“The lions sing and the hills take flight. The moon by day, and the sun by night. Blind woman, deaf man, jackdaw fool. Let the Lord of Chaos rule.
-chant from a children’s game heard in Great Arvalon, the Fourth Age”
-Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos
Lord of Chaos. It certainly was a chaotic book. At 395,195 words and 1024 pages, it is the second largest book in the Wheel of Time. That’s saying something.
Fun fact: By word count, it’s the second largest instalment, but by page count, it’s the largest.
Also, to give some context, I’d had a big break after The Fires of Heaven, so I was extra excited and a little nervous about restarting where I’d left off. I’m happy to say that Lord of Chaos really revamped and grew my love of the series. There were some parts where I felt like screaming in rage, yelling in anger, laughing in ecstasy, and crying in sorrow.
It was a book of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Some of the best and most emotional moments in the series are contained on these pages. Honestly, if it was just based on Rand, it might even be my favourite in the series. As it stands, it is still a spectacular book, but is brought down by too many ‘sloggy’ moments and several excessive plotlines which felt pointless.
I’ll start off with the things I didn’t enjoy so much, so we can get onto the better stuff to finish. Saying that, even in those storylines I didn’t enjoy as much, there were still some amazing moments.
Just before I do, however, I want to quickly say: that was one FAT prologue. Coming back to the series as I was, that caught me off guard. Most of it felt pretty nothingy, but everything with the Forsaken was awesome. Demandred’s visit to Shayol Ghul, meeting with the other’s, and the introduction of Osan’gar and Aran’gar (the Dark One has a strange sense of humour). Oh, and Shaidar Haran.
In fact, everything with the Forsaken in general was awesome. All of Graendal and Sammael’s meetings, Semirhage torturing that poor Aes Sedai and her Warder, Moghedian in Salidar, and obviously Halima undercover as Aran’gar (where did Osan’gar go?). Man, so much of the Forsaken planning and manipulating and I love it.
The question is: Who killed Asmodean?
“A man falling off a cliff to certain death will stretch out a hand even to his worst enemy.”
-Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos
Anyway . . .
As I was saying, there were some rough parts of Lord of Chaos. In my opinion, those were mainly found in Nynaeve and Elayne’s arc’s. So basically, all of everything related to Salidar.
A whole lot of braid tugging and petty bickering, general toxicity and many raised noses (high noses especially). I hated the Aes Sedai’s treatment of Siuan Sanche and Leane Sharif, both recently Stilled.
Get off your ponies.
At least Siuan’s trying to accomplish something. The rest of the ‘Hall’ (insert derisive snort noise) just sit there and debate. And patronise. And sit. Oh, and they patronise a lot. Did I say that?
Although, I have to admit even Siuan’s attitude was starting to bug me after a while.
The things I genuinely really enjoyed in the Salidar arc include Nynaeve and Elayne teaching the Aes Sedai in Tel’aran’rhiod. Anytime one of those haughty chickens makes a mistake is such a glorious moment. Technically, that didn’t even happen in Salidar. The nightmare they got sucked into was pretty terrifying, and it was nice to see them working together and seeing the consequences of their goose-brained mistakes.
The bubble of evil scene was another great moment. The dynamic with Moghedian, the Circle’s, the chaos of it all. Oh, and the best of them all, when Nynaeve heals Stilling. It was such an emotional moment when she Heals Siuan and Leane, and their gratitude was so wholesome.
Even better, though, was when she Healed Logain. To be honest, everything that included Logain was awesome. Nynaeve holding the shield, with all the Aes Sedai panicking and flapping their wings, while he just sat their, ignorant and basking in the return of his power.
I love the guy.
I did not like the Yellow’s treatment of her after, though. In fact, someone make her Aes Sedai, already. She’s proven enough.
Oh, yeah. She is! Technically. Salidar post Egwene-as-Amyrlin was much better. At least they’ve got someone decisive in charge now. The ceremony where she is Raised was pretty interesting, too. Romanda, Lelaine, watch out. You made a bad mistake.
“We are always more afraid than we wish to be, but we can always be braver than we expect.”
-Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos
Speaking of the Wise One, Egwene was another varied one. I didn’t enjoy her exploits in Carhien, but everything she did in Salidar as the new Amyrlin Seat was pretty cool.
Hhmm. Maybe not everything in Salidar was bad after all . . .
