Book 11 definitely picks up the pace a bit again, after books 9 and 10. See book 1 for longer review. ( )

Almost there. Book 11, the last of the Jordan books. By now I believe Jordan knew he was sick.

In the reread before The Gathering Storm, and after 20 years, new perspective on the series has come to light. One that Jordan was dying as the final books were generated.

We also learn that as the series gets popular, Jordan can afford to hire assistants to work for him and try to keep track of all the elements. But that must have been a waste of money.

Still errors exist in the grammar. Then the errors of characters who have met previously running across one another, the fans did a much better job for free then the paid staff. The Hubris of Jordan, and the horrible description of battles in what is a series that is to culminate in a battle. By a man who went to the Citadel. Perhaps that claim is false. The teach military history at the Citadel, tough perhaps Jordan flunked all the medieval history elements which is where fantasy battles reside.

But why stick with a series for so many books. I have told how the author breaks the rule of Show don't Tell, by telling and telling and telling even more. We have POV errors though maybe not as bad as others. (Listen to the Audio Books where they try to keep each chapter by the sex of the first POV character. That becomes confusing, especially trying to hear when each of the readers tries to sound like Rand or another character from a different POV.)

The answer is that 1800 named characters make a rich story. The Travelogue and history fest of this prophecy coming to fruition, even where it does not make sense in so many places, is full and enrapts you in its depth.

Knife of Dreams does have too much Tell again. The chapters of each of the Protagonists (more than one, another rule broken) get started and pick up speed, and then switch across the world to the next... A few Arcs are tied up, but too many are left hanging.

The time frame again is too much is happening all at once, when before months were given to developing the growth of the characters. These are all still young people who are making decisions way beyond their years and experience.

But better then several of the last, and the end may be in end sight... If left to Jordan, he was probably told to finish it at 12. With his death, stretching the 12th book into 3 books, so 14 books may be a sop to his memory. Just being content that it is nearly finished, and nearly complete means getting through this book, finally there is a light at the end of the tunnel. ( )

Each installment of the Wheel of Time series is like getting acquainted with old friends. Jordan had a lot of loose threads that he was weaving in his personal tapestry. It is frightening to consider what a new author may do with his story. Hopefully there will be a satisfactory resolution for Rand, Perrin, Mat and the ladies. ( )

Calling it a return to form is being a bit charitable, but the book is a rise in quality from the previous ones and sets up things for the much awaited finale. ( )

I've been waiting for this book for a long time. Robert Jordan started his series a long time ago, and it started well. But somewhere around the fourth book it started to lag, nothing happened anymore, and none of the characters were likable. I hung right up to this book, hoping that some of the old wonder and excitement could be found again, and also because I feel compelled to finish any series I start.

And I wasn't disappointed. A lot of the lag was still in this book, but there were moments that were very, very good. Some of the more annoying characters did some wonderful things. I wouldn't say this was the best book in this series, but it is certainly much better than the previous, oh, six books.

I am very sad that Robert Jordan passed away before he could finish the series. Good luck to whomever is saddled with the task of wrapping the whole thing up. ( )