SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Okay, here's the deal.

-We're trying to read about 1 book per month.
-Please list the book and chapter before your spoiler tags.

-While it's fine to say things like "I thought book X got a little slower" without tags, things like "the Y plotline really didn't progress in X book" *IS* considered a spoiler. Similarly "I love Z character" is okay but "I can't believe Z went through all that in book X, I didn't like them as much after" IS a spoiler.

Please be respectful of everyone who hasn't yet read the series and is trying to enjoy the magic of a great world for the first time.

-Assume it's a spoiler if you're unsure. I'm not kidding. I know this series is older, but many folks have managed to keep their impressions unformed on this series and as kind buddy readers, we're going to encourage people to find revelations at their own pace.

Okay. Enough being mean mod! Really excited about this series and reading it with y'all!

I like how in book 10 Hermione saves Rand from the hospital of Ewoks.

Wait. Was that a spoiler? Should I have used tags?

Now Allison is going to yell at me..

So that was supposed to say horde of Ewoks, but I think I like the idea of a hospital of Ewoks better..

I will say, I liked the series even more the second time I read it. I'm not sure if it was because I did it in audio, or because I knew what characters would become if they were annoying me early on.

I bumped the ratings on a few of the books. Book 10 however would have been helped by those Ewoks in my opinion.

Rob wrote: "I like how in book 10 Hermione saves Rand from the hospital of Ewoks.

Wait. Was that a spoiler? Should I have used tags?

Now Allison is going to yell at me.."

FIFTY DKP MINUS!!

(also LOL at hospital of ewoks! I don't know what a group of ewoks was called, but I know what it's called now)

Rob wrote: "I will say, I liked the series even more the second time I read it. I'm not sure if it was because I did it in audio, or because I knew what characters would become if they were annoying me early o..."

Plus 10 DKP. Great examples of non-trolly, non-spoiler comments =P I do wish a hospital of ewoks would come and wreck up your living room, though, a little.

Hmm. What can I buy for -40 dkp?

Rob wrote: "Hmm. What can I buy for -40 dkp?"

My critique of the audio narrator? *ducks*

I have no self control so I've finished Eye of the World and started on The Great Hunt. I'm liking it so far.

HeyT wrote: "I have no self control so I've finished Eye of the World and started on The Great Hunt. I'm liking it so far."

Haha, I am with you on that!

Just finished EotW and will most likely be starting The Great Hunt tomorrow.

Okay so I'm up through chapter 21 on Great Hunt and all I can say is (view spoiler)[Could there be any more neon flashing lights and posters and searchlights saying Selene is that foresaken ex lover of the kinslayer??? I mean there's the talk about her in the beginning, then there's Egwene's dream, and she makes all these half finished sentences like she's talking about Rand in the past. Idk it's just kind of hand holdy and I'm not really a fan. (hide spoiler)] I'm sure I'll feel super embarrassed about this post if I'm wrong but like I feel confident of my assessment at this point.

I have a curious question.

I'm at chapter 33, though this isn't really a spoiler and you can probably answer it once you've finished a chapter or two because it deals more with how you visualize the world in your mind but here goes:

(view spoiler)[Do you guys visualize the WoT world similar to LOTR's Middle Earth or something entirely different? (hide spoiler)]

I always like those kind of questions :)

My Two Cents> (view spoiler)[ For me, since The Hobbit was one of my first loves in fantasy, I always find similarities between the current book I’m reading and Middle Earth (especially if a grand adventure to save the world is involved). I don’t know if it’s because Middle Earth is the pinnacle for fantasy worlds or just a personal affection I have with it. Mikdemia from the Riftwar Saga is another one that definitely screamed Middle Earth to me.

The world in Wheel of Time really does it for me because like Middle Earth you have the peaceful lands where you meet the main characters (Two Rivers/Shire), then the middle part where they travel to big cities, then lastly you have the dark places that you don’t want to be caught in (The Blight/Mordor). The journey aspect is another similarity that adds to the Middle Earth feel. The difference I find with the two is that in LoTR you gradually got pieces of the world through four books but in this first book they have pretty much covered all the main ones for the most part. There is definitely more to see over the next 13 books but I think they made a lot of stops along the way.

But with all that said, Jordan purposely gave it that LoTR feel throughout, so it is only natural to constantly visualize Middle Earth and making parallels.

