Centering the Shelf - Weekly Update for August 20, 2021

This is my new, ever so clever name for my weekly updates. I know I know, I'll sign autographs shortly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26EZKrOXqKc

Please like, subscribe, feel free to watch the video even! Thanks!

A Memory of Light, Book 14 in the Wheel of Time Released Today!

I couldn't let this momentous occasion pass me by. Today is the release of the final book in the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light. Over 20 years in the making, this is quite the exciting day. I'm just glad none of my predictions came true.

(Warning: Sanderson gets into some of the final books, not to a great degree, but it's there if you're worried about spoiling anything at all)


Here are some of the reviews that have come out so far (none of which I've actually read!):

Tor (spoiler review)

Neth Space (review) (spoiler reactions) (interview with Brandon Sanderson)

Wertzone (review)

Fantasy Literature (review)

Grasping for the Wind (review)

Video - A Memory of Light, the Final Book in The Wheel of Time

This video got me really excited to jump back into The Wheel of Time. What a great series, even with its slow parts, that manages to be a rich epic fantasy series that encouraged many people's entrance into fantasy reading (and subsequent obsession in some). I've heard Brandon Sanderson does a great job taking over where the legend that is Robert Jordan started. It will be great to finally have an ending, with the final scene written by the man himself, Robert Jordan.

Brandon Sanderson, Harriet McDougal, Tom Doherty, Jason Denzel, and Patrick Rothfuss discuss Robert Jordan's legendary Wheel of Time series.

I like what Brandon Sanderson says at the end of this video. Fans from here on out will be lucky to have the complete series, but we've been lucky in that we've had the chance to wait, to theorize, to get really excited even. I added that last part. :)

May a wind from the north and east propel you on your journey of finishing The Wheel of Time and may that Age leave memories that become legend that turn into myth!

Review - Lord of Chaos (Wheel of Time #6) by Robert Jordan

To review this book, I have to start by telling a little story about my history with this series, and more specifically with this book.

It was in the great year of ought 7 (2007) when I was first reading Lord of Chaos [US] [UK], the sixth book of The Wheel of Time. It was also the same year that Harry Potter was finishing up and sadly when the author himself, Robert Jordan, died of a rare disease.

I decided, not only did I want to make sure there was an ending (sorry, I know that was insensitive of me), but I was really excited to catch up and finish the Harry Potter series.

So, 4 years ago or so (since it's 2012) I stopped reading Lord of Chaos just about 260 pages in. For me, for the last 4 years, Nynaeve, Elayne, and Moghedien were in Salidar for that entire time. Rand was still waiting for Elayne to come back and reclaim the Lion Throne in Caemlyn. Mat hanging with the Red Hand Band (they're touring in a town near you) and Perrin in the Two Rivers (which still felt like he was there forever when I picked up again). And I can't really say things change all that much by the end of Lord of Chaos either, but I'll get to that in the spoiler below.

When I picked it up again last year, it was great to be back. I didn't realize how much I missed this series. I started by rereading (well, listening on audio) books 1-5 and then jumping into this book this year.

I have to say, Lord of Chaos is where you can really see the slow-down take place. I love this series as much as the next guy, but there's a definite slow-down that happens, especially when you have a 70 page prologue.

Warning: Some spoiler-ish things I'd like to talk about follow, so you may want to have read the book first, which you most likely already have.

I'll start with the ending. As epic as it is with the battle of Dumai's Wells, with the Aiel meeting Aiel meeting Aes Sedai meeting with Aes Sedai meeting with Mayeners meeting with asha'man meeting with..okay I'll stop there. Okay, awesome battle, I loved it, but it was extremely short. It was really only the last 30 pages or so. But the main part is that it really didn't do a whole lot to move the story forward like I thought the ending of the book would do.

No Forsaken is killed like in all the others up to this point. Okay, it shows the power and threat that is the Asha'man as well as the Shaido who've been pretty worthless for a while now. Otherwise, it just resolves problems that were just introduced in this book and then adds more. Am I gonna have to make another Lost comparison?

Next, what's the deal with the bowl that controls weather (that's not yet found)? I figured the way to solve the problem with the rising heat being due to the Dark One's influence was to...mmmm...defeat the Dark One. We don't need another random track to go down.

End Spoiler Discussion

So, if you read the spoiler, I really did enjoy this installment in The Wheel of Time, promise.

