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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
Definitely getting to a better place. There are some really great moments in this one.
Two years of working on this series, and I am finally caught up. I am excited for the last one. :)
Finally! I am able to become interested in the Wheel of Time series again! After the last 5 books or so I was literally skimming through. Nothing was changing and I was feeling like the Wheel of Time had gotten stuck, or at least lost a spoke.
This novel brings me back to why I started reading the WoT way back when I was in eigth grade. The only problem now is that I am going to have to wait till the last book in the series.
This novel brings me back to why I started reading the WoT way back when I was in eigth grade. The only problem now is that I am going to have to wait till the last book in the series.
mmmph. Very mixed feelings on this. May need to re-read to digest more.
Much better than most of the series. Still suffers from the introduction of unescessary characters and plot lines, but Sanderson made the series much better!
**[I’d like to start with a formal apology for all the complaining I did last review because we didn’t get to see everything that happened with Perrin and the Whitecloaks, but in my defense, how was I supposed to know this book would go back in time and show everything that happened? I don’t think that’s ever happened before.]
Anyway, this book really SET UP Tarmon Gai’don in a big way! Everyone is finally coming into their own and ready to fight for the Light! Woo!
CHARACTERS:
•Rand—We didn’t see much of Rand in this book since he finished getting fully primed for the Last Battle at the end of last book. But what we DID see of him was FANTASTIC. He’s finally got back the cool confidence and cleverness from his book 4 era, but now it’s mixed with a whole new level of enlightenment. He’s a fully realized Dragon now, totally merged with Lews Therin and completely zen in himself. He is polite but firm, he takes responsibility without letting anything overwhelm him anymore, and he’s got some kind of plan I can’t wait to see! 10/10 no notes. (And once again: his re-reunion with Tam made me Emotional in the best way.)
•Mat—I WAS RIGHT. Losing half the light of the world WAS extremely literal. Poor boy lost his left eye, but his ta’veren nature means that it’s conveniently not that inhibiting to him. I loved seeing how he dealt with the Eelfinn this time around, in juxtaposition to the last time. He was careful and clever in his request (albeit not quite enough). And he was mature enough to make the needed sacrifice without hesitation. I love how far he’s come. (Even him NOT opening Verin’s letter because he can’t stanch his curiosity shows how much he’s changed, although in this instance the result is BAD.)
•Perrin—OOOOOH BOY I feel like this was Perrin’s BOOK. He finally transformed from that resistant village boy into a MAN. He fully grew into HIMSELF (accepting and welcoming his wolf side in addition to his human side even before finding out the truth about Noam) and his ROLE (finally deciding to lead because he chooses to and not because it’s thrust upon him, and doing so HIS way, without wavering). He got the Whitecloaks off his back without resorting to murder. He didn’t kill Slayer, but he did ruin the dreamspike AND indirectly got Graendal punished, maybe even executed. Him making his hammer was such a cool scene, and I love that it’s both a special Power-infused hammer and a symbol of who he’s become. I guess NOW he’s completed that Seanchan prophecy about the Wolf King wielding a hammer. Anyway, I love him again, that’s all.
•Faile—She honestly didn’t do a lot this book, but she kept believing in Perrin even when it looked like he miiiiight do something questionable, and I love that she has that faith in him.
•Min—She is doing research and wholeheartedly trusting and supporting Rand. Sorry, that’s all I got. She’s still just kinda around.
•Elayne—That’s it, she’ll never stop being annoying. I know she’s queen and she has her realm to think about or whatever, but all of her words and actions just always leave a bad taste in my mouth. Her being so careless with herself and HER BABIES by throwing herself into danger without telling anyone when HER ABILITY TO CHANNEL IS UNRELIABLE ATM. She nearly lost Mat’s medallion, which he was loath to lend her in the first place. She’s trying to co-opt the Aes Sedai retirement plan for her own benefit. I don’t trust her to be responsible with the dragons AT ALL. She’s stretching herself out by claiming another kingdom when she barely has a hold on her current one. She took like her entire army to the meeting with Rand when she KNOWS from the Black Ajah that some kind of invasion of Andor is imminent. AND WORST OF ALL: her attitude about the Two Rivers. She’s so hypocritical (as is Morgase). The Crown ignored the Two Rivers so thoroughly that it didn’t even know it was PART of Andor, but it isn’t allowed to elect its own lord because that’s treason? Either take care of the Two Rivers folk and expect them to fall in line, or ignore them and let them govern themselves. You can’t have it both ways, you entitled cow. (¡Viva la revolución! Tai’shar Manetheren!)
