tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.comments2023-05-17T05:51:40.714-04:00Coffee, Cookies and Chili PeppersLooks-Mostly-Harmlesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comBlogger2018125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-10509615486447253112015-04-06T17:33:36.736-04:002015-04-06T17:33:36.736-04:00Love perrin's commands, hate his Faile moodyne...Love perrin's commands, hate his Faile moodynessYamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15339676706841004902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-55721604970053145572015-03-18T11:47:12.253-04:002015-03-18T11:47:12.253-04:00Very nice wrap up. I was amazed that we all stuck ...Very nice wrap up. I was amazed that we all stuck through the read along to the end. It is interesting to hear after the fact what all every one gave up to participate in this crazy, 2+ year long event. <br /><br />And I totally agree with about the series being addictive and I feel that I will reread it every few years, even if the ending wasn't totally 100% satisfying. nrlymrtlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00572346310916207565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-62717322637746344202015-03-13T16:40:52.241-04:002015-03-13T16:40:52.241-04:00Good point about Rand's women: shouldn't t...Good point about Rand's women: shouldn't they have been upset by all the other deaths (Egwene, Siuan, Gawyn, Rhuarc) or even by Tam's grief, like I was?? Heartless ratbags!Looks-Mostly-Harmlesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-1521295203212905302015-03-13T16:38:24.595-04:002015-03-13T16:38:24.595-04:00The body swap came as a total surprise for me and ...The body swap came as a total surprise for me and seemed somewhat unnecessary . . . it's not that I wanted Rand to die, but that I was resigned to it happening.Looks-Mostly-Harmlesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-51513862854931083922015-03-12T13:12:53.631-04:002015-03-12T13:12:53.631-04:00Here we are, the final week of a very long read al...Here we are, the final week of a very long read along. It has truly been awesome. Thank oyu for being a part of it from day one!<br /><br />Very true about Egwene and her final act. And I loved her supportive mental slap to Rand. That made as much (or even perhaps a greater) difference as her final physical act. <br /><br />Hmm... Yes, why wasn't Bella with the Heroes of the Horn? That would have been awesome!<br /><br />Good question about Hinderstapp - was the curse lifted? I guess Mat will have to travel there to see. <br /><br />Now that you mention Slayer and his childhood, I too wonder what he would have been like if the Dark had not claimed him so young. Perhaps there will be some side stories about his life if the world is opened up to other writers. <br /><br />Yep, the body swap was a so-so point for me. I would have been fine with Rand's death, as he was married to the idea from perhaps even Book 1. And, yes, why didn't his ladies at least try to look sad? They had plenty of other deaths to mourne, so why not shed some tears for them over Rand's old body pyre? <br /><br />nrlymrtlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00572346310916207565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-71556217486380239372015-03-10T12:51:13.400-04:002015-03-10T12:51:13.400-04:00Ooh good point about Egwene's death being hero...Ooh good point about Egwene's death being heroic rather than just a result of recklessness due to grief. I like that. And I agree: if I had any qualms, it would be that certain bad guys--l won't name names because that would be indiscreet: Mellar--didn't suffer enough. I love the idea of Nynaeve and Lan breeding little grumpy borderlanders. They all have long braids and carry heron-marked blades, even to the dinner table. LOL. Good point about both Hopper and Gaidal being absent. Would have liked to have seen both of them again. Yeah with Cadsuane and Moiraine in the world, the White Tower is about to become an interesting place. :D And I don't think anyone really saw the body swap happening or knows why. Just a bizarre twist Jordan decided to throw in at the end. :DLiesel K. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860816358217211833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-44607202832094332702015-03-05T18:25:07.783-05:002015-03-05T18:25:07.783-05:00Haha! Yes, I think the Seanchan fashion sense (and...Haha! Yes, I think the Seanchan fashion sense (and the honor required to maintain hair & nails) is holding them back from being truly the Ever Victorious Army. <br /><br />Good thoughts on the noncombatants. In my experience, even those dedicated to nonviolence tend to change their mind swiftly, or react with out thinking, when violence throws a punch their way or wings sword in the directions of a loved one. <br /><br />It would be awesome if Olver gets to be the one to blow the Horn. I know there has been some chit chat about whether or not Mat's death by and resurrection by Rand's balefire counts...I am not certain. Everyone, including Mat, seem to think he is the one still attached to the Horn. <br /><br />Totally agree with you about Bela. Our neighbor, years ago, lost one of his mammoth donkeys to illness. We were also close to both donkeys (and later adopted and still have the second) so it was hard on all of us. When Bela died, it really stirred up those emotions. <br /><br />Yes, Lan's epic ride up to Demandred, with the Two Rivers archers lighting the way, was incredibly epic. I could hear the music in the background. One of the best scenes of the series!