Series Books - Page 5

The Lunatic Cafe (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 4)

Laurell K. Hamilton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 119 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Can't get enough 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Loved it!! I just can't get enough of this series. It has everything...violence, mystery, sex, love. I'm constantly finding myself holding my breath. These books are my latest addiction.

Finally a story about werewolves!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

this is one of my favorites from the series. Mostly because it deals with werewolves as the main characters this time. There's been a werewolf in the first three books, but they didn't transform into one until the third book. I think from this book you can see how far Laurell has grown as an author.

The only thing dumb about this book i would say is the cover!!! Just bogus and dumb. I'm a guy and I've gotten a lot of funny looks when i leave this thing lying around. (i've since learned to put a book on top of it or turn it over. The artwork is so irrelevant and dumb) My only beef but that's the company's fault. I don't think Laurell has a say over artwork.

Editorial Review:

The zombie-raising business gets slow in December, so Anita Blake is starting to see some oddball cases. She's got a neatly typed list of eight missing lycanthropes given to her by Marcus, the leader of the local werewolf pack, who wants her to find them. The trouble is, Anita's occasionally furry boyfriend Richard is locked in a power struggle with Marcus. Jean-Claude, master vampire of the city and Anita's other love interest, is getting jealous as well. To top it off, Anita has to solve some horrific murders and keep her bounty-hunting friend Edward from killing Richard and Jean-Claude. Hamilton alternates between funny and fearsome in this larky series about a monster hunter with a few dark secrets.

The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time, Book 1)

Robert Jordan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1691 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

If you haven't read this series, read it!! 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 19 people found this review helpful.

I won't really go into the plot summary of this book, as I think it will be virtually impossible for me to keep this review reasonably short.=) It would be hard for me to give that summary and not want to add spoilers from later books, because things that occur in The Eye of the World you encounter later on and doesn't get expanded upon until later. So how could I explain without spoiling?

It would also be difficult because I'd inevitably refer to words, phrases, or characters that the newbie to Robert Jordan would have no clue what I'm talking about, leading me to have to explain...and well, you get the point!LOL I will instead give some of my opinions and thoughts about this book, The Eye of the World, and the series as a whole.

In anticipation of the 12th and final book to be released next fall, A Memory of Light, I decided to re-read this series. For those who don't know, Robert Jordan passed away last year in the fall of 2007, and died before he could complete the series. But, the final book will still be published and released with new fantasy author, Brandon Sanderson, to finish the series.

Okay, what did I think of this book? The first time I read this book, it was a bit hard going as I had to familiarize myself with the world Jordan created, and it wasn't until I read it a second or third time that I noticed aspects of the story I had missed the first time around. But even at the first time reading of the Eye of the World, I instinctively grasped knew this was a beginning of a *great* epic fantasy series.

Anyways, that can be a hinderance, it takes time to get to know this fictional world, and all the details in characters, countries, cultures, etc can be overwhelming to one new to the Wheel of Time world. Trust me, it may take more than one read of the books, but it's definitely worth it. I feel that the Wheel of Time series is one of the best epic fantasy books out there, and I've read my share. I am still in awe that Jordan could have created such an incredibly rich, detailed, and complex world populated with characters you get to know so well (yes, love 'em and hate 'em!) that you feel like you know them personally.

Another sticking point for some people is Jordan was the kind of writer that loved details, the more the better in his eyes. Being a details person myself, I love details, I didn't find this detracting from the story. I felt it helped me picture the story in my mind's eye more effectively, as I said before, this world is incredibly complex so I felt his detailed explanations of scenery, clothing, culture, etc was very helpful in seeing this world more clearly.

