Hey Wheelies & Darkfriends! It has been a fun ride and I want to thank all the Wheelies on UA-cam for making it the most wonderful experience with a fandom I have ever encountered. This is not THE ending of Wheel of Time content on the channel, but it is AN ending.
I'm wondering now that the dark one is closed of from the wheel, are the hinderstap people still cursed? Or did they all sacrifice themselves one last time in the final battle?
One thing of note is that Mat didn’t actually die in Shadow Rising when he was hanged. It was in Fires of Heaven when Rhavin kills him that his connection to the horn is severed.
Yeah but they death was undone by Rand when he balefired the hell out of Rahvin so that didn't count, but when Mat was hanged Rand had to do CPR to bring him back so I think he technically did "die" thus severing his link to the horn
@@carterdahl9654 Nope. When Mat suggests this to Arthur Hawkwing "apparently the tree claimed me", Hawkwing states quite clearly that it was not the tree, but another moment that Mat cannot remember, but that it was indeed Rand that saved him (aMoL, p. 909). That description fits the death by Rahvin. Apparently the balefire could undo the death but not the severing of mats link to the horn.
@@gildor8866Yeah, this moment pretty much confirmed it. I had to think for a minute when I read that conversation, and found it kinda funny when I realized Mat was completely oblivious to those events at the end of Fires of Heaven.
The old blood is strong in her too. I think she is second to Mat in that. In Eye of the World there is a scene when she mentions she almost understood what Mat said in the old tongue. For me it seems likely she is the reincarnation of Eldrene.
Grendael did good for the last battle too turning the lights own generals against them was pretty good work. If it wasn't for Mat the light would've lost. Her and Demandred are definitely the most competent of the forsaken.
Padan Fain spread the chaos of Mashadar everywhere. Observe the people he spent time with. Elaida. She wasn't that unhinged all along. She'd never have sat in Morgase's court was she that nuts. She turns after she met Fain in the Tower. The rebels in Cairhein. The rebels in Tear. The Whitecloaks. Byar was frothing at the mouth insane. I cant recall if Fain met Masema in Fal Dara as well but I wouldnt be surprised at all. His death was anti-climatic but he certainly had a point in the story.
At some point RJ said Fain is "something new and unique to this particular 3rd age". Whatever people think of the way his arc went, this makes him very dangerous as he's a change that may show up again in the next 3rd age. He's a true deviation in the pattern.
That’s a really good point, I hadn’t thought of that. He did feel a little bit like an afterthought in this book, and with the reveal that he killed Perrin’s family, I feel like Perrin should have at least had a hand in his end
Padan Fain: "what was the point of him.." [dude asked in the video] -- he was tortured far past the point of breaking by the Dark One. Padan Fain betrayed his master out of rage, fear, and madness. When he joined with the evil of Shadar Logoth he became a worse creature of other shadows. And then the evil Machin Shin (from the ways). He's a chimera of the worst evils that can strike and disappear into smoke. The overall image of him through the series is very well painted out but the conclusion is "meh."
While I agree that Nynaeve using the Flame of Tarvalon would have had a bigger impact (especially her death), I think the problem is that Rand didn't really trust Egwene, or at least not nearly as much as he trusted Nynaeve (or Moiraine for that matter). Considering the drawback of the Sword of Callandor he needed to completely trust the two he brought in with him.
I know this comment is old, and might not be seen, but I agree with this, Rand trusted Nynaeve more than anyone, and I mean it, yes he has his wifes, but he says so himself when he returns for the first time to the camp, she asks her to be there with him and that he doesnt know who else will be his other choise, he could have Avienda perhaps, but he didnt. It was the right place for Nynaeve, she had to use "normal" healing.
I know this comment is old and might not get seen, but Nynaeve also already Healed stilling and pre-existing madness and helped cure the taint. Egwene needed something.
Egwene could not be trusted there - she has repeatedly shown that she will dismiss others plans to do what she thinks is right and has no respect for Rand’s ability to plan. Rand’s wives would have a hard time letting him die, and he thought he had to die to win so he would not bring them inside to watch him die and possibly get in the way trying to stop it, potentially ruining everything.
I was disappointed on first read with rands show down with the dark one as well. Like oh that’s what they’re going to do. But on rereads as all the pieces come together it’s what’s happening around them that make it work. Rand giving credit to all who follow him, and Perrin with the dream spike. Nyneaveve knowing herbs to heal alanna while rand was in a duel. Like a lot of characters had a part to play where if they failed then all would be lost. I like that approach rather than putting it all on rand winning a sword fight.
Like Perrin singlehandedly saved rand from slayer while He was locked in a duel. It reminded me of the end of rogue one where they’re trying to get the plans off planet and a lot of people died to make it work. Everyone had a crucial part to play. And it was super close and narrow.
I can't imagine rereading this. As much as I enjoyed this series, I can't help but think, if Jordan had a good editor, it could have been a masterpiece.
@@dreamshakejunya You really need to develop your pallet until you can notice the difference, but trust me, masterpiece this is not. After almost being done with Malazan, I can see how in comparison, someone might think WoT is a masterpiece.
I remember finishing the Wheel of Time series... I sat on my bed and bawled for 45 minutes straight. Not because of the content itself, but mourning the fact it was over.
I know I am two years late to the party. Don't know if you will get this, but I want to thank you Mike. This was a journey 24 years in the making for me. I started the series when I was in college in the late 90's. I was shattered at Jordan's passing in 2007. I can remember the post on Dragonmount from Harriet regarding his death. I tried 3 times to pick up the series afterwards, to no avail. I came to your channel for the Stephen King and saw you began as a WOT reviewer. Seeing your reviews along with reading the books inspired me to get through it and it was completely worth the ride! Now onwards. And let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.
What I thought about Rand lighting the pipe: He achieved the single most virtuous, greatest thing in history by defeating the Dark One, and following along the theme of balance, he is able to experience somewhat of a paradise, free of all his burdens, as a God, where he can will whatever he wants into existence. Since the previous time he sealed the bore lead to the most horrific suffering (taint, madness, kinslayer, Dragonmount, etc), this turning he gets rewarded with ultimate peace, bliss, freedom etc and what I pictured to be the Creators 'True Power', which grants him the ability to tweak the Pattern with his very thoughts. He fulfilled his historic mission, his duty to the world. Just my thoughts.
I agree with like 80% of the things you said in all your reviews. Your point of view was refreshing and made me think about certain things a bit more. Thank you and I'm glad you got to experience this masterpiece. What I wholeheartedly recommend is a reread after a year or two. Words cannot express the plethora of emotions that will overcome you in seemingly mundane scenes, like Mat talking to a soldier or one of Lews Therins agonizing pleas. Everything will hit very differently than the first time. I was an Egwene hater as well for the first read and now she is top 5 for me. Best of luck and I will, hopefully, still be here for the reread, whenever it happens. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills...
Perrin didn't overcome compulsion because he is ta'veren: he did it because he is the most OP dreamwalker alive and "it's just a weave" (and they where in the WoD when Lanfear used compulsion on him).
@@Mr_Yod idk about you, but its incredibly obvious in retrospect. Lanfear was being incredibly shifty to him throughout the book, and we see many times slayer and even perrin making realistic 'statues' of eachother. we are also told that lanfear is really really really good at manipulating tel'aran'rhiod.
I still maintain that Bela is reborn with the Horn sounding. If you notice when Noal/Jain is resurrected he appears with the most magnificent horse you’ve ever seen. Noal never had a horse, so I’m convinced this is Bela reborn as a Hero of the Horn. That’s my head canon, and that’s all I have to say about that. :)
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU for letting us share and relive this amazing journey. I got a little choked up myself clicking "delete" after finishing this last video. Siuan was my first gasp out loud. It hurt bad. Birgitte was the second. As annoying as Egwene was, her death hurt to and did surprise me. Tam's "covering" Lan's last ride was P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N. I loved the Hinderstrap people angle. I enjoyed the battle at Shayol Gul with Aviendha, Ituralde, and the wolves. Consider, if Moiraine wasn't at the Pit of Doom, we wouldn't have Thom's most BADASS moment where he's composing his great epic story, pauses to drill a knife into a Black sister's back, stuffs her body under the ledge WITH SEVERAL OTHERS, then goes back to puffing on his pipe.
Hi Mike, glad to see you have finished the series! So as to the battle between Rand and the Dark One, I too didnt really know what to expect reading for the first time but I was quite satisfied with the fight. The Dark One is the personification of the concept of evil and is a force of nature, as such, no battle would be in physical or magical in anyway. It is a metaphysical battle and really all of the possible futures shown are really only there to help Rand realize that you can't eliminate evil, only confront and try to contain evil to find a balance
I was not crazy about it at first but loved how it ended up. Rand was naive thinking he could kill the Dark One but his character continued to grow, even during this battle. I also liked Thom guarding the cave entrance.
