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Wheel of the Infinite
A black storm is spreading across the Wheel of the Infinite. Every night the Voices of the Ancestors--the Wheel's constructors and caretakers--brush the darkness away and repair the damage with brightly colored sands and potent magic. Each morning the storm reappears, bigger and darker than before, unraveling the beautiful and orderly patterns.
With chaos in the wind, a woman with a shadowy past has returned to Duvalpore. A murderer and traitor--an exile disgraced, hated, and feared, and haunted by her own guilty conscience--Maskelle has been summoned back to help put the world right. Once she was the most enigmatic of the Voices, until cursed by her own actions. Now, in the company of Rian--a skilled and dangerously alluring swordsman--she must confront dread enemies old and new, and a cold, stalking malevolence unlike any she has ever encountered. For if Maskelle cannot unearth the cause of the Wheel's accelerating disintegration--if she cannot free herself from the ghosts of the past and focus on the catastrophe to come--the world will plunge headlong into the terrifying abyss toward which it is recklessly hurtling. And all that is, ever was, and will be will end.
Originally published by Avon Eos in 2000.
With chaos in the wind, a woman with a shadowy past has returned to Duvalpore. A murderer and traitor--an exile disgraced, hated, and feared, and haunted by her own guilty conscience--Maskelle has been summoned back to help put the world right. Once she was the most enigmatic of the Voices, until cursed by her own actions. Now, in the company of Rian--a skilled and dangerously alluring swordsman--she must confront dread enemies old and new, and a cold, stalking malevolence unlike any she has ever encountered. For if Maskelle cannot unearth the cause of the Wheel's accelerating disintegration--if she cannot free herself from the ghosts of the past and focus on the catastrophe to come--the world will plunge headlong into the terrifying abyss toward which it is recklessly hurtling. And all that is, ever was, and will be will end.
Originally published by Avon Eos in 2000.
355 pages, Nook
First published January 1, 2000
330 people are currently reading
5475 people want to read
About the author
Martha Wells
109 books24.8k followersMartha Wells has been an SF/F writer since her first fantasy novel was published in 1993, and her work includes The Books of the Raksura series, the Ile-Rien series, The Murderbot Diaries series, and other fantasy novels, most recently Witch King (Tordotcom, 2023). She has also written media tie-in fiction for Star Wars, Stargate: Atlantis, and Magic: the Gathering, as well as short fiction, YA novels, and non-fiction. She has won Nebula Awards, Hugo Awards, Locus Awards, and a Dragon Award, and her work has appeared on the Philip K. Dick Award ballot, the British Science Fiction Association Award ballot, the USA Today Bestseller List, the Sunday Times Bestseller List, and the New York Times Bestseller List. She is a member of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, and her books have been published in twenty-five languages.
She is also a consulting producer on The Murderbot Diaries series for Apple TV+.
She is also a consulting producer on The Murderbot Diaries series for Apple TV+.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 431 reviews
June 5, 2019
A woeful number of fantasy readers are unfamiliar with Martha Wells. My proof, you ask? The very fact that rights have reverted back to Wells and she has decided to re-release her books in e-book form.
Wide-ranging in world-building and focus, she hasn’t been content to settle down in one fantasy universe and write an endless series (cough, cough, Robert Jordan). I happen to love her fine balance between plotting and world-building, and the way she winds them together with reasonably sophisticated–but non-purplish–language. I’m a little regretful that it took me so long to discover her writing despite my wide-ranging fantasy tastes, and I’d encourage any fantasy reader to check her work out–there’s certainly enough variety that if one book doesn’t suit, there’s likely another that will fit better. And if nothing else, her take on fantasy tends towards the unusual.
Wheel of the Infinite centers on Maskelle, a formerly powerful woman who has left her position as her temple divinity’s living Voice in disgrace. Set in a society somewhat loosely based on Tibetan Buddhism, there is a pantheon of gods who have spent time on earth and have returned to the Divine Realms. A core ritual of the combined temples is to recreate the mandala pattern of the lands annually or the land will suffer, and this year marks a crucial hundred-year ceremony. Although Maskelle retains many of her powers from her time as the Voice, she’s been traveling incognito, acting as seer for a traveling theater troupe. While looking for herbs, she discovers a river inn overrun with raiders. Feeling rather ornery, she decides to see if there are any honest folk left to rescue, and she instead discovers a foreign traveler captive to the bandits’ amusements. They mutually rescue each other, discovering an immediate connection. He surreptitiously follows as she leads the troupe to the capital city of the Celestial Empire, until a temporary rouse as her bodyguard leads to a permanent association. Once in the city, Maskelle, her new bodyguard Rian, and the troupe quickly become the focus of local politics, both supernatural and corporeal.
**************
As usual, I have more to say. But since my first paragraph was already woefully off-topic, there isn't any guarantee this review won't be removed. So find it at:
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2014/0...
Wide-ranging in world-building and focus, she hasn’t been content to settle down in one fantasy universe and write an endless series (cough, cough, Robert Jordan). I happen to love her fine balance between plotting and world-building, and the way she winds them together with reasonably sophisticated–but non-purplish–language. I’m a little regretful that it took me so long to discover her writing despite my wide-ranging fantasy tastes, and I’d encourage any fantasy reader to check her work out–there’s certainly enough variety that if one book doesn’t suit, there’s likely another that will fit better. And if nothing else, her take on fantasy tends towards the unusual.
Wheel of the Infinite centers on Maskelle, a formerly powerful woman who has left her position as her temple divinity’s living Voice in disgrace. Set in a society somewhat loosely based on Tibetan Buddhism, there is a pantheon of gods who have spent time on earth and have returned to the Divine Realms. A core ritual of the combined temples is to recreate the mandala pattern of the lands annually or the land will suffer, and this year marks a crucial hundred-year ceremony. Although Maskelle retains many of her powers from her time as the Voice, she’s been traveling incognito, acting as seer for a traveling theater troupe. While looking for herbs, she discovers a river inn overrun with raiders. Feeling rather ornery, she decides to see if there are any honest folk left to rescue, and she instead discovers a foreign traveler captive to the bandits’ amusements. They mutually rescue each other, discovering an immediate connection. He surreptitiously follows as she leads the troupe to the capital city of the Celestial Empire, until a temporary rouse as her bodyguard leads to a permanent association. Once in the city, Maskelle, her new bodyguard Rian, and the troupe quickly become the focus of local politics, both supernatural and corporeal.
**************
As usual, I have more to say. But since my first paragraph was already woefully off-topic, there isn't any guarantee this review won't be removed. So find it at:
http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2014/0...
June 15, 2025
Maybe I am too old for this, she thought. Too old for war, too mean-tempered for peace.
Martha Wells' Wheel of the Infinite features a competent returned-from-exile middle-aged female protagonist which we don't have enough of in the genre. Asked to return to the capital when traditional rites linked to the world's magic system get buggy, the no-nonsense Maskelle travels to her city and immediately takes charge of the investigation, picking up a bodyguard along the way.
The next few days see a lot of action to solve the mystery before a strict deadline, with ever increasing stakes. The plot is compelling and the book is first and foremost action driven. While the characters are sketched out well and we see their dominant traits come to the fore, the short timeline of the book doesn't leave much space for growth or introspection. Given the strong character growth in the author's later work Murderbot, this was a bit less than what I expected going in. However, the action driven plot, actions which are still somewhat representative of the characters more than make up for it.
I liked the world-building done over the course of the story, giving out only what is required for the plot to the point where it's almost not enough. The magic system is interesting with unique flaws that were of course exploited, and I would have appreciated a bit more depth to the world-building. But more than everything else, I thoroughly enjoyed the author's wry humour and her writing manages to strike a balance with all elements in the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an ARC of the 2024 updated edition of this book, the review is entirely honest.
🌟🌟🌟3/4
[3/4 star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the story and themes; 3/4 star for the writing; 3/4 star for the world-building; Half a star for the characters - 3 3/4 stars in total, rounded up to 4 stars.]
Martha Wells' Wheel of the Infinite features a competent returned-from-exile middle-aged female protagonist which we don't have enough of in the genre. Asked to return to the capital when traditional rites linked to the world's magic system get buggy, the no-nonsense Maskelle travels to her city and immediately takes charge of the investigation, picking up a bodyguard along the way.
The next few days see a lot of action to solve the mystery before a strict deadline, with ever increasing stakes. The plot is compelling and the book is first and foremost action driven. While the characters are sketched out well and we see their dominant traits come to the fore, the short timeline of the book doesn't leave much space for growth or introspection. Given the strong character growth in the author's later work Murderbot, this was a bit less than what I expected going in. However, the action driven plot, actions which are still somewhat representative of the characters more than make up for it.
I liked the world-building done over the course of the story, giving out only what is required for the plot to the point where it's almost not enough. The magic system is interesting with unique flaws that were of course exploited, and I would have appreciated a bit more depth to the world-building. But more than everything else, I thoroughly enjoyed the author's wry humour and her writing manages to strike a balance with all elements in the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an ARC of the 2024 updated edition of this book, the review is entirely honest.
🌟🌟🌟3/4
[3/4 star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the story and themes; 3/4 star for the writing; 3/4 star for the world-building; Half a star for the characters - 3 3/4 stars in total, rounded up to 4 stars.]
June 8, 2023
What a great book! ♾️
My copy of Wheel of the Infinite sat on my bookshelf unread for years. I've kept it beside my Murder, She Wrote DVDs, which I reach for ~twice a week; every time I did, my eye would catch that bright blue spine and I'd feel such a pang of guilt for putting it off.
