Finished reading Book 1 of the WoT series...

VaporPunk · 04-08-2012, 04:29 AM

And the question is, should I continue?

After years of hearing numerous recommendations and condemnations from my friends regarding this series, I broke down last month and got the first book. I'm torn, there are some parts that I like (plot, detailed world, mythology) but it seems kind of formulaic and the dialogue/characters can be effing awful at times.

Does it get any better? Most of the critiques I've heard of the series is that the first 3-5 books are worth reading and then they decline rapidly in quality. If you've read the series, please let me know what ya think of it. My pals recs are 3 in favor of trying at least 1 more, 2 saying quit while I'm ahead...

Xoanon · 04-08-2012, 07:44 AM

I've finished the first two books and plan to carry on with the series. In a genre where every book has to be more gritty than the last and feature characters who posses every conceivable shade of grey know to man, I'm so far finding the WoT series to be refreshingly original.

drofgnal · 04-08-2012, 07:49 AM

I read book 1. I liked it but didn't feel compelled to read book 2. That was 10 years ago. Still haven't picked up book 2, although I have it.

mewmartigan · 04-08-2012, 08:05 AM

I have enjoyed the entire series. I do think books 8,9,10 could have been combined into one semi-boring book instead. However starting with book 11, they really pick back up.
The final book in the series is scheduled for Jan 2013.

DiapDealer · 04-08-2012, 08:27 AM

Meh. I can't even begin to start a series whose installments run to double digit novels any more. No story is that big... no character or setting that interesting.

RDaneel54 · 04-08-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaporPunk

And the question is, should I continue?

After years of hearing numerous recommendations and condemnations from my friends regarding this series, I broke down last month and got the first book. I'm torn, there are some parts that I like (plot, detailed world, mythology) but it seems kind of formulaic and the dialogue/characters can be effing awful at times.

Does it get any better? Most of the critiques I've heard of the series is that the first 3-5 books are worth reading and then they decline rapidly in quality. If you've read the series, please let me know what ya think of it. My pals recs are 3 in favor of trying at least 1 more, 2 saying quit while I'm ahead...

It took me awhile to start the series. I stayed with it to the tenth volume, which was too long IMO. I'm with DiapDealer on this.

I think it went from being a pretty good story to one that was milked beyond dryness. But if you've got the time, read another one.

I think WofT ruined me for epic fantasy.

DrNefario · 04-08-2012, 01:33 PM

Well - much as I loved the early books, and much as I still want to know how it turns out, even though it has tried my patience a bit - if you didn't like the first one, I'd say don't bother.

AndrewH · 04-08-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Meh. I can't even begin to start a series whose installments run to double digit novels any more. No story is that big... no character or setting that interesting.

Amen!

As to the OP's question... that depends on how much you liked the story and the characters. Some of the character quirks get really annoying really fast (e.g. Nynaeve's braid tugging).

Timoleon · 04-08-2012, 07:40 PM

I got to Book #10; should have quit half-way through Book #5.

Shack70 · 04-08-2012, 07:57 PM

You did better than I did, I couldn't get through book 1. I made it about 10% and hated it.

GlenBarrington · 04-08-2012, 08:00 PM

I read the first 8 volumes, and NOTHING happens! The characters are VERY interesting to start wit, but they show no growth or development at all. And what's really weird, all 8 volumes take place in the same 2-3 year period.

I've never 'officially' quit reading the series, I just haven't had the energy to pick up #9. With so many good books available, I feel that my time is better spent on something else.

jbcohen · 04-08-2012, 08:20 PM

I like the anticipation of awaiting the next novel in the series and unfortunately the author, Robert Jordan, is no longer with us so unless there is some sort of technology that I don't know about there will be no more writing from him. I am already anticipating the next Honor Harringtion novel. Its too bad that Robert Jordan had to die before finishing the series.

Dazrin · 04-09-2012, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I like the anticipation of awaiting the next novel in the series and unfortunately the author, Robert Jordan, is no longer with us so unless there is some sort of technology that I don't know about there will be no more writing from him. I am already anticipating the next Honor Harringtion novel. Its too bad that Robert Jordan had to die before finishing the series.

It looks like they came up with something...a ghost writer.

There is one more upcoming novel based on his "extensive" notes. It is written by Brandon Sanderson (like the last two have been) and is supposed to be the conclusion of the story arc. I think the last two books have been the best books in the series after (maybe) the first 3, so the next should be good.

VaporPunk · 04-09-2012, 02:58 AM

to all for your answers.