I'm glad you loved the wheel, it's my favorite fantasy saga. I think this is THE fantasy saga for a simple reason: it takes all the thropes, all the clichés, all that someone can love and hate in fantasy and does it better and on a bigger scale than anyone else I've read so far. And the reason why it resonates so much with people it's because it's the same story that humankind has been telling itself since the dawn of time. It's the good vs evil theme, you can find elements from every epic, every legend, any mythology or religion you ever heard off you can find tiny bits of them in the wheel. That's how good Robert Jordan 's world is, and like he said he created a story that could have originated any of the myth and legends are ancestor told since they started telling stories around a fire. You name it you have king Arthur, Achilles, Alexander and every hero of human kind here. You have Jesus, raa and Odin and Zeus its all here if you know what to look at. To write something like that I think only a genius could have fit everything in such a great story and even tho it has its flaws, and a good number of them, it's still such a huge achievement that you won't really care for them at the end.
Def the luck as he also sees the Graymen in Tar Valon after being healed. Perrin also smells them as they tried to attack him in the inn in Illian on the way to Stone of Tear in TDR. It's noted he smells the vileness and looks at Lan and Moir to see if they notice any shadowspawn, it takes him like 3 tries to fully notice the smell is coming from 6 men crossing the room
About Rand manipulating the plant life: "The Dragon is one with the land." It's a little detail that often gets lost in all the other details. About the pipe: There's a passage where Rand fixes Elayne's spoiled tea just by holding it. This implies that Rand can manipulate the pattern its self. That's how he lights the pipe. Now go back to the beginning and read it all over again, and watch all the details that you don't see during the first read.
Another example is when he goes back to that one city and is like, yo check all the rest of the food you must've only opened the bad ones, its like the culmination of him understanding how to exert his will and manipulate the pattern within the rules of the pattern by believing in the infinitely small probability that something will suddenly happen only because of that really small chance technically exists.
I get the "The dragon is one with the land", and completely agree with it. While reading I hoped, because Rand was humming when the trees on the Fields of Merrilor grew, that the Aiel singing to Lews Therin left an impression (of the lost song) across lives, teaching him to make things grow (as displayed in the colums in TSR)
Your analysis was so good and entertaining. You had the courage and insight to bring up many things. I didn’t feel worthy enough to utter a word of criticism. Hearing this series through a clear lens was quite refreshing. Thank you for providing an honest and accurate presentation, it was pretty good.
Now maybe it helped that I re-read the series in preparation for my first read of Memory of Light, so the thread was fresh, but some of the standout moments that got me in this one were: - Birgitte. Time and again, we had someone wondering whether or not, having been ripped from the pattern, if she'd re-enter it when she died. Then she gets killed after like 9 books of that, Elayne looks to be done for without her when suddenly Horn-Birgitte shows up back from the pattern. The image of Horn-Birgitte standing over the headless corpse of other-Birgitte was a wow-moment - Male Aiel Channelers. Multiple times we'd been told that male Aiel channelers get sent north to dance with the Dark One - essentially die before going crazy (pre-Cleansing). Now suddenly you find out that not only didn't they die, but they ended up reinforcing the Dark One's army. At that moment various pieces fell into place and you think that should have been obvious, but it wasn't until that last piece fell into place. We knew about force-turning to Dark (reminded of it in the Prologue) and we've been told they go up there usually alone and suddenly it is "well, that was a bad plan" - Cannons. When they hide the cannons in a cave somewhere and keep opening gates into the battle for them to fire out and then move the gate to shoot somewhere else before the enemy can retaliate. A beautiful mixing of magic and science. Usually the two are seen as direct rivals or opposing attitudes in Fantasy, so seeing a way to use them together stood out. - Restoring the balance. As soon as we got the "Good-Win is bad" version, I knew we were going with the "Restore-the-Balance" version and immediately had flashbacks of Babylon 5 (and that's a good thing, by the way).
Agree on the male Aiel channelers, should have been obvious. In addition, androl was awesome with the gateways and the cannons. Also opening a gateway into the lava of Dragonmouint. Not only birgette returning but was it Noal that saved Olver. That was cool.
I absolutely loved the whole Androl and Pavera storyline, totally agree on that rapid ending felt like I was expecting a very long aftermath of everything that has happened but I was satisfied in the end I think Rand fight against the dark one was something i wasn't expecting but again like you I didn't knew what to expect still liked the whole world without light/dark one concept I still have many questions about the whole body swapping I think some theory about this was confirmed by Sanderson but yeah what a ride this series was I started because of Daniel Greene and binge read the whole series in little more than a month. This series will always be close to my heart... Also frick Gawin.
Just wanted to say thanks for making these. I found your videos on this after struggling with some wheel of time concepts and it's always been enjoyable to see if I agree or disagree with how you found the book. I'm looking forward to continue watching your videos with future reads. Thanks a bunch!
On the lighting of the pipe. Rand is now like Neo in the Matrix. he has been outside of the pattern itself and can thus understand it on a whole different level. With that said, Keanu should play LTT in the TV-show. =D
Thanks for all these reviews Mike! I really wish Perrin would've had a final showdown with Padan Fain to avenge his family. Would've made both of their arcs more satisfying.
400 days from start to finish. That would have been awesome. It took me 22 years to read it all. I was given Eye of the World right after it was first published in trade paperback in 1990, and eagerly awaited every book afterward, rereading them all as each new book was published. When Jordan died, I was convinced it would never be completed, so I'm glad Sanderson stepped up. While there are things he could have done better, I think no one but Jordan could have done it better.
I just finished AMOL an hour or so ago, and it's bittersweet. I teared up reading Lan's charge to Demandred and the last few pages of the epilogue. I have the same gripes about it as you about how some things played out, mainly the duel with the dark one and Logain, but Rand's ending, imo, was beautifully done. I love that he ends the story with Rand riding off smiling, lighting his tabac by bending the pattern. All in all, it was a great journey and great story from the first book to the last, following along after every book with your review of it. Thank you for making these videos.
Congrats on finishing. I recommend the WoT spoilers podcast as those guys break it down chapter by chapter and go over all the foreshadowing and Min's viewings
I admit I started getting a tear hearing you talk about how you felt when you finished it. I was the same exact way. I think had Jordan lived, we could've gotten some final explanations on things, and probably other books. Like a Mat and Tuon book, ala New Spring for example. I wish we could have more, but as you've said during your journey, sometimes less can be more. more might have ruined it. Thank you for this, I enjoyed your journey. You earned my sub!
Thanks for the nostalgia mike. Its been great. Anyone who reads this series will have things here and there that they didnt like. But I was amazed by how well everything was tied up at the end. Idk who should get more credit for the last 3 Jordan or Sanderson....im just so grateful to both of them for giving us such a great ending.
Thank you Mike. Just finished Memory of Light. Thanks for the commentary and making these videos for us. I watched review after every book I finished. Thanks again. It’s been a ride
As someone who recently finished my first read, I found myself having similar takes on a lot of things here, but I just want to share something I read about Logain. So I was also pretty disappointed that Logain didn't have a big triumphant moment, and didn't think that him breaking the seals or saving those innocents warranted Min's viewing. However, I read online that the viewing does make sense, Min's viewings can come true at any point in a character's life, her viewing never specified a time. According to the male channeler power ranking in the companion book, Logain is in the second most powerful tier, meaning he has a life expectancy of 785 years. Logain is what, 25 or 30 maybe during the Last Battle? That means he potentially has 750 years as the leader of the Black Tower in the new Age where he will be extremely influential, since now the people will send their sons to become Asha'man as they send their daughters to become Aes Sedai. It is also important to point out that Cadsuane has a lot of experience interacting with male channelers and would likely help the White and Black Tower work together. Maybe the two groups would eventually combine again to become something akin to the Hall of Servants from the Age of Legends with Logain as Tamyrlin?
Glad to see you make this journey. It definitely is one heck of a ride. Can't wait to see more content. It's been a blast watching you review these books.
I'm excited to relive it. That's by far the best part of watching people who are reading it the first time. While of course it's great to talk with other fans and get in big discussions, there's just something more magical the first time. I'm super excited for this. I hopefully got a free friends into this channel because of the wot reviews.
A few things. Lan impals himself on Demondred sword, he survives because of his warder bond and narishma heals him. Rand viewd a world without evil, the people don't see any act as good or evil, there is no conscious. Gawyn is a dick because he swore to he Egwenne's warder, his job was only to protect her. He put her in danger by risking himself going after Demondred knowing what his death would mean. He was selfish. Egwenne and Nyneave couldnt have switched stories, it wouldnt have fit their character arcs. Egwenne was there to lead the light, Nyneave was their to protect the people she loved above all else. She would have never let rand go to face the dark one alone, just like she woildnt let them leave in the first book alone. As much as she changed that protective nature is her core. I agree the Rand/Dark one battle initially felt a little underwhelming, but then I realized that the idea of rand sword fighting the embodiment of evil didn't make sense. I like that it was essentially the will of the light, supporter by the hopes and sacrifices of the people against the will of absolute evil.
Rands vision of a world without evil is wrong because it removes the choice. The same as Turning removed the choice and made people follow the shadow. That man can choose whether to be good or evil is the nature of the world and the pattern, removing the choice is evil either way.
