I don't feel Perrin gets enough credit from many fans, and that's probably largely due to what's referred to as "the slog". Once the Pattern finally broke down his resistance to his destiny, and he held out the most stubbornly against it; he became a powerhouse. The wolves, the dream, the struggle between the sides of his nature... there's a lot going on there.

@Iansco1

8 ай бұрын

Because Perrin IS the DAMNED SLOG incarnate. Take that whole snow/kidnapping out and we can cut 3 to 4 books.

@Mnnwer

7 ай бұрын

I feel like he himself was a sloggish character with his constant whining and annoying humility to the point of insecurity.

@meganega123

6 ай бұрын

Absolutely hated all of his wolfdream chapters

Oh my... I cannot disagree more with you regarding Min. She was the ONLY one of the 3 women that had a healthy relationship with Rand. She was present, she supported him, she comforted him during perhaps the worst of his struggles. Elayne was constantly whining, always pining after him despite consciously choosing to pursue her own path. And Avienda was just a complete witch to him.

I love the mistrust of moiraine at the beginning, I read something about how RJ was from a small town and how he hated the "wizard comes to town and tells you you're the chosen one and you need to follow him" trope cuz he was like "hell no if you showed up to a small town in America like that, there's NO WAY they trust you!"

Mat is by far #1 for me. I always gravitated to the trickster/gambler. He seems most human to me. Most relateable. Maybe it is because I love playing cards so much...

My favourite is definitely Nynaeve. I'm so weak for a character that acts all tough on the outside but is really a softy.

@Erinski

4 күн бұрын

My fave too. She's harsh because she cares, and she's got a huge heart. That's why she's always pursued healing in one form or another.

Love to see Logain on the list. He is such an interesting character for the page time he gets, and one of the changes in the show I really liked was showing more of him and that's one change I hope they carry forward.

@SavannahSedai

10 ай бұрын

He would be in my top 10 and maybe Sanderson is to "blame". I enjoyed, as an adult knowing he was way older than the EF5, his internal struggles of being a false dragon, freaking LOVED how he was healed, and then in aMoL his ongoing inner turmoil of KNOWING he is powerful enough to defeat forsaken but politically (I'm making that up in my head a little) and morally knowing his power is better used helping others. And he helps others. And we love him for it. But he still isn't fully ok with not being the dragon and not showing out like he could have. His entire story is one of my favorites. No one beats Tam though lol

There are so many great characters it's so hard to make a top ten list😭 love how you have Birgitte so high on the list she's awesome, I'm glad you mentioned her relationship with Mat *spoilers: Rand is in my top 3 as well, i think his character arc is amazing. He actually terrified me in the later books with just how dark and disturbed his mind had become until that "come to Jesus moment" on mount dragon. When he had the internal dialogue of "i must become cuendillar" after he banished Cadsuane i thought there was no way for him to turn back from that tortured path mentally, and he was scarier than any Myrddraal. Min played a big role in keeping him grounded, she would be in my top ten list for sure i love her character. Great list by the way i don't think it's unhinged at all!

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

YES. It's just so unexpected for Rand to get that dark and I remember feeling so sad because I also thought he wasn't going to come back from it. And then that part where Nynaeve wants to heal his madness but when she looks in his mind it's both light and dark intertwined together...just such good stuff.

@cloudbloom

Жыл бұрын

@@Bookborn not to mention the whole Lews Therin reincarnation angle, the way that everything repeats in each turning of the wheel is a great concept. I like how Jordan incorporated some of our real life mythology into the story such as Tar Valon being almost an allegory to Avalon from king Arthur, the sword in the stone was represented by Callandor being in the stone of Tear is just awesome

Androl! Everyone forgets about Androl but he's awesome, and the way he uses his particular talent is so creatively done.

My number one is Nyneave. She was extremely loyal, and always did the right thing. You should do a follow up that specifically deals with secondary characters, like as you mentioned Tam al Thor. Characters that didn't get a lot of page time, but truly added flavor to the story.

from about 12 - 15 yrs old i'm pretty sure i was in love with Aviendha

@cloudbloom

Жыл бұрын

Min was my main crush lol

@J_A_M_

Жыл бұрын

@@cloudbloom she never lost the sister vibe from the first few books for me, but i get ya

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

tbh didn't we all feel a little in love with Aviendha

@robertkruger5744

11 ай бұрын

Same but about from 28-29 years (now)

I really enjoyed Egwenes arc overall but I can’t get over that one scene she had with Nynaeve in TFOH really soured me on her lol

I've only read the first five (re-read EotW this year) and so far I'd say Mat, Nynaeve and Rand are my favourites. So far I'm glad I'm giving the series a 2nd chance.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you are too! Books 7-10 are a little bit slow, but trust me it's worth it

You really should have done this as a full spoilers list. I would have loved to hear more of your logic for specific selections!

@joshjansen86

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like she needs to do another video!

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

yeah halfway through I realized making this non-spoilery was a bad choice haha

1) Mat 2) Nynaeve 3) Aviendha 4) Brigitte 5) Rand Also. Min is the best for Rand. Elayne = his nobility. Aviendha = his honor. Min = his humanity. Elayne is constantly "I don't need you to give me anything, I'm the Queen!" Aviendha is " You know nothing Rand Snow." Min is "I love you and am here for you."

