Guaranteed you guys are gonna have 100k+ subs within the next two years. Gold content. When the deals start coming in don’t lose this style and passion. You guys are great and I could listen to you talk about books for hours and hours.
Just finished book 1 and Perrin by far was my favorite character! When the group got split up and each chapter was a different characters perspective, I was always wanting to go back to Perrins and learn more about his Wolf insight! I’m also eager to learn more about rand and his history and how he handles the one power from here on out!
Gotta add, Rand’s reluctance/denial about being the dragon reborn, and being forced into prophecy and everything is the best conflict throughout the early series.
Getting someone to read WoT is like the most satisfying thing ever. My fiancé just finished Gathering Storm yesterday and began Towers of Midnight and I’m ecstatic! He’s almost done! I’ve read the series over 10x and each reread is always better. There should be a service to pair new readers with an OG reader because I think it’s just smoother that way 😂😅
Rand also climbs too high on the ship with Matt and Tom. The whole crew stops to stare. The author is telling us through environment that his behavior is odd/crazy or.. mad.. Tom even mentions this below deck scolding him.
i feel like, even if you know logically moiraine is on their side, logically you should understand that the characters wouldn't know that. even if you know that the characters are making a wrong decision, you should still be able to put yourself into their perspective and try to understand why they make that decision.
Just finished Book one and that‘s exaxtly what I was thinking. Moiraine obviosly wants to protect them from the dark one, but neither the boys nor the readers know her true motive and the inner workings of Tar Valon. Rand notices too that she is hiding things from them, and that‘s why he is so stubborn towards her, which is not unreasonable imo.
As a big fan of The Wheel of Time, I would probably act the same way if I got one of my friends to start the series. My favorite book is either The Shadow Rising or A Memory of Light.
42:00 Wow... I really hated Nynaeve and loathed her chapters until like book 10. Her 'affection' for the Emen's fielders always felt fake because none of them liked Nynaeve or trusted her any more than they did Moiraine.
When I started reading The Eye of the World I hadn’t seen the show. So after reading the first 10-15 Chapters I watched the first episode. I was so disgusted with the show that I had a bad taste in my mouth for the books. I sat the first book down because I wasn’t enjoying it because I was imagining the show. A month or two later I picked up the book again and started reading it in earnest and I absolutely fell in love. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m on the Great Hunt right now and I have a feeling that Wheel of Time could be one of, if not my favorite series.
@@FPChris I love the series, I’ve now read the first three and I can’t wait to continue. I think my favorite book so far was The Great Hunt, it started a little rough, but picked up about 100 pages in and didn’t let go. I have not, and will not, continue with the show, I was only able to stomach one episode.
2:59 That's probably the best description i've heard about the whole series. Wheel done. Btw, i didnt expect to share almost the same points as Richard. The series is goddamn beatiful.
My personal journey with WoT started at my first job. I'd just started truly enjoying reading novels, being that I hated reading as a kid. A friend at that job offered to let me borrow the first book. I dont remember my first actual read of it, because I blasted through it so quickly nothing about it stuck. Meaning I didnt get any of the plot or characters. However I was interested enough in it to begin collecting the series. When I actually began. And read to understand the plot and characters. Robert Jordan was currently writing book nine 'Winters Heart.' So I read tge series up till that book. When it was released and I bought it. I read the series again up till and through book nine. I repeated that for all following books. But I've only actually completed the entire 14 book saga three times so far. But I have a very good knowledge base of the entire series now. My one and only criticism of this review is for Austin. At the end of each physical copy of the series there is a glossary. That glossary provides pronunciations for all of the character and place names in the series. Please go and read through that glossary. Sorry heh but mispronounced names of things in the series irk me. Like how you said myrdra'al. It's Mur drawl. Other than that. Excellent review you two! I agree on all points given.
@2ToRamble I've never felt more bored and annoyed but also excited and interested in a series. I can't say I love it but it's OK for me and I love the discussion around it cause of the highs and lows
I just got started on Eye of The World. It's been on my TBR for so long because of how many books are in it, but I was actually lucky enough to find books 4, 6 and 9 at a thriftshop, so it made me want to at least start the first few. So excited to get into it. Edit: Just got into it a few weeks ago, it is a slow read but I'm working on it! Also grabbed the other books in between.
I'm so glad to hear these opinions and discussion. I enjoyed the of the world but definitely felt a bit underwhelmed based on the praise I'd heard it received. I felt bad for not enjoying it as much as others and decided to give up on the series. I'm definitely going to go back to book 2 now however and give it another shot.
The Eye of the World is kind of a remix of The Fellowship of the Ring. Many similar elements, as you go over, but the context, the reasons for it, and the details are all wildly different. Comparing Myrddraal to Nazgûl, they are quite different: There are 9 Nazgûl, and who-knows-how-many Myrddraal. The Nazgûl are confined to physical space, whereas Myrddraal actually *can* just suddenly appear sometimes, making it very plausible what the myths say, that they can turn sideways and travel through shadows. Myrddraal cloaks also reflect how they're kind of not in the world in the same way that everything else is. If you kill a Nazgûl (see the Witch King), that's it. Myrddraal don't seem to care that they are dead for several hours after dying. With differences like these, for all the things that are similar, I think seeing it as derivative and bordering on plagiarism reflects getting too distracted by surface similarities to appreciate the details. That is a mistake with an author as skilled as Robert Jordan was. His writing makes every character perspective feel distinct even in what gets described from the background, and he loved using these character perspectives to hide things that might be obviously important from another perspective. The characters might barely notice something that turns out to be hugely important, but the reader can still pick up on it, just probably not the first time through.
Just found this video after I finished the first book and I partially agree with Austin. The book is a 5/6 but is a really good set up. For me the main problem was that we never go deep in the world and the final is rushed a little bit. For example my favorite moment is when Moraine tells the story of the old kingdom of the two rivers and we know that Min in Baerlon see the simbol of the kingdom in Mat, and he also knew the battle chant. So Mat is the heir to the kingdom?? I don’t know sometimes the world seemed too big and dispersive. The only reason I kept reading was Perrin, to know the reason Moraine act like that, and the kingdom of Manhetheren( I think it is incorrect). The language isn’t the top, but i think this is a problem of the Italian translation. Otherwise great video from Italy.(sorry for my English)
Just finished the first book yesterday and was looking for a longer review of it since most videos I've seen are only 10-20 minutes long. Loving this series so far!
Part of me is like "Ooh great, I have the books and want to get into them, now I can read along" and the other is going "I'm 4/5 into Words Of Radiance, oh god why is it so easy to watch an entire movie series but takes so long to get through a book series."
I just started the series, at the end of book 2, and I had the same feeling about the first book. Feels like a good foundation, but you can tell it hasn't found its footing. But already by the end of the second book I do find myself with almost this nostalgia for the easy times in book 1 lol I miss the good ole days of Thom, and Mat, and Rand going from town to town by day and playing the flute and juggling for food by night. I can really tell though that Robert Jordan had an idea of where he was going but he was still learning how to write you could say.
I just finished the Eye of the World last week and I wanted to say THANKYOU for this discussion. While I loved exploring the world and I was definetly curious to continue with the story I did not enjoy any of the characters nor the main plot points. I am 150 pgs in The Great Hunt by now and I can tell that having heard your discussion has changed a bit how I feel with the characters, and has really improved my reading experience. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts when I finish book 2.