Gawyn put on the ring during when the sharans ambushed the aes sedai camp, helping Egwene escape, basically saving her. At that point he know he was going to die anyways due to the rings, so he decided to go out with a bang rather than doing nothing and withering away from the effects of the ring. He also knew Egwene would confront Demandred, so he preemptively went to try and kill him. He did his job perfectly.
Thanks for such a great series! I found you when you were on book 6 I think, and have been following since then. You've got me started on the Dresden Files too, so I guess I'll stick around :) I've just finished my first reread in years myself, and I find myself agreeing with you about Gawyn. Its odd, I loathed him previously - for after finally seeming to realise that the world doesn't spin around him, and the most useful thing he can do is give everything to helping Egwene, suddenly deciding he needs to do something important and going and suiciding on Demandred, nearly crippling Egwene in the process. But this reread he didn't seem so bad really. He makes mistakes, but so does everyone... Maybe I'm just a chunk older than he is now, and more forgiving of a young man than of a contemporary. I'm impressed no one spoiled you on Taimandred... Jordan got so sick of people bugging him about it that he confirmed many years before he died that Taim was not Demandred, so its kind of an official spoiler. I assumed it was Egwene's death you got spoiled on - glad it wasn't, since that was such a major moment. Padan Fain basically fell through the cracks, according to Sandersen - he's brought it up as something he should have done better. I definitely agree about the Sharans showing up out of nowhere. Yes they are trailed as a thing that exists throughout the series, but just to show up fully formed like that... There is a reason for this - there is a whole backstory (that I still haven't got around to reading) that got cut but has subsequently been published in an anthology, that dealt with Demandred in Sharra. I know I agreed with you about the whole Rand vs Dark One thing after I read the book the first time. Not what I expected, or really what I wanted. I've changed my mind though, I'm not sure how else it could really be done, and the book really doesn't need yet another climactic fight... I think it works well. At least when you know that is how its going to end up - it makes the mental battles Rand goes through earlier so much more important - Darth Rand just could not have fought that fight... I do rather agree about the sidelining of Moraine and Nynaeve (though if your alternative is to kill off Nynaeve, maybe she's fine where she is...)
Moraine and Nynaeve are at the last battle in the Pit of Doom to set the trap for Morridin. When he takes control of Calandor they take control of him so that Rand has all the power available. This was the fulfillment of Min's vision of the shining sword in the black hand... Calandor is a trap for any male who uses it, and it is also can be used to focus the "True Power" too.
As for how Rand and Morridin swapped bodies, it was foreseen by Min in ACOS... It was also started at the end of the book When Rand and the other guy both used balefire and their weaves crossed. That joined their souls together. (To Rand) "I saw you and another man. I couldn't make out either face, but I knew one was you. You touched, and seemed to merge into one another, and I don't know what it means, Rand, except that one of you dies, and one doesn't." (ACoS, Ch. 33).
This was a great review. I started Reading this series as a teenage in High School and I finished it in my 30s. This series has spanned a good chunk of my life and I was sad to say goodbye to new stories in Randland. I think it is the greatest fantasy series of all time and it should be required reading for up and coming fantasy book fans for all the years to come.
Two things I am shocked that didnt come up in your review. The mystery woman in the end with Rand and mat using the crazy people In that city to take out the enemies who control the river. You even said In the book they are in that you thought it was an odd side story and you figure it would come back in play. Well it did :)
The only real problem I had with this book was Nynaeve and Moiraines part, like I get why they had the role they had, but I felt like they could’ve had a bigger role in defending Rand or something Oh and also I would’ve loved to see Siuan do a little more, but I did really like her part in the book even if it was really short
Thank you for all your reviews. You are always my first stop when I finished a WOT book. I will have to look at other reviews that you have and maybe I will start that series next. Haven’t decided which series to tackle next.
Thanks for all your recaps Mike. Being someone close to your age its great to have similar thoughts and feelings about a beloved series like the WoT. I finally finished A Memory of Light last night and like the Dark Tower I think the Journey is way better than the ending. The last few chapters had me gripped. I think some story lines were wrapped up way too quickly, poor Padan Fain deserved a lot more page time in the last book. I think Brandon Sanderson did an amazing job of finishing this series even if his word choice but the man can write some amazing action scenes. At one point I felt sorry for the Trollocs when they faced the Dragons. Anyway the WoT made me find your channel and being here reminded me that I need to get Swan Song! Thanks again for your amazing work.
At the very end, when Rand (as Moridin) sneaks off with Laman's sword and a horse, I really wish that horse was Bela. That would have been a perfect callback to "An Empty Road" (Chapter 1 of The Eye of the World)
Always great to see these. Look forward to some more follow up videos as you marinate on everything. And maybe eventually a reread in some form or fashion
I've been following all of the WoT content and it has been great! Thanks for the time you've put on this and thanks for the ride! When I pick up my next series I'll be sure to check back in.
About the bodyswap, I think it was Sanderson who explained it with something like "the soul/spirit that wanted to live found a body that wanted to live, the soul/spirit that wanted to die didn't go through the effort"
I just finished whole series. I started reading it like 15 years ago and jumped ship around book 9ish I think. So when the series was about to come out I decided to try it again. Took me just under 7 months but used the audiobook to help me get through books 9 and 10. Thank God for audiobook. Audiobook was nice also for the acting they do kinda brings story to life a little bit more I thought. Once book eleven started I couldn’t get enough. When I finished I felt like I was in limbo after such a great journey. Found this book review and really enjoyed your take on it. I am 53 and also live in Texas so majority of your view were pretty in line with mine. I did like the Androl story a little more ‘the little guy making a difference’ and wasn’t quite as harsh on Egwene. But definitely get your point. Thanks so much for taking the time on your review. Good closure
Thanks for the awesome AMOL and full WOT series reviews. It has been great to have been involved since Book No. 2 and chat since Book 9. I hope you will make other WOT related videos in the future.I hope you read the series again in a few years. The series gets better with each re-reading at a time and you will find new things and tips throughout the series.Thanks again for the past year on the series🤧😀
Thanks for the reviews. I've looked forward to watching them after each book and I'm glad I didn't overtake you like I did Merphy. Keep up the great work
I have a theory that Galad was Berelain's reward. She couldn't have Rand, thought Mat was too much like her, and Perrin was annoyed by her a good amount of time. So who better to reward Berelain with for being the first monarch to acknowledge Rand freely, then with the half brother to both Rand and Elayne, who also happened to command the white cloaks, but Galad? That stroke makes tiny Mayenne, a country of strength.
Mentioned this before, but there is a short story called "River of Souls" that is basically a few Demandred POV chapters that were cut from the final books, basically showing him in Sharan before he sets out to take part in the Last Battle.
Just now finished this book, and man what an incredible journey, I've never read something so long before lol. As of right now, Rand Al Thor is my favorite character. Just so well written from beginning to end!
i loved your first impressions of each book. i’ve been reading these since i was 12- im 30 now... i’m excited for the show! i loved logains arc bc it was so not what i was expecting in the end. i liked that he (and we as readers!) had an expectation for himself for glory and power as just purely displays of strength in the power... and in the end that viewing of glory came from being a savior. ostensibly, being unbound by the oaths he can live hundreds of years... so one can only assume he’ll have even more glory as being the black towers leader for that amount of time. also: it was so gratifying hearing that lady talk about sending her son to to be tested after all the times this book drove home that men channeling was unnatural and terrifying. another way to show how far society had come... small detail- i hated Alivias part of the story. so anticlimactic and just dumb “helping rand die”- i also thought rand morraine and nynaeve sitting in a cave was a mediocre ending 🤷🏻♀️ ... you can dislike certain parts of a series but still love it as a whole... i re read this series probably every other year when i don’t have anything new on deck, and i still find little details and nuances i missed the last time i read... worth a second read for you eventually :) anyway gl with the channel!
Thanks so much for all the videos. I have enjoyed watching all your recaps and opinions. It has been entertaining. I look forward to Malzan and reading that with you.
Nyneave and Moiraine are linked with Rand as a buffer so Rand can have access to saidar and use Calandor safely. Without them "standing there", the Dark One would have won.
Padan Fain and Perrin suffered some character assassinations if you ask me. Regarding Rands vision of a world without evil, it's wrong because it removes choice as a factor for the people. The same as Turning removed the choice and made people follow the shadow. That man can choose whether to be good or evil is the balance of the world and the pattern, removing the choice is evil either way. Thoroughly enjoyed your journey through Randland, looking forward to future content from this channel
I didn't get the impression that Nynaeve was not going to help rebuild with Lan, im intrested to hear why you think she and Lan don't end up rebuilding his Throne. She already showed Lan is more important to her than the Tower.
12:30 Not only Rand being related to Queen Trakand's two sons but to Tigraine (Mantear/Damodred) but Rand is tied by family to Lan Mandragoran (his brother raised in the blight) and also Luc Mantear (Tigraine's brother) -- both of those are known as the singular "Slayer." Rand's family tree is entirely made of floppy spaghetti..
