A Song of Ice and Fire series

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin  969 pages
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin  1177 pages

It's impossible to summarize these books. So here's the Wikipedia entry.

I have been finding these books to be compulsive reads -- meaning, I cannot stop turning the pages. While these are long books and there are a lot of details to keep track of, I find I love the political intrigue, the back-and-forth in viewpoints, and the storylines that intersect (or threaten to intersect at some point).  I did watch the HBO series before reading these books, so I have an advantage in that I know some of the storyline and relative storylines, and can keep some of that in my head. The books do diverge from the series (which makes sense -- the HBO series had to condense a lot of the books to fit everything!!). So, I can't always predict what is going to happen, which makes the story a lot of fun.

A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin    835 pages


"Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens."  (summary courtesy of Goodreads --- because I can't figure out how to summarize this without taking a full page to do it).

I finally got around to reading this. I had meant to, and then started watching the show on HBO. My husband, who has read all the books in this series, warned me the show wasn't following the books 100%, so I waited on reading the books.  But now, with more reading time on my hands, I took the opportunity to read this first one.

Having watched the HBO show, I felt it was a little easier to follow some of the plot lines. I could tell this first book is a bit rough around the edges --- Martin's writing style needs a little polishing, so I'm hoping this improves in the next book. I did enjoy how the chapters move from character to character, and I found this book to be a much quicker read than I had originally anticipated.

A Memory of Light

A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, Audiobook: 42 hours, Book: 909 pages

This is the fourteenth and final book in the Wheel of Time series.

The time for the final battle has come. Rand and half the world convene to determine their plan of attack. He demands that all the rulers agree to peace after the final battle in payment for him fighting the Dark One. It is agreed, with the contingency that he get the Seanchan to agree as well.

Mat has gone to Ebou Dar to check on his wife Tuon and finds out some unsettling information. Later, Rand shows up and enlists the aid of Tuon and the Seanchan.

The final battle is waged on four fronts with Elayne overseeing them. They are fighting for their lives against the forces of the Shadow and creating time for Rand's fight against the Dark One. Both Mat and Perring play a part. Mat directs the army of the Seanchan. Perrin has to enter the world of dreams and try to protect Rand from an assassin.

As Rand is fighting the Dark One, he has several revelations about the nature of world and life. His path becomes clear and he knows what he has to do.

I read this book when it came out. At the time, I wasn't completely satisfied with the final battle but now that I have listened to it I think that all of it was a fitting ending.

Towers of Midnight

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, Audiobook: 38 hours, Book: 861 pages


This is the penultimate book in the Wheel of Times series.

Rand visits Egwene in the White Tower to tell her about part of his plan for the last battle and sets a meeting to discuss it. Egwene disagrees with his plan and tries to line up allies for her viewpoint.

While Perrin and his army are traveling they run into the Children of the Light. Perrin had several bad encounters with them previously. He submits to a trial by a neutral party and is found guilty with the sentence to be named by the head of the Children of the Light after the last battle. The two groups separate but Perrin ends up coming to their aid.

Mat is still in Caemlyn where he comes up with a plot to kill a supernatural assassin that seems indestructible. He also is working on a special weapon to be used in the last battle. At the end of the book, Mat, along with two companions, enters a mystical tower inhabited by snakelike and foxlike humanoids who are tricksters. They attempt to save the Aes Sedai Moraine. They thought she was dead but had found out that she was trapped in the Tower of Ghenjei.

I liked listening to this more than when I read it years ago. I still found parts of it lacking. For one, the ordering and intersection of the plots was jumbled. Secondly, I did not feel like the dialogue was true to some of characters considering I had read the series before and listened to it recently. It makes me wonder if Jordan had written most of the twelfth book but Sanderson wrote most of this one or I just noticed the difference more.

The Gathering Storm

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, Audiobook: 33 hours, Book: 783 pages


 This is the twelfth (out of fourteen) book in the Wheel of Time series. The author passed away before he could finish the series. His widow asked Sanderson to finish it. The author had intended it to be one book but it became clear that it would be way too long so it was divided up into three books. So, this is the first third of the "last" book. Jordan left extensive notes including the ending so Sanderson had to fill in the details and try to stay true to the series.