@anolisa1939

Жыл бұрын

Min’s entire existence revolves around her crush on Rand. I find her simpering disgusting 🤢.

I always found the Verin chapters interesting, but man when THAT happened I was bouncing off the walls. So good. Such a rollercoaster in one scene.

It's not unhinged at all! I think my top 10 list would include most of these characters, too (with the addition of Thom somewhere in there). I love that you included Suian and Verin. And I think Mat definitely deserves his place among the top three. Moraine and Egwene are the two characters I appreciated so much more the further I got into the series (and on my reread of EotW). I haven't read the last book yet, so I'm really curious what will become of Logain especially in regard to Min's viewing.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

OHHH book 14 is SO GOOD, I'm excited for you

Solid list. Although my fave character is Rand, I think Moraine is the best written character of Robert Jordan, her dialogue is especially well-crafted. You never know what she is going to say, and when she does speak she comes out with these subtle but hugely prescient comments, that hit all the harder on re-reads when you realise she DID know what was going to happen much of the time. I read her "death" scene a while back, when she pushes a demented Lanfear through a twisted doorway ter'angreal near Carhien. Wicked good writing by RJ.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

YES on her hitting harder on rereads! She knew what was up!

IMO Rand has the most thematic depth, Mat is the most fun, but Nynaeve is my favourite character. The final 3 books take the blueprint for her character and render it with so much passion and conviction, I feel everything. Who hasn’t desperately desired the world be better than it is. Nynaeve turns that heartbrokenness into anger, and anger into action. I find her deeply inspiring, in an almost embarrassing way..

Talmanes, a lot of characters from the Band, Aludra, I really like a lot of the minor characters it WoT. Logain is great. I really wonder where RJ got inspiration for all those unique names.

The clip of your husband! LOL I wish I had your optimism about the show but I for sure will be right there with you tuning in. Your list is really good!

You're the first KZreadr I have seen who is so close to my opinions of the Wheel of Time! I enjoyed this video a lot!!

100% should have been a spoiler video! Completely agree with the Verin idea. That one moment was incredible

@cloudbloom

Жыл бұрын

My jaw was on the floor when I first read that moment with Verin. It also made the rereads extra fascinating, it's crazy just how many plot threads Robert Jordan had already planned out from the very beginning. I've read the books six times and I still find subtle connections and foreshadowing that I didn't notice previously

@joshjansen86

Жыл бұрын

@@cloudbloom Everyone says this, I need to do a re-read

@cloudbloom

Жыл бұрын

@@joshjansen86 definitely!

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

I remember questioning EVERYTHING. And the way she got out of her deal with the subtle twist in language! AH!

@cloudbloom

Жыл бұрын

@@Bookborn that was a brilliant moment, as you mentioned the loophole in the oath to the dark one was genius! I want to do another reread now haha

Hi just found your channel! Perrin and Rand are my two favourite characters. Loved your list. Wheel of Time is one of my all time favourite fantasy books.

Either of your intial pronunciations for Birgette makes sense to me! It was so jarring to hear how the audio books pronouced it after reading the book series a few times through.

@Perry_Wolf

10 ай бұрын

I think it's directly from the Glossary in the books. In my head it was always "Bir-GEET", so wasn't as jarring for me when I heard the audiobook pronunciation.

I finished AMoL a couple of hours ago so I finally could watch this video ! I 'm happy I did because this is a great list. We have a lot of characters in common ( even though the placing is a bit different) and I completely agree with your reasoning !

Min was my number one favorite character in the books. No love for the most ride or die character in all of the wheel of time? She didn’t give two shits about anything but what was best for Rand. Her visions were also just cool.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

I don’t hate her in any way, I just think people overstate her romance with Rand 🤣

@jimmychurch9588

Жыл бұрын

@@Bookborn that’s fair. I just love what a loyal person she is. She’s the ideal friend/partner.

I agree with everyone you included...but have to disagree with 2 I'd include in my top 10. I love Min. IMHO she's right up there with importance to the hero arc of Rand and is by far the most important to his personal stability. My huge shocker though, is Faile. I acknowledge the problematic things she does, I acknowledge the length of 'the plot line' but there's something about her character that I just really vibe with. It's like somehow my brain filters out the problematic parts of Saldaen culture and embraces the strength of the women and her fierceness of loyalty to Perrin (who is my favorite of the EF5). I read these books starting in early '92 in my sophomore year in college, so I was barely 20 when I was introduced to Faile and I just dug her from the beginning. Re-reads haven't changed that as much as I can see and agree with others' criticisms of her as a character and her plot. //possible TV spoiler... My REAL REAL hot take though, is I love TV Alanna. And honestly, I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with that as the show progresses. Because book Alanna is nearly unforgivable.

@Zivilin

Жыл бұрын

I agree with you on Faile and Min. Always really liked their characters.

I knew you'd have Moiraine as your number 1 lol. I'll have to revisit the series as I forgot a ton. Thankfully that will happen next year.

Great list! I would have trouble making a top ten, but I can say for sure that Mat is my favorite, I absolutely love him. Also a big fan of Egwene, Rand, Aviendha and Brigitte. Lanfear is awesome too!

@dinocollins720

Жыл бұрын

Matt is my fav too!

Verin and Siuan are definitely worthy of being in the top 10, this is not an unhinged list 😂

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

ok GOOD, I can just never tell 🤣

No nyneave. No min. What heresy is this !