I guess I’ll stop rambling and say Yes, I have definitely been visualizing Middle Earth when reading :) (hide spoiler)]

Personally I never felt that way, but I can see Mason's point on it

I think reading New Spring shouldn't be an option. Its a must read. If I didn't know Moiraine's story I would judge her differently.

I like New Spring a lot, but I think it should be read very late in the series.

Publish order has it between:

(10) Crossroads of Twilight and (11) Knife of Dreams

I definitely wouldn't read it as a prequel. I think of it more like a very long flashback sequence.

Rob wrote: "I like New Spring a lot, but I think it should be read very late in the series.

Publish order has it between:

(10) Crossroads of Twilight and (11) Knife of Dreams

I d..."

I recently finished the 5th book and I think I would want to know the reason behind (view spoiler)[her cahnge of attitude. To what extent she fought for this boy before he could talk or walk (hide spoiler)]

To me all the books blend together, so I'm reluctant to talk specific plot details. I have a guess at what you're talking about from book 5, but I may be wrong.

New Spring probably could be read earlier in the series than publish order, but a quick google search seems to be a consensus of reading it in publish order.

I think if you're reading the books consecutively (or close enough to each other at least) it won't be a huge deal to wait 10 books to read it. If you're doing it spread out, that maybe a different story.

I will say this about Moraine: (vague series spoiler?. No specific plot points mentioned.)(view spoiler)[her story is one of the most mysterious that goes unresolved for a long time, but does eventually get explained to my satisfaction. (hide spoiler)]

Rob wrote: "To me all the books blend together, so I'm reluctant to talk specific plot details. I have a guess at what you're talking about from book 5, but I may be wrong.

New Spring probably could be read e..."

Well its my first-read I won't know until I finish :)

Rob wrote: "I like New Spring a lot, but I think it should be read very late in the series.

Publish order has it between:

(10) Crossroads of Twilight and (11) Knife of Dreams

I d..."

unfortunately in the bundled The Complete Wheel of Time it is the first book, so I've already read it and it does make a difference in reading the books

CBRetriever wrote: "Rob wrote: "I like New Spring a lot, but I think it should be read very late in the series.

Publish order has it between:

(10) Crossroads of Twilight and (11) [book:Knife of Dreams..."

First book spoiler:

It does right? I already knew (view spoiler)[our farm boys didn't suddenly become important :) (hide spoiler)]

Beste wrote: " I already knew"

Though really, (view spoiler)[ any familiarity with epic fantasy gives away that Moiraine is there for a reason, but she's seeking them out just like the Fade - especially once you realize the coins she gives the boys when they meet are actually tokens. (hide spoiler)] I am looking forward to reading Moiraine's backstory, but I like the idea of reading it in publication order. :)

To answer Jeanne's question (view spoiler)[ I'm not really imagining the scenery as Middle Earth, more like it's set in a combination of Ireland (all those country inns!), the Alps, and the Black Forest.... if that makes any sense? (hide spoiler)]

But the names like (view spoiler)[Shayol Ghul... (hide spoiler)]

@ Mason & Francisca

(view spoiler)[ For some weird reason, my visualization of the world in WoT is a combination of what you both wrote. At times, I'm visualizing Middle Earth (I even view those Trollocs as the Orcs from LoTR and some names remind me of elvish pronunciations!)

Then there are times when I'm imagining some of the places as something totally new and different. The world is massive and thrown right at you, like Mason said, and it's quite fascinating, if not a little overwhelming :) (hide spoiler)]

Okay so I'm finished up through Great Hunt chapter 40 and like (view spoiler)[these "hidden" darkfriends are kind of like super flat and not at all a surprise. Like this whole Liandran taking Nynaeve and Egwene and the enslavement thing was so predictable. I mean of course she's done some suspicious things as soon as you see her you know she's up to no good. The Black Ajah is real of course I'm going to talk about it because I am one mwahahaha etc. I just think I would prefer to have some of those characters that do supsicious things not automatically be darkfriends. Where are all the not nice guys that still walk in the light. Also I am so not cool with Dena dying so Tom gets sucked back into the pattern. (hide spoiler)]

Ooop I had to wait at the Dr's office and the haircut place today so I'm done with Great Hunt. (view spoiler)[I am going to be so angry if Rand follows his dick and takes up with Lanfear. I also don't like this harem/quadrangle foreshadowing going on either.
Nynaeve continutes to be my fave and Lan/Nynaeve OTP (hide spoiler)]

I think I'm going to read the May Sword and Laser pick before starting book three so I don't outpace the group even more than I already have.

