Author Liesel K. Hill's Musings on Fantasia...
Showing posts with label WoT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WoT. Show all posts
Sunday, March 8, 2015
A Memory of Light Read-Along, Week8
Welcome to week 8 of our A Memory of Light Read-Along! This week we read Chapters 38-END. Our final week! :( Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. I'm hosting this week.
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1. Egwene speaks to Rand from beyond the grave and he has a hard time "letting go" of those who've died on the battlefield. What did you think of this part and it's solution?
I totally loved this part! (And by loved, I mean sobbed through.) I can just totally visualize Rand in his agony, holding onto his grief for dear life, and then the relief when he finally lets it go. In a way, Egwene's voice is the only one Rand would have listened to at this point, so she saved him even after she was dead. And I loved her speech:
"You march to your death. Yet you forbid anyone else from doing so?...Let go, Rand. Let us die for what we believe, and do not try to steal that from us. You have embraced your death. Embrace mine."
He let go...he let them be heroes... (pg. 808)
There's really no better argument she could have made!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
A Memory of Light Read-Along, Week 7
Welcome to week 6 of our A Memory of Light Read-Along! This week we read Chapters 37 (That's right: only one chapter this week, but it was double the number of pages we usually cover in a week. I know, right?!). Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Eivind Fonn is hosting this week and will probably post his answers over at Dab of Darkness. Hop over and check out his answers there!
1. What did you think of the structure? That is, one huge chapter with no breathers. Was it appropriate for the battle, or did you find the difference from before jarring?
2.
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Definitely a gamble, but I think if it pays off, it will pay off big. Militarily, I think it was genius, but because he isn't entirely sure of where he stands with Tuon, that makes it a little scary. Will she come to his rescue or leave him to his battle? So yeah, definitely a gamble.
As for the Seanchan, I agree that they've done very little fighting, though the Forces of the Light have made good use of some of the sul'dam/damane pairs on different fronts. Let's hope with Tuon heading for the battlefield once more that they live up to their reputation as Artur Hawkwing's descendants.
3.
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| Androl and Pevara (Don't they look super-excited! :D) Source |
I love these two! They're so great. I love how one of them will gasp or feel a spike of panic, and the other one goes, "What?! What's wrong!" That would be so hard to get useful, but it's also kind of charming. (I think these two need a couples name. Peverol? Andra?) Myself, I'd totally be down for another lava trick. I also loved when he would open a gateway to the trolloc army whenever anyone sent balefire his way. That's totally genius. If only he could have taught Egwene that trick. :(
I believe it was said last week that Logain is still nursing quite an ego. I think his glory and his humility may end up going hand in hand. I won't say more (and I only vaguely remember the details anyway) but I remember really liking Logain's story line here.
4.
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I thought this was really interesting and well-written. I know that most of the very end of this book was actually written by Jordan before he passed. (Sanderson did some re-writes and editing, but the most of the ending was already written.) I don't know the details of what was and wasn't written by Jordan, but I think this part may have been. When he said he'd had the ending figured out for years, I think this is what he was referring to. It was never going to be a straight forward slaying of the DO by Rand. It was way more complicated than that.
Basically, Jordan understood that their had to be opposition in all things and people have to have free will (and something to choose between) or else they cease to be human. Despite Rand's heroic intentions, his way of thinking was flawed. He wants to defeat the DO (and we want that too) but he has to find a way to do it that doesn't mess with free will. Hmm...
5.
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| Tinker woman (Source) |
I have really mixed emotions about this. On the one hand, if someone really can't or doesn't want to fight, I don't judge them for that. There are other ways to contribute and as long as they are doing something to contribute to war effort, I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is them judging others for deciding to fight, especially if those people are keeping them alive. When Ila's husband even looked at a weapon, she went into this I-can't-believe-he's-even-considering-this mode, as though she might decide not to love him anymore if he did. Really? I was a little bugged by that.
