I agree with you about the problems with the time-line being broken up.
The most frustrating part about the time-line 'problems' is that much of it hurt the book instead of helping it. The one that really got into my craw was when Verin's scene with Mat was split. Not only did this give the, apparently, incorrect impression that Mat's meeting with Verin occurred at the same time as Rand's meeting with Tuon; it also, IMO, hurt the story telling. I remember screaming in frustration, because I wanted to know what Verin had to say. That feeling hurt my enjoyment of Rand and company.
The saddest part is all that it would take to fix much of the problem is to rearrange a few chapters.
I also agree with your assessment about BS trying to accommodate fan's wishes to return to the pace of the first books. Such opinions ignore the fact that RJ was holding a lot back for this last series of 3 books. The pace was going to get faster no matter what. It also assumes that a faster pacing is truly what the fans want. There is no one type of WoT fan (nor two nor even 50 types). For BS to cater to one fan base (no matter how vocal) is to risk infuriating another. BS realizes that and that everything he does will infuriate some and be applauded by others. And, I think I can safely say that his goal is not to appease the 'audience' but to remain true to RJs vision.
The most frustrating part about the time-line 'problems' is that much of it hurt the book instead of helping it. The one that really got into my craw was when Verin's scene with Mat was split. Not only did this give the, apparently, incorrect impression that Mat's meeting with Verin occurred at the same time as Rand's meeting with Tuon; it also, IMO, hurt the story telling. I remember screaming in frustration, because I wanted to know what Verin had to say. That feeling hurt my enjoyment of Rand and company.
The saddest part is all that it would take to fix much of the problem is to rearrange a few chapters.
I also agree with your assessment about BS trying to accommodate fan's wishes to return to the pace of the first books. Such opinions ignore the fact that RJ was holding a lot back for this last series of 3 books. The pace was going to get faster no matter what. It also assumes that a faster pacing is truly what the fans want. There is no one type of WoT fan (nor two nor even 50 types). For BS to cater to one fan base (no matter how vocal) is to risk infuriating another. BS realizes that and that everything he does will infuriate some and be applauded by others. And, I think I can safely say that his goal is not to appease the 'audience' but to remain true to RJs vision.
Jason's review... Looks like DomA was right (Review is now removed)
25/09/2010 05:40:18 AM
- 3412 Views
Re: Jason's review (spoilerish thoughts from me, so BEWARE!). Looks like DomA was right
25/09/2010 06:00:46 AM
- 1239 Views
Everyone seems to think Rand will talk to Egwene, but a male channeler also makes sense
25/09/2010 10:44:18 PM
- 983 Views
No Elayne hopefully, but again it looks like Egwene has everything fall in her lap
25/09/2010 08:10:54 AM
- 1154 Views
No Elayne hopefully, but again it looks like Egwene has everything fall in her lap
25/09/2010 08:11:37 AM
- 878 Views
Perrin will probably gather the wolves...
25/09/2010 09:57:06 AM
- 1061 Views
this "we like it because it's family" stuff is worrisome
25/09/2010 10:18:22 AM
- 1031 Views
After his COT review, a less then gushing review isn't great
25/09/2010 11:42:39 AM
- 976 Views
But he is specifically trying to avoid being overly fanboyish BECAUSE of that CoT review. *NM*
27/09/2010 04:19:21 PM
- 495 Views
Damn, his COT review was infinitely more enthusiastic. What could it all mean? *NM*
25/09/2010 01:06:00 PM
- 511 Views
But his CoT review was also more enthusiastic than his KoD and TGS reviews *NM*
25/09/2010 01:07:15 PM
- 516 Views
Hmm, interesting point. Could a guilty conscience be setting in? *NM*
25/09/2010 01:26:30 PM
- 472 Views
I'm guessing Olver will sacrifice his Snakes and Foxes game his father made for him *NM*
25/09/2010 06:09:10 PM
- 649 Views
I haven't read the review but...
25/09/2010 07:22:48 PM
- 1493 Views
That's not what I meant...
25/09/2010 08:25:42 PM
- 1091 Views
It's odd, I didn't see any reference to Rand descending from DM in his review.
25/09/2010 08:39:33 PM
- 923 Views
It was the very last line...
25/09/2010 08:55:49 PM
- 1031 Views
Re: It was the very last line...
25/09/2010 09:03:14 PM
- 915 Views
Re: It was the very last line...
25/09/2010 10:09:58 PM
- 1161 Views
I blame JordanCon too.
26/09/2010 02:17:50 AM
- 1053 Views
Regarding the WOTFAQ, Tam,
26/09/2010 10:04:40 PM
- 970 Views
Regarding Brandon's messing up of the timelines...
25/09/2010 11:34:06 PM
- 1059 Views
To me it's two different things
26/09/2010 01:48:13 AM
- 1148 Views
I remember the timeline was discussed much at TL prior to TGS release.
26/09/2010 03:04:24 AM
- 982 Views
Re: I remember the timeline was discussed much at TL prior to TGS release.
26/09/2010 08:31:00 PM
- 1070 Views
I agree
26/09/2010 03:09:04 AM
- 950 Views
KOD and TOM show where TGS could have been 'fixed'
26/09/2010 10:27:04 AM
- 953 Views
The review is back up...
27/09/2010 01:59:50 AM
- 931 Views
It wasn't quite identical... It was missing the line about Rand walking down from DM
27/09/2010 06:42:47 AM
- 929 Views
The line about Rand wasn't there when I read the review Saturday morning either. *NM*
27/09/2010 01:57:00 PM
- 423 Views
It was...
27/09/2010 04:22:24 PM
- 782 Views
I must have missed it then. It does fit with Tor's not releasing Chapter 1 early. *NM*
27/09/2010 05:06:36 PM
- 432 Views
What do you mean?
27/09/2010 11:33:15 PM
- 840 Views
I read somewhere that they'd release two different chapters this time. Could well be wrong though. *NM*
28/09/2010 02:15:28 AM
- 450 Views
Olver
27/09/2010 11:34:40 AM
- 1079 Views
doubt he'll die. Jason's review is too much of a spoiler if he actually dies *NM*
27/09/2010 11:46:16 AM
- 474 Views
One problem with the idea of a Rand-Egwene meeting in Chapter 1 beyond timeline issues
27/09/2010 10:29:15 PM
- 863 Views
Not true...
28/09/2010 01:00:40 AM
- 852 Views
Good call. I assumed, and still do, that the two events are one in the same.
28/09/2010 01:10:13 AM
- 927 Views
Not true indeed... and....
28/09/2010 02:24:00 AM
- 1089 Views