The Wheel of Time: Release of AMOL

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.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have just finished reading The Wheel of Time’s final book: A Memory of Light. And though there are no endings, and never will be endings, to the Wheel of Time, I must admit that I cried upon reaching the last few sentences of Robert Jordan’s masterpiece. January 20th, 2013. 10:40 pm, I read the final word.

I won’t say too much, for fear of spoilers, but I will say that I have never been so pleased and so NOT disappointed by something I had waited for for so long. The conclusion wasn’t incredibly shocking, it wasn’t totally unexpected, it wasn’t too out-of-the-box, but it definitely was not dull. And it left plenty of room for imagination while at the same time brought together numerous story threads that had previously been left hanging.

Now, I know so far it may seem like I’m talking of this book in a rather even-keel manner, but the truth is I have fallen head over heels in love with it, as with the entire Wheel of Time series. Thank you Brandon Sanderson for stepping in and finishing it. I love your works as well.

For those of you who don’t know, The Wheel of Time is a 14-book (and prequel) epic fantasy series written by James Oliver Rigney Jr. under the pen name Robert Jordan. After Jordan’s death, acclaimed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, working off of Jordan’s notes and with the help of his wife Harriet, finished the story.

But that’s enough of the details.

The Wheel of Time takes place in Robert Jordan’s invented world (affectionately known as ‘Randland’) and follows the story of three boys from Emond’s Field, though mainly Rand al’Thor, an innocent sheepherder who discovers that he is the Dragon Reborn, destined to save the world and have his blood spilled on the rocks of Shayul Ghul. His friends are Perrin, a brawny blacksmith with a hammer and a soon-to-be-discovered connection to wolves; and Mat, oh Mat, our ever beloved trouble-making gambler, who seems to always have the Dark One’s own luck on his side and who almost has more adventures than his other two friends put together.

And speaking of the Dark One, he’s that embodiment of evil that Rand has to deal with.

Anyway, the cast of characters goes way beyond the three boys from Emond’s Field. The books are, in fact, known for their numerous characters and storylines, for better or worse. An Aes Sedai named Moiraine who can wield saidar, the female side of the One Power; and her Warder, Lan, are the two who first find the boys, informing Rand that he can wield saidin, the male side of the One Power. Egwene, who lives in Emond’s Field with Rand but soon travels beyond her wildest imagination to sit in seats she never dreamed of. Nynaeve, another woman from Emond’s Field. And then there’s Elayne, heir to Andor’s throne; Min, who views men’s futures in a way no one can; and Aviendha, Aiel spear warrier from the Waste. Thom Merrilin, a Gleemaker with long white mustaches and a wonderful cloak. Gareth and Suian. Gawn and Galad Damodred. Loial. And many more men and women of different races and places who play significant roles in the story. 

But the characters captivated me mainly because of their development over the series. I grew fond of them and found myself feeling nostalgic about the good ol’ days before the magic and battles began. I even began to tolerate–tolerate, mind you–some of the Forsaken. To truly explain the feeling though, is impossible. You must read for yourself.

The other thing I loved about Jordan’s books was his world-building and magic-crafting skills. Randland is vast and full of peoples, beliefs, and ideas which reflect real life, making them so much easier to grasp and more interesting to relate to. And the world is full of wielders of the One Power, known as Aes Sedai. Based on the idea of a dualistic universe, the magic is split into male and female sides. The male side, however, was tainted long ago, and so now all men who can “channel” are sought out and stripped of their power. An interesting magic system is in place, where the ageless Aes Sedai train in the White Tower, practicing specific weaves and studying histories and politics.

Unfortunately, the world begins to break as Tarmon Gai’don–the Last Battle–draws near. Go Rand!

The only warning I would give about The Wheel of Time is that it is LONG. And toward the middle (books 7 and 8ish), it sort of drags, as Jordan has so many characters and plot lines he is trying to keep up with. In one book, Rand’s point of view is seen for only one chapter. However, eventually the plot picks up again, and by the time Brandon Sanderson begins writing, there is no room for boredom. The last books are amazing. A Memory of Light is amazing. If you have been waiting for it, I promise you will not be disappointed.

I still remember Sanderson’s tweet when he finished it:

@BrandSanderson Brandon Sanderson

Ladies and gentlemen, A Memory of Light--the final book in The Wheel of Time--has been finished.

9 hours ago via web Unfavorite Retweet Reply

12-21-11

You know how earlier I said I wouldn't say too much? I lied. I can't help it. 

In reading the Wheel of Time, I have grown up with the characters, gaining friends who have stayed with me through thick and thin. I have spent days in that world, falling in love with it and forgetting that my own even existed. I will always and forever be a part of that world, just as its characters and customs are a part of me. Thank you, Rand. Thank you Mat and Perrin. Thank you all for sharing with me your adventures. And thank you Mr. Robert Jordan. My life would never be the same without you.

 May the Creator shelter you in the palm of His hand. May you find water and shade.

Notable Quotes:

As far as quotes go, this review has been long enough, and quite frankly, I would never be able to narrow down my favorites to five or six.  

The Sun Also Rises

Hemmingway’s The Sun Also Rises is one of those books you dread having to read for school but then end up really liking. Such was the case with me. It is also one of those books which contain so many themes and symbols that you feel like the author must reside on a higher plane of existence than the average man. And it is one of those classic books, which speaks volumes about life and society at a certain time in history.

