The Wheel Of Time Sucks: RESPONSE

An article made some claims about #WheelOfTime and I found them to be wrong. Here is my response!
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The Article: / the-wheel-of-time-sucks

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Edit: To people saying "It is an April fools joke!" It is not. It has been up for over a year and he has never claimed it to be one. He has responded to people criticizing it well after April harshly defending the article. It is not a joke. I want to make this absolutely clear; I have no issue with Garret on a personal level. This video should purely be taken about responsibility when speaking about others/posting reviews. Do your research. Don’t lie about content. Don’t claim fowl play when you have zero evidence. Content creators have a responsibility to check what they are saying. People will hear what we say and RUN WITH IT. That is why my Goodkind video relies on direct quotes and in context statements. Not speculation and hunches.

[@korytoombs886]

I personally liked the WOT, but the characters are not the best written. All the women share similar characteristics: they get angry quickly, they are easily annoyed by the simplest of things, they tug their hair, their inner dialogue about men is very similarly negative, they talk about how men don't understand, and how the men should know better, and how try to figure out different way to manipulate men and other people in general. This guy's article seems very sexist and poorly researched, but yes, the characters, especially the women are not as well written as you present in this video. In fact, I would so far as to say many of them are carbon copies of each other, with different names, titles, and positions to make them seem as very different. I think my favorite female character in fantasy would be Rhapsody, from the Symphony of Ages series. This is how female character should be written inmo, or even the main lead from Mistborn.

[@101Waylander]

He seems to be a wanna be author. The "joke" got him responses, got him noticed by fantasy readers. Not all of those readers enjoyed the Wheel of Time, unlike yourself as well as me (in fact I've just started a re-read yet again as I love it so much). As a result those who might agree with him could possibly be tempted to check out his books that he provides a link to at the end of his article. After posting the article he may well have seen an increase in his sales, which in turn led him to leave the article up. Anyway, whatever the true reason for the article, it was a terrible thing to have done. As you say in your video, there are areas in the series that could be improved, it is not perfect. The guy just raves about incorrect information, misleading potential readers of the series with blatant lies. In many respects he comes across like a Donald Trump clone, spreading untruths knowing that a certain base will never bother to fact check him. A rotten thing to do, whether as a joke of as a genuine article regarding a well loved work of fiction. I sincerely hope that he gets what he deserves, failing book sales and a thorough destruction of his chances of ever making a living as an author.

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

@@korytoombs886 I can respect that opinion 100%. :)

[@elguitarolerno]

My Mrs really loved the dark tower series and Harry potter. She has never read LOTR but loves the films. Would WOT be a good Xmas gift? feel free to reply, the defence made of this series in this video has really put me off but other POVs always help

[@kimwarburton8490]

@@elguitarolerno i been re-reading every book iv owned in this series, at least once a year, since i bought the 1st one in the 90s as a teen girl To my mind, the last 3 feel rushed But fantastic story imo better than lotr Edit Better than harry potter. It has the complexity of got books

[@shiptime6458]

Im 73 yrs old , not a very good reader so it's your fault that i started reading these books. I read the whole thing. Glad I did, so thank you. i also live in S.C,

[@elguitarolerno]

My Mrs really loved the dark tower series and Harry potter. She has never read LOTR but loves the films. Would WOT be a good Xmas gift? feel free to reply, the defence made of this series in this video has really put me off but other POVs always help

[@AlMoxtar]

@@elguitarolerno Don't buy someone a book when you don't even know if they want to read it. Buy it for yourself and if you like it, share it.

[@KalRandom]

@@elguitarolerno Get her the first one, and see if it hooks her. Potter is a easy simple read. Now Dark Tower is way more complex, but only if you read King and realize it connects all his books. But WOT has a ton of plots running at same time. So much so I have met readers that just couldn't keep up with everything and quit reading them. I loved them, they started me reading.

[@amysthe-wise-one8493]

@@elguitarolerno I rank WoT above HP and way above the DT series (The ending made me throw my book across the room and I've not re-read it ever, unlike WoT when I'm on re-read #10 now.) Get her the first 3 and let her see. I started reading it in 1992 and had to wait between books. She has the luxury of picking up the next immediately once she's hooked. Is it perfect? No. But there is no perfect book/series.

[@donvineyard8654]

aaa - I think so. The great thing is you can read it multiple ways. I've read it through several times but even now I stumble on a nugget of gold I had missed. Makes the story tons of fun. You don't have to read it analytically, and it will still be a great read.

[@thane9]

Those of us reading the books, and active on the boards, when he was diagnosed remember how open and transparent he was, about his illness, about his work, and his desire to finish it. I find it particularly egregious that someone would claim the opposite when it was so clear how bravely and honorably he lived and died.

[@Trisjack20]

And to see the effort he put in that there would be enough notes to help a successor finish it. How amazing do you have to be (and committed to your craft/fans) to be bothered about getting the story told even if you are not there to enjoy the fame of your own huge successful finale. It is annoying he would make that claim.

[@subism1377]

Didn't he and his wife screen Sanderson first too, just to make sure that the series would see justice?

[@Animalace3]

@@subism1377 I do not remember if Robert was there to screen Sanderson, but I know for a fact that his wife most certainly did screen Sanderson and she also helped Sanderson several times with writing the books (cause she had insight as to Robert's plans for the Wheel of Time).

[@subism1377]

@@Animalace3 could've sworn Sanderson said something along those lines, but I've been known to be wrong before

[@Animalace3]

@@subism1377 I'm fairly certain that Robert was also there, but I can't recall definitively if he also screened Sanderson alongside his wife.

[@moomcmoosson1992]

I'd think ghosts/wraiths being bound to an object is a trope much older than Tolkien.

[@timidalchemist8475]

Yep, it started around middle eastern with the folktales with jinns being sealed away.

[@Mrbluefire95]

There are things Tolkien took inspiration from, like Norse myth, etc.

[@nickd5158]

Wait... Tolkein wasn't 100% original!!!! Maybe not even close!!!! Maybe he just redid things in a different way that the average reader found more accessible and interesting and that's okay!!!! Crazy Talk!!!!

[@enaidealukal9203]

Yep. Nothing new under the sun. Even influential/ground-breaking authors like Tolkien are mostly just adapting older material (as Tolkien readily admitted, noting that his series greatly borrowed from Finnish and other mythological traditions)

[@witchsorrowful1918]

Literally part of the Ring des Nibelungen.

[@lill1418]

"I've never heard a woman say x" Do you actually know any women?

[@KalRandom]

At least ones that know how to read, besides fb.

[@nicolapadoin9718]

@@KalRandom mom?

[@KalRandom]

@@nicolapadoin9718 you never really know your mother, that's a old person trying to get into heaven, after her wild times that brought you into this world.

[@sovcitwatch]

I've never heard a woman say I was good in bed. ... I haven't known any women in bed

[@swine13]

Ive never heard a woman say "ploop boop shazoopy moop, blabalabba bing bong" Your move, ladies...

[@baconftw11]

He comes off as an edgelord trying to sound smart by going against the grain and claiming to have spotted all these mistakes that all the fan-boys didn't notice. It strikes me as if he couldn't stand out and seem interesting in the fantasy community by liking such a popular, mainstream franchise, so he instead tries to get attention by being edgy and shitting on it with half-truths and misunderstandings. We shouldn't really be surprised though, it happens with everything, hence r/iamverysmart existing. If anything this guy just makes your consistently level-headed look at different franchises look more respectable and worth listening to, so I'd say ignore this dude and keep up the good work!

[@LagMasterSam]

I was just about to say, this guy is just an edgelord personality with the way he's talking vaguely while being as insulting as possible and then just makes specifics up along the way in an attempt to look credible. It's textbook edgelord stuff.

