Too many threads in the Pattern

// Synopsis: In this 8th installment, Rand marshals his forces to combat the renewed Seanchan threat, Egwene tries to solidify her power as the new Amyrllin Seat, Perrin is sent off to track down the Prophet, and the girls flee Ebu Darr with the Kin.

// Review: This is a classic example of when less is more, while more for the sake of it is just dull. RJ has done a masterful job of creating a wonderfully rich world with varying and detailed cultures. The problem is, while it makes for great content for a wiki or series almanac coffee book, it’s uninteresting storytelling.  The only people reading this book are those who have been heavily invested in the main story arc and characters since The Eye of the World.  For the first half we don’t even get a whiff of Rand or Perrin.  And sadly, this is the book Mat sits out as he is recovering from a wall collapsing on him at the end of The Crown of Swords.

// During my 4th reading, I found myself flipping through pages like I was sorting my mail- stopping occasionally to read dialogue. There are hundreds of pages involving the POVs of the Forsaken, the Shaido Aiel, random nobles, random Aes Sedai, and random Darkfriends.  Elayne becomes one of the most prominent characters for the rest of the series for some reason and receives the majority of the attention in this book.  So much is devoted to intrigues of the Salidar Aes Sedai and the girls’ flight to Camelyn.  To me they felt like endless chapters where all of the petty female characters observe every perceived slight, take turns brow beating each other with their hypocrisies, and drone on incessantly about the color, cut, fabric, and style of dresses.  I imagine it’s what US Weekly would be without photos.

// I felt like the theme for this book was filler.  An enormous effort was put into locating the Bowl of Winds, which turns out to be a dud.  Perrin tries to rein in the Prophet but that falls apart during the ending’s cliffhanger, which eventually becomes a multi-book quagmire.  There is a dreadfully boring search for Black Ajah in the White Tower by newly introduced Aes Sedai, Rand begins an intensity starved campaign against the Seanchan that doesn’t seem necessary, and amounts to nothing.  I found these plot threads less compelling than furniture infomercials.  More characters are used like Cadsuane, the Atha’an Miere, the Kin and new Darkfriends.  Without the aid of the internet, keeping track of everyone is a jumbled mess.  Think of meeting every single person at a party and then trying to remember each 3 minute conversation 5 years later.  Min becomes the star of this volume almost by default.  For Rand, his dual personality of Lews Therin becomes more established, and I feel like this is when his character stopped evolving and all we are left with is a Rand that is arrogant, cold, unappealing, that flutters between pontificating on being hard of heart and raging at everyone needlessly.

// Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments was ending.  Fans have grown to expect a steady build up with one of the Forsaken that culminates in a weighty battle.  Instead we are treated to a random, unexciting, and uneventful attack.

// Wrap up: It’s the Wheel of Time so that counts for something. Except for a great scene with the Maidens of the Spear it’s a poor read.  I fear that RJ got too caught up in his grand vision that he neglected what brought the fans out in the first place.

Entertainment raing: 2