GOTTA READ THE WHEEL OF TIME, BABY.

So, er, this was a Wheel of Time book. Like, I should know what I'm getting myself into: interesting world, magic, and characters with dogshit pacing and explosive final act. Look, I am going to stick my neck out and say that I like, nay, love the Wheel of Time (baby), but with every passing volume, its flaws are apparent. I think that is what to love is, to accept flaws and qualities in equal stead, not just blanket acceptance or ignorance of the latter. Overall, the Wheel of Time is a case of the whole being better than the parts: set-pieces with huge scope and frustrating character interactions.

Jordan also seems cognisant of the chapter structure issues of last book and alternated perspectives more frequently, rather than 150 pages of one character. The scope of this volume feels large, and I am seeing the development of the world wonderfully.

Even with the shoddy pacing, the story progression we do get is legitimately solid, with special focus on Rand and Nynaeve, the latter I've found difficult to identify with until recently. This book, however, developed her character a lot in interesting ways. Nynaeve is a compassionate but ultimately not very self-aware person, who always leaps before she looks. It gets her in a lot of trouble and her life now in danger as she's running, has made her evaluate herself and her actions, as well as what she wants from her life.

We get a lot of development of Aviendha & Rand's relationship, too, to the benefit of the story. Rand for me is one of the most interesting and most heart-breaking characterisations of the series. With each growing threat, the pressure for him to succeed mounts. This man, scant a year out of his farmboy life has seen cities, Trollocs, and other darkspawn, as well as learning he is a man who can use magic, which is a death sentence in this world, essentially; he is certain to go mad. Not only that, his newfound allies in the Aiel are still divided, with other nations of the world going into war. He can't trust the people closest to him, including his closest friends, and he is constantly in new and unfamiliar territory. Oh, and let's not forget the Forsaken and the fact that another consciousness is fighting him for supremacy. All these, though, are the precursor to the greatest battle of all, the Last Battle, where he must face the Dark Lord of All Dark Lords. And the only one who can help teach him about his powers is one of his former enemies. It's a lot. To be honest, I don't blame Rand for developing the Void which is basically him stuffing his doubt, insecurity, and sense of incompetence into a box and hardening his heart. It's a common thing for men to do when they don't feel like they fears would be listened to: compartmentalise until they are emotionless; keep pushing and step into responsibility, even at great cost to one's mental health. A lot of readers and characters are frustrated by Rand but everyone wants something from him without properly checking in on the man himself. No-one asks him how he is: they just belittle or distance themselves. The closest he gets is the Aiel and the Maidens of the Spear, who do baby him more than not, but look out of him, urging him to sleep and eat, etc.

So while I'm not saying the Void is a good coping mechanism, (as his outbursts of anger inevitably spill out—again, common for men to do. I will put my hand up to say this when I've felt the pressure and not felt I would be listened to. It's not good, but it's a thing. Honestly, that's probably why it resonated a lot), he gets scant opportunity to be vulnerable without great cost. Without delving into spoilers, there is a scene towards the end of the book that was really touching. Worried for his loved ones, he embraces them, overjoyed they're okay. It's a fantastic scene and is one of the major strengths of this volume.

I really think Jordan is conveying the effects of war on people well. These characters are being forced to face their new realities with fresh eyes and it's well-drawn and very uncomfortable. This is something Jordan would have known and seen, having fought in a war himself.

All this being said, it's too damn long. Despite me appreciating real character growth, this has some many superfluous scenes and plot points. Valan Luca's circus caravan should have been a shorter arc. It just resulted in the tiresome bickering and catty girl fights and low-cut dresses of the series of yore. And while I like the group make-up, Elayne, Thom, and Juilin get very little to do this volume. Just weird sexism ("Men can't be trusted!"; "Women are so silly") over and over! It's exhausting. We do get some great stuff with the Whitecloaks and one of my personal faves: Uno. And Nynaeve's end of arc is solid. She could have been in her destination by the midpoint of this book.

And how could I not mention best boy Mat? He's one of the MVPs of this book. But he, Rand, Nynaeve, and Moiraine need special mention.

Anyway, this book has a lot of expanded scope and it really feels like this grand tale: lots of factions and problems to manage. Avast! Spoilers ahead:

Spoiler

So lets get into some specific discussions and criticisms.