<br /><br />I am no longer sure how Balefire works. I don't know why Taim's death didn't reverse the effects of his most recent Balefirings. nrlymrtlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00572346310916207565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-18257046894415921042015-03-05T11:44:29.755-05:002015-03-05T11:44:29.755-05:00I was probably reading too quickly to have got the...I was probably reading too quickly to have got the geography set in my mind. I am rather disappointed that Egwene didn't manage to kill Demandred and that there must still be some Sharan channelers alive . . . but I suppose it adds to the excitement for next week! :D<br /><br />Phew! I worry that Logain is going to be stubborn, so that is a relief!Looks-Mostly-Harmlesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-24554641235477630012015-03-05T11:42:11.146-05:002015-03-05T11:42:11.146-05:00The amount of good stuff this week makes me a litt...The amount of good stuff this week makes me a little worried that next week will be an anticlimax :(<br />Looks-Mostly-Harmlesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-70741799432272867462015-03-03T05:45:40.589-05:002015-03-03T05:45:40.589-05:00Let me try.
Why did Demandred survive it, even th...Let me try.<br /><br />Why did Demandred survive it, even though he probably counts as one who had ‘given himself over to the Shadow’?<br /><br />The effects were local. Demandred was way over on the other side of the heights at the time.<br /><br />How was Leilwin supposed to find Logain and get the Seals from him in time to break them when Egwene released the Flame?<br /><br />The light that Egwene was talking about is not the light that she released when she died. It is still to come, and Leilwin has time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17109803991051330140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-36859284905259083382015-03-02T22:51:35.161-05:002015-03-02T22:51:35.161-05:00Yeah any violin for Taim would definitely be minus...Yeah any violin for Taim would definitely be minuscule. As in eveb the One Power would have a hard time playing it. I agree with your assessment of Ila/gai'shain/mercenaries. I've always liked and respected Ila and her husband in previous books, but I was pretty annoyed with her here. Yeah I loved that Tam had the Two Rivers archers help Lan as well. And you're right: if Lan dies, Nynaeve will revive him and then kill him for having the audacity to die on her. :D Mellar definitely needs to die by an infected paper cut. Even an infected grolm bite would be too honorable for him. And poor Elayne. I can't imagine the horror of someone telling you they're going to cut your babies from your womb. *shudders* I agree. So much good stuff in this chapter, there's just no way to address all of it! Liesel K. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860816358217211833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-68634795821108574542015-02-27T17:56:01.777-05:002015-02-27T17:56:01.777-05:00I like the idea of Ituralde being simply a badass....I like the idea of Ituralde being simply a badass. How many folks tell Lan he is selfish and get to walk away? <br /><br />I really wish we someday get to see what happens with Mat, Tuon, and Min all going to the Seanchan homelands and sorting shit out. That would possibly be another 14 book epic!<br /><br />Totally agree with you on Graendal - she's getting her hands dirty, getting stuff done, and is causing massive heartburn to the good guys. Having at least 1 competent foe in the mix sure does make this more intense!