A Wheel Of Time Read Along discussion

We shall discuss chapters 15 through 28 here.

Chapters 15 through 28 takes us from The Stag and the Lion to the city of Whitebridge. Some of my favourite things happen in this span, including (perhaps especially) Shadar Logoth!

Jason wrote: "Chapters 15 through 28 takes us from The Stag and the Lion to the city of Whitebridge. Some of my favourite things happen in this span, including (perhaps especially) Shadar Logoth!"

I'm still in the middle of Chapter 25, but I agree, I *love* what happens in Shadar Logoth. Mordeth reminds me of a (much) creepier version of Varys. Also love the fact that each main character's unique powers are starting to come into play in this section. Perrin and Elyas's sections in particular, are really cool to read about.

I enjoyed the Perrin and Elyas section too. Every time I’ve read those parts I can’t help but to picture Willem Dafoe as Elyas.

Jason wrote: "I enjoyed the Perrin and Elyas section too. Every time I’ve read those parts I can’t help but to picture Willem Dafoe as Elyas."

Hahaha that's so spot on! I picture Elyas looking exactly like that too.

Perrin’s development is one of my favourite story lines from this book. His and Mat’s with his dagger. Too bad you didn’t like the Shadar Logoth part better, but I totally get what you’re saying, Yinka.

Lol I know what you mean, Yinka. I enjoy seeing people walking stupidly into traps (hence why I love horror movies), which was why I loved the Shadar Logoth part. Rand and the Emond's Fielders are pretty naive themselves, I guess that scene goes to show just how really naive they are 😂

Just finished through Chapter 21. Oh things are getting real. It is the part of the horror movie where everyone gets separated. Does not bode well in a horror movie, but hopefully our adventuring team will be alright.

Ch9-
-Moriaine really came in her own in this part for me. Her speech about the history of the two rivers was awesome as was her unleashing her power
-Great to see more of Matt and Perrin too. Matt speaking the old tongue is cool and i like how Perrin is showing some leadership. I always find it funny when characters have different perceptions of each other and i laughed when Perrin thought Rand is great around girls!
-What do people think about Rand-Egwene as a couple?

Ignore my reference to chapter 9, a typo!

Sunil wrote: "Ch9-
-Moriaine really came in her own in this part for me. Her speech about the history of the two rivers was awesome as was her unleashing her power
-Great to see more of Matt and Perrin too. Matt..."

That last question- it's funny, because I don't even consider Rand and Egwene as a couple. If anything, even Egwene/Perrin is more likely to me than Egwene/Rand. I do think Robert Jordan is pushing some romance storylines a little bit, but they feel a bit out of place with the story sometimes. There's a lot more cooler things going on, like the worldbuilding, lore, and politics.

Rand and Egwene were planning on marrying back in Emond’s Field, I believe. In my mind, that flowed naturally. I do see how you’d think that of Egwene and Perrin though, Carla, especially considering their journey together after Shadar Logoth with Elyas and the Tinkers.

Also, there does seem to be some feelings between Lan and Nynaeve which feels kinda forced to me because there’s no foundation for those feelings. It’s really subtle at this point though.

A lot of comments on potential romantic sub-plots. Many people have problems with RJ's romances in the books, but I have to give him some slack as RJ is from a different generation where relationships were a bit different and the 'ideal' was more of a boy meets girl, gazes lock and twu luv was the result.

I really don't see the Egwene/Perrin thing though. Yes, they share a story arc after the separation, but Egwene & Rand are near betrothed before this started, and I don't see much of that kind of chemistry between them.

I'd like to know what people think of Rand's uncharacteristic boldness/daring with the Whitecloaks in Baerlon? I know he was feeling under the weather at the time, but still.

I remember being upset at Nyneave for showing up and trying to spoil the party at the inn when first reading as well.

Regarding Rand's odd behaviour, (view spoiler)[ it makes a bit of sense if you recall when Moiriane is explaining side effects to Nynaeve (hide spoiler)]

Carla wrote: "Jason wrote: "I enjoyed the Perrin and Elyas section too. Every time I’ve read those parts I can’t help but to picture Willem Dafoe as Elyas."

Hahaha that's so spot on! I picture Elyas looking exa..."

I picture him like Beorn from the second Hobbit movie. After that image popped into my head, I kept trying to rid myself of it, but seemed to reinforce it instead. Oh well.

Yinka wrote: "So far, I’ve had a really hard time putting this book down. I really enjoyed chapters 15-28. I really like the characters introduced in this section. Min was fascinating, and I hope that she will r..."

I was thinking the same thing - why in the world would Rand, Mat, and Perrin just go wandering off, especially when they know how dangerous their quest is! It was a great section to read, don't get me wrong, but like, these guys need to be smarter haha.

One quote really stuck out to me in ch. 16 , I couldn't help but think that this is a big theme and forshadowing of the entire series. Nynaeve says to Moiraine:
"Whether the bear beats the wolf, or the wolf beats the bear, the rabbit always loses."

Robert Jordan showed his writing mastery in this section in my opinion, in a very subtle but enriching way. When Rand, Thom, and Mat were traveling on the ship on the Arinelle river, the crew of the ship, Captain Domon in particular, had a unique dialect that Robert Jordan wrote! You could tell that they were from a different region/culture through the unique style that Robert Jordan used in their dialogue.