In the beginning of the book, Rand is in Arad Doman trying to bring peace to the country by making an alliance with the Seanchan. Something happens that further emotionally hardens him so that he is on the point of breaking. He has to figure out how to beat Graendal (one of the Forsaken) but she is smarter than him. His solution works but upsets some of those closest to him. This leads them to help Cadsuane find his father and reunite them but the plan doesn't quite turn out how they would like or does it?

Egwene is still captive of the non-rebel Aes Sedai in the White Tower where she is fomenting dissent against the head of them - The Amyrlin Seat Elaida. Verin comes to her to reveal vital information shortly before the Seanchan attack the White Tower on a raid. These two things set off a chain of events.

The book mainly focuses on those two with Perrin and Mat mainly traveling. Perrin is traveling north with Mat doing the same. Mat is on the way to Caemlyn when it turns out Verin is waiting for him along the way. She offers to transport him and his army to Caemlyn but only on certain conditions. Of course, he accepts, but only after hemming and hawing.

The book ends with Rand having a revelation that will effect the course of his actions and future events.

I found this book to be a fitting first part of the "last" book. Sanderson does a good job of staying true to the series and the characters.

Knife of Dreams

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan, Audiobook: 32 hours, Paperback book: 784 pages




This is the eleventh (out of fourteen) book in the Wheel of Time series. In this book a lot of groundwork is laid for the series to be wrapped up. There are signs that the end battle is coming such as ghosts of cities and people appearing. It happens to multiple characters and is pretty widespread.


Perrin plans the rescue of his wife and near the end of the book sets the plan into action. Mat is still trying to hide from the Seanchan but has to separate from the circus he has been travelling with. Along the way, several things are clarified for him. He meets up with part of his army and looks set to be going on a new perilous adventure.


Rand and the people he is with are surprise attacked by Trollocs and Myrdraal. Later, he has setup a meeting with the daughter of the Nine Moon who we know is Tuon (she is with Mat) so something seems off before the meeting happens.


Egwene (the head of the rebel Aes Sedai) has been captured by the other group of Aes Sedai and is trying to create dissension from the inside of the White Tower.


Elayne's attempt to become the Queen of Andor seems to be at a stand still but then the situation shifts and it comes to a conclusion. In fact, several storylines come to exciting conclusions.


Mat is my favorite character in this series. He is a bit of a rogue. Elayne is my least favorite. She is spoiled and doesn't think seriously enough about the consequences her actions could have on others.


This is one of my favorite books of the series. You can see the end coming and there are some exciting developments and action along the way.

Crossroads of Twilight

Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan, Audiobook: 26 hours, Hardback book: 700 pages

The title of this book is very appropriate. This is the tenth of fourteen books in the Wheel of Time series. Events and characters in this series have important choices to make and some of them are made in this book. About 2/3 of the events in this book are concurrent with Rand's attempt to cleanse the male half of magic.

Mat is trying to hide from the Seanchan with part of his army and the member of the Seanchan royalty who he kidnapped out of necessity to hide his escape. He is now trying to court her even though he thinks himself a fool for doing so.

Perrin is still trying to rescue his wife from the Aiel who captured her. In the process, he must make some hard choices about the man he wants to be.

Rand is in hiding but is found by those bringing good news and bad news. He has made a risky choice but we don't find out what it is in this book.

Elayne is still working on her claim to the throne of Andor and we find out what some of her opposition is up to.

There is an update on events with the Rebel Aes Sedai and the other Aes Sedai. Separately, have decided they should ally themselves with the Black Tower (society of men who can channel) even though they are worried the men could go mad.

The conclusion of this one isn't very exciting but the even though not much happens I thought it moved along very well and was a compelling part of the series. This is definitely a series that should be read from the beginning.

Winter's Heart

Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan, Audiobook: 24.25 hours, Hardback book: 668 pages

This is the ninth book in the Wheel of Time series. Perrin is traveling with Masema but not quite under the circumstances that he had planned. Elayne and Nynaeve are in Caemlyn where Elayne continues to strengthen her claim to the throne of Andor.


Mat's storyline picks back up in this book. He was injured in the Seanchan invasion and it prevented him from leaving the city. As he has gotten closer to being fully healed he has started to plan his escape. During this time, a Seanchan member of royalty has shown up and shows some interest in him. Of course, he escapes but there are some kinks in his plans.


