This book was a rush. As you can expect from a WoT boomk after a 4 year hiatus. I think Sanderson did an admirable job but I did find myself thinking how good it could have been had RJ written it. The first half read truer to me than the second half.
It's mostly characterisation issues. I first noticed it with Mat, which is understandable as humour is the most difficult thing to write. Mat turned from a guy who has a twisted funny way of looking at things to a silly wisecracker. Oh well, it's a good enough substitute considering how hard it is to be a ghost writer.
Siuan was also one character that felt off. She didn't feel like a previous Amyrlin. More like a dumb child and hardly used her boat and dockmaster's daughter thought processes. Too bad, because it made most of her scenes weak. It wouldn't matter too much except it spoiled some of Egwene's scenes too.
Egwene had very good characterisation. You can tell Brandomn put alot of effort here, though most of her better scenes were at the start of the book, like the Nature of Pain. The chapter in which she organises the novices was very good. I did find myself bewildered by her overly long acceptence speech. I would compare it with Elayne's acceptence speech from the previous book, which was better. Less is More.
Rand was also well done. In fact, my favourite part was the whole Semirhage on the loose fiasco. For a moment there I actually thought he was going to kill Min.
So, to sum up, I give it a goot 8.5/10. Some stuff was off but Egwene and Rand were well done, which was most important. I just wish all the side characters didn't all sound the same. No real difference between Merise and Siuan for example.
It's mostly characterisation issues. I first noticed it with Mat, which is understandable as humour is the most difficult thing to write. Mat turned from a guy who has a twisted funny way of looking at things to a silly wisecracker. Oh well, it's a good enough substitute considering how hard it is to be a ghost writer.
Siuan was also one character that felt off. She didn't feel like a previous Amyrlin. More like a dumb child and hardly used her boat and dockmaster's daughter thought processes. Too bad, because it made most of her scenes weak. It wouldn't matter too much except it spoiled some of Egwene's scenes too.
Egwene had very good characterisation. You can tell Brandomn put alot of effort here, though most of her better scenes were at the start of the book, like the Nature of Pain. The chapter in which she organises the novices was very good. I did find myself bewildered by her overly long acceptence speech. I would compare it with Elayne's acceptence speech from the previous book, which was better. Less is More.
Rand was also well done. In fact, my favourite part was the whole Semirhage on the loose fiasco. For a moment there I actually thought he was going to kill Min.
So, to sum up, I give it a goot 8.5/10. Some stuff was off but Egwene and Rand were well done, which was most important. I just wish all the side characters didn't all sound the same. No real difference between Merise and Siuan for example.
The Gathering Storm user reviews
18/10/2009 08:39:01 AM
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Chapter Titles
20/10/2009 01:46:16 PM
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My speculation on chapter titles
20/10/2009 08:25:02 PM
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I'm hoping that chapters 4-6 involve shadowspawn on the rampage.
21/10/2009 02:11:24 AM
- 1111 Views
Here are the PoVs, but not matched (still, enter at own risk)
21/10/2009 05:45:51 AM
- 1480 Views
Re: Here are the PoVs, but not matched (still, enter at own risk)
21/10/2009 05:48:48 AM
- 1215 Views
Re: Here are the PoVs, but not matched (still, enter at own risk)
21/10/2009 07:00:38 AM
- 1110 Views
Re: Here are the PoVs, but not matched (still, enter at own risk)
21/10/2009 04:49:45 PM
- 1145 Views
My (spoiler-free) review
21/10/2009 05:20:47 AM
- 1661 Views
Re: My (spoiler-free) review
21/10/2009 10:17:48 AM
- 1495 Views
I would say I have no clue and I disagree 100% with Pat
21/10/2009 07:43:13 PM
- 1311 Views
Pat seems like a hardcore books 1-5 are amazing!!!111one and everything else stinks.
21/10/2009 10:04:40 PM
- 1289 Views
Sparring is not determinitive of who's better, only real combat does.
22/10/2009 03:44:58 AM
- 1263 Views
Re: Sparring is not determinitive of who's better, only real combat does.
22/10/2009 05:32:33 PM
- 1093 Views
Re: Sparring is not determinitive of who's better, only real combat does.
31/10/2009 08:05:51 PM
- 986 Views
Re: Pat seems like a hardcore books 1-5 are amazing!!!111one and everything else stinks.
22/10/2009 07:56:46 AM
- 1128 Views
Re: Pat seems like a hardcore books 1-5 are amazing!!!111one and everything else stinks.
23/10/2009 01:26:09 AM
- 1139 Views
This is not a full review, but a commentary that might give some a hint to what happens(ed) to Rand
22/10/2009 12:14:33 AM
- 1590 Views
Was it well done? *NM*
22/10/2009 03:14:25 AM
- 660 Views
I thought so
22/10/2009 03:22:30 AM
- 1335 Views
Is it a Seanchan prophecy or is it a prophecy quoted by the Seanchan
22/10/2009 03:47:45 AM
- 1273 Views
My full review is now up
27/10/2009 04:07:59 AM
- 1383 Views
Is the url correct? *NM*
27/10/2009 04:23:09 AM
- 603 Views
It is now
27/10/2009 04:28:34 AM
- 1101 Views
feel free to link my reviews whenever you like *NM*
27/10/2009 04:30:56 AM
- 589 Views
My review, spoilers.
08/11/2009 02:02:35 PM
- 1034 Views