[@Vanic00]

The Wheel of Time holds a special place in my heart and has for years. I found the Eye of the World one night in a lost and found pile while at work and started reading. I love this series so much, that I haven't even finished it, not because I dislike it, but because I don't want the story to end. My father grew up with Tolkien and his world, while I grew up with Robert Jordan.

[@alwaysopen7970]

I have all 15 books in my basement on shelves, most are first edition hardbacks. I want to get rid of them because I can read them on my Kindle if ever bored to tears. That's redundant.

[@angelalever1272]

I am a woman, I am 52, and I have actually read all of the WOT, I have no problem with the story arc of any of the women characters in the series. I do not like alot of them as people ie Tuon, Forsaken etc., but this is what makes WOT for me. Tolkien is the Grandfather of modern fantasy and in the hundreds of fantasy books I have read, I see his influence at somepoint in all of them, I am so proud that Robert Jordan wanted to use aspects of LotR in his work and how he also built on them to create his own unique world. The point that made me most angry is that Robert Jordan just kept on writing until he died and had no intention of finishing them, I do not know who this person is, but he clearly has no understanding of fantasy from its roots to modern day!

[@Trisjack20]

Very well articulated points.

[@jachyra4]

Book 6 was 900 pages. Almost nothing happens in the first 600 pages. A better writer could have written the same content in less than 150 pages. All of the books have this problem, but this to me was the most egregious. Imagine if Robert Jordan knew how to write without pissing away page upon page on nothingness. He could have easily finished the series in his lifetime, and it would be better for it.

[@Dragon-eu8cb]

I live Tuon because RJ wrote here so she was hatable.

[@jachyra4]

@@calebmauer1751 Well, a moderately interesting ending does seem comparatively amazing after 600 pages of boredom, I'll give you that.

[@jari2018]

@@Dragon-eu8cb There was 3 chapters online 10-15 years ago with Mat and Tuon working on a circus since Mat had kidnapped Tuon and they did hide there - it was supposed to be a taste of the upcoming novel - these chapters never appeared in the next novel and was never included in the series .

[@roisbelhernandez1430]

You're right, Daniel. This guy should apologize to his readers for misleading them.

[@MrPaul-bn9cl]

Rand al'Thor, The Dragon to Bone? Also, as a Tolkienian, while I recognize his books to be a major player in the modern epic fantasy genre, he has always spoken about borrowing many of His ideas from folklore and tales of epicness... So, all fantasy is 100% derivative. But way to be edgy... Lol

[@indy_go_blue6048]

It's likely that good old Homer derived stories of his time to create his epic duology. That's how it is. Even "There's nothing new under the sun..." came from somewhere else, lol.

[@DaDunge]

Tolkien got very pissy about suggestions that the ring was inspired by Nibelungen's ring however.

[@AlMoxtar]

Those lines about Robert Jordan, in addition to being factually wrong, are despicable on a human level. PS: I haven't read the WOT yet so I have no opinion on the rest of it.

[@enaidealukal9203]

you should probably get on that then, its a fantastic series you won't regret it!

[@kkcliffy2952]

I have a friend who has a lot of these same opinions, including hating how Robert Jordan wrote women and saying he's derivative after the first 3 books. I'm a woman and loved the entire series including how the women were written and the nods to Tolkien, which I started reading the same year I started reading WoT.

[@KJnapalm]

I personally just hate the way Jordan writes characters. Most of the conflict stems from the fact that none of the characters communicate with or have any trust in each other. I’ll admit that’s why I stopped reading. I just hate the way he writes relationships and characters.

[@cheaptricked3148]

I have to admit, when I first started reading Eye of the World, I put it down after a couple chapters thinking it was derivative of Tolkien (I was also young and the LotR movies just came out so I was very attached to them). Black-cloaked riders, Mountains of Mist, the Third Age (even opening almost word for word the same way, 'legend fades to myth' and whatnot). But the similarities pretty much end with that surface level stuff. I read the first 7 or 8 books one after another and had taken a huge break between 9 and 10...like...a ten year break. It's actually what brought me to this channel, I had to look up summaries of the books before reading Crossroads of Twilight. And now that one is out of the way and I'm onto Knife of Dreams where I hear it picks up again. It's going to feel weird to finish a series I started in high school over 15 years ago but I'm looking forward to it.

[@antikotocerepa]

The guy who wrote the article is a classic example of projection. Claims to be interested in women being treated fairly but in the end he just shows his own prejudice. Thanks for doing this video.

[@Gammagreen]

My problem with both men and women in the wheel of time is that there were few if any middle spectrum people. Nearly every character worth speaking of had eronious assumptions of how the opposite sex needed to guided by the sex of the person thinking the thought. I am married and will admit that there are times when I think thoughts of "women be like..." but there are many more sensible times where I know I am wrong and that my wife is right. I didn't see enough of that in the books. It didn't ruin the story for me (which I have physically read or had read to me, thanks audible, more than 6 times) but was an issue I had with RJ storytelling. There were great relationships in the series, but there was a distinct lack of open communication between couples that led to the same conflicts that I had a hard time believing that people of their caliber would not overcome. The closest it got was the double warder bonded couple in the last book, and it took their minds literally being linked to make it happen.

[@colesargent7676]

I very much agree with your assessment. the assumptions almost ALL the characters make about the opposite sex got very old after the 5th book. It went both ways, but it felt like with especially with the women, there wasn't even one character that was simply kind, empathetic and reasonable. To be fair, I listened to the audio book so the way it was read may have influenced how I perceived the characters. Perhaps if I read the books instead my impression would be different. All that said, I loved the story and am extremely excited about the Amazon adaptation.

[@Gammagreen]

@@colesargent7676 reading it doesn't make it better. And besides, reading it after hearing the audio book version just makes me read it the way I heard it.

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

Finally! Someone noticed this! It’s one of the reasons I stopped reading WOT halfway through book four....

[@jarock-wh9lj]

Fair criticism of the series. I love the series, but both sexes are far too judgemental of the other as a rule. It doesn't ruin the story, but I agree it can wear on you as the reader.

[@DaDunge]

It's because eastern dualism is a big factor in how the universe is set up. Or did you think the The Yin Yang Symbol showing up on the cover was just for show?

[@jacobpresley7112]

Damn it. It didn't know about mat's eye, I just started knife of dreams (book 11). Now I'm just mad at myself for ignoring a spolier warning. Great vid btw

[@AhsimNreiziev]

Life lesson: never ignore Spoiler warnings.

[@jarock-wh9lj]

You know it's quite heavily foreshadowed as well :) Go back and read Min's viewing of the group in EotW.

[@Nasser851000]

*Looks at video title* Oh Sh*t...here we go again.

[@zachpayne3572]

Hot take from Mars on that sudden Well of Ascension diss. Damn

[@jonmkl]

Broke: The Bechdel Test Woke: The Mako Mori Test

[@Trisjack20]

Not heard of it but now I will look it up.

[@cymbaline4384]

It passes both with flying colors. And yeah that test actually works as a measure of proper gender representation

[@NinjaLifeCrisis]

I have to say, I felt like Mr Jordan was milking it at about book 5 and thought he could have dealt with all the open ends a bit better. Also, I felt the female characters were petty and shallow until later in the series. BUT, I soldiered on and found the rest of the series quite good and the characters became better. I have read the series a number of times and recommend the series to anyone into fantasy.

[@Logan-zw6eh]

There was a lot of lesbianism in the white tower, that's what they mean when they talk about "pillow friends"

[@N4RCissus]

I don't believe in character assassination I don't think Robert Jordan was a bad guy I just think that his writing was repetitive. At many times unimaginative. But he made a cool world. It was an enjoyable read when I was young. But after reading more as an adult. I go back to his books. They are pretty shoddy work. But it's cool how he did things with the one power and weaves.