With the gai'shain, I'm not surprised they won't fight, given their history and how rigid they are in their traditions. Because Rand has more or less fulfilled their toh and changed the need for that kind of servitude, I think it would be perfectly okay for them to shed the white and take up weapons without losing honor, but the Last Battle will probably be over by the time you explain that to all the gai'shain, so you might as well just let them contribute in another way.
The mercenaries are worse, in my opinion, because they have been fighters of some sort their entire life. They don't have any beliefs or religion that would keep them from it. Which means they're just being lazy.
6.
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The Aravine thing was pretty sad. I felt for Faile and how hard she took it. Poor Olver is trapped beneath a trolloc talon, and everything's pretty much gone to hell. (What else is new?) And poor Bela! I'm so glad they gave her a part in the Last Battle, given that she's been with one or another of our heroes since book 1. I loved that she rode like the wind to help save her rider before her heart gave out. I think it was a fitting (if tragic) end for the loyal, shaggy little mare. Loved her! Will totally miss her. (While Nynaeve is my fave character and I disagreed with the results, I must say I had to smile when I saw a pole for 'your favorite WoT character' where Bela actually got more votes than Nynaeve. :D)
7.
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Oh this whole thing was so sad! It may not have been the best decision on Gawyn's part, but I thought he was heroic all the same for trying. Then Galad tried and failed as well. I remember reading it the first time and thinking, I can't believe Demandred got both of them. Both brothers! So. Stinkin'. Sad!
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Best. Part. Ever!
8.
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I was SO shocked by this the first time I read it. It was always implied that she would be a legendary Amyrlin that would take the world into the next Age of Legends. Legendary? Yes. Survive the Last Battle? I guess not. This is the second time I've read this and I cried both times. It was so epic and inspiring and sad and just... *sigh*
I actually do think her fate was sealed, not when Gawyn died, per se, but when he decided to leave her. One of the dreams she had was of a kind of door closing on her. Gawyn was on the other side of it and she knew the interpretation: that if Gawyn let that door close, she was dead. I didn't even remember that reading this final book the first time, but re-reading it, I read that dream and went, "Omg. The door's gonna close! That's why she dies!" But of course I didn't want to say that back then. So yeah, really sad.
I think the new weave will be a big part of her legacy. She will always be the Amyrlin that healed the schismed Tower, saw the world into the Last Battle, killed the M'Hael (thank goodness! Somebody needed to! I so wanted to smack him when he did the whole how-dare-the-Amyrlin-defeat-me thing. What a doofus!) and discovered this weave, which pushed back the darkness, perhaps just long enough to allow Rand to succeed? I mean, because of the balefire, the Pattern was actually unraveling and she stopped it! She found the opposite of balefire which will be a way to counter it from now on. Go Egwene!
This will always be a very sad twist for me, even if it was very inspiring. I so wanted Egwene to survive! I also thought it was tremendously sad when Rand felt her die, relived some of things he said to her back in book 1 when he still thought he'd marry her, then xxxxxxxxxxxxx. (Yeah, I wrote something there but it was from a later chapter. I read ahead one chapter so I deleted what I said. I'll put it in next week. :D) Like I said, I cry over this part a lot.
9.
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Holy World War II-level war atrocities! Somebody kill Mellor! There isn't a name bad enough for a guy who threatens to cut babies out of the womb. And Brigitte! I was so shocked by this when it happened. As we near the end, I suppose we ought to expect things like this to happen, but it happens so suddenly, after we're so used to having Brigitte around, that it totally takes your breath away. I won't say anything else about this story line, but keep in mind that Brigitte was a hero for the Horn before she was Elayne's warder, and Olver is trying desperately to get that horn to Mat...
10. Anything else you feel I missed? Ogier? Dragons? The beautiful Shendla? Demandred's approach to the battle? All the minor deaths: Hurin, Mr. and Mrs. Bashere, Bryne and, dare I say Siuan? Min's spy-hunting? Leilwin?
I love the Ogier! I love that Loial and Erith are fighting side by side. It was so sad when he said he was still deluding himself that he would get to write his book. He totally thinks he's going to die. Poor Loial! The dragons are holding up better than anyone had any right to expect. (Go Aludra!)
