My main feeling after finishing the book is sadness, at the adventure finally being over after all these years.
I really enjoyed the book though, and felt it was a good finish to the series.
While not as intricate as many of the previous books, I felt this was right as the previous books had been leading to the Last Battle, which was what this book was all about.
Certainly a lot of deaths, and I was surprised at some that died, and surprised at some that didn't.
Like others, I was happy that Egwene died, and it made me happier about her character as a whole that she did. It made it seem more like she was there to be Amrylin Seat in order to get the White Tower reunited in time for the Last Battle, to lead it for the Last Battle and no more. This was good, as for me her previous actions when not related to the two goals above seemed a recipe for disaster post the Last Battle, e.g. her interactions with other rulers, Logain and Tuon. I always felt that if she continued as Amrylin Seat after the Last Battle, things would turn into a mess, and the Dragon's Peace wouldn't last a year thanks to her machinations, Cadsuane seems a far better fit for the role.
My only disappointment was not seeing a bit more of Moridin. At the same time, I feel sorry for him as well. It does seem to me that he is the champion of the dark, and the only one of the Forsaken to really serve the Dark One in order for the Dark Lord to win (and also seemed to be the only one has an idea of what would happen if the Dark Lord won - the forsaken wouldn't end up ruling the world like the rest seemed to think).
While Rand's comment and Moridin's agreement about him being insane enough to think he was the Dark One in the first few books, in the opening scene of the first book with Lews Therin he seemed reasonably sane, and to consider himself separate from the Dark One, and still was certain he had fought Lews Therin in previous Ages.
To me this seems right, that he is likely to be reborn around when the Dragon soul is reborn (if not already alive at this point), and his pessimistic nature will see him time and time again fight for the Dark One, in a hope to stop the wheel turning and end what he sees as continuous rebirth into pain and suffering for everyone in the Pattern.
Unfortunately, I don't think he will ever succeed, as the Dragon is likely to take the same decision each time, as he understands, where Moridin doesn't, that even if the Dark One wins, everyone will keep being reborn, just into a nightmare of the Dark One's making.
I could imagine that in some Ages, he may have obtained this understanding, and supported the Dragon and helped defeat the Dark One, but that could just be wishful thinking as I like the character
I really enjoyed the book though, and felt it was a good finish to the series.
While not as intricate as many of the previous books, I felt this was right as the previous books had been leading to the Last Battle, which was what this book was all about.
Certainly a lot of deaths, and I was surprised at some that died, and surprised at some that didn't.
Like others, I was happy that Egwene died, and it made me happier about her character as a whole that she did. It made it seem more like she was there to be Amrylin Seat in order to get the White Tower reunited in time for the Last Battle, to lead it for the Last Battle and no more. This was good, as for me her previous actions when not related to the two goals above seemed a recipe for disaster post the Last Battle, e.g. her interactions with other rulers, Logain and Tuon. I always felt that if she continued as Amrylin Seat after the Last Battle, things would turn into a mess, and the Dragon's Peace wouldn't last a year thanks to her machinations, Cadsuane seems a far better fit for the role.
My only disappointment was not seeing a bit more of Moridin. At the same time, I feel sorry for him as well. It does seem to me that he is the champion of the dark, and the only one of the Forsaken to really serve the Dark One in order for the Dark Lord to win (and also seemed to be the only one has an idea of what would happen if the Dark Lord won - the forsaken wouldn't end up ruling the world like the rest seemed to think).
While Rand's comment and Moridin's agreement about him being insane enough to think he was the Dark One in the first few books, in the opening scene of the first book with Lews Therin he seemed reasonably sane, and to consider himself separate from the Dark One, and still was certain he had fought Lews Therin in previous Ages.
To me this seems right, that he is likely to be reborn around when the Dragon soul is reborn (if not already alive at this point), and his pessimistic nature will see him time and time again fight for the Dark One, in a hope to stop the wheel turning and end what he sees as continuous rebirth into pain and suffering for everyone in the Pattern.
Unfortunately, I don't think he will ever succeed, as the Dragon is likely to take the same decision each time, as he understands, where Moridin doesn't, that even if the Dark One wins, everyone will keep being reborn, just into a nightmare of the Dark One's making.
I could imagine that in some Ages, he may have obtained this understanding, and supported the Dragon and helped defeat the Dark One, but that could just be wishful thinking as I like the character
I agree with you about Egwene. Egwene is a radical ruler... She makes some great decisions but some rather bad ones too, and every time the decisions (good or bad) have a rather large impact on everyone around her.
Cadsuane is an excellent choice as Amyrlin. She's more of a moderate than Egwene, and with her standing and her wisdom, she'll overall be a better choice to lead the Tower. It's likely she will institute all the changes we have been hoping for - the Oath Rod, the Asha'aman. She won't take nonsense from the Seanchan (neither will Egwene but she's been too personally affected and becomes irrational). Cadsuane has lived through all the changes... She knows about the merits of male channelers, the Oath Rod and she knows about the stagnation of the Tower... Which is why she will be perfect for the transition.
Wheel of Time board admin
Fan of Lanfear
Fan of Lanfear
My thoughts on AMOL (spoilers)
10/01/2013 07:15:35 AM
- 1249 Views
I'd call that the best possible, reasonable interpretation of Egwene *NM*
10/01/2013 07:44:01 AM
- 312 Views
Egwene...
10/01/2013 10:51:49 AM
- 1001 Views