[@J.Schooley]

How can LITERALLY ANY REVIEW SITE publish an article like this that could have such far reaching ramifications by someone who has literally not even read half of the story?!?!

[@kornbreadjones6670]

This guy must be a Terry Goodkind fan Mr. Jordan had knew the ending before he wrote EOTW I really don't like this article it's very disrespectful and seems to have a personal hate for the man and not really the books this made me very angry And there is a prophecy in the real world it's in the last book of the Bible

[@seekeroftruth1970]

I disagree about the Goodkind reference. I love both his books and the Wheel of Time and don’t see how the two are mutually exclusive.

[@AhsimNreiziev]

+[Emilio Rodriguez] It's not that loving Goodkind and Jordan is mutually exclusive, it's that Goodkind is a rather awful person (very similar to Garrett Robinson, the author of this article, in fact) and has said some despicable things about Fantasy in general and about Robert Jordan in particular. I highly suggest the video "Why is Terry Goodkind controversial?" on this very channel for a proper in-depth explanation.

[@seekeroftruth1970]

Exactly what I’m talking about. When I evaluate how much I love Goodkind’s books I don’t take into account any feelings about the man himself.

[@kornbreadjones6670]

@@seekeroftruth1970 u shouldn't he has many fans that like his work my comments was not to be little his fans my comments was about the level of disrespect both men have shown Jordan and Garrett is a Goodkind fan

[@seekeroftruth1970]

Yes, I have seen Daniel’s video. I don’t necessarily agree with a lot of what Daniel says in it. As much as I like Daniel, he comes across a little pompous in it. For example, the character development in Goodkind’s books is light-years more advanced than that in the Wheel of Time series, and yet I love the Wheel of Time. I can disagree with Daniel and still subscribe to him and I love Goodkind’s books. Daniel’s loss.

[@Christine1309]

I LITERALLY said that about the female characters just the other day at work.

[@hendrikkranen662]

Just a question that has nothing really to do with the video.. is wheel of time worth to continue to read? Because i got through the second book and felt like i didn’t have the energy to read the third one

[@telemperor]

Absolutely it just continues to get better. The "slog" was mostly the plot not moving in a huge way while certain characters were developed and we had to wait years on the next book. You can read those immediately and move on.

[@myrdraal2001]

There is no shame in not liking something and giving up on it. If you're only on the second book and don't want to continue, don't. If you think that you may, eventually, want to retry the books at a later date hold on to them. If you disliked it so much I recommend donating them to a family member, friend, library, or charity that could use them.

[@NoorAhmed-nk2jq]

As someone who didn't really like the first book and ended up loving the series, I'd say give it 2 more books, I found the 2nd better than the first, the 3rd better yet and so on...the quality degrades around 7-11, but by that time if you are invested you can pull through.

[@floatingaxedrop]

I think you should at least try to book 2, the ending of that book is pretty great

[@floatingaxedrop]

*try to finish

[@ashrog82]

I started Eye of the World a loooong time ago but never finished it. I am such a contrarion, that seeing someone be this mean and negative makes me want to give it another shot...

[@Mike_Daddy]

I've managed to get through all the books and I'm halfway through the final book......and I'm really struggling for a reason to even finish the series. I'm happy for anyone who loves the series but realistically, the writing is pretty bad at times and with only a few really good moments, it's not enough to endure all the flaws in this series. Kids would probably like these books since most of the characters behave like petulant children all while feigning wisdom. The series would've been better (and five books shorter) without the repetitive and overly descriptive efforts to drag out the series enough to earn a few more paychecks/books.

[@lilymcallister9751]

"Open/alt relationships are OK" best line I've heard all week. *preach*

[@AhsimNreiziev]

So very, very much this! That one really did me a world of good.

[@jeremydanchuk1897]

I think Garret is really Terry Goodkind in disguise trying to topple better writers...lol

[@carlbrittain1993]

He [Garrett Robinson] made a video response to this video of this. He also edited his original post to include a bit of a header explaining why he wrote it the way he did.

[@JerkyMurky]

The fuck did this man say about Mistboun 2? THE FUCK DID HE SAY ABOUT THE WELL OF ASCENSION!? HOLD ME BACK! HOLD ME BACK!

[@greensmurf221]

"Let the executions begin."

[@LordMangudai]

12:24 "Have you never met someone at a bar? I have. That's how that happens" You do realize, Daniel, that your audience is made up of a bunch of fantasy nerds, right? XD We are the type who would rather go on an epic quest across a dangerous continent than go up to another human being and speak to them.

[@matthewjoy475]

As someone who has bounced off of WoT...I would never crap on the author like this. While Jordan isn't my cup of tea I can respect what he created, how he's influenced the genre, and overall appreciate the care and work he put into crafting this series. While I may never finish WoT and have my own personal gripes about what I have read in the series, ad homenim arguments are just a low blow.

[@josephhirning2642]

I personally did not like Wheel of Time either, but this guy crossed a line.

[@malahamavet]

I don't take seriously anything that comes out of tumblr

[@ryanpatrick1875]

"The women were bitchy and catty" *no mention of Mat for pretty much all book one post Shadar Logoth and until the end of book 2 or Perrin in book 2* Hmm. Interesting. I would certainly call them both catty and bitchy acting like children because Rand has a fancy coat now....

[@niccoloparker3548]

Earlier on only egwene was bitchy and book one nayneve. Matt was mad though with the dagger and when was perrin in book 2 bitchy

[@arisyn6436]

Ok.... let’s put this in context for you. Childhood friend of yours, you guys grew up in the same village, got into trouble, had fun, etc. Then that friend is told they have the responsibility to save the world and they need to leave. How would you feel? Now I am not saying there would not be any negative feelings but the fact you would say they were “bitchy” over a FANCY COAT?! That’s an idiotic and stupid claim.

[@niccoloparker3548]

@@arisyn6436 your not articulating yourself clearly. What do you mean fancy coat.

[@niccoloparker3548]

@@arisyn6436 p.s on the first 4 books pls no spoilers.

[@arisyn6436]

Niccolo Parker I was referring to Ryan Patrick’s use of a “fancy coat” that Perrin and Mat were bitchy about. Apologies for the spoilers, but you are watching a video on the wheel of time so honestly I just kinda assume everyone watching is ok with spoilers because more often then not there are in the video. Carry on

[@patrickchandler5311]

As I understand it, a mary sue does not need to succeed or fail to be a mary sue. They just need to be unrealistically important to the story which Rand kind of is. I also know that the definition isn't exact and can change from group to group.

[@stipser1]

And here's me reading "Wheel of response time sucks"

[@kevins4254]

I don’t like the WoT for purely subjective reasons. I simply don’t find the story very interesting and IMO it’s way, way too long. However, I would never fabricate reasons that are based on lies. What Robinson wrote about Jordan is unprofessional and irresponsible. I agree he should apologize for his comments.

[@tigertalk3690]

I started reading the prologue of wot and I found it a bit boring. Just wondering if it gets better from there? Thought?

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

The prologue will not make any sense until you get deeper into the book. It’s a bit of a strange start. Ha

[@tigertalk3690]

Yeah thanks, I find that with quite a lot of books, they have a bit of a shaky start and finish strong

[@lill1418]

@@tigertalk3690 once you're halfway though the story (book 5ish) you should go back and reread the prologue. Itll make a lot more sense.

[@sanguinewolf4482]

It's a snippet from 3000 years prior to the setting of the main story. Important, but difficult to fully grasp until you read more.