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| The Last Battle (Source) |
The beautiful Shendla smacks of another aspect that Jordan wanted to expound on more, but obviously didn't get the chance. She's interesting, but very brief.
I thought all the minor deaths were terribly sad too, but I liked the way they were handled. It would have been too wordy (already an 800 page book!) to go through each death in individual detail. Having Rand see them from afar and pass over them quickly might have actually packed a heavier punch in a way. I loved that. Siuan and Bryne were super-sad too. Like Egwene and Gawyn, if one of them had to go, I'm glad they went together.
Two of the four Great Generals are gone. I think the fate of the battle rests squarely on Mat's shoulders now.
And Leilwin. She's already done great service to Egwene, but now Egwene has left her in charge of breaking the seals at the right moment. (No pressure or anything.) Obviously keeping Leilwin close was not only a smart decision, but absolutely necessary.
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Don't have much to say here. (Shocking, I know.) But I think we covered everything pretty well. Just, I loved this whole chapter and cried. A lot.
What other bloggers thought: Dab of Darkness Coffee, Cookies & Chili Peppers
What did everyone else think of this gargantuan chapter?
Sunday, February 22, 2015
A Memory of Light Read-Along, Week 6
Welcome to week 6 of our A Memory of Light Read-Along! This week we read Chapters 29-36. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Sue over at Coffee, Cookies & Chili Peppers is hosting this week. Hop over and check out her answers as well!
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| Ishmael/Moridin (Source) |
1. Finally, Graendal’s Compulsion of the Great Captains has been uncovered. Do you think that Mat’s medallion will protect him from her ‘advances’? It seems as if Ituralde was the only Captain to resist the Compulsion: any ideas about why that might be?
I hope Mat's medallion will protect him, but I think it really depends on whether or not Graendal was actually using channeling to do it. His foxhead protects him from weaves, but Graendal was using dreams and T'A'R', so I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.
I don't know why Ituralde was the only one to resist. (Can't remember, specifically.) It could be that the others did resist in their own heads, but we just didn't see it. Maybe it had something to do with being close to where Perrin was (as the wolves turned up to help save his forces). I don't know. Hopefully we'll know soon.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
A Memory of Light Read-Along, Week 5
Welcome to week 5 of our A Memory of Light Read-Along! This week we read Chapters 22-28. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. I'm hosting this week.
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1. What do you think of the Sharans so far? You can address fashion, choices, attitude, class distinction, the fact that one of the Forsaken leads them, whatever you want, or all of the above.
Well we know what Demandred was up to all along. I thought this was a sufficiently huge twist given how bad this is for our super heroes. He's managed to integrate himself into their legends and beliefs, which means he's been working on this for a while. He's dedicated. I'll give him that. As for their culture, I thought Egwene's observation that the more intricate tattoos on the lower-class people can't be removed, so there's no upward mobility. Interesting concept. We thought the Seanchan were immoral, but obviously this culture is even worse.
The detail here smacks of something Jordan was never able to fully flesh out. I even wonder if he would have done a POV from a character in Shara and explored the culture more through their eyes, but then as the series became it's own monster, it got away from him and he just never did it. Then, of course, he wasn't around to write the final installment, but he obviously had lots of detail fleshed out for these people. I think the details are all great, and am kind of sad we didn't get more of this culture throughout the story.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
A Memory of Light Read-Along, Week 4
Welcome to week 4 of our A Memory of Light Read-Along! This week we read Chapters 15-21. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Susan of Dab of Darkness is hosting today. Hop on over to check out her answers as well.
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1) Mat and Tuon finally consummate their marriage. Do you think it was all Mat hoped for? Will Tuon's ideas for him in her empire pan out? Tuon gets to keep her damane: how do you think Mat will deal with or adjust to this in time?
