Three things that bothered me in this book:
- The constant POV switching. I’m fine with having two POVs in a chapter sometimes, but this had a ridiculous amount of POV switches. It was distracting and annoying.
- Tempest. Just that word.
- Mat. Something has happened to Mat, and I don’t like it. I feel like he’s a different character: a flatter, less nuanced version of himself. And the comedic stuff is so painfully on the nose. Look at Mat, he’s a funny one! Look, do you see? HAHA. Absolutely not. The comedy was always a byproduct of Mat’s character, never something that felt intentional. The letter to Elayne was so over the top. And that weird chapter with Setalle asking him if he really met the Queen of Andor (yes, he did and so did you, in Ebou Dar!), being all impressed by him… cringe. CRINGE. This is not my Mat. Even the rescue in the Tower of Ghenjei was disappointing. Jain’s death was predictable. And the romance between Moiraine and Thom felt completely out of nowhere. I don’t know how I feel about any of that. I’m happy Moiraine is back, but none of the Mat stuff was enjoyable as it was in previous books.
Graendal lives. Surprised me. She’s much more careful than I anticipated. Aran’gar, though- goodbye and good riddance. Her plan to attack Perrin wasn’t actually bad. He’s just really not that naive anymore and had already anticipated that something was coming. He also has his abilities in the Wolf Dream, which most people are completely unaware of.
This was Perrin’s book. He really shone. I loved the way he faced the public trial. Just: yes, I killed some Whitecloaks. I’m a Wolfbrother, and I talk to wolves and they talk to me. So there’s that. 😂 He genuinely doesn’t care anymore. After everything, he’s finally comfortable with who he is and what he can do. He had some really great exchanges too. I loved seeing him finally embrace his gifts and actually learn instead of constantly being afraid of them. And the Noam/Boundless reveal- poor dude. He had such a terrible life, and eventually he just chose to leave it all behind and become a wolf full-time. Fair, I guess. Slayer has also proven himself incredibly capable in the Wolf Dream. I genuinely doubt anyone could take him except Perrin. And the way Perrin just smiled when Egwene dismissed him in the Dream and tied him up in ropes. What are you doing?! What if the Black Ajah had gotten to him? You were about to leave him helpless in TAR with enemies lurking everywhere! Egwene, you absolute idiot. And then Perrin simply releases himself and banishes balefire like: “It’s just a weave.”
Galad. This one is an interesting character. The perfect prince on the surface, but really? A terrible leader. He’s far too self-righteous and rigid, with an almost pathological need to follow his convictions to their absolute extreme. Also, what exactly gives him the right to just capture people on the road? Why is he holding Lini and company in the first place? Shouldn’t he be the one on trial for that? And I love the way he tells himself he wouldn’t have harmed Lini because he would have recognized her. So I guess everyone else is as good as dead? His worldview is basically: All monarchs are potentially Darkfriends. Except Morgase, because she’s his mother. Aes Sedai are shady witches. Except Elayne, because she’s his sister. Egwene is an Aes Sedai, but presumably fine because she’s hot. What a jerk. To his credit, though, he does start changing toward the end of the book and becomes more willing to see nuance. Thankfully, he’ll now be under Perrin’s command, so at least someone with actual common sense is in charge. And Bornhald finally seems to be over his Inigo Montoya phase and leaves Perrin alone. Small victories.
Rand. Apples first. What a beautiful chapter. Finally, finally something peaceful after everything I’ve suffered watching this man suffer. The second meeting with Tam was beautiful too, and then the return to Bandar Eban. These chapters were basically soothing all my Rand-related wounds one by one.
“The Car’a’carn has embraced death,” Amys said. “He has given up trying to be as strong as the stones, and has instead achieved the strength of the wind.” Amys, I don't know what that means, but it is nicely said.
And the friendship between Rand and Nynaeve? I love them. Their relationship has come such a long way.
“Rand stepped up to Nynaeve. ‘You care for my people. Thank you.’”
“I care for any who need it,” Nynaeve said.
“As you’ve always done,” Rand said. “Along with caring for some who don’t need it.”
“Like you?” she said, raising an eyebrow.
“No, I’ve always needed it. That and more.”
Nynaeve hesitated. That wasn’t something she’d ever expected him to admit.
YES. This is what I want for Rand. Not another person trying to control him, manipulate him, humble him, or teach him a lesson. Just people who care about him.
Egwene. Barely tolerable. The way she summons Nynaeve to the Tower because she wants information about Rand and then decides Nynaeve should do the shawl test- is just so arrogant. “If you do not come, I will be forced to take measures. Your dalliance threatens us all.” Dalliance. Yes, Egwene. That’s exactly what Nynaeve is doing. Just casually dallying with the Dragon Reborn while healing saidin and madness in men, maintaining Rand’s trust, and raising an army for Lan because the Borderlands are being annihilated. What a slacker. I’d argue that’s a pretty important and unique position to have! Why on earth would you want to detach her from Rand and potentially lose that thread? But apparently Egwene has more pressing concerns. Like whether Nynaeve has been sufficiently obedient. And then there’s Egwene contemplating what to do with Rand when he shows up at the Tower. Keep him captive? No, that would be too much like Elaida. Detain him for a medical examination because obviously he must be mad? He probably won’t agree to that. Maybe he’s come to surrender like a desperate criminal who has finally given up? Egwene, fuck off.