A few votes in favor, the rest nays or, at best, "mehs". I think if the series was 4-5 books long, I'd stick with it, just because its such a famous and well loved series. As it is, I'm gonna pack it in for now. Maybe I'll come back if there's a sale or something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xoanon

I've finished the first two books and plan to carry on with the series. In a genre where every book has to be more gritty than the last and feature characters who posses every conceivable shade of grey know to man, I'm so far finding the WoT series to be refreshingly original.

I'm just the opposite. I've found myself feeling less tolerant for those characters with little to no shades of grey as I've delved deeper into the genre. But I do see your point, sometimes it feels like its either none or too much.

mewmartigan · 04-09-2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazrin

It looks like they came up with something...a ghost writer.

There is one more upcoming novel based on his "extensive" notes. It is written by Brandon Sanderson (like the last two have been) and is supposed to be the conclusion of the story arc. I think the last two books have been the best books in the series after (maybe) the first 3, so the next should be good.

I agree that Sanderson has done very well. I read somewhere (maybe Sanderson's blog?) that Jordan left A LOT of stuff behind for the final arc. Everything from completed chapters to outlines and major plot points, audio dictations, etc.

I have high hopes for the end of the series and look forward to reading it.

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04-08-2012, 04:29 AM	#1
VaporPunk Evangelist Posts: 409 Karma: 49204386 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Device: Kindle 4 + Asus Transformer	Finished reading Book 1 of the WoT series... And the question is, should I continue? After years of hearing numerous recommendations and condemnations from my friends regarding this series, I broke down last month and got the first book. I'm torn, there are some parts that I like (plot, detailed world, mythology) but it seems kind of formulaic and the dialogue/characters can be effing awful at times. Does it get any better? Most of the critiques I've heard of the series is that the first 3-5 books are worth reading and then they decline rapidly in quality. If you've read the series, please let me know what ya think of it. My pals recs are 3 in favor of trying at least 1 more, 2 saying quit while I'm ahead...

04-08-2012, 07:44 AM	#2
Xoanon Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 502326 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle	I've finished the first two books and plan to carry on with the series. In a genre where every book has to be more gritty than the last and feature characters who posses every conceivable shade of grey know to man, I'm so far finding the WoT series to be refreshingly original.

04-08-2012, 07:49 AM	#3
drofgnal Wizard Posts: 1,227 Karma: 7838248 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Ipad Pro/Kindle Oasis 3/iPhone 13 Pro Max	I read book 1. I liked it but didn't feel compelled to read book 2. That was 10 years ago. Still haven't picked up book 2, although I have it.

04-08-2012, 08:05 AM	#4
mewmartigan Guru Posts: 852 Karma: 8242060 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kindle Oasis (2019)	I have enjoyed the entire series. I do think books 8,9,10 could have been combined into one semi-boring book instead. However starting with book 11, they really pick back up. The final book in the series is scheduled for Jan 2013.

04-08-2012, 08:27 AM	#5
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,546 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Meh. I can't even begin to start a series whose installments run to double digit novels any more. No story is that big... no character or setting that interesting.

04-08-2012, 01:33 PM	#7
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,099 Karma: 11315768 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	Well - much as I loved the early books, and much as I still want to know how it turns out, even though it has tried my patience a bit - if you didn't like the first one, I'd say don't bother.

04-08-2012, 07:40 PM	#9
Timoleon Time Enough at Last Posts: 387 Karma: 1151316 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New England Device: iPad 3, iPhone 5, Kindle 3, Fire, Sony PRS-350	I got to Book #10; should have quit half-way through Book #5.

04-08-2012, 07:57 PM	#10
Shack70 Guru Posts: 775 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Fire 10", Honor 8 Android Phone	You did better than I did, I couldn't get through book 1. I made it about 10% and hated it.

04-08-2012, 08:00 PM	#11
GlenBarrington Cheese Whiz Posts: 1,986 Karma: 11677147 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Springfield, Illinois Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Tab A 10.1(2019), Pixel 6a.	I read the first 8 volumes, and NOTHING happens! The characters are VERY interesting to start wit, but they show no growth or development at all. And what's really weird, all 8 volumes take place in the same 2-3 year period. I've never 'officially' quit reading the series, I just haven't had the energy to pick up #9. With so many good books available, I feel that my time is better spent on something else.

04-08-2012, 08:20 PM	#12
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,025 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Piper College Device: Samsung A21	I like the anticipation of awaiting the next novel in the series and unfortunately the author, Robert Jordan, is no longer with us so unless there is some sort of technology that I don't know about there will be no more writing from him. I am already anticipating the next Honor Harringtion novel. Its too bad that Robert Jordan had to die before finishing the series.