Crossroads of Twilight (WoT Book 10)

[SDNess]

Anyone read this? Why is everyone saying it is so bad?

[knivesout]

Are they? Every new Jordan book seems to evoke the full spectrum of reader responses fairly evenly. I started reading the series when it first came out, so I'm sadly hooked. However, I'm purposely keeping myself a volume or two behind the times, so I can't say much more than that on this specific voume - although I could wax eloquent on the evils of fat fantasy if given half a chance.

[I, Brian]

Not read the series itself - but from what I gather, the main criticism is simply that Robert Jordan created a story, but that he is now repeatedly failing to write it.

Instead of writing for the main plot lines he began in Book 1, he is apparently spending far, far too much time in his more recent novels simply dealign with peripheral characters and subplots, which have no seeming relevance to the original story.

[dwndrgn]

My biggest problem with these books is Jordan's slowness. Not the time he takes to write one, but the time it takes to get to the meat of each new novel. He tends to use the first few chapters to rehash what has happened before, it bogs them down. Then he takes several more chapters to reaquaint the readers with the characters. Then there is finally a chapter of actual story. So you end up with a huge novel that tells what happens over a week. Then it is over and you're waiting for the next one...

Of course the story itself is compelling enough to keep me reading them, so whenever the next comes out I'll be waiting.

[knivesout]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Robert Jordan created a story... that he is now repeatedly failing to write

That was well put, and I intend to swipe it for use without credit.

[Incognito]

Sounds fair to me.

Yes, I'd heard about the intro re-hashing as well.

So how he's so populer?

[knivesout]

Well, there are certain merits to him. He has created a very vividly imagined world, and intricate currents and counter-currents of intrigue and revelation. Part of the problem he is trying to describe something as big as a World War at a day-by-day pace with emphasis on every reasonably significant participant. He has certain strengths which have earned him that initial following, and enough to retain most of them out of sheer intertia, but for sch a succesful writer he has LOTS to learn about pacing.

[dwndrgn]

What knivesout said, plus the characters are pretty compelling. I enjoy the culture clashes too, they make it seem more realistic.

[Sci-fi_gEEk]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

The main criticism is simply that Robert Jordan created a story, but that he is now repeatedly failing to write it.

Amen!! I read Crossroads of twilight I thought it was great, I couldn't wait for the next one. Well the next book came out, it was called A New Spring....IT WAS A PREQUEL!!!! WTF!!!Arrrgggg!!! The man won't finish, he keeps on adding new charcters and new conflicts, I mean theres like what, 4 or 5 main conflicts going on and more charcters that I'd care to count. I think it's great that he's branch out so much and that the story has evolved so much, but it just doesn't seem like the end is near at all. If he does tie it all off he's going to need like 4 more books to do it. *sigh* I was so looking forward to reading about what happened NEXT. Instead I got a book that went over stuff I already knew about, just more in detail. If Robert Jordan dies before he finishes, I'm going to be very put out.

gEEk

[dwndrgn]

Originally Posted by Sci-fi_gEEk

If Robert Jordan dies before he finishes, I'm going to be very put out.

gEEk

Don't even whisper that!!!

[Sci-fi_gEEk]

Originally Posted by dwndrgn

Don't even whisper that!!!

LOL . Sorry forgot to say "knock on wood". It's just that it's become one of my biggest fears, right behind tuition deadlines.
gEEk

[tonic]

The book in itself wasn't a bad book, I really enjoyed it. Though it ruined the mysterious side of Moraine, Lan and Suian which really did suck. I mean there is this great story telling about how the hunt for the dragon came to be, the history of a white tower that no one knows of and actually learning the female side of the power from step one while gaining the shawl. I don't think I would recommend this to anyone who hasn't already read the stories because the mysteries is everything that makes the novels so enjoyable. I didn't particularly like the ending but I have to say it is a step above anything that Jordan has put out there recently.

Don't think of his writing becoming sloppy in a negative way because the plots in the ninth and tenth (At least I think those were the last two) books have all ended at the point where many climaxes have to happen. He can't delay any longer because every plot line has reached the straining point and now they are about to snap and the climaxes are about to begin. His next few books that end the series should be amazing.

[Ashen Shugar]

I stopped reading Jordan after book 9 - not through giving up though. Although long winded in parts, I love Jordan's stuff and will now wait for everything to be released & read it all (prequels included) in one fell swoop. When he came along, I thought he was a breath of fresh air in a stale environment. He may have drifted off the path now and again, but overall the journey is highly recommended in my opinion. I'm also glad there are other authors around these days worth a read and love to get the opinions of others on authors I haven't sampled, so this is for those like me - give Jordan a run and see where he takes you.

[I, Brian]

Hi Ashen Shugar, and welcome to the chronicles network.

[Neon]

Jordan did let the series fall away. I thought Crossroads of Twilight was by far the worst, since it was all prepation for action to come. On the other hand, I rather enjoyed Book 9 the Winter's Heart as compared to books 5-8. Isn't he slated to have a max of 12 in the series?