If you didn't read the spoiler, I really did enjoy this installment in The Wheel of Time. Not my favorite in the series, but I really enjoyed all the intricacies and additions to the incredible world Jordan created.

4.5/5 Stars

Ps. This is a cool video of the making of the new ebook cover. I don't recommend watching it until you've read the book though. It combines the artwork with passages from the audiobook read by Michael Kramer including some of the very last lines of the book.

Winner: Epic Wheel of Time Giveaway #3 - The Dragon Reborn

We have a winner to announce, but first the good stuff - the snark.

Remember, if you're name's been mentioned here, you get two free entries into our next giveaway of your choosing, just please let me know when you want to use them.

Snark (somewhat spoilery):

Alternate titles that are more fitting:
The Hunt for the Black Ajah
The Wolfbrother
The Cameo of the Dragon Reborn (Todd Johansen)

I looked up "Snarky" in my Webster Dictionary, No Luck.
I bet Mr. Jordan never used the word either. Don't worry
though, I'm sure your vocabulary will grow in time. :) (Roy Lee, explaining the definition of snark with his snark)

And the grand winner of this awesome giveaway is...

Thomas Vondenhuevel

Congrats Thomas and thanks to all who entered! I'm heartily enjoying the snark and the heartfelt messages about The Wheel of Time. We still have 10 more Epic Wheel of Time Giveaways to go, so you still have a chance.

Epic Wheel of Time Giveaway #3: The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

We're giving away the audiobook of book 3 in The Wheel of Time, The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan.

While I had a difficult time with The Dragon Reborn the first time through (Rand is in all of about 5 pages), my reread on audiobook was a much more rewarding experience. I finally realized this series is no longer only about Rand.

With wonderful timing, Tor has posted Brandon Sanderson's thoughts on The Dragon Reborn:

It is a curious experience, to be writing about the third book while actively writing the final book. In book three, Rand comes to accept himself as the Dragon Reborn.

Again, it's Kate Reading and Michael Kramer at the helm and they're impeccable. Here's a sample:

Giveaway Rules

If you are interested in getting your hands on the The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan on audiobook, then follow the exceedingly simple instructions below.

E-mail me your name and address at onlythebestsff@[removethis]gmail.com, with "The Dragon Reborn Again?" as the subject of the email (or at least something that lets me know what the email is about). This goes without saying, but double emails get you disqualified.

Snarky comments increase your chances of winning and win bonus entries for future giveaways. I'm sorry to say this is open in the US only as long as delivery doesn't require the mounting of an expedition into remote wilderness.

Epic Wheel of Time Giveaway #2 Ending Soon

I just wanted to do a reminder post that our giveaway of The Great Hunt, book two in The Wheel of Time on audiobook will be ending this Friday (February 24, 2012). I will announce the winner on the following Monday.

Good luck!

A Memory of Light Will See the Light

The final volume in Robert Jordan's (and now Brandon Sanderson's) über-epic series, The Wheel of Time finally has a release date. It's been more than hinted that it would be coming out in November of this year, but I guess that's no longer the case. Says Tor:

The first novel in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time®, The Eye of the World, was released on January 15, 1990. Now more than twenty years later, Tor Books is thrilled to announce the official publication date for the final novel in the series.

A Memory of Light will release on January 8, 2013, in the final month of the Year of the Dragon. (emphasis added)

To be honest I'm pretty happy about this. I was getting worried I wouldn't be able to catch up in time (I'm just about to finish book 6), but I'm sure most aren't as big of slackers as I am.

EDIT: Here are Sanderson's thoughts on the new release date.

Epic Wheel of Time Giveaway #2: The Great Hunt

Here we go again, we're giving away book number two in The Wheel of Time, The Great Hunt [US] [UK] [Audible]. Remember, this is the audiobook.

This is another great installment in the series (you can read a couple of my thoughts here) and Michael Kramer and Kate Reading (love the irony) do another stellar job. I'm not lying when I say it's the best way to do a reread and there's something about someone else's way of reading that helps you see things in another light that you may have missed before.

Here's a clip:

Giveaway Rules

If you are interested in getting your hands on the The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan on audiobook, then follow the exceedingly simple instructions below.

