Wheel of Time Review

Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is similar to the world Tolkien brought in Lord of the Rings but with a lot more detail and much longer.  If you enjoy fantasy style writing, you will love this series.  The story takes place in a time before vehicles or technology, but in a different world where some of the population have abilities and powers that can be developed.  This power of course is used for good with some, but bad for others.  The book refers to many ages where history repeats itself (as the wheel turns) but nothing is really predetermined in the present.  It's the classic good versus evil brought in an interesting and different light. 

The character development and story is very intriguing.  The author has a good sense on how to write from the perspectives of both male and female.  The story is complex and there are a great number of details that tie the story together.  Many different storylines diverge and merge throughout the story with the different main characters giving you many points of view to the main picture.  Luckily there is a glossary at the end of the book which is sometimes useful to remind you of a more minor character you hadn't heard of in a while.  Unfortunately because of the high level of detail, the author will reintroduce characters and story at the beginning of each book, making the first part of the story somewhat slow to read, especially if reading them back to back.  Yet the second half of the book makes up for it with the intriguing twists and excitement of storyline. 

Unfortunately the author passed away in Sept 2007 before completing his series.  Last I heard the last of his series will still be published (using his determinations on how the story should end) with the help of his family to complete the final, 12th book.  Obviously since it isn't completed yet I haven't finished the whole series but even if it never does the ride was well worth the hours of time I dedicated towards the series.  A great find!