Terez Comments

[Terez]

I think the question we all have right now is this:

 

Does Elayne enjoy a bath in this book?

Not that I recall, but Aviendha did reminisce about them fondly, with a dose of angsting about how soft she had become in the wetlands. Which is, of course, exactly what happens when one soaks in water - up to one's breasts, of course! (not an inch further or lower) - on a daily basis.

[RandAllThor]

How does the book's tone compare with TGS?

 

If you've finished, did you enjoy the ending?

[Terez]

Tone is almost completely different from TGS, plotwise. They are just not all that comparable. Writing style seemed mostly the same to me. There are differences, but I think they are small changes with big impacts. The pre-release haters (as they have so deemed themselves) say that the book is more clearly Brandon's book than TGS. That is true in some ways, but on my first (and frantic) read I felt that the styles were more integrated than they were in TGS. There are some parts of the book that I know RJ wrote - unless TJ is completely bluffing us - but I could still see Brandon's style in it. It doesn't seem jarring to me in so many places as it did in TGS. Perhaps it is just because I have gotten used to his style, and I've accepted it. He's telling the story now, and he's doing a great job.

 

As for the ending...I will only say this about it: When you wish for so long that you could read something, and then suddenly - albeit with ample warning - you do, it is like a lightning strike and rain on parched ground at the same time. You saw it coming, but you cannot get enough.

 

That, and I cried. A lot.

[aunt_pol]

Oooh goose bumps...

[RandAllThor]

Wow. A tear came to my eye while reading Rand's epiphany in TGS, but something tells me that, if it does happen again with ToM, it might not necessarily be a tear of joy.

 

Do you still plan on writing a review at some point? I'd be curious to get your take on the book as a whole.

[Terez]

I'm working on one right now. Hopefully it's as anti-spoilerific as my comments have been so far. And that really is all I'll say about the ending, in particular. I might drop a hint or two more at the epilogue, but I think I'm actually going to copy/paste the above into my (very unofficial) review. The rest will be more general stuff.

[Crael123]

Tone is almost completely different from TGS, plotwise. They are just not all that comparable. Writing style seemed mostly the same to me. There are differences, but I think they are small changes with big impacts. The pre-release haters (as they have so deemed themselves) say that the book is more clearly Brandon's book than TGS. That is true in some ways, but on my first (and frantic) read I felt that the styles were more integrated than they were in TGS. There are some parts of the book that I know RJ wrote - unless TJ is completely bluffing us - but I could still see Brandon's style in it. It doesn't seem jarring to me in so many places as it did in TGS. Perhaps it is just because I have gotten used to his style, and I've accepted it. He's telling the story now, and he's doing a great job.

 

As for the ending...I will only say this about it: When you wish for so long that you could read something, and then suddenly - albeit with ample warning - you do, it is like a lightning strike and rain on parched ground at the same time. You saw it coming, but you cannot get enough.

 

That, and I cried. A lot.

 

 

OHHH crap this is not good. I think Thom dies *looks at Terez for confirmation*

[Crael123]

*laughs* didn't we already find out (in the prologue) that at least one Forsaken dies?

 

CURSES I FORGOT DAMN YOU ARAN'GAR

[Sid]

As for the ending...I will only say this about it: When you wish for so long that you could read something, and then suddenly - albeit with ample warning - you do, it is like a lightning strike and rain on parched ground at the same time. You saw it coming, but you cannot get enough.

Gee, I guess I only thought I couldn't get more excited about this book.

 

That, and I cried. A lot.

OK, this may be a difficult question to answer objectively:

Is this emotional response mostly because of

A) your deep attachment to the series

B) the story's events would be heart wrenching to any reader

C) the story's writing and prose is just that beautifully done in these key sections

D) all of the above

 

Thanks for limiting the spoilers though, Terez, you lucky so and so with an early book...

[Terez]

As for the ending...I will only say this about it: When you wish for so long that you could read something, and then suddenly - albeit with ample warning - you do, it is like a lightning strike and rain on parched ground at the same time. You saw it coming, but you cannot get enough.

Gee, I guess I only thought I couldn't get more excited about this book.

 

That, and I cried. A lot.

OK, this may be a difficult question to answer objectively:

Is this emotional response mostly because of

A) your deep attachment to the series

B) the story's events would be heart wrenching to any reader

C) the story's writing and prose is just that beautifully done in these key sections

D) all of the above

 

Thanks for limiting the spoilers though, Terez, you lucky so and so with an early book...

How about E) the above quote? ^^^^ But D works too.

[Luckers]

This has nothing to do with Asmodean. You'll laugh when you read the book and I tell you. Actually, I'll tell you now - ch. 33. You'll know when it comes.

 

Heh. You can't blame me for trying.

 

Again, nothing to do with Asmodean (and I wasn't trying to imply that). Just something that makes no sense. But the theory in question is a bone between you and me. Not that it was ever really my theory...

 

Oh, I wasn't implying that it was Asmo, just that it sounded disconcerting. Did it come to make more sense as you read on?

 

It's not that the title is significant. Someone on Twitter was bugging me for chapter titles, so I decided to reveal a rather unrevealing one for laffs. There is some irony in your statement, however. You will dig it.

 

Cool. Care to give us another?

 

Oh, come on. Verin can be mildly amusing sometimes, but hardly LMFAO. ;)

 

Interesting.

 

 

Not on that particular page. ;) You will dig it, I promise.

 

Me specifically or the Fandom in general?

[Crael123]

Dont you have a book already Luckers?

[Crael123]

And also Terez do we hear about the "Big Unnoticed Thing" ?? Simple yes or no... por favor :biggrin:

[Terez]

Again, nothing to do with Asmodean (and I wasn't trying to imply that). Just something that makes no sense. But the theory in question is a bone between you and me. Not that it was ever really my theory...

