv5063]

If Austin couldnt finish wot i dont think he will with malazan

[@johnmartin9846]

@@ivorv5063idk if it’s so much a matter of “he can’t” read wot and more he’s just not liking it. Malazan while deep and complicated does have a much different feel to it. I think if he could get hooked by it he’d like it

[@KALtheLostie108]

I'm not sure if this is still the case, but I know a while back they mentioned really wanting to do First Law by Joe Abercrombie. So that might be what's next. Just a heads up!

[@2ToRamble]

We may do this next as a long series! (But are going to tackle shorter series in the meantime)

[@travisbrown2149]

@@2ToRamble Maybe go for the Earthsea books cause they are short reads

[@tomasgonzalez6643]

Omg I swear I've been super expecting this. Once I finish watching I'll edit or comment this video!

[@tomasgonzalez6643]

Oh my God...

[@tomasgonzalez6643]

Well it´s been an awesome journey and it makes me kinda sad that I´ll probably never watch a WOT podcast anytime soon but at the same time it´s absolutely understandable. I´m grateful to Austin´s patience with a series he didn´t like because if he hadn´t endured this many reviews I wouldn´t have met or followed you guys.

[@hufflepuff8277]

Daniel Greene. Do a book by book review with Daniel Greene. From what I’ve seen he’s one of the biggest WOT KZbinrs and he is absolutely in love with the series I’m sure you all would have PLENTY to talk about

[@gary.665]

I was thinking the same thing! Having Daniel’s chaos mixed with these two would be hilariously entertaining

[@RikusonOne]

Finishing Book 6 and I'm not a big fan of 5 or 6 but i liked for. But i do agree that the series when talked about sounds great but the pacing and bloated writing style of RJ is it's biggest thing working against it. I will continue to the end for my boi Brando Sando. Austin i recommended immersion reading. Only listening to the audio of The Wheel of Time is a way i highly do not recommend.

[@valliyarnl]

christmas came early between getting the episode ive been cyberbullying u guys for and the new taylor swift album ON THE SAME DAY :D

[@KALtheLostie108]

Well, I like one of those things lol. But thank you for cyberbullying Austin into submission! Best thing you could have done!

[@andreww4751]

When are you guys gonna do The First Law trilogy?

[@2ToRamble]

That and Mistborn are the next upcoming series the channel will cover

[@ariharannatarajan2750]

I'm curious what you both think of it. It is quite different from the first three books, Robert Jordan really breaks open the world

[@Buttersquanch]

Finally, but Austin is being contrarian at this point 😂

[@elisabethprice4697]

Finally a book review of a book I’ve read! Lol 😂

[@jeremyzwiers4335]

Reading through this series was very strange (I just finished the last book a couple months ago), because I'm generally more of a reader like Austin, but I could see where Richard was coming from while reading this series. Generally when I'm thinking about Wheel of Time, my conclusion winds up being that it is the most important 5.5/10 series out there. It is so obvious how formative the series was to the fantasy genre and the strength it can have in literature, yet it is so dramatically flawed that at times it just straight hurts. For me, the bulk of my issue with Jordan's writing style comes with his pacing and timing. I genuinely think that you could get the entire series, all of its messages, the nuance, and the (intended) emotions, in 7-8 books instead of the 14 (technically 15) that the series wound up being. The best things about the worldbuilding that seems to have caught Richard when he was originally reading it could have still been in there, while still being more efficient and holding on to the attention of readers like Austin and me. Comparing fantasy series can be difficult, but if we think about the worldbuilding of the other big hitters of fantasy (I'm thinking Stormlight, ASOIAF, LOTR) and we think about how they were get their worldbuilding and messages across, with some of the most impressive worlds and themes in the Fantasy genre, and then we think about how long those series are, then I think that the flaw with Jordans writing could be a bit more understandable. When I got to this point in WOT, I was happy that the book finally felt much better to me, but it wound up being more of a "finally we're getting somewhere" than anything else, which felt great at the time, but in hindsight is not the kind of feeling I want to feel again when reading a series. It is strange to read books where the characters are moving forward and are changing, yet rarely feel like they are at the time. This made the series so difficult to read, since because of that the character arcs took forever, which considering how few POV characters there actually are in WOT and how long the series is, I genuinely thought was a major flaw with it. It was just so strange to experience a world so completely made, yet so badly paced as a story, at least for me. Apology comment for fans of the series coming forthwith.

