If you are like me, then you are a huge fantasy fan. It is easily my favorite genre and I have to force myself to read to read other books. But for this list, we will be staying with this genre as we share our list of the 21 must read fantasy books of all time!
He does get better and there is a reason for it all if that helps.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t. The fact that Mat becomes the authors favorite or whatever does not help me stomach the walking sack of drippy garbage he is in the first book. The fact that a lot of people say it doesn’t really pick up till book 5 or so doesn’t help either. I probably wouldn’t have been able to stick with stormlight archive if the first 3 books were as punishing to read.
The series doesn’t pick up until 5? Or Mat being garbage? The first I don’t really agree with. Egwene’s experience in the second chills and the battle was really great. The third grants Rand his title and
spoiler
Tells Rand who he really is and he starts to embrace it. And sets up his people.
Things do ramp up starting with 5, but I wouldnt say it “picks up”. For the second part, I do agree. Mat is kinda a little removed, but in 5 he does have an experience that is an awakening or turning point for him.
Edit: “ramp up” and “pick up” are the same thing… I guess what im saying is I dont think it is slow by any means. At least not at that point. 8-10 is kinda going slowly, but it is cool with me because I have become so invested in the characters.
Bud, the foreshadowing isn’t exactly subtle in the first book. Mat being garbage is what stops me from enjoying other characters. 5 books with a centerpiece character I can’t stand is too many. Everything else about the book isn’t bad, if a little derivative. It’s just that I can’t stand how actively shit Mat is with every decision and having the temerity to removed about the consequences of his own fucking actions.