[@tigertalk3690]

@@lill1418 thanks for the advice

[@shinjodale9528]

As soon as an argument is self won by giving the opposing view point in your own words so you can then counter it easily, I dismiss it as utter nonsense. Or whenever the opposing view point is put forward in a way as to make it seem ridiculous or a view held only by those mentally deficient then it really reveals the true nature of the insecure mindset. Such as when he claimed his views being opposed by "RJ fanboys jizzing their pants", try to make it seem like only those not agreeing with him are RJ fan boys, over zealous with no real reasoning behind their claims. The discussion with someone like this is pointless, their mind is closed and their reasons for their claim are so weak they won't allow any sincere conversation or they'd have to re-evaluate their nonsensical claim. A good video Daniel, love your work. But I wouldn't worry to much about some 3rd of a series jackass's view.Said he raid 4 or 5..which means he read 3 and looked at the dust cover of 4. Didn't finish the series? His opinion really doesn't hold a lot of weight, I wouldn't expect a response or if you get one I'd be damned surprised if it wasn't condescending

[@asarishepard8171]

SLAY HIM, DANIEL! This was the most jealous the most atrocious opinion of Jordan I have EVER HEARD. FINISH HIM. He had it all planned. His widow luckily got sanderson to finish writing the lsat books. Adn ya know what? to be able to have your own series finished WHEN YOURE DEAD is a huge accomplishment! That tops even Martin in my book :P

[@donkaee7170]

i read the entire series, and now im rereading it again because i absolutely love it. i love the little details that are left unanswered, like Nakomi, (please correct me if that isnt her name, i dont quite remember) From the aiel waste. in book 5, when Asmodean died and we didnt know how until later on. i recommend this series to many of my book-loving friends because i too, admire it.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dh7mm]

Most people I've known well, male or female, have enjoyed talking about their partner or romantic interest... This guy is basically saying women shouldn't be written to be realistic people. Kinda sexist if you ask me. 😉

[@socalkylex]

Based on the writers focus and incredulity at the idea that “every female wants to fuck Rand”, one gets the impression that he is not used to being found attractive. It’s sad that he mistakes people finding a good looking man attractive with everybody wanting to “fuck” him.

[@llywyllngryffyn8053]

My biggest complaint about WOT was actually brought up by the people who read it and even recommended it to me: His descriptions can get overly long.... The first time I read EoTW I had to put it down when after the characters arrived at Shaddor Logoth I was 4 pages into the description of the city and it still wasn't done. I went back, obviously and I am so glad that I did. I've read all 15 books now and it might be the only book series that I have ever reread. *I am think of rereading it, haven't done it yet. My wife is rereading it and I listen in when she is using my audio books.) This person who is complaining about it may be 'entitled to their own opinion' but they are totally misrepresenting it. Fades are not Nazgul, at all. They have dark clothes and they are scary but that isn't exactly derivative. Fades are Shadow Spawn, created by the one power. Naz'gul are 9 human kings who were corrupted by Sauron and now serve him, enslaved even in death. Fades are like Sergeants in the shadow army where the Naz'gul are more like lone' hunters of the ring, mostly. They don't 'lead armies' for the most part. You can draw some parallels between Padon Fane and Smeagol, a bit, but you can draw parallels to lots of works; as humans we like to spot similar patterns but that doesn't mean the work was modeled after the thing you see a similarity to. I don't know if RJ had any thought of smeagol with PF, I rather doubt it but I don't know. Overall, none of the criticisms of the WOT are accurate, though the one he said where he just didn't like it is fine but not a criticism of the work, just his lack of appreciation for it. My guess is that WOT was too complex for him to understand its nuances and so he needed something, simpler to entertain him...

[@stephaniecutting9223]

I take personal offence to the part where he asked how girls could be interested in Perrin because he's a dweeb, it took one scene and seeing one piece of fan art of Perrin for me to fall in love. I'm not even halfway through book one and I love Perrin already

[@theabodeimprover3510]

I just watched this post today. Thank you for your response to "The Wheel Of Time Sucks". From what I have read, I have found the storyline to be complex and quite fascinating with well fleshed out characters! I am hoping to get my hands on more of the series so I can find out what happens to all the characters!

[@Elmerphant]

Dismissing female conflict as catty b****ing and complaining that female characters have a sex life or have sexual desires is the opposite of being a feminist. These things are very normal parts of being a human. Feminism is about equality. Human emotions are not gendered. They are just part of being human. If a male character argues with another male character it's viewed as assertiveness. The double standard.

[@goksekor]

I haven't read the piece before, now I'm glad I haven't. The dude is sexist to his bones.

[@TheMusicscotty]

I don't care for WoT or LotR but love Way of Kings and many other titles. Pages and pages of detail that just didn't work for me. Different strokes for different folks. I read and write fantasy and love it but it's all good, y'all.

[@paulpetersen2426]

First complaint: It's too much like Tolkien. All remaining complaints: It's not enough like Tolkien.

[@chainsawsubtlety9828]

Robert Jordan isn't truly dead. He waits in the World of Dreams until he is spun out into the pattern of the next age. Or, someone blows the Horn.

[@Noctua07]

Let the hunt for the horn begin

[@lordfuqwad666]

I seriously love this comment, thank you

[@_Aceus_]

I agree, this is a very kind thing to say

[@kyra5783]

Damn....that both killed me and blessed me....thank you

[@troyterry5759]

The Authors of the Horn? Or more like "WOULD YOU BE E'DITOR?" Hmm...

[@ak47grizzly]

This dude really said that RJ planned on dying in his 50s.

[@nickd5158]

Exactly. I love WoT. My favorite series ever. I do feel he let it drag a little. Might have even been milking it a little. Definitely planned on finishing it.

[@jayferguson9968]

@@nickd5158 'I do feel he let it drag a little. Might have even been milking it a little. Definitely planned on finishing it.' - I heard that he'd said he was going to drag it out for all of the monies. I stopped collecting at vii and only read the first eight. It was pretty good, but there were too many characters, and too much was going on to care about a lot of it. After a short time, certain people just weren't important enough to keep slogging through.

[@VaultBoy13]

@@jayferguson9968 I agree. Book 7 was when the slog became noticeable enough for me to stop reading the series. It's too bad, because it started off good and the first few books were enjoyable. I had purchased book 8, but never bothered to read it.

[@michaelshort2388]

@@jayferguson9968 I stopped reading at book 10, but I started up again and I am so glad I did.

[@jayferguson9968]

@@michaelshort2388 More power to you, dude. I am in no way trying to convince people to stop, just stating what I feel about it, and why *I* stopped.

[@dratheart]

"The chosen one prophecy" thing goes back to Arthurian literature, The Bible, and probably well before that, too.

[@clairetellkamp6253]

It does. It is part of the "Monomyth" which is a representation of the human psyche as a whole. The idea of a "Chosen One" extends back to Neolithic times.

[@halfrocanadianv5086]

A version of the chosen one sacrificing themselves for their people is a part of almost every cultures history going back to prehistory. I've read articles about that idea was turned into a story to help neolithic peoples learn the value of empathy and cooperation, it's a literal core part of humanity.

[@twenty-fifth420]

Camden Tellkamp While I have my issues with Campbell, yeah that is true.

[@enaidealukal9203]

Well and this particular "factor" at least paid lip-service to the fact that RJ was the one responsible for some of those tropes becoming tropes at all (though not the Chosen One bit, obviously, as that was already a trope when RJ came along), because of how popular and influential WoT was. So criticizing him for using tropes that weren't really tropes until after he used them is obviously not a valid criticism, and ends up being (unwittingly) a compliment instead.