[@2ToRamble]

Great points here - curious what Richard thinks!

[@peytontrahan2147]

I could’ve seen this coming based on earlier reviews, it’s okay not to like the wheel of time! I personally think it’s the best fantasy series ever written but it has some flaws that drive people crazy so I understand.

[@arabellawillow]

I had a few Dune flashbacks while reading this as well! Such a good book 🤙🏼

[@KaraRoseAlexandra]

Honestly I loved the first five books but Lord of Chaos put me into a reading slump. Wheel of Time is so damn slow it’s infuriating. I may return and complete the series later but at this point reading Wheel of Time has become a chore

[@Kari-qv1wn]

Same, i forced myself to read all the way to book 9 cause people kept saying it gets better, but at this point i actively hate half the main characters i doubt i will finish the series

[@andreww4751]

@@Kari-qv1wn why force yourself if you dont enjoy it, i somehow managed to finish it and i almost regret it. there are so many great fantasy books out there and so little time.

[@KaraRoseAlexandra]

Finished book 7 and now halfway through 8. I love Rand too much to quit.

[@christopherbradbury6562]

On the topic of men and women working together. I don't think the theme is fully realized in book 4. The platonic relationships between men and women, and the respect between the genders that grows through the series, is the full realization. The best relationships in WoT are the ones that allow freedom and trust. Characters have lives and duties outside of their loved one, and romantic relationships thrive when there is mutual respect.

[@seven7ucas4]

I see Austin reding it again far from now and actually kinda liking it. Now that's what I would call a slow burn

[@2ToRamble]

🤌

[@maximilliandoren8492]

I started wheel of time and found you two at the same time. i finished Lord of Chaos for the first time this morning. review wheel of time with me

[@icy7857]

perfect timing I just finished the book 😭😭😭 time to see Austin hate on this amazing piece of fiction

[@2ToRamble]

😁😁

[@blckbirdoftrees6218]

I don't understand where Austin is getting this bizarre view of perrin saying you will never understand women, but you will love them anyway. There are three main tgemes around men and women in the wheel of time. Men and women are different. Men and women should not try to be the other sex. Men and women can accomplish far more together than they could separately. When Perrin says you will never understand them, he is saying they will never be you. But in part you will love them for that. It isnt some wierd ohh you just think she is hot.

[@giuli_raffin]

I aways see the Anthony Ryan books behind Richard, I've never heard of them. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on those?

[@KALtheLostie108]

Not sure if they'll see this, but I can give my thoughts. I've only read Blood Song, but it's a fantastic character-driven story told in a frame setting. It follows Vaelin, a young man whose nobleman father drops him off at the doors of the Sixth Order, a religious soldier training camp for young boys to become warriors. You follow Vaelin through his life as he becomes brothers with the boys in his group, unravels mysteries, falls in love, and becomes a servant of the King. Unfortunately, from everything I have heard, the other two books in the Trilogy are god-awful. You get the occasional person who says they're great, but that's the equivalent of saying Dark Souls 2 is your favorite Souls game, or Annette is your favorite Nightwish singer (if you're in either of those niches. If not, just know it's an unpopular opinion.) 2toRamble reviewed The Pariah, and Richard gave it a 6 and Austin gave it a 5. Overall, from everything I know, the concensus is that Blood Song us amazing and everything else is just OK to below average.

[@2ToRamble]

Thank you Kal for answering!!! Great thoughts and Richard read the books and thinks more highly of Anthony Ryans other series than the Pariah

[@KALtheLostie108]

@@2ToRamble I'm practicing for when I replace you guys with A.I.

[@giuli_raffin]

@@KALtheLostie108 Thank you!! I think I'll give Anthony Ryan a shot

[@jasonm8051]

Richard. When I first read the story in the 90s and 00s as a teen and 20 something lad from a literal farm village of 300 people I couldn't stand Nyneave. As a 40 something now she might be my favorite non Mat character. Did you feel anything similar in your reread?