I can't say your list surprised me much at all, I was pretty sure Moiraine was going to be your number one pick. Well it was clearly going to be her or Gawyn... I jest of course. I'd need to have a serious think about mine. I'd probably have a few more minor characters on there tbh. Logain would be there though, and probably Verin, Aviendha and Egwene not so much. I would probably have said it would be easier to say who is definitely not on my list (Faile, RJ should have just called her an epic faile and been done!), but then I remembered how many bloody characters there are so that may not be quite true...

Great video....most of them are also in my top 10. I would probably remove Egwene, Suan and Aviendha and add Nyneave and with your honourable mentions. My honourable mention Rodel Iturald.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

Ahh yes Iturald is a fun one

Verin was initially an unexpected addition to the list, but I LOVE why you included her. Re-reading and knowing exactly who she is... *chef's kiss*. I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself though, throughout the video i was debating with myself if it would be Matt or Moiraine at #1. A general question: should a person be as concerned with spoilers when talking about favourite characters in a series? Would someone who has not yet read the books watch a video ranking characters they don't know? Not that I'm complaining, I do appreciate efforts to be kind and not spoil things for people (and even witheld spoilery statements myself earlier in this lengthy comment). I know that i personally wouldn't be drawn to a video ranking characters in a series I haven't yet read is all. Anyways, this was a lot of fun. Totally not unhinged. I'd be interested in your ranking of side characters as I saw others mention, and would be very interested in your ranking of the Forsaken and other Darkfriends. There's where things could get unhinged... 😜

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

I go back and forth - either way it seems people complain if I do non-spoiler OR spoiler videos 🥲 Since WoT is such a long series, though, I find that people who are only halfway through a series might want to watch a character ranking video even if they haven't finished, which is why I tried to keep it non-spoilery for later books. Side characters would be fun, there's a ton I like!

@ryan.noakes

Жыл бұрын

@@Bookborn heh, there's also a ton of side characters... 🤣

You were right in your intro. This list is unhinged. However, it's your favorites not mine or anyone else's. You're entitled to your preferences. My first job in the private sector was at Baskin-Robbins when they actually offered 31 flavors in the store. I had my favorites (preferences) and the customers had theirs. I never told a customer "Are you sure about your selection?" I just scooped it up and handed them the cone. BTW, I prefer wafer over sugar. Preferences make us different. Difference makes life fun, messy, but fun.

its not really unhinged, good vid and i only disagreed with 4 of the characters and 2 of them were honorable mentions. Great job!

Oh mate I just hit the Last Battle in AMOL on my re-read cleansing th taint of the show from my mind, just in time to have it re-tainted for S2 so i feel ya - also an eternal optimist here. Love this list!!

I would take out Egwene and put Nynaeve in the top ten. I have done several re-reads Egwene just keeps getting more annoying with every read. Honestly. My top 3 are Mat and then Rand /Nynaeve.

Oh my goodness yes Verin was the reason I wanted to go for a reread.

Ok, so I'm only halfway through the series but I already agree with you that favourites keep changing. My interest always seems to wane as the romances are introduced - really liked Perrin and Faile until they got together and now their inability to communicate is just really annoying? I think at the halfway point in the series my faves are Mat, Brigitte, Lan and Moraine. I also have a current soft spot for the soldier guy who Siuan is into? Name escapes me! Excited for more Logain action.

@hannahlosttheplot

Жыл бұрын

Can't believe I forgot Thom 😭

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

Faile and Perrin's storyline is probably my least favorite in the entire series lol. It's so insufferable to me! And Gareth Bryne! Even though I don't like how Jordan writes romances, I did really like the idea of Bryne and Suian together as well!

@hannahlosttheplot

Жыл бұрын

That's the one! I'm intrigued by him.

So late to this vid, but Verin is the freakin MVP. I love the way her arc wraps up, I love how subtle the whole thing was. She did not get as much "screen time" as the others on your list, but she def deserves to be up there amongst them

Mat was and always be my personal favorite. That said no words can be found to describe my hatred for the shows treatment of Mat's character. Not only did they make him a selfish thief, he abandoned his friends in their biggest time of need, something Mat would NEVER do.

@shauntempley9757

12 күн бұрын

He did not abandon them. The Wheel needed him to stay behind, to show Moiraine that he was not the Dragon. Everything he did in the show in Season 2 is Mat.

Please do an all spoiler top 10! :D

Awesome list! I think your reasoning for everyone you included makes a ton of sense! Mat is definitely my favorite just because his plotlines (especially in the later books) are some of my favorites. Egwene definitely grew on me in the later books and on reread. Verin is also well deserving, and can't complain about the placement of Moirane, awesome character. I will die on the hill that the "correct" pronunciation of Birgitte is ridiculous, so I'm in your corner there lol

There are so many great characters in The Wheel of Time, that I suppose everyone will have different characters on the list (maybe except universal love for Mat). I can’t place my character list in any particular order, as I love characters who lost something and need to recover from this, so Siuan and Logain will be certainly on my list, Brigitte and Mat are obvious choice, but for example Rand is ok, but won’t be in my list (maybe top 20). My favourite Two Rivers character is Nynaeve, from all Emond Filed’s characters it was easiest to me to make a connection with her. I liked Perrin in the beginning, but in the later books I didn't enjoy his arc as much as intially, so maybe top 20, same as Rand. I would consider to put in top 10 Verin and Egwene too, but there are some characters I like more. I am not sure if other people will put these 5 characters among top 10 (maybe except Thom), but I would love to see more about Thom, Androl, Gareth Byrne, Rodel Ituralde or Davram Bashere, it wasn't mostly their story, but I would love to read a series where these 5 are among major characters.