•Aviendha—Oof. Aviendha’s bit was brief but a gut-punch. Really cemented the fact that, even if the Light wins Tarmon Gai’don, the world could still become a dystopian nightmare because of the Seanchan taking over. I don’t know how they can be stopped, but the future “Dragon’s Peace” that apparently still allows for the Seanchan to collar damane (and likely enslave da’covale too) isn’t good enough. I refuse to accept that this is THE future, but simply A future (perhaps the most likely future?) unless something changes.
•Egwene—Of course I commend her for defeating Mesaana basically through willpower, that was BADASS. But how she’s handling Rand is a little annoying. He’s the DRAGON REBORN, the star of Tarmon Gai’don, and you can tell he’s not a crazy homicidal asshole anymore, and yet you refuse to even try to trust him, or even ask why he wants to break the seals. Perrin heard what he was planning to do and IMMEDIATELY was able to reason out why it made sense, but you, the AMYRLIN, can’t? (Never mind the fact that Rand is clearly trying to get her to rally everyone together ON PURPOSE. I have a feeling he knew that she would scoff if he simply asked her to help, so he had to use reverse psychology on her to make it happen. And I hate how even after all her growth, she’s still immature enough to need/fall for that kind of handling.)
•Nynaeve—I don’t even recognize this woman anymore! She’s so mature and smart! First questioning the Aes Sedai hierarchy last book, now she’s questioning the entire test for the shawl! And she’s RIGHT. “Aes Sedai” literally means “servant to the world” or something, right? So why does their main priority not seem to be the betterment of the world at all, even down to the final test for the shawl? Anyway, I love that she’s really figured out what’s important to her. The love of her life is more important than the official label “Aes Sedai.” AND SHE’S ONCE AGAIN HEALING THE UNHEALABLE. She’s gonna eradicate the leftover madness from the Asha’man! Yay!
•Lan—This boy is so stubborn. He just wants to dramatically sacrifice himself because he’s just so moody and misunderstood. But finally, FINALLY, through sheer wearing down, he’s finally accepted that other people care about his cause too, and believe in him as a king. Big round of applause for everyone accepting their destinies.
•Moiraine—YES SHE’S GETTING PUT RIGHT BACK INTO THE MAIN CHARACTER ROSTER LIKE THE QUEEN SHE IS. She KNEW she’d get sucked almost dry by the Eelfinn if she went through that portal and would be lost for at least a year or so if not FOREVER UNTIL DEATH, but she did so anyway because she is a BOSS. I cannot wait for her reunion with Rand and for whatever other epic thing(s) she’s gonna do (after all, Mat gave up half the light of the world to save the world, so Moiraine is necessary to SAVE THE WORLD). Also very excited to find out what her other two requests from the Eelfinn were.
SHIPS:
•Rand/Min/Aviendha/Elayne—This is gonna be shocking, but I’m still super not into this. Not because it’s polyamory, but just because it’s very unbalanced. Min has been there for Rand and done more for him in a way that Aviendha hasn’t for a long while, and Elayne literally never has. Him loving either of them as much as he does Min simply doesn’t make sense. I’d much rather see him and Min be endgame, and let Aviendha and Elayne date each other instead of being sister-zoned. Their feelings for each other definitely read as more romantic than familial.
•Mat/Tuon—I still don’t get how we’re supposed to ship this. I can only assume the whole point of their relationship from a narrative standpoint is to inspire a reformation in the Seanchan, but Mat really hasn’t made a dent in convincing Tuon of the error of her (and her Empire’s) ways (nor has he really tried to).
