Yes as ridiculous as it may sound, i am defending Steve...
@Isabel you need to read all of what Steve (bookstore guy) says before you critic him because while he believes the series has become static he also mentioned how he had a great deal of respect for what RJ has done for the genre.
@Steve which books do you enjoy of the series the first three surely? I don't think anyone could call the characters anything less than dynamic at the begining.
Exactly. I don't think I have ever said RJ is terrible. I respect him greatly. Especially his ability to plot long-term, and for his initial...pushing of the genre. I just don't think the current end of his series has been up to par with the beginning. Eye of the World was published in 1990 as I recall, and at the time, it was great. Book 2 is still one of my fav. novels--as I have said repeatedly--and book 3 has a terrific end. It is also in book 3 where Rand's female issues begin, not Dumai's Wells.
I wish he would have evolved his characters more. I do agree 100% with Kaz in that they were dynamic at the beginning. I'm pretty sure that has been my stance forfreakingever. I feel that the characters were pushed out of focus after book 6 (though I could include the cheap use of balefire as a reset in book 5 as where my problems begin). Death of characters just for deaths sake isn't what I'm arguing at all. The death of a character is waste if it doesn't affect the other PoVs in a deep way. I never said "kill all of them." I said that a strategic death could have given the readers a real sense of danger when reading these characters. Remind us of their mortality. After book 6, the series becomes more about the world, and less about the characters...this is an observation made by Brandon that I fully agree with.
As for psychological scars, they are relatively bleh so far. Mat is the only one who really worries about what has been done to him (the whole "looking though my eyes" thing--I like it). And I still think Mat should have more issues with Tylin dying. Living in the moment doesn't cut it for me. Getting someone killed isn't something he should gloss over--he didn't for a bit, and then it was like that switch was flipped off--and it wouldn't be out of character.
I rather think with Rand, the cause of his paranoia has to do with being chased around for the prior 5 novels and almost losing his friends in book 5 (which he reset) than being in a box. And honestly, his paranoia isn't really that huge yet--rather minor really. He has minor claustrophobia, not major.
Once again, I'm not criticizing the series RJ started in the 90's. I'm criticizing the lack of focus in the characters and their lack of growth in the last 5 novels. And I'm also pretty dang sure that I'm not pointing fingers saying "your an idiot for liking WoT." Isabel--please don't ever suggest that I would even consider that. I have been very open with my feelings on the WoT, as well as being realistic about thinking the series can be redeemed
for me. I've said this is the beauty of being informed about the series (remember, I've read through it several times)--we can discuss things without insulting each other.
As for balefire, I'm glad it isn't used much anymore. It was overused, and is a get-out-of-jail-free card. A magic bullet, if you will. Though I certainly see your point about it being taken into account in prophecy. Interesting. All the hooplah, and it was already figured into the equation.
Kaz--It is never ridiculous defending me. It just shows you see I'm being objective and non-insulting with my PoV. Believe me, a good end to the series is what I want. If one thing can be said of me (besides being very blunt...and awesome...and handsome...and crazy-humble) it's that I crave a good story. A good ending could make me like this series again.