The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan, Reviewed

Cover via Amazon

The Gathering Storm is a mighty tome of a book (I calculate it at around 325,000 words, which is big, even by normal fantasy standards) and took me a while to read. One of the times I wished a book had been available for Kindle, as the weight would have been easier on my aching arms.

I must preface this review by confessing that I have not read all the previous 11 books in The Wheel of Time series; in fact, I’ve read only a couple. So, some of the terms, names and affiliations were confusing to begin with, but I soon knew where I was and where the story was going, so to speak. It is a work on an epic scale and was, of course, actually written by Brandon Sanderson, working from copious notes and incomplete work from the original author.

The story is an intricate weave of many threads, which form a whole that is completely satisfying. The language is clear, evocative and appropriate throughout, with no slips into anachronism. Characters, although fully drawn in previous volumes, appear as real on these pages as though they have been created for this book. The settings are fully described, allowing the reader an experience that involves rather than on that simply tells of detail.

The element of magic is restricted, making the tale reliant as much on the humanity of the characters as on their ability to weave spells and use their special gifts and properties. This is, for me, essential in epic fantasy. The overuse of magic reduces the empathy a reader may otherwise feel for the characters and this aspect has been avoided here.

I will not make any attempt to convey the storyline here. There are over 750 pages of text and very few wasted words. Any attempt to précis the plot must inevitably do the work an injustice. As usual, my review is concerned with the quality of the writing and the depth of the story told.

Just occasionally I wondered at the number of names I came across: on one page, I noted twenty new names of characters and/or places.

But this is a very satisfying tale. Clearly, readers will benefit from their greater background knowledge of characters and events if they have read the whole series, but the lack of such experience results in only a small amount of confusion, which is quickly resolved as events unfold in the context of the story.

Anyone who has read and enjoyed Richard Adam’s Maia or The Lord of the Rings, amongst others, will enjoy this book. I happily recommend it and look forward to the final two volumes, still under construction as I write this.

Writing: 1300 Words Again; is This a Habit?

Image by stuartaken via FlickrThis morning, about to embark on the next section of Ch24, I realised somewhat belatedly (I'm not too bright, you know) that I'd killed off a character who, although not a 'point of view' character, nevertheless provided a necessary sounding board for just such another character. So, I had to develop a new person to speak with my pov character. That took a little time, but the profile was completed before breakfast.
Since then, I have been otherwise engaged. The garden gate needed its second coat of paint, I needed a rest, lunch was an option I was reluctant to deny, The front and back gardens both needed lengthy drinks to prevent desertification (and I lack a sprinkler, so have to stand holding the hose and sprinkle manually; such fun). As Valerie was finishing off the fence painting, including the garden shed, I thought it was time I made the bird table I've been intending to construct for months, so she could give it a coat of the paint when she'd finished (I'm so generous to my wife). So, another simple job completed and the visiting birds now have a safe zone where they can eat without too much danger of being eaten by the neighbours' cats. Nevertheless, I did manage another 1300 words, including some interaction between my new character and the pov character, much of it hopefully quite illuminating for the readers.
My daughter has been delivered to her second party in as many nights (she's 18 and all her friends are reaching that landmark age, so her life consists of either parties or studying for exams).
We suddenly discovered, after lunch, that we were short of bread. If we were to eat tomorrow, replenishment of the staff of life was needed. So, Valerie and I walked into town and bought a loaf. The day is saved; we shall eat!
But, I think that, once I've completed the photocopying Valerie needs doing, I shall relax with the current reading matter (Robert Jordan's The Gathering Storm) on my lap and a glass of red wine in my hand.

Writing: What, Only 250 Words?

Been a long hard day at the boring office where I earn my daily bread. Wanted to write and post the review below this post and then had to deal with 90 odd emails, so not much time for the fantasy novel tonight, and tomorrow I'll be out at the writing group.
Still, 250 words is better than none, and I always try to get something new down on paper each day; if nothing else, it keeps the creative juices flowing.
Currently reading a very thick tome: Robert Jordan's 'The Gathering Storm'. It's a bit heavy to take on the bus, but I'll manage it, no doubt. I haven't read the whole series, but this is one part of the final book, and was recommended by a reading group on Goodreads. As a writer of fantasy, it's good to keep an eye on what is currently being read. Not that my own book is really like Jordan's; although I note there are some similar themes. I'm looking forward to the end of the week, when I can have a really long session of writing again.

Today's picture was taken over the weekend, just down the road from where I live.