 

Oh, I wasn't implying that it was Asmo, just that it sounded disconcerting. Did it come to make more sense as you read on?

Less, actually. Perhaps I am missing something. I will ask Tam next time he's online.

 

It's not that the title is significant. Someone on Twitter was bugging me for chapter titles, so I decided to reveal a rather unrevealing one for laffs. There is some irony in your statement, however. You will dig it.

 

Cool. Care to give us another?

Sure. Chapter 5 - Writings

 

Not on that particular page. ;) You will dig it, I promise.

 

Me specifically or the Fandom in general?

The Fandom in general to an extent, but these are the kind of details that mean the most to those of us who slaver over them most. In some ways, it is just a matter of the fact that there are sooooo many details we have been speculating about over the last year or so. Over the last several years. These are often simple things, but they garner much discussion. So when you read that page (which is really the first full page of that chapter), it's like several long-standing questions are answered. The answers aren't surprising, but it's nice to know finally. But that's only half of the excitement on that page.

 

I will be discussing the BUT in my review. I definitely am not planning on spoiling it, but at the same time, it needs to be addressed.

[Red Hand Man]

Again, nothing to do with Asmodean (and I wasn't trying to imply that). Just something that makes no sense. But the theory in question is a bone between you and me. Not that it was ever really my theory...

 

Oh, I wasn't implying that it was Asmo, just that it sounded disconcerting. Did it come to make more sense as you read on?

Less, actually. Perhaps I am missing something. I will ask Tam next time he's online.

 

 

The part that Luckers was guessing was about Asmo... sounds more like Sorilea. I gather that Asmo's killer is more of an, 'eh ok... so and so was right'.

[Terez]

Here is my review. I hope you like it. Some questions I will answer, but some I will not. Hopefully you guys can figure out which are which.

[Elend]

Hmmmm, so now we have a list of suspects for the BUT it seems.

 

Interesting. Most interesting.

[Luckers]

Dont you have a book already Luckers?

 

 

Nope. No book for Luckers.

 

The Fandom in general to an extent, but these are the kind of details that mean the most to those of us who slaver over them most. In some ways, it is just a matter of the fact that there are sooooo many details we have been speculating about over the last year or so. Over the last several years. These are often simple things, but they garner much discussion. So when you read that page (which is really the first full page of that chapter), it's like several long-standing questions are answered. The answers aren't surprising, but it's nice to know finally. But that's only half of the excitement on that page.

 

Yeah. That's very probably something I'll geek out about.

 

Hmmmm, so now we have a list of suspects for the BUT it seems.

 

So we do. I'm going to create a new Spoiler BUT Thread.

[ShadowsFell]

Just curious, not sure if you'll answer or not, but is the Black Tower issue addressed, or at least begun?

[Terez]

Yes. But that's all I'll say on it, other than that we have had clues on this previously.

[Lisa Campbell]

OK so I'm not sure whether this should be here or on the old BUT thread but since reading Terez's review and not wanting to spoil even by speculation elsewhere and very jealous of his being so priveleged reading the book early , I've thought of something:

 

The Hunt for the Horn has not been mentioned much since the early book even though it is still a presence throughout the series. Verin was one of the two who knew where the Horn was hidden. I think there is a possiblity that the Horn will be stolen or not be where Suian thought she knew it would be or something like that. After all we don't know if Verin told anyone else (from the BA or even Mesaana) where it was hidden. She could have even lied to Suian about where she had hidden it.

 

This leads me to think further about the giant pack of Darkhounds that were not hunting Perrin. The "Wild Hunt" and The "Great Hunt" are too much like the "Dark One" and the "Great Lord" or the "Chosen" and the "Forsaken" to me. What if the DH's are hunting for the Horn and that is the info in Verin's letter to Mat?

[OptimusPrime]

Yes. But that's all I'll say on it, other than that we have had clues on this previously.

 

Mazridiiiiiiiiiin.

 

I looked on Theoryland at your thread on the BUT, where you realized that the cutoff point between the "coinfirmation of being on the wrong track" was said at the wrong time or something... when u said its been mentioned before post 138? And Mazrim Taims escape was mentioned not long before that. Not that he was Moridin though.

 

Muchahaha

 

Dont worry I know you cant say anything but I continually keep either finding clues for it or digging an even bigger hole for myself lmao

[Axon]

Great review Terez. I typically despise reading reviews without knowing the content of the story, but your points were well-reasoned. If I had a nickel for every fan who writhes with disappointment after his or her crackpot theory - and typically they are so deeply involved with said theory they actually become emotional over the loss of it - I'd be a rich man. Just because Rand wasn't the Dark One's horcrux or that Mat didn't kill Asmodean with a bottle of saline solution does not mean the book sucks.

 

Yes, I can't stand that attitude. ;-)

 

It seems obvious to me that the Shadow will be making moves in this novel and Rand will drop some Forsaken in a "you don't belong in my weight class" manner as he has throughout the series. It also seems obvious that Rand's epiphany in Veins of Gold will be critical to his finally consolidating the strength of the Light in an effective fashion. There likely will be a price for this, however.

[Sentinel78]

Terez, would you be OK with providing the following spoiler-ish info?

 

(1) Will we have a better idea of who Demandred is and what he's been doing by the end of ToM?

(2) How far does the timeline progress beyond Veins of Gold in ToM? Weeks? Months?

 

Thanks!

[waffle]

"we get to see Perrin through completely different eyes in this book". This makes me hope we get lots of POV-s about Perrin from people other than Perrin. I love those things. Seeing what other people think about the wonderboys/supergirls always cracks me up. Or makes me angry. Either way makes for great reading. Are my hopes justified?

 

 

On second thought, that´s probably not what you meant -.-

 

but still