E-mail me your name and address at onlythebestsff@[removethis]gmail.com, with "The Great Hunt...for my car keys, why do I have to do this every morning?" as the subject of the email (or at least something that lets me know what the email is about). This goes without saying, but double emails get you disqualified.

Snarky comments increase your chances of winning and win bonus entries for future giveaways. I'm sorry to say this is open in the US only as long as delivery doesn't require the mounting of an expedition into remote wilderness.

Epic Wheel of Time Giveaway #1: The Eye of the World

Just like I said a little while ago, we're going to be giving away each of the audiobooks leading up the release of A Memory of Light in November.

So, now's your chance to listen to the first book in The Wheel of Time, The Eye of the World.

This book is probably my favorite in the series. I just loved being introduced to all these new ideas and magical places and it was just as good in my "reread" on audio.

Kate Reading and Michael Kramer do an incredible job; they really bring the point of views to life.

Here's a clip to get you going:

Giveaway Rules

If you are interested in getting your hands on the The Eye of the World on audiobook, then follow the exceedingly simple instructions below.

E-mail me your name and address at onlythebestsff@[removethis]gmail.com, with "I've got something in my eye...of the world" as the subject of the email (or at least something that lets me know what the email is about). This goes without saying, but double emails get you disqualified.

Snarky comments increase your chances of winning and win bonus entries for future giveaways. I'm sorry to say this is open in the US only as long as delivery doesn't require the mounting of an expedition into remote wilderness.

Exciting News - Epic Wheel of Time Giveaway

I was way too excited about this, I had to share immediately.

I just talked to a publicist at Macmillan Audio (I don't know whether she wants her name here, so I'll leave it at that) and we are going to host a giveaway for each of the audiobooks of the Wheel of Time leading up to the publication of A Memory of Light in November (not including A Memory of Light or New Spring).

(and The Gathering Storm and Towers of Midnight, minus New Spring)

These are amazingly well done, read by Kate Reading and Michael Cramer, and I think it's the perfect way to do a reread.

(My collection)

We'll start next week and hold a giveaway every few weeks until the final volume comes out in November. Anyone excited?

Twitter Chat with Brandon Sanderson

I couldn't resist this bit of news from Tor. (Speaking of Twitter, follow me if you don't already: @seaksstamp or Alec at: @bloggerat)

From the Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November #TorChat lineup revealed!

You guessed right…it’s Brandon Sanderson month

New York, NY – Friday, November 11th – Tor Books (@torbooks) is thrilled to announce November’s #TorChat, part of a monthly series of genre-themed, hour-long chats created by Tor Books and hosted on Twitter.

November marks one of our most anticipated releases of 2011: The Alloy of Law, the new standalone Mistborn novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson. While Brandon (@brandsanderson) is on tour for the new book this week, he offered to join us from the road for our monthly chat on Monday, 11/14 from 1 – 2 PM (EST) to answer questions from fans and talk Mistborn, Wheel of Time, Way of Kings, and his obsession with Magic the Gathering…

Monday also comes along in the middle of the second annual “Great Hunt,” a digital scavenger hunt for the codes to unlock an exclusive secret piece of content relating to the final WoT novel, A Memory of Light, hosted on an encrypted page on Brandon’s website

(www.brandonsanderson.com/greathunt). As fans find and enter each of the 35 codes, secreted in books along Brandon’s tour or handed out in answer to his cryptic hints (follow along with the twitter hashtag #wotgh), the page will slowly unlock its secret. And if you’re lucky, he just MIGHT announce when that first draft of A Memory of Light will be ready to hand-in…

The chat will be loosely moderated by Justin Golenbock (@jgolenbo), Brandon’s publicist at @torbooks, and Laura Fitzgerald (@Laura_FitzG) of Tor’s digital marketing department, who claims to know a thing or two about Ter’angreal.

Come join us on Monday at 1 PM!

About the Author

Brandon Sanderson (@brandsanderson) grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University and lives in Utah with his wife and children. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Alloy of Law, Towers of Midnight, The Way of Kings, The Gathering Storm, Warbreaker, Elantris, the Mistborn trilogy, and the middle grade “Alcatraz” series. In December of 2007, Brandon was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's bestselling Wheel of Time series. He is now hard at work on the final volume, A Memory of Light, which is due out in November 2012.

For fascinating behind-the-scenes information on Brandon Sanderson’s work, visit him at www.brandonsanderson.com.