(not really plot spoilers imho, but I'm responding to what HeyT said in their spoilers, and I don't want Allison to yell at me!)

(view spoiler)[
I struggled with Nynaeve a lot on my first read, but she's one of my favorites by the end of the series, so I liked her a lot more in my second read.

Lan was a favorite both times. We don't get as much backstory on him until much later in the series

Incidentally I had to look up what OTP means (apart from that I'm getting old). I'd never seen One True Pairing before. I thought "shipping" was the thing now. But again..getting old. (hide spoiler)]

I kind of use OTP as my way of saying this is the ship that I will go down with. I may casually ship other pairings but my OTP is the hill I will die on.

HeyT wrote: "Ooop I had to wait at the Dr's office and the haircut place today so I'm done with Great Hunt. "

Damn, you're cruisin'!

I'm slowly catching up. About a third of the way through now.

It is taking everything within me to not open book 3 yet lol

HeyT wrote: "I kind of use OTP as my way of saying this is the ship that I will go down with. I may casually ship other pairings but my OTP is the hill I will die on."

Heh. Thanks for the clarification.

Finished The Great Hunt last night. Saying that I really enjoyed it would be an understatement. It was really hard to put down at times.

Really looking forward to Dragon Reborn but I think I am going to read a couple of things before I start it. That is the plan at least, we will see how that goes...

finished the prequel and the first book. I'd definitely forgotten a lot of the characters and events

I'm well behind at this point as I am still only half way though 'The Eye of the World'.

AndrewP wrote: "I'm well behind at this point as I am still only half way though 'The Eye of the World'."

No worries - the official plan is a book a month, so really you're right on schedule! :) How are you liking it so far?

I'm still waiting for my copy of The Great Hunt, which apparently everyone has decided to read - there are nine people ahead of me in line, which is a lot considering this came out ages ago!

AndrewP wrote: "I'm well behind at this point as I am still only half way though 'The Eye of the World'."

Yea, no worries man. You're on track. There a couple of us that have gone rogue and are reading ahead a bit. Don't feel pressured to push on faster.

Francisca wrote: "I'm still waiting for my copy of The Great Hunt, which apparently everyone has decided to read - there are nine people ahead of me in line, which is a lot considering this came out ages ago!"

That's weird that so many people have decided to read it in your area...

Francisca wrote: "I'm still waiting for my copy of The Great Hunt, which apparently everyone has decided to read - there are nine people ahead of me in line, which is a lot considering this came out ages ago!"

I had this problem too. Had to use my college library's ILL to get a copy. I'm planning to start in a week or so.

I've read till book 7 in the past but couldn't finish it

Recently started from the scratch and finished the second book yesterday. Let me tell you I can't believe how fast I'm reading and can't stop reading it even though its my re-read, finished 1st book in 2 days and 2nd in 3 days while reading another book :P

Kind of spoiler (if you read first book you can look) (view spoiler)[On my first read main crew's not talking about their feelings with each other and keeping everything to themselves really annoyed me at most points. It's not always whats happening to Rand/Mat/Perrin though, all the characters struggle this.

For ex: Egwene and especially Nyneave thinks boys are wool-headed and never trying never care about their opinions and that goes other way too.

But now on my re-read I've stop getting angry, now I'm having fun with how weird and funny it is.

Also I love that Perrin thinks Rand has a way with women but Rand himself thinks Perrin do, lol every time they think about it I laugh out loud :) (hide spoiler)]

Like @Rob I struggled with Nynaeve a lot on my first read, her POV was the worst for me, now I'm okay with it :)

HeyT wrote: "Ooop I had to wait at the Dr's office and the haircut place today so I'm done with Great Hunt. "

Book 2 ending (view spoiler)[ I agree on your harem point, in second book there were a lot of Rand is mine, Rand is yours talk and it kinda feels weird (do girls really talk like that lol) except Nyneave they all have a thing for Rand and remember Min's foreshadowing about Rand and women... Also Dark One's saying you always had a thing with women lol! Now Lanfear is back and even the women around Rand keeps on growing :) (hide spoiler)]

(edited the open spoiler in reply part, hope no one saw it)

Welcome to the party Sedat!

