Title: Crossroads of Twilight
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: The Wheel of Time #10
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 26 hours 4 minutes
Published: 2017, MacMillan Audio (originally published 2003)
My Grade: 3 out of 5
Review Summary: Crossroads of Twilight is a slower-paced, but still extremely detailed instalment in The Wheel of Time series, focusing heavily on political maneuvering and the aftermath of earlier events.
Title: Winter’s Heart
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time #9
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 24 hours 12 minutes
Published: 20011, MacMillan Audio (originally published 2000)
My Grade: 2.5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
Rand is on the run with Min, and in Cairhein, Cadsuane is trying to figure out where he is headed. Rand’s destination is, in fact, one she has never considered.
Mazrim Taim, leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. But what is he up to?
Faile, with the Aiel Maidens, Bain and Chiad, and her companions, Queen Alliandre and Morgase, is prisoner of Savanna’s sept.
Perrin is desperately searching for Faile. With Elyas Machera, Berelain, the Prophet and a very mixed “army” of disparate forces, he is moving through country rife with bandits and roving Seanchan. The Forsaken are ever more present, and united, and the man called Slayer stalks Tel’aran’rhiod and the wolfdream.
In Ebou Dar, the Seanchan princess known as Daughter of the Nine Moons arrives–and Mat, who had been recuperating in the Tarasin Palace, is introduced to her. Will the marriage that has been foretold come about?
There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it is a beginning….
MY REVIEW
Taking a break from Wheel of Time didn’t really help me get my motivation back. When will this flat story get some action going? It feels like it’s not going anywhere and Jordan gets so little done in so many words. Time-wise, I’m not sure during how long this full book takes place. It felt like years, but probably weren’t more than a few weeks or so.
What is good though, is that Winter’s Heart only follows a few characters so it’s much easier to get into the story. Although, when there is one chapter or one part of a chapter that has a brand new character and we don’t know who that is, it’s impossible to guess. The world just feels too big.
I’m keeping my hopes up though, it will get better! And even if it is flat and very easy to zone out, the 10% at the end are super eventful! It also does feel very real. The writing is amazing. I just have a hard time with this dragged out story. Does it really have to be 15 books? Oh well. It did end on a very very exciting note though. That’s basically what all of them did so far. 2.5 out of 5. Not bad, not amazing.
Title: The Return of the King
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Series: The Lord of the Rings #2
Narrator: Andy Serkis
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 21 hours 52 minutes
Published: 2021, HarperCollins (originally published 1955)
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
As the Shadow of Mordor grows across the land, the Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, has joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and takes part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escape into Fangorn Forest and there encounter the Ents. Gandalf has miraculously returned and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman. Sam has left his master for dead after a battle with the giant spider, Shelob; but Frodo is still alive — now in the foul hands of the Orcs.
And all the while the armies of the Dark Lord are massing as the One Ring draws ever nearer to the Cracks of Doom.
MY REVIEW
This trilogy was over so fast! Even with 20 hours per book, they were over in no time. Andy Serkis was amazing. I honestly think he could pull off any book. The story is great, but he takes it to higher levels, for sure!
Even though Serkis is doing a wonderful job of narrating, it is still fairly easy to zone out every now and then. For example during the description of Minas Tirith. Especially (unfortunately, I think I have to say), since I “know” what it looks like from the movies. Another thing about that scene: the great battle at Minas Tirith was over in no time, very uneventful and was over after only 30% of the book. I am actually happy about battles not taking over the story like it can in more modern books. I find it hard to follow along. So this works out perfect for me. The focus of Tolkien is definitely on dialogue and world building rather than action packed battle scenes.
Book 5 only follows Aragorn and that part of the story and book 6 follows Frodo and Sam. I do think that I like it that way. The story becomes whole in a different way. Even if the timeline is not being followed by the minute.
The ending is different! Both compared to the movie but it also has another feeling compared to the rest of the book. It’s almost a bit comical. And perhaps a bit out of time and place?
I am glad I finally got to finish this trilogy. When I was 10 or 12 or something, I was too young and barely got through the first two. I should have continued though since The Two Towers was the slowest one. The ending gets a strong 5 out of five possible.
Title: The Two Towers
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Series: The Lord of the Rings #2
Narrator: Andy Serkis
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 20 hours 47 minutes
Published: 2021, HarperCollins (originally published 1954)
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in a battle in the Mines of Moria. And Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape, the rest of the company was attacked by Orcs. Now they continue the journey alone down the great River Anduin—alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.
MY REVIEW
The Two Towers is as good as The Fellowship of the Ring. The story goes on seamlessly and focuses mainly on Merry/Pippin and Legolas/Aragorn/Gimli in the “fourth” book and only on Frodo and Sam in the fifth. I like that it was so separated. It made it easier to follow along in the story instead of focusing on trying to figure out which character this chapter is following.