Love your channel guys - all the way from New Zealand. Found you a few months ago and enjoy the discussions and general banter. First began reading WoT in 2005 at the start of high school and remember eagerly waiting for Sanderson to finish the series. This video gave me a massive sense of nostalgia . . . Wish I could rewrite the clock to be in Austin’s position as a first-time reader. It ramps up within the next few books!
totally on austins side with this one. one of the only popular fantasy series I was unable to finish. BUT i did get through 8 or 9 of the books so I gave it a solid chance. Agree with richard, book 4 was my favorite of them, but overall, didn't care enough about the characters, and actively disliked some of jordans decisions, as well as his writing of women. But it's got a huge supporting, so enjoy the read for the first time!
The wheel of time has been on my tbr for so long. I'm really excited to read it, but at the same time it feels intimidating because of its massive length.
I just finished EOTW, this is the first video I’ve viewed of your channel, and I definitely side more with Rich than Austin (hope I got the names right) but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have to say my favorite character is Lan, although Loial comes in close 2nd. The image of him reading books in the library at the inn gives me a warm fuzzy, the green man gives me a warm fuzzy, the magic really hooked me, the plot kept me turning the page… definitely cannot wait for the second book and can’t wait to watch your video on that book when I’m done! Great video 👏🏼
I got five books in and took a little break as I just don’t have lots of time for 1000ish page books atm and I don’t have a lot of time for hearing about Nynaeve’s low cut dresses over and over again but watching you guys talk about it makes me want to get back on the wagon asap. Dragon reborn is my favourite so far. Richard please tell me Nynaeve and Egwain get less mule headed and annoying??! Looking forward to seeing your next video on the series!
Hey guys. Loved this pod, I literally a week ago finished the books so I'm coming in full of love and found this chat a really fun listen. Subscribed and wish you both all the success!
What I would say about this is that Austin was clearly bothered by it being derivative in some way, but I got the impression that in some ways it was the steering away from traditional storytelling that got to him. The refusal of the heroes call, the rejection of the wise gandalf figure etc. The audiobook aspect thing could also ruin the experience to an extent, I read these books so quickly like Richard I didnt get hung up on some of the smaller issues.
WoT has some elements that I ultimately dislike *a lot*, but I can forgive how similar EotW is to LoTR, for two reasons: 1) The publishing landscape at the time rewarded, if not outright demanded, that similarity to “on ramp” fantasy readers easily. See Sword of Shannara, Dragonbone Chair, et al. 2) I see Jordan essentially steel-manning Tolkien before conversing with him. Sometimes this is in tribute, other times in argument. But I think you have to have a shared foundation to do either.
On the topic of world-first vs character-first: Austin is wrong in implying this is a world-first series. It’s basically a 10/10 in both world building and characters pretty much every book going forward. It’s one of the few series that has me cheering, in tears, genuinely in love with all the characters as if they were my friends. Hope yall enjoy this!
I'm late to this discussion and only about 30% into the episode, but one thing to consider is that the state of SFF books in the late 80's and early 90's, it could be argued that Jordan needed to start with the homage to Tolkien/Fellowship to get published as an epic fantasy. Once that had success Jordan could, and did, take book 2 into his own story. Just my two cents as a big WoT fan. Hopefully interest keeps up and we can get chats about the whole series of books.
I started reading these in the early 90's when I was in middle school, when there were only 3 or 4 were out. When a new book would come out, I'd re-read the previous book, or a few times, I did the whole series over.
Excited that you guys will be covering the series! I read The Eye of the World last year and got about 2/3's into The Dragon Reborn before falling off. You're videos will definitely encourage me to pick the series back up. 😁 Edit: I also agree with Richard that The Great Hunt is where the story really gets going and it's the book that sold me on needing to continue the series. Will be eager to hear your thoughts when you cover Book 2! 😁
I finished the first book this morning and I really enjoyed it so I’m pumped for book 2. I do think Perrin was my favorite character from book 1. I do also like Lan, Tom and Rand, so I was really enjoying the bouncing around.
I finished eye of the world over a month ago (currently reading shadow rising) but I honestly was pretty happy with it. I loved the slow build, the characters, and the plot for the most part but my major criticisms were rand being boring, the dream sequences being confusing, and ending feeling strange and rushed. I felt eye of the world was about 4.25/5 or so. But after reading the next two books which are easy 5/5s, I honestly look back on eye of the world a little more harshly now because the great hunt/dragon Reborn are so amazing and SO much better. I honestly hope Austin ends up feeling the same about the great hunt because I am pretty invested in the series now and I want him to be too 🤣
The whole derivative thing. It’s not just Lord of the rings he’s taking things from. There’s King Arthur & the knights of the round table as well as William Morris (the Well at the Worlds End….) and many others. Yes, Lord of the Rings is too obvious in EotW and a bit off putting maybe for todays reader. But so much has changed since this was written, much of that change influenced by Jordan himself.
Y’all have become my go to book reviewers! I had a question though. From what I can gather from watching y’all, Richard’s favorite series is Wheel of Time and Austin’s is Red Rising. My favorite series is The Cosmere, but specifically The Stormlight Archive. I’m Cosmere current, and have read up to Iron Gold in the red rising series. While it’s good, it’s nowhere near my level of enjoyment for the Cosmere. I’m about to start the wheel of time, so I wanted to hear your spoil free review. My question is why do y’all like The Wheel of Time and Red Rising more than the Stormlight archive? I’d love to know.
Austin here! Stormlight Archive is my favorite series so cant argue with you there! Red Rising is second - and if it helps, Iron Gold was my least favorite of the series and Dark Age blew me away
8 minutes in and I gotta say BRAVO for not just rubber stamping the Eye of the World a 10 out of 10. I did have some comments about it and would not give it a 10. Now I'm excited to hear your reviews.
Just finished the eye of the world, and I think I’m closer to Richard, so I have hope for this series :) My favorite character was Moraine, just loved her! And was completely annoyed by Mat haha. Rand I didn’t care too much for him
Listening to this while cooking, the moment he said the Wheel of Time is the closest thing to come close to Tolkien in world building, as a reflex, I literally said out loud: “read Malazan before you set any standards of world building!” That said I liked this podcast, and I subscribed after it.
Probably on this too late (10 months after the posting) but when Rand acts unusual it is not the madness. It is just him touching the source for the first couple of times. Moiraine describes the process (I believe this is the case, might have been a different one, don't have the books with me at the moment) to Nynaeve when Nynaeve catches up to Lan and Moiraine after Shadar Logoth.
I did struggle through this book and almost gave up on it but my friend said to keep going and 2 moths later I've torn through the next three books. it definitely gets better.
I have read the entire WoT series. I have so many issues with this series and would never list it as one of my favorites. But if someone asked me if they should read it, I would have a boatload of examples of how incredible it is. I’m not a WoT fan - but I’m not NOT a WoT fan…? 👀 Very excited to hear your guys thoughts on future books! I agree with both of you.😅
I know you guys are all starry-eyed around Sanderson, but in my reread, I found that each of Sanderson’s last three books, and in order, are worse than the previous. Don’t get me wrong. I think that what Sanderson gave us, in finishing Jordan’s work, was an incredible gift, and one I’ll be forever grateful for. He also did an outstanding job. One of my most favorite of the bunch is Sanderson’s first, The Gathering Storm, and I think this is the case because Jordan played a bigger part in that book. The reference material must have been better for Sanderson. In the last two, the characters diverge from what Jordan had them as. Some don’t behave right. They’re different. I didn’t see it in my initial read, but in the reread, I became frustrated by their diverging motivations. Sanderson also introduces us to some new and weird characters, especially those who have visions of the future, and of the past. That Nacomi character. Again, the first time, no biggie, but in the second, I found it alien to the world Jordan created. However. My biggest criticism of the series as a whole, is what I call the “Lets pause the elephant in the room, for some description.” It happens constantly where the action is stopped for long wordy description. Teeth gnashing interruptions that can last pages. It’s something Rothfuss manages much better in his, very large books.
