WHEEL OF TIME POST MORTEM ft. Merphy Napier (+ Tier List)

Check out Merphy Napier's channel: / @merphynapier42
We dive into a first-time reader's perspective on The Wheel of Time and Murphy's thoughts on the matter!
Merch: teespring.com/...
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[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Be aware of spoilers! Check out Merphy Napier's channel: kzbin.info/door/7FW6FYqPLeQIXMSulBfOLw

[@oswin5775]

One of my favorite things about this series is how I can love the characters but also be annoyed at them sometimes. It feels like they're real people

[@kilsonflob]

Verin is always forgotten in tier lists, but I guess you don't have S+ tier for her anyway.

[@j4242]

Verin Rules!

[@Levi_Zacharias]

Verin and Talmanes, best side characters

[@tylorhobbs8920]

To be fair, I think Verin would want to be forgotten. It's the best place to be sneaky from.

[@hansyolo8277]

When I got to her final scene I went though a range of emotions. And she became my favorite character (or tied for it) in the series. She gave up everything, even her very morals, to complete her mission for the good of the world, and outsmarted the Black Adja and the Dark Friends and gave the forces of evil the middle finger.

[@clevereduardosilva2346]

Verin is S tier for me

[@averyhotpinterestuser9941]

Haven’t finished the Wheel of Time, but stopped by to say I love the thumbnail

[@deanryanmartin]

Two intelligent bookworms in fantasy genre. This is dope!

[@nosferatum791]

I don't get the thumbnail :( What does it refer to?

[@brianreck5971]

I thought the Battle of Dumai’s Wells was the height of the series....until Egwene defended the tower against the Seanchan. Great stuff.

[@KaliCarter]

I'm with you, bro. Both were amazing.

[@celticmyst08]

God that scene was so epic. Loved when the Aes Sedai command center learned there was a defense in the novice quarters, and they're all confused about how that's possible, and then it dawns on them. Egwene. Ahhhhh chills.

[@theupperechelon7634]

@@celticmyst08 There's a scene the day after when the Aes Sedai deal with the aftermath and (I'm paraphrasing here) one of them mentions that it was an exaggeration and the response is that is was all true. Incredible but true. That's when they decide for her as the Amyrlin and she 'heals' the Tower. It's so incredibly well done. The only bad part is that it isn't longer.

[@jsbrads1]

I found the Aes Sedai’s admiration of Egwene there to be unbelievable. The Novices’ admiration of Egwene is not only believable, but beautiful. I thought Egwene’s final act was more climactic. Dumai was big, I think the ending could have bigger for Rand. When I read the second to last book, I created in my mind a much better ending for Rand at Shayol Ghul.

[@dead_slime1915]

Yeah when that happened I was thrilled

[@ewalsh7682]

I only really felt the Slog in Crossroads of Twilight. Path of Daggers’ Rand plotline was really interesting to me and then Winters Heart’s Mat storyline escaping Ebou Dar really gripped me

[@mr.bigzy262]

Years ago, my grandmother was in the hospital. I went to visit and she was asleep. But my grandpa was reading one of the Wheel of Time books. He told me the entire story and I remember being so into it. When my grandma passed, I went to my grandpas from time to time and he would tell me more about this book series. I started reading the books a year ago and stopped after the 3rd. This video has convinced me to finish the series so I can discuss it with my grandpa before he passes.

[@harrycorbiniv]

did you finish? just started eye of the world

[@officialdevinroberts]

Still want to know if you finished

[@stark5270]

I just finished the series. It's life-changing. I hope you got to have that conversation with your gramps

[@MoviesNStuff]

Did you finish?

[@mr.bigzy262]

@@harrycorbiniv I’ve made it through 9 of them. Still working on it!

[@robertlester641]

Birgitte would definitely be my "grab a beer with" choice. I would also be Brue Ajah. Tam abso deserves "S" tier. Rand told the Dark One the difference was "I was raised better this time". BOOM.

[@pep48ito]

I loved watching Merphy read this series because I was reading it as well, I finished a little before she did but it was great to see her reactions while all the scenes were still so fresh in my mind. I also started the series on your recommendation Daniel so thank you for sending me down that road.