<br /><br />Thanks for pointing out the capitalized verbiage. In the audio, that doesn't come through clearly. <br />nrlymrtlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00572346310916207565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-73517600582131499752015-02-27T16:04:01.498-05:002015-02-27T16:04:01.498-05:00True, although I'm not sure if the others were...True, although I'm not sure if the others were getting much more. I prefer to believe that he is simply badass! :D<br /><br />I had rather hoped that Tuon was flexible enough in her thinking to change the way she does things . . . of course, it might be much more difficult to alter the way that society functions without everyone waiting from the shock! Looks-Mostly-Harmlesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-75440024470564126892015-02-27T16:01:46.297-05:002015-02-27T16:01:46.297-05:00I thought Rand had to revive him, but the Caemlyn ...I thought Rand had to revive him, but the Caemlyn incident was definitely death, so I was almost right! :D<br /><br />DOH! They have mentioned that several times recently as well . . . I must be going senile in my old age! :D<br />Looks-Mostly-Harmlesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-34569240546569988112015-02-27T16:00:09.145-05:002015-02-27T16:00:09.145-05:001. I would love to see Graendal try to Compel Mat ...1. I would love to see Graendal try to Compel Mat and then watch him laugh at her! <br /><br />I agree about the Little Wolf: I really wish we had met him earlier in the series . . .<br /><br />2. I just can’t see Mat ever giving up the fight and resigning himself to all that tedious etiquette, no matter how pretty Tuon’s eyes are.<br /><br />3. My only worry is that the final trick to defeating Slayer will feel lame because we have always seen him be totally badass.<br /><br />4. As you say, it’s all beyond the realm of planning now.<br /><br />5. I wonder if Min’s adoption into the Seanchan is why she never became a first-sister to Elayne and Aviendha . . . as I assume she will return with Tuon to squash the rebellions back over the ocean.<br /><br />6. I’m glad that I’m not the only one feeling a little derailed by this little side-trip: it did rather come out of nowhere. I have to say that I think that Faile is one of the least likeable of the major characters: it would be nice if she could do something right for once, as she really doesn’t deserve Perrin at the moment.<br /><br />7. I still think Sorilea might just pin Graendal to the ground with a stare and stab her through the eye with a knife! :D<br /><br />I have been very impressed by Graendal’s work so far. I think she has been the most effective of the Forsaken by quite a considerable margin. I had expected more of Demandred after his Big Reveal, but his giant army has not proved to be as dangerous as I had worried it would be.<br /><br />8. To be honest, as long as Alanna releases Rand I will be OK with her dying: she has been a nuisance most of the time.<br />Looks-Mostly-Harmlesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-31111410664647043092015-02-27T15:45:57.844-05:002015-02-27T15:45:57.844-05:00Maybe The Dark One is just being sporting? :DMaybe The Dark One is just being sporting? :DLooks-Mostly-Harmlesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918651503213054373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-88468943324827408082015-02-25T13:20:50.340-05:002015-02-25T13:20:50.340-05:00I think Ituralde wasn't sleeping much so Graen...I think Ituralde wasn't sleeping much so Graendal had less time to mess with his head. Imagine if all our Great Captains were getting full nights of sleep! <br /><br />Will Tuon notice that folks follow Mat because he is a good guy, amusing and charming and just trying to do the right thing? Or will she hold to the tradition of threatening to behead anyone who doesn't see things her way? I am guessing she will need a few months of therapy in order to change her views. <br /><br />Androl became one of my favorite characters pretty quickly too. :)<br /><br />My man has already finished the book and I asked him about Mat's death at Rhuidean too. But then neither of us could recall exactly if his heart had actually stopped. Was he definitely dead? And if so, why does everyone, including Mat, still assume the Horn is tied to him?<br />nrlymrtlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00572346310916207565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-17538675469989207982015-02-23T04:48:53.498-05:002015-02-23T04:48:53.498-05:00I don't think Mat died in Rhuidean! His prophe...I don't think Mat died in Rhuidean! His prophecy of dying and living again must have been fulfilled at Caemlyn, where he was killed by Rahvin, whom Rand later balefired.<br /><br />Shadowspawn can't go through gateways. That's why Demandred is taking his sweet time getting to Merrilor. Sure, he could get the Sharans there earlier, but I guess he wants to attack in bulk?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17109803991051330140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-52447416158423354462015-02-23T04:46:03.735-05:002015-02-23T04:46:03.735-05:007. Sorilea is clever, but she can barely channel....7. Sorilea is clever, but she can barely channel. I know that the Shadow tends to overestimate channeling, but it would be good for us who walk in the Light (hi, Galad) to not underestimate it either. Cadsuane is very powerful, and she could probably make a fight of it with Graendal, but I would not give her even odds, exactly. But with Aviendha in the mix... that could probably work.