Introduction
So generally I've been pretty negative of the first two books (book 1 , book2), both as a fan of the show but also against the reputation the series has as a whole and the general interest in the world the show and the series's reputation has garnered.
I'm aware that book 4 is widely regarded as when the series actually starts or hits its stride, and aimed in my reading to at least read up to book 4. But I found books 1 and 2 to be strangely disappointing and so was curious to see how I felt about book 3. It seems, in hindsight, that books 1 and 2 are basically parts 1 and 2 of the same opening book of the series. I wouldn't be surprised if story-wise they started off as a single book in Jordan's mind, for instance. So I was curious to see how things go once Jordan was free from the opening work.
The short story is I very much liked book 3, in general and more than books 1 and 2, for about the first half. The second half and the ending though were a pretty bad let down however and, at the moment, seal my opinion that the first 3 opening books are kinda problematically "not good" for a series this long in well loved.
Positives
What worked for me was that Jordan did seem free to write within the world rather than to paint it for the reader, and that worked well for me. The women and Mat in Tar Valon and the rest in the mountains or chasing Rand ... these felt like focused and organic story and character threads where any mysteries felt looming (how good was Lanfear in tar valon!) and actions and risks felt like they had real and palpable stakes. Compared to book 2, Perin and Mat gain focus and it works well. Perin, as I'm guessing is not unique of me, is a favourite. Mat's whole luck thing, is something I'm not sure about, but it's a fun and interesting character that has been underdone so far, so getting more focus on him was good.
Egwene, Nyneave and Elayne
The three women, while I enjoyed very much the Tar Valon setting and their role in it, weren't terribly well written from a character perspective I'd say. I'm aware there's a whole "obnoxious women" opinion out there, and while I can see how some might feel that way, that wasn't my issue. I think they were simultaneously given a pile of agency that didn't quite make sense within the book, as bait going of to Tear at great risk, it seemed strangely risky all of a sudden. But then simultaneously, their characters were somewhat childish and superficial in the tension between them without any real attempts at digging into it giving the characters to a chance to work through their issues or suffer consequences. I get that the characters have growth to do and are flawed and all, but the combination of choices with the group felt somewhat crude and contrived for the broader plot. Also, that they twice were rescued without needing to be rescued was odd and I'm not sure what purpose it serves. And while being shitty to Mat is just part of the gender and character dynamics ... again, it felt superficial ... like in a situation like that I think even the most stuck up people would be relieved to see a friendly or familiar face out of nowhere trying to help them. And then, in the end, they almost played no role in the overall plot ... ?
Negatives
On which, we get to the latter half, where book 3 sadly shared a formula with books 1 and 2 to the point where much of the plot machinations just felt contrived to lead to the ending Jordan had decided on. It was somewhat strange that the women were going to Tear to trigger the trap with the Amyrlin's blessing. Maybe it's illustrative of the dangers of the Aes Sedai, but I knew Jordan wanted the characters to be split apart to then all converge onto a single location housing a special magical item where Ba'alzamon would appear out of nowhere and confront Rand in some inexplicable magic battle that Rand would "instinctively" be able to win to prove that he is the Dragon Reborn. So, the women, Rand, and then Mat (learning things by luck I guess), and of course Moraine, Perin and co chasing Rand, all deciding to head for Tear just felt cheap and manipulative by this point. While I'm guessing that in universe the Forsaken/Ba'alzamon were manipulating things toward this, the plot formula is pretty obvious by this point and just wasn't compelling reading once all the threads were in place. Generally, I suspect that Jordan, for me, is at his weakest when he feels like he needs to move people around. The obviousness of the plot mechanics being one aspect, but I suspect there's something how Jordan thinks his unveiling his rich world for the reader when for me it feels more like noise ... characters and places without much substance or "thematic momentum".
