UPDATE!!! I finished Winter's Heart!!!
I'm sorry I didn't do any updates with this book but I have been very busy and also there never really seemed to be a good place to do an update with this book, because there weren't as many notable major events. However, I did like this very much and the ending was SPECTACULAR!! I'll save Rand cleansing saidin for last because that is the biggest deal.
-I was so glad to be reading about Mat again, as he has always been my favorite character. He has a limp now because of his injuries sustained during the Seanchan takeover. He is still Tylin's "piglet" (what's to complain about, Mat?!?!?) Tylin has sworn allegience to the Seanchan and they have allowed her to rule Ebou Dar UNDER the Crystal Throne of course. Finally, we have met the Daughter of the Nine Moons and her name is Tuon. First off, the Seanchan chain of command is very confusing, so when they talk of how someone below Tuon can criticize her because she's not REALLY below her per se, it kind of melts my brain. LOL Well anywho, while Tylin is away, Mat plans his escape and how he's going to get the Aes Sedai out of there without them being caught. Tylin comes back and catches him but she let's him go and has him tie her up underneath her bed so as to clear her of helping him. On the way out he is forced to kidnap Tuon, and apparently she isn't all that upset about this. I'm very curious to see where this goes because I don't see Mat marrying this girl unless he is forced to....which would still fullfill Min's prophecy anyways.
-Elayne claimed her throne, but unfortunately her parts of this book were kind of slow, as they dealt with all the nobles wanting her throne. The assassination attempt on her has led to a darkfriend Daved Hanlon becoming the head of her personal security. That was the only interesting part of her story for me.
-Perrin was in the book looking for Faile.....and then they never went back to him. What the heck?? I like Perrin and Faile and I wanted to see that story line get solved. It's so weird how it left off like that.
-Elayne, Min, and Aviendha all bonded with Rand. I'm surprised he actually let them do this, seeing as he is destined to die and anyone who has somebody bonded to them and they die, that person dies soon afterwards. But, he understood that it was their choice and they love him. Also, Rand finally made love to Elayne. In one of the funniest scenes in the WOT books Min, Aviendha, and Birgitte all feel and see what's going on through their warder bond. I thought this was great, because of how uptight some of these characters are. All this talk about going redfaced at the sight of cleavage or embarrased when anyone talkes about sex, and here they all mentally WATCH this happen despite their best efforts. Very creative Mr. Jordan....
-Rand goes to Far Madding to hunt down some of the Asha'man that tried to assasinate him. He kills one of them in a duel. Cadsuane, Nyneave, Lan, Verin, and other Aes Sedai and still loyal Asha'man are with Rand. He gets a note telling him where the remaining Asha'man are and asks him to leave. Suspecting a trap, him and Lan go to this inn and sneak inthrough the roof. There the encounter Padan Fain (who wrote the letter) and Toram. This battle was so awesome to read and I love the image of Lan and Rand battling side by side. What a great scene. Also, I never realized Fain was so skilled a fighter. He gives Rand a lot of trouble but eventually escapes (how? I have no idea....because there were guards outside) Rand does kill the two remaining Asha'man and him and Lan escape the inn. They fall off the roof and are captured by Aes Sedai, but are eventually free'd by Cadsuane. I didn't know why this short imprisonment was even necessary, then I realize that those Aes Sedai will report back to Elaida that Cadsuane in working with Rand. I suppose that's significant. I'm starting to like Cadsuane very much and I find her the most trustworthy Aes Sedai besides Moiraine. I wish I could see them two meet!
-Okay, Rand decides to use the access keys to clease the male half of the source. The female key will be used by Nyneave, as she is the strongest in the Power, and she will link with Rand to do this. Cadsuane, Verin, and all the Aes Sedai and Asha'man they can muster all for different circles around the hilltop near Shadar Logoth because they realize that such a massive use of the One Power will attract channelers from all over the world......especially the Forsaken. And oh boy do they ever. First off, the descriptions of how saidar and saidin interweave and saidar seems to be actually squeezing the taint out of saidin literally into the air were amazing. The taint is spilling out and forming a huge ball that is blacker than black and is growing larger and larger. All this time I wondered how one could remove the taint and here it is, FINALLY. No more woozines or "molten filth" or any of that garbage. Saidin is CLEAN!! Can you imagine how much different it must be for any male channeler now. This really changes EVERYTHING. The White Tower no longer has any right to hunt down male channelers. There can be male Aes Sedai again and saidin and saidar can be used together again!! Just like in the Age of Legends, where they said that the greatest achievements were made with both halves of the Source being used together. WOW, I can hear the thump of all the Red sisters simultaneously fainting. lol I still see struggles ahead, because male channelers being insane is so ingrained into The White Tower's laws and practices it will be very difficult to change things. But oh boy, I am glad this moment is finally here!!
Whoops, got a little off track sorry. The battle: was AWESOME. ALL of the Forsaken came to stop what was happaning. I really like the how the Forsaken are written so I always get excited when the come around. But to have them all in one spot in a battle??? Beautiful. A couple of notable absences though. I didn't see Greandal or Moridin. They never mentioned Mesaana, but at one point a woman is spotted running through the woods changing colors...which is consistent with how Mesaana looks (the saa??) Demandred comes but spends his time running from the fireballs being shot at him. The Aes Sedai and Asha'man are working together so that, if any male or female channels near them (which they know will be the Forsaken coming) they immediately shoot fireballs in that direction. Moghedian, despite her fear of Moridin, actually sits this one out. I'm a little surprised she didn't take this chance to get her revenge on Nyneave. Aran'gar is spotted by an Asha'man who is shocked to find her using saidin. Her secret's out. Dashiva, the renegade Asha'man, shows up only to be immediately annihilated. Finally, the best part of the whole battle is when Cadsuane squares off with Lanfear/Cyndane. I nearly had to read this part standing up. Two VERY powerful female characters who are MAJOR players in this story. Cyndane's shock at how her "nasty" weaves disappear when she uses them on Cadsuane (because of her teren'gal) and Cadsuane being stunned every time one of her weaves are "sliced" by Cyndane. Lanfear is the only character that I remember knowing how to "slice" someone elses weave. Man, she is so strong in the Power, I always enjoy any scene of her battling. Or even just using the Power at all. Unfortunately, the ending battle scatters the stories so we never get any definitive ending for the individual duels. Cadsuane does think to herself later on...something to the effect of her not being satisfied with "one dead renegade and a few singed Forsaken. So I take it none of them were killed. That's fine. All the more for Rand to kill, especially now that he doesn't have to worry about Callandor magnifying the taint.
Okay my fingers hurt. lol. I do have my order in for Crossroads of Twilight. Yes, I've been warned about this book, but I am keeping an open mind still. I think the cleansing of saidin is the biggest event in the WOT stories so far and it has really invigorated my enthusiasm for these books. I'm so excited to see where they go from here. Tarmon Gai'don can't be THAT far away anymore lol. I'm almost caught up guys. Again, sorry for the long wait. I put a lot into this update because you guys have been very faithful readers and very helpful with your comments too. I can't wait to start reading the next book! I'll keep you guys updated....of couse!! lol
-Joe
