TGS review - organized by FAQ section for no reason

[Casey]

... since we all know it will never be updated

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General thoughts: KOD was a good WoT book. TGS is a good book ...
period.

In spite of being the first part of a supposed trilogy, it has more a
stand-alone plot than any book in the series since LOC. There's also
a theme in here about an individual staddling the border between human
and diety, that isn't really explored in earlier books, so the moral
dilemmas that have always a part of WoT feel like they have new life.
This book has a format - returning to Rand every couple of chapters to
keep the focus centralized - that works wonderfully (CoT had a format,
too, that was a DISASTER).

My only other general thoughts are about Egwene - because, OMG, does
she kick some butt ... I suppose it's only fair that after suffering
as a novice, a damane, a WO apprenitice, and, um, a novice again, she
should get to rock the Aes Sedai's world ... I'm sure this has been
disucssed thoroughly so I'll leave it here.

1.1.1 Who are the Forsaken?
I think TDR was the last book where two Forsaken actually died in the
same book, and by balefire, no less. On those lines, I've never hated
Cadsuane, but isn't it a bit ridiculous to forbid Rand from teaching
BF when it's the only way to get rid of the Forsaken? Also, aren't
there some darkhounds that can only be killed by balefire?
(ps. I like Tam standing up Cadsuane ... I mean Nynaeve backs down to
her more than once ... calling her a bully is pretty much the right
description, and she seems to agree with him, grudgingly)

1.1.2 Mesaana
Based on Egwene's musings, it seems likely that Mesaana is disguised
as a non-channeller. We have no evidence that anyone can defeat the
Oath Rod, but anyone could mask her ability.

1.3.2 The True Power
I guess the question is: did the DO grant Rand access to the TP or he
did he get because of his connection with Moridin? I prefer the
former, but I don't think there's much evidence one way or the other.

1.4.09 Who killed Adeleas and Ispan?
Was this revealed in KOD? My memory is foggy (possibly we didn't see
Elayne in this book). I was surprised that Vandene was not on Verin's
list (Egwene would have noticed, for sure) - but now that I think
about it the identity of Adeleas's killer may already be known.

1.5.4 Sheriam
Mystery solved - not much more to say about that except ... Sheriam
became a darkfriend win higher appointments in the Tower? Of all the
reasons we've heard about for turning to the dark side that has to be
lamest.

2.1.6 and 2.1.7 LTT and the thrid man
When Rand makes his peace with himself, he thinks about thousands of
lives he's lived before ... I guess the question is whether he and LTT
are the only incarnations of the Dragon or whether there are others
(say, one at the end of every Age). It's interesting that at several
points in this book LTT actually seems more sane than Rand.
One other thing on LTT: the revelation that the women refused to help
him seal the DO's prison would have been more significant if I DIDN'T
SOMEHOW ALREADY KNOW IT. Where did I read this? The Illustrated
Guide? It seems ironic that the guy who invented the pneumonic RAFO
would give something this significant away.

2.2.7 Verin
Nothing to say that hasn't been said already. This scene was
brilliant, though.

2.6.5 The Mystery of the Too-Young Sitters
Solved. The Neutral Ajah Conspiracy.

2.6.8 Who betrayed Egwene?
We still don't know this, do we? I have a feeling Egwene's major role
in the series other than leading the AS to battle is done, so I think
if we don't know now, we never will.

Misc.: NOTHING ABOUT Fain, Shaidar Haran, Elayne, Galad, Lan and not a
lot of Mat and Perrin ... I think this contributed to the format of
the book, though, keeping the focus on Rand and Egwene. No revelation
on Asmodean yet.

[jewahe]

Post by Casey
1.1.2 Mesaana
Based on Egwene's musings, it seems likely that Mesaana is disguised
as a non-channeller. We have no evidence that anyone can defeat the
Oath Rod, but anyone could mask her ability.

I long thought that Laras (the chief cook) was a likely suspect.

However, the reasoning in the FAQ is fairly sound (especially with
respect to the almost recognizable face and the panic-button call from
Alviarin), and that eliminates Laras. I think Masaana is impersonating a
sister.

Post by Casey
1.3.2 The True Power
I guess the question is: did the DO grant Rand access to the TP or he
did he get because of his connection with Moridin? I prefer the
former, but I don't think there's much evidence one way or the other.

To me, the clue was the earlier dream sequence - Rand followed the link
that was formed by "crossing the streams" to Moridin's dream. Moridin
suggests that Simirhage had something to do with forming that link.

I think that scene was deliberately staged just so that Rand would have
a convenient means of escaping the Sad Bracelets.

I hope we get a "flashback" to show what happened to Moridin at that moment.

Post by Casey
1.4.09 Who killed Adeleas and Ispan?
Was this revealed in KOD? My memory is foggy (possibly we didn't see
Elayne in this book). I was surprised that Vandene was not on Verin's
list (Egwene would have noticed, for sure) - but now that I think
about it the identity of Adeleas's killer may already be known.

It was revealed at the end of the chapter, "House on Full Moon Street"
in KOD: Careane.