I thought this whole part was pretty funny. Mat seemed to enjoy himself, and I loved how he was all embarrassed the next day. You'd think someone who sleeps around so much wouldn't be so bashful about it. Tuon's plans for him sound grand, but Mat has a way of putting his own twist on other people's plans for him. Too bad the series is ending soon. I wouldn't mind a book all about Mat and Tuon's married exploits. Let's hope they can temper each other. Maybe he can actually help her see reason where the damane are concerned.
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2) Rand and Tuon have their meeting. Feel free to comment away! Also, Mat and Rand have a quiet little bragging contest. What other characters would you enjoy seeing in a bragging contest?
I loved the bragging contest. So funny! This whole section made me smile, both because they seemed like their old selves from the Two Rivers, and also because some things never change. Guys will always try to out-do one another. I think all the characters should brag. Not that it would ever happen, but it would be funny to see our ladies brag. Nynaeve vs. Egwene vs. Elayne, perhaps? Or maybe get Rand's three girls together. That would be interesting. LOL.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
A Memory of Light Read-Along, Week 3
Welcome to week 3 of our A Memory of Light Read-Along! This week we read Chapters 8-14. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Eivind Fonn is hosting and will probably post over at Dab of Darkness. Hop on over to check out his answers as well.
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Fatalistic? Definitely. We know he believes he won't survive the Last Battle. Whether it's unnecessary or not remains to be seen. I think he's giving these gifts for many reasons, though. Partly they're tokens of thanks for those who've always stood by him. Since having his epiphany and gaining all the wisdom and insight at the end of ToM, he's more sentimental than he used to be. But yes it's also a way of saying goodbye. Just in case. I think the idea of a final will is interesting as well.
I really liked that he gave one to Lan. The obvious recipients will be his three ladies, but I was glad he remembered his old, loyal friend. He's known Lan longer than the others, and I thought it was sweet that he included a crown for Nynaeve. That shows a glimmer of hope from him, despite his fatalism concerning his own fate.
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| Egwene holding Vora's sa'angreal. (Source) |
Chances are the current plan will only last so long. From the history we have of what happened before, prior to Lews Therin going into Shayol Ghul to seal the Bore, we are seeing a pretty decent parallel so far. Back then, the shadow gained ground and gained ground and gained ground, until Lews Therin felt he had no choice but to do something drastic or the shadow would win. We're seeing that again so far, so let's hope Rand and the forces of the light can do something transcendent on the battle field. :D
Then again, they may be willing to sacrifice everything on the battlefield just to give Rand the time to face the DO. It's kind of a scary prospect because everyone and everything else will be in jeopardy while Rand conducts his epic duel.
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Well, Mat's done just about everything the prophecies foretold he would...except deal with the Seanchan. I can't imagine he's got much else left to do. Given that Tuon still plans to dominate the White Tower, though, he has quite a task on his hands. Let's hope his luck is with him.
4. Rand takes his turn on the battlefield, but is turned back. Do you expect him to try again, or is this the last we see of him on the field before the invasion of Shayol Ghul?
5.
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| Perrin + Hammer (Source) |
I think it might be a bit like the Tower of Genji--not evil as the Shadow is evil, but so different from the way humans experience the world that it seems evil to us. That said, the Tower of Genji seemed pretty evil there at the end. I think the Wise Ones think it's evil because the dangers are just not worth the risk. The risk to one's life and soul are just too great. Think of it like hard drugs in our world. Is every junkie out there evil to their core? Of course not. But why risk something with so much potential to endanger you on every level. This is how I think of entering T'A'R in the flesh. Plus Slayer does it regularly, which doesn't much recommend it either.
On the flip side, Perrin said it wasn't evil, and I trust him. He made a good point about how he could smell evil, and it wasn't that. So obviously, it's very dangerous, but not evil. Perrin feels he has little choice at this point. It's the final installment and Slayer STILL hasn't been taken care of.
"The good options are gone, Rand. Better to do something desperate than to do nothing at all." (pg. 281)Word, Perrin. Word.
I LOVED his speech. This final installment is so full of amazing speeches and deeds. I'll be just reading along, ho-hum, and then one of them will pop up and I'll be in tears. I loved the whole part where he and Rand said goodbye. I can totally see a film version of it, intercut with 1-second flashbacks to them as lads in the Two Rivers. You can't help but think of how far they've come, both together and as individuals.