Great list, I wouldve had Min crack the list over Avienda because shes lovely but other that this is very agreeable

I dont think you're list is unhinged at all! My top few go Mat, Nynaeve, Rand, Egwene, Perrin(Sando saved him), Lan, Moiraine, Lanfear, Thom then the rest tbh but I would squeeze Elayne into my top 10 somewhere, I agree she gets way too much fan hate lol.

I'm here to thumbs-up all the way all day and great warning in beginning! Will tune back in around mid-series of 📚 books! The only semi-spoilerish I had gotten from otherwise awesome WOT booktube was (SPOILER)..... .. .. .. early (SPOILER) ........ .. .. .........a ship? Hope I'd forgotten what so my expectations could build back up somehow....a big ask.

I love the relationship between Mat and Thom (and feel that Sanderson was never able to write their relationship the way Jordan did), so Thom might have made my list.

Top 3 is easy for me: Rand Mat Nynaeve (for me the only character who kept moving up the list as the story progressed) Then it gets hard to choose but Verin is a great character and Birgitte is fun throughout. I love Min and what could you have against a girl who likes tight trousers and boots!? To pick Elayne for Rand over Min, not a chance! Egwene is the opposite of Nynaeve as each book had her fall down the list and would be sat with Cadsuane at the bottom of the pile by the end. Perrin was great but he's one of those men who gets married and then you never see the guy again. By the later books he was part of the slog.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

I don't hate Min! At all! I just don't like her romance with Rand when it progresses; at first I liked it because they were friends first, you know? But something about it rubbed me the wrong way. I hated how she instantly fell in love with Rand from the beginning, seemed so unlike her character. But a trouser/boots girl who can see vision and is super cool? Love that! Just don't like how he character changed in relation to Rand.

@step4018

Жыл бұрын

@@Bookborn It is interesting and seeing the comments and it's good to see the Min fans are here 🤣 I always felt with Min's talent that she knew as soon as she looked at Rand that she was destined to love him. Just like Avi when she went through the circles for the first time at Rhuidean and saw all her possible futures. The difference for Min was that she knew that there would be competition and that she didn't feel as confident that Rand would notice her romantically. The friendship formed from Min's desire to be around Rand and from Rand's naivety about women; Lan should definately tapped him on the shoulder and said "hey that girl is in to you". With older characters maybe it would have been a relationship from the start 🤷‍♂ Then again there was Egwene in Rand's thoughts too then so maybe Min never stood a chance that first meeting. How we all see different things. As for a practical and grounded Min becoming 100% focused on Rand, I can see the point. Elayne keeps a focus on Andor, Avi on becoming a wise one but Min doesn't really have anything but a desire to be around Rand. Although Min is involved in several plots she never really gets a story of her own, RJ never really writing her as a main character. She gets the "scholar" role later but it was always secondary. It would have been nice to get more of Min not thinking about Rand. On re-reads I don't find myself feeling a fault in Min for the Randitus, the pull of a Ta'veren and the pattern who needed her to get Rand to the last battle. No Min and Rand falls. I do feel sorry for Min though, all she goes through and what does she get back in return...? In terms of all the love for Min, some of it is related to Rand being my favourite character. Min being there in such a big way for Rand makes her instantly S tier. It is also a part of the reason I like Nynaeve so much, just as an example at her testing she told them all she would chose Rand over the Tower. Contrast to Egwene who chose the Tower over Rand and boo / hiss and down the list you go! It is also that she is attractive but the story doesn't lead with that, there's a learning curve to finding her look/style. Plus every guy wants to be with a girl who doesn't realise how attractive she is! It's also part of what I love about Vin when she also has to transition in to a world of balls and dresses.

That clip of Zack never fails to be funny 😅

@Perry_Wolf

10 ай бұрын

I had never seen it before today, it was so funny! Tread lightly Zack, tread lightly! 🤣

If including characters like Tam then I think Talmanes ranks ahead of Tam. I also have a couple weird thoughts..... Padan Fain? Moridin? both excellent characters(just bad guys). Lastly, if we put animals on a list......Is Bela in front of Hopper or vice versa :). PS. 1000% agree with Verin....even better on a reread

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh I could not with Padan Fain. Not saying he's not well written but I don't even love to hate him, I just hate-hate him 🤣😭 I almost included Hopper tbh, I think he counts as a character and would probably be somewhere in my top 20. Bela is iconic and deserves her own list.

Perrin is my boy. Sad to see he didn't crack the top 10 for you. He gets a lot of hate because his plot line is a big issue in the slog, but I loved him early and his Tel'aran'riod stuff at the end is awesome.

@feralart

Жыл бұрын

Fuck, I'd love to get to talk to wolves and shape steel with fire and hammer.

@Zivilin

Жыл бұрын

The Tel'aran'riod part is why he is in my top 10. I love everything about Tel'aran'riod and always looked forward to read about any character interaction with it.