Not anymore! After finishing Martha Wells' latest book Witch King, I was ready to keep visiting the fantasy of her mind. Wheel of the Infinite did not disappoint!
We follow excommunicated monk Maskelle, outcast by her peers for misinterpreting a message from their God (a being known as the Adversary), and on-the-run swordsman Rian who keeps finding himself in trouble.
When the two meet, it's immediately evident they've met their match in each other. Both are quick-witted in their speech and manner of problem-solving, unorthodox in their approach to their respective disciplines, and, most unique for a fantasy adventure, are each of a certain age. Not elderly, but old enough for some gray in their hair; old enough that both have teenage children.
Traveling with the caravan of an acting troupe, both Maskelle's and Rian's skills are called upon when one of the troupe's puppets stands up and walks about on its own. When sealed in a wooden box, it knocks and asks to be let out - a clear sign of possession, prompting the troupe to reroute to Maskelle's estranged Order for answers.
The Wheel of the Infinite, the magical ring created by the Order's monks to protect the world, has been jeopardized, allowing demonkind to slip through. Maskelle and Rian, with the support of the adorable acting troupe, work to discover what's happened to the Wheel - and to the Adversary who was supposed to protect them.
What I loved:
💖 Maskelle's & Rian's banter + their respect for each other
💖 The acting troupe, especially Rastim
💖 Haunted clown puppet Gisar
💖 The development of Duvalpore's different cultures/customs, and that of Maskelle's religious Order and its rules
💖 The exploration of the world we make and how our perception of God - especially what we need from God - changes as our world does
💖 The ending - every single thing about it, and it had a perfect final line
What I was iffy about:
🙃 Considering how the book ends, I wished there had been more romantic tension between Maskelle and Rian. While both characters are very mature and handle their mutual attraction admirably, I wish there had been a little bit of romance/pining
🙃 The function of the Wheel was a little nebulous; it was described as maintaining reality, but that implies to me it created the existence of the very demons trying to destroy it
🙃 Maskelle and Rian's nonchalance about being absentee parents
🙃 I love fantasy standalones - as they're so rare, I tend to treat them preciously, but I wish Wheel of the Infinite had a sequel! It ends on such a strong note, with Maskelle and Rian set to embark on a fascinating new adventure together, but the reader can't join them. It’s almost painful!
Overall, this was such a win - infinitely enjoyable! ♾️
My copy of Wheel of the Infinite sat on my bookshelf unread for years. I've kept it beside my Murder, She Wrote DVDs, which I reach for ~twice a week; every time I did, my eye would catch that bright blue spine and I'd feel such a pang of guilt for putting it off.
Not anymore! After finishing Martha Wells' latest book Witch King, I was ready to keep visiting the fantasy of her mind. Wheel of the Infinite did not disappoint!
We follow excommunicated monk Maskelle, outcast by her peers for misinterpreting a message from their God (a being known as the Adversary), and on-the-run swordsman Rian who keeps finding himself in trouble.
When the two meet, it's immediately evident they've met their match in each other. Both are quick-witted in their speech and manner of problem-solving, unorthodox in their approach to their respective disciplines, and, most unique for a fantasy adventure, are each of a certain age. Not elderly, but old enough for some gray in their hair; old enough that both have teenage children.
Traveling with the caravan of an acting troupe, both Maskelle's and Rian's skills are called upon when one of the troupe's puppets stands up and walks about on its own. When sealed in a wooden box, it knocks and asks to be let out - a clear sign of possession, prompting the troupe to reroute to Maskelle's estranged Order for answers.
The Wheel of the Infinite, the magical ring created by the Order's monks to protect the world, has been jeopardized, allowing demonkind to slip through. Maskelle and Rian, with the support of the adorable acting troupe, work to discover what's happened to the Wheel - and to the Adversary who was supposed to protect them.
What I loved:
💖 Maskelle's & Rian's banter + their respect for each other
💖 The acting troupe, especially Rastim
💖 Haunted clown puppet Gisar
💖 The development of Duvalpore's different cultures/customs, and that of Maskelle's religious Order and its rules
💖 The exploration of the world we make and how our perception of God - especially what we need from God - changes as our world does
💖 The ending - every single thing about it, and it had a perfect final line
What I was iffy about:
🙃 Considering how the book ends, I wished there had been more romantic tension between Maskelle and Rian. While both characters are very mature and handle their mutual attraction admirably, I wish there had been a little bit of romance/pining
🙃 The function of the Wheel was a little nebulous; it was described as maintaining reality, but that implies to me it created the existence of the very demons trying to destroy it
🙃 Maskelle and Rian's nonchalance about being absentee parents
🙃 I love fantasy standalones - as they're so rare, I tend to treat them preciously, but I wish Wheel of the Infinite had a sequel! It ends on such a strong note, with Maskelle and Rian set to embark on a fascinating new adventure together, but the reader can't join them. It’s almost painful!
Overall, this was such a win - infinitely enjoyable! ♾️
February 5, 2018
This is the case, when you start reading a book and then you stop, because you feel it's a bit too slow for your appetites at the moment, and you grab a different book and forget about this one for a while. The on your second try you discover that action and fun were actually right around the corner - you just had to read two more pages or so... Dammit!
The Wheel of Infinite is a tricky book that takes you by surprise. It's seemingly simple and "down to earth" fantasy, with no big promises. But you end up highly satisfied in the end. Also, you get likable characters, of which one is a pretty badass lady, an intrigue that is not so obvious and twisty, pretty cool world building and quite a fast action. I'm not going to retell the plot, the description says enough. It's all you need to know. It's a crappy review, I know! :D
I am giving it 5 start as I really really enjoyed it. It had some minor (like miniscule) flaws to me I don't really feel ranting about, because they didn't matter.
The Wheel of Infinite is a tricky book that takes you by surprise. It's seemingly simple and "down to earth" fantasy, with no big promises. But you end up highly satisfied in the end. Also, you get likable characters, of which one is a pretty badass lady, an intrigue that is not so obvious and twisty, pretty cool world building and quite a fast action. I'm not going to retell the plot, the description says enough. It's all you need to know. It's a crappy review, I know! :D
I am giving it 5 start as I really really enjoyed it. It had some minor (like miniscule) flaws to me I don't really feel ranting about, because they didn't matter.
May 23, 2025
This is a Khmer-based fantasy-adventure, with a kick-ass female lead who got in trouble for, well, who knows what. Being uppity? She crossed a supernatural entity, or so it thought. She gets involved in a tavern-brawl at the opener and rescues a hunky Royal Guardsman..... OK, Royal is a stretch, it was a back-woods tribal fiefdom, and he was an enforcer for that lordling, who he despised. So Rian is getting the crap beat out of him when Maskelle takes a hand. Once he's rescued, the sparks flew, and the chick-lit readers sigh.... He's so sinewy, it's hard for a girl to find a place to rest her head, after!
Martha Wells was 36 when Infinite was published. This was her fourth published novel and despite good notices, she was having trouble getting traction, and breaking out of the midlist. She was strongly influenced by Jack Vance, and she earned an academic degree in anthropology. Both of those influences show up here. I don't know enough about the Khmer Empire to comment on that, but let's see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_E... "....from the 9th century to the 15th century when the nation was a Hindu/Buddhist empire in Southeast Asia. .... at times ruled over and/or vassalised most of mainland Southeast Asia and parts of Southern China, stretching from the tip of the Indochinese Peninsula northward to modern Yunnan province, China, and from Vietnam westward to Myanmar." The modern Cambodians, and others in the old Khmer Empire, are direct (or partial) descendants from those folks.
Solid 4 stars. Wasn't sure she could pull off the ending (which I won't spoil) but she did, with a sweet supernatural transformation of "The Adversary." Gorgeous cover art, by Donato Giancola, on the hc first edition in front of me.
If you like Martha Wells and missed this one, you should add it to your TBR. Thanks to the ever-reliable Nataliya for bringing the book to my attention -- even if, at the time, she hadn't actually read it yet? In print in a nice 2024 reissue. I'm likely to reread it sometime.
Martha Wells was 36 when Infinite was published. This was her fourth published novel and despite good notices, she was having trouble getting traction, and breaking out of the midlist. She was strongly influenced by Jack Vance, and she earned an academic degree in anthropology. Both of those influences show up here. I don't know enough about the Khmer Empire to comment on that, but let's see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_E... "....from the 9th century to the 15th century when the nation was a Hindu/Buddhist empire in Southeast Asia. .... at times ruled over and/or vassalised most of mainland Southeast Asia and parts of Southern China, stretching from the tip of the Indochinese Peninsula northward to modern Yunnan province, China, and from Vietnam westward to Myanmar." The modern Cambodians, and others in the old Khmer Empire, are direct (or partial) descendants from those folks.
Solid 4 stars. Wasn't sure she could pull off the ending (which I won't spoil) but she did, with a sweet supernatural transformation of "The Adversary." Gorgeous cover art, by Donato Giancola, on the hc first edition in front of me.
If you like Martha Wells and missed this one, you should add it to your TBR. Thanks to the ever-reliable Nataliya for bringing the book to my attention -- even if, at the time, she hadn't actually read it yet? In print in a nice 2024 reissue. I'm likely to reread it sometime.
February 25, 2018
I must thank my dear sis, Caro, for this peculiar read! This book surprised me with unusual, original magic system, not ordinary characters in the lead and I admit, I was lured by the title only at first. Wheel of ….. no matter what 😆 Joking! I was really lured with the great review of Caro 💜
WORLD 5🌟
The oriental spices, oh my, I loved the idea to use sand mandalas and the religion which resembles Buddhism to fuel the plot. I think the charm lies in the authenticity, I haven’t read or heard about the fantasy book, set in some kind of Buddhism background, well if we don’t count the myths! “Wheel of Infinite” is worth a myth as the world is vibrant, authentic and written with precision.