New to the series and just finished EoTW. Felt a lot of the LoTR derivative points. The book also kind of dragged at parts in the middle for me. But the third Act of the book hooked me just enough. Look forward to book 2.
Alright. Alright. I’ve been convinced to read book 2, hah. My feelings on ‘The Eye of the World’ were quite mixed, when I read it earlier this year! On the one hand, I *did* enjoy most of the actual act of reading. Whatever it is about the writing style, I was engaged from scene to scene, enjoying myself while listening. It even tempted me into continuing to read even after getting home from work a few times, which doesn’t happen often! I was also at least somewhat interested in some of the development we got from side characters, and about a few different worldbuilding details. But aside from that moment to moment entertainment factor and the vague promise of the characters, it really just didn’t do anything for me. The whole somehow felt like *less* than the sum of its parts; by the end of the book, I really just did not particularly care about what might come next for this world. 😅 I may have enjoyed my time, but the book wrapped up what components did spark my interest, and what picture it seemed to paint of the future was actively disinteresting to me. (I… had a similar feeling by the end of Dune, come to think of it; another series where I read and somewhat enjoyed book one but haven’t talked myself into reading further.) But! Yes. The discussion in this video has successfully talked me around at least a bit. I’ll be putting book two on hold at the library!
Having started book 2… it’s prompted me enough to remember that I *absolutely* agree, the different perspectives characters each have about the same traits - e.g. each of them wishing they were like the other, and not like themselves - is very nicely done. And for my comment about being less than the sum of its parts… as my memory is prompted, I do find myself wondering how much of that impression really has more to do with the ending specifically, and the feelings that ending left me with?
The whole being less than the sum of its parts is a pretty great distillation of my thoughts as well. On a scene by scene basis everything was good (maybe great), but on a broader level it felt like the *story* wasn’t progressing. Sure they were on a constant move from place to place to place and there was excitement in seeing new things but it never felt like a plot arc was building and the rising action never rose. They were always in the same exact, constant state of danger and it’s hard to be gripping when it feels like things aren’t ever getting better or worse, just staying the same in a different place
Finished eye of the world two days ago. I found it enjoyable enough to continue. I just started to read books in general wanted to get into a big series. 6.5/10.Took me 2 years to get to page 400 then once I started liking reading as a medium after reading dune and red rising I finished the rest in like a month.
I've seen the Richie's talk about this series, I wanted to be a Richie, but the whole way through I was an Austin. As an Austin without a Richie in my life, I dnf-ed the series after finishing book 1. Really interesting & enjoyable review guys. Thanks
I came to the WoT late, but I was hooked right from prologue. Because when Lews Therin goes completely mad, it reminded me a lot of Kevin Landwaster. We never get to actually see Kevin's crisis and breakdown, so Lews Therin's agony kinda filled that hole for me.
A few things. Perrin is a reference to the slavic god Perun. "The Eye of The World" doesn't actually refers to the location in the novel but actually refers to Rand. The location was to justify the name in world. ta'veren is literally a way to say main character and a way to explain why things are always happening around them and deus ex machina. The first book is completely derivative of Tolkin on the first read. The world has changed so much that it actually is a different book on the re-read. Also Moiraine uses compulsion on the boys when she gives them the coin.
@@2ToRamble there's a website called the 13th depository that inspired sometimes in the books. It's a lore reference site that gets *DEEP* in the lore and what inspired each character and different elements of the world. Also fun side note the book Local reference "to sail beyond the sunset" is a Robert Heinlein reference. Lots of their myths in the third age are based on our world. There's also several references to real world companies etc.
YYUUSSSSS!! This is what ive been looking for! i think haha on book 4 again right now on my12?13? maybe 14th re-read. Been hoping to find some that covers evverryytthhiinnggg for the full series! Starting the vid now!
I think it's important to note that at the time EOTW was released, everything fantasy took heavy influence from Tolkien. It doesn't feel like the book breaks new ground now, with the context of modern fantasy, but at the time this was a big deal and the series was a piece of the progression fantasy as a genre over time. Enjoyed this conversation and look forward to the next one!
Best series of all time! TEOTW is great introduction to a great series. The cover is possibly my favourite of all time! I still picture Lan and Moraine that way. Be well, stay safe!
I’m on my first read through! Just started book 4 last week. So excited to have bumped into this podcast to read with! Also edit to add: I appreciate Austin’s thoughts on it, because that’s how I felt about book 1 mostly. But i am determined to read the whole thing no matter what, so we’re in it together at least 😂
Just finished Eye of the World last night. Already into book 2! Loving it! Love your content. We need more long form conversations about books. Even though you hate my favorite book, Name of the Wind, I’ll still subscribe lol.
Austen, I’m so with you on every single point. I don’t know if I will continue the series because I really was not blown away by anything in the book. I was bored for much of it. Rand drove me mad.
Because of this episode, I decided to pick up book 2 and try it and see if it does get better. I can commit to the first 4 books-like you say-it gets better. I’m going to try it.
Seems like readers with 2 different views on what a book needs to accomplish: 1. Books need to be a good read/journey. Nothing else required. Fave genre books are the fave journey to take, so books that are similar to other beloved same genre reads are seen as just as good...doesn't matter who invented that similar journey, what matters is if the same fun/feels is had when reading. Getting a similar journey isn't bad just because its similar, in fact its that very similarity that makes it good...if first was a good journey than another with similar journey gives more of that beloved type of journey. Its more of a good thing. Then there is the 2nd view: 2. Books need to tell a different journey than any other book and in a new different way....otherwise I'm wasting my time reading something I've already seen before...so repeating is boring and the first to write it is only book that can be good. Usually this is the view of either someone who doesn't like to read or someone who loves to read but hasn't read enough to know almost every story when broken down to its base components have already been told before...every story involves the same components..plots/climaxes/characters/relationships...books focus on 1 main character or multiple characters...there is worldbuilding or setting...there is a tale to be told, a journey to be had, or a recounting of info to be conveyed. Readers of this type only think their fave books are new n different due to not being familiar with the works that inspired their chosen loved books. Like in 100 years will people know the books and movies that may of inspired harry potter? Or will they argue J.K. Rowling was the first to write of a chosen one child who gets told they are magic and taken to a magic school and going through that journey and having to defeat an evil one...and all the chosen one tales before it are unknown, all the discover your magic n go to the magic school tales before are unknown....and in 100 years will every new chosen one magic school tale be told its not different enough to not be boring or to be worth going on their journey since we have harry potter already. (Tolkien wasn't the first writer of fantasy or the first to write a story of a journey....the Odyssey anyone?...like really, people want to claim Tolkien did it first...lol get real. There is a novel length poem about fantasy tales including dragons and knights rescuing maidens from over 200 years ago...Tolkien had his inspiration and his contemporaries, his story just got way more famous to our current knowledge, but he wasn't the first. So should we view Tolkien's works as not as good since they weren't first either?) Both readers are valid and their wants are valid. No one should feel forced to read anything. Books and their tales need to be good enough people want to read them and go on that journey. Authors make the choice of how new and how different they want their journey to be, and many know its like baking a cake...many cakes have been made before, make your cake too different and it might not be called a cake anymore...but when making a wide loved cake like chocolate cake or carrot cake the baker will be judged based on what eaters think a great chocolate cake or carrot cake should be and on what they have experienced before...the closer to that ideal the better many find it even though it isn't a brand new cake that changes cakes completely. I love fantasy. A familiar fantasy that is familiar to a well loved tale, to me is a joy...I read more fantasy to get that similar joy. Its the journey itself and all the details in it that make it fun and make even similar tales different and their own thing. Sometimes the 2nd or 10th similar story does it in a way to make it even better than the quote 1st or 1st best...you won't know until you try it.
