Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

The Dragon Reborn - Robert Jordan

June 2, 2020.

I will be here with bells on:-):-):-)

Choko wrote: "I will be here with bells on:-):-):-)"

I wondered what that noise was.

Haha!! Just me, here hoping for everyone to continue with the series:-):-):-)

I am 11% into The Path of Daggers.

Wow, that's far ahead...

I’m still 420 pages away, but should be there in a few days.

No worries. The official start date is the second of June:-)

Choko wrote: "Wow, that's far ahead..."

Well no just way behind of the prior group read.

Will be here but might be late.

I'm maybe 1/4 through book 4, the shadow rising.

James, we will be looking for your input, as well as Gary's too... Actually, all input is appreciated (+_+)

I’ve finished The Great Hunt and I’m reporting for duty on The Dragon Reborn.

Edgarf, you are breezing through this series!!! I can't start yet, but I will be here soon ʘ‿ʘ

Choko, although I have started DR, I think I will read this book at a much slower pace. If I kept the same pace as GH I would probably burn myself out on the series before I completed it. I don’t want to do that:-). To be honest, it was kind of hard to slow down with The Great Hunt.

Haha! I get it. I do used to binge read series and I would totally burn myself out on them, so I would lose the appreciation for them that they actually deserved. Now I make myself to space them and have some different authors in between, so I can enjoy the differences. And I read a lot! I wish you had started The Legends of the First Empire with us - this is my first time reading it and it's not bad for now. We just started the second book. Do you only read real books, or do you do Kindle or Audio as well?

I will be here in the second part of the month so don't read too fast :)

I'll be here for this one too! I have the audiobook ^~^ This book will be a new read for me, so I can't wait to start with you all :D

I started yesterday but only got 100 pages in, give or take, before I got sidetracked by bingeing Grantchester on Amazon Prime.

I'd like to mix up my reading with the audiobook but it's a six month wait at my library and I didn't plan ahead.

I’ve been eager for this discussion to begin. I’ve also had a hard time not finishing this book before the discussion started. I managed to stop 90 pages from the end. Nynaeve is still my favorite character and Mat has moved up slightly in my estimation. This has been the best WOT book so far. I’m going to wait a bit to hear read other people’s thoughts before I pipe in again.

OOhhh! That makes me excited to continue on! Thanks for the thoughts Edgarf ^^

Just finished the Prologue. Those White Cloaks are trouble. They interpret and spin everything so much, it almost has nothing to do with the truth... And I dislike most of them. Even those who are not the biggest instigators, are still more than happy to just point at whoever and call them a Darkfriend! I despise them! And I don't mind to blame the ladies from the White Tower for all their machinations and plotting whenever they deserve it, but blaming them for the Domani's work, that just sucks!!!

@Choko ~They are the absolute worst! ugh. :(

I'm at Chapter 6 now (The Hunt Begins)....poor Perrin. He tries to (view spoiler)[confess his feelings to Min. But that boy Rand has so many girls interested in him ^^; Perrin is such a good boy.

Also loved how they called out Lan's feelings for Nynaeve <3 I ship it. (hide spoiler)]

Katie wrote: "@Choko ~They are the absolute worst! ugh. :(

I'm at Chapter 6 now (The Hunt Begins)....poor Perrin. He tries to confess his feelings to Min. But that boy Rand has so many girls interested in him ^..."

Even Ch. 1, and Ch. 2 , Perrin is obviously fighting what his role is going to be in what comes... (view spoiler)[ "...“And yet you are not happy with your weapons.”
How did she know that? He shook his head irritably, shaggy hair swaying. “The Creator made the world,” he muttered, “not I. I must live the best I can in the world the way it is.”
“So sad for one so young,” she said softly...."

He has closer soul to the peaceful people of the Tinkers, but he is driven into a life of violence...

And yes, I think Min is all into Rand, and he seems very popular with the girls, despite not really understanding what to do. Well, neither of them have any idea what to do with the girls:) And that Taviren thing is making the life of the women around those guys kind of difficult:):):) (hide spoiler)]

In Ch. 2, Rand is kind of pathetic - but I wish he would understand and accept his role in all this finally, which I expect because of the title of the book:)

(view spoiler)[ "...“Duty,” Rand muttered. “Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain. That’s what they say in Shienar. ‘The Dark One is stirring. The Last Battle is coming. And the Dragon Reborn has to face the Dark One in the Last Battle, or the Shadow will cover everything. The Wheel of Time broken. Every Age remade in the Dark One’s image.’ There’s only me.” He began to laugh mirthlessly, his shoulders shaking. “I have the duty, because there isn’t anybody else, now is there?”..."