But her relationship with Gawyn? That’s gotta be one of the most random things I’ve ever read. Yeah, we know he had a crush on her since the start, but Egwene’s never really expressed any interest in the First Prince of the Sword. Then suddenly, they’re pretty much engaged? All because of that dream in Tel’aran’rhiod?
Okay then. . .
Her final punishment with the Wise One’s was so weird. One final beating before a mournful farewell. Aiel are weird creatures. Although Egwene has genuinely developed very nicely from her time with them.
Also, one word: Bela. That’s it. That horse has been with them since the beginning, despite some nastily close calls. Now she gallops through the World of Dreams in the flesh, travelling hundreds of leagues in one night?
Well, I don’t know if she’s the Creator, but she may well be his prize mare.
The other plotline I wasn’t very interested in was Morgase’s. Why do we need that PoV, anyway? I did enjoy her chats with Pedron Niall, and the insight into the world of the Whitecloacks was an added bonus, but other than that, her arc doesn’t really grip me.
“One more dance along the razor’s edge finished. Almost dead yesterday, maybe dead tomorrow, but alive, gloriously alive, today.”
-Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos
🡑One of my favourite Mat quotes🡑
On a more cheerful note, I loved everything with Mat in Lord of Chaos. Compared to Rand, he doesn’t have much screen time, but where he does appear, he appears.
I really enjoyed seeing him in a new role as leader of the Band of the Red Hand, his relationships with his officers and his soldiers alike. Talking of relationships, Mat taking that little kid, Olver, under his wing was a touching moment and another reason why we all love Mat. And I do. Well, maybe ‘love’ is too strong a word.
Basically, Mat in books 1-2 was meh, then from books 3-5 he got waaay better, then now in book 6 he’s really grown more mature, from his new responsibility, to how he now treats Rand. He seems more like a man now. Well, I don’t know if you could ever really call Mat a ‘man’. He’s more and less than that, at the same time, if you catch my meaning.
Speaking of his ‘ailment’, all of Mat’s glimpses into his past lives are feature some of my favourite moments, EVER, in the Wheel of Time. The one that stands out the most in Lord of Chaos was when he’s dancing in the tavern and has a flashback to dancing in the court of Shaemal.
I also loved Mat’s run in with the Aiel assassins. What a thrilling chapter. “Tell the Dragon Reborn”. Chills, and not in the normal way. Nerim attending Mat after was such a funny scene.
“Burn you, Nerim, that’s a leg not a […] side of beef!”
“As my lord says,” Nerim murmured. “My lord’s leg is not a side of beef. Thank you, my lord, for instructing me.”
-Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos
Mat and the Band in Salidar was possibly my favourite of all Mat’s moments in the book. Anytime our Son of Battles uses his foxhead medallion around petty channelers is a scene I relish. Even if those ‘petty channelers’ happen to be our main girls.
That whole scene with Mat ridiculing Egwene for ‘lying’ about being the Amyrlin, with Nynaeve and Elayne listening angrily, was sooo funny. Well, Nyneave did more than listen.
However rude Mat can be, I actually found one of his actions really heart-warming. You probably know which one I mean. When all of the Aes Sedai are publicly condescending to Egwene and Mat makes a massive show of bowing to her to show them his respect for her.
Also, I don’t think Mat will be bringing Elayne back to Andor anytime soon.
Before I get onto Rand, let me just talk a little about Perrin. After being absent in The Fires of Heaven and having such a spectacular arc in The Shadow Rising, I was expecting a little more oomph from him.
Yeah, I enjoyed his reunion with Rand, and meeting his new parent-in-laws, and seeing him interacting with his ‘men’ from the Two Rivers, but overall I felt like we could definitely have gotten more of him.
I will say though, that Perrin’s part in the battle of Dumai’s Wells was really well done. The way Robert Jordan rights battle’s is . . . different to any others I’ve read. There’s a sort of frenzied and chaotic feel which is typical of Jordan. Especially when we see through Perrins eyes. That feeling extends well when we consider Perrin’s . . . situation with being a Wolfbrother.
While on the topic of wolfs . . .
“They have caged Shadowkiller.
We come.”
Bam.
Rand. Rand, Rand, Rand. As I mentioned prior, everything with Rand in Lord of Chaos was _____! Choose your pick. I’m running out of positive vocabulary. I could talk for ages about everything I loved, which would literally be EVERYTHING, so I’ll try to shorten it down for your sake.
And mine. I’m the one writing it, after all.
Lord of Chaos was like a yoyo with Rand. Caemlyn to Cairhien. Cairhien to Caemlyn. Back and forth. Back and forth.
