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buddy read for the first book of the wheels of time starting on april 3rd
participants:
Bryce
Lisa
g33z3r
audrey

reading schedule
April 3 to 9: Prologue to Chapter 12
April 10 to 16 : Chapter 13 to 24
April 17 to 23: Chapter 25 to 36
April 24 to 30: Chapter 37 to 48
May 1 to 7: Chapter 49 to 53

should we set a reading schedule or read at our own pace and discuss when finished? only done one other group read so still slightly new to how these work

I am new to the whole group read too. =) It's a very big book, but maybe do a chapter schedule? Read up to a certain chapter and then discuss. Maybe do it in chunks?

if we do the schedule is there an amount of chapters you would be comfortable reading at a given time? there is about 53 chapters as well as a prologue which are all pretty long. the best split would be either 9 chapters a week for 6 weeks. the other option is do more chapters over less time and do more or less in last week? what works best for you

Let’s do 12 chapters a week. If that works for you?

Question: Do you mind if someone who's read the series re-reads along, if I promise not to drop any spoilers? (Quite likely I no longer remember any spoilers. :)

G33z3r wrote: "Question: Do you mind if someone who's read the series re-reads along, if I promise not to drop any spoilers? (Quite likely I no longer remember any spoilers. :)"

That is fine the more the merrier.

Lisa wrote: "Let’s do 12 chapters a week. If that works for you?"

That works for me. Does the third still work as a start date for you guys

I’m okay with anyone wanting to read along and the 3rd works perfect for me.

does the reding schedule work people? the slower pace means everyone has time to catch up and its easier to have discussions without spoilers since in theory we have read or reread the same amount of the book. also did weeks from wendesday to the following tuesday since we are starting the buddy read in the middle of the week so thought that this would work best. last thing the first week has more chapters and last weeks has chapters since the number of chapters didnt divide easily and the prologue is pretty short. sorry for the long message, any questions or querys before we start tomorrow?

also is there anyone i have forgotten to put under participants who is reading with us or would like to join in?

Bryce wrote: "does the reading schedule work people? ..."

Works for me. (I started with a few chapters last night, so as to be ready to go April 3rd.) I think the story will naturally break into arcs based on Location and PoV. E.g., the Prolog (in this and every subsequent WoT book) is distinct in time, place & character from the rest of the book. A bit like an appetizer. :)

So, uh, anyone else reading? Wanna talk about it?

Prolog
This deep-background is literally from ages ago compared to the main story. Lews Therin Telemond, aka The Dragon, (aka Lews Therin, Kinslayer, Lord of the Morning, Betrayer of Hope,...) is mad from the taint Shait'tan (the Dark One, Father of Lies, Ba'alzamon, he who shall not be named,...) placed in saidin. He's being taunted by Elan Morin Tedronai, apparently an ally of Shai'tan. In Lews Therin's madness & grief he destroys his home and a lot more, creating the Dragonmount from the eruption that followed. Thus ends the Forth Age.

Seems a lot of characters in the Wheel of Time have a lot of names. Must make for awkward passports.

still currently making my way through the chapters but willing to start to talk if others in buddy read have read some already. the prologue to me didn't make any sense but with your explanation now makes sense. wasn't entirely sure who the character was or what his significance to the story line was going to be. so far the chapters have set up the main cast and the setting as well as shown the aftermaths of the previous dragons actions among the common people. hoping nynaeve has some character growth. at the moment she just seems to be a bit annoying. the other characters are fine though

The Prolog throws a lot of terms around, like One Power, saidin and saidar, that aren't yet explained. Somewhere in the near future that will be explained.

The early chapters introduce a lot of characters, most of them natives of Emond's Field, starting with Rand al'Thor and his father Tam (short for Tamlin) al'Thor. Rand's buddies in mischief-making, Mat (short for Matrim) Cauthon, the more sober-minded apprentice blacksmith Perrin Aybara, and Ewin Finngar. The girl Rand seems sweet on, Egwene al’Vere, her dad Bran al'Vere (who's also the innkeeper & village mayor), the village Wisdom, Nynaeve al’Meara, Haral Luhhan the blacksmith (to whom Perrin is apprenticed), and some of the village's malcontented adults, mostly the Coplins & Congars, who are just a "bad sort" altogether, and Cenn Buie, the thatcher, who's just plain contrary. That's a lot, and it's only the significant denizens.

The Two Rivers area (from the map at the front) is bounded by a unfordable river to the south (The White River), marshlands of Waterwood & The Mire to the east, the Mountains of Mist to the west, and the Taren River to the north. It's a cul de sac, the only way in or out being the ferry at Taren Ferry. As a result, they don't get a lot of traffic. The Emond's Field folk are unaware of the larger world. A gleeman such as Thom Merrilin or a Peddler such as Padan Fain are a big deal. An outright visitor such as Moiraine Damodred & Lan Mandragoran even more rare. (I assume Bran al'Vere's Winespring Inn doesn't do a lot of non-local business. :)

(In Chapter 8 Moiraine will tell the historical story of the area, once known as Manetheren, a good rousing story of heroism a bit like the Battle of Thermopylae.)

