Book Review: The Wheel of Time Companion
Author: Erin al'Denael
Released on November 3, 2015, The Wheel of Time Companion: The People, Places, and History of the Bestselling Series is like a massively expanded BWB*. If you want a repository of encyclopedia entries about anything and everything WoT, this is your book.
The series is over, and I'm still pretty bummed about it. I mean, it had to end, right? But it was such a long epic that I still have a lingering sense of loss that it's over. Done. Finis. And while the Companion doesn't have more story, it does have more data - lots and lots of data - on everything in the Wheel of Time universe.
I'll be honest with you - reading an encyclopedia is not my thing. I need a story, something to suck me in and keep me reading. I love how stories unfold, with character development and plot twists. I knew before I purchased the Companion that I would not be getting that here. I bought the book because of my deep attachment to the Wheel of Time, and to have as a reference if/when I read through the series again. I actually bought a physical copy even though most of the new books I buy nowadays are digital. (Tablets are handy! Love you, Kindle!) When I want to find some tidbit of information, I'd much rather open a physical book. It's easier to tab that way. With an actual, physical tab. :look /geek
The most exciting thing for me in this massive tome is the Old Tongue information. Found on pages 547 to 572, the entry on Old Tongue is rather huge! There's essentially a 20-page Old Tongue dictionary here. Best of all, there's this inset titled "Old Tongue Letter-Forms" - MWAHAHAHAHAHA! If you ever wanted to write in Old Tongue, this is your chance! It might have been available before somewhere, but if it was, I didn't know about it. I've had entirely too much fun doodling random Old Tongue things lately.
I asked people about their experience/impressions reading the Companion, and most people seemed to really enjoy it! Granted, our community is probably somewhat biased in favor of this book. :P But still, it's interesting to see what others think. Kerna's enjoyment of it is almost the opposite of mine:
Quote Originally Posted by Kerna Shedrian
I was so excited to get the Companion! (Yes, I know it's basically just a large glossary but when a series you've read for over 13 years finishes, any new material is well received.) I'm used to reading the Library here all the time so I don't find the format boring, I just see each article as a mini story. It doesn't lessen the emotional tug either. Both Bela and Tam gave me the feels!
I bought the Companion in ebook format so apart from looking at a few specific articles of my favs (Mat, Tam and Thom), I have been reading in order. There isn't always extra information so I still prefer our Library as a resource because it navigates better but you do get a few little tidbits that for me make it worth a buy.
If you'd like to talk about the Companion in more depth, I encourage you to visit the discussion thread in the Wheel of Time Discussion section on our forum. Lots of people have been adding to the dialogue, and sharing bits and pieces of what they like and enjoy so far.
If you don't have a copy yet, it's available in the normal places. If purchasing isn't your thing, I encourage you to get a copy from your local library, or request that they obtain it. It's worth a look through, if nothing else. Also, many thanks to our new Director of Research and Records for sharing her impression of the book with me for the article! Have you visited our Library lately? /shameless plug
*The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time was released way back on November 13, 1998 - seventeen years is a long time! Back in the day, we'd refer to it as the BWB, aka Big White Book. Because that's what it was. I dug out my copy to look through when my Companion arrived. Ah, nostalgia.