•Perrin/Faile—Their shanna’har was very cute. I like that they kinda reforged their relationship by talking about their separation, and that Faile is finally making a bit of an effort to try to adapt to Two Rivers ways the way Perrin has to Saldaean ones.
•Lan/Nynaeve—Of course they didn’t interact in this one, but I’m happy he finally accepted her gift of an army to back his suicide mission. And I love that she has his bond now and he can tell. And that every time he got frustrated with her meddling he ALSO made sure to send a surge of love her way too. So sweet.
•Egwene/Gawyn—Very relieved Egwene didn’t give in to Gawyn until he really deserved it. It’s one thing for him to break into her quarters because he can’t respect her orders or trust her to take care of herself; it’s another to do so because he has good reason to believe that she’s in immediate danger from a threat he KNOWS she isn’t preparing for. Now that he’s chilled out a bit, I can ship them well enough.
•Siuan/Gareth—Can’t reiterate enough how off-putting their start was, but they’re pretty cute now. Based on his conversations with Gawyn, it’s clear Gareth actually understands what strong independent women like Siuan want and need. Ya love to see it.
•Morgase/Tallanvor—Finally they got married. It’s about time. He was like a kicked puppy and she was almost as moody as Lan. Both of them were reveling in the forbidden romance thing too much. Happy they finally put that nonsense behind them.
•Galad/Berelain—I CALLED IT. They’re both too inordinately gorgeous to not flock to each other. They’re going to have blindingly beautiful children someday and I personally can’t wait.
•Moiraine/Thom—I CAN’T BELIEVE I ALSO CALLED IT. I really feel like this one came out of nowhere, and I honestly felt kind of dumb for even lightly suggesting it might happen, but I WAS RIGHT. Really though, when did they ever develop feelings for each other? I have anticipated I think every single pairing so far, but never picked up anything between the two of them while they were actually together. Seems like such a random pairing, if I’m honest. But I guess they’re kind of sweet.
•Birgitte/Gaidal—In honor of this being the last review before I know EVERYTHING, I just want to reiterate that I have not forgotten them, and they better be properly reunited in the end or I will be PISSED.
EVENTS:
PERRIN’S FATE: I am uneasy about both whatever Dark prophecy Graendal said explicitly states Perrin will die, and about that text at the end that says “the final days of the Fallen Blacksmith’s pride will come” and “the Broken Wolf, the one whom Death has known, shall fall and be consumed by the Midnight Towers. And his destruction shall bring fear and sorrow to the hearts of men, and shall shake their very will itself” (it’s possible these two are the same prophecy? It’s not clear). HE BETTER NOT DIE PERMANENTLY. I say “permanently” because both Mat and Rand were told something along the lines of “you’ll die but live again” by the Aelfinn, so maybe Perrin will too. He’s allowed to die only if he comes back.
THE SEANCHAN: These jerks are making me really nervous. I hate that the “Dragon’s Peace” Aviendha saw in the future still allows the Seanchan to collar damane. That CAN’T be how the book really ends, I refuse to accept it. Somehow Tuon is going to have to completely reform her ideals and impose that reformation on the rest of her Empire. I would assume getting her to would be Mat’s department, but maybe Aviendha will have something to do with it since she’s so determined to save the Aiel. The glossary tells us that the Towers of Midnight is a place in Seanchan where the Imperial family (ie Tuon) will “right that which is wrong.” I can only assume this means finally ending all the enslavement and bringing about TRUE peace with the rest of the continent.
THE BLACK TOWER: So I think Taim is really Demandred, as he’s the only Forsaken left with unknown whereabouts. Maybe I’m late in concluding this, since he said at the end of book 11 “let the Lord of Chaos rule” which is what we heard the Dark One tell Demandred specifically, but I just assumed that all the Forsaken were probably told the same thing, and perhaps it also spread to the other Darkfriends. But Asha’man seem to be getting Compelled to follow him and there’s clearly another dreamspike around the Tower, so that just points to Forsaken involvement even more. But WHERE IS LOGAIN? Something must have happened to him. But maybe he’ll escape and defeat Taim without Rand’s help, thus earning the glory Min foresaw for him.