[@cdubbau135]

If I could pick one last story, it would be the fall of each of the Forsaken and why they turned to the Shadow. And the worst things they'd done during the Age of Legends to earn their names.

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed that would be awesome!

[@DMR013]

I find the section about fake out deaths hilarious. I remember when I first got introduced to the full concept of balefire and I thought this would be used for that very purpose. Honestly I thought it would have been utilized more often. An endless amount of South Park's Kenny. "Oh no they killed Elayne hurry kill them with balefire so she returns to us."

[@kinslayermds]

Well there was that entire sequence with knotai and the dogs...

[@jenslarsson8686]

Well, they couldnt have used it that much anyway, because the world would have ended. One of the few times was when mat and avienda(spelling?) died in caemlyn when Rand is trying to take kill Rahvin.

[@timswabb]

This sounds like what Terry Pratchett would do with balefire. I love how he played with fantasy tropes.

[@marshalsea000]

Yeah, it's cheap. One of the many things that years ago made me sigh and lose respect for the whole thing. It's been interesting watching these, as I've never reread WOT post release, so a lot of this is "bang... oh yeah I remember this bit" and occasionally "bang... oh god yeah, that annoyed me... and that... and that." Flawed masterpiece, too many obvious references... and a massive lost opportunity with Asmodeus, and the whole "Who Killed Him" for years... gah... still want to smack him with a rolled up news paper: Bad Writer!

[@timswabb]

@B Marshalsea No doubt it’s flawed, but it’s also a masterpiece. The people who read it as each book was released often seem the most frustrated with Jordan. I found bingeing it all at once much less frustrating. No beloved theories gone up in smoke, no long waits for a middle book that lacked resolution, no worries about the health of the author. Just move on to the next book.

[@tonyparish2740]

Amazing interview. I would love to see a black tower story line. I think Androl is an amazing character with so many nuances that eventually he would lead the tower and create great achievements!

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed! He was a great new character and Logain was a excellent too. So much could be done with that

[@petersotherland9230]

One of my favorite things about the series is even when I dislike a character as a person (unpopular opinion, I can't stand Egwene) I love what they contribute to the book and the story. Her character is so compelling and its such a good arc, but I have no problem saying that I would never want to spend any time with her at all. Its so fun that characters in a series can cause such a visceral reaction. In a lot of other fiction series I've read I feel as though you just get a buffet of "good" characters and you can choose which of them is your favorite because they are all relatively likeable. But, in WoT I never feel obligated to like a character as a person in order to enjoy them as a character in the book.

[@davidkang5708]

When Bela died, I was honestly really sad. You grow an attachment after 14 books!

[@johnhuffman9533]

Merphy: "I don't need a thousand pages..." Sanderson: "Who asked you?"

[@pinkhornet8737]

Loved watching you both talk about WOT. Makes me feel like a reread. My favourite side character was Siuan Sanche.

[@Trisjack20]

Flipping awesome character

[@scott4482]

Look back to chapter 15 of EoTW and you'd know Lan and Nynaeive would survive. Mins viewings are always true and according to RJ always in the future.

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed

[@jestmythoughts675]

The deaths in the last few books seemed rushed, I solidly agree with that, especially when you were, half raised on these books, rereading over and over, for ten+ years, taking the journey as it were with the characters, then all of a sudden so much back and forth happens. Quite agree the roller coaster of emotions was rough. There is so much of the world that was created that is still missing and I wish I could learn more about and explore! Also, no Thom Merrilin on that list of characters?

[@RainbowCurveCostuming]

I just finished the series for the first time and I am happy I can finally watch this video. I would love to chat about it like Murphy Napier is doing here. Like her I had to shut myself away from the fandom and I am now just binging all the wheel of time KZbin content

[@afilthycasualplays4007]

I think the spinoff I'd like to read the most is a book detailing Luc and Tigrane's adventure. One sibling struggling in the Blight becoming harder and harder until he becomes an asset to the Dark One and one sibling traveling to the Aiel Waste and attempting to fit in with the Maidens before dying while giving birth to the Dragon. We can meet Janduin, Tam, Gitara, and younger versions of the Wise Ones an Rhuarc. I think it would be a wonderful book.

