Rand's death and your emotional reaction as a reader

[dexterryu]

I'm not sure how my emotional response will be. Rand has been a character I've followed and liked since I started reading this series in the early 90s. I've always felt like I could identify with him, even when he had some of his darker moments(If I were the prophesied savior/martyr of the world I'd be pissed and have no patience with the nobles and scheming Aes Sedai either ).

 

That said, I'm kind of in the boat that thinks that the meaning of "To live, you must die" doesn't mean that Rand himself will be back. I think it just means that the Dragon's soul will again be reborn. In Veins of Gold, it's LTT main motivation for continuing on. He gives in because the Dragons success and sacrifice means that Ilyena will get to live and love again.

[Entreri]

Yes, Hopper's death was the worst. Rand's death, meh, if Egwene dies I will have a good laugh etc.

[Elan Tedronai]

Rand dying is just going to be yeah whatever. He's the only main character in a fantasy book i have read where i have felt nothing towards him. I actually had more empathy for his alter ego LTT back in book 1.

 

Just plain unlikable. sorry rand fans but when you compare him to say someone like tanis half elven, the disparity in character is huge

[Ashaman Kovan]

Compare him to Tasslehoff and see what you get. Or better yet, Bupu.

[BNICK1026]

Rand dying will probably be a "wow" moment, but to me, if Perrin dies I'll be most disappointed as he is the one that I have enjoyed from the beginning. Even during the 'Slow' chapters. I really haven't had any emotional reactions to the story line besides Perrin finding out his family was killed, and when Rand began to turn on Tam and his Veins of Gold moment, but Perrin's story curve to me is the most compelling. I know a lot of people don't seem to care for him, but I know amongst my friends we all are big Perrin fans.

[thisguy]

Rand dying will probably be a "wow" moment, but to me, if Perrin dies I'll be most disappointed as he is the one that I have enjoyed from the beginning. Even during the 'Slow' chapters. I really haven't had any emotional reactions to the story line besides Perrin finding out his family was killed, and when Rand began to turn on Tam and his Veins of Gold moment, but Perrin's story curve to me is the most compelling. I know a lot of people don't seem to care for him, but I know amongst my friends we all are big Perrin fans.

 

I like Perrin and think he's been given the short end of the stick, not only by the readers but by RJ. I don't mean any disrespect to Mr Jordan. I think these books rank in the top three fantasy series I've ever read and he engaged in the most epic undertaking in novel writing ever. The guy did a fantastic job. I just think that Matt and Rand were fleshed out far more and given more interesting storylines for most of the books. Perrin starts out far stronger than Matt, in my opinion, as a character and then is kinda put on the back burner. It would have been nice if his Dream powers had come into stronger play earlier on and he was used more there. I also would have liked to see more development of him as a warrior. The other guys get training or their prowess with their weapons makes sense. Matt is great with his spear because he's great with a quarterstaff, he's great with knives because of his quick hands and juggling training. Rand was trained by Lan with the sword. There's only one direct mention of Lan giving Perrin some training early in the first book and in the second book you might glean that he gave him some more when Moiraine tells someone that Lan has been spending time with all the boys but slightly more with Rand because of his sword.

 

Anyway, Perrin's cool in my book.

[BNICK1026]

I just figured a lot fo Perrin's 'training' was his actual battles during the fights in Two Rivers. But I agree, I think Perrin could have had a much more impactful role. I know he does some good throughout the book but he could have been a lot more. I love that Perrin fights with an almost wreckless raw emotion rather than technique. I'll be more upset with a Perrin death than either Mat or Rand.

 

Personally I think Perrin was faded a bit because the idea of his character while really cool, is something that is hard to really imagine, but you are right, I think his Wolf Dream aspects could have been utilize much more. Like if it had developed a little faster you could then have him rival the Forsaken in the Dream world. Even having Perrin kill a couple of them because he is more adept there than the real world.

 

Or maybe it's just my being able to relate to the 'big dumb jock' character and wanting to see more from him.

[snooze1128]

When discussing Perrin, keep in mind that his "Wow" moment has yet to come... I think Min and Elyas are the only people who are aware of his ability to talk with wolves, and nobody except Perrin know there are dozens of Wolves gathering for the last battle. I know that Mat still has to blow the horn and use his relationship with Tuon to leverage the Seanchan, but even so, I believe Perrin's wolves and magic hammer will prove to be of greater worth in the last battle. In saving Morraine, I think Mat has already hit his "high point," while Perrin's will come in aMoL. Also, despite the fact that I favor Rand and Mat over Perrin, I can't wait for him to put that hammer to good use.

