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Originally Posted by Pedestrian
It's definitely a different spin on common themes in all major works of fantasy that I've read. I see that action can be far between chapters, but I think Jordan's caught between providing necessary characters and information for the future, and writing that information into the plot.
I can see how it would be difficult to introduce so much information in a subtle and relevant way so as to first set up future plots without them coming about abruptly and second contain it logically within the book's story arc. When I think of some of the slower moments in the first and second books, I can see how they are necessary to plot lines in the third and forth books, and I imagine their importance only growing.
The first complaint I might have would be about how each book's climax occurs so abruptly that I feel confused by the events. Often I have to read entire sections of the last chapter repeatedly in order to understand how the new events have unfolded, and many conclusions reached seem to occur without a thorough set up. I would presume this is done to maintain elements of surprise and action, but it makes me feel as though I've missed half the chapter.
The other issue is that there seem to be only two types of characters: 1) Aggressive women and 2) Reluctant heroes. Their development in each role is very slow, but I imagine it's due to the length of the series. That said, I don't dislike any of the characters, and I'm willing to forgive both of these flaws while I'm so early in the series.
As for the dream sequences, they become a vital part of the plot, which I suppose could go either way for you, boring you more, or making them more interesting. I'm fond of all of the characters, though not adoring of them. I feel like many of them are expendable, but this is probably because they're very similar. As the series progresses and the characters become more dynamic, I could imagine becoming more personally attached to each of them.
It's been a long time since I've been able to pick up a book and shut out the whole world for two days while I pound through it, and finish feeling empty that the story is over.
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One of the issues that I've had with the series is that of Shai'tan the Dark One, the symbol of everything evil and the equal of Suaron. He was introduced so early and also defeated by Rand at the end of book 1, meaning that we had seen so early on the most important evil power. Constantly since then, characters have been built up as being terrible and evil but how can they compare to the great symbol of evil, he was introduced just too early and also through the dream sequences made to be just too personal. What I'm getting at, is that he holds no real mystery and somebody like him should.
Robert Jordan's slant on aggressive women either as Aes Sedai or as non Aes Sesai is interesting, had I not seen the name Robert Jordan, I easily could have supposed that the series was written by a woman. The reluctant hero angle, seems to be a way to prolong the books as the reluctant characters express their concerns over what they have to do, for the sake of the books I wish they weren't so reluctant.
I'm sure the dream sequences are a pivotal part of the plot but what really concerns me is that we've already seen Shai'tan defeated (even though it was like an early bout) and by book 2 the hunt is underway for the Horn seen as essential for defeating the Dark One. Despite my picking on aspects of the saga, what really interests me is just where the whole thing is going as there are so many books and they are not thin books either. You have the advantage of being a few books ahead of me and also are probably reading them faster than me.