Love that you liked this one so much and gave it a 5-star rating; I couldn't disagree more with those "slog" people that say it's the worst book, as the ending alone would take it out of that category imo. Speaking of which, R.J. usually does have that build, build, build to a big ending that Sanderson is now famous for (not every book, but many). In fact, I think Sanderson is on the record as saying that's a part of his style he picked up from Jordan. In regard to the Forsaken being chumps, I've heard others like Mike say this before, but I think that argument really fails to take the whole picture into consideration. The Forsaken are definitely all powerful channelers; even Asmodean, who I think was one of the weakest ones, was certainly more powerful than say Cadsuane or Moraine or whoever else might be the strongest Aes Sedai from the current day. They also had access to the arcane knowledge of the Age of Legends. Sure Rand might be on par with the likes of Ishamael or Demandred, but he's The Dragon Reborn. And the wondergirls (Nynaeve, Egwene, Elayne, and Avienda), who are mentioned as being the most powerful channelers in many generations, are at best on par with one of the other weakest Forsaken, Moghedien. Additionally, some Forsaken, like Aginor, while very powerful, were more renowned for their other skills (science in his case). Finally, and this is a big one, the Forsaken are rivals with one another, all seeking to be the Nae'blis. They backstab each other and even help Rand and Co. on occasion against other Forsaken. This rivalry and jealousy of one another, as well as a general underestimating of Rand and the good guys (at least in the beginning), keeps them from ganging up on him at the start and just winning it all for the baddies. On top of all that, the Dark One is ok with the squabbling and manipulation ("Let the Lord of Chaos rule."), as if he loses, so what, he'll just be back to fight another day when the Wheel turns again, but if he can convert Rand to the Dark and actually win... well... it's all over!
Thank you for the video, as always. It's cool you want to reread the series. I'm on my 6th read through, which actually is not very many compared to others in the Fandom. 😅 I have read the Origins of the Wheel of Time, which was pretty good. Don't read it until after you've finished the whole series, though. I've also read part of the Wheel of Time Companion, the WOT encyclopedia book. That's also full series spoilers. The only one you can read right now is the Big White Book of Bad Art, lol, as fans lovingly call it. It's really titled, The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time. (And I don't think the art is that bad).
I love your predictions and how you are thinking ahead. I have to admit that I didn't get anything right 😂
You are really getting through em
Love that you liked this one so much and gave it a 5-star rating; I couldn't disagree more with those "slog" people that say it's the worst book, as the ending alone would take it out of that category imo. Speaking of which, R.J. usually does have that build, build, build to a big ending that Sanderson is now famous for (not every book, but many). In fact, I think Sanderson is on the record as saying that's a part of his style he picked up from Jordan.
In regard to the Forsaken being chumps, I've heard others like Mike say this before, but I think that argument really fails to take the whole picture into consideration. The Forsaken are definitely all powerful channelers; even Asmodean, who I think was one of the weakest ones, was certainly more powerful than say Cadsuane or Moraine or whoever else might be the strongest Aes Sedai from the current day. They also had access to the arcane knowledge of the Age of Legends. Sure Rand might be on par with the likes of Ishamael or Demandred, but he's The Dragon Reborn. And the wondergirls (Nynaeve, Egwene, Elayne, and Avienda), who are mentioned as being the most powerful channelers in many generations, are at best on par with one of the other weakest Forsaken, Moghedien. Additionally, some Forsaken, like Aginor, while very powerful, were more renowned for their other skills (science in his case). Finally, and this is a big one, the Forsaken are rivals with one another, all seeking to be the Nae'blis. They backstab each other and even help Rand and Co. on occasion against other Forsaken. This rivalry and jealousy of one another, as well as a general underestimating of Rand and the good guys (at least in the beginning), keeps them from ganging up on him at the start and just winning it all for the baddies. On top of all that, the Dark One is ok with the squabbling and manipulation ("Let the Lord of Chaos rule."), as if he loses, so what, he'll just be back to fight another day when the Wheel turns again, but if he can convert Rand to the Dark and actually win... well... it's all over!
Thank you for the video, as always.
It's cool you want to reread the series. I'm on my 6th read through, which actually is not very many compared to others in the Fandom. 😅
I have read the Origins of the Wheel of Time, which was pretty good. Don't read it until after you've finished the whole series, though. I've also read part of the Wheel of Time Companion, the WOT encyclopedia book. That's also full series spoilers. The only one you can read right now is the Big White Book of Bad Art, lol, as fans lovingly call it. It's really titled, The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time. (And I don't think the art is that bad).
I would recommend reading new spring soon (before book 11).
We’re reading in publication order, so after book 10