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The task awaiting author Robert Jordan is not an easy one, and I would not dare to claim that it is. Jordan is churning out a new Wheel of Time novel every other year, and he has to balance his own story ideas with the wishes of his demanding audience. He may know where his story will lead, but it is a frequently frustrating journey for his fans. Is it possible to please every one of them? Is it fair to hold Jordan up to the standards that he set with some of his earlier offerings? Unfortunately, Winter's Heart does not satisfy the yearnings of most fans, nor does it measure up favorably to Jordan's lofty standards. It is seven hundred pages of quality fantasy filler, and that just is not sufficient.

With Eye of the World, Jordan's first Wheel of Time novel, the noted author introduced us to his world, drawing three characters - Rand, Mat, and Perrin - to our attention. Since that point, he has taken these three on a variety of adventures, introducing us to countless memorable supporting players along the way. To say that these adventures have been uneven is an understatement, yet Jordan's loyal fans, myself included, keep coming back for more. Jordan entices us with twisted plots, the promise of earth-shattering events, and a cosmic battle between good and evil. For some reason, we want more.

The main problem confronting Winter's Heart is that Jordan has left too many plot threads dangling, and he does not know where to begin. Rand al'Thor is battling the Foresaken while at the same time trying to remove the taint from saidan. Perrin Aybarra must find his kidnapped wife while escorting The Prophet across the known world to Rand. Mat Cauthon is fending off the advances of a local ruler, dodging a ruthless Gray Man, and planning his escape from a captured city. Renegade Aes Sedai are moving on Tar Valon, while the White Tower's current residents are juggling Asha'man, the Dragon Reborn, and the Black Ajah. This does not even begin to address invaders to this land, armies approaching from the North, and roaming packs of Aiel!

Despite everything listed above, Robert Jordan is still a master storyteller. A reader cannot help but be immersed in his mythical world, just as fans cannot help but clamor for resolution. Jordan is guilty of giving repetitive descriptions of many of his main characters, but the vast majority of them - especially the men - are richly developed. Even more exciting is the promise that the tenth book in the series will resolve a great many plot elements. Even the hint of this is enough to whet this reader's appetite. Two years may seem like a long time, but book discussions, mysteries, and half-crazed theories will surely make the time fly.

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(Reviewed 6/20/01.)