Review XP The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

(Forgive me for scolding the author as if he hasn't passed away. I just can't help it. And who knows, maybe he's reading this, wherever he is.)

How exactly can that be Loial?

I tried and tried and eventually failed to hold off starting book three until I could write a review on book two, which should tell you something. I didn't want to do the same thing I did with The Dark Tower books (put off any written review until I finished the series and then realize it was too hard to write a review on all seven books). The Great Hunt was so engrossing that I didn't even want to pause after reading a 700+ page book before grabbing the next. And I'm looking at books four and five sitting on my table so I'm really in for it. If August rolls around and you haven't heard from me, I may need an intervention.

I've come to realize the author's skill lies in his storytelling and ability to switch POVs, not so much in his writing skill. So there were some very cringy moments. The boys from Two Rivers' approach to the opposite sex continues to be so ignorant it's unrealistic. (You just had to do it, Jordan. Page 113: "Perrin cleared his throat. Half the time he did not understand what women meant when they said things. Not like Rand. He always knew what to say to girls.") I also heard at least four times how you could see right through the garments of Lord Turak's maidservants. I get it already! OMG they're practically naked! A few times I was unimpressed with his word choice (Apartments?) and of course we got to hear about the Pattern and the Wheel and the threads and ta'veren over and over and over.

I'm not sure how I feel about the whole Lan/Moiraine/Nyneave triangle. And again, as in book one, there is very little development we are aware of, and yet on the one occasion when Lan does speak to Nyneave, it leaves your knees weak. I wish we could get some Lan POV on this issue.

All that being said, I very much enjoyed it. The plot was exciting and came together at the end. All the characters grew on me, even Mat. I was horrified at what happened to Egwene. The Seanchan are no fucking joke.

No doubt I am reading with my heart from here on out. RWMH? Heart reading, well.💗

I had a "discussion" that was more like a disagreement with my brother about the original cover art for this series vs. the updated, electronic covers. Yes, the old covers are cheesy as hell. Yes, they show the series' age not to mention, fuck with my mental image of these characters. (Note to self: do not include images of my characters on my book's cover.) Even so, they are original, therefore, RESPECT. Right? Or maybe I'm just getting old myself (I am) and find a parallel between these outdated covers and the gray hair that keeps appearing (It's hereditary, people!). I'll allow that it's possible. Damn it, Tyler. RESPECT.

J. L. Dodd