ANDOR: I can’t believe Andor’s on fire and that Trollocs are overrunning it when we’re about to have that meeting with everyone. Seems like one crisis too many, if you ask me. Since Olver is planning to be reckless and fight, maybe he’ll end up dying and then it’ll be revealed that he’s really Gaidal, and he can be pulled from the Pattern just like Birgitte was and they can finally be reunited.
GAWYN’S RINGS: Why isn’t Gawyn telling Egwene that the rings he found were ter’angreal he lifted from the Seanchan assassins??? Don’t TELL me he’s going to put his blood into one and kamikaze himself to protect her or some shit. Does he even know how they work? I feel like he’s going to do something stupid.
SLAYER: I don’t really have any more to say about this guy than I’ve already said, but REALLY what is his DEAL? Why is he like two people? Isam AND Luc? How did that happen? I need him to die, obviously, but I also need a THOROUGH explanation about… everything about him.
NAKOMI: Who was this lady? She seemed like a phantom, came out of nowhere and literally disappeared without a trace. I wonder if Aviendha simply experienced the dead walking like so many other places have seen. But why? Who was Nakomi? Wouldn’t it be crazy if it was the spirit of Tigraine? Don’t know why she’d go by Nakomi tho, her Aiel name was Shaiel.
BUBBLE OF EVIL: Why did dirt stop the weapons from attacking people? Does dirt stop ALL bubbles of evil? And why didn’t Perrin’s hammer attack?
RODEL ITURALDE: I don’t really have anything to say about this guy, but he’s become such a prominent reoccurring character and he’s so cool that I feel the need to at least mention him in this review. I feel like he’s going to end up doing something significant in the end, and I hope he lives through it, but something tells me he’s going to die heroically. (Also I know nothing gay will ever really happen, but what if he and King Alsalam dated? What then?)
NOAL: Again, not much to say about him, but he was a cool dude and it’s sad that he died. He didn’t have to. If Mat had just figured out the ashanderei was the key to escaping a little bit earlier, he wouldn’t have. Absolutely called that he was really Jain Farstrider, but I wonder if that’s going to be significant for some reason later on? Seems like a kind of random detail otherwise.
HOPPER: RIP king. You deserved better.
AELFINN AND EELFINN: I wonder if we’re going to see them again. It feels like their part of the story is done, so I doubt it, but I wouldn’t mind learning more about them. How are they so powerful? Who even made the ter’angreal doorways that lead to them, and how?
KEEPING UP WITH THE FORSAKEN:
•Balthamel/Aran’gar—RIP you transgendered bisexual queen. You were a Forsaken, so obviously I wasn’t rooting for you, but you were probably my favorite Forsaken.
•Demandred—Yeah, the more I think about it the more I’m positive he’s Taim. And that I should’ve connected these dots like two books ago. He better not have done anything to Logain.
•Graendal—I hope she’s dead, but it was very unclear. Maybe she’s just leashed by a cour’souvra now. According to the glossary, she’s the one who killed Asmodean? How by the Light were we supposed to jump to THAT conclusion just from the text? (And also, WHY would she kill Asmodean? How did she find him?)
•Ishamael/Moridin—I don’t think we saw him at all this book??
•Lanfear/Cyndane—So now we know why she’s so much weaker than she used to be. The Eelfinn mostly drained her Power (thanks, Moiraine <3). I wonder what she’s doing in Rand’s dreams though? Is her “I’m so sorry and helpless” display just an act? Trying to lure him out? She better not get some kind of redemption arc.
•Mesaana—I was really expecting her to be masquerading as someone we knew about, that her reveal would be SHOCKING, even heartbreaking. But nah. She’s some nobody I don’t think was ever mentioned before. I guess it’s just as good to leave her alive with a broken mind, but if Egwene DOES kill her, she better use balefire, I swear to god.
