Review: Glimmers of the Pattern by Robert Jordan

Trilogies and long epic series are common in the Fantasy genre. I have a personal rule not to read a series until the final book is published. Being human, I break my rule from time to time. I did this with Fantasy author Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. I got hooked and now eagerly await each new book to come out. The next book, Crossroads of Twilight, will be published in January 2003. “Glimmers of the Pattern” is the prologue to this book, available now as an E-book.

Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series is complex and detailed. The first nine books tell the story of a coming war against the lord of evil. Mr. Jordan’s knowledge of history and cultures has allowed him to create a world with a vast history and a multitude of cultures in flux. His characters develop stimulating complexity with each book. He fills each book with rich detail and twisting plot developments. That is why a prologue to the next book would be greeted by eager fans.

Prologues to novels set up events that will provide information or play important roles in the book. “Glimmers of the Pattern” offers several scenes of interest to draw long time readers into the new book or hook new readers. With a vast story and characters spread out all over the land, Wheel of Time must have starting points for the new book. The opening of this prologue finds Lord Ituralde and his army joining with another to fight the invading Seanchan, a people from across the ocean. Another development is the plotting of Eamon Valda, leader of the Children of Light to gain more power. Finally, one of the women Aes Sedai in Carhien finds herself with a political mess on her hands. Robert Jordan has a lot going on that needs to get resolved in the rest of the book.

In addition to the prologue, readers get a bonus interview from the author. Mr. Jordan answers questions posed to him from fans. Readers learn about the difficulties of writing, how Mr. Jordan develops his characters and the future of the series. The series now stretches to ten books and many wonder when the series will be complete. Mr. Jordan is very frank with his answers which may give readers some insight into his books.

“Glimmers of the Pattern” by Robert Jordan is an intriguing opening to his next book of the Wheel of Time series. There are several interesting scenes that get the action going in quick succession. Fans of the series will get a taste while waiting for the rest of the book. Readers new to the series might find it difficult to come in this late in the series. A lot of what is going on depends on knowledge of events that happened in the previous books. Wheel of Time is a popular series with legions of fans. It has plenty of adventure, intrigue and action. New readers might want to start with the first book Eye of the World. Until next time.

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