Crossroads of Twilight

The tenth book in Jordan's epic Wheel of Time series is essentially a catch up book. At the end of the previous book, Rand and Nynaeve removed the taint from saidin. For the first half (or two-thirds, really) of this book, we look at what each of the other main characters was doing when that happened. Then there are some minor baby steps towards the next bits of those characters arcs. But for the most part, this is 820 pages without a plot.

I can see giving up at this point in the series. It's frustrating when nothing happens for an entire book. But I had my expectations tempered. I knew this book was the low point of the series. I know the next book is much more action-packed. I know the most frustrating plot lines (well, Perrin's) are about to get tied off so the characters can rejoin the main story. I persevered through this book to get to the end.

And that's all there really is to say about it. You always get that episode of television right shortly before the finale that is basically just moving characters into the places they need to be. That's what this book was. It wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't so long. But winter is ending and the last battle is coming. Onwards, to the thrilling conclusion. (It had better be thrilling.)

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