•Moghedien—Also didn’t see her this book at all.
So that’s it then. The final cliffhanger. We’re down to five Forsaken, and almost all the lesser storylines are wrapped up now. We just have to actually fight the Last Battle and somehow work things out with the Seanchan. AND NOBODY I REALLY LIKE BETTER DIE, ROBERT JORDAN.
Overall, a great penultimate book! I’ll see you on the other side.
Anyway, this book really SET UP Tarmon Gai’don in a big way! Everyone is finally coming into their own and ready to fight for the Light! Woo!
CHARACTERS:
•Rand—We didn’t see much of Rand in this book since he finished getting fully primed for the Last Battle at the end of last book. But what we DID see of him was FANTASTIC. He’s finally got back the cool confidence and cleverness from his book 4 era, but now it’s mixed with a whole new level of enlightenment. He’s a fully realized Dragon now, totally merged with Lews Therin and completely zen in himself. He is polite but firm, he takes responsibility without letting anything overwhelm him anymore, and he’s got some kind of plan I can’t wait to see! 10/10 no notes. (And once again: his re-reunion with Tam made me Emotional in the best way.)
•Mat—I WAS RIGHT. Losing half the light of the world WAS extremely literal. Poor boy lost his left eye, but his ta’veren nature means that it’s conveniently not that inhibiting to him. I loved seeing how he dealt with the Eelfinn this time around, in juxtaposition to the last time. He was careful and clever in his request (albeit not quite enough). And he was mature enough to make the needed sacrifice without hesitation. I love how far he’s come. (Even him NOT opening Verin’s letter because he can’t stanch his curiosity shows how much he’s changed, although in this instance the result is BAD.)
•Perrin—OOOOOH BOY I feel like this was Perrin’s BOOK. He finally transformed from that resistant village boy into a MAN. He fully grew into HIMSELF (accepting and welcoming his wolf side in addition to his human side even before finding out the truth about Noam) and his ROLE (finally deciding to lead because he chooses to and not because it’s thrust upon him, and doing so HIS way, without wavering). He got the Whitecloaks off his back without resorting to murder. He didn’t kill Slayer, but he did ruin the dreamspike AND indirectly got Graendal punished, maybe even executed. Him making his hammer was such a cool scene, and I love that it’s both a special Power-infused hammer and a symbol of who he’s become. I guess NOW he’s completed that Seanchan prophecy about the Wolf King wielding a hammer. Anyway, I love him again, that’s all.
•Faile—She honestly didn’t do a lot this book, but she kept believing in Perrin even when it looked like he miiiiight do something questionable, and I love that she has that faith in him.
•Min—She is doing research and wholeheartedly trusting and supporting Rand. Sorry, that’s all I got. She’s still just kinda around.
•Elayne—That’s it, she’ll never stop being annoying. I know she’s queen and she has her realm to think about or whatever, but all of her words and actions just always leave a bad taste in my mouth. Her being so careless with herself and HER BABIES by throwing herself into danger without telling anyone when HER ABILITY TO CHANNEL IS UNRELIABLE ATM. She nearly lost Mat’s medallion, which he was loath to lend her in the first place. She’s trying to co-opt the Aes Sedai retirement plan for her own benefit. I don’t trust her to be responsible with the dragons AT ALL. She’s stretching herself out by claiming another kingdom when she barely has a hold on her current one. She took like her entire army to the meeting with Rand when she KNOWS from the Black Ajah that some kind of invasion of Andor is imminent. AND WORST OF ALL: her attitude about the Two Rivers. She’s so hypocritical (as is Morgase). The Crown ignored the Two Rivers so thoroughly that it didn’t even know it was PART of Andor, but it isn’t allowed to elect its own lord because that’s treason? Either take care of the Two Rivers folk and expect them to fall in line, or ignore them and let them govern themselves. You can’t have it both ways, you entitled cow. (¡Viva la revolución! Tai’shar Manetheren!)