I agree when you say that Siuan and Birgitte were brutal, and the former for sure I wanted/needed more resolution and deeper mourning as well, even if it came later on. I actually feel like Egwene restoring the Pattern was a beautiful thing and it lifted her up to Nynaeve's level, plus it made sense considering everything she'd been through and built up throughout the series (her time with the Wise Ones, her growth in Tel'aran'rhiod, her faith in the White Tower, her role in its restoration/healing and protection) for her unleashing the Flame of Tar Valon. Enjoyed your review!
Its been great to tag along on the ride with you Mike. I agree with you 100% on Fain and just about all your major takes. You gotta cut my boy Logain some slack though he did have the fat man angreal but Demandred had the Sakarnen, the most powerful sa’angreal besides the Choeden Kal. This plays into Logain’s dark thoughts later since he sae the power this sa’angreal wields and wanted to never be overpowered like that again. Also, shoutout to my boy Gaul, dude held down the fort in the world of dreams for ages during Perrin’s wolf dream quest. Looking forward to your future content!
I'm also unhappy that Ny and Mo (my two favorite characters) hardly did anything, especially since I thought going with Rand meant they were going to have the biggest part in this aside from Rand (whose part I'm quite lukewarm on)
I think it makes more sense for Nynaeve to be with Rand because he's always trusted her but thats me. Sanderson said he didn't handle Fain properly with this one or he would have changed it and I think most fans agree with you that it was a wasted chance. I also liked the whole back and forth with Rand and the Dark One it was like a philosophical debate with interludes of what would happen if one of the opposing forces ceased to exist but that is a personal thing. Anyways man loved seeing how you reacted to this series it was almost as much fun as reading it for the first time again.
Kudos on finishing it! It was about one year ago that I finished it for the first time and I will be finishing my second read-through this next week! Thanks for the honest evaluation - it is definitely not perfect and there are always criticisms to be made, but damn if it isn't a journey.
Your channel is my new favorite channel. I plan on sticking around for a long time to gather your thoughts on your reviews. I heard you on a previous video that you plan on tackling Malazan. I attempted the first book and made it halfway and put it down. It's a different animal, but I do want to go back and try it again and at least take it to the end of the first book. Having read the first half may help. It was the same way with The Blade Itself. It took me 2 or 3 tries to get through it, and I liked it. I just never read the next two. I'm glad I found your site. Keep up the great work, and I am very, extremely jealous of your bookshelf.
Thanks for the ride mike, it was great to follow your journey through the books. How did you feel about Noal coming back with the heroes to save Olver? (some rambling about the ending and my opinion on it:) All in all its a great ending to the series, but not everything is perfect (Fain and Perrin are the main examples you pointed out). I think Egwene had a great ending though, she was set on that path from book one (when moiraine told the story of the queen of manetheren) and totally got what she worked for (that sounds bad.. I mean for her story arc). Nynaeve and Moiraine helping rand to "heal" the world from the dark ones touch and seal the bore was fine aswell: its the single most important task, for the two greatest characters! It just could have needed some more action. the morridin body switch was perfect and set up booooks ago when he and rand first crossed (balefire) streams: the one who wanted to die chose the dying body, the one with the will to live, managed to survive. The "battle" with the Dark one itself: absolutly what I expected.. rand fighting him would not have worked at all, how do you fight an allmighty god? thats just fucking cheesy bullcrap in my opinion.. The books are all about balance and there can be no balance with only the creator. another ending would have ruined the series for me, it goes against everything the wheel of time is.
Hey Mike, i loved all your wot reviews. I'm in my first reread and i enjoy your first reactions to stuff. You definitly figure things out faster than me. I loved Egwene but also understand your point of view. Thanks for sharing your jorney with us. I cried right along with you.
Great review as always Mike, such a great series, rollercoaster of a ride is how I described it to myself in the end, excellent read overall. Can’t wait for Rhythm of War to come out 🤘another great shirt too btw Lmaoo 🤘
Mike, not sure how often you sift through these comments, but I just finished, and my favorite part of finishing every book has been to watch these videos to see your thoughts. Just wanted to thank you for doing this. I share many of your thoughts on the characters and story. Still processing how I really feel about the ending but very exciting to revisit all of it again. Thanks!!
Also I just wanted to say that I read these last few WoT books while listening to epic fantasy music, and I gotta say that sometimes the music and writing hits perfectly at the same time that it brought me to tears. So yeah, highly suggest reading with a soundtrack going lol
Mike, I've really enjoyed your reviews through my first time through this series. I started in May and just finished Memory of Light last night. I personally was totally wrecked by Egwene's death. I had to put the book down and walk away to process it all.
Remember it's only AN and not THE end, Mike! It's been a great journey, can't wait to see more content from you. I came for the WoT and stayed for everything else!
It is "The end" due in part that Sanderson and Jordan's wife are contracted by Robert to not write or expand on "The Wheel of Time". I once asked Sanderson about it and he said he can not go and write more about it.
Been great to watch your journey Mike 👍 Now I've gotta finish First Law, then start Red Rising, then Dresden, then that one you're reading now, then Malazan......the list goes on 🍻
With Rand, I see a lot of parallels to a Christ figure or how each age has someone like that. Crown of thorns= crown of swords, Rand's body being absolutely beat up and broken more and more through the series (wound in his side could parallel Christ getting stabbed in the side among other things) and he was "resurrected" so to speak in that new body at the end which was free of pain that he was bearing for so long. Like you said about maybe he is the creator or some form of the creator inside of him, I know Jordan uses many many themes from real world literature (Arthurian legend, I feel like graendal becoming hideously ugly is a nod to grendel from Beowulf, Christian themes etc) and it's neat trying to piece these things together upon rereads. Great writing, I'm on my 4th read ride now and it's been a blast watching you go through the series for your first time.
Hey Wheelies & Darkfriends! It has been a fun ride and I want to thank all the Wheelies on UA-cam for making it the most wonderful experience with a fandom I have ever encountered. This is not THE ending of Wheel of Time content on the channel, but it is AN ending.
I really enjoyed your journey though WOT. Thanks for sharing it
Thanks for the great journey with a #FirstTimeWoTer. :) I'll sure stick around.
@@wolfereignowns1154 denied verbatim by RJ
@@wolfereignowns1154 Olver is already nine years old when Gaidal Cain is still present in Tel aran rhiod. So no, Olver is not Gaidal. 100%
@@wolfereignowns1154 scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/111985/is-olver-actually-gaidal-cain
Demandred: "Who are you?"
Lan: "My name is Inigo Montoya. Your side killed my father. Prepare to die."
I loved the throwback to the people from Hinderstap and the use of gateways for spying/surveying the battle field and firing out of caves.
Laughed out loud with genuine pleasure, when the Hinderstap line was dropped...
I'm wondering now that the dark one is closed of from the wheel, are the hinderstap people still cursed? Or did they all sacrifice themselves one last time in the final battle?
@@chrissleeping65 It doesn't matter, if the Dark One doesn't have access to affect their souls they will be reborn into the pattern and are "safe"
Yes! That was amazing
I legit cried when Olver told Bella she ran faster than Wind ever could. So many emotional moments in this book. It's an absolute masterpiece.
I was emotional through the whole book, but Bella’s death is the only part that legit made my eyes sweat.
@@jed4131 I know- especially as they had mentioned the trolloc cookpot a few paragraphs before, just to put that in our minds 😥
every time bella shows up in these books i was sooo happy lol i would read a entire book from her point of view 😉
One thing of note is that Mat didn’t actually die in Shadow Rising when he was hanged. It was in Fires of Heaven when Rhavin kills him that his connection to the horn is severed.
Wow thank you! I was having such a hard time figuring this out, I just finished AMOL yesterday and didn't understand what Hawkwing was talking about.
Yeah but they death was undone by Rand when he balefired the hell out of Rahvin so that didn't count, but when Mat was hanged Rand had to do CPR to bring him back so I think he technically did "die" thus severing his link to the horn
@@carterdahl9654 Nope. When Mat suggests this to Arthur Hawkwing "apparently the tree claimed me", Hawkwing states quite clearly that it was not the tree, but another moment that Mat cannot remember, but that it was indeed Rand that saved him (aMoL, p. 909). That description fits the death by Rahvin. Apparently the balefire could undo the death but not the severing of mats link to the horn.
@@gildor8866Yeah, this moment pretty much confirmed it. I had to think for a minute when I read that conversation, and found it kinda funny when I realized Mat was completely oblivious to those events at the end of Fires of Heaven.
Egwene fulfilling her narrative parallel to Eldrene of Manetheren.
I never made that connection but it's a good one
The old blood is strong in her too. I think she is second to Mat in that. In Eye of the World there is a scene when she mentions she almost understood what Mat said in the old tongue. For me it seems likely she is the reincarnation of Eldrene.
I like this parallel, nice catch.
@@abel2farago453 nice catch, this makes her passing less heartbreaking to me.
Grendael did good for the last battle too turning the lights own generals against them was pretty good work. If it wasn't for Mat the light would've lost. Her and Demandred are definitely the most competent of the forsaken.
Demandred is like the Diet Coke of Dragons, not quite Dragon enough.
I can feel that lmao.
Oof!