A lot of people notice this particular book borrows heavily from Tolkien and it is true, the flight of Rand (the main character) and his friends from their small village, The Two Rivers, with a person of magical* abilities (in this book they aren't called sorcerors or sorceress, but Aes Sedai, I'll say more on this later*) fleeing the minions of a big, bad evil guy. Very similar to LOTR. That is the only tribute, or rip-off (depending on the person you're asking.heh) to Tolkien because as you find out in later books in the series Jordan had pretty much gone in his own direction. He has even taken from our own real world mythological stories, such as the King Arthur legend and incorporated into this fictional world and changed them to suit his purpose. I'm pretty sure he incorporated other elements of real world mythological stories and characters into his series, but as I'm not familiar with all of them, I can't say for sure exactly which.

*It's later.LOL. Okay, I wince and cringe to refer to the powers (called One Power) in this book as "magic", it's never referred to in this fashion and neither are the practitioners called wizards, witches (okay, take that back the Aes Sedai are sometimes referred as "that Aes Sedai witch" in a negative connotation.heh.), sorceress, and the like. Jordan completely described these wielders of the One Power and what the One Power is in such a way that you don't think of it as magic, or I didn't anyways. It's too simple to just say, "it's magic".

One thing I never noticed my first time reading the series, but I eventually grasped, is he teases you with glimpses of small descriptions of the "Age before the Age of Legends", and these descriptions have led some to believe (myself included) that Jordan was alluding to our own real world. In other words, this Age was the modern day Earth we live in today (note, in this series, the time period is referred to by "Ages"...so, for instance, "Age of Legends" refers to a time period of wonder undreamed of by the present cast of characters in the Eye of the World). This is but one example of what I meant by the fact it may take you more than one or two readings to truly comprehend this world, Jordan uses a lot of symbolism in these books.

What I found fascinating and just incredible was how Jordan was able to weave all these elements together and spin out a fantastical story found in the Wheel of Time series. He makes you believe that, maybe what if...this Wheel of Time world really used to be our world only it has changed and now has such wonders?

Some view Jordan as a mediocre fantasy author, nothing great about him or his Wheel of Time series, others view him in the same light as Tolkien in his contribution to epic fantasy.

So, what should you do? You hear that the beginning books are great and they get bad around the later books. I've heard it differently depending who you ask....some people think only the first 3 books are great, the rest are horrible. Some think the book starts going downhill around Book 6, Lord of Chaos, and others Book 8, the Path of Daggers.

My suggestion to those of you who are curious about whether to start this huge series (yes, this is a big investment, a total of 11 books published now, soon a 12th which is expected to be the biggest book!) is to read with an open mind. Forget what others told you about what they expected from this book, and the disappointment they found when it didn't meet their expectations, just throw it out the window.

Read it because you want to read it, and if you are very curious don't let someone else sway you into not reading it. Be prepared to enter a wonderful, captivating, fictional world!

Editorial Review:

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

The Color of Magic

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 217 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good, but weak compared to his later works 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

It is difficult to make a judgement of how a Pratchett novel compares to the entire library of of his work. It's like declaring a Zappa album "his best" or "worst." I have read a good percentage of Pratchett's work, however, and do consider CoM to be the weakest. That is not to say that I didn't enjoy Pratchett's singular humor, but the depth and complexity of his later plots just isn't there. Actually, that's an understatement, the plot itself just isn't there.

As a collection of four short stories, it's pleasant enough. The characters do not have the endearing qualities of many of Pratchett's later characters, but he does begin to solidify his mythos of modern archetypes which he utilizes with such genius.

In the overall realm of books, CoM probably deserves 4 stars, but my rating is colored by knowing that Pratchett is capable of much more magic. If you intend to read his entire catalogue start with this one. If you are merely "Pratchett-curious", start with "Thud!" or "Small Gods" or "Hogfather" or even the non-discworld "Good Omens".

