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Not great, but not terrible either. Plot twist was expected. I did like how Riordan handled grief in this book and demonstrated different reactions to it!
I had no idea what to expect here but loved this!
This book was much better than the one right before it. I am glad it left anticipation for what happens next while still actually having a plot.
I thought this was certainly better than book 8, not tons happening but definitely moved the plot along more.
FINALLY some payoff from the previous books. Still cannot stand Faile, Perrin is insufferable around her. Also don’t really care about Aram dying, not really sure why he was made out to be such a big deal for that ending to him. Elyas having a bigger part in the past few books has been nice, I like him, wish there was more of that.
The epilogue was really good though, very interested to see how red sisters bonding dark friends plays out.
The epilogue was really good though, very interested to see how red sisters bonding dark friends plays out.
This was this most underwhelming ending so far despite it having huge stakes? Was not as invested as other books.
This book was very good just in general and I would normally only give it 4 stars. BUT the payoff with Verin bumps it up for me, I loved that scene so much.
This book was very good, Egwene is annoying though and I don’t like the self righteous person she turned into.
A satisfying ending, lots of moments of absolute pleasure while reading. Small annoyances make it a 4/5 though!
Seems a bit wild that only one of the most important characters died considering the stakes of the last battle. It is fitting that it was Egwene though, as she became too big for her britches in my opinion. Being able to shoulder anything and everything and letting it do nothing to impact her, while expecting others to serve her made her extremely annoying and I really wasn’t saddened by her loss. Gawyn did not help either, he was insufferable at the end despite being such a good character early on. Their combined loss did nothing for me.
Galad’s storyline along with Berelain was one of the strong points for me. I love the love for each other, for others, their countries, their people and their families. Galad’s fight to avenge his brother while doomed was one of my favorite parts of the book, protecting his sister and his brother, and his new found brother, it was a high point for me during reading. His rescue and subsequent burning out of Berelain’s advisor is also one of the first moments of genuine sadness I felt for a character although it was a minor one. I also LOVED the exchanges between Galad’s and Mat regarding the medallion. 100% this storyline was my favorite and I was praying he had somehow survived.
Perrin’s storyline was okay, not good, just okay. Lanfear and Slayer being pretty unimportant when it comes down to it was irritating. Gaul was the only redemption I really felt to this storyline, an Aiel who fought with every inch of his being to protect Rand despite the danger. Perrin not being the one to kill Fain is also a bummer for me as I think it makes sense he should have been the one to avenge his family. And lastly, the strongest choice that could possibly have been made for Perrin with how this book was written would be having ACTUALLY killed Faile, instead he saves her. I don’t really have anything against her but I think it goes strongly against the whole idea that’s been pushed the entire time that actions have consequences, saving one person does what exactly for the greater good? Leaving her dead and having handed the horn to Olver was as fitting an ending for and Perrin’s story as I could’ve seen.
Moiraine and Thom. God I wish they mattered more? Moiraine’s reappearance was amazing, but she did hardly anything other than just showing back up. The missed opportunity for her and Lan to reunite is frustrating, and her and Thom ending together feels too neat but in a bad way.
Lan and Nyneave. Of everyone I wanted these two to be the couple to survive. I’m glad they did. I loved Lan taking on the forsaken and Nyneave standing by Rand. Felt like the most true to the characters any of them stayed. I loved their endings, despite the fake out of Lan’s death.
Logain, I had such high high hopes for him. And while I do think it was tied up neatly in the end… it was not really Logain who did it in my opinion, it was Androl.
Aviendha’s ending was annoying. I will not go much deeper than that. It was 100% dissatisfying for her character, I disliked it.
Elayne and Birgitte’s endings where satisfying enough for me. I figured Birgitte had to die to be tied back to the horn so I didn’t find it a shock. I did like her rescue of Elayne. Other than that, I don’t really have much to say.
Olver and Noal. Amazing, one of the only parts that made me smile immensely.
Loial’s ending was not my favorite, but it seemed fitting. I wish there was more praise to the Ogiers and their denials of being heroes, that would’ve felt better to me. It fit though so I can’t complain too much.
Tam, I am glad he survived, along with Mat’s father and master Luhhan. I do wish Tam was one of the few to know Rand survived and was in peace.
Min, I actually like her purpose as truth speaker for Tuon. I think it gives her visions meaning and explains how they’ve been used in the past. I liked her send off of Siuan and Brin. Min felt true to character until the very end. And IF one were to follow Rand, I think it would be Min.
Rand, the ultimate fight was a bit confusing other than the bit with callandor, which was definitely an epic and amazing ending. In the end, I love how he escaped with the help of Alivia. Felt good. Once again, I wish he had somehow told Tam he survived.
And lastly (of all the important people I think?) Mat. In my opinion, this book was by far Mat’s battle. And his parts SHINED in comparison to others. Lots of humor and sadness. And finally recognizing Rand for the hero and friend he truly is. While I do think Perrin should’ve defeated Fain, Mat’s line while doing so was perhaps the best in the book. Very witty, I loved it. His ending being having a child with Tuon and their uncertain future felt right for him. I liked it.