Best comment of 2020
Padan Fain spread the chaos of Mashadar everywhere. Observe the people he spent time with. Elaida. She wasn't that unhinged all along. She'd never have sat in Morgase's court was she that nuts. She turns after she met Fain in the Tower. The rebels in Cairhein. The rebels in Tear. The Whitecloaks. Byar was frothing at the mouth insane. I cant recall if Fain met Masema in Fal Dara as well but I wouldnt be surprised at all. His death was anti-climatic but he certainly had a point in the story.
This makes sense. I didn’t understand Fain either. Perhaps the show can play him up more
Padan Fain wasn't just some demented kender running around getting his kicks out of shanking random people?
At some point RJ said Fain is "something new and unique to this particular 3rd age". Whatever people think of the way his arc went, this makes him very dangerous as he's a change that may show up again in the next 3rd age. He's a true deviation in the pattern.
That’s a really good point, I hadn’t thought of that. He did feel a little bit like an afterthought in this book, and with the reveal that he killed Perrin’s family, I feel like Perrin should have at least had a hand in his end
Padan Fain: "what was the point of him.." [dude asked in the video] -- he was tortured far past the point of breaking by the Dark One. Padan Fain betrayed his master out of rage, fear, and madness. When he joined with the evil of Shadar Logoth he became a worse creature of other shadows. And then the evil Machin Shin (from the ways). He's a chimera of the worst evils that can strike and disappear into smoke. The overall image of him through the series is very well painted out but the conclusion is "meh."
While I agree that Nynaeve using the Flame of Tarvalon would have had a bigger impact (especially her death), I think the problem is that Rand didn't really trust Egwene, or at least not nearly as much as he trusted Nynaeve (or Moiraine for that matter). Considering the drawback of the Sword of Callandor he needed to completely trust the two he brought in with him.
I know this comment is old, and might not be seen, but I agree with this, Rand trusted Nynaeve more than anyone, and I mean it, yes he has his wifes, but he says so himself when he returns for the first time to the camp, she asks her to be there with him and that he doesnt know who else will be his other choise, he could have Avienda perhaps, but he didnt. It was the right place for Nynaeve, she had to use "normal" healing.
I know this comment is old and might not get seen, but Nynaeve also already Healed stilling and pre-existing madness and helped cure the taint. Egwene needed something.
Egwene could not be trusted there - she has repeatedly shown that she will dismiss others plans to do what she thinks is right and has no respect for Rand’s ability to plan.
Rand’s wives would have a hard time letting him die, and he thought he had to die to win so he would not bring them inside to watch him die and possibly get in the way trying to stop it, potentially ruining everything.
I was disappointed on first read with rands show down with the dark one as well. Like oh that’s what they’re going to do. But on rereads as all the pieces come together it’s what’s happening around them that make it work. Rand giving credit to all who follow him, and Perrin with the dream spike. Nyneaveve knowing herbs to heal alanna while rand was in a duel. Like a lot of characters had a part to play where if they failed then all would be lost. I like that approach rather than putting it all on rand winning a sword fight.
Like Perrin singlehandedly saved rand from slayer while He was locked in a duel. It reminded me of the end of rogue one where they’re trying to get the plans off planet and a lot of people died to make it work. Everyone had a crucial part to play. And it was super close and narrow.
Agreed. It was far more interesting on rereads.
I can't imagine rereading this. As much as I enjoyed this series, I can't help but think, if Jordan had a good editor, it could have been a masterpiece.
@@dreamshakejunya You really need to develop your pallet until you can notice the difference, but trust me, masterpiece this is not. After almost being done with Malazan, I can see how in comparison, someone might think WoT is a masterpiece.
@@dreamshakejunya well, against such unassailable arguments, who can even dare to challenge that claim.
I remember finishing the Wheel of Time series... I sat on my bed and bawled for 45 minutes straight. Not because of the content itself, but mourning the fact it was over.
I know I am two years late to the party. Don't know if you will get this, but I want to thank you Mike. This was a journey 24 years in the making for me. I started the series when I was in college in the late 90's. I was shattered at Jordan's passing in 2007. I can remember the post on Dragonmount from Harriet regarding his death. I tried 3 times to pick up the series afterwards, to no avail. I came to your channel for the Stephen King and saw you began as a WOT reviewer. Seeing your reviews along with reading the books inspired me to get through it and it was completely worth the ride! Now onwards. And let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.
I saw it and I’m so happy you made it. As dated as these videos look and sound now I’m always going to appreciate they helped people along the way.
What I thought about Rand lighting the pipe: He achieved the single most virtuous, greatest thing in history by defeating the Dark One, and following along the theme of balance, he is able to experience somewhat of a paradise, free of all his burdens, as a God, where he can will whatever he wants into existence. Since the previous time he sealed the bore lead to the most horrific suffering (taint, madness, kinslayer, Dragonmount, etc), this turning he gets rewarded with ultimate peace, bliss, freedom etc and what I pictured to be the Creators 'True Power', which grants him the ability to tweak the Pattern with his very thoughts. He fulfilled his historic mission, his duty to the world. Just my thoughts.
Just finished the book yesterday and I was thinking the same! Granted the ability to alter the pattern
I absolutely love this. My personal cannon for sure, now
I agree with like 80% of the things you said in all your reviews. Your point of view was refreshing and made me think about certain things a bit more.
Thank you and I'm glad you got to experience this masterpiece.
What I wholeheartedly recommend is a reread after a year or two. Words cannot express the plethora of emotions that will overcome you in seemingly mundane scenes, like Mat talking to a soldier or one of Lews Therins agonizing pleas. Everything will hit very differently than the first time. I was an Egwene hater as well for the first read and now she is top 5 for me.
Best of luck and I will, hopefully, still be here for the reread, whenever it happens.
The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills...
You will pick up on so much foreshadowing as you reread the series. It is like reading it on a second level and agree, it is rewarding.
Perrin didn't overcome compulsion because he is ta'veren: he did it because he is the most OP dreamwalker alive and "it's just a weave" (and they where in the WoD when Lanfear used compulsion on him).
Sanderson actually revealed a year or two ago that Lanfear is still alive, and that compulsion was part of her plot to make him think she died.
@@GnarledStaff That sounds utter BS to me and an unnecessary one, too. 🤔
I don't care if it was Sanderson that said it.
@@Mr_Yodmaybe but it’s cannon. I didn’t catch it the first time but on a re read you can kind of tell.
@@Mr_Yod idk about you, but its incredibly obvious in retrospect. Lanfear was being incredibly shifty to him throughout the book, and we see many times slayer and even perrin making realistic 'statues' of eachother. we are also told that lanfear is really really really good at manipulating tel'aran'rhiod.
And also he really really really loves his wife. Power of love babyyyy!!
Bela was by far the most tragic horse death since Artax in the
Never-ending Story
Amen
Sanderson wanted Bela to live, but Jordan's wife did not want him to make that change coz it was Jordan's decision to kill bela
Until Harriet had her resurrected in the Wheel of Time Companion
The real body swap is Bela as Moridin pretending to be Rand.
I still maintain that Bela is reborn with the Horn sounding. If you notice when Noal/Jain is resurrected he appears with the most magnificent horse you’ve ever seen. Noal never had a horse, so I’m convinced this is Bela reborn as a Hero of the Horn. That’s my head canon, and that’s all I have to say about that. :)
@@RobChristianson agreed
@@RobChristianson Oh wow. I never saw it like that but I like that.
Thom was a bad ass in the Pit though. Stacking bodies.
Literally! Composing his epic (pauses to sling blades), back to the epic.
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU for letting us share and relive this amazing journey. I got a little choked up myself clicking "delete" after finishing this last video.
Siuan was my first gasp out loud. It hurt bad. Birgitte was the second. As annoying as Egwene was, her death hurt to and did surprise me. Tam's "covering" Lan's last ride was P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N. I loved the Hinderstrap people angle. I enjoyed the battle at Shayol Gul with Aviendha, Ituralde, and the wolves. Consider, if Moiraine wasn't at the Pit of Doom, we wouldn't have Thom's most BADASS moment where he's composing his great epic story, pauses to drill a knife into a Black sister's back, stuffs her body under the ledge WITH SEVERAL OTHERS, then goes back to puffing on his pipe.
Hi Mike, glad to see you have finished the series!
So as to the battle between Rand and the Dark One, I too didnt really know what to expect reading for the first time but I was quite satisfied with the fight. The Dark One is the personification of the concept of evil and is a force of nature, as such, no battle would be in physical or magical in anyway. It is a metaphysical battle and really all of the possible futures shown are really only there to help Rand realize that you can't eliminate evil, only confront and try to contain evil to find a balance
I was not crazy about it at first but loved how it ended up. Rand was naive thinking he could kill the Dark One but his character continued to grow, even during this battle. I also liked Thom guarding the cave entrance.
I'm glad you loved the wheel, it's my favorite fantasy saga.
I think this is THE fantasy saga for a simple reason: it takes all the thropes, all the clichés, all that someone can love and hate in fantasy and does it better and on a bigger scale than anyone else I've read so far.