Sedat wrote: "Let me tell you I can't believe how fast I'm reading and can't stop reading it even though its my re-read, finished 1st book in 2 days and 2nd in 3 days while reading another book :P"

Same here, I have been engulfed by the series thus far. Just finished Dragon Reborn (Book 3) last night. Well, last night into this morning lol I was up until after 1 am reading but I had to finish it!

RE to your First Book spoiler -> (view spoiler)[
The relationships between the characters were a bit annoying in the beginning and still get to me sometimes. The way the girls treat the boys seems almost condescending in a way. The way Egwene treats Rand is a little different because I see that more of flirting. Can also understand the way Nyneave acts because she was the Wisdom and seems to have a temper. But in the defense of the ladies, the boys do say some dumb stuff. Just seems that Jordan really drives home that wool-headed farmboy feel with the boys. Which is fine early to show where they're from but gets old later on. It is funny at times though. (hide spoiler)]

Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Welcome to the party Sedat!

Sedat wrote: "Let me tell you I can't believe how fast I'm reading and can't stop reading it even though its my re-read, finished 1st book in 2 days and 2nd in 3 days w..."

First book (view spoiler)[ Yeah! They do so many stupid and mindless thing and it sometimes drove me mad too lol. I mean why would you not tell Moiraine about the dreams, you can argue that they don't trust her fully because of the aes sedai prejudice but come on man! She saved your village, your father, and you and your 2 best friends! What's it gonna take for you to trust her, never mind trusting at least don't think her as a darkfriend jeez! They don't trust her but they are easily manipulated in their dreams by the Baalzamon!?!

But again like everything its not all their fault, Moiraine kept so much from the boys too. I mean she could talk to them a bit, explain things at the very least she could at least tell them the coins are basically gps devices and if they come apart she could find them with the coins (but with them being wool-headed they might just throw the things lol!)

I know, I know these things make this book good, realistic and makes us excited to wait them to learn but still there are so many secrets and back talk it drove me mad on my first read, and I can barely hold myself on my second read lol. I need to see them as funny/enjoyable features! :) (hide spoiler)]

Dragon Reborn 100% thoughts and feelings -> (view spoiler)[
So far this series has been nothing but great to me. This book had a King Arthur feel to it. I say that because the book was pretty much based around Rand being able to hold this sword (Callandor) or not.

Really loved the progression of Egwene. She is rapidly becoming my favorite character in the series. She is slowly becoming a One Power wielding badass. The dream world was confusing at times but also really cool how all the characters started running into each other.

Perrin also came into his character. He seemed to be having a personal war with himself. I really like the idea of him being able to talk to wolves. I also liked the part towards the end where he met the blacksmith in Tear and helped him with some of his work. It showed that Perrin is still human and wants to be himself. But I think his civil war in himself is far from over.

I really did not like Mat in the first two books. He seemed like a whiny child that really had no place in the group. He fit really well into that "fool of a Took" role. But now that you see him as a gambler and apparently a master with his weapon, he isn't as bad to me. That part was kind of weird because you don't really see him being a master until this book and Jordan just through in that he was really good and that his father taught him. Kind of weird but I looked past it.

Rand having his madness was kind of a bust to me at times. I feel that his POV was cut short and could've been more involved. He didn't have much face-time until the end when he took the sword. Hopefully, when he wielded the sword, his madness is toned down a little bit. I really liked Rand in the first two books and would like to see more of him. I'm sure we are going to see him in more of a leadership role now that he has announced himself as the Dragon Reborn.

The Black Ajah and the Forsaken would be pretty scary. You really have no idea who is who or what is what. You also have no idea how many of each are out there. Lanfear's character is pretty cool. She is the type of villain that I love. She is confident and doesn't really care about what the good guys are doing. The written letter she wrote at the end to the group was really cool. She pretty much said, "I'm doing my thing and there is nothing any of you can do." Baddass. . . (hide spoiler)]

Overall, it was just as good as the first two and I am looking forward to keep reading and seeing where the story takes the posse.