“I have never had the pleasure of returning to a universe in quite the same way as Brandon Sanderson has managed in his book, ‘The Alloy of Law’...This book stands on its own, and is a wonderful read that kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. If you’ve read the series, then you’ll love this; if you haven’t, then I can almost guarantee you that you’ll want to after having read this…9.8 out of 10.”

—Fantasy Book Review

“An engaging and fun romp of a read. The characters really shine in this book.”

—Romantic Times

“The Alloy of Law is one of the finest Fantasy novels of the year. For fans of Sanderson, or neophytes just discovering his work, it’s an enjoyable adventure with wonderful characters, a unique, believable setting and all the hallmarks that make Sanderson one of the genre’s most exciting young writers… The Alloy of Law is the best Mistborn novel since the first volume and comes with my highest recommendation.”

—A Dribble of Ink

“Wholly, exuberantly, non-stop, entertaining….The action was briskly paced throughout, the fight scenes filled with energy and cinematic flair…If you’ve read the MISTBORN series, you’re in for a treat; it’s rare I get this freshly enjoyable a feel for revisiting a fantasy world.”

—Fantasy Literature

“The Alloy of Law is enthusiastic and energetic… if you like Sanderson’s books, particularly Mistborn, this will probably turn out to be one of the better books you’ll read this year.”

—Nethspace

“Contains the fast-paced, adventure-filled elements that fans of the original series, particularly Mistborn itself, enjoyed most…The Alloy of Law certainly is one of Sanderson's two best novels in terms of its action and that will be more than enough to sate the appetites of those who enjoyed his earlier Mistborn offerings.”
—Of Blog

“Brandon Sanderson makes it all work seamlessly.”

—SFF Audio

“The pacing is brisk and made for and exciting, page-turning read.”

—SFF World

“Filled with amusing Rough frontier banter in a realm in which early twentieth century technology and science competes with magic, fans will enjoy this action adventure caper. Brandon Sanderson brilliantly provides a refreshing guns and sorcery thriller.”
—SF Revu

“Sanderson has skillfully woven together an intricate plot with new complex, imperfect heroes…a fresh view of how a world can grow, building new dimensions into the best of the old. Sanderson continues to show that he is one of the best authors in the genre.”

—Library Journal Starred Review

“Don your leather duster, and hold onto your bowler hat. Sanderson takes us on a grand old adventure in the latest Mistborn novel…rife with laugh-out-loud moments, religious and philosophical ponderings, and plenty of crime-fighting action, this book fits nicely in any gun-holster.”

—Booklist

“Sanderson gives the world of Scadrial the Wild West treatment in this rollicking adventure tale set 300 years after the popular Mistborn epic fantasy trilogy…part Sherlock Holmes, part X-Men, this exciting stand-alone adventure is full of close shaves, shootouts, and witty banter.”

—Publishers Weekly

Sanderson’s fresh ideas on the source and employment of magic are both arresting and original.”

—Kirkus Reviews

About #Torchat

#TorChat is a genre-themed, hour-long chat series created by Tor Books and hosted on Twitter. Guest authors join fans in lively, informative and entertaining discussions of all that’s hot in genre fiction, 140 characters at a time, from 4 - 5 PM EST on the third Wednesday of every month. Each #TorChat revolves around a different genre topic of interest, often of a timely nature, and strives to provide a new media opportunity for readers to connect with their favorite authors.

About Tor Books

Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, is a New York-based publisher of hardcover and softcover books. Founded in 1980, Tor annually publishes what is arguably the largest and most diverse line of science fiction and fantasy ever produced by a single English-language publisher. In 2002, Tor launched Starscape, an imprint dedicated to publishing quality science fiction and fantasy for young readers, including books by critically acclaimed and award winning authors such as Cory Doctorow, Orson Scott Card, and David Lubar. Between an extensive hardcover and trade-softcover line, an Orb backlist program, and a stronghold in mass-market paperbacks, books from Tor have won every major award in the SF and fantasy fields, and has been named Best Publisher 24 years in a row in the Locus Poll, the largest consumer poll in SF.

(Audiobook) Review - The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan (ReRead)

I'm continuing my reread, in preparation for next year's grand finale, but I'm sorry to have gotten a bit behind in my reviews.