PACE 2,5🌟
Though the story and the action part develops quite slowly, I liked savoring all the details in in the beginning. Later on that became some kind of the problem for me because I became restless to know where the hell it leads me to. So, in result, I found myself skimming just to read quicker. Lol, but that only made things worse as I read slower or didn’t want to read at all! I was really interested in the beginning and somehow the story ungripped me until.. the last 70 pages which really worked for me. I mainly felt like Homer, not able to reach his treat!
MAIN CHARACTERS 4 🌟
Ohh, the main duo! I was surprised by the author’s decision to pair such different but at the same time so alike characters. Liked them a lot. Well, for most of the time as sometimes when following them I felt like some scenes were unnecessary and just made me disconnect from them.
SIDE CHARACTERS 2 🌟
Oh boy, that was bit of the struggle. The side characters interested me a lot, I wanted to know more about them, but information was quite scarce in most cases! Some played really important roles and it felt like they were just passers by 😤 I mean Rastim, Adversary, The Celestial One. Dang it! The author led me to the characters, gripped my attention and ….just left some things hanging. Double dang it!! I’d understand that if it was a series. And that is were I felt like this book was only a part, not whole story, not even the first book, but one in the middle of the trilogy. Really sad as I loved Rastim! Especially near the end where he revealed his personality more and his fun side! 💜
“I’m going to write a play about this,” Rastim declared, keeping his voice low.
From his tone Rian could tell he had heard the sound, too. But he only said, “Good for you. Are you going to include the part where you almost wet yourself when the flying creatures went by overhead?”
Rastim snorted. “What do you mean ‘almost’?”
MAGICAL WORLD 3,5 🌟
The part in the book which made me excited as new, authentic world always brings some exciting creatures I’ve never met before also the magic I am curious to taste! It was so in “The Wheel of time”, cursed , peculiar water spirits, possessed people and demons which possessed them. That was really gripping. I could just name , omg, who fits almost all of the mentioned bellow 😱 So why 3,5 🌟 you’d ask? Well, I wanted more info on the magical creatures, I guess the best developed one was the Adversary and that left me a bit unsatisfied towards the other ones.
One of the stunning evil villains in this book 💜
To sum up, I liked my playdate in “The Wheel of time”, it triggered my curiosity and killed it at the same time as it seems that this book is a standalone. I’d love to continue my playdate there and know more about this magical, exciting world.
TOTAL: 3,4 🌟
P.S. For further swooning on sand art: https://www.ignant.com/2014/03/31/san...
February 7, 2017
Ever have a moment or several when you're looking for something new to read and all you see are the same old stories and arcs being retold in marginally barely noticeable slightly different ways? That all you're seeing is just the same stuff over and over again? I've been feeling that way for some time now, and I admit I'm more than fed up with fantasy's preference for young protagonists and their foolhardy ways--not referring to just YA, I mean the majority of genre fiction. Every time I visit a bookstore, there's a ton of coming of age stories, new and old, starring a special teenager or twenty-something or a group of them, and they're always varying shades of stupid foolish, and it gets to a point where I'm like... get the hell off my lawn. Seriously. All of you. Gtfo.
Then this book came along at the right time and reminded me that, if I wanted to find books that actually interest me, that mean something to me, I had to look harder and dig deeper. The kind of stories I'm looking for are out there, they're just buried under piles and piles of sh--stuff I can't stand. And they're most likely out of print or have been for decades now. So now, I'm gonna make an effort to look harder for lesser known genre fiction and dig 'em out.
Another thing that made this book the perfect read at the time I picked it up was its unconventional setting--reminiscent of ancient South Asia, most likely India--and its unconventional cast of characters--all of them older and world-weary and all have lived experience and sketchy pasts. It was refreshing to read about characters that have lived and lost and lived on to fight another day. And it was good to see that world-altering stories and callings don't just happen to the young and "special."
Maskelle used to be a priestess of the highest order in the city of Duvalpore, but then she had a falling out with the royals and was banished from the city. It's been years since her exile, and at the start of the book, she's making her way back as a favor to an elderly priest to help solve a problem with an ancient rite/ritual that the city performs every century. Unsure of her welcome and the new political leanings within the city, she arrives quietly, meaning to stay out of people's way, but then she finds evidence of sabotage that could ruin the ancient rite and destroy the world. Figuring out who or what is behind it takes up the rest of the book.
It's an interesting mystery and I'm in awe of Martha Wells' world building and plotting prowess, particularly how much she achieves in so few words. Her sense of world building is unique and succinct, and her prose concise. All scenes and dialogue are necessary and have purpose. I never get the sense I'm reading a meandering plot or pointless characterization or manufactured drama.
Although the stakes are high for Maskelle, there's an unexpected humorous undertone running through the story that I really like. It keeps it from being completely downtrodden. And while there are serious moments, like the ending serving as a moment of reckoning no one saw coming, much of the story is wry, funny, and easy to read. Maskelle and her endearing ragtag companions run into and/or trip over trouble wherever they go. I would have liked to read more about their time on the road and in the city because it's just shy of slapstick comedy.
Overall, this was a satisfying read and a good mix of fantasy and otherworldliness, but I already knew that going in because it's by Martha Wells.
Also posted at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
Then this book came along at the right time and reminded me that, if I wanted to find books that actually interest me, that mean something to me, I had to look harder and dig deeper. The kind of stories I'm looking for are out there, they're just buried under piles and piles of sh--stuff I can't stand. And they're most likely out of print or have been for decades now. So now, I'm gonna make an effort to look harder for lesser known genre fiction and dig 'em out.
Another thing that made this book the perfect read at the time I picked it up was its unconventional setting--reminiscent of ancient South Asia, most likely India--and its unconventional cast of characters--all of them older and world-weary and all have lived experience and sketchy pasts. It was refreshing to read about characters that have lived and lost and lived on to fight another day. And it was good to see that world-altering stories and callings don't just happen to the young and "special."
Maskelle used to be a priestess of the highest order in the city of Duvalpore, but then she had a falling out with the royals and was banished from the city. It's been years since her exile, and at the start of the book, she's making her way back as a favor to an elderly priest to help solve a problem with an ancient rite/ritual that the city performs every century. Unsure of her welcome and the new political leanings within the city, she arrives quietly, meaning to stay out of people's way, but then she finds evidence of sabotage that could ruin the ancient rite and destroy the world. Figuring out who or what is behind it takes up the rest of the book.
It's an interesting mystery and I'm in awe of Martha Wells' world building and plotting prowess, particularly how much she achieves in so few words. Her sense of world building is unique and succinct, and her prose concise. All scenes and dialogue are necessary and have purpose. I never get the sense I'm reading a meandering plot or pointless characterization or manufactured drama.
Although the stakes are high for Maskelle, there's an unexpected humorous undertone running through the story that I really like. It keeps it from being completely downtrodden. And while there are serious moments, like the ending serving as a moment of reckoning no one saw coming, much of the story is wry, funny, and easy to read. Maskelle and her endearing ragtag companions run into and/or trip over trouble wherever they go. I would have liked to read more about their time on the road and in the city because it's just shy of slapstick comedy.
Overall, this was a satisfying read and a good mix of fantasy and otherworldliness, but I already knew that going in because it's by Martha Wells.
The reaction was more violent than she had anticipated. The counterweight smashed right through the floorboards, knocking her backwards. The arm swung and toppled, taking the railing, part of the gallery, and a dozen yelling rivermen with it.
"I meant to do that," Maskelle muttered to herself, stumbling to her feet.
[...]
"So, there's no chance of just stopping and drowning here, say?"
"No, I think we'll keep moving for now and drown a little further up the road."
[...]
"I suppose attempts on the Throne happen more often in the Sintane?"
"The Holder Lord executed two brothers, a sister, and a cousin for trying to take the Markand Hold, just in the time I was there, and that was a slow year."
[...]
Maybe I'm too told for this, she thought. Too old for war, too mean-tempered for peace.
Also posted at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
January 1, 2020
7/6/18: Listened to this audiobook with my husband on a long road trip. The audio performance doesn't do the book any favors; the narrator enunciates strangely and doesn't distinguish between characters very well. But it's still amazing.
7/16/15: Still my favorite, for all the reasons listed below. Like many books that are my favorites, I have trouble breaking down what's great about it. The world is fantastic, very non-European fantasy and full of great depth and internal consistency. I love Maskelle and Rian for being imperfect people who are drawn together for physical reasons and stay together because they complement each other so well. I love all the secondary characters. I love the idea that drives the plot, the Wheel of the Infinite, and I love the idea of the Voice of the Adversary and the revelation of what was really going on with Maskelle all those years. It's a beautiful book I enjoy coming back to.
6/1/12: I love all of Martha Wells' books, but this one is probably my favorite. Some of that is because I think of her series as complete units, not as a collection of individual books, but mainly it's that Maskelle is older than most fantasy heroines and still kicks butt. And she's got a younger guy who's in love with her. And her power comes at a tremendous price. Anyway, I love it.
7/16/15: Still my favorite, for all the reasons listed below. Like many books that are my favorites, I have trouble breaking down what's great about it. The world is fantastic, very non-European fantasy and full of great depth and internal consistency. I love Maskelle and Rian for being imperfect people who are drawn together for physical reasons and stay together because they complement each other so well. I love all the secondary characters. I love the idea that drives the plot, the Wheel of the Infinite, and I love the idea of the Voice of the Adversary and the revelation of what was really going on with Maskelle all those years. It's a beautiful book I enjoy coming back to.