[@noname3609]

This is when the modern Fantasy era started back in 92'

[@mychalharmon1]

It may just be a generational or environmental thing. I grew up in a small town in the 80’s, a lot of these things are familiar to me. I’ve seen women and men with attitudes like these. Also, with Rand and his women, I’ve always felt like they were the splintered soul of his previous love.

[@CombativeRoboGuy]

I think I will like the series more when I listen to it on audiobook specifically because I find the prose is so long winded that it drives me into a reading slump but I plan to continue VERY soon (I reached halfway through book 5 before knowing it will send me into a reading slump and I hate those) Edit: I just started wondering- how different would gay people vs straight people view this series? I’m curious because of what the story wants to tackle between men and women and I imagine people who are gay would view the series differently from someone like me- who is a straight guy.

[@2ToRamble]

The reading slumps are the worst! And yea - curious what others would think as well

[@kasuihikari]

New thought, I think Austin is taking the idea of men and women work best together and applying it exclusively to a romantic sense. Which is why the romance falls so flat. Every culture we’ve seen thus far has men and women almost at odds with each other where they undervalue the other’s contributions to pretty much everything. So at this point the idea is if we can do this much in conflict how much more can we do when we value others as much as we value our selves. Just my two cents.

[@ladymairreads]

Listening to this is making me want to go back to WOT but I wasn’t a massive fan of the first 3…

[@josephadcock7449]

My major major issue with wheel of time (it’s a minor inconvenience that irritates me) I just wish I was told who the pov is 😭😂😂

[@ianjohnsonville]

Austin, I fully agree with everything you say. Thank god I’ve finally found someone who doesn’t like this series. Stay strong!

[@2ToRamble]

We stand together!

[@craftingodst3400]

We all knew he didnt like it from the gap between the book 3 and 4 reviews...

[@hufflepuff8277]

I think the sexism of the series hasn’t aged well. I get it’s not real and it’s a fantasy world but when the characters are constantly going “ugh women” or “ugh men” it gets old

[@crimsonking7179]

Nah, I say it's age well. We still do those things now.

[@Zach64612]

Real people say that stuff all the time.

[@587monster]

about time

[@simonepiranio1380]

shadow rising is the pinnacle of fantasy literature.

[@andreww4751]

absolutely not! one of the most overrated books i've ever read.

[@faustogenaoa]

Too respectful, I wanted to see blood!! Two friends fighting each other till the end to see who survived. But nooo. Austin, you are too nice 😅

[@2ToRamble]

Next time we’ll being the boxing gloves lol

[@KaraRoseAlexandra]

Democracy is cringe but it’s the least cringe option

[@happykilljoyproductions]

FINALLY AUSTIN I THOUGHT YOU GAVE UP

[@vigilantScrivener]

Now that I’ve read them all, 4 is one of the better ones. The Battle of Emonds Field went from 60 to 0 though for me because as soon as Faile brought the reinforcements the battle ended abruptly. It’s like if the Rohirrim showed up at Pellenor and Theoden gives his speech and then we jump cut to Scruffy sweeping long dead orc corpses away. I concur Gathering Storm was probably my favorite.

[@vigilantScrivener]

Also, this was the one where I planted my feet and decided to finish the series out of spite.

[@SamHarrison2099]

Richard - I'm reading and reviewing one Wheel of Time book a month, just finished The Shadow Rising, would love for you to join my full spoiler discussion series with another booktuber!

[@playermartin286]

I DNFd wheel of time on book 5. No more of this nonsense!

[@ranchalthor3526]

