Crossroads of Twilight

Crossroads of Twilight is the tenth novel in the incredible epic series, the Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan.

Many of the events in Crossroads of twilight run concurrently with the previous volume, Winters Heart. Ewgene is on the outskirts of Tar Valon, laying seige but wary to start a full scale war of Aes Sedai. In the white tower itself, Elaida is also reluctant to act out events that could spell the end for both herself and the rebels. Unknown to Elaida, the Black Ajah continue to plot within the halls of the tower.

Perrin is still desperately trailing the Shaido who have kidnapped his wife Faile, consumed with her safe return help may be found from the unlikeliest of sources, and be forced to confront some uncomfortable truths.

Mat is on the run from the Seanchan, with Tuon in tow, the Daughter of the Nine Moons, the woman whom he has kidnapped and who, it has been prophesied, will become his wife, or may be already? He is accompanied by a mixture of followers and is forced to travel with Valan Luca's Circus, helping him stay safe but meaning a very slow journey stopping at every town and village along the way.

Elayne continues trying to solidify her hold on the Lion Throne of Andor, with the city in a seige and games of power being played, betrayal is just around the corner and from the least likely sources.

Crossroads of Twilight is one considered by some to be a slow book, with events essentially only moving a few days further than the previous book, Winter's Heart. To those who think this I must disagree, while this instalment may lack the pace of some of the previous chapters (Winters Heart included) this volume is actually one of Robert Jordans best works, the decision to replay some of the time frame from different viewpoints is one of the strengths of the series.

Maybe some are eager to move towards the end of the series, but I for one an happy just enjoying the journey, in the words of Steven Tyler "Life's a journey not a destination" and there is plenty of life in the Wheel of Time yet.

Matt's scenes are as excellent as ever, he seems to have finally met his match with Tuon and there is a very interesting relationship beginning to develop. You can't help getting the feeling that Tuon also knows a lot more than she lets on about Matt and the whole previous life thing.

The Cleansing of the Taint by Rand is a very powerful focus and as a reader I found myself searching for more news and reactions to people finding out. Also unusual about this novel is that in all the past volumes most of the big events happen in the last 100 pages of the book, and it gets pretty hectic, however in Crossroads it doesn't really happen, until the very end, concluding with a very brief cliff hanger.

A slower pace than most of the previous novels, but very powerfully written and well thought out, with some very interesting character developments and a deepening of the plot makes Crossroads of Twilight one of Jordans best so far.