6/1/12: I love all of Martha Wells' books, but this one is probably my favorite. Some of that is because I think of her series as complete units, not as a collection of individual books, but mainly it's that Maskelle is older than most fantasy heroines and still kicks butt. And she's got a younger guy who's in love with her. And her power comes at a tremendous price. Anyway, I love it.
February 7, 2017
I think Martha Wells is the only one who can make me root for a m/f couple. I don't know how she does it. Maybe it's because the relationships she crafts feel real and not romanticized, like you see in most books and movies. She also writes bad-ass women who are not looking for a man, and can very well do without.
I've become a big fan of Martha Wells, in case you can't tell.
The plot of this book did not go the way I thought it would based on the summary, and while I was a little bit disappointed that the book didn't go the way I expected it to, I can't really blame the book for that. It was really really good. Loved the originality and the world-building, and the wonderful cast of characters. I hope to one day see a sequel hit the shelves, but I know she's got other projects in the works.
If you haven't read a Martha Wells book yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
I've become a big fan of Martha Wells, in case you can't tell.
The plot of this book did not go the way I thought it would based on the summary, and while I was a little bit disappointed that the book didn't go the way I expected it to, I can't really blame the book for that. It was really really good. Loved the originality and the world-building, and the wonderful cast of characters. I hope to one day see a sequel hit the shelves, but I know she's got other projects in the works.
If you haven't read a Martha Wells book yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
January 31, 2020
Kickass, self deprecating, middle aged female protagonist, likeable characters, inventive world-building, convoluted plot, rewarding ending. What’s not to like?
“If violence takes place in the Celestial One’s sight, the whole Order and anyone outside it who follows the Path will have to go through a purification ritual.”
To the priests-shamans, at least the ones in Markand, “purification” involved fire, iron, and screaming, usually by a nonpriest. “Does that involve pain?”
Maskelle snorted. “No, worse. Fasting, abstinence, complicated meditation rituals. No one wants to go through that, not even to get rid of me.”
“If violence takes place in the Celestial One’s sight, the whole Order and anyone outside it who follows the Path will have to go through a purification ritual.”
To the priests-shamans, at least the ones in Markand, “purification” involved fire, iron, and screaming, usually by a nonpriest. “Does that involve pain?”
Maskelle snorted. “No, worse. Fasting, abstinence, complicated meditation rituals. No one wants to go through that, not even to get rid of me.”
Read
January 6, 2025This gave me the kind of vibes you get from Diana Wynne Jones--world building of such incredible assurance that you feel like you've probably read several other books in the series already and had just temporarily forgotten. Plus that marvellous combination found in the best fantasy writers, of infinite compassion paired with infinite cynicism. And we get a marvellous world-weary middle-aged heroine who gets laid. Highly engaging.
April 17, 2012
I’ve recently read (and loved) Martha Wells’ most recent books, The Cloud Roads (one of my top 10 of 2011) and The Serpent Sea. Ever since then I’ve been meaning to read some of her backlist titles. I decided to go with Wheel of the Infinite because it was recently re-released with a new cover. And I am so glad I did because OH MY WORD, this book was a thing of beauty.
Every year, the Voices of the Ancestors gather to renew the Wheel of the Infinite, a sand mandala that represents the world and shapes reality. Except this year something goes terribly wrong as the Wheel shows a darkness growing and the Celestial One summons Maskele, our main character, to help out. She used to be the Voice of the Adversary – the only Ancestor that was never human and who is the embodiment of justice, bound to destroy evil – but a few years ago she was exiled for murder and treason. Maskele travels back to the heart of the Celestial Empire in the company of her new lover, a swordsman called Rian and together, they must discover who is behind the Wheel’s disintegration, before it is too late.
At its heart, the plot of Wheel of the Infinite could perhaps be described as a Mystery as Maskele and Rian set out to investigate what in the world has happened to the Wheel, who is causing it, and why. They are running against time as the world – as they know it – can be reshaped and reformed by the Wheel. What sets this book apart is the fact this story takes place in one of the most beautifully realised Fantasy settings I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about. In fact, given that the last example of a brilliantly done Fantasy setting was Martha Wells’ own aforementioned Books of the Raksura, it is easy to assume that this author has definitely a way with creating extremely inventive, vivid, interesting secondary worlds. The use of sand mandalas might have been inspired by Eastern philosophies and religions (like Buddhism) but the concepts, the ideas, the whole structure of this world – including its religion and politics – is wholly innovative. I loved the idea of the Wheel as being inherent to forming reality as much as I loved the fact that this is a precarious reality in itself, able to be changed depending on those who could wield that power. Although I would have liked to see a bit more of the possible dangers of having only a group of individuals being able to see (and therefore affect) the Wheel, this was not in any way a deterrent for how good this book turned out to be.
I also loved that there was a dash of humour with a side of romance and adventure to the proceedings, not to mention that the whole cast of characters was awesome. The narrative alternates between Maskele and Rian’s point of view but despite that, Maskele is truly the main character here. Although I loved Rian and his story, his past, his competence as a warrior and above all, his dedication to Maskele, it is the latter that made me love this book wholeheartedly.
She is not only a PoC protagonist (amongst an entire plethora of PoC characters in a PoC world) but also an older heroine at over 45 years old AND three previous marriages (none ended well, oops). But this is just the start: I absolutely adored her arc with the heartfelt regret at the actions that led to her exile and all second-guessing that ensued; she was capable and powerful with the ability to kill mercilessly – all of which are also aspects of the Adversary (but where does the Adversary ends and where does the Voice start?). I also loved that it was a struggle NOT to kill because of a vow not to use her powers anymore. As it was a struggle to believe in herself again after her failure so many years ago.
I loved how well balanced and mutually respectful her relationship with Rian was and how their bond developed from initial attraction to something deeper in a very subtle but satisfying way, a lot of it based on mutual respect. Plus how much did I love the fact that Rian is a good 15 years younger and this is not even remotely an issue? A LOT.
And of course, there is the Adversary itself – the only one of the Ancestors who was never human to begin with. It has always been indentified and personified by its Voice (the most recent one being Maskelle) and I appreciated how the story addressed this from both the Voice’s perspective but also from the Adversary’s own.
As you probably have noticed by now, this review is basically a love-fest. Wheel of the Infinite is a tightly woven story driven by plot AND characters beautifully. It’s more than settled now: Martha Wells has just become a favourite author. Highly recommended.
Every year, the Voices of the Ancestors gather to renew the Wheel of the Infinite, a sand mandala that represents the world and shapes reality. Except this year something goes terribly wrong as the Wheel shows a darkness growing and the Celestial One summons Maskele, our main character, to help out. She used to be the Voice of the Adversary – the only Ancestor that was never human and who is the embodiment of justice, bound to destroy evil – but a few years ago she was exiled for murder and treason. Maskele travels back to the heart of the Celestial Empire in the company of her new lover, a swordsman called Rian and together, they must discover who is behind the Wheel’s disintegration, before it is too late.
At its heart, the plot of Wheel of the Infinite could perhaps be described as a Mystery as Maskele and Rian set out to investigate what in the world has happened to the Wheel, who is causing it, and why. They are running against time as the world – as they know it – can be reshaped and reformed by the Wheel. What sets this book apart is the fact this story takes place in one of the most beautifully realised Fantasy settings I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about. In fact, given that the last example of a brilliantly done Fantasy setting was Martha Wells’ own aforementioned Books of the Raksura, it is easy to assume that this author has definitely a way with creating extremely inventive, vivid, interesting secondary worlds. The use of sand mandalas might have been inspired by Eastern philosophies and religions (like Buddhism) but the concepts, the ideas, the whole structure of this world – including its religion and politics – is wholly innovative. I loved the idea of the Wheel as being inherent to forming reality as much as I loved the fact that this is a precarious reality in itself, able to be changed depending on those who could wield that power. Although I would have liked to see a bit more of the possible dangers of having only a group of individuals being able to see (and therefore affect) the Wheel, this was not in any way a deterrent for how good this book turned out to be.
I also loved that there was a dash of humour with a side of romance and adventure to the proceedings, not to mention that the whole cast of characters was awesome. The narrative alternates between Maskele and Rian’s point of view but despite that, Maskele is truly the main character here. Although I loved Rian and his story, his past, his competence as a warrior and above all, his dedication to Maskele, it is the latter that made me love this book wholeheartedly.
She is not only a PoC protagonist (amongst an entire plethora of PoC characters in a PoC world) but also an older heroine at over 45 years old AND three previous marriages (none ended well, oops). But this is just the start: I absolutely adored her arc with the heartfelt regret at the actions that led to her exile and all second-guessing that ensued; she was capable and powerful with the ability to kill mercilessly – all of which are also aspects of the Adversary (but where does the Adversary ends and where does the Voice start?). I also loved that it was a struggle NOT to kill because of a vow not to use her powers anymore. As it was a struggle to believe in herself again after her failure so many years ago.
I loved how well balanced and mutually respectful her relationship with Rian was and how their bond developed from initial attraction to something deeper in a very subtle but satisfying way, a lot of it based on mutual respect. Plus how much did I love the fact that Rian is a good 15 years younger and this is not even remotely an issue? A LOT.
And of course, there is the Adversary itself – the only one of the Ancestors who was never human to begin with. It has always been indentified and personified by its Voice (the most recent one being Maskelle) and I appreciated how the story addressed this from both the Voice’s perspective but also from the Adversary’s own.