[@ItalianStallionBDM]

*definitely* well before that. The bible is almost completely unoriginal. Look into some comparative mythology

[@Mikemk_]

"In the real world, if we had a magical prophecy where it's like, 'This dude is gonna save the world.'" People are still talking about it 2700 years later.

[@saraangel6696]

We should make a religion out of this.

[@richard127gm]

Donald Trump... Anybody? No, probably not.

[@AhsimNreiziev]

+[Sara Angel] Bill Wurtz?

[@indy_go_blue6048]

@@richard127gm Sorry Richard, I thought Obama was "the promised one."

[@Trisjack20]

Well put

[@mattbounds]

"Wheel of Time is too derivative!" "Eye of the World is one of my favorite fantasy books ever!" Bruh

[@StarWarriorMusic]

"It's too derivative but my favorite one is the one just like fellowshipe of the ring!" Lol what a joke of a person.

[@jodiz5901]

EoTW is my favorite book in this, my favorite series!

[@reneaclark7689]

My thoughts exactly! Lol

[@doctorlolchicken7478]

Yes, and “A Song of Ice and Fire” because GRRM is a genius. For adding sex and violence to what would otherwise be like every other fantasy story.

[@David-se5ph]

Doctor Lolchicken no, GRRM is unique for the way he writes and is a master of plot, tension, dialogue, world building, and most of all, character. Sex and violence is for medieval realism as well as realism just in war in general. It’s world and characters aren’t simply like any other fantasy story.

[@feliperodriguezmunoz8155]

I almost didnt start reading WoT because of that article when i was searching for recommendations wether to do it or not (being 14 books I wanted to be sure the ammount of time I was going to spend was worth it). However, after less than a week reading the eye of the world I'm 30 pages near the end and I've enjoyed every bit of It so far. It's also the first book i've read in english (being spanish is easy to find books translated) and even without being written in my mother language im loving it.

[@Huhwhips]

That’s awesome dude. The series is definitely worth it. And taking on this epic in a language other than your mother tongue, that’s ballsy. You are going to love it.

[@cynix1913]

Felipe Rodríguez Muñoz it gets way better. Keep it up.

[@CEWThree]

If you love it at The Eye of the World, just wait until you get to stuff in The Great Hunt, The Shadow Rising, Lord of Chaos, Knife of Dreams, and basically all of the last 3 volumes.

[@jchinckley]

Bien hecho. Bien pensado. Va a mejorar su Inglés con éste série.

[@enaidealukal9203]

That's the problem with people popping off without doing their homework- chances are quite a few people were discouraged from reading WoT because they read this wanker's article... which wasn't even premised on anything factual, like his demonstrably false bit about RJ planning on not finishing the series, or RJ not ever closing any plot arcs (though, the proliferation of questionable side-plots as the story progresses IS one of the valid criticisms of WoT.. but it also adds to the world-building, so those side plots have some merit regardless)

[@imjames29]

Don't we have prophecies about Jesus? We talk about that dude everyday. Some people do it for a living

[@izarscharf7845]

oh my god youre right ;)

[@willdaggett9618]

Lol this is hilarious, and at the same time thought provoking.

[@jonmkl]

And hilariously, despite having very few conversations and interactions between Jesus and other people recorded, one of them is literally his best friend pulling him aside and being like “You can’t do that! You’re the CHOSEN ONE!”

[@Fif0l]

@Feanor except for people who do. Except for those, nobody means it.

[@Fif0l]

@Feanor Except when Jesus got slapped by someone he demanded explanation as for what did he do wrong. So either whoever wrote the gospel has short memory loss and didn't notice the contradiction and hypocrisy of the supposed perfect man and none of the other 11 called him out on it... Or you're missing something. Just saying.

[@tracib.7725]

This dude is probably a Terry Goodkind fan.

[@tracib.7725]

Allison Benton 🤣

[@cepopeye]

Traci Bailey ahahahaha

[@voobroo297]

Terry Goodkind was not an sjw lil bitch soy boy. He was a staunch anti socialist (which I am too) and long winded. But still a decent author. But there is only one Robert Jordan. RIP

[@lordofgraphite]

Woah, bit harsh

[@proteanalias]

Or even worse, a Stephenie Meyer fan.

[@sprbwlshuffler92]

Dude who wrote this article: Claims RJ left a bunch of loops open that he never intended to close. Also Dude: finishes only book 5 or 6 of a FIFTEEN BOOK SERIES!

[@franciscobrisolladeoliveir9596]

are you counting New Spring?

[@sprbwlshuffler92]

@@franciscobrisolladeoliveir9596 Yar!

[@turtleanton6539]

Makes no sense

[@altorins]

WoT had so many loopholes it became somewhat difficult to keep track. I thought it would take a few more books to completely close them all.

[@amysthe-wise-one8493]

@@altorins RJ specified intentionally that not all plot lines would be wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end of the series. I respect that because had he tried to actually do that, it would have gone one for another 3-4 books. "There are no endings but this is an ending." It also makes perfect sense when you look at the last page, where you see who "wrote" it - as a history book and thus not all of the details would be present in it.

[@MarisuSedai]

“This was too long to post on my tumblr.” Well, that explains a lot.

[@sovaxelemizzrym4377]

Basically this. "Oh you post on tumblr? K."

[@lordinquisitordunn336]

I laughed my butt of when he said that faile is a perfect girlfriend. Dude what are your smoking? Do you like really aggressive really stubborn prickly women who make their guy feel awkward just because he won’t shout at her or argue back

[@deadquaithe143]

It's a cultural blockage/lack of communication thing. Saldeans yell at each other to show passion in relationships. It gets funny when he yells at Berelain and not at Faile, not realizing what he's doing.

[@TheOwlet22]

Same XD honestly I haven't even finished the books yet (onto book 7) and I can certainly say Faile isn't at all perfect and could be...overbearing sometimes (and so far tbh I dislike her character, I agree she's a well written character but I still dislike her nevertheless)

[@seekeroftruth1970]

So true about Faile. It took me a while to like her and quite frankly, I thought Jordan devoted too much time to her.

[@lordinquisitordunn336]

Dead Quaithe14 yeah that moment where elyas explains saldean culture to Perrin is so funny

[@azurepulse1870]

Ngl, Perrin was the character I related to the most and I really did like Faile a lot. As a normally powerful, yet reserved and careful person, it's really jaw dropping to find a woman so strong-willed and adventurous (i mean, she starts of seeking the horn of valere and all that) who would be so interested in someone like Perrin (or me), who is so serious, methodical and prefer to keep things straightforward. She's the kind of girl that would fascinate him and the way she and Jordan use the Saldean culture to aggravate Perrin to anger, letting him open up about his thoughts emotions, leading to improving the communication and deepening the connection to each other... is just hilarious and totally believable from my perspective. And she herself grows from a bit of a rash woman looking for freedom and glory to a woman who devotes herself alongside Perrin to fight the darkness and lead the people that have come to rely on their knowledge, abilities, and strong leadership. Her flight from a hated duty and position became a choice she made for people she came to love and the wider people they both want to protect. She's not perfect. None of them or us are. But she's definitely best girl in my book.

[@jessicasettle1843]

I am a woman. I like the fleshed out, different, amazing female characters. I love some, I hate others. I relate to some, I don't to others.

[@jachyra4]

I am a woman. I positively loathed every single one of them.

[@jessicasettle1843]

@@jachyra4 I definitely respect that. I was just addressing that he said no women liked it. I liked it.

[@ameliedavis5940]

@@jachyra4 Even Brigitte??

[@postponedprogress6962]

So… you relate to a character regardless of gender? Cool. That’s how it should be

[@mattiOTX]

He(Jordan) was one of the first writers where I found fantastically written female characters. I've always wanted to make sure my female characters live up to that standard. I was always tired of women not having agency in stories or simply being used as plot devices. It just never reminded me of reality and I could never stay connected into a story.