I loved the character development of Nynaeve, i went from hating her to loving her. Maybe not #1 but i'm surprised she didn't even make it in your top 10

I’m reading the books for the first time and last night I read Verin’s ending, and I loved it! She really deserves to be on this list. and now I want to read everything all over again.

I don't know what I hate watch more: Wheel of Prime or your content 😂

@Bookborn

11 ай бұрын

Life is short to hate watch but thanks for the algorithm boost I guess ;)

@manfrommontreal

11 ай бұрын

@@Bookborn thanks for the content!

Matt is the best!!! Reluctant hero trope I can't get enough!!!

Gotta get back into this series. I took a break after book 6. I hear it slows down at 7 and it was moving a bit slow for my taste already. But this video makes me feel I should really go back.

I feel like people dont realize that Min is the actual hero of the story. Sure, other characters fight exciting battles against the Dark, but the Dark was never going to be able to win unless Rand handed them victory. Min was the only one fighting the true battle of keeping Rand human.

@kryptonianguest1903

14 күн бұрын

It's mentioned that the Dragon has been corrupted by the Dark in a few turnings of the Wheel. The Light won anyway thanks to the efforts of others.

@iforgot6088

14 күн бұрын

@kryptonianguest1903 the Dark One only wins when the pattern is destroyed. Only the dragon can actually destroy the pattern. That's what the veins of gold on Dragonmount was all about. It doesn't matter if the Dragon serves the Dark, if he doesn't destroy the pattern, the Light wins.

@kryptonianguest1903

14 күн бұрын

@@iforgot6088 That doesn't change the fact that the Light has previously won despite the Dragon being corrupted.

@iforgot6088

14 күн бұрын

@kryptonianguest1903 of course it doesn't change the fact. It supports the fact. The Light is incapable of losing, as long as The Dragon doesn't destroy the Pattern. Which is why the real battle is the one that Min was fighting, the battle for Rand's humanity.

@kryptonianguest1903

14 күн бұрын

@iforgot6088 My point is simply that there have been turnings when the battle for the Dragon's humanity was lost, but the overall battle was still won.

I agree about Moraine. I really like the "Wise old Wizard" archetype and she fits that paticular bill. There's others that come into the series later on - Verin for exmaple who could fit that description. And for the same reason as you I didn't like Nynaeve very much at the start because she so distrusted Moraine.

My list would have similar characters… with the rather large exception that I LOVE Min and will not appreciate this blatant slander (nah, jk 😂) Edit: no, I 100% agree with Siuan being there. And I saw your number one coming from a mile away, but I think that is more a positive reflection on your content than anything else. Great list!!

i agree, perrin is the absolute worst. he's like jon snow from game of thrones. starts off as a lovelable odd ball with wolf based powers and grows up to be a giant whiny bummer :D for me rand, mat and nynaeve are all tied for 1. then in 2nd place is moirane, lan, min and aviendha, then 3rd place is logain, talmanes, demandred, pevara, androl and lanfear, then everyone else : p

😍 great video, I’m with you on holding onto optimism about S2 of the show, it’s better to be an optimist, we have more fun 🤩 love your top 10 choices, and lol’d at your attempts to avoid spoilers 😂 Mat would be high in my list too, but I think Egwene and Aviendha would be higher for me - I just love their strength and roles in leading their communities…

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

Egwene's entire storyline when she re-enters the White Tower is just SO GOOD.

@gavinrbeckett

Жыл бұрын

@@Bookbornit’s the best… I love her whole transformation from Wise Ones apprentice onwards…

Just finished AMoL and off the top of my head these are my top 10 In no particular order 1. Tam (vital father role for main character and epic moments in the last battle) 2. Bella, Mandarb (in that order, Bella might have Mats own luck considering how far she made it amid all of the horse deaths in battles) 3. Androl (don’t hate but I like Sanderson characters more than Jordan and this dude screamed sanderson) 4. Logain (it’s not his role in the books that makes him great. It’s my imagination and anticipation of him. The whole series I was waiting for his glory, it never came in the way I expected, but I like to think that mins viewing my of him isn’t concluded just because the last battle happened, I imagine his glory to continue in the 4th age as sealbreaker, leader of the black tower.) 5. Mat (probably #1 if I was doing them in order) 6. Rodel Iturlalde (and the great captains, just the idea of them is so cool, but Rodel and Gareth had my favorite moments of the captains, they’re basically all the same character, excepting Pedron Niall I don’t like him.) 7. Vanin the horse thief 8. Min (because she’s the single female character in the whole series who’s annoying control obsessed moments didn’t outdo the memorable moments (besides Verin, honorable mention) plus anytime she has a viewing it’s a massive treat I live for the viewings.) 9. Rand/Lews Therin (favorite scene In the whole series is when he almost ends everything for everyone on dragonmount) 10. Ishamael (not super interesting but because he’s the only forsaken who’s motivations aren’t power but to cease to exist which I can relate to. That’s where Rand was leaning on dragonmount before he saw the light, not hard in this sad world to adapt such a mindset)