As you probably have noticed by now, this review is basically a love-fest. Wheel of the Infinite is a tightly woven story driven by plot AND characters beautifully. It’s more than settled now: Martha Wells has just become a favourite author. Highly recommended.
June 7, 2025
3 stars. I enjoyed the sarcastic rapport between the main characters, and the world-building was cool, but the pacing was really slow. Everything of importance happens in the second half. It takes a while to get there.
April 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for this digital Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
As a fan of Martha Wells's Murderbot series, I was more than a little curious to check out her ventures into fantasy. The Murderbot books are often fast-paced plots with a mix of action and humor and each subsequent book in the series has managed to add another layer of emotional depth. Above all else, they are entertaining and if I find myself bordering on a reading slump or if I just finished reading something heavy, they are perfect palette cleansers or even reading slump busters.
It is little surprise then that I found Wheel of the Infinite to be almost equally delightful and entertaining, even if it takes some time to rev up. Wheel of the Infinite starts off relatively fast when our heroine, Maskelle, a former priestess traveling with - of all things - an acting troupe, rescues a ronin-on-the-run by the name of Rian. Maskelle has more or less been excommunicated from her religious order for reasons I will not spoil here, but when she returns to the temple of her former master, both her and Rian find themselves embroiled in a mystery that is affecting the very fabric of their reality.
I love the world Wells has drawn up here, heavy in eastern influences - specifically Hindu-Buddhist. It feels wildly different from much of the fantasy I have read so far, but no less accessible.
Maskelle is a wonderful character. She's refreshingly older than your standard fantasy heroine, and she has a quiet confidence that never feels labored. As too many poor souls are late to learn, she is a figure of considerable power. And while her acerbic nature (much of the book's humor stems from her inner monologues) and rough edges win her little adoration from her contemporaries, I suspect most readers will feel differently. Rian, meanwhile, feels woefully underdeveloped by comparison.
After a fast start, Wheel of the Infinite really slows down narratively. The storytelling takes on a passive approach, losing urgency and momentum despite some strong action sequences. But once Wells gets to the heart of the matter and Maskelle's investigation starts in earnest Wheel of the Infinite shines as solid, fast-paced entertainment. It isn't spectacular, but its unique flavors and blessedly stand-alone nature prove invigorating nonetheless.
Note: This book was first published in 2000 but was revised and rereleased in November of 2024. This review is based on this revised edition.
3.75 / 5
As a fan of Martha Wells's Murderbot series, I was more than a little curious to check out her ventures into fantasy. The Murderbot books are often fast-paced plots with a mix of action and humor and each subsequent book in the series has managed to add another layer of emotional depth. Above all else, they are entertaining and if I find myself bordering on a reading slump or if I just finished reading something heavy, they are perfect palette cleansers or even reading slump busters.
It is little surprise then that I found Wheel of the Infinite to be almost equally delightful and entertaining, even if it takes some time to rev up. Wheel of the Infinite starts off relatively fast when our heroine, Maskelle, a former priestess traveling with - of all things - an acting troupe, rescues a ronin-on-the-run by the name of Rian. Maskelle has more or less been excommunicated from her religious order for reasons I will not spoil here, but when she returns to the temple of her former master, both her and Rian find themselves embroiled in a mystery that is affecting the very fabric of their reality.
I love the world Wells has drawn up here, heavy in eastern influences - specifically Hindu-Buddhist. It feels wildly different from much of the fantasy I have read so far, but no less accessible.
Maskelle is a wonderful character. She's refreshingly older than your standard fantasy heroine, and she has a quiet confidence that never feels labored. As too many poor souls are late to learn, she is a figure of considerable power. And while her acerbic nature (much of the book's humor stems from her inner monologues) and rough edges win her little adoration from her contemporaries, I suspect most readers will feel differently. Rian, meanwhile, feels woefully underdeveloped by comparison.
After a fast start, Wheel of the Infinite really slows down narratively. The storytelling takes on a passive approach, losing urgency and momentum despite some strong action sequences. But once Wells gets to the heart of the matter and Maskelle's investigation starts in earnest Wheel of the Infinite shines as solid, fast-paced entertainment. It isn't spectacular, but its unique flavors and blessedly stand-alone nature prove invigorating nonetheless.
Note: This book was first published in 2000 but was revised and rereleased in November of 2024. This review is based on this revised edition.
3.75 / 5
November 17, 2024
Ever since I discovered Martha Wells also writes fantasy, I’ve been dying to read more of her back catalogue. Well, clearly Tor Books is reading my reviews and my reviews only because this year they are reissuing Wheel of the Infinite, first published in 2000. Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for the eARC.
Maskelle is (was?) the Voice of the Adversary, but when we meet her, she’s essentially a mendicant nun. Rian is a swordsman in exile from his country. The two meet on the road and arrive in the capital of the Celestial Empire. Maskelle hangs out with the spiritual leader of the empire, her boss, and tries to help him solve a mystery that could threaten literally all of existence. Rian tries to make sure Maskelle won’t get killed. There’s intrigue and backstabbing and an evil puppet.
I’m being glib but only because I’m tired tonight, and summarizing the plot faithfully would take more energy than I have. Wheel of the Infinite is definitely a nineties fantasy through and through. From narrative structure to dialogue style to the epic stakes, this is a fun blast from the past. It’s good nineties fantasy, mind you, fairly unproblematic overall, certainly holds up much better than, say, The Wayfarer Redemption….
Like her books before and since, Wells is great at not hitting us over the head with exposition. Rian basically exists to be the guy Maskelle explains things to, but we only ever get just enough explanation to get on to the action sequences. Whether it’s the nature of the Adversary, what it means to be a Voice, or why Maskelle is down bad, Wells plays all her cards close to her chest. Even the eponymous Wheel (not to be confused with that other eponymous Wheel [of Time]) takes some time to come into focus.
In the same way, the plot itself is a slow build. We start outside the city, see Maskelle and Rian meet as the former travels with a foreign acting troupe, and then the actual mystery gets introduced. Maskelle is an interesting protagonist, since she is clearly powerful and proximal to power, yet her disgraced status means she can’t wield all of her power in an effective way. She’s very flawed and human; she’s older than your typical female protagonist in fantasy, which is great; and she gets to have uncomplicated sex and isn’t punished for it!
Rian is a more straightforward character, to the point where he’s barely more than an archetype. That might be uncharitable. He’s just not that complex. He’s heroic but slightly flawed. Wronged by the people he once trusted. Wants to protect the people around him, like Maskelle. Generally a decent dude.
All in all, Wheel of the Infinite is a good time. Like Rian, it’s not all that complex. But a simple narrative is not a bad one. A story well told is worth reading. I can see the seeds in here of the writer Wells has become: from the intriguing magic/religion system, to Maskelle’s grey morality, to the existential threats that lurk in the deepest recesses of the plot. There are shades of Le Guin here, in a good way.
This is well worth picking up if, like me, you are eager to experience more of Wells’s oeuvre. So long as you keep in mind its age, you’ll while away an afternoon or evening or two with this fulfilling yarn.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
Maskelle is (was?) the Voice of the Adversary, but when we meet her, she’s essentially a mendicant nun. Rian is a swordsman in exile from his country. The two meet on the road and arrive in the capital of the Celestial Empire. Maskelle hangs out with the spiritual leader of the empire, her boss, and tries to help him solve a mystery that could threaten literally all of existence. Rian tries to make sure Maskelle won’t get killed. There’s intrigue and backstabbing and an evil puppet.
I’m being glib but only because I’m tired tonight, and summarizing the plot faithfully would take more energy than I have. Wheel of the Infinite is definitely a nineties fantasy through and through. From narrative structure to dialogue style to the epic stakes, this is a fun blast from the past. It’s good nineties fantasy, mind you, fairly unproblematic overall, certainly holds up much better than, say, The Wayfarer Redemption….
Like her books before and since, Wells is great at not hitting us over the head with exposition. Rian basically exists to be the guy Maskelle explains things to, but we only ever get just enough explanation to get on to the action sequences. Whether it’s the nature of the Adversary, what it means to be a Voice, or why Maskelle is down bad, Wells plays all her cards close to her chest. Even the eponymous Wheel (not to be confused with that other eponymous Wheel [of Time]) takes some time to come into focus.
In the same way, the plot itself is a slow build. We start outside the city, see Maskelle and Rian meet as the former travels with a foreign acting troupe, and then the actual mystery gets introduced. Maskelle is an interesting protagonist, since she is clearly powerful and proximal to power, yet her disgraced status means she can’t wield all of her power in an effective way. She’s very flawed and human; she’s older than your typical female protagonist in fantasy, which is great; and she gets to have uncomplicated sex and isn’t punished for it!
Rian is a more straightforward character, to the point where he’s barely more than an archetype. That might be uncharitable. He’s just not that complex. He’s heroic but slightly flawed. Wronged by the people he once trusted. Wants to protect the people around him, like Maskelle. Generally a decent dude.
All in all, Wheel of the Infinite is a good time. Like Rian, it’s not all that complex. But a simple narrative is not a bad one. A story well told is worth reading. I can see the seeds in here of the writer Wells has become: from the intriguing magic/religion system, to Maskelle’s grey morality, to the existential threats that lurk in the deepest recesses of the plot. There are shades of Le Guin here, in a good way.
This is well worth picking up if, like me, you are eager to experience more of Wells’s oeuvre. So long as you keep in mind its age, you’ll while away an afternoon or evening or two with this fulfilling yarn.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
January 22, 2013
I've enjoyed Wells books since I discovered The Death of the Necromancer. She writes without the faux medieval/formal dialogue that cripples so much fantasy, with the humorous banter of good relationships.