I really enjoyed Rand’s training fight against 6 of Andor’s finest swordsmen. That was striking. Excuse the . . .
Nah, let’s include this one.
Davram Bashere is such a legend. The Mazrim Taim shows up. I am never disappointed when those two converse. Rand and Taim, I mean. Well, Bashere included, I guess. Despite being half their height and lacking the ability to channel, he seems just as solid.
I thought the introduction of the Black Tower was one of the greatest things about Lord of Chaos. Taim (by Rand’s hand) being the leader of it also felt right. Taim does seem kind of fishy, though. I wish we’d been able to see a bit more of its early growth, but what we did see was perfect.
Perhaps the tippy top moment in the whole book in regards to Rand were the chapters, A Saying in the Borderlands and Lessons and Teachers. Seriously, on the emotional side of things, they hit HARD.
Rand visiting the tavern and discovering the Two Rivers girls there, under the tutelage of Verin and Alanna, on their way to the White Tower. The girls’ surprise and reactions and Rands heaviness and the weight to his words. Rand discussing the girls with the Aes Sedai and Alanna Bonding him without his will! The girls realising he’s the Dragon Reborn, and Rand travelling to the Black Tower farm in a daze, Lews Therin’s voice in his head.
Wow. Just . . . wow. That whole scene hit like a punch to face. No, a punch to the groin. That’s how powerful it felt.
“A man falling off a cliff to certain death will stretch out a hand even to his worst enemy.”
-Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos
All of Rand’s chats with Herid Fel and when he visits the school in Cairhien were also fascinating. Seeing the developments in the world in general. Yeah, the Wheel of Time definitely isn’t medieval. But then again, it isn’t exactly renaissance, either. It’s just . . . the Wheel of Time.
Also, after the last two books focusing on each of Rand’s other lovers, it was good to see Rand and Min spend some time together. They fit well.
Much better than Elayne.
Speaking of meeting old friends, it was cool to see the Ogier again. A Loial hunt has begun! Look out, friend. Also, Rand’s trip to Shadar Logoth was sort of random but another hard-hitting moment. Especially when Liah is lost and Rand goes sort of crazy over it.
Helpful tip – Always stay accompanied in Shadar Logoth.
Rand’s interactions with the Aes Sedai embassies were all insane as well. In Cairhien with the Tower Aes Sedai, in the chapter called Gifts, and in Caemlyn, against the Rebel Aes Sedai. Both times, I’ve been completely on Rand’s side and I was almost pumping the air for joy when he shut them down. Both times. Soo satisfying.
Except when they captured him. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more annoyed while reading the Wheel of Time. Especially when they locked him in the Box. I didn’t mind the beatings, but the Box . . .
Breathe.
Dumai’s Wells. Unanimously considered to be one of the absolute GREATEST moments in the series. I was a little underwhelmed. Stop! Don’t start raging on me. Just listen. I did not say I didn’t enjoy it. That would be wrong. I thought it was crazy good.
Perrin, the wolves, the battle itself, Taim and the Asha’man saving Rand, Rand being freed, and the Asha’man turning the tables on their captors. The Asha’man’s overwhelming display of power and destruction in the One Power. Enough to get even the flippin Aiel to flee.
“Asha’man, kill!”
Nooo, I did not dislike it.
The problem was I’d been massively overhyped and I was expecting something a lot different. That’s all. It was still superbly done and, looking back, I know I’ll appreciate it even more on a reread.
Oh, and the sweet, sweet satisfaction of that final scene, where Taim forces the Aes Sedai to kneel and swear fealty to the Dragon Reborn.
Bliss.
“Kneel and swear to the Lord Dragon, or you will be knelt”
-Robert Jordan, Lord of Chaos
Overall, Lord of Chaos was a conflicting book. Definitely on the better end of Wheel of Time books; it had it’s fair share of EPIC moments and amazing character growth, but also was dragged down a little by several plotlines that felt excessive and too detailed, and frankly unnecessary. It was still a fantastic read all in all.
Sorry, I feel like I’m repeating myself. It’s been a long day.
Oh, one last thing . . .
If you’ve never seen the original cover of Lord of Chaos by Darrel K Sweete, check it out. If you’ve never read the series, it looks like some cringy romance novel from the 80’s.
Once you’ve read the book . . .
It still does.
A Crown of Swords, here I come!
Hungry for more gossip at The Fantasy Tavern?
Here’s a review from one of our regulars…
“Lord of Chaos makes me think this “slog” started early. But the end is amazing.
Mike