August 6, 2016
To help get you through a series that is always setting up future plot movement without a care for current pacing, I have invented the following
Wheel of Time Drinking Game
Take a drink whenever:
* A character makes a comment generalizing the opposite sex
* Rand's wounds are described in detail
* A woman sniffs or smooths her clothing
* Perrin smells an emotion
* "Good Two Rivers wool"
* Min's clothing's boyish nature is emphasized in a description
* Someone plays with their weapon (e.g., easing it from its scabbard, running a thumb along its edge)
* Mat feels dice tumbling in his head
* A member of the White Ajah says something is "only logical"
* Totally out-of-character actions written off as "ta'veren influence"
* Someone mentions Murandy, Arad Doman, Shienar, or any other nation that we haven't visited in five volumes
* Rand reminds himself how hard he must be
* More than two pages without any dialogue or action, just pure description
* Any mention of Whitecloaks, the Aelfinn, or any other group that Jordan was obsessed with four books ago and has forgotten about
* A chapter ends and nothing happened in it
Nynaeve seems to have quit tugging on her braid all the time -- although, to be honest, I rather like that particular tic. At least it was intentional on Jordan's part.
My award for least rewarding plot line definitely goes to Perrin. He's off dealing with the prophet of the dragon while hunting for the Shaido, who have kidnapped Faile. Incidentally, those three are in a dead heat for which side character I care about the least. Not that he ever attempts a rescue or anything resembling action, but he does smell a lot of emotions, examine the orderliness of his army camp, and spend three chapters going shopping for barley.
If you enjoyed The Wheel of Time Drinking Game, you may also be interested in my ironic Wheel of Time fan fiction / review of Book 12, a one-act play titled The Ta'veren Tavern.
Wheel of Time Drinking Game
Take a drink whenever:
* A character makes a comment generalizing the opposite sex
* Rand's wounds are described in detail
* A woman sniffs or smooths her clothing
* Perrin smells an emotion
* "Good Two Rivers wool"
* Min's clothing's boyish nature is emphasized in a description
* Someone plays with their weapon (e.g., easing it from its scabbard, running a thumb along its edge)
* Mat feels dice tumbling in his head
* A member of the White Ajah says something is "only logical"
* Totally out-of-character actions written off as "ta'veren influence"
* Someone mentions Murandy, Arad Doman, Shienar, or any other nation that we haven't visited in five volumes
* Rand reminds himself how hard he must be
* More than two pages without any dialogue or action, just pure description
* Any mention of Whitecloaks, the Aelfinn, or any other group that Jordan was obsessed with four books ago and has forgotten about
* A chapter ends and nothing happened in it
Nynaeve seems to have quit tugging on her braid all the time -- although, to be honest, I rather like that particular tic. At least it was intentional on Jordan's part.
My award for least rewarding plot line definitely goes to Perrin. He's off dealing with the prophet of the dragon while hunting for the Shaido, who have kidnapped Faile. Incidentally, those three are in a dead heat for which side character I care about the least. Not that he ever attempts a rescue or anything resembling action, but he does smell a lot of emotions, examine the orderliness of his army camp, and spend three chapters going shopping for barley.
If you enjoyed The Wheel of Time Drinking Game, you may also be interested in my ironic Wheel of Time fan fiction / review of Book 12, a one-act play titled The Ta'veren Tavern.