Hi JoeC,
Glad you enjoyed the latest installment of the WoT books. I think the thing I enjoyed the most was when I opened to the title page and there stamped under the title was Rj's autograph. Having read his books since I was in HS (approx. 13 years ago) and I knew that I would never be able to meet the man and get this autograph. So this was the next best thing and apparently this was thanks to Brandon. That just makes him awesome I think.
As for the writing I thought this was an excellent addition to the series and I haven't had as much fun with the books since 4 and 5. I enjoyed the dark path and climax of Rand's journey in this story, I was truly afraid for his sanity as well for the safety of Min. I thought that Tam calling Cadsuane a bully was as excellent as her getting Semiraghe spanked to humiliate her. Pride seems to be a great flaw amongst many of the WoT characters. I wonder what Rand will be like now that he has found his sense of humor again, remember though he can laugh he is still damaged from the Taint and linked to Moridin. Plus the dual scars on his side and he used TP so that may tempt him again... Rand he may be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel but he is not out of the forest yet.
Course that's not taking into account the other messes Rand needs to clean up, Bandar Eban, the Borderlanders in Far Madding, the Black Tower, and possibly Lan Irtulde. There's also debate on if Greandal is really dead or not, theories that she either used a Compulsion weave that would disapate or someone else put that weave.
What little we get of Perrin was good, with hints of some really great stuff to look forward to in ToM. I loved that Faile took care of Masema, she finally did something useful.
Egwene was probably the best part of the books watching that story come to a climax, Verin's sacrfice was a heartbreaking part for me since she was one of my most liked characters. Seems she was BA all along lol. People should know that Messana is apparently still in the Tower and the Four Bloodwrasps are still unaccounted for.
Mat I know has had the most controversal part, many feeling his character was off from the previous books. I think Brandon explains it best by saying Mat's world has been turned upside down here now that he is married, he is trying to figure out how to deal with that fact. I feel as well that for the first time in a long time he's primarly surrounded by people he trusts, no Seachan or numerous AS to worry about to keep secrets from. I think he's still a man who doesn't want to wear the label Hero even if it is true of him.
I actually think the Ajah's should not only remain but the Asha'man would do well to have them. It keeps their order organized though I have a feeling the Channelers of both groups are going to have to evolve and change once TG is done.
I think Brandon has succeded with tGS and I can't wait to see ToM, aMoL and his own Epic fantasy series.