The writing, worldbuilding and general feeling of the bok is the same. It feels real with descriptions and dialogue. And I was surprised at the humor. Gimli’s and Legolas counting contest at Helm’s Deep was in the book. Merry and Pippin greeting the rest of the company after the battle of Isengard an Gimli’s funny responses. That surprised me a lot.
This is the second book of a trilogy, which makes it the transport story. And it definitely is. But not for the reasons I remembered from when I was 12. The Ent Moot is not what is dragging this story out. The Council of Elrond is. I think that was at least four hours of the whole book. I kind of wish I would have paid more attention though, because a lot of ancient history was told there. But in general, things are constantly happening, even if the might be a little flat. Or perhaps even is a better word? Andy Serkis is so very passionate when he is narrating and it’s super intense at the fight with Shelob, but it’s over so fast. The same with the battle at Helm’s Deep. It’s over in no time. These battle scenes seems like a neccessity for the story and not something extraordinary that is visually beautiful as it was portrayed in the movies.
And when it comes to comparing the movie with the book, which is impossible when reading the book 20 years after the successful movie came out, the scenes described in the book gives so much more background. It puts perspective unto scenes in the movie that I wasn’t aware of before. It is also scary how accurate and exact some scenes are. It’s almost ridiculous. I wonder what people thought when reading this before Peter Jackson came into the picture. One major difference though is Frodo’s acting towards Gollum. He is not being nice and understanding at all towards the creature and is not as naive as he is portrayed in the film.
It is a transport book, for sure, but still so excellently written and narrated. 5 out of 5 possible!
Title: The Fellowship of the Ring
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Series: The Lord of the Rings #1
Narrator: Andy Serkis
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 22 hours 38 minutes
Published: 2021, HarperCollins (originally published 1954)
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit.
In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.
MY REVIEW
Wow! Is that enough for a review? I feel like it kind of is. But at the same time, no of course not. It has been years and years since I read the Sweidsh translation of The Fellowship of the Ring. I think I was 12 years old. Still not too bad to even try to read these ones at that age. But I was too young to truly appreciate them. I’m not sure how I would appreciate them now if I had read them properly, but I can say that I am the complete opposite of dissappointed after listening to them. I did the right choice in waiting until the Andy Serkis versions came out on audiobook platforms in Sweden. Because just wow!
I remember the long prologue and backstory of the hobbits. Serkis made it swoosh by. The history of hobbits was so interesting and it was impossible to zone out. Great start and the whole book was over in a flash!
As one who have seen the movies countless times, I can’t help but compare of course. They are so similar and Peter Jackson truly got the spirit of the story and did such an amazing job. And I see the brilliance of the movies even clearer now. He used the dialogue, quotes straight from the books and scenes that were exactly the same. But, there differences as well. I think every Lord of the Ring fan out there, no matter if they read the books or not, have heard of Tom Bombadill. What a weird character. And such a long part of the story. Another major difference is that in the book, everyone knows what’s going on from the very start. Information is not withheld from any characters for the sake of suspense which it does in the movie. Or newer books for that matter. It felt refreshing, even if the book was 70 years old.
Do I even need to say anything about the worldbuilding? It’s extraordinary. The world comes alive through thorough dialogue and extensive descriptions. Some parts are too long, like the council of Elrond. I think that one scene might have been four hours long? And I also think that Andy Serkis is a great reason for bringing all the characters even more alive than the storytelling itself. He reads all the characters with different voices and they sound so much alike to the actors in the movies. You can really tell when it’s Pippin who’s talking. I don’t have any memories of him reading Gollum as the movie voice though. Strange? Gollum is not a big part of this story though.
There are several scenes which are not really contributing to the story and I do understand why Jackson kept them out of the movie. But they do add some more worldbuilding. Not that it is actually needed, but it fills out.
Listening to The Fellowship of the Ring narrated by Andy Serkis was the best decision I could have made. Just wow! You should do it as well! 5 out of 5, easily!!
Title: Skärmhjärnan (The Happiness Cure)
Author: Anders Hansen
Narrator: Anders Hansen
Series: –
Genre: Nonfiction
Length: 5 hours 26 minutes
Published: 2021, Bonnier Fakta
My Grade: 5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
As a species, we’ve never had it so good. We’re living longer and healthier lives than ever before; the sum of human knowledge and endless entertainment are only ever a few clicks away.
So why are we in the midst of a mental health crisis?
The Happiness Cure offers a radical new way to think about fulfilment. Blending neuroscientific research and empirical breakthroughs with stories of ordinary individuals, leading psychiatrist and viral TedX speaker Dr Anders Hansen reveals that by adopting an evolutionary take on life, we can re-set our perspective on happiness to find longer-term meaning and lasting contentment.
