TEOTW: Part 1 (Prologue, Chapters 1-8)

[Bill]

Part 1

Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of Part 1 (Chapters 1-8).

No spoiler tags required. Though it would be highly appreciated if you Uncheck Add to my Update Feed to avoid accidentally spoiling this for your good read friends.

Please do not discuss events from later chapters/books. Referring back to events from a previous section/book is fine

[Scott]

Ok, so, I liked this opening 15% a lot more than I did on my first try. Jordan obviously knows this world very well and it shows in the writing. Felt like I was right there with Tam and Rand

So I'm guessing that Rand is somehow descendant from the Dragon we saw in the prologue? Or maybe one of the other boys?

The sword is interesting, maybe Rand's father was a Warder like Lan? Hope he starts whooping some Trolloc ass with it

It always interests me how quick characters in stories like this are very quick to agree to taking journeys or completely uprooting their lives on the day-so of a stranger. Of course I know it's needed to move the plot but still. I'm pretty sure I'd be much more reluctant

I've been pretty excited to give this another go, and I'm pretty well immersed in the story right now

[Bill]

I agree that Jordan has a full idea of the world. There is so much desciption weaved through the narrative. He really gives you a clear picture of ezch new environment. I like how the little details give you a glimpse into the world like how all the houses have thatched roofs but the inn has a tiled roof. Shows you the importance to the town.

I really enjoyed the prologue reading it for a second time. I think the first time I read it I didn't really know what was going on and kind of forgot it pretty quickly but this time took more away from it. We get introduced to Lews Therin Telamon the Dragon and that he has power over Saidin the male half of the power. Later we learn that there have been a lot of pretenders to his title but they haven't been able to use the power.

Also get introduced to one of the forsaken Elan Morin Tedronai the "Betrayer of Hope" who is also able to use the power. Mat also names two other forsaken in the first chapter Ishamael and Aginor.

I feel like under the circumstances I would probably be up for a journey. I think if monsters showed up to kill me and someone told me that they would keep coming back I would be up for heading somewhere safe. Hard to relate fully to the situation as Rand has such a limited world view and no way to find out more.

I am trying to keep an eye out for casual mentions of people or things that might become important later as I couldn't keep all the characters straight the last time I started the series.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

The name of the forsaken still kind of confuse me. Maybe it'll be better on this reread.

No way I'd go on a journey, not unless there was no choice.

[Scott]

Having seen the quote that starts the first chapter so often, "the wheel of time turns, etc," I always assumed that's how the entire series started so it was interesting to read the actual prologue. I'm wondering if that's something that gets explained more in this book or is it something more down the line.

[Bill]

We'll find out if ka wills it. :)

[Teanka]

Scott wrote: "Having seen the quote that starts the first chapter so often, "the wheel of time turns, etc," I always assumed that's how the entire series started so it was interesting to read the actual prologue.I'm wondering if that's something that gets explained more in this book or is it something more down the line. "

Oh yes, rest assured that it does get explained more later on.

EDIT: I mean later on in the series, not in this book. But you might get some additional hints here.

Bill wrote: "Also get introduced to one of the forsaken Elan Morin Tedronai the "Betrayer of Hope" who is also able to use the power. Mat also names two other forsaken in the first chapter Ishamael and Aginor.."

I think that you didn't catch that "Betrayer of Hope" is Ishamael.

I hope you enjoy this series. I must have read the first volume alone 3 or 4 times.

Same as Bill, I believe I would go on a journey if I was 17, living in Two Rivers and if I believed I was the reason of trolloc's attack. Why not?

[Bill]

Thanks Teanka I didn't make that connection. So guess we only know 2 of the forsaken so far Ishamael and Aginor.

@Rob - they really confused me too. Think some of them have fake names and nicknames that confused me last time. Hopefully Teanka can continue to straighten me out as we progress.

[Teanka]

Glad to be of help. It will be interesting to read your comments. Unfortunately, I remember the series too well to try a reread, but it's a lot nicer reading books with a group :) .

[Bill]

I agree thats why I am restarting even though I was up to book 6.

[Geoff]

I feel that Jordan did a great job illustrating how terrifying the trollocs and fades are.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

So the prologue is far less confusing on a second read. I still have no idea who Lews is talking to though. Well, I sort of due, but I'm already bad with names and all the Forsaken have at least 2 or 3 during the series. I should probably look stuff up as I go, but meh.

I was starting to worry in the first chapter that this book wouldn't hold up, but I'm sucked right back in, and almost nothing has happened yet.

Mostly I think it's nostalgia of meeting favorite characters again for the first time. It's a bit hard to reconcile where they are at the beginning from where I remember them later in the series.

I especially love Thom's introduction though. Lan is already awesome and he's just been phasing in and out of the background.

[Scott]

Thom is really cool, I like that character a lot

[Sumant]

I like how there so much foreshadowing and I can relate to it as I have read the further books.

Also Jordan builds a nice world, Nyaneve is pain the a** from the start.