A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Original Review posted to Goodreads August 6, 2016
The Review:
Well, I finally did it. I finally finished the
Wheel of Time. And to be honest, I don't know how I feel. The series is
too long already, but I want some more detail on some things and more of
a look into the aftermath. I listened to A Memory of Light as an
audiobook** and I think that helps add something to the immensity/feel
of it.
This is not the first time I've blogged about this series.
It's a tricky one to write about and I'm contemplating a reread of the
series in the future so I can write about the novels I read years ago
and barely remember. We'll see. A Memory of Light is the last one, and I
don't think that this will be one of those "it's over, but oh wait,
here's some more" kind of things. The author, Robert Jordan, passed
away. Actually, he passed away before the series was even finished.
Brandon Sanderson took over and wrapped it up nicely.
What I've
decided to do is write two reviews of this book - one spoiler-free and
one where I talk about it all. There are issues (good and bad) with the
book that I can't get into without blowing everything, but I still want
to offer up my thoughts for those who are considering pushing through to
the end - or returning to the series to see the end.
See, the
problem with Wheel of Time is its length. When it started it was about a
handful of people facing being Chosen Ones and Armageddon. Then it grew
from a handful to an armload, and before I knew it, I was crushed by
the weight of people I was supposed to care about and remember. Yeesh.
Robert Jordan took the series and instead of making it about some
people, he made it about ALL THE PEOPLE. And that can get exhausting.
Also, let's face it, it can get kinda boring. Some people I *just* don't
care about - like all of the Shaido. Other characters are so boring
(Perrin) or infuriating (Egwene, Faile) that it can be a chore to slog
through their sections waiting for my beloveds (Mat, Min) to return.
Ok,
impressions of this book. It is a good book. A really good book. There
is resolution for (most) things. Questions are actually answered like
"WHERE THE HECK HAS DEMANDRED BEEN?" Characters have endings and some
have beginnings. If you're already reading the series, there is no
reason to turn away from this one. If you've drifted from the series,
it's a good ending and worth returning for. If you've thrown away the
books in disgust and hate them - it's not good enough to counter that. I
think this book is one of the best in the series - although my memory
of most of the books is quite fuzzy, I admit.
The majority of the
book focuses on Tarmon Gaidan and I hope you like battle, bleak
despair, and badass scenes because there are PLENTY. One scene, which I
will discuss more in the spoiler review almost had me swerving my car
off the road as I screamed at my ipod.
However! Not everything
gets answered. There is a major issue that is left poorly resolved that I
am not happy about. The book also plays it pretty safe in a lot of
places where it should have just gone for broke and it's a bit
disappointing. Again, more in my spoiler-laden post. It should come in a
few days on my blog - evamarie41.blogspot.ca
Overall, a good story full of heartbreak and awesome.
**I
got the audio-book from a free giveaway on a podcast I listen to - The History Chicks and you should check them out! They take a look at women
in history with a fresh, conversational, informative tone. **
Thanks for reading! Want to keep in touch?
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