u/Cresssselia

This is mine from each song: (feel free to js say ur favorites or from every single one—I was bored so I did them all)

- EX-Girlfriend: "We keep repeating mistakes for souvenirs, and we've been inbetween the days and years, and I know that when I see you I'm going to die"

- Simple Kind of Life: "Now all those simple things are simply too complicated for my life."

- Bathwater: "Diligently doubtful through all kinds of troubles, then I find myself choking on all my contradictions."

- Six Feet Under: "Subconsciously motivated natural instinct, alter nature for the pleasure."

- Magic's in the Makeup: "But I want to be the real thing, but if you catch my eye, can't be authentic."

- Artificial Sweetener: "I'm only sure that I'm not sure, I shudder to be honest."

- Marry Me: "Quickly I'm altered and tempted by new love only rented."

- New: "Like a fresh battery, I'm energized by you."

- Too Late: "Like a butterfly cupped in my hands, I peek in to see beauty trapped, confined it flutters. Then it leaves behind colorful dust to remind me of the special times we've spent."

- Comforting Lie: "Swallow it down, pretend, hold it, hold it all in. Build a bomb, blow it, blow it away, clear it all out, just end it."

- Suspension without Suspense: "We get so far, and then it just starts rewinding, and the same old song. We're playing it again and again, suspension without suspense...but I don't want the love we have to end."

- Staring Problem: "With my envy I steal glances, resentful fault finder."

- Home Now: "I want to take you for granted and see you regular. So what you're giving up for me? And what shall I give up for you?"

- Dark Blue: "Hestitation, but then you siphon me...Oh maybe I'm supposed to make you feel better."

This is probably my favorite album lyrically, but I might do this for the other albums also. Or just TK and maybe Beacon street

I am going to go through this character to character, starting with my favorites. (I never have written anything in this sub abt the books before, so take this w grace) Warning: this is rly long

Mat in this book was amazing as his courting of Tuon continued and him actually asking Thom about the letter. I am so excited for what will come next with the tower of ghenjeii (however u spell that). At the end of the chapter "A Village in Shiota" I love what Mat thinks:

"Well, heroes got patted on the head and pushed out of the way until the next time a hero was needed, if they survived being a hero in the first place. Very often heroes did not. He had never really trusted Moiraine, or liked her either. Only fools trusted Aes Sedai. But then, if not for her, he would be back in the Two Rivers mucking out the barn and tending his da's cows. Or he would be dead, And there old Thom sat, saying nothing, just staring at him. That was the rub. He liked Thom. Oh, blood and bloody ashes."

One of the repeated motifs/themes with Mats character and characterization is not wanting to be considering a hero or a lord, or anyone worthy/just having a title. He acts like a hero naturally, which makes him so compelling along with his distrust of Aes Sedai even though they helped him get there (or at least Moiraine). I like he actually acknowledges that here and I dont remember if he ever has before. Not to say Moiraine made him a hero, but she suggested him along the path.

I have seen several people not liking Mat because Tuon is a slave owner, but he has already tried avoiding her several times. I think that at this point he knows its truly fated since its what the ealfinn and wtv told him would happen. Mat obviously is falling in love/is in love with her by this book, but I'm not totally sure if he thinks of her as a good person. It seems very nuanced. He says he will be against her empire, while she then says that she ia dedicated to her empire. This will create a complicated dynamic that perhaps will make her change, but it will not be straightforward or simple. I do believe personally that everyone has the possibility to change, so I dont find their pairing as revolting as others reviews have mentioned. (I'm also not gonna argue w anyone abt this in the comments, its all our own opinions.)

Egwene was amazing. I really don't truly understand why so many people hate her or despise her. Maybe I can understand disliking her (Her choice to deal w the cuendillar was stupid), but I think she has many redeeming qualities and is very entertaining to read. I also in general have thoroughly enjoyed anything involving the aes sedai in the rebel camp and in the tower (even in the "slog"). Embers Falling on Dry Grass showed some characterization of Egwene's own stability, persistance, and strength with Silviana asking:

"You mean to resist as long as you can, do you?"

"I will do what I must"

and then Egwene on the next pg:

"It had occured to her that she could deal with pain by embracing it in the Aiel manner. She hoped it worked, but there went all hope for dignity. While she was being punished, at least. For the rest, she could only do what she could."