[@ogieogie]

I'm almost tempted to reread, but...I'm 67 years old. Life is short.

[@Bob_just_Bob]

Listening to you two talking on this series is making me smile and it’s really making me want to go back and re-read the series.

[@killerkonnat]

By far the spinoff I'd want to see the most is the future of the world and the aiel people. After Aviendha's visions of the future.

[@Trisjack20]

Oh I couldn't read that I would find it so heart breaking. Which probably means it is a great book idea.... For me I would like to see the War of Power.

[@killerkonnat]

@@Trisjack20 The thing is. It's already been hinted that the future has changed because something happened differently from her visions. I'd want to see how much has changed or stayed the same.

[@Trisjack20]

@@killerkonnat I really hope it is different. That was a hard chapter to read. Great idea mate.

[@fitz394]

Wheel of Time is the series I've read more than any other. If you can get past the terrible slump around Crossroads of Twilight - it is such a rewarding payoff. Crazy series

[@AikiraBeats]

See that's what I'm worried of

[@seekeroftruth1970]

No need to worry. Series is worth it. Just be aware of it.

[@joseywales7463]

@@AikiraBeats skimming helps

[@davidbowles7281]

@@joseywales7463 If you have to skim, that's a sign its not worth reading.

[@katieamarsh]

Rereads are amazing and you can skim all the Elayne stuff in the slog.

[@SuperDemandred]

I've heard much talk of this slog. What in the name of the Light is it?

[@joseywales7463]

@@SuperDemandred It's 14 books, most agree 7-10 are slow.

[@rriggs6547]

@@SuperDemandred I think it occurs with readers who are reading the whole series at once. I read the first 5 books and then each one as it came out. I didn't feel any slog. Neither did others I know who read them as they came out. But if you read them all at once the first time somewhere around books 6 or 7 to around 10 or 11 many people think it is slow. I admit, on my second read-through I read character arcs. Once everyone branched off I read the Perrin arc, and then I read the Mat arc and then the ... You get the point. I found that made the series feel different and fresh to me. Honestly, the Rand arc was the hardest for me in the middle as I thought Rand was being an immature jerk for a long while.

[@mk9beatz]

5:08 this is LITERALLY why i didn’t cry at Egwenes death… i didn’t believe it until Rand said actually said it.

[@ashleyplamondon9718]

I'm on my 4th time reading the series it dosen't get old still makes me laugh and cry and feel the struggles of the characters still catching things I missed amazing

[@jeffreywebb2692]

If you’ve ever listened to the audio books and heard Robert Jordan talk about, he said that he always believed that the “chosen one” would not fall into line, and would most likely pull against that destiny. I’m paraphrasing, of course.

[@fieryphoenix2501]

I tried to read the first book and on a whim I decided to listen to the entire series of wheel of time. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading performances were the highlight of the series. They got me through the slog

[@ThomasPakh64]

What about my man Thom Merrilin? Or Hurin? Masema? Moridin? Birgitte? Gual?

[@pharrigan-hikes]

Just finished the series today! So excited to be able to watch this video now and talk about this series

[@totenks]

The more I appreciate clothing design, the more i enjoyed the clothing deacriptions during rereads.

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed and it is something that sets him apart. When I talk to some fantasy fans they seem to think you need a lot of different races for your fantasy to be diverse and yet Jordan uses just humans and its incredible how diverse it is. Just describe the people in the room and you know what land you're in. This is going to work WONDERFULLY in the visual medium because you can show it without words. I know no other series (I am not as extensively read as some) that does even half as well at depicting the culture via the appearance of the country's people.

[@nategiacoma3031]

Side character I attached to the most is Hopper

[@JoffJk]

Spoiler Real question! Did you cry at the scene when Nynaeve speakes to Master Aldragoran "my husband rides from world's end to Tarwin's gap, towards Tarmon Gai'don. Will he ride alone?"

[@samanthaa.6055]

Badass

[@jamesgdalton]

That scene stands out to me out of the hundreds of fantasy novels I've read 🙏 so emotional!

[@jacksonmagas9698]

No, I cried the second time aviendha went to rhuidean and when egwene died

[@heathnantz9295]

I finished my first read through at the end of December, and found your channel while needing a recap during the slog. So glad that I finally got around to reading them. Can't even process the thought of a reread yet, just so much of a commitment. I concur with most of your list Merphy, but I don't have as much love for Nynaeve as it seems everyone else does.