This stand alone story involves a priestess in disgraced, banished from the capital for seven years. On her journey home; where she faces an alien magic out to destroy her world, she rescues a young swordsman who is running from his onerous Lord and they become lovers and compatriots.
The magic of the priesthood is reminiscent of Tibetan, even down to many of their mythical spirit animals. The setting put me in mind of Mayan cities. The characters are strong, clever and immensely likable and the Big Bad is original.
This stand alone story involves a priestess in disgraced, banished from the capital for seven years. On her journey home; where she faces an alien magic out to destroy her world, she rescues a young swordsman who is running from his onerous Lord and they become lovers and compatriots.
The magic of the priesthood is reminiscent of Tibetan, even down to many of their mythical spirit animals. The setting put me in mind of Mayan cities. The characters are strong, clever and immensely likable and the Big Bad is original.
November 13, 2024
I read the 2024 Revised Edition of this book.
The Wheel of The Infinite is one of those delectable fantasy books with complex worldbuilding that gives you the information little by little. You slowly learn about our protagonist, her magic, her history, and finally at the end you understand what a Wheel of the Infinite even is. It's a rewarding journey along the way.
This novel has a little romance as a side plot. It's sweet, but never swoonworthy.
Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Wheel of The Infinite is one of those delectable fantasy books with complex worldbuilding that gives you the information little by little. You slowly learn about our protagonist, her magic, her history, and finally at the end you understand what a Wheel of the Infinite even is. It's a rewarding journey along the way.
This novel has a little romance as a side plot. It's sweet, but never swoonworthy.
Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 11, 2021
Good enough to finish, bad though that each page was torture. While I normally hate slow-paced books because I'm impatient and I don't like to sit around philosophizing, I hated the slow pace of this book because it was just boringboringboring and unnecessary. The culture and magic scheme in this story is based of Tibettan Buddhism, and maybe the writing style was meant to keep that kind of pace in mind. But I'm not a monk, and I don't have that kind of patience.
July 28, 2010
There are a few things I really liked about this book; the female lead character was not young and hot but older and seasoned by life. The male lead was younger than her but smart enough to recognize a truly awesome woman to work with and pursue romantically. The good and bad characters were realistic even though this book is a fantasy. The mystery was really good. Practically perfect.
June 7, 2017
My entire review is really just KEYSMASH KEYSMASH ARGLEBARGLE LOVE WOULD READ TEN MILLION MORE WORDS. Because, like, older physically confident kind of murderous kickass women REPRESENT. Worldbuilding x 1000. Love interest thumbs up. Magical system I could get lost in. AC-TORS. Demons.
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September 22, 2013
4.5 stars, really. First off, I love Wells' writing. She knows how to use words to elevate setting and character to something three-dimensional, and (my favorite technique) to occasionally drop in something humorous that's also illuminating. For example, on p. 12: "There were gasps and outcries, proving that some of the raiders at least were among the devout. One quick thinker turned and dived out the nearest window."
An amazing bit of work. With that one pair of sentences, Wells had me wondering: Just who *is* this woman that jumping out a window is a rational response to her announcing her title? Bits of information accumulate for quite a while before it all comes clear - which is kind of necessary, because it's involved with this culture's religion, and the religion is also most of what the plot is about, in a manner of speaking. (Can't explain more without spoiling the plot.)
What keeps the book from being five stars for me is simply that despite how interesting the main characters (Maskelle and Rian) were, I had trouble really warming up to them. They had interesting back stories and roles and definite personalities and all, but I don't know. It feels like because their cultures were so unlike those of our world, learning about those cultures displaced some of the learning about the characters.
In addition, the pacing of the end of the book seemed off. It had high stakes and danger and politics and , but something about the order of events or the way they were presented didn't work well for me. Some of what happened resulted from past events that didn't get explained until quite close to - or even after - the novel's events, which might have something to do with it. Or maybe it's just me.
Still. Maskelle's little lightning strike and a bunch of the other events were sufficiently dramatic and thrilling, the world was fascinating, and most of the characters were of the non-pale persuasion (cover art notwithstanding: Maskelle, the dark-skinned main character, is on the back cover; that's Rian, the supporting lead, on the front). And the resolution makes sense, once you work it out - but it really is quite complicated. Highly recommended.
An amazing bit of work. With that one pair of sentences, Wells had me wondering: Just who *is* this woman that jumping out a window is a rational response to her announcing her title? Bits of information accumulate for quite a while before it all comes clear - which is kind of necessary, because it's involved with this culture's religion, and the religion is also most of what the plot is about, in a manner of speaking. (Can't explain more without spoiling the plot.)
What keeps the book from being five stars for me is simply that despite how interesting the main characters (Maskelle and Rian) were, I had trouble really warming up to them. They had interesting back stories and roles and definite personalities and all, but I don't know. It feels like because their cultures were so unlike those of our world, learning about those cultures displaced some of the learning about the characters.
In addition, the pacing of the end of the book seemed off. It had high stakes and danger and politics and , but something about the order of events or the way they were presented didn't work well for me. Some of what happened resulted from past events that didn't get explained until quite close to - or even after - the novel's events, which might have something to do with it. Or maybe it's just me.
Still. Maskelle's little lightning strike and a bunch of the other events were sufficiently dramatic and thrilling, the world was fascinating, and most of the characters were of the non-pale persuasion (cover art notwithstanding: Maskelle, the dark-skinned main character, is on the back cover; that's Rian, the supporting lead, on the front). And the resolution makes sense, once you work it out - but it really is quite complicated. Highly recommended.
October 6, 2024
Rounded from 3.5
Esoteric religious magic and disgraced court bodyguards cross their streams in this high fantasy with deep world building and compelling characters. I read the 2024 “Updated and Revised” version of this book, originally published in 2000, and I can’t speak to the differences, but I can say that this novel will show new fans of Martha Wells who know her only for her Murderbot series that she can do fantasy really well, too, and has been doing so for more than two decades. What I appreciated most about this story was the world building and the way the world was introduced to us, which was slowly and in pieces. There were no lengthy exposition dumps, instead we follow two characters from different cultures and through them we slowly learn more and more about this world, with new little details even come in the ending chapters. It was a wonderful way to build out the world, because it left a whole lot open-ended. We know there are all these distinct countries/provinces that have their own customs, religions, and magic systems, and we get glimpses and tastes of them in this story but are mostly focused on one particular country/religious system. It really just was a well-developed, exciting world that felt unique and also felt like it had more mysteries to share, and it was complemented by the way it was explored and the ways we learned about it. The imagery of the world was also striking, not the kind of imagery we see in other fantasy novels, and while I can speculate what inspired a lot of that imagery what was fun was that Wells didn’t lean on any existing cultures or ideas, she just celebrate some imagery and maybe cultural ideas in what felt like a non-exploitative way, building her own, uncommon world.
We had one main character and one secondary almost main character, and we shifted between their perspectives (though not equally, more like 70/30) and this gave us good insight into these characters. I liked both the main characters, they felt like they had deep histories that we got little bits and pieces of, but there was still more saved. Those unexplored parts of their histories were actually great, they let the characters feel dynamic and it let me feel like my relationship was continually deepening with them as the story progressed. And the story itself was actually a lot of fun. I liked the overall mystery/puzzle to be worked out, I liked the heavy turn things took at about the 60% mark when you thought you were grasping on to some answers, and I thought the eventual reveal and resolution was unexpected.
The big thing that held this story back for me was the pacing, to be honest. I don’t mind slow fantasy stories, especially when a lot of that time is committed to world building and character development. But this just felt really slow, at least the first third or so, slower than it had to be. We did get an interesting exploration of the character and the world during that time, but the character reveal and world-building continued through the story, so it didn’t feel like that slow pace was really necessary. One of the central pivot points around which our main character rotates is that she has been cursed and exiled, and we don’t find out what for until near the very, very end of the story! There is a continual slow development of the world and the characters, which is fin, but it makes that early, slower section stand out and feel like it dragged a little. Also, there is a romantic subplot, and I can appreciate why those particular characters’ personalities would be attractive to each other, but it felt like it came out of nowhere, with no build-up, no character deliberation or consideration, it just kind of happened, and it felt somewhere between rushed and not necessary. I appreciate how their relationship mediated some of their actions in the finale, so I suppose I am glad it happened, but for a slow-paced book that relationship felt really sudden.
I had a good time with this book, even though it was slow. I can see some folks being a little frustrated. It does move slowly, and it ends with a clear resolution to the primary conflict of this particular story, but the worlds and characters still have a lot of mystery about them. It is hard to ever feel you know what a character is going to do, because your understanding of their histories and motivations and experiences is developed in this slow drip throughout the story. That does create some emotional distance from the characters—it is hard to see yourself in them if you are still learning new things about them in the last chapter. And both of the main characters are really cool, and some of the ancillary characters are equally fun and seem like they have the potential for really robust histories that we only get hints of. So, I can appreciate folks being critical of the pacing and the open-ended character and world development. The pacing did drag a little for me, in the first half, as I mentioned, but I didn’t mind the distance we had from the characters. It kept them always intriguing, each one a different puzzle box, and the world was rich and fantastical enough that I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed knowing there is a whole lot more of it that is yet to learn.
Ultimately this high-fantasy novel doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel but it has some really beautiful imagery in an intricately constructed world that has compelling magic systems, flawed and exciting characters, and an overall story that combines spirituality and magic (and occasional violence) in open-ended and fun ways that complicate them all, and it was a fun world to fall into. Martha Wells has a number of different fantasy series, including her current “Rising World” series which will have a new book coming out soon, and part of me would love to see this book being republished so she can continue to write in this world, because I would happily jump back in.