I am going to take a break from WoT to read the new book in the Murderbot series -> Artificial Condition. Also going to reread the first one since it is short and I have forgotten what happened since. Also debating on starting another series to read in between WoT. Might start Harry Potter since I haven't finished that one and it is really starting to burn a hole in the nerd part of my heart. Hopefully, this will keep me from reading ahead to much.

How is everyone else doing on Wheel of Time? Going strong, or slowing down?

Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Dragon Reborn 100% thoughts and feelings ->
So far this series has been nothing but great to me. This book had a King Arthur feel to it. I say that because the book was pretty much based around Ra..."

I'm at a steady 3% per day hahahaha

So, I think I should finish Great Hunt by...July? lol

Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Dragon Reborn 100% thoughts and feelings ->
So far this series has been nothing but great to me. This book had a King Arthur feel to it. I say that because the book was pretty much based around Ra..."

Mat was favorite with Rand lol, but I can see what you are saying, in first 2 books we don't even get his POV... But later in the series I'm hoping you'ld want to see that the new chapter is Mat's POV like I did :)

On my re-read I too like Egwene's chapters a bit more.

@Allison I was gonna say at this speed Mason's gonna finish the whole series till you finish the second :P But he is taking a break, lucky!

Allison wrote: "Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Dragon Reborn 100% thoughts and feelings ->
So far this series has been nothing but great to me. This book had a King Arthur feel to it. I say that because the book was p..."

LOL. Keep trucking along! Is the series getting any better for you?

Sedat wrote: "Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Dragon Reborn 100% thoughts and feelings ->
So far this series has been nothing but great to me. This book had a King Arthur feel to it. I say that because the book was p..."

XD haha! You're probably right. Mason is in it to win it, and I'm basically rolling up to practice half an hour late with a bag of McDonalds in the seat next to me. I'll get there. I'll get there!

Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Allison wrote: "Mason (Goodnight) wrote: "Dragon Reborn 100% thoughts and feelings ->
So far this series has been nothing but great to me. This book had a King Arthur feel to it. I say that becaus..."

heehee! Yes, I think that I just did not jive with the audiobook. I'm not good at having people read to me in general, and this one didn't sound right to me. When I read it, I like everyone a lot more.

The Great Hunt ch. 23

(view spoiler)[LOL. Love how this chapter is a mixture of the chamber in the Alanna books and Dickens's The Christmas Carol.

I really like Nynaeve, particularly how anger is her gateway to magic. But I'm still struggling to understand her character and motivations. Why is it she blames Moraine so intensely? And what does it mean that revenge seems to be her greatest motivation? (hide spoiler)]

Travis wrote: "The Great Hunt ch. 23"

RE -> (view spoiler)[ I don't understand it either... At first I though it was because Moiraine took Egwene and the boys from Two Rivers and how she "persuaded Egwene in wanting to become Aes Sedai. But thinking about it more, there really isn't any one reason or scene that really shows Nynaeve's hate. It does seem as the story goes on that Nynaeve is wanting revenge for something. She keeps saying things like "just wait until I know more" or "our time will come". Kind of weird if you ask me. (hide spoiler)]

Reply to you both

(view spoiler)[ Well Nynaeve is the most prideful character and doesn't like the fact that she is in wrong sometimes. She knows that Moiraine is faultless but still..

Also it's more than that yeah, its about Lan. She loves Lan and sees Moiraine as the person who stands between their love, because of all the warder thing. Lan is connected to Moiraine both emotionally and kinda physically and Nynaeve is kinda jealous of the fact. Also because he is Moiraine's warder he can't leave her and be with Nynaeve... That's more than enough for a reason :) By the way I know I've read the latter books but still I don't think I gave spoilers as it is kinda clear in the first and second book. (hide spoiler)]

Sedat wrote: "Reply to you both"

RE -> (view spoiler)[ While I do agree with your point on Lan, I think Nynaeve's issue with Moiraine started long before she fell for Lan. That just added to her hate. There is something hidden with her past and Aes Sedai or something. (hide spoiler)]

On a side note:
I tried to read something else but the whole time I was reading it, all I could think about was Wheel of Time. I dropped it and am going to start Shadow Rising. It is longer than the others (400 or so pages) which I wasn't expecting lol

Re Great Hunt (view spoiler)[I've only read through the first two completely but I have to agree that it started out as anger at taking the group from the Two Rivers and then worked up into epic proportions over her feelings about Lan (hide spoiler)]