Average Rating: 
Rating:  - More setup for what is sure to be an excellent conclusion
Much like the previous two books in the series Crossroads of Twilight is mostly a set up for things to come. As I've read the reviews by other posters it seems that there's one common thread, people are sick of the set up with this series and ready for things to happen. I went into COT sharing that sentiment and fearing that I'd just spent two years waiting for another set up novel. Well my fears proved true. Nothing much happens to advance the plot, most of the story revolves around reaction to what happened at the end of Winter's Heart, things continue to build, and I absolutly loved the book. Now don't get me wrong, I'm just as ready as everyone else for something to happen but I think a clever reader can read between the lines on this one and see that things will start happening very very soon. There's so much getting ready to happen for the climax of the series. Things are beginning to be brought back together and I believe we're finally seeing the beginning of the end of WOT, something that's bittersweet to me. COT doesn't have the quick pace of the early novels, the suprising plot twists of the middle novels, or the grand developments that happened in WH. But what it does have is incredible potential for book 11. Even if book 11 turns out to be yet more set up I believe that by book 12 things will for sure be happening and I'd say this series has no more then 3 or 4 more books (Jordan's said he thinks only 2 more but quite frankly I'm not sure anyone believes that:) My reccomendaiton to those who don't think they can stomach another set up novel is to stick with it and realize they are in the hands of a master story writer who is going to give us a magnificent conclusion in just a few books. Have patientce and you'll be glad you did.
Rating: - Keep it up, Robert...these reviews are great reading!
I can comfortably say that I will never read one of Mr. Jordan's books, based on the trend of reviews since his first Wheel of Time book; however, I hope he continues with his uninspired and plot-sloppy writing because he has inadvertently generated some of the greatest book reviews I've ever read. At the time of my review, this 10th installment (10th, are you kidding? This guy should write for Reader's Digest.) earned two stars after 413 reviews...wow. How can a publishing company willfully continue to print material that engenders such distaste for literature? I truly believe that a boring fantasy author is as close as it gets to no activity in the frontal lobe (unless you're a waning fantasy-author's book cover artist; I have some Crayons, too, may I be an artist?)...it's not history, man! You're not writing a thesis on Peruvian bush weevils.If Jordan's future books get any worse, and it sounds like he's beating a path in that direction, Mass Market Publishing will face the dilemma of supporting a Sominex-writing fantasy author, or risk having his increasingly tenuous fan base dig their eyes out with a bookmark. Neither path seems a very good source of future revenue. Again, I will probably never read one of Jordan's books...but I can't wait for his next attempt in anticipation of the reviews it will get. I'm beside myself with excitement knowing that an uninspired fantasy will not read as good as the people who will eventually critique it. Keep it up, Robert!
Rating: - Waiter, I'd like a Table Closer To The Plot
I have been a long time Robert Jordan fan, and have eagerly awaited the release of each new book. Like many other readers, I have been sorely disappointed that the Wheel of Time series has ground down to such a slow pace. In the latest book, the Crossroads of Twilight, the pace of the book slowed down to record new lows. I had read previous reviews before I read the book and came in with low expectations. I anticipated that Jordan would do a lot of setup, and not a whole lot of action. Unfortunately, it fell short of even my low expectations. I was shocked to discovery that _nothing_ happens. There is over seven hundred pages and there is not a real plot development anywhere in sight. Instead of listening to the fans clamoring for Jordan to narrow down the story lines so that he could advance the plot, Jordan opens up new story lines with different characters. And despite the long wait, some chapters seemed rushed and surprisingly poorly written. Frankly, I was at a loss to figure out what was going on during the chapters discussing the forces besieging Camelyn. I used to be able to keep all the characters straight, but no longer. I was also deeply frustrated by Jordan's inability to get the point even where there is a plot development. At one point in the book, there is an announcement that the Sisters who were sent out to examine the massive use of saidar have returned to give their report. Jordan indulges in five to ten pages of discussion of the process of seating the various Aes Sedai. In short, this book is only for diehard Robert Jordan fans only. If you are a casual reader of science fiction and fantasy, don't waste your time or money.
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