[@Alice-tn5xb]

I have finally finished A Memory of Light

[@jayscheer5529]

Anytime you two get togeather is a amazing video! Lot of fun hearing both your views on characters scenes and story.

[@brae.2401]

The slog is a lot worse if you take the series a little slower. I flew through the whole series in just under 4 months and I don't really even feel the slog or repetitive descriptions. It made it feel more solid and cohesive

[@timswabb]

Agreed!

[@Trisjack20]

I think it is horses for courses. I love the Kin and Camelyn stuff. It's just more character heavy and not as plot and action heavy.

[@Highcastle_of_Tone]

The slog was real but much worse if you read the books as they were published and had to wait a couple years for the next book to move the story forward. If you read the story now that it's finished, it's easier to power through the slog knowing that there's an end. That's my experience anyway...

[@soulsaint721]

I read new spring in the middle of the slog. I love the wheel of time! I am so happy I found your channel for wot content alone but have chosen to read several books you recommend.

[@SuperDemandred]

What is this slog? I've heard a lot about it, but never seen what it is.

[@gebs123]

@@SuperDemandred The slog is a 4-5 book period starting around WoT book 7. The main story slows way down, and it focuses on the characters. A lot of people get angry about the lack of resolution in the individual books and quit reading the series.

[@Ignorenobugs]

Loved your discussion! Greene and the pixels on the right side are both making some great points:P

[@DZIGIN]

5:21 That saying: ,,Like you've stolen emotion from me" i completely agree with...i hate that also in comics,movies and especially tv series

[@theradioactiveplayer3461]

Okay hear me out: if Egwene's death ever gets adapted into a film, the moment she counters Balefire needs a vocal crescendo. I'm thinking something in the vein of the operatic part of Moon Over The Castle.

[@placeb0fication]

Huh, haven't finished the video yet but not relating to the vitriol about "fake-out deaths" (at least in the end) as a lot of those weren't deaths to me. Like "oh, OK we haven't actually seen/confirmed this person is actually dead, or just because someone is missing doesn't mean they're dead, or knowing what I do about the lore I expect Brigitte to return via the horn". I felt like there were several "cliffhangers" but I didn't have the mourning reaction of falling for a "fake-out" in those cases. Just finished the series a couple days ago and looking to hear other people's experiences. I really enjoy the love this community has for WoT.

[@Visforelvenshireling]

Me: listening and enjoying this thoroughly. Blinks. Looks back. "Wait. Something changed on Daniel's face.... Less reflective. Less shiny?" scrolls back a few seconds. *gasp* you teleported your glasses! Magic! Magic I say!

[@patrickboyle1135]

"I hate Gawyn" One of us, one of us, one of us!

[@BowserTiny]

For main characters my favorites hands down were Perrin and Nynaeve. Perrin for his constant struggle finding balance between his strengths and humbleness. Nynaeve for her incredible growth and selflessness (along with being the most badass healer) Favorite side characters would be Tom Merlin and Loial. Tom for bringing levity and wit and Loial just because... well hes Loial! Its impossible not to like him! He was also someone Rand could depend on for his honesty and friendship. I loved this series and just finished book 14 so now im binging on all the content since i dont have to worry about spoilers anymore. Thank you Daniel for all your great work!

[@andscifi]

I understand that people don't like gawyn and galad and I understand that, but if they aren't given at least some amount of character development who is Mat going to beat up with his quarterstaff?

[@timswabb]

I like Galad. Many readers like him better after a reread. And Gawyn is not entirely at fault for his failures. The women in his life keep him in the dark way too much, and many of his worst mistakes arise from their failure to communicate.

[@ChristmasLore]

Any Lord schooled to become a warder? That's not the most important part of their stories. Galad is really interesting, nice arc, Gawyn, not so much.

[@RobinFromAshes]

I don't understand the issue with the "fake-outs" at all. This is the Wheel of Time - so long as the good side wins, the pattern continues and the pattern typically rewards those that it has demanded much of. Especially when it is about Ta'veren. I see it rather as a failure on the readers part to miss how this world works. It is not a "fake-out", it is how the pattern intended it. Perrin finding Faile alive is a very good example of this. And the survival of Rand has been foreshadowed basically during the whole series..

