Towers of Midnight

Towers of Midnight - Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson

Relief.

That would be my strongest reaction to reading this novel, 'The Gathering Storm' provided some answers and much-needed rejuvenation after Jordan had spent several thousands pages trying to get himself out of a metaphorical corner.

But 'Towers of Midnight' really laid on resolution, offering answers and sometimes dragging characters towards the Last Battle. I appreciated the time spent with Perrin, one of my favorite early characters, who finally got out of a holding pattern that had been almost as frustrating as Rand's. In reading a couple other reviews, it's good to know that I'm not the only one who dislikes Elayne. Sanderson continues, but I feel, doesn't add more than necessary to the strange attitudes Jordan had towards women. I laughed when I saw the word 'bosom' in print again - but no 'expanse' of it, and no spanking either (spoiler alert).

'The Gathering Storm' as an entity was stronger than this one, but on consideration 'Towers of Midnight' is the central chunk of what was somehow or other going to be one book - never would have happened Robert - and then the faster pace and the sometimes disjointed nature of the book can be forgiven. From pieces that obviously had to be shifted into this volume, I can tell that 'A Memory of Light' will be stylistically stronger and more cohesive.

Sanderson deserves credit for doing so well with this project, but what has made these last two books so fulfilling is the revelations that Jordan has hinted and built off of in some instances for over a decade. There were tons of moments where I was glad to be reading in an empty house so I could vocalize my enjoyment like the crazy person that I am.

But don't worry folks, there's still plenty of new questions and surprises that have cropped up. By the end of 'Towers' I was already making a mental checklist of chapters to review and puzzles to ponder.

It's hard to believe that in a little over a year this long strange trip that has followed so many of from middle school will be finished.


P.S. Oh, and for the record, this is the worst (or best?) blue ball cover I have ever encountered.

 

Wheel of Time

 

Next: 'A Memory of Light'

 

Previous: 'The Gathering Storm'