Hi everyone - I (M26) am an innocent, uncorrupted, crawling-on-the-floor WOT baby. I have not seen the series (not even a trailer), I have not looked at fan art of the characters or engaged with any discussions because I want to experience it through my imagination and not be influenced by anything other than the words on the pages. I often think what it would be like to experience some of my favourite content for the first time again, so I thought this might be a good place to share my experience reading WOT for the first time as a newbie! (If this is not the right place - please let me know! Thanks!) My wife got me the first book a few years ago for my birthday, and I finally decided to open it in January. I am about half way through book 3 (The Dragon Reborn) already, needless to say I am enjoying it thoroughly! Please enjoy my wonderful ignorance as I uncover plots and connect the dots. I am certain that I will question things that are unbelievably obvious, stupid or innocent, which (hopefully) will be part of the fun for all of you wrinkly, wise, old-timers. I will try to answer questions, but please, no spoilers! WHERE I AM UP TO - Book 3, Chapter 40 - Moirane, Lan and Perrin are chasing after Rand in the wild west. - Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve have just fought some guys with the help of some Aeil gals and co. - Mat and Thom are returning Elayne's letter to Morgase. Some observations so far: 1. I always think I know where the story will go, but I am always wrong. For example, I thought the whole series (or at least most of it) would be about discovering Rand as the Dragon Reborn, but Moirane just outright tells him (and us) that he is way earlier than I expected. So that's fun - I'm along for the ride to see what happens! 2. Perrin's subplot with the wolves is amazing and I just want more and more of it! 3. I am enjoying discovering how channeling the Power works. For example, in book 1 we primarily see Moirane doing all the channeling from the perspective of Rand. Like Rand, we don't understand it, and it's very mystical. Now, we are seeing Elayne, Egwene and Nynaeve develop their skills and use their power (often in do-or-die situations) and it is really interesting to see how they are learning from each other and understanding it more. Poor Rand has to just figure it out himself whilst knowing he's going to destroy the world and go mad 😞 4. The Seanchan scare the hell outta me (especially those collars). Last I heard, Rand and the heroes of the horn kicked them out of Falme, but oh boy... Something is coming. I can feel it, and it ain't gonna be good! 5. I can see that the Aeil are going to become more prominent, but I have no idea how, why, or when! 6. I did not like Nynaeve in book 1 and 2 - I thought she was just mad all the time and annoying, but she's developed more in book 3 and I can empathize a lot more with her. So I'm excited to develop my relationships with all the characters as I read more. If this is something that people enjoy, I will post more updates. If not - totally fine too! Sometimes life can get busy, but I will do my best! Thank you for your time! Thacq