[@mrwrangler8737]

on first read I didn't feel the slough I was anxiously waiting for the next book to come out. I would pick the new book up the day ir hit the shelf of the bookstore. The second read I knew what to expect so I felt the slough wanting to get past Faile's kidnapping waiting for the rescue. and waiting for events to happen.

[@nosferatum791]

Btw. polish and russian translations of WOT feel less repetetive than the original, because the translators used more diverse ways to describe things. It has it's cons (harder to memorise every character), and pros (easier, smoother to read).

[@timswabb]

That’s very interesting, especially that there is a pro to repetition.

[@nosferatum791]

​@@timswabb There is, but it can be exhausting to read f.e. He tucked his mustache... tucking his mustache... tucked mustache... tucks his mustache When in translation it looks more like: podkręcił swój wąs... bawi się swoim zarostem pod nosem... zawinął wąsa... nawija swój wąsik etc. So not only "tuck" is expressed in various creative ways (podkręcić, zakręcić, zawinąć, zwinąć, nawinąć, dopieścić etc.), but also "mustache" is treated that way (wąs, wąsik, wąsisko, zarost pod nosem etc.).

[@timswabb]

@nosferatum791 Thanks for the example!

[@joshkaylor181]

I feel like Lan’s fake-out death served the purpose to help fuel Rand’s “battle” with the Dark One, so that one to me served a major purpose.

[@rriggs6547]

I didn't think he could die until after the last battle because Min viewed Lan and Nynaeve in a rebuilt Malkier and her visions are never wrong.

[@jonathangooding5020]

Daniel, thanks again for an entertaining video, not sure how Merphy thought Rand was boring and an author self insert on the first read - I am kinda shocked, unless it's a gender thing. RJ's so called fake out deaths were all amazing imo, I could not predict how they would survive and how they did felt was legitimate, especially Rand's, I was super sceptical on how it would happen, and if it would be good.. but then when the Forsaken were revived it made that easier, but I was amazed rather than annoyed at how they came back to life - I cannot be annoyed because it actually shows the Dark one's sort of control over those linked to him, it makes his promises of power genuine enough to make the calibre of people that become the forsaken to be lured to his side, given the calibre of the Aes Sedai back then, and off course makes an understandably tempting appeal to those who become Black Ajah and dark friends - they are not based on completely empty promises their is a measure of legitimacy in this power - not enough for me to forgive their choice off course, but it gave it weight. That Rand actually achieves or does this actually is a neat touch I feel, because only the DO previously was doing this, so that he achieves it was quite interesting, I guess my opinions differ greatly from Merhpy's.

[@NinjaLill]

S-tier for me would forever be Mat, Rand, Moiraine, Thom, Nynaeve and Lan. Aviendha as well I guess, but we can’t have to many can we? As a die hard fan of Tolkiens writing on world building, I still find Jordan to be a close second in that aspect and the master of characters. So doing a tier list on characters is so fluent. I’ve read and listened to the series easily ten times and as a swede, Jordan was the one getting me into reading fantasy in english ’cause I couldn’t wait for the translations. I was about 12 at the time I caught up and A Crown of Swords were my first in english, and translations are never as good as the source material. ”Lost in translation” is a quote for a reason. This volume of text aside my point being: Rhe character you loathe may be the one you like the most on the third, fourth or even fifth read through. Galad being the prime example. Couldn’t stand the guy, but now I respect the shit out him. Being that stalwart and true to your beliefs not only from doctrine, but genuinly showing those virtues even as a kid and never question yourself? That’s just beautiful. So Galad easily A-tier. End of rant. PS. The show ain’t that bad and people need to calm the f**k down. Star Wars anyone? D.S

[@sullir9397]

The repetitive description that drove me the most nuts was with the Ogier and their "fingers like fat sausages."

[@josephwilliams6865]

Daniel should do another WoT if video about what would have happened if the Seanchan invaded during the Aiel war instead of when they actually did invade

[@Trisjack20]

Love me a bit of what if and theory crafting DO IT!