I want to thank the editors and authors, the publisher Tor Books, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Esoteric religious magic and disgraced court bodyguards cross their streams in this high fantasy with deep world building and compelling characters. I read the 2024 “Updated and Revised” version of this book, originally published in 2000, and I can’t speak to the differences, but I can say that this novel will show new fans of Martha Wells who know her only for her Murderbot series that she can do fantasy really well, too, and has been doing so for more than two decades. What I appreciated most about this story was the world building and the way the world was introduced to us, which was slowly and in pieces. There were no lengthy exposition dumps, instead we follow two characters from different cultures and through them we slowly learn more and more about this world, with new little details even come in the ending chapters. It was a wonderful way to build out the world, because it left a whole lot open-ended. We know there are all these distinct countries/provinces that have their own customs, religions, and magic systems, and we get glimpses and tastes of them in this story but are mostly focused on one particular country/religious system. It really just was a well-developed, exciting world that felt unique and also felt like it had more mysteries to share, and it was complemented by the way it was explored and the ways we learned about it. The imagery of the world was also striking, not the kind of imagery we see in other fantasy novels, and while I can speculate what inspired a lot of that imagery what was fun was that Wells didn’t lean on any existing cultures or ideas, she just celebrate some imagery and maybe cultural ideas in what felt like a non-exploitative way, building her own, uncommon world.
We had one main character and one secondary almost main character, and we shifted between their perspectives (though not equally, more like 70/30) and this gave us good insight into these characters. I liked both the main characters, they felt like they had deep histories that we got little bits and pieces of, but there was still more saved. Those unexplored parts of their histories were actually great, they let the characters feel dynamic and it let me feel like my relationship was continually deepening with them as the story progressed. And the story itself was actually a lot of fun. I liked the overall mystery/puzzle to be worked out, I liked the heavy turn things took at about the 60% mark when you thought you were grasping on to some answers, and I thought the eventual reveal and resolution was unexpected.
The big thing that held this story back for me was the pacing, to be honest. I don’t mind slow fantasy stories, especially when a lot of that time is committed to world building and character development. But this just felt really slow, at least the first third or so, slower than it had to be. We did get an interesting exploration of the character and the world during that time, but the character reveal and world-building continued through the story, so it didn’t feel like that slow pace was really necessary. One of the central pivot points around which our main character rotates is that she has been cursed and exiled, and we don’t find out what for until near the very, very end of the story! There is a continual slow development of the world and the characters, which is fin, but it makes that early, slower section stand out and feel like it dragged a little. Also, there is a romantic subplot, and I can appreciate why those particular characters’ personalities would be attractive to each other, but it felt like it came out of nowhere, with no build-up, no character deliberation or consideration, it just kind of happened, and it felt somewhere between rushed and not necessary. I appreciate how their relationship mediated some of their actions in the finale, so I suppose I am glad it happened, but for a slow-paced book that relationship felt really sudden.
I had a good time with this book, even though it was slow. I can see some folks being a little frustrated. It does move slowly, and it ends with a clear resolution to the primary conflict of this particular story, but the worlds and characters still have a lot of mystery about them. It is hard to ever feel you know what a character is going to do, because your understanding of their histories and motivations and experiences is developed in this slow drip throughout the story. That does create some emotional distance from the characters—it is hard to see yourself in them if you are still learning new things about them in the last chapter. And both of the main characters are really cool, and some of the ancillary characters are equally fun and seem like they have the potential for really robust histories that we only get hints of. So, I can appreciate folks being critical of the pacing and the open-ended character and world development. The pacing did drag a little for me, in the first half, as I mentioned, but I didn’t mind the distance we had from the characters. It kept them always intriguing, each one a different puzzle box, and the world was rich and fantastical enough that I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed knowing there is a whole lot more of it that is yet to learn.
Ultimately this high-fantasy novel doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel but it has some really beautiful imagery in an intricately constructed world that has compelling magic systems, flawed and exciting characters, and an overall story that combines spirituality and magic (and occasional violence) in open-ended and fun ways that complicate them all, and it was a fun world to fall into. Martha Wells has a number of different fantasy series, including her current “Rising World” series which will have a new book coming out soon, and part of me would love to see this book being republished so she can continue to write in this world, because I would happily jump back in.
I want to thank the editors and authors, the publisher Tor Books, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 3, 2025
4.5 stars
Well, Maskelle is no having a good time since a few years ago. She once was the Voice of the Adversary, a pampered and feared unique Voice among the other Voices of the Ancestors, the ancient beings that give visions to the Celestial Empire.
So, Martha Wells presents us with a fantasy ride based upon in what seems to be the Khmer Empire. Images of jungle, chanels, and temples fill this world.
[Angkor Wat, in Cambodia, the spiritual capital of southeastern in the 12th century]
Maskelle is coming back home, because the Celestial One is calling her to the century ceremony Rite, a vital part of her world.
From there, this turns into a novel that's part detective story, part fantasy-pantheism religious, with a fair amount of sarcastic humor that I love. It features a female protagonist who's not young, married three times, and who encounters a younger man who's escaping his own problems in another realm.If you can destroy a thing, I suppose you can be said to rule it." She should have realized he would see it that way. The Sintane might be behind the rest of the civilized lands in many ways, but in understanding the uses and abuses of secular power it might well be ahead.
-
But
Dearest Martha: please don't name your characters so similar in the future; we humble readers get confused sometimes: Rastim. Raith. Rian. Uf.
I don’t bargain with otherworld demons, the Adversary said as Maskelle felt it flow through her. I eat them.
Well, Maskelle is no having a good time since a few years ago. She once was the Voice of the Adversary, a pampered and feared unique Voice among the other Voices of the Ancestors, the ancient beings that give visions to the Celestial Empire.
Almost against her will, she added, "I receive the Ancestors' Will, when they have any, and translate it for others. In return, They allow me to manipulate the power of the Infinite." An enormous simplification of the process, but she didn't think he wanted an hours-long philosophy debate.
More silence. The disbelief was so thick it was practically dripping off the wagon. Finally, he said, "Are all the Koshan priests wizards?"
Ancestors help me, Maskelle swore under her breath, then gave in. "To some extent. But none of the others are like me."
So, Martha Wells presents us with a fantasy ride based upon in what seems to be the Khmer Empire. Images of jungle, chanels, and temples fill this world.
[Angkor Wat, in Cambodia, the spiritual capital of southeastern in the 12th century]
Maskelle is coming back home, because the Celestial One is calling her to the century ceremony Rite, a vital part of her world.
From there, this turns into a novel that's part detective story, part fantasy-pantheism religious, with a fair amount of sarcastic humor that I love. It features a female protagonist who's not young, married three times, and who encounters a younger man who's escaping his own problems in another realm.If you can destroy a thing, I suppose you can be said to rule it." She should have realized he would see it that way. The Sintane might be behind the rest of the civilized lands in many ways, but in understanding the uses and abuses of secular power it might well be ahead.
-
But
Dearest Martha: please don't name your characters so similar in the future; we humble readers get confused sometimes: Rastim. Raith. Rian. Uf.
September 16, 2025
3.5 stars
I had a hard time getting into this one and found myself drifting as we were slowly introduced to the world in the first half.
The second half of the book picked up the pace, and many threads resolved themselves in a very cool way!
I liked our main characters - Rian and Maskelle. They were written well as mature people who’ve been through some shit. They’ve loved, and lost and messed up. Now they’re at a stage in their lives where they can choose again on all accounts, and they do. Maskelle especially, with her dark past of betrayal and loss of faith, was a strong lead. And kudos to Martha Wells for making her middle aged, and older than her romantic partner, Rian, besides.
The world was surprisingly complex by the end, for a stand-alone. The interaction of spirits with the people, the different lands, the awe-inspiring power of the Wheel and what lay behind all troubles was fun to see unveiled.
I had a hard time getting into this one and found myself drifting as we were slowly introduced to the world in the first half.
The second half of the book picked up the pace, and many threads resolved themselves in a very cool way!
I liked our main characters - Rian and Maskelle. They were written well as mature people who’ve been through some shit. They’ve loved, and lost and messed up. Now they’re at a stage in their lives where they can choose again on all accounts, and they do. Maskelle especially, with her dark past of betrayal and loss of faith, was a strong lead. And kudos to Martha Wells for making her middle aged, and older than her romantic partner, Rian, besides.
The world was surprisingly complex by the end, for a stand-alone. The interaction of spirits with the people, the different lands, the awe-inspiring power of the Wheel and what lay behind all troubles was fun to see unveiled.
July 23, 2020
2,8 stars
November 16, 2024
Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
DNFed around 20% or so. While I love Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries books, her high fantasy worked a little less well for me. Perhaps it's because I've read too many fantasies already, but the elements of WHEEL OF THE INFINITE did not really stand out for me. I suppose Maskelle is unique in that she is a middle-aged female main character, which I did appreciate, but besides for that fact, she reads like any other competent but slightly exasperated MC on a quest. None of the other characters, including Rian, the love interest, stood out either.
I think my biggest struggle with WHEEL OF THE INFINITE was not really getting a sense of the overall purpose of the characters' journey. It might have come up once, but Maskelle is rather cagey about her identity and her quest, which didn't help matters, and she/the other characters were constantly avoiding fleshing out the book's main plot by getting into side skirmishes with one-time baddies. I wanted more main plot development, not distractions.