And he had better stop talking like that about my Moraine ... (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 3 (view spoiler)[ "...Perrin blinked at her uncertainly. He wished that he could be certain Rand was in his right mind, or that Mat were there. He was never sure of his ground with girls, but Rand always seemed to know his way. So did Mat; most of the girls back home in Emond’s Field had sniffed that Mat would never grow up, but he had seemed to have a way with them...."

I find it hilarious how every boy thinks he is terrible with the ladies and the other two sure know what they are doing:):):)

Uno is awesome! He tries so hard not to curse in front of the ladies:):)

What the hell are the Souless??? And why are they not asking the question? Also, it is funny how Rand is totally fine with his doubts for Moiraine, but he "can't abide others questioning her"... Hahaha! I like he is still protective toward her... (hide spoiler)]

@Choko ~ I'm loving your pick of quotes in your chapter thoughts ^~^

And you're absolutely right about Perrin. All the boys for that matter are trying to figure out what to do. And Rand is ever the reluctant hero type ^^

Quick question. Who is Uno again Choko? So many names ^^;

Uno and Messina are the two main guys from the Shaenarans that are still with the group. Uno is the one that curses every second word, but is trying really hard not to. And Messina is getting me really worried. He is becoming a fanatic about following The Dragon Reborn. I am up to Ch 6 and here he (view spoiler)[ decided that since the Dragon has decided to leave them, then he has to go spread the word about him. Nothing good ever comes from that kind of fanaticism.

Also, Moiraine has been telling them ever since they left the village that if they have any weird dreams, they should tell her immediately. If they only listen to her, they would be doing so much better!!!

That moment when the Trolleks attacked and Rand wasn't able to do anything with his power, that was scary! It is obvious that he needs some actual training, but Moiraine already told him a female can't really teach a male, since the nature of the power they use is so different. If only the ladies hadn't "gentled" every man capable of channeling power for three thousand years!!! Now they need him and he is completely useless, because he has no idea what and how to do it... And of course, now that he was unable to help during the battle and almost killed everyone by almost bringing the mountain down on top of them, he decides the smartest thing to do is to go off on his own? Really Rand, really?! Listen to the wise lady!!!

Poor wolves! They are trying to help, to protect the gang, and Perrin is refusing to accept his nature... I feel terrible for all of them... (hide spoiler)]

Oohhh, that helps, thank you Choko <3

re: chapter 6 (view spoiler)[Things aren't looking to good for our heroes :( Those boys should really listen to their elders. ^^; And I really want Perrin to accept his nature...but at the same time...he fears it :( (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, they are all afraid. They came from the edges of the world and got thrown into the fires of a conflict for the survival of the civilization. It has to be terrifying.

I remember a while ago that I stopped at this book because I couldn't go on, I'm not saying I am but there is a chance that I MIGHT join you guys for the series later on after I read a few books.

Ahdam, you are always welcome to join us! You know, the more the merrier◉‿◉!

Ch. 6 ... (view spoiler)[

Regarding Moiraine, I think Perrin has a point here
"...“There’s always something new from you,” Perrin growled. “Can’t you tell us what to expect once in a while, instead of explaining after it happens?” Uno looked as though he was trying to think of a reason to leave...."

"...“She asked you. She didn’t do me the courtesy of asking.”
Loial shook his head. “I think she asked because she knew what we would answer, Min. Moiraine seems able to read Perrin and me; she knows what we’ll do. But you are a closed book to her.”
Min appeared only a little mollified....
"“An Aielman in a cage,” she said promptly. “A Tuatha’an with a sword. A falcon and a hawk, perching on your shoulders. Both female, I think. And all the rest, of course. What is always there. Darkness swirling ’round you, and—”
...“One more thing,” she said slowly. “If you meet a woman—the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen—run!”
Perrin blinked. “You saw a beautiful woman? Why should I run from a beautiful woman?”
“Can’t you just take advice?” she said irritably. She kicked at a stone and watched it roll down the slope...."

RUN!!!!

"...“Uh . . . Min, you know I like you. I like you, but. . . . Uh . . . you sort of remind me of my sisters. I mean, you. . . .” The flow stumbled to a halt as she raised her head to look at him, eyebrows arched. She wore a small smile.
“Why, Perrin, you must know that I love you.” She stood there, watching his mouth work, then spoke slowly and carefully. “Like a brother, you great wooden-headed lummox! The arrogance of men never ceases to amaze me. You all think everything has to do with you, and every woman has to desire you.”
Perrin felt his face growing hot. “I never. . . . I didn’t. . . .” He cleared his throat. “What did you see about a woman?”..."