34:24 Gotta say great discussion really enjoyed the dynamic! But I think Austin’s point about Men and Women working together is way too off. The series is not focused on the romantic side but more so on the platonic side and because of the taint on male channellers what has happened is that one particular side has gotten oppressed for thousands of years, which has caused the division between the two genders overall. This is further solidified by the way aes Sedai treat male channellers. Additionally when Perrin says, “You can’t understand them but you’ll love them anyways.” It does not automatically mean that she’s hot but they’ll frustrate you….. up until this point Perrin has had his entire family slaughtered and has no one left from his bloodline and THE FIRST person to comfort him is Faille which is where he developed his emotional attachment to her. Then after that she is the one who tells him you can either morn the dead or save the living which sets him on the trajectory to become a leader.(This is coming from a Faile hater btw 💀) Perrin saying to his cousin that quote is him saying no matter what the flaws are in the person there is always a good side and once you build a specific bond with the. It cannot be broken. There is a similar conversation that happens in A song of Ice and Fire where Cercy talks about how you will always love your children even if they are horrible people, because of the unconditional love a parent has for their child. This Perrin reacting the same way to his romantic counter part. But you will never see anyone criticize game of thrones for that, which I feel is unfair to the wheel of time. Sorry if I come off a bit overprotective to criticism but I feel as though when someone criticizes LOTR or Red Rising you have people who go hard to defend it and some of the things that are criticism for the wheel of time such as the repetition does not get criticized for Brandon Sanderson when he tells me what Furechemy is for the fifth time in mistborn. I just feel that people are not consistent with their complains where something is fine in one thing but is criticized in something else.

[@2ToRamble]

Appreciate the response - totally get it, and no problem at all for responding like this, that’s why we love doing book reviews, thanks for the point of view!

[@GelidPrince]

I'm with you Austin. I don't get the hype. I wanted to love it though.

[@jonsadenwasser4246]

They need to revert back to the old rating system

[@jaycarr5906]

To be frank, I love WoT but I didn't love book 4, I liked it more than the others. 5 and 6 are my favorites so far, best action and amazing character moments especially with Mat in book 5.. I'm only in book 9 right now so that could change.

[@2ToRamble]

Oo I (austin) havent beard that take too much, Ive heard book 4 is peak. Thats insightful for me thankya

[@wrustria]

im team austin, i tried eye of the world. It was not my vibe

[@Smileysmiley012]

austin, I think fundamentally you not liking the characters sort of "leaked" through to the rest of your ratings. To be fair I wouldn't be able to distinguish them myself either. I'm more saying it's interesting because it shows how important characters are in a story. If they're bad or the reader doesn't like them. The book is toast.

[@2ToRamble]

Thats pretty fair

[@DiggerdanReads]

My channel is tiny Richard but I’d love to talk WoT. It’s become my favorite series of all time and I’m always looking for an excuse for a reread

[@2ToRamble]

Sure, email or dm us and we can set up a time

[@ashleyholbird4287]

I cant wait to see yall review Gardens of the Moon

[@anuragsharma7128]

I had been waiting for this wayyyy toooo longg!!! Hope FOH doesn't take much time

[@nathanhartswick9955]

They are not doing it

[@NolanRichardson-u7s]

Austin hurt me today I dont know if I could ever recover from hearing him say he didn't like this book it is my favorite book of all time!

[@2ToRamble]

Nooo! Sorry to disappoint - whats your second favorite, maybe we’ll agree there 😁

[@NolanRichardson-u7s]

@@2ToRamble It's Words of Radiance I got into wheel of tie because I heard Sanderson finished it!

[@2ToRamble]

@@NolanRichardson-u7s Phew, we are back on track. Stormlight is top tier

[@WapitalismandWreedom]

the problem is the series is too long and somewhat repetitive. I think everything pays off beautifully but people like austin might not make far enough to enjoy the payoff. i think most criticism austin has is addressed as the series goes on. its so frustrating hearing them and being like "but wait, in book 6... and then in book 8... how about in book 11" and so on. i think richard is thoroughly enjoying his re read because he knows what its all setting up and it excites him. Austin has none of that so it feels like more of a slog.

[@2ToRamble]

Well said!

[@andreww4751]

However I agree with Richard that the Gathering Storm is really good. It's really really good. BUT then again Towers Of Midnight not as good and Memory of Light is even worse so yeah..

[@alessiocalamai4546]

I sadly agree with Austin, I can see the story moving forward and I’m sure that if Richard could tell the story it would be better. I’ll finish the series someday cause I need to read the Sanderson climax, but I really feel like the story itself moves forward just because it has to, and it is not organic at all. Even when Rand proclaims himself with the Aiel wise dudes, I didn’t feel any shiver. It was just happening because it had to plot wise. I’m so sad about this cause I was so hyped, it is just not ment for me…

[@alessiocalamai4546]

Aw and the flashback chapter in the desert, the most incomprehensible thing I’ve read. I don’t know if it’s fault of the Italian translation. Lots of love from Tuscany guys, keep going you’re fire ✌️🤩🔥

[@2ToRamble]

Thanks for watching! (Especially bc you agree with me 😂) Cheers 🥂

[@Flamminggoat72]

Come outside Austin we just wanna talk.