Editorial Review:

The Colour of Magic is Terry Pratchett's maiden voyage through the bizarre land of Discworld. His entertaining and witty series has grown to more than 20 books, and this is where it all starts--with the tourist Twoflower and his hapless wizard guide, Rincewind ("All wizards get like that ... it's the quicksilver fumes. Rots their brains. Mushrooms, too."). Pratchett spoofs fantasy clichés--and everything else he can think of--while marshalling a profusion of characters through a madcap adventure. The Colour of Magic is followed by The Light Fantastic. --Blaise Selby

The Discworld Graphic Novels: The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Turtles and Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pratchett's Discworld series, HarperCollins has published this hard bound compendium of the first two Discworld novels, "The Color of Magic" and "The Light Fantastic," in their 1991 renditions as graphic novels. Pratchett's writing skills have grown far beyond these early pastiches and satires, but there are real pleasures and genuine belly laughs in these two early books.

The Discworld rides on the backs of four giant elephants, who in turn stand on the back of planet-sized Great a'Tuin, the Star Turtle. "Hertzsprung-Russell Diagrams" are used to classify stars by colors, size and age. The Great a'Tuin is the only turtle to ever appear in a Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. Trust me, if you are an astronomy student, it's a real groaner. But the great part about these stories is that there are puns, jokes and gags enough for everyone and every taste. The home of the quarrelsome, meddlesome gods of the Discworld, for example, is called Dunmanifestin... Ouch.

The drawings add interest. While the characters don't much resemble the pictures in my head, let alone the actors in Sky One's recent movie based on these novels, they aren't bad. Only the beardless Cohen the Barbarian seriously disappoints. Some cherished scenes have been clipped out; it's probably unavoidable, but I did miss Bravrd and Weasel, pastiches of Leiber's Fafhrd and Mouser, the bureaucratic evil of Ymper Trymon, and the very brief flight on TWA. But there's plenty of Pratchett humor left.

The drawings have a distinct charm and consistency. They add to the story, without distorting it. Those old paperback graphic novels, long out of print, are very hard to find; if you want a complete set of Pratchett, this volume is essential.

The madcap punning - persons robbing music shops must be "luters" - and throwaway lines - "We've got a wizard and we're not afraid to use him" - are there, and the drawings make them more fun still. These first two novels didn't have much of a plot but they definitely had their moments. This graphic novel gives you a chance to enjoy those moments again. And those new to Pratchett may find the graphic novels more accessible. Strongly recommended.

Editorial Review:

In a distant and second-hand set of dimensions, in an astral plane that was never meant to fly . . .

Imagine a flat world, sitting on the backs of four elephants who hurtle through space balanced on a giant turtle. The Discworld is a place (and a time) parallel to our own—but also very different. That is the setting for Terry Pratchett's phenomenally successful Discworld series, which now celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary.

The Discworld Graphic Novels presents the very first two volumes of this much-loved series in graphic novel form. First published fifteen years ago, these fully illustrated versions are now issued for the first time in hardback. Introduced here are the bizarre misadventures of Twoflower, the Discworld's first ever tourist, and possibly—portentously—its last, and his guide Rincewind, the spectacularly inept wizard. Not to mention the Luggage, which has a mind of its own.

Mort

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 120 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Death takes an apprentice 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ah, the Disk World series. I have to admit that it's been years since I've read any from Mr. Pratchett's Disk World. My motivator for reading Mort was watching Hogfather on TV and I became fascinated watching Death. To scratch my itch, I decided to pick up one of Mr. Pratchett's books where the main character was Death. That being said... Mort tells when a young man is being forced from home and looking for a job; and Death take him as an apprentice. What could possibly happen?!?



This book is great one if you enjoy a different look at our world (as with everything on the Disk World there's a little satire, a little punning, and a little Pratchett). The concept of Death taking an apprentice and seeing what the apprentice can do is an interesting concept. Taking it further is seeing what Death does when he has time off (Death going about with people...). For me this was a five star book. I love the twists in the story. Watching Mort learning Death's ropes (or is that scythe), the interactions in Death's household and the backdrop of a potentially reality ripping event make for a great story. Death was a constant scream for me. I love how direct and simple Death is. I also love the fact that Death wants to have a taste of life. I was prepared to give this one only four stars, but the last 75 pages or so are so great that it kicked the book to five stars! Mr. Pratchett does a great job presenting the characters and describing the environment they're in, making this a very enjoyable book.

