A Review of Crossroads of Twilight

I did love the book. I am an eight-year veteran of the series and I wait for each book to come out, eagerly and with some small amount of patience.

I understand that Crossroads of Twilight wasn't perfect and some people just want these huge action sequences, but I don't understand the backlash of anger in many the reviews. The series has always been a long run series. Along those lines, I anticipate that the novellas will be received with some anger because fans will want the next book to come out sooner and not want to read the prequels. Personally, I really do want to read the prequels and am excited Robert Jordan decided to write them; I am willing to wait for the end because I have been waiting for eight and two years or six won't make that much of a difference.

The writing is strong and in the same style Robert Jordan has written the whole series. He persists in describing every piece of clothing and facial expression, which is necessary when there is little action. The political machinations continue, but we do have some real emotional development with Mat and Perrin's actions are a little shocking. What some readers found most exciting in the first few novels was the systematic/tedious removal/killing of the Forsaken. That style story has changed into a more mature grander scale story with our favorite major characters effecting political change throughout the continent.

The next story is sure to be action packed and probably more emotionally satisfying for some fans. You can read hints of what is going to happen and you know the end is coming. The ending of Crossroads is more a cliffhanger of a mystery novel than a conclusion of a fantasy novel, which is alternately frustrating and exhilarating. Honestly except the Perrin's point of views, I found this novel a breeze to get through. Anyone who has read previous novels in a day or two, or the whole series in a week like me, should be excited to get through another exciting installment of the Wheel of Time.

As For Crossroads of Twilight Specific good parts:

I thought the prologue was very interesting, it brought up many views of how the world was reacting to current political trends, that is all life is anyway. Many minor characters brought good views and, as usual, the prologue seemed disconnected from the rest of the novel with a few notable exceptions.

The Black Ajah hunt is still ongoing and about to make a break through, except later in the novel Alviarin looks like she is going to hunt the hunters. Also interesting treatment of the "Chosen" is quite revealing about the Dark One's actual grip on the world. The Domani armies meeting in the prologue is a reaction to Graendal's string pulling there.

Gawyn being so close to Egwene for the first time since Fires of Heaven & neither of them knowing it is heartbreaking. Egwene's plot was a surprise for me, I had thought that their would be a battle happening, but it is talk talk talk. Her gradually growing control of the Hall of the Tower and her plotting against the White Tower leading to an ingenious plan to force an end the conflict between the two Aes Sedai groups (you do have to work it out, but the hints aren't too subtle to figure it out). Her plot thread was extremely exciting and satisfying/frustrating (the good kind of frustrating) in the end; it signaled THE END is coming and it will be good.

Aes Sedai's joint realization, from both towers and even independents, that the Asha'man are a force to be reckoned with is seemingly the first good idea that has appeared simultaneously among the women of power. Men's real equality will start after the Last Battle, but its precursor is starting. Unfortunately, nobody is really aware of the change of the source except the Asha'man and the Dark One. The Asha'amn's idea on how it happened is quite annoying, but as with anything in Robert Jordan's books, I love to be annoyed by White Cloak prejudice, character non-communication, and closed mindedness of almost everybody about SOMETHING. It feels like a real world where almost everything is broken, people can't get over their own preconceived notions, and change is slow.

I did dislike Perrin's point of view, it is getting old and I definitely would like something more to happen. I would have made his part smaller in this book. The absolute best part with him was when he threatens the capture Aiel, bold and strong and NOT pining for Faile was great. Faile's point of view was actually quite interesting, especially considering that she isn't a favorite character of mine, and I much preferred it to Perrin's, whom I like much more than Faile. She has some interesting dilemmas to sort out and lets hope this capture thing doesn't go on much longer.

Mat's point of view has been hinted at all along so if you been waiting for him falling in love with Tuon, the Daughter of the Nine Moons, you will be rewarded handsomely, though it isn't all done in this book (when has Jordan ever let something so predestined happen so fast as to only take place in one novel?). The implication in the novel is: Mat is going to get caught. Whether you disagree is for you to decide, but I have many prophecies to back me up.

I was not even expecting an appearance by Rand after the cleansing of Saidin, so his small appearance satisfied me.