Best line EVER:
"We'll remember those who fell, and we'll tell our children how we stood when the clouds turned turned black and the world started to die. We'll tell them we stood shoulder to shoulder, and there was just no space for the shadow to squeeze through." (pg. 278)*wipes tears* Geez, Perrin! When did you become a poet!
I'm loving Gaul more and more too. He's such a loyal guy! He went with Perrin, even knowing the dangers of entering T'A'R in the flesh; even after hearing Perrin ask the Wise One about it. He still went. And he's awesome. Love Gaul!
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Yeah it was pretty cool that Rand could open his mind to her without fear. He could show her that he didn't love her--never had--and that she couldn't use him. Obviously when the truth of that became undeniable to her, she had to find someone else to latch onto. And who better than ta'veren #2, who also can and currently IS navigating the World of Dreams, a domain she has often made great use of?
So what's her game? I think whatever she wanted from Rand when she first started the damsel-in-distress routine, she's now trying to get from Perrin. Good luck, honey. Perrin's got bigger fish to fry. I mean, uh, wolves to avenge.
7. We find out how people are turned to the Shadow. What do you think of this mechanism? Are the turned really turned, or just taken over, as Androl seems to think?
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8.
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| Asha'man in battle (Source) |
I'm super-excited for this story line. I remember reading this first bit about Androl the first time and being a bit annoyed. I couldn't understand why they'd introduced this eleventh-hour character and then were giving him so much POV time. As it goes on, though, it just gets better and better. Now it's one of my favorite story lines in this book, not least because of the unlikely pairing of mad Asha'man and Red Sister. We'll see Androl and Pevarra work together more and their relationship progress, in often hilarious ways.
As for the rest, I won't spoil. Can't wait, though! :D
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Poor Lan! Having to the leave the Gap to the Shadow was so hard for him. Despite knowing that it was the right and only thing to do, talk about having to abandon his homeland for the second time was super-sad. The grief and guilt of that, especially for someone as honor-heavy as Lan, must really suck.
Is anyone else super-depressed at the cities they're losing? First it was Caemlyn--Caemlyn!!!--and now the Borderlands are going under. There's so much history there. Not just in terms of ancient Randland history, but also of the series. In book 1, our super heroes visited Fal Dara, where they first learned of Lan's origins and the truth of Padan Fain's depravity. Faile's homeland is, of course, Saldea. And the Borderlands at large have always been very admirable. Now their very cities are falling to the shadow. It always strikes me as supremely sad.
What other bloggers thought: Dab of Darkness Coffee, Cookies & Chili Peppers
What did everyone else think of this section?
Sunday, January 25, 2015
A Memory of Light Read-Along, Week 2
Welcome to week 2 of our A Memory of Light Read-Along! This week we read Chapters 2-7. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Sue over at Coffee, Cookies & Chili Peppers is hosting this week.
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1. Pevara and Androl has done some mutual Bonding, which seems to have created a rather uniquely intimate link between the two. Do you think that the other Aes Sedai / Asha’man pairs could create something similar, or do we have an example of mushy, romantic specialness in this case? Have you been surprised by the Red’s ability to work with male Channelers, or do you think that she is unusual for her Ajah?
I loved that they did this totally by accident, and they fight like an old married couple.
"You bonded me?" she said, horrified.He groaned, rolling over. "You did it to me first."
If they can do this, I think others can, and inevitably will. I actually think this is really cool and will end up being a strength, rather than a weakness, even though they both seem very uncomfortable with it right now.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
A Memory of Light Read-Along, Week 1
Welcome to week 1 of our A Memory of Light Read-Along! This week we read the Prologue-Chapter 1. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. I'm hosting this week.
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| Looks like Mordor, doesn't it? (Source) |
1. We get a terribly interesting chapter from Isam's POV in the Town below Thakandar. So many things we could talk about here, including the pointy-toothed Aiel. What stood out to you? What did you think? What do you want to know more about?
