Lord of Chaos
The Wheel of Time series, book six
by Robert Jordan
Copyright: 1994
Publisher: TOR Books
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 963
Format: Audiobook
Length: 41 hrs and 37 mins
Source: Own both
Read for my Books-in-a-series Completion Challenge, and buddy read with Suey and Chersti … thanks guys for reading these books with me!!
I have a Wheel of Time reading buddy which happened rather accidentally as I stumbled across her blog last summer. Finally, with Lord of Chaos, we made our read along “official” as we chatted about this story throughout the read. It proved to be very motivating, and interesting.
As with each series, each subsequent book in a series becomes a bit more difficult to talk about without giving away spoilers for not only said book, but also for the preceding ones. To help give a twist to my “review”, I will give you a brief summation of my thoughts, and then I will share a conversation of random thoughts between Suey and I. My random thoughts will be here with Suey’s responses.
It was great fun jabbering with Suey and Chersti about Lord of Chaos. It was great fun digging into what we liked, disliked about this book. Reading this book and doing a buddy review with Suey was a treat so be sure to visit Suey’s blog, It’s All About Books, for her random thoughts and my responses. Her post, Wheel of Time Buddy Reivew: Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, brings up some interesting thoughts.
If you have read these books, are in the midst of reading them, or even if you have not read one of these books but something gained your attention then please let us know what you think. We do love to chat.
First Sentence:
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend.
My Thoughts: When all is said and done; I can proclaim, “I liked this book very much!” and for that proclamation, I am glad. Lord of Chaos is certainly that; full of chaos, and that chaos is being Lorded over by several with the ultimate chaos dished out by by one of my favorite characters. After the initial chaos of the story itself - trying to figure out and remember who is who and what is going on - I was thankful to find myself settle into an organized chaos of devious minds, strategic minds, players moving into positions, and then plenty of action, mishap, and courage. Yet, while I sit here writing my thoughts, I cannot help but think that I have come back to the chaos of the “what is going on” mode as I try to figure out the ending, and epilogue. Yes, the ending has left my mind in a chaos of pondering, questions, and intrigue. This is all good, because ultimately I am left with the sense of anticipation. I want to know where Jordan is taking us; what will happen to the characters and the world. Where are we headed? I do believe a twist and turn has been taken that may prove to be the undoing of at least one specific character. I fear things may start to unravel for the whole gang.
Random Thoughts:
Deanna - As I already said, I liked this book very much. I am glad for that much more than you probably realize because for the first 10 chapters, I was seriously wondering if I would like this book. Can a book move more slowly, and chaotic? Probably so, but my gosh, I struggled with those chapters. I kept turning the pages thanks to peer pressure of a buddy read, but also because I was told by another blogger that a big turning point of the series occurs at the end. That alone left me curious enough to plow through the sludge. Once I arrived, and read chapter 24; the book picked up significant speed - I was finally hooked in. But folks, seriously, while I really liked this book, I could do without at least half of it. I did not feel the story really started to move, and utterly draw me in until page 500!! Even though the mass market paperback is 987 pages of story, it is utterly ridiculous that it took to page 500 to become hooked in. I think that much of what was written could have been left out without sacrificing the story; characters and world. I cannot help but wonder; Why in the world is this series so gosh darn long? A big sigh from me.
Even though this book had pacing issues for me, I do indeed love this series. Why, I ask myself? The answer; while Jordan is far too descriptive and long-winded at times, he has done an excellent job in creating the world, and characters. They are embedded into my mind, and I love the way the story feels to me. Don’t ask me to describe how it feels, because truly, I cannot. It has its own distinct flavor, grit, and smoothness; its own feeling.
Suey- I completely agree! I was going to say the very same thing, that not until page 500 was I turning the pages faster and feeling more involved in the story. That really is crazy. And you know, we must be committed to not give up during this first 500. But I do feel like we have to stick with it to find out what happens to everyone. I don’t know why this first 500 pages was necessary. There were so many new characters, and I couldn't keep straight who was Aiel and who was Aes Sedai, and who was... someone else! And to make me crazier, I wondered if any of those characters would be important down the road, or if they were just filler, know what I mean? And why even try to remember them if they didn’t come to figure further in the story. I’m with in the fact that I don’t get why it has to be so long... there is a lot of description that’s for sure. Most of it I enjoy just fine too. But I was thinking a lot... when will something happen? Well, finally it did, and in a big way. Wow.