Although simple, I always loved the theme of doing what you must. It has carried throughout basically every main character since the first book, and has even influenced my own life decisions and motivations. Enduring what you cannot change in the present moment, to be able to change after persistence is such a powerful notion. From every book of this series I have taken that message with me, and seeing Egwene apply it in circumstances where she will be constantly abused and physically hurt, she is embracing and accepting it to allow herself to survive and get past her capture.

The Honey in the Tea chapter was my favorite chapter in this book, her way of staying strong, accepting pain, and maneuvering the status quo of the aes sedai in the tower was spectacular. Similarly to a previous quote of hers I mentioned, this one from that chapter stood out:

"She had realized how to welcome the pain. She was fighting a war, not a single battle, and every time she was beaten, every time she was sent to Silviana, it was a sign that she had fought another battle and refused to yield. The pain was a badge of honor. She howled and kicked as hard as ever during that slippering, but while she was dry- ing her cheeks after ward, she hummed quietly to herself. It was easy to welcome a badge of honor."

I've already said a lot similar to what this quote possibly represents, so ill just leave it here.

Rand lost his hand, which was a shock to me and I dont know how I feel about that yet. I really enjoyed his inner turmoil with Lews Therin and how even with Saidin clensed, he still has a battle to fight within himself. I almost thought the cleansing would make things too easy, but this really changed my look on it.

Nyneave was of course amazing with her iconic (was kinda already spoiled to this) will you ride to tarwins gap w my husband line. She has always been a standout character to me, I loved how stubborn she was as it reminded me of my grandma oddly enough—they have very similar habbits. I wish she got more page time, but hopefully she will in the Gathering Storm.

I enjoyed Elaynes politics regarding her battle for the throne so far. It really picked up speed w the black ajah sistets, funnily enough the minute cats were mentioned by the spy I remembered Chesmal. Also, after she was captured I loved in Birgittes pov when she said "The bond had never once carried a hint of fear" from chapter "To keep the bargain". I know Elayne is having ig over confidence from Mins viewing, but I also find it endearing how she is absolutely sure of her safety. I feel that even if I knew fate had decided I will live past this, id still be a bit nervous. Maybe she is just arrogant, but I like her character sooo.

Loial had his little moment in this book with his marriage and I found one of his quotes moving. (from "Vows")

"He had to do it. He was not particularly brave, whatever Erith thought, but he had learned about bravery watching humans, watching them hang on no matter how strong the winds grew, fight when they had no hope, fight and win because they fought with desperate courage. Suddenly, he knew what to say."

For me, I have viewed Loial as a source of knowledge for the characters—mainly Rand. In the first book he explained being Ta'veren and more details into the nature of the pattern. (Its been a yr since I read the early books so I cant think of any more examples lol). To see Loial showing his growth from being around humans for so long felt very satisfying. When we meet him he says how humans are so hasty and how that is not the Ogier way, but then begins to learn why that is and the value within that. Ogier to me seem as a very cautionary race that barely allows freedom until you are very old (correct me if im wrong, I dont remember everything perfectly so this might be a bunch of bs im spewing), while Aes Sedai and others are being trained from young ages (18 or wtv). So, to see Loial evolve his own ways (even with him technically already being a rule breaker as I dont think he was supposed to be out of his steading) his experiences with humans only heightened that. Where he saw the main tenets and themes of the story, being able to keep pushing no matter what. Also, Loial mentioning wind to describe humans courage seems significant as every book starts w the breeze of wind. Id have to think on that more to write about it as im already ranting enough. But, I maybe view the wind as the battle/challenges every character faces that always is reoccurring (just like in the start of each book), but it is overcame or smth.

For Perrin & Faile, I haven't enjoyed their storylines since maybe the lord of chaos. He was my favorite up until Faile got captured. I understand this is a popular opinion and I dont really have much to say on it. I am glad they were reunited and her last pov chapter escaping was actually good.

The ending with Taim really has me intrigued with his "Let the Lord of Chaos rule" as this book in almost every (or all) forsaken pov had one of them say that and had been mentioned in the past several books. Logain already thinks he is a darkfriend, but I wonder if he is trying to become or is a forsaken. But, I definitely do believe the shadow has control of the black tower. However, with the disorganization and lack of teamwork the forsaken continuously present I doubt it will be an OP tool or anything. Althought, that does not mean it will not have an impact.

Overall, this is maybe in my top 5 of the series or mid 6/7 range in ranking. I really enjoyed it after book 10 which I found to be the only really slog book, yet still had a little good parts.