It still always makes me smile how much you despise the romance in WoT (and generally) A lot of people that hate specific tropes, themes or arcs in books make it about the thing they chose to read. The book/movie/show let them down by containing things they didn't like or agree with. Always enjoyed how you very specifically identify it as a personal taste issue, even when there are aspects of shortcomings within the writing. I don't think Jordan was exceptional at romance. But I personally am a total sucker for it, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I can see why others consider it a flaw. Maybe it's just that I wish real life worked as easily :P (because even with the miscommunication and awkwardness, I think it's even worse in real life, myself. Probably my utter ineptitude speaking ^^) My top 10 would be quite a bit different, I think. I personally love Min. But it's probably bc sassy tomboy is pretty much my type. Perhaps not top 10 though, but I'd probably have Cadsuane and Sorilea in there. Big crone energy is awesome (love me some Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg :P) Is difficult to pick a favourite wiseone, bc they're just an awesome group (not "always right" or "paragons of feminine virtue" or whatever I suspect the show runners will go with. Simply interesting and well thought out) but Sorilea sticks out to me bc of the focus on her strength of character, rather than personal strength. She wouldn't even be considered for the shawl, but she *dominates* those around her throughsheer force of will. Seems every time I read through it I get different things from it. Nynaeve was a strong favourite from the start (I see too much of my own stubborn self assurance in her, probably. I always have an opinion and I'm typically convinced I'm right) and Perrin/Faille frustrated me more on subsequent reads (mainly bc it's so drawn out, I actually like their dynamic, abusive as it might be irl) The older I get, the less I identify with the other EF youths in the early books. Which I think is both natural and proof of compelling writing ^^

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

Oooh Cadsuane is such a good one, I can't believe I didn't think of her! She'd have to go somewhere in my top 20 list. And I completely agree one of the things that makes it fun to reread is how differently I identify with characters in the book; as I grow older I see the wisdom in the older characters and the childishness in the younger

I’m really glad moiraine is your number one. I started reading these books as a junior in highschool right when the pandemic started and I had never fell in love with a character quite as quickly as I did with moraine . I get a lot of weird looks for saying she is my favorite but she is so great and imo better then galdalf👀I said it

@FanyusAnonymous

6 ай бұрын

OK, it's weird that people look at you weird for liking Moiraine. She's...absolutely phenomenal? Easily #2 favourite for me, only beaten by Thom at #1

Thank you - Rand and Elaine should be together - just them! And agree about Moiraine. The show doesn't capture even half of her.

I read book 3 (The Dragon Reborn) back in April and won't read The Shadow Rising until August (I'm reading one every 4 months because I need breaks after each one) so it's early for me to have a full series top 10. That said, I like your top pick. It makes sense. Rand is the focal point "chosen one" character but in so many ways Moiraine is the main protagonist of the series. She works so hard to herd all the cats. My favorite character right now might be Nynaeve. Her abrasiveness would make it hard for me to get along with her IRL but I love how steadfast and determined she is. She is able to put aside her own needs (albeit with grumbling) to work for the well being of others and the greater good. She also makes me laugh with her snark. I currently prefer Rand over Mat but I am still very early in the series and Mat only just started to get interesting. For much of book 1 he is annoying and more a liability than an asset. I did like his growth in book 3 though. And I can't imagine Loial not making my top ten when I finally make one. I just love him and want to hug him.

Would've put Talmanes on this list somewhere that dude is so awesome i love him. The prologue with him in AMOL was such an awesome way to kick off the book, id like hin more if he died but that's preference

Rand is my favorite character. Mat is 2nd and Nynaeve 3rd.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

Solid top 3, and yay for love for Rand

Verin Definite Top 10. Great list

1. Matt 2. Nynaeve 3.Aviendha 4.Rand 5.Lanfear 6 Moraine 7 Tam 8 Logain .... 9 Siuan 10 Sorilea 10 (HM : Ishamael, Lan,Talmanes, Perrin, Ituralda, Hopper, Galad, Elayne,Verin, Asmodean,Tuon, Birgetta,Loial, Pevara etc post 8 it varies) With you on Min, Ppl love her but not up there for me either :) I speed ran the books in a month so I dont remember if the rankings changed within the books. On rereads its 9 onwards and honourable mentions that keep moving around top 2 remain fixed next 6 move around but remain 3-8.

What a gorgeous human 🥺

Good list. i never thought about it. but i do think my top 4 matches yours although im unsure of the specific ordering............the rest of your top 10 is also most of those i would agree with. except maybe Brigitte. I think i would likely still have Perrin in top 10 instead of her. I would also likely replace Aviendha personally with Padan Fain. i find Padain Fain to be the best Villain in the series apart from we know what happens. Nynaeve although has some good stuff has so much annoying moments that it sort of keeps her out of top 10. I am currently doing a 3d or 4th re-read. although ive hit the slog in book 8 and struggling as usual with that book. snoooze.............yes on the romances being mostly annoying. Although i really like the lan + nynaeve one as they are such a weird fit but so perfect at same time. honorable mention for Pendron Nial + Mazrim Taim

I'm afraid you should have made this a book reader spoilers video, mainly because I don't think most people in the comments will be able to filter while trying to discuss their favorite characters. Question: I know gender doesn't really play a roll in how you pick characters you like, but do you think that maybe your gravitation towards Moiraine was, (partially), because she was one of the first female Gandalf type role model characters in Fantasy? Maybe I'm wrong, but she's was the first one I was aware of at the time that I picked up the books in 1990. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't attribute her being female as a sole reason why women readers would like her. She's one of my all time favorite Fantasy characters as well. She's written so very well, probably better than all the other women in WoT. Especially when you get even more inside her motivations in A New Spring. For me, I absolutely love that she's a noble woman who was in line for a throne that she gave up, (or didn't want anything to do with), because she new being on a throne was trivial in comparison to being Aes Sedai and finding the Dragon Reborn. Also, her aversion to the throne was definitely because she saw it as a set of shackles and staying away from it really established her independence. Love it!