And the reason why it resonates so much with people it's because it's the same story that humankind has been telling itself since the dawn of time. It's the good vs evil theme, you can find elements from every epic, every legend, any mythology or religion you ever heard off you can find tiny bits of them in the wheel. That's how good Robert Jordan 's world is, and like he said he created a story that could have originated any of the myth and legends are ancestor told since they started telling stories around a fire.
You name it you have king Arthur, Achilles, Alexander and every hero of human kind here. You have Jesus, raa and Odin and Zeus its all here if you know what to look at.
To write something like that I think only a genius could have fit everything in such a great story and even tho it has its flaws, and a good number of them, it's still such a huge achievement that you won't really care for them at the end.
I assumed Matt's luck allows him to see the Graymen.
Agree, mat just happens to see them out of the corner of his eye cause of his luck.
It could be something to do with the fox medallion. Like if the "cloaking ability" of the grey men is something to do with One Power.
But the fox head only stops channeling at matt directly. If the grey man effect was one power related it would be an indirect effect.
Makes sense
Def the luck as he also sees the Graymen in Tar Valon after being healed. Perrin also smells them as they tried to attack him in the inn in Illian on the way to Stone of Tear in TDR. It's noted he smells the vileness and looks at Lan and Moir to see if they notice any shadowspawn, it takes him like 3 tries to fully notice the smell is coming from 6 men crossing the room
I cried when Lan charged Demandred, and when he survived I was so confused. I still have no idea what the hell happened there.
Lan's move with Damandred was foreshadowed in the first book and on. He basically conceded a thrust for Damandred so he can get the kill thrust.
About Rand manipulating the plant life: "The Dragon is one with the land." It's a little detail that often gets lost in all the other details.
About the pipe: There's a passage where Rand fixes Elayne's spoiled tea just by holding it. This implies that Rand can manipulate the pattern its self. That's how he lights the pipe.
Now go back to the beginning and read it all over again, and watch all the details that you don't see during the first read.
Another example is when he goes back to that one city and is like, yo check all the rest of the food you must've only opened the bad ones, its like the culmination of him understanding how to exert his will and manipulate the pattern within the rules of the pattern by believing in the infinitely small probability that something will suddenly happen only because of that really small chance technically exists.
I get the "The dragon is one with the land", and completely agree with it. While reading I hoped, because Rand was humming when the trees on the Fields of Merrilor grew, that the Aiel singing to Lews Therin left an impression (of the lost song) across lives, teaching him to make things grow (as displayed in the colums in TSR)
@@dudenwatschn8312 oh shit the lost song I had completely forgotten about that
nah, i'm good
Your analysis was so good and entertaining. You had the courage and insight to bring up many things. I didn’t feel worthy enough to utter a word of criticism. Hearing this series through a clear lens was quite refreshing. Thank you for providing an honest and accurate presentation, it was pretty good.
Now maybe it helped that I re-read the series in preparation for my first read of Memory of Light, so the thread was fresh, but some of the standout moments that got me in this one were:
- Birgitte. Time and again, we had someone wondering whether or not, having been ripped from the pattern, if she'd re-enter it when she died. Then she gets killed after like 9 books of that, Elayne looks to be done for without her when suddenly Horn-Birgitte shows up back from the pattern. The image of Horn-Birgitte standing over the headless corpse of other-Birgitte was a wow-moment
- Male Aiel Channelers. Multiple times we'd been told that male Aiel channelers get sent north to dance with the Dark One - essentially die before going crazy (pre-Cleansing). Now suddenly you find out that not only didn't they die, but they ended up reinforcing the Dark One's army. At that moment various pieces fell into place and you think that should have been obvious, but it wasn't until that last piece fell into place. We knew about force-turning to Dark (reminded of it in the Prologue) and we've been told they go up there usually alone and suddenly it is "well, that was a bad plan"
- Cannons. When they hide the cannons in a cave somewhere and keep opening gates into the battle for them to fire out and then move the gate to shoot somewhere else before the enemy can retaliate. A beautiful mixing of magic and science. Usually the two are seen as direct rivals or opposing attitudes in Fantasy, so seeing a way to use them together stood out.
- Restoring the balance. As soon as we got the "Good-Win is bad" version, I knew we were going with the "Restore-the-Balance" version and immediately had flashbacks of Babylon 5 (and that's a good thing, by the way).
Agree on the male Aiel channelers, should have been obvious. In addition, androl was awesome with the gateways and the cannons. Also opening a gateway into the lava of Dragonmouint. Not only birgette returning but was it Noal that saved Olver. That was cool.
You didn't see Demandred the whole series because he was in the gym roiding up the entire series.
I absolutely loved the whole Androl and Pavera storyline, totally agree on that rapid ending felt like I was expecting a very long aftermath of everything that has happened but I was satisfied in the end I think Rand fight against the dark one was something i wasn't expecting but again like you I didn't knew what to expect still liked the whole world without light/dark one concept I still have many questions about the whole body swapping I think some theory about this was confirmed by Sanderson but yeah what a ride this series was I started because of Daniel Greene and binge read the whole series in little more than a month. This series will always be close to my heart... Also frick Gawin.
Dude it has been an absolute joy going on this cyber journey with you man - thankyou!!
Just wanted to say thanks for making these. I found your videos on this after struggling with some wheel of time concepts and it's always been enjoyable to see if I agree or disagree with how you found the book. I'm looking forward to continue watching your videos with future reads. Thanks a bunch!
Hey, thanks for taking the trip with me!
On the lighting of the pipe.
Rand is now like Neo in the Matrix. he has been outside of the pattern itself and can thus understand it on a whole different level.
With that said, Keanu should play LTT in the TV-show. =D
Congrats on finally finishing Mike, it's been fun reliving my first impression of the books through your channel.
Thanks for all these reviews Mike! I really wish Perrin would've had a final showdown with Padan Fain to avenge his family. Would've made both of their arcs more satisfying.
400 days from start to finish. That would have been awesome. It took me 22 years to read it all. I was given Eye of the World right after it was first published in trade paperback in 1990, and eagerly awaited every book afterward, rereading them all as each new book was published. When Jordan died, I was convinced it would never be completed, so I'm glad Sanderson stepped up. While there are things he could have done better, I think no one but Jordan could have done it better.
I just finished AMOL an hour or so ago, and it's bittersweet. I teared up reading Lan's charge to Demandred and the last few pages of the epilogue. I have the same gripes about it as you about how some things played out, mainly the duel with the dark one and Logain, but Rand's ending, imo, was beautifully done. I love that he ends the story with Rand riding off smiling, lighting his tabac by bending the pattern. All in all, it was a great journey and great story from the first book to the last, following along after every book with your review of it. Thank you for making these videos.
Congrats on finishing. I recommend the WoT spoilers podcast as those guys break it down chapter by chapter and go over all the foreshadowing and Min's viewings
I admit I started getting a tear hearing you talk about how you felt when you finished it. I was the same exact way. I think had Jordan lived, we could've gotten some final explanations on things, and probably other books. Like a Mat and Tuon book, ala New Spring for example. I wish we could have more, but as you've said during your journey, sometimes less can be more. more might have ruined it. Thank you for this, I enjoyed your journey. You earned my sub!
Profound. Sense. Of loss.
Thanks for the nostalgia mike. Its been great. Anyone who reads this series will have things here and there that they didnt like. But I was amazed by how well everything was tied up at the end. Idk who should get more credit for the last 3 Jordan or Sanderson....im just so grateful to both of them for giving us such a great ending.
loved watching your reviews, thank you for keeping company along this very long journey!
Happy to do it! Thanks for letting me tag along.
Man, Rand made himself a pipe from nothing he can't channel one power, he can manipulate the pattern itself ;-).
Jesus Rand on full power it seems. He even ressurected. Man, I need to read the Bible. I have the feeling it could show Rand in a different light.
Manipulating the Plant Life: He was using the same trick the Ogiers use for trees, it's pretty clearly confirmed in the book.
Yeah i think at one point he's singing the song and Matt tries to interrupt him and Rand tells Matt to shut up for a minute.
Thank you Mike. Just finished Memory of Light. Thanks for the commentary and making these videos for us. I watched review after every book I finished. Thanks again. It’s been a ride
As someone who recently finished my first read, I found myself having similar takes on a lot of things here, but I just want to share something I read about Logain. So I was also pretty disappointed that Logain didn't have a big triumphant moment, and didn't think that him breaking the seals or saving those innocents warranted Min's viewing. However, I read online that the viewing does make sense, Min's viewings can come true at any point in a character's life, her viewing never specified a time.
According to the male channeler power ranking in the companion book, Logain is in the second most powerful tier, meaning he has a life expectancy of 785 years. Logain is what, 25 or 30 maybe during the Last Battle? That means he potentially has 750 years as the leader of the Black Tower in the new Age where he will be extremely influential, since now the people will send their sons to become Asha'man as they send their daughters to become Aes Sedai. It is also important to point out that Cadsuane has a lot of experience interacting with male channelers and would likely help the White and Black Tower work together. Maybe the two groups would eventually combine again to become something akin to the Hall of Servants from the Age of Legends with Logain as Tamyrlin?