•Aviendha—Oof. Aviendha’s bit was brief but a gut-punch. Really cemented the fact that, even if the Light wins Tarmon Gai’don, the world could still become a dystopian nightmare because of the Seanchan taking over. I don’t know how they can be stopped, but the future “Dragon’s Peace” that apparently still allows for the Seanchan to collar damane (and likely enslave da’covale too) isn’t good enough. I refuse to accept that this is THE future, but simply A future (perhaps the most likely future?) unless something changes.
•Egwene—Of course I commend her for defeating Mesaana basically through willpower, that was BADASS. But how she’s handling Rand is a little annoying. He’s the DRAGON REBORN, the star of Tarmon Gai’don, and you can tell he’s not a crazy homicidal asshole anymore, and yet you refuse to even try to trust him, or even ask why he wants to break the seals. Perrin heard what he was planning to do and IMMEDIATELY was able to reason out why it made sense, but you, the AMYRLIN, can’t? (Never mind the fact that Rand is clearly trying to get her to rally everyone together ON PURPOSE. I have a feeling he knew that she would scoff if he simply asked her to help, so he had to use reverse psychology on her to make it happen. And I hate how even after all her growth, she’s still immature enough to need/fall for that kind of handling.)
•Nynaeve—I don’t even recognize this woman anymore! She’s so mature and smart! First questioning the Aes Sedai hierarchy last book, now she’s questioning the entire test for the shawl! And she’s RIGHT. “Aes Sedai” literally means “servant to the world” or something, right? So why does their main priority not seem to be the betterment of the world at all, even down to the final test for the shawl? Anyway, I love that she’s really figured out what’s important to her. The love of her life is more important than the official label “Aes Sedai.” AND SHE’S ONCE AGAIN HEALING THE UNHEALABLE. She’s gonna eradicate the leftover madness from the Asha’man! Yay!
•Lan—This boy is so stubborn. He just wants to dramatically sacrifice himself because he’s just so moody and misunderstood. But finally, FINALLY, through sheer wearing down, he’s finally accepted that other people care about his cause too, and believe in him as a king. Big round of applause for everyone accepting their destinies.
•Moiraine—YES SHE’S GETTING PUT RIGHT BACK INTO THE MAIN CHARACTER ROSTER LIKE THE QUEEN SHE IS. She KNEW she’d get sucked almost dry by the Eelfinn if she went through that portal and would be lost for at least a year or so if not FOREVER UNTIL DEATH, but she did so anyway because she is a BOSS. I cannot wait for her reunion with Rand and for whatever other epic thing(s) she’s gonna do (after all, Mat gave up half the light of the world to save the world, so Moiraine is necessary to SAVE THE WORLD). Also very excited to find out what her other two requests from the Eelfinn were.
SHIPS:
•Rand/Min/Aviendha/Elayne—This is gonna be shocking, but I’m still super not into this. Not because it’s polyamory, but just because it’s very unbalanced. Min has been there for Rand and done more for him in a way that Aviendha hasn’t for a long while, and Elayne literally never has. Him loving either of them as much as he does Min simply doesn’t make sense. I’d much rather see him and Min be endgame, and let Aviendha and Elayne date each other instead of being sister-zoned. Their feelings for each other definitely read as more romantic than familial.
•Mat/Tuon—I still don’t get how we’re supposed to ship this. I can only assume the whole point of their relationship from a narrative standpoint is to inspire a reformation in the Seanchan, but Mat really hasn’t made a dent in convincing Tuon of the error of her (and her Empire’s) ways (nor has he really tried to).
•Perrin/Faile—Their shanna’har was very cute. I like that they kinda reforged their relationship by talking about their separation, and that Faile is finally making a bit of an effort to try to adapt to Two Rivers ways the way Perrin has to Saldaean ones.
•Lan/Nynaeve—Of course they didn’t interact in this one, but I’m happy he finally accepted her gift of an army to back his suicide mission. And I love that she has his bond now and he can tell. And that every time he got frustrated with her meddling he ALSO made sure to send a surge of love her way too. So sweet.