@Bookborn

10 ай бұрын

I don't think that's a weird question at all! I never thought about it that way, but I bet it played a role. As a kid I always naturally gravitated towards mentor figures: my favorites included Obi-Wan and Dumbledore; so I think Moiraine being a mentor naturally made me like her a lot, but seeing a female in that role certainly played a part!

So many good characters. Rand have some of the coolest moments in the series, but there are so many characters to love or to be frustrsted with. Nynaeve and Androl are some favorites that would be on my list

Verin definitely deserves to be on this list, I feel that without her the wheel would have been broken.

FYI, resolution is limited 360. Your list is great. Where is Thom? My favorite characters (started reading series in 1996 I believe): 1 Rand 2 Nynaeve 3 Matt 4 Moraine 5 Perrin 6 al'Lan 7 Elaine 8 Egwene 9 Thom 10 Brigitte 11 Verin 12 Aviendha 13 Suian 14 Loiel 15 Min 16 Tam Edit: bumped Egwene up... she was too low.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

finally some more elayne love! Also yeah, I had upload issues so HD won’t be available for a few more hours sadly

I totally agree about Elayne!

Mat will forever be my favorite character of anything.

I went back and forth on Mat and Perrin being my faves, until whichever book it was where all the characters just got too mean to each other and I stopped caring about any of them. But that was decades ago at this point. And then of course there's my boy Loial, who I loved, who I already feel like they did dirty on the show.

Hmmm Moiraine top ten for sure, but Mat top wot character for me (although nynaeves golden crane scene moved me a lot). Favourite fantasy character is probably kaladin.

I had a similar experience with Mat and Perrin as the story progresses. The first few books, Perrin was by far my favorite character while Mat was one of my most disliked. Mat always seemed moody, and the whole dagger arc just made his character blah to me. Whereas Perrin had one of the most interesting stories in the first books. As you said, once you get to later books and Mat's story isn't completely revolving around the dagger, and "other things" happen, in my eyes he has the best story arc and is my favorite character by far! Perrin takes the exact opposite trajectory, I checked out with Perrin as soon as they introduce Falie (might be the worst character in the whole series). They redeem his story a little with the Two Rivers arc, but once they hit books 9-10, I groaned every time I got to a Perrin point of view. As far as some of your other picks. I didn't like many of the main women in the books. Egwene was by far my least favorite, Aviendha was probably my favorite. The thing I liked most about Moiraine was her character arc, besides that, she was kinda just average. Some of the other women that I enjoyed, like you said Brigitte was always solid, and I didn't think of it until you mentioned it, but looking back I always did enjoy Suian's point of view. And one that would have to go on my top 10 would be Thom, I loved the father figure/adviser he was to the boys in the first books, and like Suian, it just seemed like I always enjoyed when a chapter with Thom came along.

Verin, Cadsuane, Nynaeve, Ituralde, Androl, Avhienda (the one Rand love story that actually makes sense), Faile, Rand, Perrin, and Matt, in no particular order. At #1 is Egwene.

I love your cut in about Birgitte😆. I am someone who loves the main characters in the books I read. 100% Harry and Rand are my favorite characters. I really love the struggle and crap main characters go through. I love watching them struggle to handle it, maybe go unhinged, and then come back around. Movie Frodo is another. Absolute favorite! I'm thinking about WoT more recently too now that we're getting regular WoT Wednesdays. I'm very optimistic despite the few changes that upset me, like you said, Egwene, or Perrin's wife... I have found that being involved in the WoT fandom online on Twitter, reading everything Rafe says about what they're trying to do, and watching Dusty Wheel, Unraveling the Pattern, and WoT Up videos on KZread have really helped me to appreciate the show for what it is, and to understand that the show runner really is doing his best even if I disagree with some of the changes. I'm so excited for season 2!!

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

Ok I love seeing someone who says Harry is their favorite, I'm literally not sure I've ever met someone who has said that 🤣 In fairness he's not mine, but I do defend him against the "he's boring" thing all the time - no he's not! He has lots of personality traits!

@nazimelmardi

Жыл бұрын

No he is not doing his best. The Foundation fails. We know it. It’s not a question of “how you use the base material”. The Foundation has a layered discussion about social questions. That is missing from the series. Mistake one. Asimov never wrote and liked action sci-fi. This is an action sci-fi series. Mistake 2. The Foundation is a linear story for a reason. This is not. Mistake 3. So this series is easier to show how you fail the base material miserably. In case of WoT add: Peter Jackson didn’t accept to start LotR in any studio until he got 12h film time from New Line. That’s it. You just can’t make things shorter. Lee Child’s Reacher is a 100% success on Amazon also the same length. But the book is written in first person and shorter way more. And that plays in a small city. So if that needed x episodes. How on earth anyone believed that WoT can be good in the same amount of screen time? If the book is 2x longer and has 10-20 main characters? This new 8 episode trend is a fail for this kind of adaptations. Now: Three-Body Problem has 30 episodes in China. Netflix tries the same in 8 episodes. Do you wanna guess?