I want to know more about EVERYTHING!!! All we've really known about Luc/Isam is that they were pretty much raised in the Blight. Now we know where. Why haven't we heard anything about this Town before. You could write an entire book based around it. It sounds terribly sinister, and I can only imagine how twisted a child raised her would turn out to be. In that respect, it makes a lot of sense. But how did these corrupted Aiel come to be? How did Luc/Isam meld and become the hunters they are? (Histories, Man! I need histories!)
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Towers of Midnight Read-Along, Week 8
Welcome to week 8 of our Towers of Midnight Read-Along! This week we read the Chapters 41-48. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Sue over at Coffee, Cookies & Chili Peppers is hosting this week, so hop over and check out her answers too! :D
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| Aviendha as a Maiden Source |
1. Aviendha’s visions finally show us the decision that will place the Aiel upon their path to destruction. That first step seems so logical, so will she be able to persuade the Wise Ones to avoid it when only she has seen this future? Can you see any way that Randland can avoid being overwhelmed by the Seanchan, even if the Aiel try to preserve the Dragon’s Peace?
As I said last week, it seems obvious that Aviendha will play a pivotal role in this issue, which is why she is having these visions. I think it's an especially interesting situation for her, given how long it took her to pass her final test, standing up to the Wise Ones because they were treating her unfairly. Obviously all Aviendha's learning and training have been pointing her toward this fate.
That said, the thing that sticks out most in the visions concerning the Aiel is that Rand abandoned them/rendered them useless, etc. If she can get Rand to avoid specifically that (i.e. give them a role or long term job, etc.) then perhaps this whole future can be avoided. The Seanchan, of course, are another issue altogether. An alliance with Seanchan and Mat's wife is the one thing it doesn't seem that Rand has even thought much about yet. He'll have to or else it seems the Seanchan may come to dominate Randland.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Towers of Midnight Read-Along, Week 7
Welcome to week 7 of our Towers of Midnight Read-Along! This week we read the Chapters 41-48. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. I'm hosting this week. :D
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1. Galad names a punishment for Perrin. What did you think of it? Also Perrin becomes, in essence, Galad's commander (and therefore commander of the Children of the Light!) for the Last Battle. Thoughts? Predictions?
I was a fan of Galad's "punishment" because he finally seemed to realize that giving Perrin a strict punishment would be ridiculous. Thought Galad's always been a bit frustrating, we can see real hope for him as his clarity of the situation improves.
I totally love that Perrin essentially has command of the Whitecloaks for the Last Battle. There's not a better person for the job. This kind of ensures that what battle skills the Whitecloaks have will be put to good use, and they won't run amok causing more problems during the Last Battle. Good job, Perrin! :D
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Towers of Midnight Read-Along, Week 6
Welcome to week 6 of our Towers of Midnight Read-Along! This week we read the Chapters 34-40. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Susan over at Dab of Darkness is hosting this week. Hop on over to check out her answers as well. :D
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The trial was kind of interesting. I would have assumed it would be a farce, but it had a positive impact on both Galad and Bornhald, which was a surprise. I thought Morgase handing off punishment was a bit of a cop out on her part. I kind of thought that even if she ruled against Perrin, the punishment would be her chance to set it right. But, then again, Galad wasn't rash with a harsh punishment, so maybe it will pan out after all.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Towers of Midnight Read-Along, Week 5
Welcome to week 5 of our Towers of Midnight Read-Along! This week we read the Chapters 26-33. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Eivind Fonn is our house this week, and will probably post his answers over at Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers. Hop on over to check them out as well. :D
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| I think I've used every pic of Perrin 3-4 tmes! Source |
This is one I shouldn't comment on because it will spoil, but I think there's a good chance there's a connection between the two. It's also creepy that Slayer seems to be somehow using the dome to trap wolves. It strikes me as cheating. Not only is he hunting wolves in T'A'R' but he can't even play fair. He has to trap them. Douchebag. Anyway. I won't say much about Perrin's work except that I don't think we'd be observing his training with Hopper if it wasn't going to bear fruit at some point.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Towers of Midnight Read-Along, Week 4
Welcome to week 4 of our Towers of Midnight Read-Along! This week we read the Chapters 21-25. Remember that everything in this section as well as everything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk. Sue over at Coffee, Cookies and Chili Peppers is hosting this week. Hop on over to check out her answers as well. :D
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1. Morgase discovers that she was manipulated by one of the Forsaken. Do you think that her discover will finally alter her attitude towards Tallanvor, or will the poor lad have to go off and die in the Last Battle all unrequited and depressed? Does this information make it more likely that she will reveal her true identity to Perrin and Faile?