•Egwene/Gawyn—Very relieved Egwene didn’t give in to Gawyn until he really deserved it. It’s one thing for him to break into her quarters because he can’t respect her orders or trust her to take care of herself; it’s another to do so because he has good reason to believe that she’s in immediate danger from a threat he KNOWS she isn’t preparing for. Now that he’s chilled out a bit, I can ship them well enough.
•Siuan/Gareth—Can’t reiterate enough how off-putting their start was, but they’re pretty cute now. Based on his conversations with Gawyn, it’s clear Gareth actually understands what strong independent women like Siuan want and need. Ya love to see it.
•Morgase/Tallanvor—Finally they got married. It’s about time. He was like a kicked puppy and she was almost as moody as Lan. Both of them were reveling in the forbidden romance thing too much. Happy they finally put that nonsense behind them.
•Galad/Berelain—I CALLED IT. They’re both too inordinately gorgeous to not flock to each other. They’re going to have blindingly beautiful children someday and I personally can’t wait.
•Moiraine/Thom—I CAN’T BELIEVE I ALSO CALLED IT. I really feel like this one came out of nowhere, and I honestly felt kind of dumb for even lightly suggesting it might happen, but I WAS RIGHT. Really though, when did they ever develop feelings for each other? I have anticipated I think every single pairing so far, but never picked up anything between the two of them while they were actually together. Seems like such a random pairing, if I’m honest. But I guess they’re kind of sweet.
•Birgitte/Gaidal—In honor of this being the last review before I know EVERYTHING, I just want to reiterate that I have not forgotten them, and they better be properly reunited in the end or I will be PISSED.
EVENTS:
PERRIN’S FATE: I am uneasy about both whatever Dark prophecy Graendal said explicitly states Perrin will die, and about that text at the end that says “the final days of the Fallen Blacksmith’s pride will come” and “the Broken Wolf, the one whom Death has known, shall fall and be consumed by the Midnight Towers. And his destruction shall bring fear and sorrow to the hearts of men, and shall shake their very will itself” (it’s possible these two are the same prophecy? It’s not clear). HE BETTER NOT DIE PERMANENTLY. I say “permanently” because both Mat and Rand were told something along the lines of “you’ll die but live again” by the Aelfinn, so maybe Perrin will too. He’s allowed to die only if he comes back.
THE SEANCHAN: These jerks are making me really nervous. I hate that the “Dragon’s Peace” Aviendha saw in the future still allows the Seanchan to collar damane. That CAN’T be how the book really ends, I refuse to accept it. Somehow Tuon is going to have to completely reform her ideals and impose that reformation on the rest of her Empire. I would assume getting her to would be Mat’s department, but maybe Aviendha will have something to do with it since she’s so determined to save the Aiel. The glossary tells us that the Towers of Midnight is a place in Seanchan where the Imperial family (ie Tuon) will “right that which is wrong.” I can only assume this means finally ending all the enslavement and bringing about TRUE peace with the rest of the continent.
THE BLACK TOWER: So I think Taim is really Demandred, as he’s the only Forsaken left with unknown whereabouts. Maybe I’m late in concluding this, since he said at the end of book 11 “let the Lord of Chaos rule” which is what we heard the Dark One tell Demandred specifically, but I just assumed that all the Forsaken were probably told the same thing, and perhaps it also spread to the other Darkfriends. But Asha’man seem to be getting Compelled to follow him and there’s clearly another dreamspike around the Tower, so that just points to Forsaken involvement even more. But WHERE IS LOGAIN? Something must have happened to him. But maybe he’ll escape and defeat Taim without Rand’s help, thus earning the glory Min foresaw for him.
ANDOR: I can’t believe Andor’s on fire and that Trollocs are overrunning it when we’re about to have that meeting with everyone. Seems like one crisis too many, if you ask me. Since Olver is planning to be reckless and fight, maybe he’ll end up dying and then it’ll be revealed that he’s really Gaidal, and he can be pulled from the Pattern just like Birgitte was and they can finally be reunited.
