This is the tenth book in the "Wheel of Time" saga, so it continues where Book Nine left off. It concentrates mostly on the developing plots with Perrin and Faile, Mat and Tuon, and Egwene. There are also a few scenes with Elayne, Aviendha, Min, and Rand.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
Perrin must rescue his wife, Faile, from an enormous army of Shaido Aiel, while placating the restless armies who follow him, wrongly believing that he is cheating on his wife. He also faces increasing pressure from Masema the Prophet, and the invading Seanchan armies, all of whom want to manipulate him.
Meanwhile, Mat has accidentally kidnapped Tuon, heir to the Seanchan throne. He must keep her safe and find a way to return her without facing any consequences for himself.
Egwene has laid seige to Tar Valon, but she is betrayed by her own followers, and finds herself trapped by her own clever ploy.
Elayne has arrived in Caemlyn to claim the Lion Throne, but she is greeted by a rebellion of her own people, who don't want another Trakand ruling their country. She gathers potential support from the Borderland armies, and from Aviendha and Birgitte, but there are Darkfriend plots afoot to either assassinate her or rape her. She is pregnant with Rand's child, but she allows a nasty rumor about herself to spread in order to hide the fact that she loves the Dragon Reborn.
Rand finally meets Logain, who tells him what Mazrim Taim is up to. Rand is too busy plotting his next move against the Seanchan to put a stop to Taim's dictatorship over the Black Tower.
The review of this Book prepared by Abby
Tor, Jan 2003, 29.95, 700 pp.
ISBN: 0312864590
The world slowly moves on, but has reached a period of crossroads whether its is individuals, people, or nations. Decisions will prove pivotal, as the turning point in the Wheel of Time seems at hand. However, many have reached different crossroads and twilight is now for choices that must be made even when the options seem negative.
Perrin considers obtaining help from those he does not trust to help liberate his incarcerated wife. Not sure what to do except flee from the Seanchan, Mat takes the abducted daughter of the Nine Moons, Tuon with him while she seductively toys with him. The sieges at Tar Valon and Caemlyn continue unabated leaving insiders to ponder an escape attempt. Egwene the Amyrlin tries to unite the rebel Aes Sedai against the Dark One and considers an alliance with the Asha'man. The Dragon Reborn has eradicated the Dark One from the True Source, but wonders if he should negotiate with the Seanchan or perhaps Perrin for the next trial. Everything is slowly changing with any one decision could prove the pivotal turning point in the Wheel of Time.
Book ten of the Wheel of Time series adds depth and complexity to an already deeply textured landscape. However, as been the case of the last few books, the numerous involved subplots seem on a slow speed treadmill as no forward motion occurs and little action happens. Fans of Robert Jordan will cherish learning even more about the prime players as they struggle to decide what to do next as few writers can dig as insightfully deep as this author does. However, readers who relish action need to look elsewhere.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
