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| Review Summary |
This is the tenth book in the "Wheel of Time" saga, so it continues where Book Nine left off. It concentrates mostly on the developing plots with Perrin and Faile, Mat and Tuon, and Egwene. There are also a few scenes with Elayne, Aviendha, Min, and Rand.
Perrin must rescue his wife, Faile, from an enormous army of Shaido Aiel, while placating the restless armies who follow him, wrongly believing that he is cheating on his wife. He also faces increasing pressure from Masema the Prophet, and the invading Seanchan armies, all of whom want to manipulate him.
Meanwhile, Mat has accidentally kidnapped Tuon, heir to the Seanchan throne. He must keep her safe and find a way to return her without facing any consequences for himself.
Egwene has laid seige to Tar Valon, but she is betrayed by her own followers, and finds herself trapped by her own clever ploy.
Elayne has arrived in Caemlyn to claim the Lion Throne, but she is greeted by a rebellion of her own people, who don't want another Trakand ruling their country. She gathers potential support from the Borderland armies, and from Aviendha and Birgitte, but there are Darkfriend plots afoot to either assassinate her or rape her. She is pregnant with Rand's child, but she allows a nasty rumor about herself to spread in order to hide the fact that she loves the Dragon Reborn.
Rand finally meets Logain, who tells him what Mazrim Taim is up to. Rand is too busy plotting his next move against the Seanchan to put a stop to Taim's dictatorship over the Black Tower.
Abby, Resident Scholar
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Tor, Jan 2003, 29.95, 700 pp.
ISBN: 0312864590
The world slowly moves on, but has reached a period of crossroads whether its is individuals, people, or nations. Decisions will prove pivotal, as the turning point in the Wheel of Time seems at hand. However, many have reached different crossroads and twilight is now for choices that must be made even when the options seem negative.
Perrin considers obtaining help from those he does not trust to help liberate his incarcerated wife. Not sure what to do except flee from the Seanchan, Mat takes the abducted daughter of the Nine Moons, Tuon with him while she seductively toys with him. The sieges at Tar Valon and Caemlyn continue unabated leaving insiders to ponder an escape attempt. Egwene the Amyrlin tries to unite the rebel Aes Sedai against the Dark One and considers an alliance with the Asha'man. The Dragon Reborn has eradicated the Dark One from the True Source, but wonders if he should negotiate with the Seanchan or perhaps Perrin for the next trial. Everything is slowly changing with any one decision could prove the pivotal turning point in the Wheel of Time.
Book ten of the Wheel of Time series adds depth and complexity to an already deeply textured landscape. However, as been the case of the last few books, the numerous involved subplots seem on a slow speed treadmill as no forward motion occurs and little action happens. Fans of Robert Jordan will cherish learning even more about the prime players as they struggle to decide what to do next as few writers can dig as insightfully deep as this author does. However, readers who relish action need to look elsewhere.
Harriet Klausner
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 45%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 25%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture
Yes
Culture clash-
- one culture tries to impose its culture on another group
Intense exploration of society's culture?
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- warrior/knight
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can talk to animals
- is very quick
- can read emotions
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- bulging muscles
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
- an organization
Age:
- 20's-30's
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- dictator
- mage/magician
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- fire/thunder/weather cntrl
- telekinesis
- can cast all sorts of spells
Eccentric:
Yes
- deluded
- emotionally unstable
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
- an above average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Dumb
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
- Forests
Earth setting:
- 17th century
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
- impregnation/reproduction
- lesbians!
- description of breasts
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
- significantly more descript than dialog
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