Categories
Observations

Wheel of Time: the end approaches

OK, I’ll admit it: I’m a huge fan of Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series. It is a long, long story set in a different world. In fact, it’s so long that the original author was unable to finish it before his death in 2007, even though it stretched out to 11 novels.

So how could the series be finished? The original author left behind extensive notes and his widow chose Brandon Sanderson to complete the series. I have just finished the two joint novels, and they are excellent. Now only one novel remains to finish Jordan’s original tale.

It’s hard to summarize what this is all about, but I’ll try: A country boy named Rand turns out to be the Dragon Reborn — a prophesied leader who literally can save the world. Rand has two friends, Mat and Perrin, who also have key roles to play in this world’s future. Along the way, Jordan invented so many appealing characters and subplots, I just had to keep reading.

But I’m looking forward to the 14th and final volume, A Memory of Light. The authors have made me care about the characters and I’d like to see them all live happily ever after. Knowing fantasy literature, I doubt they will.