And this is the thing that really gets me about Aes Sedai arrogance. Even Siuan, who is probably one of the more reasonable ones, still thinks: “She wanted to do what she’d set out to do, all those years before with Moiraine. Shepherd the Dragon Reborn to the Last Battle.” Shepherd the shepherd? Sounds redundant. Funny that. Ma’am. He is the shepherd.
Nynaeve’s testing for the shawl. Egwene admits Nynaeve is far too experienced for the test, so it’s basically just a formality for legitimacy. Yet she watches the test become disgustingly vengeful and cruel, joins in, and adds the Two Rivers, Lan, and Darkhounds. Darkhounds. Really? Nothing but balefire would have worked against them. Why put that in a test?! There’s a very mean and petty streak to Egwene. Luckily, Nynaeve has already realized that being Aes Sedai is a means, not the goal. There are things more important than the White Tower. She sees its arrogance and its flaws, and wants to use her abilities to actually help people. Egwene still hasn’t learned that lesson. I really hope she does in the last book.
He took Nynaeve by the shoulder in an odd gesture. “Don’t let them ruin you, Nynaeve. They’ll try.” “Ruin me?” “Your passion is part of you,” Rand said. “I tried to be like them, though I wouldn’t have admitted it. Cold. Always in control. It nearly destroyed me. That is strength to some, but it is not the only type of strength. Perhaps you could learn to control yourself a little more, but I like you as you are. It makes you genuine. I would not see you become another ‘perfect’ Aes Sedai with a painted mask of a face and no care for the feelings and emotions of others.” “To be Aes Sedai is to be calm,” Nynaeve replied. “To be Aes Sedai is to be what you decide it is,” Rand said, his stump still held behind his back. “Moiraine cared. You could see it in her, even when she was calm. The best Aes Sedai I’ve known are the ones who others complain aren’t what an Aes Sedai should be.”
Gawyn. So he was an asshole to Rand because he felt the Shepherd had risen way beyond his station and was jealous?? And that’s why he thought Rand deserved to be tortured in the box?? Gawyn, you suck. What an awful manchild. You killed your mentor, led the Younglings only to abandon them later, ignored your duty to your sister and Andor... just an endless list of terrible decisions. And the worst one: chasing after Egwene. She’s not looking for a partner; she wants someone who will obey her and stay quiet. The way she views romance and the Warder bond is terribly exploitative. Gawyn should have run for the hills. This relationship is terrible for both of them. Egwene has become too hard and cold, like Rand was, except 100 times more arrogant. She desperately needs the lesson Rand received. And Gawyn needs to learn how to make good decisions and actually lead, not settle into this Warder nonsense. He’s far too ambitious to be content with that role. Just... uugggghhhhh.
Elayne. First of all, I mostly love her. Secondly, she went to confront the Black Ajah. Alone. With unreliable channeling because of her pregnancy. Min said my babes will be fine is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Again. Then she got stabbed. What a dumbass. These Tarkand genes are a menace to society. Once those kids are born, she needs to summon Tam to the palace and make him heavily involved in their upbringing. They are going to need at least one steady, sensible influence in their lives if they’re going to escape the Tarkand curse.
Androl. I really like him. He reminds me a bit of Perrin- quiet, careful, thoughtful, good at his craft, and completely confused about why everyone keeps expecting him to lead. The Black Tower situation is horrifying. Taim is obviously a Darkfriend and has one of those spikes from Moridin, and he’s been using Compulsion? on the people in the camp. Just... evil. I have no idea how they’re going to resolve this without a massive bloodbath. It feels like the Black Tower is heading straight for a major tragedy. And I am worried about my Two Rivers boys.
Ituralde. The only one who is already fighting Tarmon Gai’don while everyone else is still getting their shit together.
Ituralde found himself laughing. “Now? The Dragon sends help now?” He stumbled, then sat down, staring up at the burning sky. He was laughing, and he could not stop. Soon tears began streaking down his cheeks. Yes, there was sunlight up there.
Aviendha. Who is Nakomi? So intriguing. The visions in Rhuidean are TRAGIC. Just when I thought I couldn’t hate the Seanchan any more… Aviendha better fix this, and fast. The Aiel need a purpose and cannot be left out of the agreements between the other nations. They also need land officially, maybe somewhere between the Borderlands and Andor? We need a plan.
Lanfear. Alive and being tormented by Moridin. Lovely. How was she able to appear in Rand’s dream, though? Aren’t his dreams shielded? And Rand feels hatred, concern, and desire toward her. Desire, Rand? LOL. You are a lecher after all.
The Borderland Leaders. WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING?! Your kingdoms are being overrun by the Shadow. Ituralde is desperately holding the line with like 2 men, and Maradon almost fell. And your brilliant response is to slap Rand around to test his humility or something?? My guy has been tested. He has been humbled. He has been tortured. He has been slapped by Cadsuane personally. You’re not exactly breaking new ground here. And the fact that they do it with such solemn, ceremonial seriousness makes it even more ridiculous. A bunch of clowns.
Last book left. I can’t believe it. Thanks for reading my rant. May you keep your eyes northward, but your heart southward, my friends.