A 4.4 is crazy lol it’s a slow start because of the world building and character development but that’s still crazy. It’s the fellowship of the ring for the series.
Great video! It would be nice next time to have theories about the next book or what you want/don't want to happen at the end of the video, and then go back to them after reading the next book! I had so many theories after book 2/3 and then I was like "Oh I was sooo wrong"!
Several characters in the first book are at their least likable. For example Mat is fairly annoying and frustrating yet becomes one of the series most beloved characters.
The Eye of The World and Eye of Sauron, other than sharing the word eye aren't cognates at all. Made me question for a second "Did that dude actually read this?". It'd still be pretty wrong but it'd make more sense to me if he compared the Eye of The World to the mirror of Galadriel. In Lord of The Rings the 'Eye of Sauron' is purely metaphorical. He has a corporeal humanoid form in the books, he's not a disembodied eyeball, and the eye is literally just a heraldic emblem. I really don't get how he deduced that at all.
Haven’t thought of a way around it yet, but it seems like most people watching for the spoiler free section. Watching after 7 to 15 minutes and that might not be good for the tip algorithm in terms of recommendations. However, you do have people coming back to see review after they read it which will be good it just might be delayed response.
Yea appreciate the comment! We’ve thought about it too - it’s definitely not going to be viral, but these kinda of videos are better for RUclips searches rather than RUclips recommendations. Plus, we know going in that when we’re 10 books deep that these videos will do progressively worse, but it’s fun and hopefully will be a unique thing on RUclips where 2 ppl have all their thoughts on the entire WOT journey.
I'm so with Austin on this one - in fact just had a disagreement with my husband that rivals the podcast :D I'm ok book 3 and still not loving it. I'll finish reading the series because of my husband (he loves the series) but I'm finding it pretty hard going and I can usually read anything.. I find it weird that Richard is so hard on Sanderson's prose sometimes but hand waves away Jordan's frequently snoring prose ... Also, why is everyone in love with Rand? He's so boring. For me I'm dying to get to the Sanderson books in the hope the books become more interesting .. I know this is sacrilegious .. I love Tolkien and Sanderon's writing and really want to love this series if I can ... ETA: I'm also reading Red Rising but don't love it as much as Austin. I'm halfway through book 2 but am quite sick of the overuse of the fridging trope :P
For Red Rising I can see how the fridging trope is bothersome and if you don’t like that it makes sense how to book could irk you - but glad I have an ally for this review 😁. I’m hoping and counting on liking it more as it goes on. It looks like we’re in the same boat - not liking it right now, but finishing the series for someone else. Except in your case that someone else is important and mine is well…Richard.
@@2ToRamble bahahaha Richard is important to us both. Whenever I'm watching your podcast (and my husband has to listen to it because we have our computers in the same room :D ) - as various opinions are voiced, I will say: "I am Austin. You are Richard." But sometimes you will both say something else and I'll say: "OK now I'm Richard - you are Austin." I appreciate it when one of you channels my outrage or enthusiasm. I feel bad now because when I was watching this last night and chiming in with all my views, my husband was defending WoT very spiritedly :D I need to finish book 3 soon - but have to get through Golden Son first, fridging aside :D
Im glad I wasn't the only new reader that was so damn confused by the ending. I will be continuing this journey. I started Book 2 yesterday.@@2ToRamble
I’m in the same boat as Richard. I didn’t reach LOTR until about 20 years after I read EOTW, so I didn’t see that overlap like Austin did. I enjoyed EOTW for its own merit so I don’t have all of the stigmas associated with it that Austin has.
Just started reading Wheel of time and there's another Lord of The Rings thing i picked up on. The Herron Crested sword the Rand gets from Tam is always razor sharp. Frodo's sword Sting that he gets from Bilbo is always razor sharp. And also the main character inherits a sword from their father figure
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Guaranteed you guys are gonna have 100k+ subs within the next two years. Gold content. When the deals start coming in don’t lose this style and passion. You guys are great and I could listen to you talk about books for hours and hours.
Damn. Damn! Remembering this comment. You’re more supportive of us than we are of eachother 😂. Thanks very much.
Just finished book 1 and Perrin by far was my favorite character! When the group got split up and each chapter was a different characters perspective, I was always wanting to go back to Perrins and learn more about his Wolf insight! I’m also eager to learn more about rand and his history and how he handles the one power from here on out!
Gotta add, Rand’s reluctance/denial about being the dragon reborn, and being forced into prophecy and everything is the best conflict throughout the early series.
As someone jumping into The Wheel of Time with no friends reading it, I'm incredibly hyped about this video series!
Getting someone to read WoT is like the most satisfying thing ever. My fiancé just finished Gathering Storm yesterday and began Towers of Midnight and I’m ecstatic! He’s almost done! I’ve read the series over 10x and each reread is always better.
There should be a service to pair new readers with an OG reader because I think it’s just smoother that way 😂😅
Im trying so hard to get my gf to read it lol
Damn how could you possibly reread it 10 times??? You either don't read anything else or have superhuman reading speed.
It's gonna be so much fun 'cause I'm also reading The wheel of time and currently I'm also on Book 2. Wow lucky me!
Perfect timing 🤝
Me too! I'm about to start book 3. 😁
book 2 in an absolute pleasure. However once you get to finish book 4 youll be hooked. book 4 is one of the greatest in the fantasy genre
Rand also climbs too high on the ship with Matt and Tom. The whole crew stops to stare. The author is telling us through environment that his behavior is odd/crazy or.. mad.. Tom even mentions this below deck scolding him.
i feel like, even if you know logically moiraine is on their side, logically you should understand that the characters wouldn't know that. even if you know that the characters are making a wrong decision, you should still be able to put yourself into their perspective and try to understand why they make that decision.
Just finished Book one and that‘s exaxtly what I was thinking. Moiraine obviosly wants to protect them from the dark one, but neither the boys nor the readers know her true motive and the inner workings of Tar Valon. Rand notices too that she is hiding things from them, and that‘s why he is so stubborn towards her, which is not unreasonable imo.
As a big fan of The Wheel of Time, I would probably act the same way if I got one of my friends to start the series. My favorite book is either The Shadow Rising or A Memory of Light.
42:00
Wow... I really hated Nynaeve and loathed her chapters until like book 10. Her 'affection' for the Emen's fielders always felt fake because none of them liked Nynaeve or trusted her any more than they did Moiraine.
Glad to see this channel slowly growing
Every tavern owner, and winch in the entire bloody, world has a name!
When I started reading The Eye of the World I hadn’t seen the show. So after reading the first 10-15 Chapters I watched the first episode. I was so disgusted with the show that I had a bad taste in my mouth for the books. I sat the first book down because I wasn’t enjoying it because I was imagining the show. A month or two later I picked up the book again and started reading it in earnest and I absolutely fell in love. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m on the Great Hunt right now and I have a feeling that Wheel of Time could be one of, if not my favorite series.