[Terez]

In saving Morraine, I think Mat has already hit his "high point,"

 

Now, that I really doubt.

[TristanWebb]

All his army know about talking to wolves now don't they? I thought he told them when he decided not to be a dick anymore. Faile knows at the very minimum.

 

Also, there are thousands of wolves heading to the blight. Every pack in the world has gone there from what Perrin has seen.

[Mark Molzner]

Well, from the very beginning, I always thought that Rand and LTT would join together as one person (Which they did eventually) as Min said, and then somehow the Rand/LTT duality would be split asunder again, perhaps by the Nae'blis or because of him, or perhaps even LTT has 1 more trick up his sleeve to save Rand.

[shortkut]

I'd like the wolves to have more of a role in the final battle than mere foot soldiers. I'd like rand or someone to be trapped where soldiers can't get to and perrin needs the wolves to go in and rescue them

[pamela]

I'd like the wolves to have more of a role in the final battle than mere foot soldiers. I'd like rand or someone to be trapped where soldiers can't get to and perrin needs the wolves to go in and rescue them

 

Another Perrin rescue misson, are you sure?

And if it's Rand for whom he has yet to be there for the second time (due to Min's vision) he'd better hurry up this time...

[Lisa Campbell]

I just figured a lot fo Perrin's 'training' was his actual battles during the fights in Two Rivers. But I agree, I think Perrin could have had a much more impactful role. I know he does some good throughout the book but he could have been a lot more. I love that Perrin fights with an almost wreckless raw emotion rather than technique. I'll be more upset with a Perrin death than either Mat or Rand.

 

Perrin used to practice behind Master Luhhan's forge, that has to come into the equation. Especially when he and Egwene are captured by the Whitecloaks in TEOTW and he recognises Byar as being very skilled with the axe. Any novice would think that but given the Two River's inhabitant's skill at common weapons, I think it was true recognition.

 

Edited for grammar. Damn sometimes I hate being in QA and caring but I just can't let it go when I notice.

[NetSlider]

To be honest, i dont know. The only book that made me tear up in my whole life was the ending of Shadow of the Giant (when Bean left into space and u realize that he was actually truely the most human of all the people and accepted his short end of the stick with honor).

It has to be a really good death, i mean gladiator/romeo/trinity/darth vader/and that guy from movie Stay kind of death. Then ill probably tear up - i do have a heart people! :)

[thisguy]

I just figured a lot fo Perrin's 'training' was his actual battles during the fights in Two Rivers. But I agree, I think Perrin could have had a much more impactful role. I know he does some good throughout the book but he could have been a lot more. I love that Perrin fights with an almost wreckless raw emotion rather than technique. I'll be more upset with a Perrin death than either Mat or Rand.

 

Perrin used to practice behind Master Luhhan's forge, that has to come into the equation. Especially when he and Egwene are captured by the Whitecloaks in TEOTW and he recognises Byar as being very skilled with the axe. Any novice would think that but given the Two River's inhabitant's skill at common weapons, I think it was true recognition.

 

Edited for grammar. Damn sometimes I hate being in QA and caring but I just can't let it go when I notice.

Perrin mentions in book one, after learning a bit from Lan, that it's a lot different than messing around behind the forge.

[thisguy]

When discussing Perrin, keep in mind that his "Wow" moment has yet to come... I think Min and Elyas are the only people who are aware of his ability to talk with wolves, and nobody except Perrin know there are dozens of Wolves gathering for the last battle. I know that Mat still has to blow the horn and use his relationship with Tuon to leverage the Seanchan, but even so, I believe Perrin's wolves and magic hammer will prove to be of greater worth in the last battle. In saving Morraine, I think Mat has already hit his "high point," while Perrin's will come in aMoL. Also, despite the fact that I favor Rand and Mat over Perrin, I can't wait for him to put that hammer to good use.

Lan and Moiraine also know about Perrin and the wolves.

[Entreri]

Meh. As expected. But Jesus will be back.

 

I would love to see Egwene and Fail die gruesome deaths. Now that would make me laugh.

 

The only death that has saddened me is Hopper. Damn Slayer, damn that worthless Perrin.

[shortkut]

I always meant to ask, does that mean hopper can never be reborn?