[@תהלהקאופמן]

I legit thought I'm gonna click on the video and it's just gonna be Daniel saying: "no." And then list of patreons Just continued watching and I'm shocked. Usually I don't like the word "offended" - but it's blatantly offensive. It's horrible. What a shitty thing to do. P.s. the women in wot are the most complex characters I've ever read (I'm a woman btw). Yes, It means that sometimes I don't like them, and sometimes I love and appreciate them with all my heart. Because they are so real - that's why they have ups and downs, the same as everyone. (Another p.s. when someone is sterssed, chased and all around in a sticky situation, it's completely normal to be caty!!!)

[@mrbubbles0311]

It would have been really funny if he did a spoof first video of just him saying "no", then made this one, which is wonderfully said and put together.

[@chrismath149]

To me, their beginning as flawed, petty teenagers wasn't a problem, nor that they were sexist towards men (Men are only good for fighting and think with their breast hair, hurrdurr) since it made some sense and we saw the exact opposite happen in history and fiction all over (G.R.R Martin has depicted sexism in A song of ice and fire as well which added flavour to the world) but that there was no progression in character in book 4 (where I couldn't bear it any longer and stopped reading). G.R.R Martin also showed nuance. There were different kind of men and women who had different values but (up until book four) the only women not bullying every man was Moraine. I mean, they do constantly bitch, do constantly ignore it when someone demands an explanation, they do constantly annoy the crap out of me. Not because they are flawed, but because they don't change their ways. Example follows (attention slight spoiler, duh) At one point Egwene and Nynaeve attack Mat even though he just saved them from being imprisoned. He fucking saved their fucking lives and they bully him with the one power. I lost what little respect I had for them at that point and it was a day later or so that I abandoned the series. Another problem I had were all that fucking side stories. But anyway... What if Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi had used the Force in a violent way to ensure that Han gets them off Tatooine, also for the greater good of escaping the Empire and protecting the DS plans? I wouldn't have liked that nor would I have felt sympathetic towards them after showing a blatant abuse of the Force, even though they would have good reasons. I am cool with grey characters but Nynaeve and Egwene are simply idiots in my opinion and how anyone can like them is beyond me.

[@myhr2320]

@@chrismath149 I love Egwene and Nynaeve. If you had keep going, you'd have red that they do apologize at one point, if very lightly, but you also get some insight about how they really are much more sorry than what they let out. Point is, all the WoT characters are flawed, they mess up, they wrong others, intentionally or not, but it's always motivated, and the characters are not unchanging, they interact, they sort things...and sometimes they don't. Like in real life. So yeah, don't sum up characters on one of their actions, it's also something we do in real life with people "this guy is a murderer", "she's a lier"...yes, but...there is context, there are nuances, there are motivations, and there can be change. It's not a reason to forgive everything, actions have consequences, but I'll be forever against the concept of eternal damnation.

[@BingeWatchers]

Garret is himself a self published fantasy author, it’s interesting to read this article considering how derivative his own work is. Though I didn’t get 5 books in in his series, I quit after a couple of chapters.

[@rwhunt99]

I've read the entire series 8 times looking for flaws. Problem is, I keep forgetting to look for them as I get caught up in the story, darn it.

[@GAM3RGEEK]

Wasn't it RJ's dying wish to get his work completed? Thanks Brandon. :)

[@kimwarburton8490]

Exactly! He n his wife together asked sanderson as they felt hed b best to continue. Sanderson was involved before jordans death, picking his brains as much was only written in rough. I was desperate n eager for ANY scrap of info, heartbroken not so much that jordan was mortally ill, but that the series, the story wldnt b finished. So i remember That writeup got so much wrong

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed. Not only that but he ensured he had plans and notes in place to ensure that the readers would at least get the ending even if he could not be the one to deliver it. I remember him answering a fan question about writing and saying he would be writing till they nailed shut his coffin. Not because he wanted to make a fake legend but because he loved writing and wanted to always keep writing until he literally could not any more.

[@michaelshort2388]

@@kimwarburton8490 Actually he didn't choose Brandon to finish it. Once he knew he was dying he basically spent his time writing notes etc and told his wife to find someone to finish it after he died. Harriet found Brandon herself after she saw his post about how much Robert Jordan meant to him.

[@kimwarburton8490]

@@michaelshort2388 i could have sworn i read in one of the last 3 books that he spoke to jordan himself on his death bed n orally told parts of it to brandon in his explanation as to why he took over the series to the readers.

[@michaelshort2388]

@@kimwarburton8490 In an interview Brandon tells how it happened. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYmwcoaDq9yki8k

[@willprotector]

As someone who ACTUALLY FINISHED the series, it is not my favorite either for reasons I will likely do a blog on in the future. It is still one of the greatest series of all time. This guy’s criticisms were largely baseless and reveal some sort of personal angst against Jordan. The character assassination was particularly reprehensible toward a man who fought in Vietnam and died prematurely of a heart condition. That article was poorly researched and ill-conceived rant.

[@craigh5236]

Critique his works...sure, whatever. Start going on a rant attacking the author? Oh no, its on. I've met RJ once at a book signing. He was fun, engaging and earnest. A little gruff and grouchy for being asked the same few questions he thought his books already explained sure I can understand that. Lets see if this d-nozzle would do what RJ did, after he got his diagnosis he spent most of every spare moment he had trying to finish up outlines and notes for someone else to finish his books. He didn't drop everything and just do what he wanted, he tried his best to make it someone else could finish his books and Sanderson did just that. This guy is a male version of Moghedien.

[@muhammadabdullah6047]

Wot has major flaws and yet there are some elements I liked from it. But to call it the GOAT is laughable. As a respect to Daniel Greene, I tried to finish wheel of Time to see what all the fuss is about has been utter waste of time. I am now on book 10 can't finish one sentence more. If I read bosom from the female characters one more time I swear I will hang myself. Reading this book was like an assignment from your teacher but you have to do the book 14 times but it felt like a life sentence. I have read more than 500 books but not once have I felt like a chore reading wot

[@willprotector]

Muhammad Abdullah I almost skipped Book 10. The problem with Books 8-9, 10-11 is that each book is halves of two plot arcs. Unfortunately, those plot arcs are not great especially with the climactic event from Book 9. Jordan let the story get away from him a bit and it became a slog.

[@muhammadabdullah6047]

@@willprotector I agree with you. I desperately wanted to get to Brandon sanderson's part but I can't right now I have to read other books to cleanse my palate so to speak before coming back to wot

[@amysthe-wise-one8493]

@@muhammadabdullah6047 Then you are going to miss out on the epic badassery that is books 11-14. Your choice and I understand since CoT was considered a writing experiment that failed yet was still tried. Maybe Tolkien is more your speed where there are only male characters?

[@lmerickson0]

"Have you ever met someone in a bar?" "Don't you have social interactions?" I don't think this guy has, or does.

[@NoorAhmed-nk2jq]

I think assigning intent to authors is generally gross and unnecessary, this is very disrespectful to RJ and how much he cared about finishing his work, people can have whatever issues or interpretations to an author's work, but to assume his intention and present it as fact when it is so wrong is next level! Also as a woman, I have a mixed range of emotions toward the female characters, some are complex, some are alright, others are shallow, this isn't particularly unique to the WoT mind you! and I find stuff like the bechdel test arbitrary, like is Gravity considered a sexist movie because the main character who is a female astronaut surviving on her own doesn't even have a conversation with another woman? that is so silly! also us girls are allowed to be catty, vulnerable, talk about boys or whatever we want! we aren't perfect, trying to write female characters as flawless is where most authors go wrong actually.