The Many Wives of Rand al'Thor

I'm not against a polyamory plot. In the Aiel culture, polyamory is a thing and an interesting facet, at that, though usually centred around men having multiple partners. The thing that I have issue with is that not all of Rand's respective love interests have a developed enough sense. Rand's harem is so weird. Rand and Min, and Rand and Elayne are two relationships he's not had much chance to foster. You could drop Min but have the distance with Elayne be a complicating factor for his life. And it is. Because enter Aviendha, the most fleshed out of any of his love interests, but is representative of his new world. It's clear from Book 4 that she had some feelings for him and resenting being assigned to him. But as the two spend time together, they realise they have a strong attraction. They have good chemistry, especially after they have sex. A lot of their tension was sexual and there was conflicting emotions going on: as they realised their attraction to each other but there is Elayne between them to contend with. Rand is promised to Elayne and Aviendha doesn't want to get between them, and Rand is conflicted about being attracted to women in tandem with Elayne.

After Rand defeats Rahvin and sees Aveindha alive after balefire, he embraces and lifts her. It's a real intimate moment. Normally never stumped for words, she doesn't know what to do. It's one of my favourite scenes. No pretence there, just care and concern. They have the best relationship.

To reiterate: not all the relationships have equal standing in this love square? Pentagon, if you include Lanfear. *sighs*

Mat

Mat is best boy and love. Again, to the point of Rand's hardening, the scene where Mat decides to leave, realising he doesn't want to live the life of war, Rand shakes his hand and thanks him. We don't see this from his perspective but Rand would want to embrace him, one of the last people he can trust. Mat has been carrying the team with his new knowledge of war he got from the doorway. His begrudging return to battle and subsequent victory over Couladin is great. I don't like how Rand is using him as well, but it's how it goes.

The fact that Melindhra is a Darkfriend is a bad twist. Not because it's a "evil pa~artner" plot, but because it's also a little too subtle. There are details of this scattered in the book but could have done with some forewarning. Melindhra being a Darkfriend cheapens are legitimately good relationship. They have a strong connection and complementary energy. I don't know, I feel a little cheated.

Moiraine

Has gone through some subtle changes. In hindsight, her composure here as opposed to last book where she is almost at the point of fits of rage, makes sense: she saw her death. Also her actions make a lot of sense. Her begging Rand to listen to her, teaching him as much as she knew ... it's because she knew she had to sacrifice herself to protect everyone from Lanfear. It's a great scene and heart-breaking. Moiraine has been one of my favourite characters here and proves ultimately her selflessness and willingness to fight for the greater good, what she's said all along but failed many times to express. Beyond that, her letter to Rand is great. Less of that characteristic cool distance, but pure faith. She even praises him for his application of her lessons at one point, smiling at him. It's unusual to see and on reflection makes a lot of sense. It's great. Moiraine is great.

And I don't think for a second that she is gone for good. We'll be seeing her again, before long.

The Trials of Nynaeve and Valan Luca

I didn't like most of Nynaeve's story as it focused too much on how much bosom was showing or her fighting with literally any woman. I understand it's actually done so that later a mirror is held up to her and she reflects a little, trying to move past her combativeness as she thinks her actions led to Birgitte being taken out of the Wheel's reincarnation and into the real world. She shows her strengths this book and her willingness to protect people. Nynaeve before has lacked in self-awareness a lot but seems to be developing that more now. She is slowly becoming one of my favourite characters.

Elayne really has nothing to do this book and she is just not that fleshed out a character, in my opinion. Not much to say about her.

The Decaying of Egwene

I get the desire to one-up Nynaeve, but Egwene has been incredibly selfish and cruel this book. She's hard to read because she bends readily. She is under a lot of pressure to perform her duties, especially with her deception to the Wise Ones, making them think she is a full Aes Sedai. She does get some great scenes with Aviendha as their relationship develops, as well as Moiraine, who seems to trust her more. Her treatment of Rand and Nynaeve bothers me though, problems the story is honouring, when they could just be discussed like adults. She could connect with the three about their mounting pressure but chooses to distance herself from them. Especially Rand. She is so callous to him, not realising why he's so guarded. He doesn't treat her much better but he's reacting. It's a big problem of the series, but alas. I hope she improves as she and Nynaeve have flipped in my preferred characters.

I'll leave it there. Clearly there is a lot to unpack. I enjoy this series a lot, but it has some things that frustrate me.