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Title: The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, Teresa Patterson ISBN: 0-312-86219-9 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 13 November, 1998 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.08 (146 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: WHY NOW?
Comment: I'm a BIG WoT fan--I own all the books--which is why I couldn't resist the urge to buy this book. The main reason why I got it is because I've always been fascinated about the lands of the Seanchan and Shara. Although the book doesn't tell you much about those lands, there are MAPS of the WHOLE WORLD. There are Age of Legends maps and present-day maps. As for the artwork, it is not that good. The only picture that does a good job of resembling a character is the one of Lanfear. Now keep in mind that everyone's idea of "beautiful" will differ. Also keep in mind that Lanfear has different shades of beauty. The reason why I like that picture is because it makes Lanfear look attractive--at least--BUT AT THE SAME TIME you can see her potential for evil. It's that dark look in her eyes. As for the book itself, you'd expect more from Robert Jordan. I've heard somewhere that his pile of NOTES is TWICE as large as the whole series. If that's the case, I wonder what he's leaving out. I like the 7 book covers enclosed in the middle--but you can't take them out without damaging a very expensive book. These book cover pictures don't have the lettering, just the picture, and they take up two pages apiece. I just wish that they would have been made into tear-out posters. Finally, I don't understand why Robert Jordan published this book when the series wasn't even done yet. Tolkien was smart enough not to do that. In short, when the series IS done, you can bet that Robert Jordan will have to crank out ANOTHER textbook with ALL the covers and everything else. All in all, I'd say that ONLY HARDCORE WoT fans should get this book, if not for the artwork then for the narrative. Or, better yet, wait for the FINAL (?) textbook-like Wheel of Time book to come out.
Rating: 4
Summary: A must-have for anyone who has an affinity for WoT
Comment: First off, a word to the wise: if you haven't finished all seven books of the series yet I highly recommend that you don't read this book. Otherwise you will most certainly find some stuff out that you weren't quite ready to know. Which makes me think, why would Robert Jordan put the time and effort into putting this compilation together when he hasn't even finished the series yet? I guess that means that when the series is finally tied up that there will be some other encyclopedic guide for readers of WoT to invest in. In any case though, I have learned better than to hold my breath. As far as the quality of this particular piece, the book is a terrific reference for anyone who is into the series in the slightest and it really puts everything into perspective. Yet, on the other hand, I was really rather disappointed by much of the artwork included in such a written treasure. It just doesn't measure up to the reputation of the fantasy series itself.
Rating: 3
Summary: An Ok History Book
Comment: This is a nice, big illustrated coffee-table book that gives background on Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series.
It's not that bad. However, since the series is ongoing, it doesn't focus on characters or plot details, so it aint much help in clearing up questions about the series. The most revealing thing you'll get is the occasional picture of a main character. Instead, the book heavily focuses on providing a history of the fantasy world depicted in the series. In this regard, the book breaks new ground by covering the events before and after the Breaking of the World, pictures of the Seanchan creatures, and hints of what other lands (Sea Folk islands, Shara, Isle of the Madmen) are like. There is also a rather nice section on the Forsaken and Shadow creatures.
The major flaw of the book is that the history can get pretty boring at times. There's a lot of unnecessary repetition and political history. The book doesn't just focus on the political background of kingdoms such as Andor and Illian, but on the long-forgotten kingdoms that preceded them as well. This attempt to make the land more complex just falls flat. Mantheron, once hailed as a mythic empire, is shown just to be one of dozens of tiny blobs on a map. Even more annoying, while the maps show dozens of lost kingdoms, Malkier is missing in action. Malkier was supposed to have been claimed by the Blight. Yet every map in the book dating back to the Breaking of the World shows the Blight as unchanged. Unless it was a tiny dot the size of Mayene you would think a kingdom that was supposed to intrude up into the Blight would show up.
All in all, despite its flaws, the book is ok. If you're a die-hard Wheel of Time then go for it. But if you're just a casual fan, or are looking for answers to plot details about the series, then don't bother with it. At most, you can pick it up and glance at the pretty pictures while killing time in a bookstore or library.
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Title: New Spring (A Wheel of Time Prequel Novel) by Robert Jordan ISBN: 0765306298 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 06 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Crossroads of Twilight (Wheel of Time, Book 10) by Robert Jordan ISBN: 0812571339 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 25 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Winter's Heart (The Wheel of Time, Book 9) by Robert Jordan ISBN: 081257558X Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 07 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, Book 5) by Robert Jordan ISBN: 0812550307 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 15 October, 1994 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Path of Daggers (The Wheel of Time, Book 8) by Robert Jordan ISBN: 0812550293 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 15 December, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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