Rand plans to cleanse the male half of magic which had been tainted by the Dark One. The end of the book sees him trying to complete this.


There were some exciting and significant events in this book that I loved so I would rate this one pretty highly in the series. The narrators do an excellent job of bringing this book to life. 

The Path of Daggers

The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan, Audiobook: 23.5 hrs, Paperback book: 525 pages.

This is the eighth book in the Wheel of Time series. This book mainly focuses on storylines related to the women of the series. Rand has some significant chapters, Perrin is in the thick of some important events but their parts are condensed and Mat is absent from this book.

The Seanchan have returned by invading Ebou Dar. Rand is determined to prevent them from advancing into Illian and push them back. Perrin is in Ghealdan to contact the ruler and to bring the Prophet of the Dragon, Masema, back to Rand. Elayne and Nynaeve are travelling back to Caemlyn so Elayne can try to claim the throne of Andor. Egwene and the rebel Aes Sedai are travelling on their way to the White Tower. Along the way, they run into an army of Murandians and Andorans who don't want them going through Andor. They promise them they won't and Travel via magic to the White Tower.

None of the event in this book were especially significant but there were a few developments that change the pattern of the overall story. This one wasn't one of my favorites in the series so far but it was pretty good. One theme of the series is that some groups of people and some people think they are infallible or not likely to be defeated, events reveal their hubris and they are humbled. 

A Crown of Swords

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan, Audiobook: 31 hrs, Paperback book: 684 pages

This is the seventh book in the Wheel of Time series. So that I don't provide spoilers to the ending of the sixth book I will be careful. Rand is recovering from some events that occurred at the end of the last book and trying to fix the problems that the events caused. His plans have to be changed. A legendary Aes Sedai named Cadsuane shows up and vows to teach Rand and help him. Now, his friend Perrin is the one leading the army towards Sammael.

Mat has been redirected to take Elayne to Caemlyn so she can take the throne but Nynaeve and Elayne have other plans. They have made him go to Ebou Dar so they can find the Bowl of the Winds - a magical artifact that could be used to correct the unnatural weather that the Great Lord of the Dark has caused. While searching for the Bowl, Nynaeve and Elayne discover a secret group of women, known as the Kin, who were not considered good enough for the Aes Sedai. It is not until they enlist Mat's help(and his luck) that they make progress in finding the Bowl.

Egwene and the "rebel" Aes Sedai are marching towards the other Aes Sedai in the White Tower to take it over and reunite the order. Rand goes to visit the Sea Folk who have been waiting for him. His ta'veren(it means he can effect the pattern of the world) effect is strong that day so after leaving he decides on a whim to visit a group of rebel lords incognito. Events are going well until a bubble of evil shows up and things turn sour. Having barely healed from the attack that occured, he decides that since Sammael will not expect him to be coming it is the perfect time to go after him.

As with the last book in the series, there is not a lot of action but the plot is moved along. There are several action sequences near the end that will cause changes in the plot. I liked this one more than the last one because some of the developments are more significant. I like most of the characters but my one quibble is the way some of the female characters are written. Sometimes they are people who act like they know it all.

Lord of Chaos

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Audiobook: 43 hrs, Paperback book: 940 pages

This is the sixth book in the Wheel of Time series. "The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning." So begins every book in the series (after the prologue) with the wind rising in a different place in each book. This is an epic fantasy series that involves multiple characters and multiple storylines. Most of the book is setting the stage for future events with some action at the end.

The final battle between the Dragon Reborn and the Great Lord of the Dark is approaching. Rand Al'Thor is the Dragon Reborn. He is making plans to take down Sammael - one of the Forsaken. His friend, Mat Cauthon is leading an army towards the land that Sammael is ruling. Egwene al'Vere is recovering from events in the previous book and is with the Wise Ones of the Aiel. The women who run her magic order call her to them. Is she being disciplined or is there another reason? This order is named the Aes Sedai. The order has split approximately in half and each half has sent an embassy to Rand. For now, he hasn't committed to either side and keeps them at a distance. There are too many other storylines to summarize in a concise manner.

I liked this book in the series. It moved the overall storylines along, created a foreshadowing of future events and came to an exciting conclusion. With the multiple characters and multiple storylines I would recommend it for people who like epic fantasy and can keep track of all of it. If you are interested in this series I recommend starting at the first book: The Eye of the World.