I read wheel of time book 10 recently. I read the first 10 books or so when they originally came out, but kind of gave up on the series at that point. During Covid I decided to make my way through the series and actually read to the end this time.

So far its kind of both better and worse than I remembered. Some of those middle books were less dull than I remembered, but also in the intervening 20 years I have read a lot more, including a lot more fantasy, and Wheel of time comes off a bit pulpy now. I don't think if these books were to release today that they would get nearly the same attention they did in the 90s.

[–] SturgiesYrFase@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I agree, I also started when they were just released, and they're definitely a looooot more pulpy than I remember. For me this is a bonus! Love me some pulp. Also I found books 5 and 6 or 4 and 5, can't quite recall, to be a major slog. Had to almost force myself to keep reading, which is not great.

Sadly, I think the reason they wouldn't do very well if released today is not that they're a bit pulpy, but that they're not drivel, been noticing the trend in the last decade that the most popular books are verrry poorly written.

[–] Theroddd@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Wheel of time is massive. It's great a and deep and soe parts do drag but at least it's finished! (small barb aimed at KKC)

[–] SturgiesYrFase@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, at least it's finished. I'm quite enjoying it so far. Any recommendations for when I'm done?

[–] worldcitizen101@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago

Robin Hobb - start with the Farseer Trilogy and then enjoy the ride.

[–] hybridhavoc@darkfriend.social 1 points 1 year ago

@Theroddd
@SturgiesYrFase
Still the best payoff in fantasy, I think.

[–] psysok@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So back in the day I was sure that Robert Jordan would never finish WoT and I made a personal rule not to start series that isn't finished. I was reading a book recommendation thread on Slashdot, someone emphatically sold me on Game of Thrones and said that it was just a three book series, and book 2 was already out. Great, I thought, but here I am after like 25 years and A Song of Ice and Fire will never be finished.

I also made an exception for King Killer Chronicles, and I really enjoyed reading it, but its a bummer it is not and may never be finished.

[–] Theroddd@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

I hold faith but it's hard when things keep getting in The way of KKC. And the new lightning tree news was such a letdown.

[–] hybridhavoc@darkfriend.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@SturgiesYrFase
@psysok Whaaaaat I don't think I've ever heard anyone call any of the books 4-6 a slog. Especially not after making it to 10.

[–] SturgiesYrFase@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They're all kind of a blur at this point if I'm honest. I've been mostly reading them one after the other, it could be books 7/8? All I remember is it was a few books ago, and I was feeling really burnt out on them, had a really hard time getting through two of them. They felt really slow.

[–] psysok@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They do blend together. I am sure if I sat there and plotted out the big events I could tell you what was in each book specifically, but I can't off the top of my head.

[–] SturgiesYrFase@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I'd have to have a hard think.