Asmodean82
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Posts posted by Asmodean82
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Thank you Marie. 
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I just finished TGS!
I will say first that I am a discerning storyteller. I don't say that in arrogance (Come on, I'm a Balefired, Forsaken, Gleeman)!
There are things I found right in this book. Others felt off, even Jarring at times, but by and large this has been the most satisfying WOT read (for me) since The Lord of Chaos.... (And perhaps even the Shadow Rising)
I loved this book. It was so nicely tense and intense. Seldom did I find myself vainly scooting ahead for a better part (as had become a habit with some of the later ones.
The Knife of Dreams was good. It laid the ground work. But this.... the impending darkness was palpable.
HERE'S WHAT I THOUGHT WORKED-
The presentation was stripped down a little, never over stated (a bad habit RJ had begun about Crown of Swords). You got what you needed to take in the scene and never did we have to know every little teeny tiny detail of that one of five, to be seen on occassion, Lord of Tear's buttoned down silk embroidered coat. (VOMITS)
Rand's turn and growing insanity was very compelling. You could feel it! How he finally became his own worst enemy. The scene with Tam was heartbreaking.
The bow out of Semirhage was very correct. (Though I've gotten to the point I hate to see any of the Forsaken die... except maybe Messana)
Semi single handedly did more damage to Rand (directly) then any Forsaken yet! True, Ishamael and Lanfear are right up there with her but neither ever made him... beg for mercy. And the scars she left behind nearly drove him to end it all! Awesome twists.
The call backs from the whole series and even the characters coming to realization that they had become lost without Moiraine! Things are finally coming full circle.
Egwene is BADASS! Her defending of the White Tower was jaw dropping. I couldn't put the damn book down to go to the bathroom.
And on that, the RAID on Tar Valon..... goose bumps.
Verin! What a fabulous character.
Elaida, Too bad, so sad, good bye!
I LOVED any segment seen through Nynaeve's eyes! She's fantastic in her impatience and determination. I must say I think Mr. Sanderson handles some of the Ladies with greater respect then The master Jordan himself.
The Aes Sedai were more distinct. They were given just a touch more personality in passing and they felt much more real.
Cadsuane, I love her. Though it will be interesting to see her and Moiraine square off. Cad method of bullying has been less and less effective of late.
HERE'S WHERE I WAS LESS IMPRESSED.
I enjoyed the journey taken by Mat. His actions were correct and Hinderstap was a cool subplot. Sanderson's problem is he has a tendency of overstating some character voices. He did not handle Mat's voice very well at all. It was jarring, though forgivable.... barely. I wish Mat would quit complaining about the same shit.
Avi was an okay side bit and important for her character. I enjoy her view points, but... well it was largely forgettable (To my mind any way)
More of Perrin later please! (Though Faile was a busy beaver in her hand full of scenes. Masama's DEAD! Freakin ya. Should have known there was a Forsaken in his ear)
Gawyn...... he could be a problem. (Still)
I liked how Rand felt he outwitted Grendael..................................and it was appropriate to his fall and his soul's collapse...........................That said.................COME ON! She's been so built up and marvelously evil and we don't even get a moment of her before she dies. It was so vague a way to go I still think there is plenty of wiggle room that she may yet have survived. A ruse to escape the Dragon Reborn. She IS that clever!
Beyond those pieces I'm didn't have too many issues with content or verse.
Sanderson is fresh and has an excellent sense of urgency. Hell, sometimes I couldn't spot a great deal of difference in the voice. It helped because the soul really shown through and helped me to remember why I love this series so much to begin with.
That ending really got me. Rand's moment on Dragonmount and Egwene watching from Tar Valon. I could SEE it so vividly. Brought tears to my eyes.
Now I can't wait for Towers of Midnight. (I'm sure I'm not alone there) Any thoughts or points of exchange??? I could talk about this one all night.
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I love your fun anime style.
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HOLY SHIT CHAPTER 22!
Also enjoyed Night in Hinderstap.
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Okay,
DID NOT SEE Cadsuane's solution to Semi coming.
Loved Rand and Moridin talking by the fire.
Thus far I'm digging Gawyn finally having to choose a friggin side! (How that ends however, I don't know)
Egwene standing up to Elaida.... (chills)
I love pay off for thousands of pages of build up.
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The book is so brisk and exciting. It feels like the good ole days of the first 4 or 6 or so. Delighted. More to say as I continue. But I like how much Egwene is starting to remind me of Moiraine.
And ALLL those side plots are finally being pulled to threads of the primary characters. (High on it)
Strum of the Harp and a sudden disappearance.
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Graendal's dead?????
This makes me sad. She had become my new favorite Forsaken. Jordan spent Soooo much time on her. I will read no more spoilers, soon my copy will come and I shall enjoy enjoy enjoy! But seriously.... Graendal dies???? What the hell? -
Question to anyone. Has anyone seen the new cover to the next book? Is it by the same artist as the rest???? It seems odd to me.
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Okay, I went to reread Knife of Dreams (in prep) for the Gathering Storm and something began to irk my Gleeman sensibilities. Every book in RJ's saga has a title that helps to inform the story.... except this one. Good as this one is, what's with the title? Any thoughts, anyone?
Maybe there's a whole thread on this but I've been sleeping in the Bore lately.
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(Sigh of relief) Much better. THAT felt like the WOT to me. Egwene makes me happy. Good stuff! Want more!
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Many happy returns upon returning!
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Yeah, Graendal is one of the enduring Forsaken. She's far more subtle then a Lanfear and not a coward like Moghedien. She also isn't insane like wonderful wonderful Semi. She's maintained chaos in Arad Domain and had a hand in a piece of just about everyone else's plan. AND she apparently killed Asmo... Thus far none of her plans have met with ruin. I find her and Demandred to be intensely interesting because they both stay under the radar but still influence as much as they do.
We STILL don't know everything Demandred's up to! I hope they make it to the last battle.
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RJ was a master writer. His vocabulary and choice was always spot on.... even when it was boring. Boring but never awkward.
I have mixed feelings myself. The descriptions are more stripped down but enjoyable. So a Pro there for Sanderson.
His character interaction was.... how should we say..... uneven. Things weren't as subtle as RJ made them. He loved word play and nuance. His work is riddled with it and the characters shined for it.
Rand and his little bitch fest about Egwene and a NOTCH ON HER BELT....... (Shivers) That was the one thing that felt wrong on every level. Rand would not say that (even if he thought it a possibility.) RJ would never have expressed it in such an infantile fashion.
I'll reserve full thoughts till I read it all. The pace was brisk enough. So we'll see. At least we'll get to see how the story ends. Some of the best stuff was undoubtly written by the man himself. Tarmon Gai'don! (Eventually)
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Perhaps pets prepare us for things to come.... it isn't everyday a family member dies.
Thank you all for your kind words. -
Happy Birthday!
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My adorable dog Maestro died today. I am very sad.
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(ZEN State) Hmmmmm 3 maybe?
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................... What are we talking about????
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HHEhehehehe, Tosh- "She's holding a piece of jerky!"
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Well.... you won't see me, but I'll see you.
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I serve the Great Lord of the Dark!
(Though I did recently become a practicing Buddhist.... figure that one out?)
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Never to be seen again?....................................LOOK here, I have a ball! Perhaps you would like to bounce it?
The Gathering Storm Thread
in The Books
Posted
Suffa???? Me no understand.... We me talk that way???? Oh! So full of questions.