Many of these characters will be significant players in the story to come, others minor characters to pop up a bit in later books.

Bryce wrote: "hoping nynaeve has some character growth. at the moment she just seems to be a bit annoying...."

Many readers have that reaction to Nynaeve (I also keep wondering how to pronounce her name. :) Nynaeve is young to be the village Wisdom (a combination weather predictor and medicine woman, having apprenticed under her predecessor.) As can be seen, she's constantly beset by second-guessers such as Cenn Buie and other men-folk of the village trying to undermine her authority, so she's developed a counter-attack personality.

I’m going to join in.

G33z3r wrote: "Bryce wrote: "hoping nynaeve has some character growth. at the moment she just seems to be a bit annoying...."

Many readers have that reaction to Nynaeve (I also keep wondering how to pronounce he..."

I've always hated Nynaeve. She always comes across as a harridan who isn't happy unless she has something to disapprove of.

Chapter 1
Just as a note, every Chapter 1 in every WoT book starts with a very similar paragraph about the Wheel turning and a wind blowing... It's a thing.

Chapter 3: The Peddler

Padan Fain's wagon of wondrous items for sale (e.g. sewing needles & fireworks) drops into town and shares the rare news of the outside world.

That also mentions Aes Sedai, an putatively manipulative organization of women based in someplace called Tar Valon who can be counted on to oppose the false dragons; and the Children of the Light (aka Whitecloaks), who will likewise oppose the false dragons and any manipulations of the Dark One.


Chapter 5: Winternight
Trollocs, Myrddraal and Draghkar, oh my.

Also, first mention of "The Travels of Jain Farstrider", which, apropos of nothing, made my list of top 10 Imaginative Books of all time.

did anyone work out what the draghkar was meant to be? finished up to chapter 12 and not entirely sure. enjoying the book so far and finding the forshadowing interesting in the fact that there are hints of later events or locations without giving too much away. also at this point i personally like most of the main cast with an exception to the character i mentioned earlier. the story keeps getting more interesting though.

Bryce wrote: "did anyone work out what the draghkar was meant to be? ..."

If I'm interpreting the question correctly, Draghkar are Darkspawn (as are the Trollocs & Myrddraal), creatures created by the Dark One. They look generally man-like, but with huge bat wings that let them fly. (Or, maybe they look like giant bat wings that have something vaguely man-like in the middle :)


Bryce wrote: "so far and finding the forshadowing interesting in the fact that there are hints of later events or locations without giving too much away. ..."

The volume of this increases dramatically very soon.

This time through I noticed a neat bit of foreshadowing I hadn't spotted before because it anticipates book 12 or so. :)

If I recall correctly, Jordan originally thought this would be a 6-book series, but it grew in the telling to 14 (plus a prequel, New Spring, originally published in Legends.) And the books got thicker, too.

Chapter 6: The Westwood

A delirious Tam mumbles some things about the "Aiel War," which one gets the impression he fought in, though it was nowhere near Two Rivers. Based on Tam's mumbling, it would seem Rand isn't really his biological kid, but an Aiel child Tam found during the war. (That would account for Rand's red hair.) Tam also seems to have brought back a "heron-marked sword", sign of a master swordsman.

Chapter 8: A Place of Safety
Moiraine is revealed as an Aes Sedai, wielding the One Power.


Chapter 9: Tellings of the Wheel
Rand has a weird dream.


Chapter 12: Across the Taren
Moiraine coaches Egwene on channeling the One Power, the Wheel of Time's magic system. Saidar is the female half of the One Power. Saidin, the male half of the One Power, has been tainted by the Dark One, such that men who touch it go mad.

Moiraine's explanation made me think of the One Power as a sort of unseen subterranean ocean which those who can channel draw into themselves and then spray out to do magical stuff. :)


Chapter 12 turns out to have been a very good choice for the break; Chapter 13 begins a new phase in the story. (We even get a new map!)

glad my choice worked made it at random around twelve chapter mark. also just realised its the point i got up to last time befor i forgot to keep reading. questions i have so far is what is up with the blade with the heron mark? what price did tam pay (monetary or another sort)? who is rands real father? what were the significance of the dreams rand had when he passed out in chapter 9? if you know dont say just making a point of some plot threads i noticed that will probably get resolved later this book or next. what do everyone else think so far?

The prologue lost me. I was so confused by the end and I tried to go back and re-read it, but ultimately just gave up and went on to chapter 1. I honestly have no idea what happened or how much time lapsed between the prologue and the first chapter. I honestly do not feel I missed a whole lot by not understanding it. Now on to the book itself. I am taking away that Rand, Mat, and Perrin are somewhere between 16 and 19. I at first thought maybe a bit older, but then the gleeman mentioned Rand not yet being a man. Also, he seemed a bit childish in his thinking. As for Mat, well, do men really grow up? Egwene. What can I say about her other than I don't really care much for her. She just seems a bit bitchy. So, let's say Rand is somewhere between 16 and 18. Is he supposed to be jumping up and down proclaiming his love for her? She mentions she didn't feel he even cared about her. I don't know maybe it's just me, but character's and people like her peeve me off. She seems very much a strong willed person and not the least bit meek. If you were questioning his designs, as a stong willed person, you would just come right out and say, "Hey, what's going on with us? Is there even going to be an us?" Maybe I'll like her later on down the road, but right now I do not. Nor do I like Nynaeve. What is reading the wind anyways? What are you reading? I would think if you "read the wind" you would have known about a war or a least a stirring of some kind.