The Ending
As for the ending ... at this point I don't think I can be negative enough about it. I'm honestly a little shocked and kinda questioning if I even like fantasy. Like, how is it OK for a celebrated series to have basically the same ending in the first three (not short!) books all so that Rand can finally recognise he is the Dragon?! That Rand was hardly in the book is probably a big factor as to why enjoyed this one more ... I'm not sure Jordan knows what to do with is "chosen one" trope and generally the character is obviously a bit thin. A series just about the three women, Perin and Mat, without the chosen one and "dark one" tropes would probably be much more interesting. By this point, I think Jordan really needed to have created a character in Rand that was more fleshed out and interesting. Chosen ones are often dull plot mechanisms, but spending so much time, and ending drama, on Rand learning to accept that he is the Dragon without us the reader having any hooks into his character and its growth and how it feels from his perspective in the same way we do for Perin and Egwene and Mat, seems like a failure of the series thus far.
Like, if the series didn't have the reputation and the world weren't interesting, I'd be totally done with the series. I'm somewhat curious to see how I feel about books 4 (and maybe 5 and 6) because despite liking book 3 more it's cast way more doubt on whether I can enjoy the rest of the series ... Sorry, I just cannot get over how all three books were "Look, it's Ba'alzamon out of nowhere, quick Rand, do all the things you know how to do only when it's a climactic ending that transcends reality and the celebrated hard magic system ... we've brought everyone to this newly introduced city just to see it!!" It strikes me as odd that fans openly admit to book 1's ending being off but I've yet to see mention of the repetition of the basic pattern in the first three. I'm really not sure you easily separate them.
Favourite parts and curiosities
- Lanfear in Tar Valon was awesome and gave me chills in moments. Realising that she was doing entirely as she pleased and manipulating things in the Aes Sedai stronghold was scary as hell! Like who is this person, how powerful is she and what is she actually up to! Of course the dream Perin has where he sees her loyalty to the dark being questioned only cements the mysterious wonder. I love that the show has leaned into this character so much and can see why.
- Dream world (tel'aran'rhiod) is definitely interesting, and the revelation that the wolves are basically natives to it was very "cool" for lack of a better word. I'm curious to see if it's just another dimension in which things happen or if there's more to it though ... because already by this book it feels like it maybe doesn't serve an immediate purpose other than to have more magic to the world and was maybe a tad overused already? ... definitely curious to see what Jordan does with it.
- So, obviously, what's up with Mat and his luck? My guesses are Shadar Logoth and the dagger have left a mark (the book explicitly hints at this IIRC). Whether this leads to luck doesn't really make sense, but broadly it would make sense that Mat's path/purpose is to somehow be the representative of the older Menethren Shadar Logoth fighting spirit against the dark which entails some curious powers given the shadow that is Shadar. Otherwise, the wheel's willing things for him in the moment and can do it better during chance events? Even during fighting? It's really unclear and in a way that is both tantalising but also annoying.
- A big and related question here is also what is the deal with Lanfear and Mat. She's obviously toying with him, but then, in disguise as Else, seemed almost spooked by him, which implies that as a manifestation of Shadar he's rather threatening to darkfriends etc.
- So Ishamael/Ba'alzamon. As a show fan, this details was obviously spoiled. But also, I'm not sure how I feel about it in the book. It seemed to be an underwhelming twist and I'm not clear on what effect it was supposed to have. Is Ishamael actually dead? I would guess not really but then the book has been happily killing off forsaken and I'm probably more attached to Ishy than I should be because of the show. But then again Ishamael is in the opening prologue of EotW and has spoken of himself as recurring in the wheel like the Dragon.
The Opening Trilogy
I'm really hoping that Jordan just spent a long time in the opening trilogy building up to the setting of their being a Dragon Reborn and the story he wanted to tell from that point onward and painting his world. If true, the world has been wonderfully detailed and set up, but with stories that are problematic introductions to a series (IMO, so far).
The Show
I'm not sure how much of book 3 season 2 has tried to incorporate, but generally I've very much appreciated the portrayal of the villains. Ishamael, Lanfear and Liandrin are, IMO, so much better in the show and are informing my mental image of the books.
I think I also appreciate what they've done with Rand compared to the books. I think show Rand works much better and I appreciate the work the show has put into making that adaptation work. The toned down and more emotionally focused ending of season 1 helps a lot (as I've said before, book fans are not good show critics in their difficulty letting go and accepting an adaptation as an adaptation ... season 1 in hindsight was rather good I think). And the more direct character beats with Lanfear in season 2 have helped a lot too.