I’m on book one with Rosamund Pike reading it. It’s clear how bad the casting was on the show. She reads the book VERY well.
@@FPChris I love the series, I’ve now read the first three and I can’t wait to continue. I think my favorite book so far was The Great Hunt, it started a little rough, but picked up about 100 pages in and didn’t let go. I have not, and will not, continue with the show, I was only able to stomach one episode.
2:59 That's probably the best description i've heard about the whole series. Wheel done.
Btw, i didnt expect to share almost the same points as Richard. The series is goddamn beatiful.
+5 points to you for the pun and Rich will love seeing this comment
My personal journey with WoT started at my first job. I'd just started truly enjoying reading novels, being that I hated reading as a kid. A friend at that job offered to let me borrow the first book.
I dont remember my first actual read of it, because I blasted through it so quickly nothing about it stuck. Meaning I didnt get any of the plot or characters. However I was interested enough in it to begin collecting the series.
When I actually began. And read to understand the plot and characters. Robert Jordan was currently writing book nine 'Winters Heart.'
So I read tge series up till that book. When it was released and I bought it. I read the series again up till and through book nine.
I repeated that for all following books. But I've only actually completed the entire 14 book saga three times so far. But I have a very good knowledge base of the entire series now.
My one and only criticism of this review is for Austin. At the end of each physical copy of the series there is a glossary. That glossary provides pronunciations for all of the character and place names in the series. Please go and read through that glossary.
Sorry heh but mispronounced names of things in the series irk me. Like how you said myrdra'al. It's Mur drawl.
Other than that. Excellent review you two! I agree on all points given.
There is NO WAY you make it thru shadow rising without being all in. Eagerly waiting on the rest of the books from you.
Cant wait 🥂
I recently started wheel of time and I'm on book 6 so far. I totally agree with Austin on his opinion of the book
Hey! That’s good news that you’re reading on if you felt the same as me - Are you liking the series more as it goes on?
@2ToRamble I've never felt more bored and annoyed but also excited and interested in a series. I can't say I love it but it's OK for me and I love the discussion around it cause of the highs and lows
I just got started on Eye of The World. It's been on my TBR for so long because of how many books are in it, but I was actually lucky enough to find books 4, 6 and 9 at a thriftshop, so it made me want to at least start the first few. So excited to get into it.
Edit: Just got into it a few weeks ago, it is a slow read but I'm working on it! Also grabbed the other books in between.
I'm so glad to hear these opinions and discussion.
I enjoyed the of the world but definitely felt a bit underwhelmed based on the praise I'd heard it received.
I felt bad for not enjoying it as much as others and decided to give up on the series.
I'm definitely going to go back to book 2 now however and give it another shot.
The Eye of the World is kind of a remix of The Fellowship of the Ring. Many similar elements, as you go over, but the context, the reasons for it, and the details are all wildly different.
Comparing Myrddraal to Nazgûl, they are quite different:
There are 9 Nazgûl, and who-knows-how-many Myrddraal.
The Nazgûl are confined to physical space, whereas Myrddraal actually *can* just suddenly appear sometimes, making it very plausible what the myths say, that they can turn sideways and travel through shadows. Myrddraal cloaks also reflect how they're kind of not in the world in the same way that everything else is.
If you kill a Nazgûl (see the Witch King), that's it. Myrddraal don't seem to care that they are dead for several hours after dying.
With differences like these, for all the things that are similar, I think seeing it as derivative and bordering on plagiarism reflects getting too distracted by surface similarities to appreciate the details. That is a mistake with an author as skilled as Robert Jordan was. His writing makes every character perspective feel distinct even in what gets described from the background, and he loved using these character perspectives to hide things that might be obviously important from another perspective. The characters might barely notice something that turns out to be hugely important, but the reader can still pick up on it, just probably not the first time through.
Awesome video guys! Can’t wait for The Great Hunt!
WOT is the type of series that you hate it so much that you actually love it.
Guilty pleasure is the term for it.
Just found this video after I finished the first book and I partially agree with Austin.
The book is a 5/6 but is a really good set up.
For me the main problem was that we never go deep in the world and the final is rushed a little bit.
For example my favorite moment is when Moraine tells the story of the old kingdom of the two rivers and we know that Min in Baerlon see the simbol of the kingdom in Mat, and he also knew the battle chant.
So Mat is the heir to the kingdom??
I don’t know sometimes the world seemed too big and dispersive.
The only reason I kept reading was Perrin, to know the reason Moraine act like that, and the kingdom of Manhetheren( I think it is incorrect).
The language isn’t the top, but i think this is a problem of the Italian translation.
Otherwise great video from Italy.(sorry for my English)
Just finished the first book yesterday and was looking for a longer review of it since most videos I've seen are only 10-20 minutes long. Loving this series so far!
So glad! Yeah we keep this format for all of our spoiler reviews for this and all the other series we’ll cover
Looking forward to this series - read the first two for the first time recently, excited to keep up!
Part of me is like "Ooh great, I have the books and want to get into them, now I can read along" and the other is going "I'm 4/5 into Words Of Radiance, oh god why is it so easy to watch an entire movie series but takes so long to get through a book series."
If it helps - it will take us a LONG time to get through this, so you have time 😁
I’m in the exact same boat 🤣
I just started the series, at the end of book 2, and I had the same feeling about the first book. Feels like a good foundation, but you can tell it hasn't found its footing. But already by the end of the second book I do find myself with almost this nostalgia for the easy times in book 1 lol I miss the good ole days of Thom, and Mat, and Rand going from town to town by day and playing the flute and juggling for food by night. I can really tell though that Robert Jordan had an idea of where he was going but he was still learning how to write you could say.
I just finished the Eye of the World last week and I wanted to say THANKYOU for this discussion. While I loved exploring the world and I was definetly curious to continue with the story I did not enjoy any of the characters nor the main plot points. I am 150 pgs in The Great Hunt by now and I can tell that having heard your discussion has changed a bit how I feel with the characters, and has really improved my reading experience. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts when I finish book 2.
Love it - thanks for watching and reading along!!
Perrin is definitely my favorite character from book one as well!!
Love your channel guys - all the way from New Zealand. Found you a few months ago and enjoy the discussions and general banter. First began reading WoT in 2005 at the start of high school and remember eagerly waiting for Sanderson to finish the series. This video gave me a massive sense of nostalgia . . . Wish I could rewrite the clock to be in Austin’s position as a first-time reader. It ramps up within the next few books!
I just finished this and your honest ratings was so validating to hear from you. This makes me actually want to read more. Thank you always!!!
🙏
Reading WOT 1 for the 4th time, enjoying every moment with the core characters, before they started to go thru their testing and stresses. Great book.
Cant wait till the next one!
totally on austins side with this one. one of the only popular fantasy series I was unable to finish. BUT i did get through 8 or 9 of the books so I gave it a solid chance. Agree with richard, book 4 was my favorite of them, but overall, didn't care enough about the characters, and actively disliked some of jordans decisions, as well as his writing of women. But it's got a huge supporting, so enjoy the read for the first time!
Seeing clips of this video on tiktok was one of the reasons I read The Wheel of Time. What a journey that was 😊
The wheel of time has been on my tbr for so long. I'm really excited to read it, but at the same time it feels intimidating because of its massive length.