[@avekatumba4794]

You pronounced her name right! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

I am so proud!

[@zemphis7149]

@@DanielGreeneReviews Character development!

[@avekatumba4794]

@@DanielGreeneReviews I'm happy for you. Dyslexia who? 💅🏽

[@timswabb]

And then he didn’t, and then he did again.

[@sarahschreffler5407]

For what I remember of World of TIme (I stopped reading in the Slog back when the books were coming out still and I still have no desire to go back and finish) Nynaeve was my favorite character

[@c.w.hughes2609]

I have to do a tier list of characters after I finish the series. Currently book 12. There are so many characters I love or hate lmao

[@Trisjack20]

Definitely do it!

[@rileybwallace]

I think a cool spin off would be a tragic story about Aiel male channelers going to "spit in Sightblinder's eye," or whatever they called sending them to fight trollocs in the Blight. That would be amazing and sad.

[@ryanratchford2530]

Love both you guys hope you’re doing well in lockdown. Great video!

[@jameslangridge1674]

Easy way to have done it was the way I did it. Read the 1st 3 books in the library, then realize they don't have the next book, go out and buy the series up to the latest book (Book 4, at the time), then wait, for each new book to be released and get it as soon as it was available. Now, please note, having internet at the time was extremely rare and if you had a computer, you were either super rich and needed it for some fancy work, or you had a computer, but no internet, so I had no problem with not knowing what was coming. In fact, I knew nobody else who had even heard of the books or series, let alone read it all. Complete isolation has it's perks sometimes.

[@randland3722]

The aes sedai are the villain. They made the bore. They caused the breaking. They are tyrants. They openly break the law and people too terrified to say anything to them. They are the biggest threat to Rand the entire series. The worst thing done to the hero's was the box. It goes on and on.

[@TheBookRefuge]

The slog did knock me off for now. But since Merphy loves it I will hop back on some day soon. Nice ranking Merphy!

[@Chabooki]

Ugh too bad, the last 4 books are paced so much better and they are incredible!

[@TheNaturalHazards]

Just finished my first listen through, audible is awesome and helps with “the slog” imo, and a reread seems so daunting right now. Maybe one day...

[@jenniferobin7260]

Merphy should definitely check out the Dusty Wheel videos. Lots of deep dives.

[@phlatbrim2732]

I was keeping up with Merphy channel on my reread. it was great to watch her perspective as a 1st time reader. she passed me by cuz I took a break at the #slog but her channel is good.

[@chrissleeping65]

How I rank the series 1. A Memory of Light- S Tier 2. The Shadow Rising- S Tier 3. The Great Hunt- S Tier 4. The Gathering Storm- S Tier 5. Towers of Midnight- S Tier 6. The Dragon Reborn- A Tier 7. Knife of Dreams- A Tier 8. The Fires of Heaven- A Tier 9. Lord of Chaos- A Tier 10. The Eye of the World- B Tier 11. A Crown of Swords- B Tier 12. Winter's Heart- C Tier 13. New Spring- C Tier 14. The Path of Daggers- D Tier 15. Crossroads of Twilight- D Tier

[@thedarkonestaint6105]

AMoL is the best ending to a fantasy series omg. Despite the fake outs. I skip the slog now besides some few points. The character development is beautiful and makes such a roller coaster of emotions. Perrin should've accepted responsibility so much earlier. The aelfinn and eelfinn were scarier and better villains than the forsaken

[@joseywales7463]

They were certainly spooky. Would not want to get lost in that world.

[@TheGeekyHippie]

*Happy Ogier Noises* ROFLMAO!!

[@josephreusch]

Can you imagine... in the year of our Lord 2020... putting Tam alThor over Nynaeve and Moraine! Lol, great video, Loial is amazing!

[@tsunamifire3518]

29:50 I did that around the middle of the series and I can confirm that that was my reaction.

[@oswin5775]

I mean I like you Merphy, but seriously, you don't like Matt?! He's the most scientifically likeable character ever! I'm not a jerk fan, I promise I'm just crazy about Matt

[@nosferatum791]

Maybe Merphy just hates rape victims LOL I don't get it too.

[@timswabb]

Well then you should learn to spell his name... just kidding.

