Jason H. (jasonhackwith) reviewed on 1/30/2012

Helpful Score: 2

Book thirteen, this second book co-written by Brandon Sanderson after Robert Jordan's untimely death is one of the most brilliant in the series.

Working from Jordan's thorough notes, with a writing team hand-selected by Jordan's widow, Sanderson brings his own style to these last three volumes but the classic Jordan shines through. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that story arcs began in The Eye of the World (the very first book in the Wheel of Time fantasy epic) finally begin to close. As amazing as Jordan's characterization skills have been throughout this series, I'm just in awe of his foreshadowing. Chekhov's gun comes to mind, and while some have criticized Jordan for the hundreds of characters and story arcs he introduces throughout the series, in these last three books we can start to see the brilliance behind Jordan's complexity.

My favorite chapter? Chapter 40, A Making. Perrin Aybara finally comes into his own in a heart-pounding way that will have you both dreading and hoping for what may happen next. Of all of the epic moments in this series, this is one of the most epic yet.

But that's only one tiny piece of the puzzle that makes up the Wheel of Time. Fans of Rand, Matrim, Egwene, Nyneave, Lan, and more will find plenty here to satisfy. And a long-lost but beloved character from the first books of the series will return in a spectacular, equally epic way.

The Last Battle thunders closer, and the world of the Wheel of Time is shaken. I can't wait for the finale.

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