Editorial Review:

Terry Pratchett's profoundly irreverent novels are consistent number one bestseller in England, where they have catapulted him into the highest echelons of parody next to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen.

In this Discworld installment, Death comes to Mort with an offer he can't refuse -- especially since being, well, dead isn't compulsory.As Death's apprentice, he'll have free board and lodging, use of the company horse, and he won't need time off for family funerals. The position is everything Mort thought he'd ever wanted, until he discovers that this perfect job can be a killer on his love life.

The Wee Free Men (Discworld)

Terry Pratchett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 95 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Nine-year-old Tiffany Aching needs magic--fast! Her sticky little brother Wentworth has been spirited away by the evil Queen of faerie, and it's up to her to get him back safely. Having already decided to grow up to be a witch, now all Tiffany has to do is find her power. But she quickly learns that it's not all black cats and broomsticks. According to her witchy mentor Miss Tick, "Witches don't use magic unless they really have to...We do other things. A witch pays attention to everything that's going on...A witch uses her head...A witch always has a piece of string!" Luckily, besides her trusty string, Tiffany's also got the Nac Mac Feegles, or the Wee Free Men on her side. Small, blue, and heavily tattooed, the Feegles love nothing more than a good fight except maybe a drop of strong drink! Tiffany, heavily armed with an iron skillet, the feisty Feegles, and a talking toad on loan from Miss Tick, is a formidable adversary. But the Queen has a few tricks of her own, most of them deadly. Tiffany and the Feegles might get more than they bargained for on the flip side of Faerie! Prolific fantasy author Terry Pratchett has served up another delicious helping of his famed Discworld fare. The not-quite-teen set will delight in the Feegles' spicy, irreverent dialogue and Tiffany's salty determination. Novices to Pratchett's prose will find much to like here, and quickly go back to devour the rest of his Discworld offerings. Scrumptiously recommended. (Ages 10 to 14) --Jennifer Hubert

The Great Hunt (The Wheel of Time, Book 2)

Robert Jordan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 331 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The hunt for the horn is on! *Spoilers may be included* 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

The 2nd book in the Wheel of Time series, I give this book 4.5 stars. This book picks up about a few weeks later from the ending of the 1st book, The Eye of the World. If you haven't read the first book in this series, I'm warning you now there will be spoilers throughout this review. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read on.

At the end of the Eye of the World, one of the young men, Rand, realizes he can channel saidin, the male half of the True Source. After using the Eye, a secret chamber was found beneath the Eye that holds several very important objects: the banner of Lews Therin, called the Dragon, the male Aes Sedai that led the forces of Light against the Shadow during the Age of Legends, an object made of cuendillar (or heartstone) one of the 7 seals of the Dark One's prison created by the Aes Sedai of the Age of Legends during the War of the Shadow, and the Horn of Valere, a horn that will bring back the dead heroes tied to the Wheel of Time to fight for whomever blows the horn.

All very important objects, and all signs that lead Moiraine (the female Aes Sedai that led the Two Rivers villagers in the 1st book) to believe that Tarmon Gaidon, the Last Battle with the Dragon Reborn and the Dark One, is fast approaching.

The book starts to pick up the pace when the minions of the Dark One (Trollocs, Fades, and Darkfriends) attack Fal Dara and steal the Horn of Valere and free a very interesting Darkfriend named Padin Fain (he was introduced in the first book and he was the one that caused the villagers to first flee their home in that book). Rand and his friends Mat and Perrin, with escort, ride to hunt for the Horn of Valere (hence, the title of the book) and retrieve it.

In The Great Hunt, the main character Rand struggles with who and what he is throughout this entire book. He also becomes less naive, more wary and suspicious of the motives of the Aes Sedai, and more aware of the heavy duty that lays on his shoulders ("Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain"). Having read the other books in the series, and knowing how his personality changes, it was interesting to read the first seeds of this personality change occur. While he did harbor these suspicions in the 1st book, they really don't start to take root until this book. It is something that doesn't ever go away, it only grows with time throughout the series to the point where it actually hinders Rand and what he has to do (which is save the world!).

