Comments on: Article | Early Impressions rolling in on The Gathering Storm

By: Gabriele

Gabriele — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:47:56 +0000

I admit I’m a bit miffed about Tor’s politics here. Stick to the release date and have a no review politcs, fine. It will increase the hype and prevent spoilers. But allowing pre-release reviews they KNOW will be positive, if not downright fanboy drool, and NOT allow reviews which may be more balanced smells sorta rotten. Maybe it’s marketing, but there’s still an old fish or two in that chest.

By: John Ottinger

John Ottinger — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:33:03 +0000

I have read a review copy. Because of the embargo, there only a little I can say, but all readers should be aware that Sanderson’s writing is not the same as Jordan’s and he does not quite handle all the disparate elements as deftly. However, he most assuredly speeds up the glacial pace of the previous books (save Knife of Dreams perhaps) and does incorporate some of the idiosyncrasies of Jordan’s writing without catering to them. I love it, devouring it in the space of two days, eager to read it again in the context of the whole series.

By: Tyson

Tyson — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:23:55 +0000

I prefer Sanderson’s writing style to Jordan’s, so I’m excited for this book. But I’m not expecting miracles. He’s not going to be able to tie together the ridiculous number of plot threads that Jordan introduced and keep it exciting and the pace moving as he’d like, and he shouldn’t be blamed for that. He’s just playing the hand he was dealt. But if he can make it even semi-compelling at this point, it will be an accomplishment. I’m going to read it because I have too much time and energy invested in the series not to. I’m sure it will be entertaining and worth my few bucks. Anyone who expects more than that deserves to be disappointed.

By: Adam Whitehead

Adam Whitehead — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:03:15 +0000

The WoT fanbase was pretty divided after three crap books in a row (8-10). What won a lot of the doubters back was 11, which was pretty good, although it didn’t magically solve all of the problems the series had up to that point. It did give a feeling that Jordan was taking the reigns of the runaway horse and dragging it reluctantly back on course. Without KoD being as good as it was, the excitement for Book 12 would be considerably less than it is.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:24:34 +0000

There is a spoiler-free review from Leigh Butler up on tor.com today. While still on the positive side it is a bit more even-handed then either DM or Tar Valon.

http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=58119

By: CYoda

CYoda — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:00:11 +0000

Don’t understand the anger on Dragonmount or Tar Valon, before the review they clearly state they’re coming from a huge “fan” stand point and unless the book is complete crap its going to get high marks. In truth the book is probably “pretty good” and rabid fans like them will go nuts while casual readers might be divided between “meh” and “wow”.

By: The Dude

The Dude — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:09:40 +0000

Those Dragonmount and Tar Valon reviews just pissed me off!

Your jaw dropped,you cheered and danced?! Not to be a party-pooper, but I think you were having a seizure. Who can trust crap like that?

I gave on WoT after Crossroads of Twilight and don’t plan on reading the final books, but I have to say I’m surprised at how hardent the fanbase has remained despite the crap they had to put up with all these years (culminating with the final book being divided into 3 volumes, which is as close to a “fuck you,you’ll buy it regardless of what we do” as you can get)