Interesting that you only include protagonists. Is it because you really don't like the antagonists all that much or? My list: 10. Demandred(very specific, but I absolutely LOVE what Jordan decided to do with his character in the end) 9. Lanfear 8. Perrin 7. Egwene 6. Moiraine 5. Verin 4. Ishamael 3. Nynaeve 2. Mat 1. Rand. His character arc and exploration of what it means to be a chosen one through a more realistic lense is spectacular . P.S(mild spoilers for some later books). I really dislike Elayne. She is not just obnoxious. She abused her power, got people killed and none of this was really explored in any depth. Sure, Brigitte made a comment or two and I love her for that, but some of those scenes with Elayne went too far. In my mind her behaviour would have bigger consequences on most fronts and Jordan just didn't go into it and I hate that. IIRC, half a book later she is the hero and that's it. Not to mention that she is put in a terrible position of power shr is absolutely not equipped for in the final book. The whole time then I was just thinking to myself that the only reason she got to that position is because it would make sense to us the readers as she is one of the MCs, but also it IS coherent to some degree, as she is a monarch and whatnot. Fortunately, Mat later absolutely overtook that position and it was great, but yeah.

Not unhinged but I'd cut one to put Tam there. Maybe he always tops mine because I want more of his story. But he will live #1 in my heart forever lol

I was most surprised about Egwene, tbh. But, to each their own. She is a very compelling character, despite my dislike for her lol.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

She def gets on my nerves a lot lmao but overall I just love her storyline and think she is such an interesting character.

@moose5445

Жыл бұрын

@Bookborn My favorite arc of hers is going against Elaida in the tower. Truly fun to read.

When I was a child, my grandfather told me, "Get you a girl like Faile." I have resented him ever since.

I got to add Cadsuane and Rodel Ituralde, at least as honorable mentions.

This list is not at all unhinged. I think you’re right that it’ll change on your re-read, but your points are all valid. Except for not liking Min. That’s totally unacceptable. 😂

I started the series ages and ages ago when I was very young. My pronunciation of character names and Jordan created terms is VERY wrong. I've learned to live with it.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

My pronunciation is embarrassingly wrong, but I've tried to fix it a little bit 🤣

10. Galad 9. Nynaeve 8. Aviendha 7. Rand 6. Moiraine 5. Mat 4. Lan 3. Perrin 2. Thom 1. Loial

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

All solid picks although Galad is a choice for me personally 🤣

@cloudbloom

Жыл бұрын

Good list! Nice to see Thom on it I love that character

@nazimelmardi

Жыл бұрын

Now this is closer to a reader who has experience. Well done. Especially for Galad. And Loial. This book series is strong on side characters. Way stronger than main characters.

#1. Verin (By far the most interesting character arc/ should have been Mat’s arc) #2 Mat. #3 Bela. (That poor unappreciated horse.) #4 Egwene. #5 Hopper. (The wolf with the patients of a Saint.) …..That’s it. Can’t make it to 10.

Verin is definitely a wonderful character, and Mat is maybe my favorite, but TALMANES. GARETH BRYNE. I think I like Talmanes better than Gareth but they're both on my list. I personally loved Min as a character but I felt like she wasn't utilized well in the story, and I wouldn't be as annoyed by the romances and even the little poly circle Rand has if they were implemented better overall. Perrin's romance was the best done of the three and that's unfortunate, and I feel like the story did Egwene dirty and her own romance would have been a great story if it wasn't such a side thing. She was up there near the top near the end of the series as a character. Sanderson did the best he could with the last few books but I feel like he didn't really get some of the characters at first. The Three Rivers characters and Band of the Red Hand characters always were near the top of my favorites though.

Perrin is my top character, surprised not to see him there, but not disapointed. Can't say that for WOTPrime sadly. It felt like they removed Perrin and replaced him with someone else they like to call with the same name. That tells you how much I enjoyed the TV series. Why is Cadsuane or maybe someone from the forsaken not in there? Not a fan of bad guys? :)

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

I should’ve mentioned Cadsuane in my top 15 as an honorable mention! She’s great but probably wouldn’t quite crack top 10

When you said unhinged I thought you were going to put a lot of horrible acting characters (Tuon, any Forsaken, Eliada, etc. ) or most of the fandoms whipping boy Gawyn on your list. While it wouldn't be my top 10, it's your last and you explain why you like all the characters so it's very grounded to me. Definitely a hot take on Min though, can't wait to see what kind of feedback you get on that.

Not unhinged at all. Trying to think of characters you've snubbed, and I suppose Thom and maybe Elyas. I don't know if Hopper is eligible. But here's my unhinged take - outside the weird spanking thing, and of course the slog storyline is awful, but Faile is kinda a fun character, a nice foil for the village boys. Not my favorite character, but at least a honorable mention.

I thought Rands harem was sort of odd at the beginning. But what it meant for the future i thought was sort of cool.

@Bookborn

Жыл бұрын

Yeah it had it's moments - one of my personal favs is when Rand is taken aback/annoyed by how close Elayne and Aviendha are - but overall I think it's a net negative 🤣

I think if the Slog had not occurred, Perrin would be higher on many lists.