[@kasairan8492]

Bechdrl test is more a general guideline though.

[@elbinho1318]

As you were reading his "Mary Sue"-rant, I just thought: "Hey, he is describing Richard Rahl of 'The Sword of Truth'!" :-D

[@enaidealukal9203]

yeah Rand as Mary Sue is about as ridiculous as it gets.. Rand turns into a complete asshole by about book 5 or 6, and eventually becomes positively villainous (e.g. when he murderdeathkills Graendal's palace, innocents and all)

[@enaidealukal9203]

oops, spoiler alert

[@stevenseagal9911]

@@enaidealukal9203 yeah but that's when he is the best. Half-insane, murderous rampage Rand Is OP.

[@enaidealukal9203]

@@stevenseagal9911 oh yeah I agree

[@paulstanley86]

@@enaidealukal9203 and the way he made sure he got Graendal. Dam it was brilliant, but he failed.

[@futureboy314]

5 minutes in and I can see the tears in your eyes and I just wanted to say thank you for this. Unbelievable how many lines this guy crossed and I’m grateful your using your platform to call him out. Okay, back to the video.

[@Victor-fm3xd]

Literally had no tears g

[@maia_gaia]

Like others have said, if your statement begins with "I've never heard a woman say X," my first question is: Have you ever spoken to a woman about this topic?

[@duyanhpro10]

I was cringing while listening to his "factor" but then he talked shit about Mistborn? Now you cross the line mate!

[@chickenmonger123]

Duy Anh Le Mistborn was ok. It was worth buying and reading. I read the first 4, but I didn’t really want to read any of the others.

[@mrbubbles0311]

I agree, those were really great books!

[@dragonbane44]

My best friend who doesn't like fantasy genre loved the mistborn series. That's how good it was.

[@JM-pm3tb]

Loved Mistborn.

[@josephhirning2372]

@@JM-pm3tb same.

[@justintherhino6585]

"WTF do you think a wolf brother is man?" I died xD

[@ariareads]

Oh wow he was really mean, who ever this was, I don't know why I'm so shocked but I really am. He sounds like a really sad petty person..

[@marklikeshark]

Just started the wheel of time never even heard of it before your channel. I’m really enjoying so far.

[@jackpotdadon]

What book are you reading I just started the fire of heaven a week ago

[@KalRandom]

Welcome to WOT folks.

[@jacksonroks]

I read this series for over 10 years, you are lucky you dont have to wait in between books lol!

[@jackpotdadon]

@@jacksonroks lol yea your so right I just started reading the wheel of time this summer I am so happy I don't have to wait

[@The_Kayak_Guy.]

Im on my 4th read through of this series and it’s such a great story. You will enjoy it.

[@davidcarter6659]

1225 "have you ever meet someone in a bar?" Lol no Daniel he absolutely has not ever meet anyone in a bar. I don't think he's meet very many people anywhere, especially not women.

[@TheSixOfSwords]

Damm, he really just insulted RJ like that.

[@turtleanton6539]

Wow

[@viorp5267]

1:16 > on his tumbrl Dis gon be gud

[@dylanbaker9016]

My very thoughts.

[@BondedAlmond49]

"I've dated people I've met at a bar" casual flex but ok

[@ferransilves907]

This just makes MY BLOOD BOIL! Of course, people just devise a whole epic fantasy story for years and write 10+ super thick books with amazing quality characters and worldbuilding and then decide to die spectacularly on purpose to leave the series unfinished and become legend. Are you fking kidding me?

[@cayetano6547]

wow dude..you destroyed him. he shouldn't write critiques anymore. Should delete all his social media accounts

[@justlilyanne]

The whole rant is a flashing neon sign that reads the boy just doesn't understand women. The rant says more about the writer than it does about the books.

[@aprilclapham9823]

Sappy appreciation comment incoming :) 30, F, Australia here - I am on my first read through, currently on book 8 and had been meaning to start the series 15 years ago - when I was about 7, I was in the library looking at the 'grown ups' books and saw that one area had books with cool wizards and dragons on the covers, so I told myself when I was a grown up I would read those books...anyway nostalgia aside... Two chapters in and I knew it was a good decision, halfway through the eye of the world and I was completely hooked...four books in, I knew it was now just going to be part of my life FOREVER and purchased all of them. have really been enjoying your channel as a little companion along with the books... AND the wonderful audiobooks. I had been meaning to start the series 15 years ago. Have also joined the lovely online Dragon Mount community, and also find myself listen to the awesome audioversion. I think your channel is great and is wonderful to hear your passion for it too. Anyhow, the other reason I chose to comment is that another reason Wheel of Time has been so amazing is that I have never experienced so many wonderful female characters that feel like real people to me. Jordan has somehow done the impossible of knowing *exactly* how women think and interact alone haha. Keep the videos coming, April :)

[@kimwarburton8490]

I liked brent weeks female assasin Vi. V dark grusome start to the series. Enough for nightmares xD But otherwise, iv not yet come across same female character complexity n realism as jordan n sanderson (who imo improved his talent by finishing jordans work. Iv read books he wrote pre n post the last 3 wot books)

[@michaelfeeney6108]

Lesson learned: never come for Daniel’s babies. He’ll snatch a wig.

[@xandara75]

No that is not it. There are a couple of really valid complaints you can make about WoT but this guy just got none of them.

[@olleh2399]

All writers are just copying gilgamesh, that's why I don't read

[@troyterry5759]

I bet that there was a scene with Inana yanking her braid and scolding Gilgamesh, who's just standing there sputtering "But-- but--", and it just got lost due to time...

[@pierceticen3301]

If you’re suffering through Mistborn than I really don’t think modern epic fantasy is gonna please you regardless of the content.

[@seekeroftruth1970]

I love both modern and classic fantasy and found the first Mistborn book overrated. Will eventually read the second.

[@kimwarburton8490]

@@seekeroftruth1970 from what i remember, the books get better. 1st book was a struggle for me too, but i was heartbroken when id finished the series

[@erra4331]

Emilio Rodriguez I didn’t enjoy them either. Stormlight archives are my favorite book series tho:)

[@seekeroftruth1970]

Looking forward to Stormlight.

[@Born_Stellar]

WHAT? Mistborn is awesome, Sanderson is the best writer of our time!

[@MrThystleblum1]

Actually, WoT had a fair amount of LGBT representation, especially among the Aiel and the red Adja.

[@Spaced92]

Besides the obvious pillow friend stuff, I remember that lesbian affair Rand accidentally revealed after he tied them up for their safety. That's a weird sentence.

[@SilverMe2004]

you also get Asmodean getting revived into a woman's body

[@enaidealukal9203]

@@SilverMe2004 Balthamel, not Asmodean.. but that's a good and interesting point, that I hadn't considered before, i.e. (male) Balthamel's ressurrection in a female body (Aran'gar) interpreted from a trans angle- very cool

[@KelYarule]

I was wondering if anyone would mention this. Just because it isn't at the forefront doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Jordan was ahead of his time in terms of his world-building. That's why Sanderson was such a great fit to finish his story

[@jacobnugent8159]

I don't care if its "woke" I care if it's a good story

[@loweltabotabo9626]

That guy writing Perrin is powerless, got me gnarling like a wolf. Literally.

[@niels1349]

I mean, for the first seven or so books (that's where I am in my reread) and I think it might be 8 he wishes he was powerless

[@amythompson6431]

WOT WAS a chore after a while because it was just too wordy, and descriptions got to be so boring.

[@jessi4894]

First off, Any article that starts out with: "Someone on my Tumblr said..." is obviously hot steaming garbage. Secondly, that entire question seems like a plant, I really do not believe that some random internet user asked that exact, perfectly worded question so that Garrett could go on his epic rant.

