Robert Jordan

In the continuing Wheel of Time saga, Rand and Min are on the run, while Black Tower leader Mazrim Taim is exposed, a Seanchan princess arrives in Ebou Dar and the schemers of the White Tower are beset by rebels.

Book Nine of 'The Wheel of Time'

Winter's Heart

Mat Cauthon flees the Shadow and the Seanchan Empire with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, while Perrin Aybara seeks to free his captive wife, and Egwene al'Vere seeks to reunite the Aes Sedai. 1,200,000 first printing. $600,000 ad/promo.

Book Ten of 'The Wheel of Time'

Crossroads of Twilight

Stijn de Boer 

Worst entry in the series so far. There's almost nothing happening. I saw someone on Reddit defending this book because of its unique structure, as most of it could be seen as 'a day in the life' of most of the characters, and I guess that's true. They said it's better on rereads, because at that point you don't care about the plot as much anymore, and just want to spend time with the characters. That said, for me, as a first-time reader, I struggled a lot with this one. I just want the story to continue at this point, and this book did almost nothing in this regard. Near the end, I found myself just skimming pages until my subconscious registered something as being potentially important, and then I'd read that paragraph and start skimming again. 

Without getting into spoilers, there were only two events in this book that interested me and about which I wanted to find out more: one involved a creepy town that one of our main characters visited, and the other happened at the very end, just before the epilogue. Besides that, I don't feel like this book set up anything interesting.

The only two reasons to read this book are 1) to get to the next ones, which are supposed to be some of the best in the series, and 2) as a trial by fire. After this one, I'd say we're officially in the WoT fandom, as all of us have gone through the same ordeal and come out the other side. That said, I'm in need of a serious break from the series, and I think most readers will feel the same after this book.

Soon to be a major Amazon Prime TV series The ninth novel in the Wheel of Time series - one of the most influential and popular fantasy epics ever published. Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, is slowly succumbing to the taint that the Dark One has placed upon the saidin - the male half of the True Source. His Asha'man followers are also showing signs of the insanity that once devastated the world and brought the Age of Legends to an end. And as Rand falters, the Shadow falls across a stricken land. In the city of Ebou Dar the Seanchan, blind to the folly of their cause, marshal their forces and continue their relentless assault. In Shayol Ghul the Forsaken join together to destroy the Dragon. Rand's only chance is to hazard the impossible and remove the taint from the saidin. But to do so he must master a power from the Age of Legends that none have ever dared to risk - a power that can annihilate Creation and bring an end to Time itself. 'Epic in every sense' Sunday Times 'With the Wheel of Time, Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal' New York Times '[The] huge ambitious Wheel of Time series helped redefine the genre' George R. R. Martin 'A fantasy phenomenon' SFX The Wheel of Time The Eye of the World The Great Hunt The Dragon Reborn The Shadow Rising The Fires of Heaven Lord of Chaos A Crown of Swords The Path of Daggers Winter's Heart Crossroads of Twilight Knife of Dreams The Gathering Storm Towers of Midnight A Memory of Light New Spring (prequel) The Wheel of Time Companion

Book 9 of the Wheel of Time

ashley

This was my least favorite in the series until I got to the end and the battle had to be the best thing I’d ever read

James Eaton

Some good moments that moved the story along. Overall is was just a little slow. I enjoy the character development, but the expanded time with one character or group got a little long. 

I am exited to get to the later books and I’m just trusting the process.

Too many side stories and it feels like the plot has stalled in some places. The last few chapters were good though (finally some movement)! 

Some great character moments and events but I found myself putting this down to reach for other books. I’m going to finish the series and I have faith that it will all work out in the end, but the last few books have been a little difficult to get through.

Michael Pejin

The final book of the unnecessary books. There are probably 6-7 chapters in this whole book that are worth reading. Definitely the weakest book in the series by far. Can not wait to jump into Book 11 where it ramps up to being great again.

Eva Bailey

This was super enjoyable, heaps of events happened that I've been waiting for for ages, the last battle was epic. Some big reveals and massive plot points. Definitely the best for a while.

The plot was not advanced in the slightest but still kinda enjoyed it. Justice for my girl Nynaeve who didn't get a single perspective this book.

Brianna

The previous three or four books are slow. This one is stagnant. You are my god, Jordan, but you aren’t without flaws.

Michael M.