In the case of The Sun Also Rises, published in 1926, that time was directly after the First World War. Although the novel in its entirety is fiction, it is considered a roman á clef, in which the people and events are based on reality. The story is written in first-person, and follows a man named Jake Barnes, along with his group of British and American expatriates, who travel from Paris to Spain drinking, quarreling, and attending bullfights.

There is, of course, a love story as well, between Jake Barnes and the beautiful, free-spirited Lady Brett. Unfortunately however, Jake had suffered a wound in the war which rendered him impotent. Thus, although Brett loves Jake she cannot bring herself to be with him. Throughout the book, her affairs with Robert Cohn and the young and dashing matador Romero upset Jake.

Hemmingway’s novel has more to it though, than a simple love story. His book reflects the aimlessness and disillusionment of what Gertrude Stein called “The Lost Generation,” those individuals who were dramatically affected by World War I. The protagonist Jake, although similar to his expatriate friends in many ways, differs from them in that he seems aware of this aimlessness.

So, if you are reading this book, be sure to understand the historical context as well. It’ll make it more fun, trust me.

Now, did I enjoy this book? Like I said, yes, very much. Hemmingway’s writing style consists of lots of dialogue and simple declarative sentences which are easy to read but which pack a punch. Sometimes though, his paragraphs describing bullfighting stretch to as long as an entire page or more. I despise skimming, but I’ll admit, at times it was necessary. The book isn’t too long though, and, unlike the case with some of Hemmingway’s books, I really fell in love with the characters. Poor Jake. L I just wanted to hug him by the end.

So if you haven’t read this book already, I highly recommend it. Don’t think that because it’s one of those books teachers make you read in school that it’s not entertaining. It is. The characters were colorful, the dialogue was realistic, and the action and description made me want to visit Europe so badly! And Hemmingway isn’t as hard to read as you might think, I promise. I started reading it thinking that I would just drag myself through it and be over it, but lo and behold, I might say that this book astonished me.

SO READ IT.

Notable Quotes:

~ "Nobody ever lives their life all the way up except bull-fighters."

~ This was Brett that I had felt like crying about. Then I thought of her walking up the street and stepping into the car, as I had last seen her, and of course in a little while I felt like hell again. It is awfully easy to be hard-boiled about everything in the daytime, but at night is another thing.

~ "I'm damned bad for a religious atmosphere," Brett said. "I've the wrong type of face."

~ “You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.”

~ “Oh, Jake,” Brett said, “we could have had such a damned good time together.”

Ahead was a mounted policeman in khaki directing traffic. He raised his baton. The car slowed suddenly pressing Brett against me.
“Yes,” I said. “Isn’t it pretty to think so?”

The Prisoner of Zenda

The Prisoner of Zenda – the second book in Anthony Hope’s Ruritania Trilogy – is a magnificent swashbuckling romance published in 1894. Fast paced and action packed, the book balances the perfect amount of swashbuckling with the perfect amount of romance. Dialogue keeps the story moving for the most part, and even when description is necessary, it is interesting to read because of the humorous voice of the narrator, also the protagonist, Rudolf Rassendyll.

Rudolf, an chivalrous English gentlemen from London, leaves on vacation only to find himself swept away into numerous adventures and political schemes in the land of Ruritania. As it turns out, Rudolf bears an almost identical identity as that of the soon-to-be-crowned king, Rudolf Elphberg. When Elphberg’s rival, Black Michael, Duke of Strelsau, tries to take the throne himself by drugging and imprisoning Elphberg on the eve of his coronation, Rudolf is convinced by a few newly-found friends to assume the King’s identity for the sake of political stability. As “King,” Rudolf and his friends – wise old Sapt and trusty, gallant young Fritz – embark on a mission to rescue the true king and defeat Black Michael and his traitorous cohorts.

Humor follows, with the sarcastic Rudolf narrating his own story and including much witty repartee along the way. Love follows too however, as does tragedy. Rudolf falls hopelessly in love with Princess Flavia and she with him, all the time thinking he is the king. ‘Til at the end, they find themselves wishing duty did not exist and love was the only thing. 

Although visiting Ruritania in reality is unlikely – it’s quite impossible to find it on a map – The Prisoner of Zenda takes it’s readers deep inside the political intrigue of fairytale-esque Ruritania. Furthermore, it combines romance and tete-a-tete swordplay, love and honor, tragedy and humor, in a way few books can. It is one I would definitely recommend reading, or at the VERY LEAST watching one of its numerous film adaptions.

Notable Quotes:
~ "Hang it!" said he, "we can't always be plotting. Love claims his share."

~ "Before God, you're the finest Elphberg of them all. But I have eaten of the King's bread, and I am the King's servant. Come, we will go to Zenda!"

~ For my part, if a man must needs be a knave, I would have him a debonair knave, and I liked Rupert Hentzau better than his long-faced, close-eyed companions. It makes your sin no worse, as I conceive, to do it a la mode and stylishly.

~ "Surely," I exclaimed, "while you're above ground, hell wants its master!"

~ "The king would never forgive it," I stammered.
"Are we women? Who cares for his forgiveness?"