Let's hope it changes her attitude toward Tallanvor. Poor guy! I won't say anything about what actually happens, but given that she had such a major reaction to the news, it's obviously something of a turning point for her. The fact that she asked Tallanvor to wait a bit before leaving suggests she's re-thinking her feelings for him. And that alone--the changes--makes it more likely, in my mind, that she might eventually reveal her true identity.
It's kind of an interesting psychological study, really. It was like, because she couldn't understand her own mindset when everything went down in Caemlyn, she couldn't allow herself to be happy, or to be who she really is. Now that she knows it was Rahvin--that she was under his influence and is kind of off the hook for the things she did--she's suddenly re-thinking that attitude toward her life.
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| Map of Maradon (Source) |
2. Phew! Maradon has finally opened its gates for Ituralde and his troops. Personally I could have kissed Yoeli at first, but do you think that he will really refuse to continue fighting Shadowspawn in order to submit to execution for his actions? What did you make of Lord Torkumen: Darkfriend or idiot?
Well, let's just hope someone--like Rand or Lan, perhaps?--shows up and refuses to let Yoeli submit to execution. Good men, especially soldiers like him, will be needed in the Last Battle. He seems to be the only one at Maradon that has his head screwed on right.
Normally, I would probably just call Torkumen an idiot. He seems to be the arrogant, peacock type. But I think Ilturalde makes a good point. He's a Borderlander, and a Borderlander refusing to fight shadowspawn just doesn't happen. Unless he's a Darkfriend. So, my money's on his being an evil mofo. (I don't remember how his story line goes, honestly.)
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| Gawyn (Sorry only so many pics of him. This one is from the graphic novels, I think..) Source |
3. Speaking of idiots . . . yet again Gawyn rushes in and ruins Egwene’s plans. Do you feel any sympathy for the poor lad, with his love-addled brain, or are you getting frustrated with his inability to let Egwene take care of herself? Any more thoughts on the identity of the assassin and Egwene’s assumption that it is Mesaana? Will Gawyn be any more sensible once he returns to Caemlyn?
I had to laugh at the image of Egwene coming out, fuming, with Gawyn hanging there. And I did have sympathy for him. I had to laugh and just think, poor guy. Maybe he's not being as logical as he ought, but what he's doing, he's doing because he genuinely cares. Egwene is still being so prickly about everything, it's her I'm more frustrated with. When he decided to go to Caemlyn, I thought, good for him. Not only will it give him some distance and hopefully help him figure himself out, but it would serve Egwene right if she loses his as both a warder and a lover. But, who knows? Maybe the distance will be what they need to finally come together.
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| Source |
4. So, Birgitte entered the Tower of Ghenjei, wandered around it for a few weeks and then died. Can we expect a better outcome for Mat, Thom and Noal? Obviously they are going to survive, but apart from Mat’s luck, do they have any other advantage that you can think of that Birgitte was lacking?
Given that Brigitte is a Hunter for the Horn and a heroine of legends, that story was downright crazy. Let's hope our guys do better than that. They do have Mat's ta'veren nature. He tends to curse it and think it works against him, but really it always keeps him alive, even if it's not under the best of circumstances. Of course Thom and Noal are neither ta'veren nor possessing of Mat's luck, so I might be a little more worried about them...