And there’s my extremely condensed thoughts on how this all played out. As I said, an extremely satisfactory ending, with a few annoyances mixed in.
(Edit: I just remembered to add this too: I am pissed that Bella died. The horse should’ve outlived everyone for all the things she had to put up with)
Seems a bit wild that only one of the most important characters died considering the stakes of the last battle. It is fitting that it was Egwene though, as she became too big for her britches in my opinion. Being able to shoulder anything and everything and letting it do nothing to impact her, while expecting others to serve her made her extremely annoying and I really wasn’t saddened by her loss. Gawyn did not help either, he was insufferable at the end despite being such a good character early on. Their combined loss did nothing for me.
Galad’s storyline along with Berelain was one of the strong points for me. I love the love for each other, for others, their countries, their people and their families. Galad’s fight to avenge his brother while doomed was one of my favorite parts of the book, protecting his sister and his brother, and his new found brother, it was a high point for me during reading. His rescue and subsequent burning out of Berelain’s advisor is also one of the first moments of genuine sadness I felt for a character although it was a minor one. I also LOVED the exchanges between Galad’s and Mat regarding the medallion. 100% this storyline was my favorite and I was praying he had somehow survived.
Perrin’s storyline was okay, not good, just okay. Lanfear and Slayer being pretty unimportant when it comes down to it was irritating. Gaul was the only redemption I really felt to this storyline, an Aiel who fought with every inch of his being to protect Rand despite the danger. Perrin not being the one to kill Fain is also a bummer for me as I think it makes sense he should have been the one to avenge his family. And lastly, the strongest choice that could possibly have been made for Perrin with how this book was written would be having ACTUALLY killed Faile, instead he saves her. I don’t really have anything against her but I think it goes strongly against the whole idea that’s been pushed the entire time that actions have consequences, saving one person does what exactly for the greater good? Leaving her dead and having handed the horn to Olver was as fitting an ending for and Perrin’s story as I could’ve seen.
Moiraine and Thom. God I wish they mattered more? Moiraine’s reappearance was amazing, but she did hardly anything other than just showing back up. The missed opportunity for her and Lan to reunite is frustrating, and her and Thom ending together feels too neat but in a bad way.
Lan and Nyneave. Of everyone I wanted these two to be the couple to survive. I’m glad they did. I loved Lan taking on the forsaken and Nyneave standing by Rand. Felt like the most true to the characters any of them stayed. I loved their endings, despite the fake out of Lan’s death.
Logain, I had such high high hopes for him. And while I do think it was tied up neatly in the end… it was not really Logain who did it in my opinion, it was Androl.
Aviendha’s ending was annoying. I will not go much deeper than that. It was 100% dissatisfying for her character, I disliked it.
Elayne and Birgitte’s endings where satisfying enough for me. I figured Birgitte had to die to be tied back to the horn so I didn’t find it a shock. I did like her rescue of Elayne. Other than that, I don’t really have much to say.
Olver and Noal. Amazing, one of the only parts that made me smile immensely.
Loial’s ending was not my favorite, but it seemed fitting. I wish there was more praise to the Ogiers and their denials of being heroes, that would’ve felt better to me. It fit though so I can’t complain too much.
Tam, I am glad he survived, along with Mat’s father and master Luhhan. I do wish Tam was one of the few to know Rand survived and was in peace.
Min, I actually like her purpose as truth speaker for Tuon. I think it gives her visions meaning and explains how they’ve been used in the past. I liked her send off of Siuan and Brin. Min felt true to character until the very end. And IF one were to follow Rand, I think it would be Min.
Rand, the ultimate fight was a bit confusing other than the bit with callandor, which was definitely an epic and amazing ending. In the end, I love how he escaped with the help of Alivia. Felt good. Once again, I wish he had somehow told Tam he survived.
And lastly (of all the important people I think?) Mat. In my opinion, this book was by far Mat’s battle. And his parts SHINED in comparison to others. Lots of humor and sadness. And finally recognizing Rand for the hero and friend he truly is. While I do think Perrin should’ve defeated Fain, Mat’s line while doing so was perhaps the best in the book. Very witty, I loved it. His ending being having a child with Tuon and their uncertain future felt right for him. I liked it.
And there’s my extremely condensed thoughts on how this all played out. As I said, an extremely satisfactory ending, with a few annoyances mixed in.
(Edit: I just remembered to add this too: I am pissed that Bella died. The horse should’ve outlived everyone for all the things she had to put up with)
I would give this 4 stars because seeing these characters before the events in the regular series felt like looking at a picture of an old friend, BUT I hated the inclusion of Lan being “seduced” as a child by a 30 year old woman… literally didn’t serve the plot at all. Otherwise I enjoyed seeing the progression of the characters and knowing where they lead makes me smile.