Winter's Heart
A novel by Robert Jordan

Just so you know, this review is one of the stupidest things I've ever volunteered to do. I just want to make sure we're clear on this. Because it's really hard to sum up Book Nine of a twelve-book series, dammit. Especially since I haven't re-read the previous eight books in a year and a half, and I've slept (a little) since then, so the details of the plot are kind of fuzzy for me. But somebody's got to do it, so it might as well be me.

One typical failing of sequels, especially in a long-winded series like this, is having too much recap at the beginning of the book. This is intended to remind the reader, for example, that Suzy married Bob in the last book, which is why it's bad that she's sleeping with Mark now. And this is something we need to remember; otherwise we'll never understand why Bob takes Mark out back and shoots him. But usually there's so much re-telling that it just makes me exasperated, as in, "Yes, thank you, I know this already." But for the benefit of those reading this review who haven't read the series, I'm going to commit this grave sin myself. The rest of you, just hang on; we'll get to the current book momentarily.

In Robert Jordan's Tolkien-esque fantasy world, magic is a true fact. It comes from the One Power, which can only be Channeled by certain women. Men used to be able to Channel, we are told, but the male half of the Power was tainted centuries ago during a colossal battle between the world's defenders and their great adversary, the Dark One. Now men who can Channel inevitably go lethally crazy, while women who can work with the Power are trained to be Aes Sedai, a mysterious social and political group that works in the shadows to bring about their desired ends. Until, that is, Rand al'Thor, a simple farmer from the backwoods village Emond's Field, discovers that he can Channel. Rand's uncanny luck brings a string of unlikely coincidences that lead him and three of his friends from the village into leadership positions in a suddenly turbulent world. It soon becomes apparent that the Dark One is trying to break out of his supernatural prison, and Rand is the only one who can stand up to him at Tarman Gai'don, the Last Battle.

The cast of characters expands exponentially as the series progresses, growing to include good guys, bad guys, and not a few fence-sitters. The geographic canvas of the series also broadens considerably, eventually stretching from one end of the known earth to the other. In the middle are richly imagined cultures and societies, each with colorful customs. (And accents. We love funny accents, 'cause they're funny.) The political institutions are described exhaustively, and boy, it's odd how they mirror modern culture. Oh wait, it's a metaphor. I get it. I got it seven books back. Thanks.

In the current episode of As the Wheel Turns, we find our hero doing pretty much the same thing he's been doing for a while now: avoiding the Forsaken who are hot for his blood, gearing up for the Last Battle, and angsting over the women (yes, that's plural) he loves and who love him. The difference in this book is that he actually gets some resolution on two of these fronts. He, Elayne, Min, and Aviendha (I love these names) finally get their act together and figure out the answer to their predicament that's been staring them in the face for a couple of books now. With that tucked under his belt, he sets out to cleanse the male half of the Power of its taint, an undertaking that takes most of the rest of the book. At least Jordan is un-Joss Whedon-like in not leaving us hanging with this plot point until Book Ten. However, it does consume most of the book (see below for my frustration).

We also see a lot of Mat Cauthon, Rand's woman-happy friend from Emond's Field. Mat isn't as happy-go-lucky as he once was (battle will do that to a guy, I guess), but he still rolls the dice every chance he gets and runs away from any situation that threatens to tie him down. But change is imminent for young Matrim, and the playboy is due for some fate-fulfillment.

The women of the Wheel of Time series are by turns inspiring and infuriating. To Jordan's credit, he has a full grasp on the concept that Sisters (and others) can do it for themselves. These women are not weak, or stupid, or fatally flawed. And I have to admit, being able to pick someone up and turn them upside down, just with the power of one's mind, is pretty kick-ass. Where Jordan falls down is in using his metaphor of men and women as represented by yin and yang to imply that a woman needs a man to help her and steady her. I'm not saying that's not true. It's just irksome to me that Jordan's men don't seem to evidence the same need. Well, except for Rand, who mostly needs his women for what they can do for him. All in all, it makes me say, "Grr."

Another thing that makes me all "Grr"-y is the conspicuous absence of Perrin Aybara and his lady wife Faile (one of the fiercest chicks you could ever hope to meet) for most of the book. I've always been a little attached to Perrin because he reminds me of my husband, and it doesn't hurt that his wolf spirit-guide shares my married name, Hopper. So you can imagine my dismay when Perrin makes a token appearance, goes off to search for his kidnapped wife (can you say "Plot Contrivance-Girl?), and never turns up again. I guess it's only human to let some threads drop when you're weaving this complex and large of a tapestry, but for some reason I expect Jordan to be superhuman (although not with a cape and tights -- Dude is not small.) It really bothers me when he makes a slip like this one. Looking on the bright side, he has three more books planned in this series in which he can make it up to me.

One of my favorite things about Jordan is his interesting view of the war between the sexes. Both men and women are convinced that the other gender is illogical and wool-headed, and both seem to be right. In addition, he has the enormous audacity to meld all the conventions of fantasy fiction and epic storytelling into this one huge saga. He has been criticized for stealing wholesale from J.R.R. Tolkien, but to be honest, he steals from everywhere. No stock character is safe, no by-the-numbers plot is sacred from this sponge of a writer. But his greatest strength is his ability to reshape these elements in his own vision. That, and thinking up cool names for the characters. Did I mention that I love the names? Even if I can't pronounce most of them. How do you say "Nynaeve"?

RE-READ FACTOR: I will re-read this book, and the eight before it, in preparation for Volume 10. What's scary is that by the time Book Twelve rolls out, I will have read Book One at least thirteen times. It's series like this one that make me a book addict.

SEQUEL FACTOR: As mentioned above, there are at least three more books in the works for this series. And it will take at least that long for Jordan to sort out the tangled web he's woven.

STRONG CHICK FACTOR: Off the scale. Pick one? Can't do it. Especially because my favorite strong chick, Faile, is practically non-existent in this book. But Egwene, Elayne, Nynaeve, Aviendha, Min, Cadsuane, et al, do their darndest to make up for her absence.

-- Jen Hopper

Winter's Heart, published by Tor Books, is currently available in hardcover, audio cassette, CD, and in a leather-bound presentation version.

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