MY REVIEW
This was good! I kind of feel like I am already going in the right direction here (wisdom that has come with age), but it was so necessary to hear it. Five and a half hour read by the enthusiastic Anders Hansen himself while driving through Europe was exactly what my boyfriend and I needed.
This is the third book by Hansen that I’m reading and I love that even if they are supposed to be three individual pieces, it feels like they follow each other and intertwine.
So, what makes this book of his so great? He explains everything very thorough and several times in different ways so his words really stick with you. He also uses great analogies and explains our history in such a logical way that makes you say: Of course! That makes so much sense!
I won’t spoil anything, but the general idea of his meaning is that we are not programmed to be happy all the time, we are not programmed to be happy at all, because all our brain wants is to survive. And most importantly, evolution is SLOW, our society and technological advances are WAY TOO FAST for our evolution. We are not made to live in this world. And all of our anxiety, panic attacks and depressions are normal. Those are signs that our brain is functioning as it should. It still sucks! But that’s just how we as a species work. I will also try to remember that our memories are not something written in stones. They are meant to change to ensure our survival. Which justifies me taking photos of things I know I will eventually forget the details of, haha!
I’ve always thought that I was cynical and more and more carefree the older I got. But it is reassuring to know that my inexplicable downs that happen every now and then are completely normal. My depressions are normal, and it is okay! It is okay to not be happy. I mostly am happy and feel happiness which probably means that I unconsciously have accepted this. And it feels even more reassuring having heard this from a doctor. Anders Hansen is great and I did not take this read as something depressing which I think some people can interpret it as. It’s just the way it is.
It was a great short listen! I highly recommend it! Five out of five!
Title: The Path of Daggers
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time #8
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 23 hours 25 minutes
Published: 2008, MacMillan Audio (originally published 1998)
My Grade: 2.5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
The Seanchan invasion force is in possession of Ebou Dar. Nynaeve, Elayne, and Aviendha head for Caemlyn and Elayne’s rightful throne, but on the way they discover an enemy much worse than the Seanchan.
In Illian, Rand vows to throw the Seanchan back as he did once before. But signs of madness are appearing among the Asha’man.
In Ghealdan, Perrin faces the intrigues of Whitecloaks, Seanchan invaders, the scattered Shaido Aiel, and the Prophet himself. Perrin’s beloved wife, Faile, may pay with her life, and Perrin himself may have to destroy his soul to save her.
Meanwhile the rebel Aes Sedai under their young Amyrlin, Egwene al’Vere, face an army that intends to keep them away from the White Tower. But Egwene is determined to unseat the usurper Elaida and reunite the Aes Sedai. She does not yet understand the price that others—and she herself—will pay.
MY REVIEW
23 hours must be his shortest book, isn’t it? It didn’t feel short though.
I must admit that I am starting to lose some faith in this series now, eight books in. It’s slow. Like really slow. There are so many characters, new ones introduced all the time. And even if they have small roles, they mix up with the main characters and it’s really hard to follow and understand the interactions between characters. Which of course makes it impossible to follow the story as well as I might have wanted to.
Did things really happen except in the last 6 chapters? It sure doesn’t feel like it. Some scenes are memorable, but they are few. For example when the Asha’man start to feel the taint on saidin, or when Elayne is back at the throne room in Caemlyn. Or just all the story in the White Tower. I am not starting to symphatize with Elaida, the Amyrlin Seat of the White Tower, but I realize as I’m trudging along that I want to know what will happen to her and Tar Valon in general.
The last 6 chapters were memorable. Things happened. There was a war, many plot twists that were a little bit hard to follow along with.
This middle part of the series is slower but I will make it through to the end. But this one gets 2.5 out of 5. The lowest of the series so far. I hope it will turn upward now.
Title: A Crown of Swords
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time #7
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 30 hours 24 minutes
Published: 2006, MacMillan Audio (originally published 1996)
My Grade: 3.5 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
Now ruling Tear, Andor, and Caemlyn, among other nations, Rand is recruiting all men capable of channeling to be trained as his Asha’man soldiers. The warrior Aiel clans have pledged loyalty to Rand, acknowledging him as their chief of chiefs, even though the Shaido Aiel remain a threat.
Split into two factions, the Aes Sedai of the White Tower and their rebel counterparts both seek to ally themselves with the Dragon Reborn. Rand knows all too well the manipulative nature of the Aes Sedai, no matter which side of their internal war they stand upon. But even he cannot predict just how desperate, cruel, and treacherous they can be.