Hhaha! Perrin, you are sooo not in touch with your feminine side:) But I like it that way:)

And of course, we have to have The quest for The sword...
"...“The Prophecies of the Dragon say the Stone of Tear will never fall till Callandor is wielded by the Dragon’s hand. The fall of the Stone of Tear will be one of the greatest signs of the Dragon’s Rebirth. If Rand holds Callandor, the whole world must acknowledge him as the Dragon.”

The Stone would never fall till the Dragon Reborn held Callandor. How in the Light is he supposed to reach it— inside a bloody fortress!— before the fortress falls? It is madness!..."

So we are headed to the Stone of Tear...

Min... "...“What about Rand? Does he know?”
“Oh, of course,” she said bitterly. “I told him, didn’t I? ‘Rand, I did a viewing of you, and it seems I have to fall in love with you. I have to share you, too, and I don’t much like that, but there it is.’ You’re a wooden-headed wonder after all, Perrin Aybara.” She dashed a hand across her eyes angrily. “If I could be with him, I know I could help. Somehow. Light, if he dies, I don’t know if I can stand it.”.."

Rand must be very charismatic and hot and all that, for all the girls to be falling for him like that... Lucky dog!
Also, I am telling you, this dude is making me very nervous...:
"...“I think Masema is going crazy,” Perrin said.
Min sniffed. “With him, how can you tell?”..." (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 7... (view spoiler)[ Loyal knows what's up and how things really should be:):):)
"...Loial gave a great snort of laughter. “I doubt she sees it that way. First she had to put up with Rand arguing with her all the time, and now you’re ready to take over for him. As a rule, Aes Sedai do not let anyone argue with them. I expect she means to have us back in the habit of doing what she says by the time we reach the first village.”
“A good habit to be in,” Lan said,..."

Yeahhhh, I wouldn't mind to have a Lan to always have my back:):):) (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 8... (view spoiler)[ I felt terrible for Loial in this one. He is this lovable peaceful giant, and they mistake him for a Trolloc all the time:(((
"...“Visitors, Master Harod,” Simion announced. “They want rooms. Master Harod? He’s an Ogier, Master Harod.” The serving woman turned and saw Loial, and dropped the mug with a clatter. None of the weary men at the tables even looked up. One had put his head down on the table and was snoring.
Loial’s ears twitched violently....

"...Simion was staring at his brother. “Can you help him, good mistress?” he asked hoarsely.
“I am sorry, Simion,” she said.
“Can’t you do anything, good mistress? Something? One of those”—his voice fell to a whisper—“Aes Sedai things?”
“Healing is not a simple matter, Simion, and it comes from within as much as from the Healer. There is nothing here that remembers being Noam, nothing that remembers being a man. There are no maps remaining to show him the path back, and nothing left to take that path. Noam is gone, Simion.”..."

I can see why Perrin is very nervous and fighting his gift... This possible outcome seems terrifying... I think Perrin should talk to Elyas from book 1 and figure out how he stayed sane and whole all this time. (hide spoiler)]

Good observations Choko!

Edgarf wrote: "Good observations Choko!"

How are you doing? Did you finish it already?

Ch. 9... The World of dreams is very strange, but very interesting. I just wonder, if they are expending mental and emotional energy during the dreams, when the heck do they actually rest??? Also, Lanfear is crazy scary strong in that realm...

(view spoiler)["...“Mostly, she wrote of dreams. Dreams can be dangerous for you, Perrin.” “You said that once before. What do you mean?” “According to her, wolves live partly in this world, and partly in a world of dreams.” “A world of dreams?” he said disbelievingly. Moiraine gave him a sharp look. “That is what I said, and that is what she wrote. The way wolves talk to one another, the way they talk to you, is in some way connected to this world of dreams. I do not claim to understand how.” She paused, frowning slightly. “From what I have read of Aes Sedai who had the Talent called Dreaming, Dreamers sometimes spoke of encountering wolves in their dreams, even wolves that acted as guides. I fear you must learn to be as careful sleeping as waking, if you intend to avoid wolves. If that is what you decide to do.”...

Also, Rend ... BALEFIRE!!!! (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 10 & 11 & 12... (view spoiler)[ I am guessing the encounter with Dain Bornhald and the White Cloaks is a precursor to bad things happening with this dude and the rest of those fanatics... Also, I love Verin! She is one smart lady... The Two Rivers folks will do well to shut up from time to time - their earnest blabbing can get them all killed...
"......Egwene rode up beside Verin and leaned close. “Do you really expect trouble now? We are in the city. We are almost there.” The White Tower stood in plain sight now, the great building gleaming broad and tall above the rooftops.
“I always expect trouble,” Verin replied placidly, “and so should you. In the Tower most of all. You must all of you be more careful than ever, now. Your . . . tricks”—her mouth tightened for an instant before serenity returned—“frightened away the Whitecloaks, but inside the Tower they may well bring you death or stilling.”...