Join us for the long, but slow journey! We won’t be rushing
I just finished EOTW, this is the first video I’ve viewed of your channel, and I definitely side more with Rich than Austin (hope I got the names right) but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have to say my favorite character is Lan, although Loial comes in close 2nd. The image of him reading books in the library at the inn gives me a warm fuzzy, the green man gives me a warm fuzzy, the magic really hooked me, the plot kept me turning the page… definitely cannot wait for the second book and can’t wait to watch your video on that book when I’m done! Great video 👏🏼
I got five books in and took a little break as I just don’t have lots of time for 1000ish page books atm and I don’t have a lot of time for hearing about Nynaeve’s low cut dresses over and over again but watching you guys talk about it makes me want to get back on the wagon asap.
Dragon reborn is my favourite so far.
Richard please tell me Nynaeve and Egwain get less mule headed and annoying??!
Looking forward to seeing your next video on the series!
Oh, they are still mule headed, but it makes the story interesting. It causes problems for themselves and they must learn to overcome it.
@@2ToRamble hmm that sounds like it could be interesting then!
Hey guys. Loved this pod, I literally a week ago finished the books so I'm coming in full of love and found this chat a really fun listen. Subscribed and wish you both all the success!
What I would say about this is that Austin was clearly bothered by it being derivative in some way, but I got the impression that in some ways it was the steering away from traditional storytelling that got to him. The refusal of the heroes call, the rejection of the wise gandalf figure etc.
The audiobook aspect thing could also ruin the experience to an extent, I read these books so quickly like Richard I didnt get hung up on some of the smaller issues.
Appreciate you finding us and listening! Cheers and hope I (austin) can join you and rich down the line in the love for the series
I'm on book 2 right now. 60% in. I cannot stand Nynaeve so I'm interested to see this progression you speak of. We'll see how it goes.
WoT has some elements that I ultimately dislike *a lot*, but I can forgive how similar EotW is to LoTR, for two reasons:
1) The publishing landscape at the time rewarded, if not outright demanded, that similarity to “on ramp” fantasy readers easily. See Sword of Shannara, Dragonbone Chair, et al.
2) I see Jordan essentially steel-manning Tolkien before conversing with him. Sometimes this is in tribute, other times in argument. But I think you have to have a shared foundation to do either.
love this channel! I’m on my first read through of the WoT and this it’s awesome!
Cheers!! Going to be an awesome journey reading through them all. What book are you on?
@@2ToRamble I started last month and am finishing up the dragon reborn and am so excited to see the hype around book 4!
also can’t wait to see Austin’s review on The Great Hunt! Hopefully coming soon!
On the topic of world-first vs character-first: Austin is wrong in implying this is a world-first series. It’s basically a 10/10 in both world building and characters pretty much every book going forward. It’s one of the few series that has me cheering, in tears, genuinely in love with all the characters as if they were my friends. Hope yall enjoy this!
I'm late to this discussion and only about 30% into the episode, but one thing to consider is that the state of SFF books in the late 80's and early 90's, it could be argued that Jordan needed to start with the homage to Tolkien/Fellowship to get published as an epic fantasy. Once that had success Jordan could, and did, take book 2 into his own story. Just my two cents as a big WoT fan. Hopefully interest keeps up and we can get chats about the whole series of books.
I started reading these in the early 90's when I was in middle school, when there were only 3 or 4 were out. When a new book would come out, I'd re-read the previous book, or a few times, I did the whole series over.
Excited that you guys will be covering the series! I read The Eye of the World last year and got about 2/3's into The Dragon Reborn before falling off. You're videos will definitely encourage me to pick the series back up. 😁
Edit: I also agree with Richard that The Great Hunt is where the story really gets going and it's the book that sold me on needing to continue the series. Will be eager to hear your thoughts when you cover Book 2! 😁
I finished the first book this morning and I really enjoyed it so I’m pumped for book 2. I do think Perrin was my favorite character from book 1. I do also like Lan, Tom and Rand, so I was really enjoying the bouncing around.
I finished eye of the world over a month ago (currently reading shadow rising) but I honestly was pretty happy with it.
I loved the slow build, the characters, and the plot for the most part but my major criticisms were rand being boring, the dream sequences being confusing, and ending feeling strange and rushed. I felt eye of the world was about 4.25/5 or so.
But after reading the next two books which are easy 5/5s, I honestly look back on eye of the world a little more harshly now because the great hunt/dragon Reborn are so amazing and SO much better.
I honestly hope Austin ends up feeling the same about the great hunt because I am pretty invested in the series now and I want him to be too 🤣
I hope so too, very glad that the next 2 books seem that much better 🫡
The whole derivative thing. It’s not just Lord of the rings he’s taking things from. There’s King Arthur & the knights of the round table as well as William Morris (the Well at the Worlds End….) and many others. Yes, Lord of the Rings is too obvious in EotW and a bit off putting maybe for todays reader. But so much has changed since this was written, much of that change influenced by Jordan himself.
Y’all have become my go to book reviewers!
I had a question though. From what I can gather from watching y’all, Richard’s favorite series is Wheel of Time and Austin’s is Red Rising. My favorite series is The Cosmere, but specifically The Stormlight Archive. I’m Cosmere current, and have read up to Iron Gold in the red rising series. While it’s good, it’s nowhere near my level of enjoyment for the Cosmere. I’m about to start the wheel of time, so I wanted to hear your spoil free review. My question is why do y’all like The Wheel of Time and Red Rising more than the Stormlight archive? I’d love to know.
Austin here! Stormlight Archive is my favorite series so cant argue with you there! Red Rising is second - and if it helps, Iron Gold was my least favorite of the series and Dark Age blew me away
As far as the differences between Jordan and Tolkien, the first book and the setup is very LOTR. After book 1 is where he really sets things apart.
8 minutes in and I gotta say BRAVO for not just rubber stamping the Eye of the World a 10 out of 10. I did have some comments about it and would not give it a 10. Now I'm excited to hear your reviews.
Just finished the eye of the world, and I think I’m closer to Richard, so I have hope for this series :)
My favorite character was Moraine, just loved her! And was completely annoyed by Mat haha. Rand I didn’t care too much for him
Listening to this while cooking, the moment he said the Wheel of Time is the closest thing to come close to Tolkien in world building, as a reflex, I literally said out loud: “read Malazan before you set any standards of world building!”
That said I liked this podcast, and I subscribed after it.
We definitely need to read Malazan some day
Probably on this too late (10 months after the posting) but when Rand acts unusual it is not the madness. It is just him touching the source for the first couple of times. Moiraine describes the process (I believe this is the case, might have been a different one, don't have the books with me at the moment) to Nynaeve when Nynaeve catches up to Lan and Moiraine after Shadar Logoth.
I did struggle through this book and almost gave up on it but my friend said to keep going and 2 moths later I've torn through the next three books. it definitely gets better.
I have read the entire WoT series. I have so many issues with this series and would never list it as one of my favorites. But if someone asked me if they should read it, I would have a boatload of examples of how incredible it is. I’m not a WoT fan - but I’m not NOT a WoT fan…? 👀 Very excited to hear your guys thoughts on future books! I agree with both of you.😅
I (austin) feel like I’ll have very similar thoughts as I go throug the series 🥸
I know you guys are all starry-eyed around Sanderson, but in my reread, I found that each of Sanderson’s last three books, and in order, are worse than the previous. Don’t get me wrong. I think that what Sanderson gave us, in finishing Jordan’s work, was an incredible gift, and one I’ll be forever grateful for. He also did an outstanding job. One of my most favorite of the bunch is Sanderson’s first, The Gathering Storm, and I think this is the case because Jordan played a bigger part in that book. The reference material must have been better for Sanderson. In the last two, the characters diverge from what Jordan had them as. Some don’t behave right. They’re different. I didn’t see it in my initial read, but in the reread, I became frustrated by their diverging motivations. Sanderson also introduces us to some new and weird characters, especially those who have visions of the future, and of the past. That Nacomi character. Again, the first time, no biggie, but in the second, I found it alien to the world Jordan created. However. My biggest criticism of the series as a whole, is what I call the “Lets pause the elephant in the room, for some description.” It happens constantly where the action is stopped for long wordy description. Teeth gnashing interruptions that can last pages. It’s something Rothfuss manages much better in his, very large books.