Deanna - As Suey knows, and you too if you have read my past thoughts on this series; the women frustrate me to no end. I do not recall reading a book or series where the women have grated on my nerves. However, I must say, I really was not frustrated with the women at all in this story. Whoa! Mind blowing that is to me. Well, I was annoyed a few times, and thought that Min was a bit forward, more so than I would have had imagined. Still, frustrated? Nope. I hope this is a good sign, and that the series will continue to allow these women to grow, and not bicker over ridiculous stuff. Do I like all the women? Hell no. There are some seriously messed up women within these pages. The biggest messed up group of women would be the Aes Sedai themselves. Yep. I do believe that I am not a fan of their order as a whole. Way back with The Eye of the World and The Great Hunt, I was bemoaning how I disliked Moiraine, and her attitude of superiority, etc. While telling my frustrations with Moiraine to the same blogger that I mentioned above, he told me that something to the effect that Moiraine is one of the good Aes Sedai. At that time, I gathered that I would appreciate her way of doing things far more than I was. Well, he is right. She is one of the good ones, and I do appreciate her far more than I ever thought I would. I miss her presence, influence, and advice (even the little that she did give). I have to tell you, without Moiraine, I do believe that the Aes Sedai are wicked woman. Not wicked in the since of the forsaken, but in their superiority feeling. They steamroll over people without care. It is their way or no way. They think they are to be bowed down to, and if you oppose then you shall be squashed. Yeah, I am not liking the Aes Sedai at the moment. Now, there are a few gems within the group, but overall, their society is infected with pride and a sense of superiority.
Suey- My guess is, this feeling of disgust and annoyance at the Aes Sedai is how we are supposed to be feeling at this point. I guess it remains to be seen if/when that changes at all. I was confused during much of this book as to whether or not I was supposed to be rooting for one faction or the other. When the book started, I thought that those that ran off from the White Tower and Elaida were the “good” ones.... and I know that Elaida is a “bad” one... but.... now I’m feeling like the split off group is also not to be trusted. I feel like Rand... “NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! Never trust them again!” Way to go Rand, and I really hope he doesn’t get turned from that thought anytime soon.
Speaking of Min... I was so happy, so very happy, with their reunion scene! I loved it! I would have been so disappointed if they would have just stood there. But then, as you said, Min was a bit strange after that. What is she trying to prove anyway? Just confuse Rand like mad I guess? Enough with the teasing kisses, I want a REAL kiss! :)
Deanna - One last final random thought. This thought is not meant to debate Christianity, but to simply point out what popped out at me from my perspective and knowledge in life. I could not help but feel, towards the end of this book, that Aes Sedai actions felt a bit like the Pharisees of the Bible who condemned Jesus. The Pharisees are separatists, as are the Aes Sedai. The Pharisees were full of self-righteousness with many rules and not much compassion, as are the Aes Sedai. The Pharisees are also ” known as chasidim which means loyal to God” **. The Aes Sedai are loyal to the Light which in my mind is God (or a god of sorts). The Pharisees hated and were fearful of Jesus; the Messiah that was prophesied in the Old Testament. The Aes Sedai hate and are fearful of the Dragon Reborn; the prophesied savior of the world. The Pharisees condemned Jesus and brought about his death. The Aes Sedai condemn The Dragon Reborn, and would like to bring about his death and gentling at the very least. The big one; The Pharisees did the middle-man work of evil without “working for” evil. The Aes Sedai tried, or will be doing the middle-man work for the Forsaken without being Forsaken (at least not all of them are tied to the Dark One) Throughout this whole series, I have made religious connections; whether they are correct or not in the mind of Jordan is not the point. The point is that for me, I have seen religion embedded and sprinkled throughout this whole story. However, until this book, I have not seen a connection as strongly as I have seen with the Aes Sedai. I may be the only who sees this connection, and how the Aes Sedai come off.
Suey- Interesting observations! Yeah, I felt the religious undertones, but I didn’t actually stop to think long enough to make this strong connection, but it totally makes sense. I think that nearly all epic fantasy has a strong religious feeling whether the author intended it or not. It would be interesting to see if Brandon Sanderson has enough knowledge about what Robert Jordan’s intentions were to be able to confirm this. But, like you said, that doesn’t really matter, because if you see it, you see it!
Bottom Line: This book was worth the read; many things occur that changes the dynamics of the characters, and ultimately the world (I think). I really liked this story, but not my favorite in the series. I am glad to know that the next book is not as long as this one. Whew!
Side Notes: Remember to check out more of our thoughts over at Suey’s blog It’s All About Books with her post, Wheel of Time Buddy Review: Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan.
~~Suey and I could have gone back and forth with our thoughts. We resisted in order to keep our posts from running on in length.
~~The prologue was incredibly long, but important. Thanks Suey for pointing out the importance otherwise I would have skipped it as I usually do with this series. (ducking the tomatoes).
~~The First sentence was quoted from the first chapter instead of the Prologue, and yet again, it is the same first sentence as with the previous books. This time, while re-reading that sentence along with the paragraph, I can really see how it foreshadows the ending of this book. With other books, I did not see a direct foreshadowing for that said story as I did with this one. I find that rather cool. Any others see the foreshadowing of the ending within first paragraph - chapter one?
~~The audiobook: I have complained in the past that I did not care for the voice inflections, and character portrayals done by the narrators. I must say, I now cannot think of reading any WoT books without also hearing the audio. Maybe it was this particular book, but the issues that I had with the narrators were not so evident this time around. This is a good thing. The audiobooks have become such apart of my WoT experience that I could not do without them.
Well, I guess I could do without if I must.
** Daily Bible Study: Who were the Pharisees?
