Book 4, here we go again..

Chapter 1

No prologue, though it seems like the first chapter is somewhat of a prologue type. We get multiple POVs and sounds like we are catching up with some other characters that weren’t mentioned much in the last book. Such as Min and the White Tower, as well as a Whitecloak update. Min finally made it to the White Tower and has some pretty bad viewings of all the Aes Sedai and Warders. Seems like a lot of them will die or captured, which could mean anything. Especially with all the war that is going on, could mean nothing special. Still, Min wouldn't have made such a big deal over it, or seen so many, if for nothing. She manages to meet with the Amyrlin without really anyone noticing her, and as she reports to Siuan, the timeframe sounds before Rand gets to Tear. At least they have no word of it yet. Gawyn still seems to be frustrated at Elayne’s departure, and is trying to figure out where she went with no luck.

Elaida seems to have recognized Min, and thinks she knows what is best for some reason. She trails off seemingly coming up with some plan to figure out what’s going on, and how she can control things. I really don’t like this woman.

Seems the whitecloaks have taken more action against Perrin, primarily Bornhald’s son, Dain. Him and Byar have arrived in Taren Ferry and seem to be all secretive about what they are up too. Ordeith is also with them. Sounds like they are trying to capture Perrin, mostly by setting a trap and hoping he returns to the Two Rivers. Either way, not a good combination for the Two Rivers people. You have a crazed killer in Ordeith, Byar who is the craziest of all whitecloaks, and Dain who assumes Perrin is responsible for his father's death. Things could get ugly here.

Finally we see the Seanchan licking their wounds on this sea folk island of some sort. Suroth has taken over command and attempting to make a new plan. She also is dealing with the new discovery that sul’dam can channel also, could get interesting there if more find out. She also questions the former Aes Sedai about the White Tower. Possible finding more about the Aes Sedai. I wonder if there is a way they could use the three oaths against the Aes Sedai to completely take them out of the fight.

Chapter 2

This next chapter was an interesting one. Perrin, Mat, and Rand all get attacked by some type of evil. Perrin’s axe seems to come alive and attack him. He finally manages to get it stuck in the door where it loses its power. Faile is angry for some unknown reason, and they seem to be in another fight. Mat is playing cards with some Tairen lords, when his hand suddenly comes to life, and attacks him. He manages to pin them all down with knives. Afterword the rest of the lords act like they never saw anything, and run to get out of his company.

Finally, Rand seems to get it worst of all, though he does seem to have attracted the attention of Berelain. Must be nice to have beautiful women throw themselves at him, though I have no idea what his deal is turning her away. He must have extremely strong will power, I most certainly would not have said no, regardless of where I was brought up. Anyway he seems to be learning more of the power on the fly, and traps her behind air as his reflection steps out of the mirror and attacks him. Rand barely escapes with his life, and thinks the Forsaken are responsible, though we find out next chapter that it was just a bubble of evil. I would hate to be there when it starts happening more often. I feel bad for Berelain, I can only imagine what is going through her head, though I doubt she’ll even think of trying to seduce Rand again haha.

Chapter 3

Perrin and Faile finally reach Rand’s room, though not before Faile starts acting odd again. Getting jealous at Perrin looking at Berelain but doesn’t yet realize he was only staring after her because of her terrified smell. At least that’s what it sounds like from his POV, though if he didn’t recognize how attractive she was, something’s wrong with him. Anyway she leaves and Perrin sends for Moiraine once seeing the inside of Rand’s room. Probably not a great sight to see. I’m starting to like Rhuarc a lot by this point, he reminds me of a lot of the reasons in why I like Lan. A fight between those two would probably be pretty sweet, though I hope it doesn't come to that. If Rand starts getting some training from Rhuarc as well as Lan, it'll just make him all the more sweeter.

Chapter 4

Finally, we get a little more insight to what Thom is thinking nowadays, and what he’s up too. It appears he is once again caught up with the group, though working from afar. He seems to be forging a note for some reason, though we don’t really figure out what for. Maybe he caught the Lords wife cheating on him, or he is simply trying to start something. Thom thinks about helping Rand out, but Mat comes in before we really find out too much. Mat is feeling the ta’veren pull and letting it affect him into staying, when he wants nothing else but to get away from it all.

Not a whole lot seems to happen in the first couple chapters, though it seems to be setting up a lot for the chapters to come. The many different POV’s seem to all be telling the same time frame, just the different versions. As much as I’m enjoying it, I’m curious if this is a reason as to why the series is so long? We constantly go back and forth in the timeline, going back to see the three boys versions of what goes on, as well as various other characters who play an important part? Definitely would makes it a lot harder to keep track of the time frame, and which events happen when. Especially if they ever split up again like they did in the first book.