Yeah that’s how I read it. It’s really satisfying when you think of it like this
Glad to see you make this journey. It definitely is one heck of a ride. Can't wait to see more content. It's been a blast watching you review these books.
I'm excited to relive it. That's by far the best part of watching people who are reading it the first time. While of course it's great to talk with other fans and get in big discussions, there's just something more magical the first time. I'm super excited for this. I hopefully got a free friends into this channel because of the wot reviews.
A few things.
Lan impals himself on Demondred sword, he survives because of his warder bond and narishma heals him.
Rand viewd a world without evil, the people don't see any act as good or evil, there is no conscious.
Gawyn is a dick because he swore to he Egwenne's warder, his job was only to protect her. He put her in danger by risking himself going after Demondred knowing what his death would mean. He was selfish.
Egwenne and Nyneave couldnt have switched stories, it wouldnt have fit their character arcs. Egwenne was there to lead the light, Nyneave was their to protect the people she loved above all else. She would have never let rand go to face the dark one alone, just like she woildnt let them leave in the first book alone. As much as she changed that protective nature is her core.
I agree the Rand/Dark one battle initially felt a little underwhelming, but then I realized that the idea of rand sword fighting the embodiment of evil didn't make sense. I like that it was essentially the will of the light, supporter by the hopes and sacrifices of the people against the will of absolute evil.
Yes, this is a good comment. Especially the part about Nynaeve/Egwene.
Rands vision of a world without evil is wrong because it removes the choice. The same as Turning removed the choice and made people follow the shadow. That man can choose whether to be good or evil is the nature of the world and the pattern, removing the choice is evil either way.
Gawyn put on the ring during when the sharans ambushed the aes sedai camp, helping Egwene escape, basically saving her. At that point he know he was going to die anyways due to the rings, so he decided to go out with a bang rather than doing nothing and withering away from the effects of the ring. He also knew Egwene would confront Demandred, so he preemptively went to try and kill him. He did his job perfectly.
Thanks for such a great series! I found you when you were on book 6 I think, and have been following since then. You've got me started on the Dresden Files too, so I guess I'll stick around :)
I've just finished my first reread in years myself, and I find myself agreeing with you about Gawyn. Its odd, I loathed him previously - for after finally seeming to realise that the world doesn't spin around him, and the most useful thing he can do is give everything to helping Egwene, suddenly deciding he needs to do something important and going and suiciding on Demandred, nearly crippling Egwene in the process. But this reread he didn't seem so bad really. He makes mistakes, but so does everyone... Maybe I'm just a chunk older than he is now, and more forgiving of a young man than of a contemporary.
I'm impressed no one spoiled you on Taimandred... Jordan got so sick of people bugging him about it that he confirmed many years before he died that Taim was not Demandred, so its kind of an official spoiler.
I assumed it was Egwene's death you got spoiled on - glad it wasn't, since that was such a major moment.
Padan Fain basically fell through the cracks, according to Sandersen - he's brought it up as something he should have done better.
I definitely agree about the Sharans showing up out of nowhere. Yes they are trailed as a thing that exists throughout the series, but just to show up fully formed like that... There is a reason for this - there is a whole backstory (that I still haven't got around to reading) that got cut but has subsequently been published in an anthology, that dealt with Demandred in Sharra.
I know I agreed with you about the whole Rand vs Dark One thing after I read the book the first time. Not what I expected, or really what I wanted. I've changed my mind though, I'm not sure how else it could really be done, and the book really doesn't need yet another climactic fight... I think it works well. At least when you know that is how its going to end up - it makes the mental battles Rand goes through earlier so much more important - Darth Rand just could not have fought that fight... I do rather agree about the sidelining of Moraine and Nynaeve (though if your alternative is to kill off Nynaeve, maybe she's fine where she is...)
Moraine and Nynaeve are at the last battle in the Pit of Doom to set the trap for Morridin. When he takes control of Calandor they take control of him so that Rand has all the power available. This was the fulfillment of Min's vision of the shining sword in the black hand... Calandor is a trap for any male who uses it, and it is also can be used to focus the "True Power" too.
As for how Rand and Morridin swapped bodies, it was foreseen by Min in ACOS...
It was also started at the end of the book When Rand and the other guy both used balefire and their weaves crossed. That joined their souls together.
(To Rand) "I saw you and another man. I couldn't make out either face, but I knew one was you. You touched, and seemed to merge into one another, and I don't know what it means, Rand, except that one of you dies, and one doesn't." (ACoS, Ch. 33).
This was a great review. I started Reading this series as a teenage in High School and I finished it in my 30s. This series has spanned a good chunk of my life and I was sad to say goodbye to new stories in Randland. I think it is the greatest fantasy series of all time and it should be required reading for up and coming fantasy book fans for all the years to come.
Two things I am shocked that didnt come up in your review. The mystery woman in the end with Rand and mat using the crazy people In that city to take out the enemies who control the river. You even said In the book they are in that you thought it was an odd side story and you figure it would come back in play. Well it did :)
The only real problem I had with this book was Nynaeve and Moiraines part, like I get why they had the role they had, but I felt like they could’ve had a bigger role in defending Rand or something
Oh and also I would’ve loved to see Siuan do a little more, but I did really like her part in the book even if it was really short
Thank you for all your reviews. You are always my first stop when I finished a WOT book. I will have to look at other reviews that you have and maybe I will start that series next. Haven’t decided which series to tackle next.
Happy to have been “with you” on your read through!
Thanks for all your recaps Mike. Being someone close to your age its great to have similar thoughts and feelings about a beloved series like the WoT. I finally finished A Memory of Light last night and like the Dark Tower I think the Journey is way better than the ending. The last few chapters had me gripped. I think some story lines were wrapped up way too quickly, poor Padan Fain deserved a lot more page time in the last book. I think Brandon Sanderson did an amazing job of finishing this series even if his word choice but the man can write some amazing action scenes. At one point I felt sorry for the Trollocs when they faced the Dragons. Anyway the WoT made me find your channel and being here reminded me that I need to get Swan Song! Thanks again for your amazing work.
Sanderson said one of his biggest regrets is how he handled Padan Fain
At the very end, when Rand (as Moridin) sneaks off with Laman's sword and a horse, I really wish that horse was Bela. That would have been a perfect callback to "An Empty Road" (Chapter 1 of The Eye of the World)
Thankyou so much Mike ! It's been awesome watching these reviews !!! Love your take on things , great channel!!
Always great to see these. Look forward to some more follow up videos as you marinate on everything. And maybe eventually a reread in some form or fashion
I've been following all of the WoT content and it has been great! Thanks for the time you've put on this and
thanks for the ride! When I pick up my next series I'll be sure to check back in.
About the bodyswap, I think it was Sanderson who explained it with something like "the soul/spirit that wanted to live found a body that wanted to live, the soul/spirit that wanted to die didn't go through the effort"
Brilliant that.
I finally made it. Finished it today and, what a ride. Thank you for all the Wot videos...
I just finished whole series. I started reading it like 15 years ago and jumped ship around book 9ish I think. So when the series was about to come out I decided to try it again. Took me just under 7 months but used the audiobook to help me get through books 9 and 10. Thank God for audiobook. Audiobook was nice also for the acting they do kinda brings story to life a little bit more I thought. Once book eleven started I couldn’t get enough. When I finished I felt like I was in limbo after such a great journey. Found this book review and really enjoyed your take on it. I am 53 and also live in Texas so majority of your view were pretty in line with mine. I did like the Androl story a little more ‘the little guy making a difference’ and wasn’t quite as harsh on Egwene. But definitely get your point. Thanks so much for taking the time on your review. Good closure
Thanks for the awesome AMOL and full WOT series reviews. It has been great to have been involved since Book No. 2 and chat since Book 9.
I hope you will make other WOT related videos in the future.I hope you read the series again in a few years. The series gets better with each re-reading at a time and you will find new things and tips throughout the series.Thanks again for the past year on the series🤧😀
Egwene let go of Rand to be the light to guide the world. Nynaeve never let go of that woolheaded sheep herder.
Thanks for the reviews. I've looked forward to watching them after each book and I'm glad I didn't overtake you like I did Merphy. Keep up the great work
Thanks for watching!
Great job. I love the series so much and just started to go slowly through a second reading. Can’t wait
I have a theory that Galad was Berelain's reward. She couldn't have Rand, thought Mat was too much like her, and Perrin was annoyed by her a good amount of time. So who better to reward Berelain with for being the first monarch to acknowledge Rand freely, then with the half brother to both Rand and Elayne, who also happened to command the white cloaks, but Galad? That stroke makes tiny Mayenne, a country of strength.
Mentioned this before, but there is a short story called "River of Souls" that is basically a few Demandred POV chapters that were cut from the final books, basically showing him in Sharan before he sets out to take part in the Last Battle.
Just now finished this book, and man what an incredible journey, I've never read something so long before lol. As of right now, Rand Al Thor is my favorite character. Just so well written from beginning to end!
