I’ve tried to read the Wheel Of Time series four or five times now, but I keep getting stuck at book 5. Not because I stop enjoying it, but just because it’s such a HUGE time commitment. Anyway, I think I mentioned back in April that I’m attempting the series again right now via audio, because I’m spending too much time on the computer for work right now [read: all year] and my eyes are tired. I’ve listened to the first two books in about 10 days each, and am part way into book three now [April; now in Oct I’m halfway through book 6 – have made it past book 5, woohoo!], so this bodes well I guess for advancing further in the series this time? 🙂 We Shall See.
Anyway, it occurred to me as I was listened to book 1 over Easter that there are actually a bunch of connections between the Wheel Of Time series (particularly book 1, The Eye Of The World) and my Sanctuary series! Woo! Accidental fan nods, go me!
So I figured I’d share those links with you, because I find it interesting, so why not.
- The Ways
The first similarity comes from the Ways in WoT and the Roads in Sanctuary. In WoT, the Ways used to be paths that could be easily travelled to get between difference places in the world faster than usual. In Sanctuary, the Roads are also paths outside of time, though their primary purpose is to go between different realities. But in both instances, there are special doorways or entry points to the paths <3
2. The Black Wind, Machin Shin
In WoT, the Ways have been corrupted over time. One being that now inhabits the ways is Machin Shin, or the Black Wind. This is a terrifying blackness that clouds the ways and devours anyone it catches. Anyone who escapes is invariably mad, driven that way by the Wind, which likes to roam about the Way muttering about how it wants to catch you, eat you, strip off your skin and devour your blood. Charming stuff.
In Sanctuary, it’s the shadows, dark, menacing presences that are taking over the Valley (a part of Sanctuary, the land where the fairies live). Like Machin Shin, they want to devour you, and have no problems telling you so. But unlike Machin Shin, the shadows are survivable, and [plot twist plot twist redacted redacted].
3. The Blight
This one was more of a deliberate influence. When I first read the first book in the WoT series, the Blight really stuck with me: trees splitting open in the oppressive heat, essentially rotting away in front of your eyes. In Sanctuary, something has gone wrong with the Valley; the shadows have started taking over and the trees are also being corrupted, their bark splitting and sap oozing out, leaves going spotty and diseased. It’s not the same place and neither is the effect of the trees, but the idea of an evil, menacing presence that impacts the treelife is definitely there.
SO there you go: three ways that the Sanctuary series is apparently inspired by the Wheel of Time series!