[@oswin5775]

Oops my bad

[@gauchesymbiote1039]

I think Mat is one of the most relatable characters in the series. I truly think we all know a Mat, or have known a Mat.

[@josephcampbell1693]

Mat went from being poisoned by the knife and later being hung to being the leader of the Hand and being the major tactician of the last battle.

[@bytheburnside7539]

My unpopular opinion is that my favorite person from WoT to hang out with would be great hunt-shadow rising Era rand.

[@HeronKij]

I think most of the fake-out deaths were handled well. Galad's was effective because he lost something in the process, his sword arm. Aviendha lost the ability to walk. Birgitte had already lost her entire identity, so her death bringing her back to TAR and getting it back while losing her bond to Elayne was bittersweet. Faile's was because Perrin had already lost enough. Mat's was the only one that I was really upset about, now I think about it. It felt hollow and cheap.

[@Zealbourne]

Fakeout deaths? I guess thats a point of view. What if however you've been reading the series and was shown over and over that everyone is reborn? Everyone is given the power to shake off their pain and experience life again anew? The series is a hopeful one, where nothing you love is ever truly lost. If thats a theme that seems to bother you at the end, why not all along? I guess I always suspected that Rand would be given a chance to live a happy life, I never doubted it actually. Just saying.

[@dillonpatterson4310]

Watched Perrin grieve lol, I think they had an entire books about that and it's one if the worst.

[@samanthaa.6055]

Perrin is my favorite character so I hated that arc finding Faile that lasted 4 BOOKS

[@TheGeekyHippie]

Great thumbnail! And great video too, but I dunno what happened with Merph's video feed. Usually no problem with her camera, but today it seems to be problematic (or perhaps that's her internet being wonky). Still, I can hear her fine, so that's what matters most.

[@margaretkolosky5779]

My favorite character is Logain. I hated Ossangar

[@armanisar-feinial1789]

Siuan and Egwene's fate made me cry when I was reading it. FYI, I read the entire 14th book in one sitting.

[@Trisjack20]

WOW You are the only person I have heard say that. How many hours? (ish?)

[@armanisar-feinial1789]

@@Trisjack20 12 hours ish

[@Trisjack20]

@@armanisar-feinial1789 You are a MACHINE! How was the experience different from taking it in a more drawn out process like you did for some of the other books?

[@armanisar-feinial1789]

@@Trisjack20 For much of it, i just couldn't put it down. So i felt completely immersed in the books. And it took me 3 years to finish the series between College and work so I resolved it within myself to finish it. I'm glad i did. I did the last three books that way when I had a full day with no interruptions. I wanted to use some of the tools Sanderson used within completing the books within my own writing.

[@michael305m3]

Siuan hurt worse than egwene

[@RickTCPB]

Not taking away from her (Ms Napier) experience as a reader, but as I was re-reading the series/last book I felt that the 'fake-out' deaths were meant for Rand to observe in the hope that it would break him. We, as the reader were just along for the emotional rollercoaster.

[@safinan8008]

Great video!!! I’m currently reading the great hunt by Robert Jordan!! So far it’s good.... 😊📖

[@Trisjack20]

Wonderful book. Who are the characters you are enjoying the moments of the first two books you have liked?

[@safinan8008]

Trisjack20 thank u!!

[@deanryanmartin]

0:57 Whoops, I have to pause this.

[@ethanpoints8735]

Nynaeve should have stilled herself while healing Lan, thus sacrificing the power for love

[@revpembroke3082]

Stilling is done to criminals. The proper term is "burning herself out." And no, she shouldn't have. Losing access to the One Power is enough to make people want to stop living.

[@ethanpoints8735]

@@revpembroke3082 Well, that's just your opinion man.

[@ChristmasLore]

Siuan was copping pretty well after being stilled.

[@rriggs6547]

I have read through the series twice. I probably would have added Cadsuane and Verin and Elaida to the tier list. My S rank is Nynaeve, Rand, Loial, and Min. My lowest tier would have been Galad, Elaida, and then far below them Gawyn.

[@yves2016]

Love you Merphy, however Mat may cause an issue for us. I thought we agreed on everything... Lol. Daniel this was a fantastic conversation. I really like when you talk to other creatives as it really shows off your personality.