You also learn more about Padin Fain, and I won't spoil it, but he becomes an important character later on so you'll see more of him. Rand also encounters a mysterious woman who goes by the name "Selene" and I'll just say she is also a character of importance and Rand doesn't meet her by accident.

Mat and Perrin, important secondary characters, don't get as much page time as Rand. What I mean is, you don't get "inside" their head as much as Rand in this book. There are also some snippets from the viewpoints of Nynaeve, Egwene, Moiraine, and Padin Fain but most of the book is Rand's perspective. The other characters I mentioned have significance as well, they play big roles in the series.

I think my favorite scene out of this book is the ending scene. A lot of tension and action, a battle scene, and finally Rand realizing his fate and being resigned to his destiny. The Great Hunt is a worthy sequel to the Eye of the World, and it only gets better! =)

Editorial Review:

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. For centuries, gleemen have told of The Great Hunt of the Horn. Now the Horn itself is found: the Horn of Valere long thought only legend, the Horn which will raise the dead heroes of the ages.And it is stolen.

The Wheel of Time (Boxed Set #3)

Robert Jordan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

All 11 Books 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I have read all 11 of the Robert Jordan books [[ASIN:0765344939 The Wheel of Time (Boxed Set #3)books and enjoyed them greatly. My one frustration is the time between books and the need to try and catch up on the various groups of people and the current state of events surrounding them by the time the next book comes out. I fear that Jordan may leave us before the completion of this epic series. I do recommend the series but you must be a patient person.

Good stuff 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

While it's apparent that the series has taken a downturn since the third volume, due to what appears to be an effort to simply drag the story out to sell more novels, it's still very well written and developed. Jordan's characters for the most part are excellent, although sometimes his female characters tend to "run together" in thier tendencies. The only issues I have with the series, are wading through what I consider filler to get back to my favorite characters, and the fact that there's some rather heavy "borrowing" from Tolkien and various historical mythologies.

Editorial Review:

The #1 Internationally Bestselling SeriesThe Wheel of TimeThe Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.This boxed set contains:Book Seven: A Crown of SwordsBook Eight: The Path of DaggersBook Nine: Winter's Heart

A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2)

George R.R. Martin

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Total reviews: 630 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

How does he do it? George R.R. Martin's high fantasy weaves a spell sufficient to seduce even those who vowed never to start a doorstopper fantasy series again (the first book--A Game of Thrones--runs over 700 pages). A Clash of Kings is longer and even more grim, but Martin continues to provide compelling characters in a vividly real world.

The Seven Kingdoms have come apart. Joffrey, Queen Cersei's sadistic son, ascends the Iron Throne following the death of Robert Baratheon, the Usurper, who won it in battle. Queen Cersei's family, the Lannisters, fight to hold it for him. Both the dour Stannis and the charismatic Renly Baratheon, Robert's brothers, also seek the throne. Robb Stark, declared King in the North, battles to avenge his father's execution and retrieve his sister from Joffrey's court. Daenerys, the exiled last heir of the former ruling family, nurtures three dragons and seeks a way home. Meanwhile the Night's Watch, sworn to protect the realm from dangers north of the Wall, dwindle in numbers, even as barbarian forces gather and beings out of legend stalk the Haunted Forest.

Sound complicated? It is, but fine writing makes this a thoroughly satisfying stew of dark magic, complex political intrigue, and horrific bloodshed. --Nona Vero

The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, Book 5)

Robert Jordan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 242 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Very good 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

4.5 stars. This is the 5th book in the Wheel of Time series, and about 1.5 years have passed since the villagers of the Two Rivers left their home with the Aes Sedai Moiraine and her Warder Lan. Since the ending of The Shadow Rising, about 2 months have passed and it is now late summer in the Wheel of Time world.

