Well, well, well... if it isn’t the prodigal daughter returning!
Okay, maybe not that dramatic but I have been a bit MIA lately. Not because I was off gambling away my inheritance, no! I was rejoicing in the beauty of the season. How I love Christmas! I do! I’ve been soaking it all in: the lights, the warmth, the food. I even wrote and illustrated a little piece called The Birth of Jesus and got so wrapped up in it that I’m still coming down from that creative high.
Anyway, I’m not here to brag about how the outside world hypnotized me with its colors and cookies (though I have been baking like crazy, right now I have a sandwich loaf in the oven as I type this). I’m here to talk about a man: Robert Jordan. Me and him, we already have a bit of a connection (latest exhibit). I can almost hear him saying, “Goddamn it, woman, leave me alone!” But I can’t. I’ve been reading The Shadow Rising, and I have thoughts.
First off: Jordan takes things seriously in this one. It reminded me of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, that shift where everything suddenly feels weightier, darker, more real. That said, some sections dragged a bit. Dense, even boring at times. The pacing could’ve been tighter, and a few explanations more concise. But then, when you push past that… wow. The payoff is so worth it. Once I got back into it, I devoured the pages.
And then... that ending. That cliffhanger! It’s borderline cruel. I sat there, just staring at the page, internally screaming.
I do wish he gave more depth to certain characters, especially since he spends so much time fleshing out the others. But the narrative? You’ll get absolutely soaked (pun intended). Despite some slow sections, my Bobby Boy delivers again.
Have you read it yet? What did you think? Or are you deep into something else right now? I’d love to swap thoughts or even recommendations. I’m jumping straight into the next book in the series, and also reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with my husband (yes, book club style, I’m very excited!).
See you later, alligator 🐊
✉️ PS: I hope you had the best possible start of the year and that you're having a beautiful time and this finds you well!
✉️ PPS: Not totally sure how tagging works yet, but @Undisciplined , I hope this finds you! Is this your library, or mine from the future?
Yes, this is one of the most pivotal books. So many character defining things happen in this one and the ending is totally nuts. You're right that it's kind of dragging along for a bit and then BAM!
I won't say specifically, but there are mysteries from this book that I'm still waiting to learn the resolution to.
The description of the Aiel Wastes and their society made it one of my favorite places we visit. Very reminiscent of Dune. And I also got some Harry Potter vibes from the storyline in the White Tower.
I loved and hated the description of the Aiel Waste! Not gonna lie. It was one of those parts that could have been tighter. But I loved we get to finally know this ethereal and mysterious land. I can't wait to read how all of this unfolds! Thank goodness the series are finished otherwise I'd be all anxious waiting for the next one hahaha
They spent more time there than I would have liked. The part I loved was getting a peek inside the septs and learning how most of the Aiel live.
I'm about to start the final book, as soon as I hit "reply". The penultimate book really moves fast.
Yep, definitely. I could feel the anxiety and the sweat dripping through the pages as they were going through the Waste.
wow
PS wasn’t that book written by another author based on Jordan’s notes? 🤔
and wow again
Actually I realized there are two more, but yeah these final three were coauthored.
I didn’t notice much difference in tone, although the pace may have picked up a bit.
Yep I kind of remembered it was 2 or 3 books but not the exact amount. I’m glad to know the other author continued the books in almost seamless way
I love the energy you give off in your book review! Haha
Thank you good sir hehe