[@hoid5295]

androl got forgotten

[@AbrasiveTea]

Ok I am weird. For me right before the slog was the hardest part for me. The dog actually got me into the series and got me to finish it pretty fast

[@joshualoveland6893]

Galad is Captain America of Wheel of Time. A tier

[@christianefiorito3204]

I love Matt

[@ramspencer5492]

Great series.... Gets stagnant coming to a head at book 10.... Part of which is still very good. A Memory Of Light was so dense. Too dense for me.... Way too many big things happening without enough space to honor such epic events and tragic losses. Should have been split up into two books.... It was way too dense.... Could have had a cool down after the last battle. A Memory of light was my second most frustrating book to read after book 10. It has a lot of good stuff in it.... But the book was exhausting to read and didn't have enough space around so, so much happening.

[@hobbesos]

Speaking of the slog I've read the series once and I didn't even know the slog existed until quite some time after when I saw it talked about online. Even when I saw it mentioned I didn't know what bit they were talking about. As a result I think people who say the slog is not real shouldn't be discredited, they just enjoy stories differently and didn't notice that bit to be boring as others would.

[@Trisjack20]

Agreed, many people disagree when it starts and ends. I have heard people say they think its books 7 to ten and other 8 to 11. Someone on a previosu video commented and said it is well known that the fandom agree that Brandon's books are the worst written in the series. So presumably for him it's 12-14? I loved all the books and I was reading when 8 and 9 were first published and rereading each time a new one was released. I loved all the books though some are better than others I do not think you can 'skip' any of them. Winter's Heart is in the 'slog' by many people's definition and it is a book I wait for with baited breath. The cleansing is the best scene in the series for me I absolutely love it and the 9 book build up is what made it so perfect. Then book 10 often slated does something extraordinary which is show the reaction to such a momentous event that really gives it its impact and value and makes it real. Anyway, in short, yes, they should not be dismissed for some of us it was not a slog.

[@jondepinet]

common guys, Bella is the most painful death. for that matter, i want a retelling of the entire series from the perspective of Bella.

[@jamestea00]

I so so agree with Merphy about the Silmirillion

[@crisnice1]

god, i really need to read WoT so i can properly watch all your videos. but man... it's 14 books long and they are (aparently) all huge. besides Merphy mentioned a 4 books slog... i don't know how I feel about this

[@matthewsmith4647]

It's worth it.

[@nosferatum791]

If english is not Your native language, I recommend reading the series in Your native language, "The Slog" will most likely be less repetetive. You can also take some breaks and read other books between each WOT book. This way some of the cons that people mention won't be as prominent as they would be if you binged the series. I personally liked "The Slog" both times that i read the series.

[@matthewsmith4647]

@@nosferatum791 its not really a slog imo but I was lucky that I never got attatchment to the ones who are in the slog.

[@crisnice1]

@@nosferatum791 interesting advice. thank you so much. my biggest fear is to take a break and forgetting a lot of things. never read a 14 book series

[@lordofdarkness4204]

I wouldn’t say it’s four books long. If we are being very specific, the 9th and 10th are the true slog, but the 8th has some great stuff, but I feel like at some point during the series really began the slog.

[@sullir9397]

That's funny that Merphy would most love to chat with Loial cuz in the books the characters tried to avoid chatting with him cuz how rambles so much lol.

[@xyr3s]

readin it all together is better imo. take a song of ice and fire for instance. i don't care about that series any more. il'l probably not even pick it up. and even if i did, when will the book after that come? another 10 years? yea no, fuck that lol. stormlight archive is fine because brandon is putting his books out at a regular rate. and even if it's not a stormlight book, he is always putting out other books. so atlerast u know he's still in the swing of things and the next stormlight book is coming. so yea i prefer binge reading to something like a song of ice and fire rofl. also logain is one of my most fav characters from the series. and i am super glad the tv series will expand on his character :)

[@Mtymchuk]

My biggest issue it that all these books were only like 3 years total! It just doesn’t make sense. Everything that happened and it only took 3 years!

[@zollieberdy4405]

Whooo! WoT Talks are awesome.

[@cheesepie72]

Loial is a likeable character but I've never seen such a big Loial stan before