But Siuan Sanche is even better... I feel for her - she seems to be out of control at this point...
"... The Power used as a weapon. Even dry ink on paper carried an edge of hysteria when they wrote of that. “That is already causing us trouble, Verin, and will cause more as the stories spread, and grow with the spreading. But I can do nothing about that. I am told these people are gone, Daughter. Do you have any evidence otherwise?”
“Well, no, Mother, but—”
“Until you do, let us deal with getting the silverpike out of our nets before they start chewing holes in the boat, too.”..." (hide spoiler)]

Choko, I’m well into The Shadow Rising now:) I’m saving most of my comments on The Dragon Reborn for later in the month.

OK, but don't be a stranger to us who are reading it slower than you (✷‿✷)

I’m sticking around. I love hearing others impressions. There was a ton of character development in this book, btw.

I'm moving really slowly through this one. I'm only up to chapter 15 but it's been 5 days since I've even picked it up.

Are you not enjoying it, V, or are you just not having enough time?

Veronica wrote: "I'm moving really slowly through this one. I'm only up to chapter 15 but it's been 5 days since I've even picked it up."

Slow goings for me too! But that's just because I only do a few chapters a day ^^;

Speaking of which Chapter 18 was great! They finally (view spoiler)[helped Matt out with that dagger! I'm so happy!!! But those words he spoke when they were removed...very ominous...I hope the dark one doesn't linger with him.... (hide spoiler)]

Choko wrote: "Are you not enjoying it, V, or are you just not having enough time?"

I'm just not feeling super invested. I can't put my finger on why. I only know that with some books, when a tense moment is happening I have to cover the bottom of the page (except for the line I'm reading) to keep my eyes from skipping down to see how things turn out, and I feel truly concerned for the fates of the characters. I don't feel any of that with this series - or haven't yet, anyway. When I try to remind myself to pick it up and read a few chapters I find other things to do instead.

And I already want someone to cut Nynaeve's damn braid off, lol.

Haha! Yeah, I told you, the braid tugging is the one thing that we played a drinking game on and got quite tipsy(✷‿✷)

V, they can cut off those mustaches Thom is always blowing out along with Nynaeve’s braid:) I have some minor quibbles myself, but overall I’m enjoying the series enough that I may try another fantasy series after this one.

Well....the writing is excellent and there are parts I truly get immersed in but not a lot really happened in the entire book. The plot creeps forward at a glacial pace and while well written, does not keep me engaged as much as i would like.

It could just be my mood or my preference for more action in the novels i enjoy. I will probably keep going but I know there are 11 more books to go and can’t fathom how slow (or much slower) those books get.

Is Thom in this book? I haven't come across him yet so out of sight, out of mind.

I think if I had read this series when I was younger and was just starting out on my fantasy genre journey I'd like it a lot more. But reading it now, having read a lot of other fantasy works, I'm finding it less satisfying. Which I'm bummed about because I wanted to love it.

@Brian, that's what I wonder too. I can't for the life of me fathom how he can stretch the long arc out long enough to cover another ELEVEN books.

Actually Brian, one of my quibbles is the plot. Spoiler on plot of first 3 books. (view spoiler)[ The plot arcs of the first 3 books are basically the same. A McGuffin is set up at the beginning, the Green man and Eye Of The World in The Eye Of The World, the Horn Of Valere in The Great Hunt, and Callendar in Dragon Reborn. In each book the characters are scattered to the winds and run into obstacles until they all converge again at the McGuffin location to have a showdown with one of the dark one’s henchmen. The repetitive plots are only a minor gripe right now, but it may start to grate on me if this happens with every book. (hide spoiler)]

Edgarf wrote: "Actually Brian, one of my quibbles is the plot. Spoiler on plot of first 3 books. [spoilers removed]"

I fear the same Edgarf. I made the mistake of looking at reviews of the later books too. Some of my respected friends had negative reviews of some of the later books and my tastes tend to move toward the books they like. So i'm worried a bit but trying to stay positive. lol

What keeps me going Brian are the characters. The world itself is interesting, too. I hope the repetitiveness stays a minor annoyance.

Brian wrote: "Well....the writing is excellent and there are parts I truly get immersed in but not a lot really happened in the entire book. The plot creeps forward at a glacial pace and while well written, does not keep me engaged as much as i would like...."

This is perfectly worded Brian. It's how I feel right now with the audiobook. I keep referencing the wikia chapter sections to see if I missed hearing anything important ^^;

In these first few chapters not a lot is happening. Lots of character work, which is great....but not a lot of action yet. But I'm still early on in the book XD

@Edgarf ~ I truly love the main characters as well, so I'm excited to see where there story will lead