Wheel of Time, first readthrough

[DornishKnight]

While waiting for TWoW, I heard of TWoT. I couldn't get Eye of the World at my library, so I rented the New Spring Prequel. One sitting and five chapters later, I have to say I'm impressed. I am really invested in the series.

For better or worse, I have heard a lot about the series. From what I've heard: the first five books are really good, the sixth is awesome, seven through nine start to drag (like AFFC), the tenth is horrible (like most of Brienne's AFFC or Dany's ADWD), then from 11 onwards it picks up again.

Anyone else new to the series? Does anyone who has read it have anything to say to us noobs?

[Zcrow]

http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/70272-the-wheel-of-time-your-opinion/

Everything you wanna know about it.

[Galactus]

Some guy at tvtropes was doig achapter-by-chapter liveblog (first read) seems to have fizzled out though.

[wolverine]

http://asoiaf.wester...e-your-opinion/

Everything you wanna know about it.

WARNING: That one has more than the OP would probably want to know at this point.

I would just read it on your own and see what you think. It seems to be pretty polarizing for board members. I personally like and am very glad to have read it. Although I don't know if starting with New Spring is the best spot even though it is a prequel it may reveal too much stuff.

[Gertrude]

I've never read New Spring, so don't know about how much it spoils and can't speak to that part. However, since you are enjoying it, that bodes well for enjoying the series as a whole, obviously. Since you are coming into the series with all the books published save one, you may not notice the pacing problems people complain about. Well, you'll probably notice it, but it won't be as bothersome as people who endured the real time wait make it out to be. Just slog it out if you feel that way because it does pick up again :)

People tend to get pretty passionate when discussing this series, so don't let people color your opinion before you make up your own mind. Even those who criticize it are by and large still reading and enjoying it.

[DornishKnight]

I've never read New Spring, so don't know about how much it spoils and can't speak to that part. However, since you are enjoying it, that bodes well for enjoying the series as a whole, obviously. Since you are coming into the series with all the books published save one, you may not notice the pacing problems people complain about. Well, you'll probably notice it, but it won't be as bothersome as people who endured the real time wait make it out to be. Just slog it out if you feel that way because it does pick up again :)

People tend to get pretty passionate when discussing this series, so don't let people color your opinion before you make up your own mind. Even those who criticize it are by and large still reading and enjoying it.

That's good. I also came to ASOIAF late (i.e. after watching the first season). I did not hate AFFC like others did as I thought it picked up in the second half (Cersei and Jaime chapters were awesome). Maybe those who do not read series as they come out tend to enjoy them more than those who did. (didn't like Harry Potter though, and Stephanie Meyer's works will be forgotten in 10 or so years)

With New Spring, I'm liking Moraine, but I LOVE Siuan. However, I'm getting vibes... http://tvtropes.org/...n/TooCoolToLive

[DornishKnight]

WARNING: That one has more than the OP would probably want to know at this point.

I would just read it on your own and see what you think. It seems to be pretty polarizing for board members. I personally like and am very glad to have read it. Although I don't know if starting with New Spring is the best spot even though it is a prequel it may reveal too much stuff.

Thanks! I will check out the link when I'm a bit further in, but I don't want to be spoiled yet. My extent of series knowledge before New Spring was:

Spoiler

3 main characters: Matt, Perrin, and Rand (I also saw illustrations, and Matt looks BADASS). Rand is the Dovahkiin.

[Gertrude]

Um yeah, don't check out that thread until you're caught up to current events in the books. You have been warned.

[Gertrude]

And my favorite books are 4 and 5 rather than 6. Some seriously cool moments.

[wolverine]

I've never read New Spring, so don't know about how much it spoils and can't speak to that part. However, since you are enjoying it, that bodes well for enjoying the series as a whole, obviously. Since you are coming into the series with all the books published save one, you may not notice the pacing problems people complain about. Well, you'll probably notice it, but it won't be as bothersome as people who endured the real time wait make it out to be. Just slog it out if you feel that way because it does pick up again :)

People tend to get pretty passionate when discussing this series, so don't let people color your opinion before you make up your own mind. Even those who criticize it are by and large still reading and enjoying it.

Just as you don't let your opinion color your advice. Nicely put.

EDIT: Maybe I don't really know your opinion, but it didn't seem positive from last thread.

[WrathOfTinyKittens]

I realize you couldn't get ahold of TEOTW, but you are spoiling yourself a bit regarding characterization by reading New Spring first.

Over at tor.com, Leigh is still doing her fantastic WOT reread series. OP, DO NOT read it until you've read up to at least book 10, as there are major spoilers for the whole series in there. I highly recommend it to any other fans of WOT though.

[cseresz.reborn]

You must enter a post.

[awesome possum]

/rant on

Spoiler

Another WoT-thread. Great.

So literature = Wheel of Time. Great.

Use the search box, please, please ...

/rant off

Get over yourself.

Obviously since the OP is reading New Spring he probably wouldn't like to read a thread with spoilers throughout the entire freaking series.

[Solmyr]

For better or worse, I have heard a lot about the series. From what I've heard: the first five books are really good, the sixth is awesome, seven through nine start to drag (like AFFC), the tenth is horrible (like most of Brienne's AFFC or Dany's ADWD), then from 11 onwards it picks up again.

You are well informed - that's about how the majority of people rate the books. Also bear in mind that New Spring was actually written after book 10, so most of us read it after having read the first 10 books. I don't know if reading it before starting the series will affect (positively or negatively) the experience for you, just wanted to mention it.

If you enjoy audiobooks I recommend listening to WoT. Not only is it done incredibly well, but it features two narrators - the veterans Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.

[DornishKnight]

You are well informed - that's about how the majority of people rate the books. Also bear in mind that New Spring was actually written after book 10, so most of us read it after having read the first 10 books. I don't know if reading it before starting the series will affect (positively or negatively) the experience for you, just wanted to mention it.

If you enjoy audiobooks I recommend listening to WoT. Not only is it done incredibly well, but it features two narrators - the veterans Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.

No wonder you guys are worried about GRRM. You're probably getting major deja vu.

[Samsaptakas]

Just read the prologue of Eotw. You can find it on internet.

[The WaterDancer Knight]

I've never read New Spring, so don't know about how much it spoils

New Spring tells the story of Moiraine and Lan first meeting and a few other things like how Tam became a father. It answers questions from the main books. That isn't really spoilers since the OP can't know which questions are answered as long as he doesn't read the main books.

[Give Cersei some LOVE]

Just be sure you have the time to slog it through books 7-10. It really bogs down.

[Nick Snow]

I know a lot of people have posted links to other WOT threads but, as with the OP, I'm also interested in some spoiler-free discussion about the books.

For a while now I've been struggling with my temptation to read WOT. Aside from some basic plot points all I know is that it's Tolkienesque fantasy that, despite having a decent star, wanes toward he latter books until Sanderson's recent additions raise the quality back up.

Despite all this, I have a serious feeling as though I'm missing out on something. I'm not in a particular rush to read the series (I'm currently half way through the third Malazan book - another series I thought I was missing out on) but I have a constant nagging feeling making me want to give it a try. I think this is in no small part due to the positive reviews of the latest books in the series.

So what does everyone think? Is the 5 or so book slump forgivable? I've read a lot of comments from people who say that they gave up mid way...

My other concern is that I simply won't enjoy it due to its derivative and simple nature. Is WOT along the lines of Tad Williams style fantasy or is it leaning toward the lofty heights of GRRM?

[Seasick Drake]

I also just started reading the Wheel of time series, saw that my local library had the first one in for once. I have now read the first book and am a quarter of the way through the second and really enjoying them so far.