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| Elayne Trakand (Source) |
5. What is it about idiot Trakands this week?!!??! So, just for a change of pace, Elayne dashes off and places herself in terrible danger and then somehow manages to survive by the skin of her teeth. I doubt that any of us were surprised by her rashness, but what did you think of her disguise: effective or not? Was anyone at all surprised to discover that the secretary/torturer was a Darkfriend? How much do you want to see Mellor with a knife through his eye?
LOL. Yeah, I just had to laugh and shake my head at this. I would totally do this if I could--her disguise was awesome by the way!!! I would totally take any chance I could to make a Black Sister soil herself--but of course she's queen. And pregnant! And yeah it was a stupid thing to do. Even so, she was doing pretty well for a while. And no I wasn't surprised about the secretary. I can't believe Mellor escaped again! Arghh! One of our heroes really needs to dispense with that guy! Hopefully soon.
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| Hopper? (Source) |
6. It seems that Perrin may be coming to terms with his inner Wolf. Do you think that this will happen in time for the battle with the Whitecloaks, or will he need a few more ‘training sessions’ with Slayer before he can take that final step?
I don't want to say anything about what will happen with the Whitecloaks (shouldn't Perrin and Galad really be friends somehow, though?). But I LOVED his training sessions with Hopper. I love that he finally seems to be getting the hang of how the wolves inhabit T'A'R' and that he had this breakthrough where he realized it was really all about him and how he handled things. It's not like he has no choice in whether he loses himself to the wolf side. (That would be the side of the force George Lucas didn't mention: the good side, the dark side, and the wolf side.)
And Slayer's back! And surprised that Perrin is so good at chasing him, unlike before. Chump. This is an epic showdown in the making. (Yea!)
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| My Little Lan Pony :D (Source) |
7. Lan’s little army is growing steadily and he is thoroughly annoyed by it! How funny is this? I was disappointed that we did not get to experience the swapping of his Bond to Nynaeve in this section: am I just impatient, or are you looking forward to that scene as well?
I think I said this before, but it still cracks me up that he doesn't think people will or should turn up for this. Why wouldn't they? It's Lan. And lost Malkier, which is a wound people in the Borderlands still feel keenly. And the Last Battle. And the Dragon Reborn. And just, why wouldn't they come? And after it keeps growing (1, 2, 10, 30) but he's still thinking that it really will start there. Isn't Lan supposed to be largely...logical? Realistic? Yeah, gotta tell ya, Bud: I love you, but it's time to look at the bigger picture!
Yeah, I wish we'd have gotten his thoughts on the bond as well. I can't remember when we do. But what I really want is a Lan/Nynaeve reunion. Probably won't happen until after the Last Battle (and that's assuming the both survive--highly unlikely) but still.
Extras:
I love that Rand is finally taking responsibility for everything. I loved when he told Min that, though he was sad for the things he did wrong before, it was okay, because opening himself up to the joy also opened him to his failures. He's so wise and insightful, now. And I loved that he was able to find unspoiled grain to feed the people. And that when called upon by him, suddenly soldiers and stewards who had all but given up suddenly snapped to attention and started helping him save the city. Just a cool scene overall.
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| How I think the Black Ajah looked when Elayne visited them. (Source) |
I loved the image, during Elayne's fight with the Black Ajah in the cells, of her picking people up and throwing them at other people:
"She did the only thing she could think of. She picked up Chesmal in a weave of air and threw her at the secretary. Both went down in a heap." (pg. 373)
Other lines I enjoyed:
Ilturalde to Yoeli when he refused to fight trollocs:
"I see," Ilturalde said. "When did you turn to the shadow?" (pg. 388)
It's just so matter-of-fact. Ilturalde is very intelligent. He makes lightening-fast deductions and isn't afraid to voice them. And he does it in a voice that could be used discussing a prospective deal over a business lunch. In a way, he smacks of Tyrion Lannister: He shoots from the hip but is so blase about it, you just have to smile.
Perrin's epiphany:
"Perhaps he wasn't like the wolves because he was a wolfbrother. Perhaps he was a wolfbrother because he was like the wolves." (pg. 393)
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