GAWYN’S RINGS: Why isn’t Gawyn telling Egwene that the rings he found were ter’angreal he lifted from the Seanchan assassins??? Don’t TELL me he’s going to put his blood into one and kamikaze himself to protect her or some shit. Does he even know how they work? I feel like he’s going to do something stupid.
SLAYER: I don’t really have any more to say about this guy than I’ve already said, but REALLY what is his DEAL? Why is he like two people? Isam AND Luc? How did that happen? I need him to die, obviously, but I also need a THOROUGH explanation about… everything about him.
NAKOMI: Who was this lady? She seemed like a phantom, came out of nowhere and literally disappeared without a trace. I wonder if Aviendha simply experienced the dead walking like so many other places have seen. But why? Who was Nakomi? Wouldn’t it be crazy if it was the spirit of Tigraine? Don’t know why she’d go by Nakomi tho, her Aiel name was Shaiel.
BUBBLE OF EVIL: Why did dirt stop the weapons from attacking people? Does dirt stop ALL bubbles of evil? And why didn’t Perrin’s hammer attack?
RODEL ITURALDE: I don’t really have anything to say about this guy, but he’s become such a prominent reoccurring character and he’s so cool that I feel the need to at least mention him in this review. I feel like he’s going to end up doing something significant in the end, and I hope he lives through it, but something tells me he’s going to die heroically. (Also I know nothing gay will ever really happen, but what if he and King Alsalam dated? What then?)
NOAL: Again, not much to say about him, but he was a cool dude and it’s sad that he died. He didn’t have to. If Mat had just figured out the ashanderei was the key to escaping a little bit earlier, he wouldn’t have. Absolutely called that he was really Jain Farstrider, but I wonder if that’s going to be significant for some reason later on? Seems like a kind of random detail otherwise.
HOPPER: RIP king. You deserved better.
AELFINN AND EELFINN: I wonder if we’re going to see them again. It feels like their part of the story is done, so I doubt it, but I wouldn’t mind learning more about them. How are they so powerful? Who even made the ter’angreal doorways that lead to them, and how?
KEEPING UP WITH THE FORSAKEN:
•Balthamel/Aran’gar—RIP you transgendered bisexual queen. You were a Forsaken, so obviously I wasn’t rooting for you, but you were probably my favorite Forsaken.
•Demandred—Yeah, the more I think about it the more I’m positive he’s Taim. And that I should’ve connected these dots like two books ago. He better not have done anything to Logain.
•Graendal—I hope she’s dead, but it was very unclear. Maybe she’s just leashed by a cour’souvra now. According to the glossary, she’s the one who killed Asmodean? How by the Light were we supposed to jump to THAT conclusion just from the text? (And also, WHY would she kill Asmodean? How did she find him?)
•Ishamael/Moridin—I don’t think we saw him at all this book??
•Lanfear/Cyndane—So now we know why she’s so much weaker than she used to be. The Eelfinn mostly drained her Power (thanks, Moiraine <3). I wonder what she’s doing in Rand’s dreams though? Is her “I’m so sorry and helpless” display just an act? Trying to lure him out? She better not get some kind of redemption arc.
•Mesaana—I was really expecting her to be masquerading as someone we knew about, that her reveal would be SHOCKING, even heartbreaking. But nah. She’s some nobody I don’t think was ever mentioned before. I guess it’s just as good to leave her alive with a broken mind, but if Egwene DOES kill her, she better use balefire, I swear to god.
•Moghedien—Also didn’t see her this book at all.
So that’s it then. The final cliffhanger. We’re down to five Forsaken, and almost all the lesser storylines are wrapped up now. We just have to actually fight the Last Battle and somehow work things out with the Seanchan. AND NOBODY I REALLY LIKE BETTER DIE, ROBERT JORDAN.
Overall, a great penultimate book! I’ll see you on the other side.
Too much Perrin, but I guess at this point that's unavoidable. He did get less annoying towards the end.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Lots of things coming together for end. Probably the most nail-biting one in the series besides crown of swords.