[@whyyguy8116]

Maybe Austin try the audio books in a year or two

[@clawstruckwizard9847]

Since when do you use stars not out of 10?

[@LuzzyStef]

You guys gotta get to schythe it’s not such a long book

[@Sisyphaded]

Austin would love scythe this is actually such a good recommendation

[@LuzzyStef]

@@Sisyphaded I actually think Richard would like it to considering he likes sci fi more than Austin and it’s such a well rounded book

[@Sisyphaded]

@@LuzzyStef for sure. Richard would appreciate it for everything it has to offer and Austin will be on board with the hype moments and connect with the characters since there’s only two (?) viewpoints

[@Zach64612]

I love when they review bad books.

[@LuzzyStef]

@@Zach64612 even better when they review an amazing book that’s why I recommended schythe 👌

[@rkgrkg]

Actually, I'm not watching this because I like WoT. I'm watching because I like Austin and Richard. 😁 But for the record, I fully agree with Austin on this one.

[@andreww4751]

Sorry but The Shadow Rising for a 1000+ page book barely anything happens. They don't even leave Tear until page 350 or something. Also I really dont understand why people love the Perrin stuff so much, as it bored me to hell. That whole plot was so basic and uninteresting. The ending and the Rhuidean stuff was the only saving grace for me.

[@IamFrizzyGrizzly]

I'm a few months behind on this read through. It's my first read through of this series ever. (I'm also coming back from an 11 year reading hiatus) I'm enjoying the series. Though after this book I'm gonna take a break. Not a big reader though I'm trying to change that. I feel like an 8 year old learning video games with Dark Souls when I read this series.

[@TerenceGrimstone]

Personally I had almost the exact same feelings towards WoT as Austin. I didn't like any of the 'good' WoT books. I had almost decided to DNF the series when I got to book 7 and loved it. Personally, the slog books are my favourite now and I don't like books 1-4 and 6. Oh also, i hate Dune and didn't really feel any emotional impact in this one.

[@fallonyoursword]

If austin didn't enjoy book 4, he'd HATE book 5. I binged the first five books this year and i'm ready for a break too. I feel what you said about these books killing your reading momentum. Same here. I'll get back to book 6 in 3-4 months.

[@LuminousArc92]

Austin needs to be reminded of the line from Stormlight and think how it applies to WoT: Journey before destination on my first read I didn't enjoy book 4 (and 5) that much mainly because of the Aiel. Learning their history, culture, etc it just didn't click for me but on a reread, damn. Appreciating the history so much more, and realizing who they are talking about being the forsaken before they took new names. The moment the bore was made. How the cultures are, how they relate to each other and the world it's a shame Austin won't be continuing for some time, if ever. No docks, no box for him

[@JinxyDragon]

I also stopped reading WoT after book 4 about a year ago. I hated the first book, really liked books 2 and 3 and was meh/middle of the road on 4. I dunno why the series didn’t click with me, because It had everything I love about fantasy. Idk it was pacing or authors voice or what, But someday I really hope to finish them all. It’s just a really daunting task when there are so many and I don’t feel as invested as I do was most books. I commend Austin for getting thru 4 books tho! Tis no easy task

[@nyxian_grid]

I am like Austin on this one, I don't like the series. BUT I am now on book... 8 maybe? Because I really want to know what the fuss is about ahah So I hope you continue with it eventually!

[@Godsmack477x]

Are they continuing the series ?

[@andrewdemarco3512]

I'm glad he actually agrees the world-building is great finaly. Sad that he doesn't connect with the characters. I think Jordan was fantastic with characters and even the secondary and tertiary characters had interesting stories and motivations.

[@pl9462]

I totaly get why Rand distrusts Moraine. I don‘t think she is a Darkfriend, but I have no doubt that she tries to control him and use him. And of course Rand isn‘t cool with that.

[@ddg4762]

The pain I feel is immeasurable😭. Damn you Austin

[@2ToRamble]

Im sorry 😭😭 (maybe) 😈