New to the series and just finished EoTW. Felt a lot of the LoTR derivative points. The book also kind of dragged at parts in the middle for me. But the third Act of the book hooked me just enough. Look forward to book 2.
Definitely feel reassured after finishing book 1 and not completely adoring it, ready to march on in a week or so for book 2
Hope you enjoy book 2 despite my feelings of the series!
Alright. Alright. I’ve been convinced to read book 2, hah.
My feelings on ‘The Eye of the World’ were quite mixed, when I read it earlier this year!
On the one hand, I *did* enjoy most of the actual act of reading. Whatever it is about the writing style, I was engaged from scene to scene, enjoying myself while listening. It even tempted me into continuing to read even after getting home from work a few times, which doesn’t happen often! I was also at least somewhat interested in some of the development we got from side characters, and about a few different worldbuilding details.
But aside from that moment to moment entertainment factor and the vague promise of the characters, it really just didn’t do anything for me. The whole somehow felt like *less* than the sum of its parts; by the end of the book, I really just did not particularly care about what might come next for this world. 😅 I may have enjoyed my time, but the book wrapped up what components did spark my interest, and what picture it seemed to paint of the future was actively disinteresting to me.
(I… had a similar feeling by the end of Dune, come to think of it; another series where I read and somewhat enjoyed book one but haven’t talked myself into reading further.)
But! Yes. The discussion in this video has successfully talked me around at least a bit. I’ll be putting book two on hold at the library!
Having started book 2… it’s prompted me enough to remember that I *absolutely* agree, the different perspectives characters each have about the same traits - e.g. each of them wishing they were like the other, and not like themselves - is very nicely done.
And for my comment about being less than the sum of its parts… as my memory is prompted, I do find myself wondering how much of that impression really has more to do with the ending specifically, and the feelings that ending left me with?
Great thoughts - Im sure Richard is excited you’re going into book 2. Book 2 might be a step up for you, curious to see if it pays off!
The whole being less than the sum of its parts is a pretty great distillation of my thoughts as well. On a scene by scene basis everything was good (maybe great), but on a broader level it felt like the *story* wasn’t progressing. Sure they were on a constant move from place to place to place and there was excitement in seeing new things but it never felt like a plot arc was building and the rising action never rose. They were always in the same exact, constant state of danger and it’s hard to be gripping when it feels like things aren’t ever getting better or worse, just staying the same in a different place
im so exited, im starting the series too
Awesome 🤌 How far are you into the series?
@@2ToRamble just the first book so far
The amount of foreshadowing for the 14th book in the first few books is absolutely insane.
The 2nd book is one of my favorite fantasy books of all time, I'm currently on book 4.
Finished eye of the world two days ago. I found it enjoyable enough to continue. I just started to read books in general wanted to get into a big series. 6.5/10.Took me 2 years to get to page 400 then once I started liking reading as a medium after reading dune and red rising I finished the rest in like a month.
Noice! I am reading the series for the first time, currently finishing the 2nd book and I am loving it.
This pod teeters my totter like no other.
I've seen the Richie's talk about this series, I wanted to be a Richie, but the whole way through I was an Austin. As an Austin without a Richie in my life, I dnf-ed the series after finishing book 1. Really interesting & enjoyable review guys. Thanks
I came to the WoT late, but I was hooked right from prologue. Because when Lews Therin goes completely mad, it reminded me a lot of Kevin Landwaster. We never get to actually see Kevin's crisis and breakdown, so Lews Therin's agony kinda filled that hole for me.
I've had this on my TBR for a long time, i'm enjoying the light bringer and wow it's really good
Ooo - what book are you on with Lightbringer?
@@2ToRamble about to finish the first book 🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐
A few things. Perrin is a reference to the slavic god Perun. "The Eye of The World" doesn't actually refers to the location in the novel but actually refers to Rand. The location was to justify the name in world. ta'veren is literally a way to say main character and a way to explain why things are always happening around them and deus ex machina.
The first book is completely derivative of Tolkin on the first read. The world has changed so much that it actually is a different book on the re-read. Also Moiraine uses compulsion on the boys when she gives them the coin.
Ahh did not know that!
@@2ToRamble there's a website called the 13th depository that inspired sometimes in the books. It's a lore reference site that gets *DEEP* in the lore and what inspired each character and different elements of the world. Also fun side note the book Local reference "to sail beyond the sunset" is a Robert Heinlein reference. Lots of their myths in the third age are based on our world. There's also several references to real world companies etc.
@@alananimus9145 I'll have to pass this along to Richard (he probably knows about this) -- but super cool!! Thankya!
YYUUSSSSS!! This is what ive been looking for! i think haha on book 4 again right now on my12?13? maybe 14th re-read. Been hoping to find some that covers evverryytthhiinnggg for the full series! Starting the vid now!
Around 1:10, i believe the term is unreliable narrator :)
I think it's important to note that at the time EOTW was released, everything fantasy took heavy influence from Tolkien. It doesn't feel like the book breaks new ground now, with the context of modern fantasy, but at the time this was a big deal and the series was a piece of the progression fantasy as a genre over time.
Enjoyed this conversation and look forward to the next one!
Good thing to note and thank you!
Best series of all time! TEOTW is great introduction to a great series. The cover is possibly my favourite of all time! I still picture Lan and Moraine that way. Be well, stay safe!
I’m on my first read through! Just started book 4 last week. So excited to have bumped into this podcast to read with!
Also edit to add: I appreciate Austin’s thoughts on it, because that’s how I felt about book 1 mostly. But i am determined to read the whole thing no matter what, so we’re in it together at least 😂
Great timing and glad I’m not alone 🫡. I struggled book 1 but we’ll carry on
@@2ToRamble I agree that book 2 is definitely better, but I’m not fully invested yet either. Looking forward to the episode for book 2!
Just finished Eye of the World last night. Already into book 2! Loving it!
Love your content. We need more long form conversations about books. Even though you hate my favorite book, Name of the Wind, I’ll still subscribe lol.
watching this right after the red rising video is so funny to see who's more animated
Austen, I’m so with you on every single point. I don’t know if I will continue the series because I really was not blown away by anything in the book. I was bored for much of it. Rand drove me mad.
Yea definitely unfortunate, but really hopeful that the second book turns it around. Do you think you’ll continue on eventually? (Maybe far future?)
Because of this episode, I decided to pick up book 2 and try it and see if it does get better. I can commit to the first 4 books-like you say-it gets better. I’m going to try it.
*Describes an opinion about the audio voice acting made by the reader who isn't the author
"Is that an audiobook problem?"
I understand that Rich is being like, kind of silly, but some of his abuse thrown at Austin feels real lol
I forget what he said about me this episode, but finally someone understands 😂😂
Where did you get the Tor Editions on the title card without the Prime logo?
