Who Would Like This Book:
Fans of expansive, richly detailed epic fantasy will find a lot to devour here. Robert Jordan continues to build an intricate world filled with a huge cast of characters and deep lore. "Winter's Heart" is best known for one of the series' most significant magical events and a truly memorable finale, making it especially rewarding for long-term readers. If you love complex politics, interwoven plotlines, and are invested in the fates of Rand, Mat, Elayne, and company, this book is for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re not already deep into the Wheel of Time or don’t enjoy sprawling stories with dozens of subplots, this book might test your patience. Some readers found the pacing too slow, with large chunks feeling like filler and a tendency to over-describe settings and minor characters. Frustrating characters, repetitive internal monologues, and cliffhangers may also irk those craving faster plot progression or tighter storytelling.
About:
Winter's Heart, the ninth book in 'The Wheel of Time' series, continues the epic saga with a focus on multiple plotlines involving key characters such as Perrin, Elayne, Mat, Egwene, and Rand. The narrative unfolds with various story arcs intertwining, including Perrin's quest to find Faile, Elayne's political ambitions in Andor, Mat's escape from the Seanchan, Egwene's march towards war with Tar Valon, and Rand's preparations to cleanse Saidin. The book is praised for its real-time storytelling style, intricate world-building, and the convergence of major plot points, particularly centered around Rand and Mat. Despite some slower pacing, readers find themselves engrossed in the characters and eagerly anticipating the next developments in the series.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of abduction, loss, and psychological distress, reflecting the darker elements present in the narrative.
Has Romance?
The book contains a high level of romance, featuring romantic entanglements and emotional bonds between characters.
From The Publisher:
The Wheel of Time ® is a PBS Great American Read Selection! Now in development for TV!
Since its debut in 1990, The Wheel of Time® by Robert Jordan has captivated millions of readers around the globe with its scope, originality, and compelling characters.
The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
Rand is on the run with Min, and in Cairhein, Cadsuane is trying to figure out where he is headed. Rand's destination is, in fact, one she has never considered.
Mazrim Taim, leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. But what is he up to?
Faile, with the Aiel Maidens, Bain and Chiad, and her companions, Queen Alliandre and Morgase, is prisoner of Savanna's sept.
Perrin is desperately searching for Faile. With Elyas Machera, Berelain, the Prophet and a very mixed "army" of disparate forces, he is moving through country rife with bandits and roving Seanchan. The Forsaken are ever more present, and united, and the man called Slayer stalks Tel'aran'rhiod and the wolfdream.
In Ebou Dar, the Seanchan princess known as Daughter of the Nine Moons arrives-and Mat, who had been recuperating in the Tarasin Palace, is introduced to her. Will the marriage that has been foretold come about?
TV series update: "Sony will produce along with Red Eagle Entertainment and Radar Pictures. Rafe Judkins is attached to write and executive produce. Judkins previously worked on shows such as ABC's "Agents of SHIELD," the Netflix series "Hemlock Grove," and the NBC series "Chuck." Red Eagle partners Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon will executive produce along with Radar's Ted Field and Mike Weber. Darren Lemke will also executive produce, with Jordan's widow Harriet McDougal serving as consulting producer." -Variety
The Wheel of Time®
New Spring: The Novel
#1 The Eye of the World
#2 The Great Hunt
#3 The Dragon Reborn
#4 The Shadow Rising
#5 The Fires of Heaven
#6 Lord of Chaos
#7 A Crown of Swords
#8 The Path of Daggers
#9 Winter's Heart
#10 Crossroads of Twilight
#11 Knife of Dreams
By Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
#12 The Gathering Storm
#13 Towers of Midnight
#14 A Memory of Light
By Robert Jordan
Warrior of the Altaii
By Robert Jordan and Teresa Patterson
The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time
By Robert Jordan, Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, and Maria Simons
The Wheel of Time Companion
By Robert Jordan and Amy Romanczuk
Patterns of the Wheel: Coloring Art Based on Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time
Ratings (102)
Incredible (24) | |
Loved It (32) | |
Liked It (24) | |
It Was OK (15) | |
Did Not Like (4) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (155):
Read It (120) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (24) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (9) |
5 comment(s)
The last part is worth it. But same issues nonetheless.
This was the book where I threw in the towel on this series. I know I am probably in the minority on that. I really really liked this series for the first 4-5 books, and then after that it was all downhill. By book 9, I feel like the characters have all become so hateful that I was pretty much rooting for all of them to die (particularly the women, who are quite frankly horrible). So alas, this was where I decided to get off the ride.
I'm probably in the minority here; I quite enjoyed this book. For one thing, it's been over a book since we've seen hide nor hair of Mat. For another, Mat and Rand were prominent and they're two of my favorite characters. I'm glad to see Mat's finally free of Tylin and I love the Seanchan, so their presence here also excited me.
This book was a lot better than the previous one, which I only gave three stars because it picked up in the end.
I want to read the next book, but I'm going to take a brief break from WoT to read something else.
3.5/5 some suuuuuper weird and unnecessary parts, but also lots of payoff on storylines that have been dangling for the last 8 books.
The beginning of this book was sooooo terrible. But the mind shattering epic ending barely salvages it. How could Robert Jordan write such numbing droll next to something so incredibly thrilling?
What can you read after
Winter's Heart?
About the Author:
ROBERT JORDAN (1948-2007) is best known for his internationally bestselling epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time®, which has sold over 40 million copies in North America and is currently being adapted for the screen. A native of Charleston, Jordan graduated from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, with a degree in physics. He served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army and received multiple decorations for his service.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