<br /><br />I also have to give props to Graendal for giving our heroes a really tough fight. She's been characterised as a pleasure freak, but she's really not averse to doing the dirty work when she needs to, and right now she's doing it very well indeed.<br /><br />The male Aiel can only be classified as a massive classic fuck-up.<br /><br />8. I guess it's no coincidence that the only Aes Sedai who can heal with herbs is her in the Pit of Doom to help Alanna! :-)<br /><br />Other.<br /><br />I didn't get to answer last week, but really don't think the voice Rand heard at the entrance to the cave was the Dark One. We have seen three (now four) instances of all-capitalised text so far in the series:<br /><br />- End of Eye of the World: This is probably the Creator. It is clearly aiding Rand.<br /><br />IT IS NOT HERE.<br /><br />It was not Rand's thought, making his skull vibrate.<br /><br />I WILL TAKE NO PART. ONLY THE CHOSEN ONE CAN DO WHAT MUST BE DONE, IF HE WILL.<br /><br />"Where?" He did not want to say it, but he could not stop himself. "Where?"<br /><br />(Steps appear.) NOT HERE.<br /><br />- Prologue of Lord of Chaos: Demandred speaks with the Dark One, using the same text style.<br /><br />- Rand enters the cave. This is BEFORE Rand thinks that the Dark One notices him.<br /><br />IT IS TIME. LET THE TASK BE UNDERTAKEN.<br /><br />Rand then realizes he has heard the voice once before (Eye of the World) and realizes he had been hoping for it. He says thank you.<br /><br />- Rand is swallowed by the black (this week). This is also clearly the Dark One.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17109803991051330140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-57065883881388502772015-02-23T04:45:52.669-05:002015-02-23T04:45:52.669-05:001. Yes, the implication seems to be that Mat is u...1. Yes, the implication seems to be that Mat is uncompellable due to his medallion. As we have seen, Graendal seems to be using some kind of invasion via dreams, and it's an open question whether the medallion can block this kind of thing, but it seems clear that this is how it was intended to work: a justification of sorts for Mat's place in the Last Battle. So I don't mind.<br /><br />I propose that Ituralde is simply badass. As badass as Bashere has been all series, and especially as badass as Agelmar has been in this book ("Yes, Lan, I'm telling you you're selfish"), Ituralde takes the cake for me.<br /><br />2. She seems to have increasingly given up on the controlling for now, and one can only hope that the next grand chapter will be suitably free of meddling. And as I said before, I can only speculate on what Jordan had in mind for the future of the Seanchan, but the fact that he had SOMETHING in mind can only mean that Mat has a role to play in that context. I'm not sure I would say it is the end, however. (The Wheel of Time has no endings, remember.)<br /><br />3. This is why I love Slayer as an antagonist so much. They've been at this for 10 books now, and Perrin has yet to come even close to defeating him. As many steps forward as he has taken (and we have seen him take), Slayer just always another trick. It's just such an uphill struggle. It would be unsatisfying to see the saga of Perrin and Slayer end here, after so many books of build up, so I expect Perrin to return, all ablaze with vengeance. And it will be great to read!<br /><br />Lanfear... no, not really.<br /><br />4. Yes, Androl is really thinking with portals now! Major fistbump moment. I like how gateways are being used for a bit more than just traveling.<br /><br />I also think it stretches belief that Taim would have detailed battle plans for everything, and I suspect Logain made his way to Elayne through a combination of notes and scouting. But who cares, now that the showdown on Merrilor is happening, all plans are presumably out the window anyway!<br /><br />5. Min is clearly extremely valuable to Tuon, so I rather feel that the Empress, may she live forever, will bend over backwards to keep her talking. Min is strong-willed enough to fight with the best of them, too, so it would be an interesting thing to see.<br /><br />6. No, I don't believe that Vanin and Harnan are darkfriends. As I said before, with very few exceptions, darkfriends have generally been outed within a couple of books at most. They were probably looking to have a smoke. Faile is letting her suspiciousness run amok here, and I don't like it.