You are, in my opinion, simply the best at what you do Mike! Keep 'em comin!!
i loved your first impressions of each book. i’ve been reading these since i was 12- im 30 now... i’m excited for the show!
i loved logains arc bc it was so not what i was expecting in the end. i liked that he (and we as readers!) had an expectation for himself for glory and power as just purely displays of strength in the power... and in the end that viewing of glory came from being a savior. ostensibly, being unbound by the oaths he can live hundreds of years... so one can only assume he’ll have even more glory as being the black towers leader for that amount of time. also: it was so gratifying hearing that lady talk about sending her son to to be tested after all the times this book drove home that men channeling was unnatural and terrifying. another way to show how far society had come...
small detail- i hated Alivias part of the story. so anticlimactic and just dumb “helping rand die”- i also thought rand morraine and nynaeve sitting in a cave was a mediocre ending 🤷🏻♀️ ... you can dislike certain parts of a series but still love it as a whole... i re read this series probably every other year when i don’t have anything new on deck, and i still find little details and nuances i missed the last time i read... worth a second read for you eventually :)
anyway gl with the channel!
Thanks so much for all the videos. I have enjoyed watching all your recaps and opinions. It has been entertaining. I look forward to Malzan and reading that with you.
I loved the Faile/Olver side story. A race against time to get the horn to Matt, and really well written.
Nyneave and Moiraine are linked with Rand as a buffer so Rand can have access to saidar and use Calandor safely. Without them "standing there", the Dark One would have won.
doesnt mean its interesting to read
And what a waste of two characters that were developed over most of the series.
*tugs braid*
Padan Fain and Perrin suffered some character assassinations if you ask me.
Regarding Rands vision of a world without evil, it's wrong because it removes choice as a factor for the people. The same as Turning removed the choice and made people follow the shadow. That man can choose whether to be good or evil is the balance of the world and the pattern, removing the choice is evil either way.
Thoroughly enjoyed your journey through Randland, looking forward to future content from this channel
I felt like Perrin never recovered from the 6 books of nothing he was given.
I didn't get the impression that Nynaeve was not going to help rebuild with Lan, im intrested to hear why you think she and Lan don't end up rebuilding his Throne. She already showed Lan is more important to her than the Tower.
12:30 Not only Rand being related to Queen Trakand's two sons but to Tigraine (Mantear/Damodred) but Rand is tied by family to Lan Mandragoran (his brother raised in the blight) and also Luc Mantear (Tigraine's brother) -- both of those are known as the singular "Slayer." Rand's family tree is entirely made of floppy spaghetti..
I agree when you say that Siuan and Birgitte were brutal, and the former for sure I wanted/needed more resolution and deeper mourning as well, even if it came later on. I actually feel like Egwene restoring the Pattern was a beautiful thing and it lifted her up to Nynaeve's level, plus it made sense considering everything she'd been through and built up throughout the series (her time with the Wise Ones, her growth in Tel'aran'rhiod, her faith in the White Tower, her role in its restoration/healing and protection) for her unleashing the Flame of Tar Valon. Enjoyed your review!
Its been great to tag along on the ride with you Mike. I agree with you 100% on Fain and just about all your major takes. You gotta cut my boy Logain some slack though he did have the fat man angreal but Demandred had the Sakarnen, the most powerful sa’angreal besides the Choeden Kal. This plays into Logain’s dark thoughts later since he sae the power this sa’angreal wields and wanted to never be overpowered like that again. Also, shoutout to my boy Gaul, dude held down the fort in the world of dreams for ages during Perrin’s wolf dream quest. Looking forward to your future content!
Thank you sir. I just finished the book today. Watched you after every book. Great job sir
I'm also unhappy that Ny and Mo (my two favorite characters) hardly did anything, especially since I thought going with Rand meant they were going to have the biggest part in this aside from Rand (whose part I'm quite lukewarm on)
Glad I’m not totally alone there.
I think it makes more sense for Nynaeve to be with Rand because he's always trusted her but thats me. Sanderson said he didn't handle Fain properly with this one or he would have changed it and I think most fans agree with you that it was a wasted chance. I also liked the whole back and forth with Rand and the Dark One it was like a philosophical debate with interludes of what would happen if one of the opposing forces ceased to exist but that is a personal thing. Anyways man loved seeing how you reacted to this series it was almost as much fun as reading it for the first time again.
It's been a while for me since I read WOT, but it was very enjoyable remembering of the story as seen through your eyes. Thanks for sharing!
Kudos on finishing it! It was about one year ago that I finished it for the first time and I will be finishing my second read-through this next week! Thanks for the honest evaluation - it is definitely not perfect and there are always criticisms to be made, but damn if it isn't a journey.
Your channel is my new favorite channel. I plan on sticking around for a long time to gather your thoughts on your reviews. I heard you on a previous video that you plan on tackling Malazan. I attempted the first book and made it halfway and put it down. It's a different animal, but I do want to go back and try it again and at least take it to the end of the first book. Having read the first half may help. It was the same way with The Blade Itself. It took me 2 or 3 tries to get through it, and I liked it. I just never read the next two. I'm glad I found your site. Keep up the great work, and I am very, extremely jealous of your bookshelf.
I love how in the thick of the battle you see names your recognize people who were important at one point or another just start dropping like flys
I can't believe this is the last time I'm watching Mike reviewing Wheel of time.
You can always watch them again.
Thanks for the ride mike, it was great to follow your journey through the books. How did you feel about Noal coming back with the heroes to save Olver?
(some rambling about the ending and my opinion on it:)
All in all its a great ending to the series, but not everything is perfect (Fain and Perrin are the main examples you pointed out). I think Egwene had a great ending though, she was set on that path from book one (when moiraine told the story of the queen of manetheren) and totally got what she worked for (that sounds bad.. I mean for her story arc).
Nynaeve and Moiraine helping rand to "heal" the world from the dark ones touch and seal the bore was fine aswell: its the single most important task, for the two greatest characters! It just could have needed some more action. the morridin body switch was perfect and set up booooks ago when he and rand first crossed (balefire) streams: the one who wanted to die chose the dying body, the one with the will to live, managed to survive.
The "battle" with the Dark one itself: absolutly what I expected.. rand fighting him would not have worked at all, how do you fight an allmighty god? thats just fucking cheesy bullcrap in my opinion.. The books are all about balance and there can be no balance with only the creator. another ending would have ruined the series for me, it goes against everything the wheel of time is.
Fein's purpose was to give Rand the idea to cleanse Saidin. Although I agree, overall an unfulfilling plot line
Sam i think that the Padan Fain thread should have been cut earlier, definatly before the last book
24:44 "But I felt like there was going to be ... Mordeth!" It was actually Ordeith/Fain . ;-)
Hey Mike, i loved all your wot reviews. I'm in my first reread and i enjoy your first reactions to stuff. You definitly figure things out faster than me. I loved Egwene but also understand your point of view. Thanks for sharing your jorney with us. I cried right along with you.
Great review as always Mike, such a great series, rollercoaster of a ride is how I described it to myself in the end, excellent read overall. Can’t wait for Rhythm of War to come out 🤘another great shirt too btw Lmaoo 🤘
Mike, not sure how often you sift through these comments, but I just finished, and my favorite part of finishing every book has been to watch these videos to see your thoughts. Just wanted to thank you for doing this. I share many of your thoughts on the characters and story. Still processing how I really feel about the ending but very exciting to revisit all of it again. Thanks!!
Also I just wanted to say that I read these last few WoT books while listening to epic fantasy music, and I gotta say that sometimes the music and writing hits perfectly at the same time that it brought me to tears. So yeah, highly suggest reading with a soundtrack going lol
Mike, I've really enjoyed your reviews through my first time through this series. I started in May and just finished Memory of Light last night. I personally was totally wrecked by Egwene's death. I had to put the book down and walk away to process it all.
Putting this up a day an a half early is just being a tease.
That was a whoops. I didn't realize it was past midnight. Fixed. Only a half day now.
Remember it's only AN and not THE end, Mike! It's been a great journey, can't wait to see more content from you. I came for the WoT and stayed for everything else!
It is "The end" due in part that Sanderson and Jordan's wife are contracted by Robert to not write or expand on "The Wheel of Time". I once asked Sanderson about it and he said he can not go and write more about it.
Been great to watch your journey Mike 👍
Now I've gotta finish First Law, then start Red Rising, then Dresden, then that one you're reading now, then Malazan......the list goes on 🍻
The review should be 14 parts to honor the work of Jordan then Sanderson 😁
With Rand, I see a lot of parallels to a Christ figure or how each age has someone like that. Crown of thorns= crown of swords, Rand's body being absolutely beat up and broken more and more through the series (wound in his side could parallel Christ getting stabbed in the side among other things) and he was "resurrected" so to speak in that new body at the end which was free of pain that he was bearing for so long. Like you said about maybe he is the creator or some form of the creator inside of him, I know Jordan uses many many themes from real world literature (Arthurian legend, I feel like graendal becoming hideously ugly is a nod to grendel from Beowulf, Christian themes etc) and it's neat trying to piece these things together upon rereads. Great writing, I'm on my 4th read ride now and it's been a blast watching you go through the series for your first time.
Don't forget being "born of a maiden" :)