The Shadow Rising ended with Rand uniting half the Aiel clans and capturing the Forsaken Amosdean for a teacher so he can learn how to control saidin, the male half of the True Source. This book is told mainly from Rand, Egwene, and Nynaeve & Elayne's viewpoints. There are also some sections told from the perspective of the former leader of the Aes Sedai, Siuan Sanche and her comrades, including another former Aes Sedai, Leane, that was her second-in-command, a man that could channel, and Min (another character, while not given as much page time in the series, does play a somewhat significant role). For those who enjoy reading about Perrin, he does not make an appearance in this book.

I thought The Fires of Heaven moved along at a quicker pace than even the previous book. Nynaeve & Elayne encounter dangers from one of the female Forsaken, Moghedien, who is stalking them in the dream-world and the waking world at the same time. While Nynaeve & Elayne struggle to keep hidden from Moghedien and find the rebel Aes Sedai hiding from the White Tower and their new Amrylin, Elaida, Rand is facing just as many dangers and struggles trying to stay one step ahead of all the Forsaken trying to bring him down, in addition to chasing the Aiel clan that refused to follow him.

What I liked about this book was how everything moved along faster, there always seemed to be something interesting or new occurring. Whether it was learning more about the World of Dreams, the new enemy of the Seanchan, the Forsaken, etc.

I also liked how you get more insight and knowledge about the mysterious Forsaken, especially Amosdean and Moghedien. Up until this book (and a portion of the last book), there wasn't much information given about the Forsaken. All that was given was the Forsaken were the 13 most powerful Aes Sedai of the Age of Legends that turned their backs on the Light and swore new oaths to the Dark One. But in this book, you get snippets of the Forsaken and what they are planning.

There was one big annoyance I had with this book, and that was with one particular character, Egwene. Her character personality wasn't so annoying in the previous books, but it seems that in this book she has gone beyond annoying for me to the point I wished I could put my hands through the pages and literally strangle her for her hypocritical and arrogant ways. Not to spoil, but knowing what is in store for this character, I can see why Jordan had decided to tweak her personality and have her change in this fashion as it becomes apparent later in the series when she becomes something more.

It got very annoying to see Egwene sniff and glare at Rand for what she considered arrogant ways, or to give Nynaeve a thorough scolding for not listening to her about the dangers of the Dream World. Especially when Egwene herself was just as arrogant in her belief she was right and Rand wrong, and the fact she didn't take her own advice to Nynaeve about the dangers of the Dream World (when she was ordered by others, her teachers the Aiel Wise Ones, not to enter the Dream World without a teacher, as she was still learning about the Dream World). I couldn't help but notice those contradictions, and it drove me up the wall to read this character taking the high road while expecting others to listen to her like she was the voice of authority and they mere mortals who had no clue. In this regard, Egwene is becoming more and more Aes Sedai.

The arrogance of *all* the women in the Wheel of Time world can get quite annoying too, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Egwene was thinking so much of herself. All the women surrounding Rand think they can guide him best, and only they know what's best for him in order to see him live to the Last Battle with the Dark One. Like I said, gets real irritating at times to read!

In fact, it's interesting, all the main characters have gone through some personality changes that are noticeable. They have all experienced certain events that have shaped them and changed them in ways that *are* noticeable to the reader (if you have read from the very 1st book).

Rand has become even more hard and cold, as it's the only way he knows how to do what he must do without guilt or remorse for what he is, Egwene more arrogant and lofty, Nynaeve has learned to reign in her famous temper and be more reasonable at times, Siuan & Leane having lost the ability to channel have been brought down a peg or two in Aes Sedai arrogance, Moiraine has been less overt in her prodding of Rand and even listens to him now.

Actually, of all of the main characters, I would say Mat has probably changed the least in personality. He is still the gambler and rogue, who doesn't want to take on any responsibility, although he does become more than he was by the end of the book too.

Anyways, if you can overlook the blatant sexism by the women characters, this book and the series is very good epic fantasy reading.

Editorial Review:

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and go. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.