And in the shadows, the Forsaken and the Dark One are conjuring even more chaos…
MY REVIEW
Thirty hours is on the “shorter” end for Jordan, for sure. But I’m still impressed that he manages to write that many pages on a storyline that takes place in basically just one place. Of course it doesn’t. But this book’s main focus lies with Nynaeve and Elayne and their quest of finding the bowl of winds in Ebou Dar. There are so many new characters introduced that I find it very hard to follow honestly. And it’s impossible to know whether a character is going to be of great importance or no. At this point, seven books into it, it’s starting to become a little confusing and overwhelming.
This book focused on fewer storylines than previous, at least it felt like it. And I’m not sure whether that is a good thing or if it’s better to jump between several characters all the time. With long sections at a time, there are so many details crammed into the story which makes it a little bit harder to focus sometimes. But at the same time, it’s better to really get into the story.
Another thing that is starting to bug me is the descriptions of people. They are always the same. I have lost count on how many times a new female character is described as slender…
It’s still a good listen. But I really want it to move forward now. The story is progressing way too slow. But I’m not gonna give up, I’ve heard that it will end epically!
3.5 out of 5 for this instalment in Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.
Title: Lord of Chaos
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time #6
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 41 hours 32 minutes
Published: 2004, MacMillan Audio (originally published 1994)
My Grade: 4 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
Now ruling Tear, Andor, and Caemlyn, among other nations, Rand is recruiting all men capable of channeling to be trained as his Asha’man soldiers. The warrior Aiel clans have pledged loyalty to Rand, acknowledging him as their chief of chiefs, even though the Shaido Aiel remain a threat.
Split into two factions, the Aes Sedai of the White Tower and their rebel counterparts both seek to ally themselves with the Dragon Reborn. Rand knows all too well the manipulative nature of the Aes Sedai, no matter which side of their internal war they stand upon. But even he cannot predict just how desperate, cruel, and treacherous they can be.
And in the shadows, the Forsaken and the Dark One are conjuring even more chaos…
MY REVIEW
I guess there are two reasons why it took me 6 months to finish this audiobook, the sixth in the order. One of the reasons is that if was over 40 hours long, the other because it was kinda dull. I was prepared that the middle part of this series would be dragged out and that not much would happen. That statement is both correct and untrue. Things are happening, it’s just not things that I find interesting. Don’t get me wrong, I love world building and leaving this world behind for a while when reading/listening to a book. But when the world building mostly consists of political situations, dialogues and intrigues, I can’t really say that I follow.
But when things are happening, they really are happening! About halfway through this book I got so surprised at the turn of events that I was almost speechless. I had to really bite my tongue not to spoil anything to my boyfriend (who only saw the first season of the tv series but enjoyed it a lot). And from there, it just kept going. It was exciting and the last 15 hours or so went by really fast.
This 6th instalment of the series came with a great introduction of previous events and you as a listener was right on track from the start. And something that annoyed me was Kate Reading pronouncing Moghadien’s name differently from previous books. Oh well. I got used to it in the end.
Even if the series has slowed down a bit, it is super eventful at times and I generally really like this story and am very curious as to where it will continue. I have heard great things of the ending and can’t wait until I get there. It is a great story, and overall, it is a 4. I honestly have some trouble keeping the books apart since I’m listening to all of them back to back and have been for the past almost 2 years.
Title: The Shadows Rising
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time #5
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 36 hours 27 minutes
Published: 2004, MacMillan Audio (originally published 1993)
My Grade: 4 out of 5
GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION
The bonds and wards that hold the Great Lord of the Dark are slowly failing, but still his fragile prison holds. The Forsaken, immortal servants of the shadow, weave their snares and tighten their grip upon the realms of men, sure in the knowledge that their master will soon break free…
Rand al’ Thor, the Dragon Reborn, knows that he must strike at the Enemy, but his forces are divided by treachery and by ambition. Even the Aes Sedai, ancient guardians of the Light, are riven by civil war. Betrayed by his allies, pursued by his enemies and beset by the madness that comes to the male wielders of the One Power, Rand rides out to meet the foe.
MY REVIEW
The story goes on and I’m so surprised at how intricate it is. This was book 5 out of 14 and it feels like so much has happend so far and I can’t believe I’m not even half done with the series. The work Jordan has put into this series is ridiculous!
The Fires of heaven basically follows two two storylines. That of Rand, Mat, Egwene and the other one of Elayne and Nyneave which is later intertwined with the Amyrlin Seat and Min. Perrin is barely even mentioned in this book. The storyline of Rand was a bit complicated, lots of politics, many fighting scenes and schemes. It progressed a lot though and many things happened. Especially in the end. Wow!
It was much easier following the adventure of Elayne and Nyneave. Even if a lot of the story takes place in the world of dreams. Pretty cool!
It was a long book, many events, lots of traveling, many places were visited. And so many characters! It’s hard to keep track of them all. It was a good continuation of the story and with that ending, I’m very eager to continue to listen! The Fires of Heaven gets a 4.
Bemm 