Seems like readers with 2 different views on what a book needs to accomplish:
1. Books need to be a good read/journey. Nothing else required. Fave genre books are the fave journey to take, so books that are similar to other beloved same genre reads are seen as just as good...doesn't matter who invented that similar journey, what matters is if the same fun/feels is had when reading. Getting a similar journey isn't bad just because its similar, in fact its that very similarity that makes it good...if first was a good journey than another with similar journey gives more of that beloved type of journey. Its more of a good thing.
Then there is the 2nd view:
2. Books need to tell a different journey than any other book and in a new different way....otherwise I'm wasting my time reading something I've already seen before...so repeating is boring and the first to write it is only book that can be good. Usually this is the view of either someone who doesn't like to read or someone who loves to read but hasn't read enough to know almost every story when broken down to its base components have already been told before...every story involves the same components..plots/climaxes/characters/relationships...books focus on 1 main character or multiple characters...there is worldbuilding or setting...there is a tale to be told, a journey to be had, or a recounting of info to be conveyed. Readers of this type only think their fave books are new n different due to not being familiar with the works that inspired their chosen loved books. Like in 100 years will people know the books and movies that may of inspired harry potter? Or will they argue J.K. Rowling was the first to write of a chosen one child who gets told they are magic and taken to a magic school and going through that journey and having to defeat an evil one...and all the chosen one tales before it are unknown, all the discover your magic n go to the magic school tales before are unknown....and in 100 years will every new chosen one magic school tale be told its not different enough to not be boring or to be worth going on their journey since we have harry potter already.
(Tolkien wasn't the first writer of fantasy or the first to write a story of a journey....the Odyssey anyone?...like really, people want to claim Tolkien did it first...lol get real. There is a novel length poem about fantasy tales including dragons and knights rescuing maidens from over 200 years ago...Tolkien had his inspiration and his contemporaries, his story just got way more famous to our current knowledge, but he wasn't the first. So should we view Tolkien's works as not as good since they weren't first either?)
Both readers are valid and their wants are valid. No one should feel forced to read anything. Books and their tales need to be good enough people want to read them and go on that journey. Authors make the choice of how new and how different they want their journey to be, and many know its like baking a cake...many cakes have been made before, make your cake too different and it might not be called a cake anymore...but when making a wide loved cake like chocolate cake or carrot cake the baker will be judged based on what eaters think a great chocolate cake or carrot cake should be and on what they have experienced before...the closer to that ideal the better many find it even though it isn't a brand new cake that changes cakes completely.
I love fantasy. A familiar fantasy that is familiar to a well loved tale, to me is a joy...I read more fantasy to get that similar joy. Its the journey itself and all the details in it that make it fun and make even similar tales different and their own thing. Sometimes the 2nd or 10th similar story does it in a way to make it even better than the quote 1st or 1st best...you won't know until you try it.
Have to agree it was better the second time through.
Just starting eye of the world for the third time this month. Going faster than I expected.
Just want to recommend the recent Rosamund Pike version of the audio book. She really elevates some of the dialog to another level.
A 4.4 is crazy lol it’s a slow start because of the world building and character development but that’s still crazy. It’s the fellowship of the ring for the series.
On my 4th re-read and am in Book 8. Hope y’all can catch me to 14
Also, I think this is a great take on the EOTW. This book cannot be read without baggage. It’s built in.
Waiting on that Red Rising trilogy breakdown… I know it can’t be too far off!
Oh. We will be coverering EVERY one of those books. 😈
Unfortunately I´ll never get back the time I´ve wasted reading some of this series
Great video! It would be nice next time to have theories about the next book or what you want/don't want to happen at the end of the video, and then go back to them after reading the next book! I had so many theories after book 2/3 and then I was like "Oh I was sooo wrong"!
Great idea
I just did the audio as a reread, and didn’t feel the slog.
Several characters in the first book are at their least likable. For example Mat is fairly annoying and frustrating yet becomes one of the series most beloved characters.
He isnt really annoying until he gets posessed by the knife
The Eye of The World and Eye of Sauron, other than sharing the word eye aren't cognates at all. Made me question for a second "Did that dude actually read this?". It'd still be pretty wrong but it'd make more sense to me if he compared the Eye of The World to the mirror of Galadriel. In Lord of The Rings the 'Eye of Sauron' is purely metaphorical. He has a corporeal humanoid form in the books, he's not a disembodied eyeball, and the eye is literally just a heraldic emblem. I really don't get how he deduced that at all.
34:40 its like not trusting Gandolf because hobbits don’t. Doesn’t Make sense.
Haven’t thought of a way around it yet, but it seems like most people watching for the spoiler free section. Watching after 7 to 15 minutes and that might not be good for the tip algorithm in terms of recommendations. However, you do have people coming back to see review after they read it which will be good it just might be delayed response.
Yea appreciate the comment! We’ve thought about it too - it’s definitely not going to be viral, but these kinda of videos are better for RUclips searches rather than RUclips recommendations. Plus, we know going in that when we’re 10 books deep that these videos will do progressively worse, but it’s fun and hopefully will be a unique thing on RUclips where 2 ppl have all their thoughts on the entire WOT journey.
I'm so with Austin on this one - in fact just had a disagreement with my husband that rivals the podcast :D I'm ok book 3 and still not loving it. I'll finish reading the series because of my husband (he loves the series) but I'm finding it pretty hard going and I can usually read anything.. I find it weird that Richard is so hard on Sanderson's prose sometimes but hand waves away Jordan's frequently snoring prose ... Also, why is everyone in love with Rand? He's so boring.
For me I'm dying to get to the Sanderson books in the hope the books become more interesting .. I know this is sacrilegious .. I love Tolkien and Sanderon's writing and really want to love this series if I can ...
ETA: I'm also reading Red Rising but don't love it as much as Austin. I'm halfway through book 2 but am quite sick of the overuse of the fridging trope :P
For Red Rising I can see how the fridging trope is bothersome and if you don’t like that it makes sense how to book could irk you - but glad I have an ally for this review 😁. I’m hoping and counting on liking it more as it goes on. It looks like we’re in the same boat - not liking it right now, but finishing the series for someone else. Except in your case that someone else is important and mine is well…Richard.
@@2ToRamble bahahaha Richard is important to us both. Whenever I'm watching your podcast (and my husband has to listen to it because we have our computers in the same room :D ) - as various opinions are voiced, I will say: "I am Austin. You are Richard." But sometimes you will both say something else and I'll say: "OK now I'm Richard - you are Austin." I appreciate it when one of you channels my outrage or enthusiasm.
I feel bad now because when I was watching this last night and chiming in with all my views, my husband was defending WoT very spiritedly :D I need to finish book 3 soon - but have to get through Golden Son first, fridging aside :D
I can finally watch this! I just finished this book yesterday
Whatd you think!?
Im glad I wasn't the only new reader that was so damn confused by the ending. I will be continuing this journey. I started Book 2 yesterday.@@2ToRamble
I’m in the same boat as Richard. I didn’t reach LOTR until about 20 years after I read EOTW, so I didn’t see that overlap like Austin did. I enjoyed EOTW for its own merit so I don’t have all of the stigmas associated with it that Austin has.
Just finished this book myself and can’t wait to experience the second one with you guys
Cheers! We are making our way through - sorry for the delay on the video
Just started reading Wheel of time and there's another Lord of The Rings thing i picked up on. The Herron Crested sword the Rand gets from Tam is always razor sharp. Frodo's sword Sting that he gets from Bilbo is always razor sharp. And also the main character inherits a sword from their father figure
Its just the first one, the others are unique 🙌🏻
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