I really loved that dialect too. Are you listening to the audio version at all, Joe? Michael Kramer brought it out really well, I thought.

I haven't yet looked at the comments in this post as I am only on chapter 19. On the roooad againnn. I find anything that has to do with the dark one ( like the dreams) to be interesting or any little hits that aren't exactly said by the characters.

I really like those parts with the dark one too. The dreams get weirder in future books.

On Chapter 30 now and starting to really enjoy it. Not hooked yet, but now I can see that it is just a matter of time. I like where this is going.

Finally made it up to chapter 23. I am listening to the audiobook and I was a bit started when it switched from the male voice actor to the female. But apparently, if it doesn't have any male pov characters in that chapter the female voice actor will do the parts. Unless she is just randomly in there for one chapter :'D.

Kate Reading does the female POV chapters and Michael Kramer does the male POV chapter.

FYI they are actually married to each other.

Stubble wrote: "Kate Reading does the female POV chapters and Michael Kramer does the male POV chapter.

FYI they are actually married to each other."

Cool! Thank you for that info. I'm re-reading and I'm getting ready to start chapter 15. Good to know that Kate isn't just in there randomly here and there haha.

I've made it to chapter 27. I realize I was listening at a slower speed than usual so I've increased it by a little. I actually like that Jordan split up the party it makes it more interesting. hopefully Thom isn't really dead.

I like to listen at 1.25x speed

yeah I think I was listening at that speed but I usually listen at like 1.5 or faster. It's just more comfortable for me. so I sped this one up to 1.5

Yay! I finished week 2. Good old classic Fantasy. I am hoping that things escalate in the next section. however, since the series and books are so long, I'm not sure how much escalating can happen in the first book.

I don’t think I could have gotten through the series without audiobooks. I listen at normal speed if I am just listening but set it to 1.25 if I read and listen at the same time. The voices get too distorted for me if I set it any higher.

Sandra wrote: "I don’t think I could have gotten through the series without audiobooks. I listen at normal speed if I am just listening but set it to 1.25 if I read and listen at the same time. The voices get too..."

yes with some narrators I can't listen at a faster speed. Like you said the voices get distorted. The first time I tried to listen to this book the names sounded the same when I played it at my normal speed. Sometimes I gradually increase the speed as I make my way through an audiobook. After I'm familiar with the narrator and characters etc.

1.25 is my sweet spot, but I can go up to 1.5, depending on the narrator. No further than that, though. I’ve heard about some people who listen at 2.0. Personally, I don’t know how they are able to do that. I can barely understand them at that speed.

I listen at 2x speed.. lol I am on the last book now and have really enjoyed the series a lot. I guess it's just because I read at about the same pace as 2x but like, my husband doesn't understand it at all.

I can sort of understand at that speed but paying full attention is whole other story. 😂

Sometimes I do have to skip back to hear something again, but only if someone comes and talks to me. I recently started working again (only been 8 years) and have an awesome job that allows me to listen to audiobooks all day pretty much. :P

I used to have a job like that. I now have one where I’m not allowed. I miss being able to do that.

Yes, when I was teaching I could listen or watch something while I was doing my planning or grading. Good old days. Week two snuck up on me. I'm almost done with week 3.

Yinka wrote: "So far, I’ve had a really hard time putting this book down. I really enjoyed chapters 15-28. I really like the characters introduced in this section. Min was fascinating, and I hope that she will r..."

Believe me, I had the exact same thought process when Mat, Rand, and Perrin entered the treasure room! I found this part quite frustrating because if I was in their shoes, I would be EXTREMELY cautious and careful of anyone and everything! But alas, I am not living in their world and am not part of their story. The character that I'm most worried about is Mat. Out of the three young men, Mat seems the most susceptible to be tempted or swayed to the dark side because he mentions his desire for treasure multiple times throughout these chapters. I'm hoping that Mat proves me wrong though!

Sunil wrote: "Ch9-
-Moriaine really came in her own in this part for me. Her speech about the history of the two rivers was awesome as was her unleashing her power
-Great to see more of Matt and Perrin too. Matt..."

I also loved hearing Perrin's perspective! Such an interesting part of the story. His ability to speak with wolves really intrigues me and I can't wait to learn more!

Erik wrote: "A lot of comments on potential romantic sub-plots. Many people have problems with RJ's romances in the books, but I have to give him some slack as RJ is from a different generation where relationsh..."

I was so shocked and nervous when Rand was provoking the Whiteclocks! My guess is that his odd behaviour has something to do with the dark one.... I predict that this will be an ongoing theme throughout the book until Rand is able to stop the dreams.

Whitney wrote: "I've made it to chapter 27. I realize I was listening at a slower speed than usual so I've increased it by a little. I actually like that Jordan split up the party it makes it more interesting. hop..."

I also find it more interesting that the party was split up! It's great to hear the story told by the other characters who each have unique perspectives! I definitely want them to find one another at some point though.

For some reason, I'm suspicious of Thom and don't believe that he's dead.