Trent's Reviews > A Memory of Light

“He came like the wind, like the wind touched everything, and like the wind was gone."

Five years of my life.

15 books.

12,500 pages.

462 audiobook hours.

Thousands of characters and moments.

My journey with The Wheel of Time has finally come to an end, and what a journey it was.

When I bought a paperback copy of The Eye of the World in 2012, I could not possibly have guessed what this series would come to mean to me. Yet the Wheel has left an indelible mark, and I expect to feel its impact for the rest of my life.

If you are reading this review having never opened a Wheel of Time book, you should know that this series is WONDERFUL - but also FLAWED. At times, it's even downright annoying. There were moments over the last five years when I closed one of the books in frustration and swore I'd never be back.

And yet, I inevitably returned.

If I had to guess why, I would say it was because of the immensely detailed world created by Robert Jordan. Something about it just feels so REAL. The different cultures, traditions, languages, attitudes, clothing, prophecies, etc, offered an escape that I just could not pass up. I have truly LIVED in this world for fifteen books!

I also became invested in the plights of these wonderful characters. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, Nynaeve, and others feel like friends or family members. Even when they annoyed me, I wanted to spend time with them. To make sure they figured it out. That's what friends do, after all.

And, like so many friendships, we now have to say goodbye. It's sad, but I know I'll be back to visit them often. I know how this tale ends now, and it's a great ending; the type a story like this deserves.

Brandon Sanderson accomplished something incredible with the way he finished this series. The final book is not perfect, but I think it's the best of the three books written by him. It answers nearly all of the questions, and it ties up the loose ends.

It somehow gives every character their 'moment' - be it one of glory, triumph, or in some cases even failure. There is more epicness in this book than I could describe. So many fist-pumping, yelling-out-loud moments of sheer awesome.

Those aren't the best parts, though. The best parts are the quiet ones.

Egwene's farewell to the Wise Ones.

Androl and Pevarra's budding relationship and teamwork.

Rand sparring with Tam one last time.

Mat's protection of Olver.

Thom and Moiraine.

These are the moments that will stick with me forever, and the ones that made this huge investment worth it.

Because let’s be clear - the Wheel of Time is an investment. Reading it takes patience, but if you're willing, I can tell you, it is worth it. This is one of the masterpieces of the Fantasy genre and of Literature in general. It is Highly Recommended.

Thank you, Robert Jordan, for creating this world and these characters, and for pouring your soul into 12 of the books. Rest in Peace, Creator.

And thank you, Brandon Sanderson, for taking a leap of faith and finishing the journey better than anyone thought possible.

"There are no endings, and never will be endings, to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was an ending."

Indeed it was.