This sure was a different book than the first three. It sort of feels like Jordan fired his editor — the one who was good at maintaining a balance between detail and pacing. Parts of it came out feeling like a slog (Aiel history, I’m looking at you), and my only motivation was to write about it. On the other hand, some parts — notably the bits about Mat — were a blast to revisit, they are so iconic.
The story began with the Dark One’s flatulence rocking the Stone of Tear. Mat, Rand, and Moiraine all went through the redstone doorframe seeking guidance, and after a good long chunk of the book, all the main characters know what their gig is. Mat is following Rand to Rhuidean, just because the snake people told him to go there. Rand is probably going to Rhuidean because he knows it is prophesied. Egwene tags along to learn about Dreamwalking, whereas Moiraine tags along just to be nosy. Nynaeve and Elayne, on the other hand, need to follow up on a clue they got from the captured Black Ajah sisters about an artifact that can harm Rand. Meanwhile, Perrin is embroiled in a bad romance as he makes his way back to the Two Rivers, because someone has to.
By the end of the book, Rand has presented himself as He Who Comes With the Dawn to the Aiel, but not all of them accept his claim. He also has managed to defeat Asmodean and force him into teaching him how to work with saidin. Egwene is still in training under the Wise Ones. Mat still hasn’t managed to get away from Rand, but he does have his signature hat, fox-head medallion, and poleaxe. Nynaeve and Elayne make friends with a Seanchan captain, liberate the Panarch of Tanchico from the Black Ajah, and retrieve a collar that can be used to control male channelers. Perrin becomes Lord of the Two Rivers, and leads the people against the Trollocs and Whitecloaks that moved into the area — although that sounds way more impressive than it really is, because most of the time he just lets things happen, shrugs his shoulders, and says, “hey, it must be because I’m ta’veren.”
It’s hard to believe there are still ten books left! I’m probably getting close to the point in there series I got to when I read these books as a teenager, but I suspect I still have The Fires of Heaven to get through before things stop seeming familiar.