[@kingCrow998]

I finally gave up on Malazan last night and started WOT. It really broke my heart to do so because they are really well written. They just arent for me. I made it to the end of book 6 and cant go any further. Maybe ill come back to it one day, but ive been reading malazan for months and havent been enjoying or looking forward to reading like I normally do. That being said, I still have immense respect for Erickson and his vision. Wow. What an ambitious man. We as readers need to understand that not every popular series will connect with us, and that doesnt make the series bad. The guy who wrote this article seems like hes trying to get under people's skin, like hes trying to go against the grain to appear cool. We dont need that in the fantasy community. Good on you for speaking out Daniel. Lastly, readers, dont be afraid to DNF a book. Ive been struggling for days contemplating if I should set them down(because im a completionist), but at the end of the day, we read for enjoyment. We read to delve into another realm, to leave our mundane lives behind and enter a fantastic one. So if youre not enjoying a book, set it down, and move on. You can always return to it later, but theres always more books that will touch your heart around the corner ❤

[@Trisjack20]

Really good comment. I loved this response and I think it is quite a beneficial thought to share.

[@lordofdarkness4204]

This is an amazing comment dude. It 100% accurate, and I wish more people acknowledged it.

[@lukechapman8412]

Totally agree. I read Malazan after my 2nd reading of WoT. And man, that is a really heartbreaking series, I almost stopped a few times for how depressing it got. Fantastic exploration of the human condition. Try not to feel too bad about stopping something when you aren't enjoying yourself. Someday you may revisit it during a break from another series. : ) I'm currently rereading EoTW in preparation for the TV series.

[@jerimiahjohnson4272]

I haven't watched the video yet but I read his complaint. Dude literally plugs his own book at the end of his diatribe, he can eat it.

[@jerimiahjohnson4272]

Solid, counter points Daniel.

[@Asmodean1911]

Well plotted, structured and reasoned rebuttals. I believe you were too nice, should have burned this down much sooner. Thanks for the great content.

[@sybaen5931]

It's been at least a decade since I read the books, but my overall memory / impression of the female characters was that (not all) but a lot of them really were just... so annoying at times. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for powerful female characters. The Aes Sedai and White Tower being a massive driving force in the world, the Wise Ones being respected leaders that no one, even from different clans, would dare to disrespect. The Seanchan being ruled by an Empress. Great concepts. I wholeheartedly prefer having female leads in the books I read. But when a lot of your dialogue is spent unnecessarily belittling the male characters and each other? They're just so damn arrogant and constantly vying to be the 'alpha' of whatever group they're in. I've never in my life enjoyed being around anyone like that, either male or female. In some of the worst cases it'll even come across as "Oh, it's a guy that's being verbally or physically abused? That's fine then. We'll laugh about it. He probably deserved it anyway." All I can say to that is... you can empower women without degrading men. Maybe I could do with a reread now that I'm not in my teens anymore, but... that's one of the biggest impressions the books left on me. That, and page long descriptions of the clothes people are wearing.

[@macielrodriguez6697]

Love your comment x1000! You can write powerful women without them belittling men all the time.

[@XiongGou]

I think that's a part of the story though. I personally found myself annoyed by many of the female characters because of their arrogance and dismissal of men, however they do so with good cause. (SPOILERS AHEAD) It was men in the Age of Legends that brought about the breaking through their own arrogance by opening the bore. This brought about the taint, leading male channelers to go mad and brought about a matriarchal society because men couldn't be trusted anymore. At the origin of this story it's been 3000 years since the breaking so people's biases are pretty firm in their minds. Which is why Logain's arc and the Black Tower is so important because in the end they were able to bring a redemption for men and remove the stigma, especially of men who can channel by their efforts in The Last Battle. If you read the story to it's conclusion the barriers between men and women begin to break down and mutual respect and honor are beginning to be established again.

[@Sa1d1n]

@@XiongGou [SPOILER WARNING] you need to re-read the books. The men did not open the bore - they tried to patch the bore without the support of female channelers. The backlash of the Dark One is what ultimately tainted Saidin. The bore was opened by Age of Legends researchers in an attempt to find a new access to the true source. There was no 'male arrogance' to it, except perhaps by LTT thinking they could seal the bore without the support of female channelers. That said, he had no real choice - the female Aes Sedai would not join him. As Rand proves in the end of the WoT - if men and women had joined together during the Age of Legends, they may have succeeded in reforming the bore and trapping the Dark One then. If anything, it was the arrogance of the female Aes Sedai in not heeding the call of their Tamyrlin that should be called down in this case. Also, the universe in the WoT is not a 'matriarchal society'. There are matriarchal and patriarchal, as well as egalitarian societies in WoT. While the Aes Sedai and Ebou Dari are clearly matriarchal, most of the societies in WoT have strong patriarchal leanings - with typically distinct gender roles. While the overall gist of WoT is significantly more egalitarian than many other epics, it definitely does not fit the overall definition of a matriarchal society.

[@barmy8219]

@@XiongGou This is interesting. I fell off around where the guy who wrote the review did and felt similar to the one you responded to but now I kind of want to try again with this in mind. Sort of thinking about it as what if women were in charge in the way men have been in our society and a lot of the vices of patriarchy arose in matriarchy.

[@SuperDipMonster]

Is he whining because there's resemblances to Middle-Earth? Does that mean that mentioning dragons, elves, swords and such is intellectual property appropriation?

[@TheoryGamingOfficial]

@Robertson Thirdly honestly the same could be said about the entire series. All of the cultures are mashed up versions of cultures that existed/exist in our world. Their are mythological similarities throughout the entire series as well, one of the biggest being Odin and Thor.

[@ClayHales]

@@TheoryGamingOfficial And Tyr. The Middle Earth homage was a big turn off to me. I almost stopped reading when it is revealed that Lan was a king in exile.

[@lulzdragon7339]

Honestly, if you've got problem with Middle Earth influence and references I thinks it's time to find a new genre. I can't think of a modern work of fantasy that isn't guilty of this.

[@BelRigh]

@@lulzdragon7339 lotr influences and being derivitives arent INHERANTLY bad... Its more of how they are done... Witness the dragoncrown war.cycle, which i jokingly refer to as 'Definately Not.LOTR' or LOTR done by an avtual storyteller and not a scholar.... Alternately, the Valdamar and Green rider series.... Super horses, magically choosing people for the Special forces of the monarch... Said special forces have special powers... All there...GR is SUPER derivative... However the STORY is soooo different, the beats are different, the worlds are different, etc. Im reminded of Codex Aleria books and the tale behind them(essentially a fan challenged JButcher on needing a great idea for a great book... He replied he xould make a great book out of a stupid idea... In fact 2 and the fan could pick them... Pokemon nd lost roman legions)

[@StergiosMekras]

To be fair, the similarities in the first books of WoT were a bit too on the nose. Jordan's choice of names did not help either.

[@jacobwiren8142]

"He's only doing this for the fame and the prestige of leaving a happy and eternal lasting impression in our hearts! That's why HE'S AN ASSHOLE!" Ummm... what? Seriously, his entire starting argument is that he believes RJ wanted to inspire people for generations to come with an enormous and expansive fantasy universe. That's AWESOME. That is SUPER AWESOME. If the basis of his argument revolves around him claiming that RJ has reached peak levels of awesomeness... then he has no argument. Lovecraft was a xenophobe and left an enormous and expansive fantasy-horror universe that has inspired generations. Lovecraft is one of the greats. I guess, according to this guy, we have another name to add to the list, and RJ didn't have nearly the problems of Lovecraft.