DNFed around 20% or so. While I love Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries books, her high fantasy worked a little less well for me. Perhaps it's because I've read too many fantasies already, but the elements of WHEEL OF THE INFINITE did not really stand out for me. I suppose Maskelle is unique in that she is a middle-aged female main character, which I did appreciate, but besides for that fact, she reads like any other competent but slightly exasperated MC on a quest. None of the other characters, including Rian, the love interest, stood out either.
I think my biggest struggle with WHEEL OF THE INFINITE was not really getting a sense of the overall purpose of the characters' journey. It might have come up once, but Maskelle is rather cagey about her identity and her quest, which didn't help matters, and she/the other characters were constantly avoiding fleshing out the book's main plot by getting into side skirmishes with one-time baddies. I wanted more main plot development, not distractions.
November 23, 2024
A bit rougher around the edges than some of Martha Wells's other work (particularly Death of the Necromancer), but with the same excellent world-building, complex plotting, and likable characters. Bonus points for have the main protagonist be a 45-year-old pseudo-Buddhist nun.
March 17, 2025
The best fantasy book I've read by Wells, and really one of her best overall. The world she created (made me think of Angkor Wat?) was interesting, and I wanted to know way more about main character and Voice of the Adversary Maskelle than I got. (Rian too, really.)
As the action ramped up the character and plot stuff did get pushed to the background a bit, but the beginning was wonderful. (Not the first time this has happened with Wells, but I really did enjoy the whole book.) It was interesting to see the combination of Female with Otherworldly Powers and Canny Male with Weapon Skills appear again after recently seeing a similar set-up in The Element of Fire.
A great reading experience. I wish it had been two or three books with more character work filling in the corners! One of the only Wells fantasies that I would be interested to re-read in a few years.
As the action ramped up the character and plot stuff did get pushed to the background a bit, but the beginning was wonderful. (Not the first time this has happened with Wells, but I really did enjoy the whole book.) It was interesting to see the combination of Female with Otherworldly Powers and Canny Male with Weapon Skills appear again after recently seeing a similar set-up in The Element of Fire.
A great reading experience. I wish it had been two or three books with more character work filling in the corners! One of the only Wells fantasies that I would be interested to re-read in a few years.
July 9, 2016
Darkness looms and terrible forces threaten to rise from the storm. The sorceress Maskelle has been summoned back from exile to aid in the annual process of remaking the Wheel of the Infinite in order to maintain peace and harmony. Maskelle travels unobtrusively with a group of play actors, but as the Voice of the Adversary she is not unknown. In fact, in spite of her dark past, she is revered as much as she is feared and her word as much as her power commands respect. Yet Wells makes it clear that she is a woman first, not merely a demi-god to be worshipped.
Along her journey, Maskelle meets the swordsman, Rian, whom she rescues from hoodlums intent on his death. He too has a questionable past, which Maskelle eventually teases out of him, just as he learns of hers. Their relationship is intriguing. I want to say that there was no spark and it did not feel genuine, but in thinking about it for a while after, I came to really appreciate how well they functioned and how easily they accepted each other. Neither of them had reason to trust each other, and, considering Maskelle’s history with her lovers, Rian ought to have gone running. Yet, they both fit together in this comfortable, pragmatic coupledom.
One of the things that sets this book apart from others in the genre is the lead character. Maskelle is not the typical heroine. She is a middle-aged woman of colour coming to terms with the creaks and groans that come with her age. She is a bit bitter, but not without reason. She is proud. She is powerful. And she knows how to laugh at herself and with those around her.
Her world is also unusual, but that should be no surprise. Once again, Wells weaves her magic and builds us a world at once unique, inviting and familiar, though it is by no means the typical medieval European fantasy setting. This has more of a modest South East Asian feel, with a myriad of people populating the different places through which Maskelle and her companions travel.
There is a heavy focus on the religious aspects of the world, which Wells carefully brings to light as the plot unravels. To be clear, by "heavy focus," I don't mean that this is in any way a preachy story. I simply mean that it is a prominent part of the plot through which Wells continues to show us how incredibly complete her world building skills are, without being overwhelming.
I initially listened to this as an audiobook, but eventually switched to the ebook. The narration was too disjointed and the transitions were not very smooth. I probably should have switched to the ebook sooner, as I think it would have helped me connect with the characters even more.
The BiblioSanctum
Along her journey, Maskelle meets the swordsman, Rian, whom she rescues from hoodlums intent on his death. He too has a questionable past, which Maskelle eventually teases out of him, just as he learns of hers. Their relationship is intriguing. I want to say that there was no spark and it did not feel genuine, but in thinking about it for a while after, I came to really appreciate how well they functioned and how easily they accepted each other. Neither of them had reason to trust each other, and, considering Maskelle’s history with her lovers, Rian ought to have gone running. Yet, they both fit together in this comfortable, pragmatic coupledom.
One of the things that sets this book apart from others in the genre is the lead character. Maskelle is not the typical heroine. She is a middle-aged woman of colour coming to terms with the creaks and groans that come with her age. She is a bit bitter, but not without reason. She is proud. She is powerful. And she knows how to laugh at herself and with those around her.
Her world is also unusual, but that should be no surprise. Once again, Wells weaves her magic and builds us a world at once unique, inviting and familiar, though it is by no means the typical medieval European fantasy setting. This has more of a modest South East Asian feel, with a myriad of people populating the different places through which Maskelle and her companions travel.
There is a heavy focus on the religious aspects of the world, which Wells carefully brings to light as the plot unravels. To be clear, by "heavy focus," I don't mean that this is in any way a preachy story. I simply mean that it is a prominent part of the plot through which Wells continues to show us how incredibly complete her world building skills are, without being overwhelming.
I initially listened to this as an audiobook, but eventually switched to the ebook. The narration was too disjointed and the transitions were not very smooth. I probably should have switched to the ebook sooner, as I think it would have helped me connect with the characters even more.
The BiblioSanctum
September 7, 2019
I feel very apathetic towards this book. Wheel of the Infinite had more negatives than positives for me, yet I did have moments of enjoyment at the very beginning, which is why I'm giving it two stars instead of one.
The story could have been so much more epic. There could have been more lore, more history, and more intrigue (since this is ultimately a fantasy mystery novel). We do get hints of a broader world existing, however, this whole book is basically set in one city - which would be fine, if it wasn't for the fact that there was no life to the city. I know I always say this, but I hate it when authors just use characters and locations as empty and soulless plot devices. Wells does this thing where she writes pages and pages of descriptions about the characters' surrounds, but I found them heavy-handed and ineffective. Wells puts so much effort into describing locations - dressing up every place with all these bells and whistles - that it all just ends up as a giant hodgepodge of confusion and incoherency.
Speaking of empty characters and locations, Rian was the ultimate empty character. His character solely existed to act as a sounding board for Maskelle (the main character) to basically give exposition to the readers. For context, Rian joins in Maskelle's exploits early on, however, his character is conveniently from another land, and therefore he asks Maskelle a lot of questions and Maskelle has to explain how everything in her world works to him. I find this a lazy writing technique.
I mentioned earlier that the story could have been more epic. Another reason I say this is because everything just falls into place so easily in this book. There is one central mystery that the characters must solve (who has corrupted the Wheel of the Infinite and how can they fix it?), but there is no struggle or any believable problem-solving to move from one resolution to the next. I don't know about you guys, but I hate it when mysteries in novels are resolved via a straight line. The pacing is also really off starting at about one-third into the book, which is when the mystery first gets introduced. There is simply no breathing room. Who wants non-stop action from beginning to end? I certainly don't. Once again, this upholds my opinion that Wells only wrote this book for her plot/mystery. She was just rushing to get to the final reveal...a technique that many people like to call the "Sanderson pile-up" (if you've read any of Brandon Sanderson's books, then you'll know what I'm talking about). As a side note, I don't like Sanderson's books either.
The story could have been so much more epic. There could have been more lore, more history, and more intrigue (since this is ultimately a fantasy mystery novel). We do get hints of a broader world existing, however, this whole book is basically set in one city - which would be fine, if it wasn't for the fact that there was no life to the city. I know I always say this, but I hate it when authors just use characters and locations as empty and soulless plot devices. Wells does this thing where she writes pages and pages of descriptions about the characters' surrounds, but I found them heavy-handed and ineffective. Wells puts so much effort into describing locations - dressing up every place with all these bells and whistles - that it all just ends up as a giant hodgepodge of confusion and incoherency.
Speaking of empty characters and locations, Rian was the ultimate empty character. His character solely existed to act as a sounding board for Maskelle (the main character) to basically give exposition to the readers. For context, Rian joins in Maskelle's exploits early on, however, his character is conveniently from another land, and therefore he asks Maskelle a lot of questions and Maskelle has to explain how everything in her world works to him. I find this a lazy writing technique.
I mentioned earlier that the story could have been more epic. Another reason I say this is because everything just falls into place so easily in this book. There is one central mystery that the characters must solve (who has corrupted the Wheel of the Infinite and how can they fix it?), but there is no struggle or any believable problem-solving to move from one resolution to the next. I don't know about you guys, but I hate it when mysteries in novels are resolved via a straight line. The pacing is also really off starting at about one-third into the book, which is when the mystery first gets introduced. There is simply no breathing room. Who wants non-stop action from beginning to end? I certainly don't. Once again, this upholds my opinion that Wells only wrote this book for her plot/mystery. She was just rushing to get to the final reveal...a technique that many people like to call the "Sanderson pile-up" (if you've read any of Brandon Sanderson's books, then you'll know what I'm talking about). As a side note, I don't like Sanderson's books either.
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