It's crazy to think that the events from this book, book 3 in the Wheel of Time, The Dragon Reborn [US] [UK], were actually supposed to be the conclusion to the first book in the trilogy. With that in mind, it's not too hard to fathom how things have come to be. This is a turn off for a lot of people, but really, you can't go wrong with more is better, not with The Wheel of Time. (We'll see if my mind ever changes in this regard).

The Dragon Reborn was a frustrating book for me the first time around. I obviously didn't know what I was getting myself into the first time did I? :) It really drove me crazy that the main protagonist, THE Dragon Reborn, hardly makes 3 pages worth of an appearance in his own named book. The main character who actually moves this series forward is off in la-la land for the majority of the book. How does that even happen?!?!

And then Rand is what is featured on the cover of the new ebook. Cracks me up, just a bit. The Sweet cover makes sense on the first one, it being a pretty big event, but I really don't get the ebook. What about Perrin or Mat or Egwene, Elayne, Nynaeve... so many more could make such a better cover.

To top it all off, I actually didn't even really like Mat the first time through. Who does that? I think I really just wanted to see the next thing to happen and in the Wheel of Time, you have to be in it for the long run, you have to want to know everything about everyone. I think I'm there... finally.

On reread, it's a whole new ballgame. I've not only grown to enjoy the other characters much more, but it's a good possibility that I like them even more than I do Rand. Learning about their story arcs, their impressions, their place in the grand scheme of things was really fun and I can't wait to see what huge roles they will play in the end. Let's be honest here, there's no way Rand can handle everything on his own. He can't even handle the brewing love triangle.

I've been trying to include a description of each of the books in every review, but I can't really get myself to do this anymore when such a better one can be found at Tor.com, viewed here.

I make a lot of jokes about this series, but it's all in good fun. There are very few books I love as much as The Wheel of Time.

5 out of 5 Stars

Prior Wheel of Time Rereads:

The Eye of the World

The Great Hunt

(Audiobook) Review - The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan (Reread)

Seanchan, argh!!! I forgot how much I hate them.

Just as good if not better than the first time through as I can see all the "threads" (get it) that have been established for lots of great things to come. Also, Audiobook is definitely the way to do a reread as I don't have that terrible feeling that I'm neglecting everything else, plus I don't think I'll get worn out when it comes to the middle/slower volumes.

As I mentioned in my Eye of the World review, this is just where I write down a few things so I can later keep track of in what book which events take place. This one's not quite as intensive, but if you want a great run-down on what happens in The Great Hunt, go here.

***Spoilers (as to The Great Hunt, not the rest of the series)***

Lots of time spent in Fal Dara with training followed by Trolloc/Fade/Dark Friend attack on Fal Dara which leads to the Great Horn being stolen. The 3 boys set out with Ingtar to retrieve it, the womenfolk proceed to Tar Valon to begin their training, Egwene and Nynaeve meet Elayne for the first time. While following the Shadowspawn with the Horn, Rand, Loial, and Hurin are transported through a portal stone where they meet Selene/Lanfear and Rand kills Grolm.

They end up in Cairhien finally (days ahead of Ingtar, Mat, Perrin, Verin Sedai and group) where The Great Game is played and where everyone thinks Rand is really good at it. He's eventually invited by every noble in town until finally the King and the Damodreds, the most powerful families around. It is found that the Damodreds are harboring the Dark Friends and have a Way Gate under the premises, which is blocked by Machinshin (Black Wind).

They find another way by using the portal stone in the Ogier Steading. It actually takes them 3 months to get to Falme after a long (and somewhat boring) dream sequence where the dark one always wins.

During this time, the women are training, until they are tricked by Liandrin who takes them to Falme and where they immediately meet the Seanchan who chain Egwene. Nynaeve and Elayne are able to escape whereas Min is not, but they don't care much about her since she can't channel.

They are able to arrange passage away from the Seanchan and about the same time they are about to leave, Rand and party show up, fight off the Seanchan (Rand beats a Herin blade holder), and Rand fights the Dark One in the Skies (again), many see it and are converted to the Dragon Reborn's camp.

Whew.

***End Spoilers***

Why Read The Great Hunt?

This is probably my favorite book in the series. So much happens and we really start to get to know some more characters outside of Rand. This is important because if you don't start to appreciate the characters and their relationships now, this series may not be for you.

5 out of 5 Stars