<br /><br />It feels a little jarring to have this lost-in-the-woods adventure suddenly shoehorned in between all the battlefield action, but it does really get tiring to read about battle all the time. (In fact, it was written like this to make the reader feel some of the exhaustion that the characters are feeling, but more on that next week after the chapter of DOOM.) Still though, the resolution to this storyline is so awesome that I have no hard feelings. :-)<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17109803991051330140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-10660572425506279612015-02-22T18:13:58.660-05:002015-02-22T18:13:58.660-05:00"Appearance obsessed shrink." Love it! L..."Appearance obsessed shrink." Love it! Like you, I thought the plans Logaine found in Taim's office were suspect. He's arrogant, but not stupid. Good point about Moridin. I hadn't thought of it that way: that maybe he's affected because he's so close to the DO, so far gone, as to almost be an embodiment of him. Interesting. :D Yeah, the Shadow does seem to be taking it's sweet time, doesn't it?Liesel K. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860816358217211833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-30668047604791158832015-02-19T19:01:01.191-05:002015-02-19T19:01:01.191-05:00I too have been sad at how little we know about th...I too have been sad at how little we know about the Sharans. So I read on-line that the recent anthology Unfettered has a short story about the Sharans (written by Sanderson) that was a collection of deleted scenes from this book. Once we finish with this novel, I plan to dive in to it!<br /><br />Gawyn does seem to be setting himself up for Twit Hero status. Nynaeve will probably have some serious healing to do!<br /><br />And the showdown between Egwene and Tuon was very satisfying. Tuon and her court may have been scandilized by Egwene's 'rudeness' but I expect Tuon will have to learn with others challenging her if she plans to continue to cohabitate in Randland. <br /><br />I too giggled at Perrin's simple solution to the Red Aiel. If only it was that simple in real life.....<br /><br />I think you are right about Nynaeve - she now understands why Moiraine did the things she did and see why they were necessary in the moment. Hurray for hindsight!<br />nrlymrtlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00572346310916207565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-40922746146563868942015-02-19T18:49:50.084-05:002015-02-19T18:49:50.084-05:00I too am also concerned that the Seanchan will be ...I too am also concerned that the Seanchan will be a source of huge annoyance because of their captive damane. Fine, let's get through the Last Battle, see if anyone is still standing afterwards, and then redress this issue. Hopefully. <br /><br />I wonder if we could get any of the Aiel to participate in a bragging match? They might find it highly amusing or be deeply insulted. <br /><br />Ah, yes, please let the slapping of Gawyn commence! I think maybe Sanderson had to throw in those two lines about Elayne and Rand not being related just for the readers. I know that if Eivind had not cleared that up for me several books back, I would have been worried about some kind of cousin incest. <br /><br />Again, without Eivind's commentary, I would have been lost as to how Taim got the Seals. I am hoping there will be a wrap up section after the Last Battle in which the (remaining?) characters will get together over ale and hash such things out for us poor readers who are trying to swiftly connect the dots scattered through out 15 books. <br /><br />I totally didn't see the Sharans showing up with such a large force, so organized. And yes, I did chortle too over Romanda leaving this plain of existence. nrlymrtlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00572346310916207565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-869056662101876702015-02-18T10:12:16.605-05:002015-02-18T10:12:16.605-05:00Yeah, the Sharans seem a lot like the Seanchan in...Yeah, the Sharans seem a lot like the Seanchan in many ways, but their opposites in others. Where the Seanchan treat their female channelers like animals, the Sharans seem to do this to their male channelers. I loved the "You are an idiot--Dribble" thing too. So great! LOL. And I totally can't get enough of the Ogiers in battle. I could read full books about just that. Love Loial! :D <a href="http://musingsonfantasia.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-memory-of-light-read-along-week-5.html" rel="nofollow">My WoT Post</a>Liesel K. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860816358217211833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936635192759786622.post-36329742513913739102015-02-09T12:33:17.652-05:002015-02-09T12:33:17.652-05:00Yeah Androl slicing Taim with a gateway? Awesome! ...Yeah Androl slicing Taim with a gateway? Awesome! I really liked Mat and Rand's bragging match as well. Kind of melted my heart. :D Good point about the dark being just short-sighted enough that they wouldn't believe the forces of the light would actually destroy the seals. Might just prove to be their downfall. :DLiesel K. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860816358217211833noreply@blogger.com