I am not sure who recommended this series to me but when I started reading it I became hooked. I read the 7 parts that were out and I loved them all. I had to wait about a year for part 8 and maybe that is part of the problem. I could not get into it, but it was not just because of the waiting period (in that time I reread all 7 books so I wasn't really out of it), it was also because I was getting lost in all the new characters and plots and subplots. It really is too much for me. I have not been able to get through part nine at all and for the moment I have lost interest.
What I like(d) about the series are the strong female characters, even the baddies. I actually do not like the men (when it comes to the main characters), except Thom Merrilin and Lan. Rand, Perrin and Matt are just too whiney for my taste and I thoroughly dislike them for the way they treated Moirraine. I can understand their initial mistrust, but they just kept on treating her disrespectfully and blaming her for their problems even after it was clear it was not her doing and that she saved their lives over and over again.
I don't consider the books to be homophobic, but like with Star Trek I find the lack of lesbian/gay characters disappointing to say the least. This series lends itself to it perfectly. So many strong female characters and instead of Elaine and Aviendha being lovers as I feel they should be, they really are made for each other, they stand in line with Min to get into bed with Rand. What I also don't like is that nasty sect, the Children of the Light, it reminds me too much of real life radical hate groups that I rather not be reminded of when spend some time in fantasyland.
I do plan on getting back into the story again though, I want to know how this ends, and there are so many fascinating aspects and characters, but maybe I will wait until the last book has actually been written. Heh. Hopefully this thread will inspire me to get back into it sooner.
Edit: Hmm, I too got the impression that Oliver is Birgitte's lover reborn. I don't remember why. Maybe it is because he is described as a less than handsome boy, just like Birgitte's lover who was always reborn before her and Birgitte wasn't supposed to be reborn yet, so it could be.
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Coffee, Food, Kisses and Gay Love........Get it while you are hot
Edited by: DrG at: 4/10/03 9:38:02 am