A middle entry in a massive series, Winter's Heart is for the most part, well, middling. The ending feels fairly momentous, however, and I must award extra credit for including at least two instances of "jiggery-pokery."

Alex

It took me way too much time to finish this book - it was just so boring I couldn't bring myself to start reading it. I know it's the worst of the series and that's the only reason I made myself read it. Nothing happend in this book. Nothing. For 700+ pages. I need a break from Wheel of Time again...

Pat G.

** spoiler alert **
           Not bad overall, but definitely slow pacing. 

Mat is back and I’m really happy about it. In a big way too, his whole story line here is excellent. Comedic and bold, perfectly in character. 

Aes Sedai stuff is still boring. 

Rand’s part here is great. I like the new quest to make him more human. He’s been hardening since the beginning and this sounds like a nice place to go with his character. Well timed with his whole ladies situation. Pretty creative actually, I haven’t seen this done before. 

There’s a lot I’m missing but this one was quite slow so these moments will probably only pop up when necessary to remember lol

** spoiler alert **
           Getting to see each different story line react to the massive Magic event of Rand & Ninaeve is interesting, though kind of pedestrian. 

Overall quite boring but seems like one massive setup for the next few books. The Caemlyn negotiations feel dull and stagnant. Perrin is boring now but Faile at least is exciting, enjoying her part much more since her situation is very tense in the Shaido camp. 

Getting more and more disappointed with the Aes Sedai/Egwenes story line as it’s very much overly political at this point (though the end was good). Hundreds of pages of useless bickering and gossiping… only to reach lacklustre “climaxes” revealing their next steps. I understand that this may be the point since the “control the world subliminally” but every Aes Sedai focussed chapter is a serious speed bump. A lot of this could have been compressed into fewer chapters, the drawn out lead-ups outweigh the outcomes in a terrible way. Snooze fest… and it’s causing me to forget everyone Aes Sedais names and stories.

Judy Hudgins

Michael Hessling

I think *this* one might be the nadir. Whew.

Beth Benbow

Winter's Heart (The Wheel of Time, Book 9)

Rhett Royster

The Wheel of Time ® is a PBS Great American Read Selection! Now in development for TV! Since its debut in 1990, The Wheel of Time® by Robert Jordan has captivated millions of readers around the globe with its scope, originality, and compelling characters. The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. Rand is on the run with Min, and in Cairhein, Cadsuane is trying to figure out where he is headed. Rand's destination is, in fact, one she has never considered. Mazrim Taim, leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. But what is he up to? Faile, with the Aiel Maidens, Bain and Chiad, and her companions, Queen Alliandre and Morgase, is prisoner of Savanna's sept. Perrin is desperately searching for Faile. With Elyas Machera, Berelain, the Prophet and a very mixed "army" of disparate forces, he is moving through country rife with bandits and roving Seanchan. The Forsaken are ever more present, and united, and the man called Slayer stalks Tel'aran'rhiod and the wolfdream. In Ebou Dar, the Seanchan princess known as Daughter of the Nine Moons arrives--and Mat, who had been recuperating in the Tarasin Palace, is introduced to her. Will the marriage that has been foretold come about? TV series update: "Sony will produce along with Red Eagle Entertainment and Radar Pictures. Rafe Judkins is attached to write and executive produce. Judkins previously worked on shows such as ABC’s “Agents of SHIELD,” the Netflix series “Hemlock Grove,” and the NBC series “Chuck.” Red Eagle partners Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon will executive produce along with Radar’s Ted Field and Mike Weber. Darren Lemke will also executive produce, with Jordan’s widow Harriet McDougal serving as consulting producer." —Variety The Wheel of Time® New Spring: The Novel #1 The Eye of the World #2 The Great Hunt #3 The Dragon Reborn #4 The Shadow Rising #5 The Fires of Heaven #6 Lord of Chaos #7 A Crown of Swords #8 The Path of Daggers #9 Winter's Heart #10 Crossroads of Twilight #11 Knife of Dreams By Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson #12 The Gathering Storm #13 Towers of Midnight #14 A Memory of Light By Robert Jordan Warrior of the Altaii By Robert Jordan and Teresa Patterson The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time By Robert Jordan, Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, and Maria Simons The Wheel of Time Companion By Robert Jordan and Amy Romanczuk Patterns of the Wheel: Coloring Art Based on Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time

Winter's Heart Book Nine of 'The Wheel of Time'

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