Post by Casey
1.5.4 Sheriam
Mystery solved - not much more to say about that except ... Sheriam
became a darkfriend win higher appointments in the Tower? Of all the
reasons we've heard about for turning to the dark side that has to be
lamest.

Ambition is lame?

I would say it is the primary reason for most people to turn evil.

Post by Casey
2.6.8 Who betrayed Egwene?
We still don't know this, do we? I have a feeling Egwene's major role
in the series other than leading the AS to battle is done, so I think
if we don't know now, we never will.

It was Nicola.

[David DeLaney]

Post by jewahe

Post by Casey
1.1.2 Mesaana
Based on Egwene's musings, it seems likely that Mesaana is disguised
as a non-channeller. We have no evidence that anyone can defeat the
Oath Rod, but anyone could mask her ability.

I long thought that Laras (the chief cook) was a likely suspect.
However, the reasoning in the FAQ is fairly sound (especially with
respect to the almost recognizable face and the panic-button call from
Alviarin), and that eliminates Laras. I think Masaana is impersonating a
sister.

I note that in this very book we got introduced to a White who had been an
Accepted longer than anyone else on record because she was So Darn Weak. Maybe
it's possible to almost-entirely mask one's ability, rather than just plain
masking it... (And yes, Laras has been shot down repeatedly, but keeps popping
up - we have a lot more fans than we have fans-who've-read-one-or-another-FAQ.)

Dave

[jewahe]

Post by David DeLaney

Post by jewahe

Post by Casey
1.1.2 Mesaana
Based on Egwene's musings, it seems likely that Mesaana is disguised
as a non-channeller. We have no evidence that anyone can defeat the
Oath Rod, but anyone could mask her ability.

I long thought that Laras (the chief cook) was a likely suspect.
However, the reasoning in the FAQ is fairly sound (especially with
respect to the almost recognizable face and the panic-button call from
Alviarin), and that eliminates Laras. I think Masaana is impersonating a
sister.

I note that in this very book we got introduced to a White who had been an
Accepted longer than anyone else on record because she was So Darn Weak. Maybe
it's possible to almost-entirely mask one's ability, rather than just plain
masking it... (And yes, Laras has been shot down repeatedly, but keeps popping
up - we have a lot more fans than we have fans-who've-read-one-or-another-FAQ.)

Generally, Accepted don't wear silk while in the tower. Also, the FAQ
claims that RJ stated that we have seen her alter ego, so it can't be
anyone introduced in this book.

[Tim Bruening]

Post by jewahe

Post by David DeLaney

Post by jewahe

Post by Casey
1.1.2 Mesaana
Based on Egwene's musings, it seems likely that Mesaana is disguised
as a non-channeller. We have no evidence that anyone can defeat the
Oath Rod, but anyone could mask her ability.

I long thought that Laras (the chief cook) was a likely suspect.
However, the reasoning in the FAQ is fairly sound (especially with
respect to the almost recognizable face and the panic-button call from
Alviarin), and that eliminates Laras. I think Masaana is impersonating a
sister.

I note that in this very book we got introduced to a White who had been an
Accepted longer than anyone else on record because she was So Darn Weak. Maybe
it's possible to almost-entirely mask one's ability, rather than just plain
masking it... (And yes, Laras has been shot down repeatedly, but keeps popping
up - we have a lot more fans than we have fans-who've-read-one-or-another-FAQ.)

Generally, Accepted don't wear silk while in the tower. Also, the FAQ
claims that RJ stated that we have seen her alter ego, so it can't be
anyone introduced in this book.

I look forward to Egwene capturing Alvairin, and Alvairin telling her everything she
knows about Mesaana in return for sparing her life.

[Tim Bruening]

Post by Casey
... since we all know it will never be updated
SPOILERS (do we still need this?) SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
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Post by Casey
1.1.2 Mesaana
Based on Egwene's musings, it seems likely that Mesaana is disguised
as a non-channeller. We have no evidence that anyone can defeat the
Oath Rod, but anyone could mask her ability.

Page 36 of tGS: Greandal POV: "Mesaana was in the White Tower, pretending
to be what passed for an Aes Sedai in this Age.". This means that Mesaana
would have been sceened by the Oath Rod when Egwene took over.

Could Mesaana have used the True Power to defeat the Oath Rod, like Rand
used the TP to defeat an a'dam?

Post by Casey
2.1.6 and 2.1.7 LTT and the thrid man
When Rand makes his peace with himself, he thinks about thousands of
lives he's lived before ... I guess the question is whether he and LTT
are the only incarnations of the Dragon or whether there are others
(say, one at the end of every Age). It's interesting that at several
points in this book LTT actually seems more sane than Rand.
One other thing on LTT: the revelation that the women refused to help
him seal the DO's prison would have been more significant if I DIDN'T
SOMEHOW ALREADY KNOW IT. Where did I read this? The Illustrated
Guide? It seems ironic that the guy who invented the pneumonic RAFO
would give something this significant away.

I read it in "The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time".

[Nicolas George]

Post by Tim Bruening
Could Mesaana have used the True Power to defeat the Oath Rod, like Rand
used the TP to defeat an a'dam?

KoD, chapter 3:

"She had no regrets that the True Power was limited to his use alone, now."

"his" being Moridin.