[Terez]

I figured it's getting to the point where it's silly to make separate threads for all things TOM-related, so I'll just dump them all here.

All free preview material can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/View?docID=dcjspjqg_893c47rvwck&revision=_latest

That's the epigram, two free scenes from the prologue, and chapters 1, 2, and 8. Chapter 8 is Mat's first POV in the book, so it's not terribly strange to read it out of sequence. Having read the book, I can safely say that nothing before it has anything to do with it really.

Reviews and pre-release yammerings:

My unofficial fangirl review - everyone says mine was the best!

http://www.theorylan...read.php?t=4270

The official fangirl review by Leigh Butler (no spoilers...but some frustrating teasers):

http://www.tor.com/b...-advance-review

The official fanboy review from Jason Denzel at Dragonmount (mild spoilers, more like teasers):

http://www.dragonmou...of-midnight-r36

Another official fanboy review from Matt Hatch at Theoryland:

http://www.theorylan...read.php?t=4217

And 'not a review' from Pat:

http://fantasyhotlis...ght-update.html

Pre-review teasers from Larry of the OF blog:

http://www.theorylan...read.php?t=4187

And most certainly not a review from kcf:

http://nethspace.blo...f-midnight.html

This post has been edited by Terez: 25 October 2010 - 07:26 PM

[Jade-Green Pig-Hog Swine-Beast]

WTF?! BUT HOW?! THERE'S NO WAY!...

Well...I stand corrected on one of my earlier posts. Again, I haven't read the prologue or Leigh's review - I'll wait until the book is out - so my reaction is only to your 'summary', to which there may (or may not) be an explanation in said prologue but still...time to go and take my anger out on something defenceless!

I was certain! Admittedly disappointed by the ease with which it was accomplished but certain, nevertheless! I can't believe this!

Hmm...

[Terez]

I was pretty sure as well when TGS came out, but I started to rethink it as time went on, particularly because of the prologue of TGS.

[Abyss]

Fangirl'ness aside, Leigh's review is actually prettty encouraging. I'm eager to know who those Crowning Moments of Awesome belong to.

[Use Of Weapons]

I completely relate to her description of her reaction to the 'Is it any good?' question though.

[Tattersail_]

Re reading tGS at the moment, loving this book, i think it is one of the better ones of the whole series, the first book was pobably the best, and all the others have some great things in them although not much happens in the books as a whole, however, tGS has lots of things going on all throughout the book and keep you excited throughout. I think ToM will be similar, it will have many things happening and some good action scenes in it.

[Terez]

And now we have the official fanboy review from Jason Denzel at Dragonmount:

http://www.dragonmou...of-midnight-r36

[Tarcanus]

These little no-spoiler reviews are great.


I am much excite!

[Terez]

Here's chapter 1:

http://www.orbitbook...wersofmidnight/

[Sinisdar Toste]

Awwwwwwwwww yeeeaaaaaahhh!!! That's a pretty awesome first chapter.

Spoiler

A little flash of the situation in Seanchan, some serious gloom and doom with the Dark One, then BAM we've actually picked up right from the end of tGS and Rand is making the land bloom. Can't. Wait.

looks like there's no slowing down now

This post has been edited by Sinisdar Toste: 02 October 2010 - 04:30 AM

[Terez]

Part of what I liked about this chapter was

Spoiler

...the massive symbolism pointing toward Rand's death. We all know it's required, but it's no longer a dark thing. The warped aura from TGS has become an aura of Light. Very good sign that he's about to die. Also, there's some connection to Arthurian legend. When Arthur was mortally wounded by Mordred (Gawyn) at the Battle of Camlann, his body was carried to the Isle of Avalon - the Isle of Apples - to be healed of its wounds...but essentially, Arthur never returned. There's foreshadowing for Rand's visit to Tar Valon all the way back in his very first dream of the series, in TEOTW ch. 9, 'Tellings of the Wheel'. No matter which road Rand chooses, they all lead to the Tower. But 'Apples First' might possibly refer to Rand going to Tar Valon before his death rather than after.

I also like the hints of Rand having seen something very important - aside from the love bit - in his past life memories.

But yeah. On the surface, the chapter seems small beans because it's in a farmer's point of view, but...

Spoiler

Interestingly, Gawyn met Almen Bunt, and he referred to him - not by name - way back in TGH, about how he came to Caemlyn to see Logain because of Rand, and then ended up standing for Morgase in the riots.

[Tattersail_]

I really enjoyed reading it, I felt hopeless and felt pain for the farmer and then the change and Rand looking like the Rand we once knew

[Sanctume]

I got goosebumps when reading, but maybe just weather related.

[Abyss]

Solid first chapter. Nice change of pace for Rand.

[Sinisdar Toste]

Abyss, on 04 October 2010 - 06:28 PM, said:

Solid first chapter. Nice change of pace for Rand.

yeah, well i wondered what Rand was gonna do after his big revelation moment on the top of Dragonmount, not to mention Egwene has her keeper mark that day to someday figure out it's significance. well, she's gonna find out soon!

[acesn8s]

While reading that chapter did anyone else have the image from John Boorman’s Excalibur when Arthur and his knights ride out to face Mordred, with O Fortuna playing in the background?

[Terez]

LOL. I haven't seen Excalibur, but that description makes me want to. Anything with O Fortuna in it has to kick ass.

Why did it make you think of that? Because Gawyn is in Tar Valon? I'm thinking he definitely won't fight Rand there. No Alivia, unless Cadsuane has been busy.

[acesn8s]

Terez, on 05 October 2010 - 08:22 PM, said:

LOL. I haven't seen Excalibur, but that description makes me want to. Anything with O Fortuna in it has to kick ass.

Why did it make you think of that? Because Gawyn is in Tar Valon? I'm thinking he definitely won't fight Rand there. No Alivia, unless Cadsuane has been busy.

John Boorman did a mythic version of the Arthurian legend. Arthur had Fisher King overtures.

You should watch it, it's an interesting telling of the story.

[Euler]

good opening chapter, nice change of pace for Rand there...

Spoiler

here´s to hopeing he puts some of those arrogant children at the white tower in there place now though

[haroos]

your spoiler about graendel was ok, it was done well in fact ( in the book i mean, not your spoiler,( which was also ok)).
only question that i have is, whether the author made a mistake and had to correct it with the prologue events, or did he plan it this way.
your guess is as good as mine.

This post has been edited by haroos: 09 October 2010 - 07:58 PM