Now, in the beginning I thought the mention of trolloc's were somewhat similar to trolls. However, the description Rand gave was a large person with ram horns and a hairy muzzle. What the what?!? So, not like a troll? Yes, brain we will now have to reorganize our picture of what a trolloc actually is. Well, all I can say is thank you for the glossary in the back of the book! It would have been better had he come up with perhaps something not so similar in name like orcs and trolls. Open mind Lisa...keep an open mind. So far it is enjoyable.

Lisa wrote: "What is reading the wind anyways? ..."

I think it's intended to be more along the lines of weather prediction, something farmers would be interested in, e.g., "that's the last frost, you can plant now." or, "better get the crops in, the weather's going to turn." She's also trained (by her predecessor, I presume) in healing and use of herbs. As things stand in Emond's Field as the story starts, it would appear Nynaeve has taken Egwene as her apprentice, though there isn't that great an age separation. (I'd expect an older Wisdom � whatever "older" means in terms of Two Rivers life expectancy � to be training a young apprentice. But I suppose if you might get eaten by wolves someday, it'd be best to have an apprentice no matter what your age.)

I thought it odd no mention is made of Nynaeve's predecessor. E.g., when Wit Conger is complaining to Tam & Rand about the Wisdom, I'd have expected unflattering comparisons to the old Wisdom (presumably deceased.) It seems clear Nynaeve hasn't been Wisdom for very long. Or, I'd expect Nynaeve to mention who trained her. Light knows everyone else gets mentioned.

So, how are folks doing on the next set of chapters?

Having left the Two Rivers region behind, the group sets out on the obligatory Journey phase of the epic fantasy. The first part, north the rest of the way to Baerlon, is said to take a week, though it will be covered in only a couple of pages. So, the pace quickens a bit as days roll by in a few sentences.

From Baerlon they plan to go east to Whitebridge, then Caemlyn, and then north to Tar Valon, all of which are just names on a map to the Emond's Field folk. (A good thing the pace is quickening; a look at the overall map at the front of the book suggests if Two Rivers to Baerlon takes a week, the trip to Tar Valon will take months.)

I'm finding it really interesting reading the comments from everyone who is reading it for the first time. All I'll say is, enjoy the mystery! Things do generally get explained.... possibly several books later, but generally at some point, although by then you probably will have forgotten about it. That said, I can think of several instances where a thing is mentioned and literally never mentioned again. So don't worry too much and don't get bogged down in the details! It'll drive you crazy! (I've enjoyed the series far, far more on re-reads)

As for name pronunciation - I have no idea and generally make it up, unless I can be bothered going to the glossary and finding out. I still prefer my interpretation of how to pronounce Egwene.

Cat wrote: " (I've enjoyed the series far, far more on re-reads)..."

This is the first time I've read The Eye of the World since I read the last three novels of the series (with inhuman discipline I collected the three Sanderson volumes and binged them after re-reading the others :) I'm really enjoying it, picking up even tiny hints I'd missed in previous readings.

G33z3r wrote: "So, how are folks doing on the next set of chapters?

Having left the Two Rivers region behind, the group sets out on the obligatory Journey phase of the epic fantasy. The first part, north the res..."

I am getting a little confused. Does Moiraine know who Rand is or was she just in Two Fields by coincidence? I know I've said it before, but I do not care for Nynaeve or Egwene. I just do not like them as characters at all. I know everything will be eventually explained, but I feel I am becoming impatient with this book. =) Perrrin seems like a third wheel in everything. I am hoping his character comes out a bit more as I continue on.

Lisa wrote: "I am getting a little confused. Does Moiraine know who Rand is or was she just in Two Fields by coincidence?..."

The answer is probably "no" to both. When Rand asked Moiraine directly why she was in Emond's Field, she deflected the question saying she was a historian collecting old stories (though the only old story anyone told was her own tale of ancient Manetheren.) Later she will say only that the Dark One wants the three Edmond's Field boys, and what the Dark One wants, she opposes.

Lisa wrote: "I feel I am becoming impatient with this book...."

The Wheel of Time is about mysteries, which for most of its telling pile on faster than it gives answers. I don't know whether you've started chapters 13-24 yet, but you'll find it starts laying out a lot of predictions, prophesies, and foretellings. There are characters who have dreams and characters who see visions and characters who simply assert so events.

Chapter 13-14
The gang arrives in Baerlon, which is by far the largest city the Emond's Fielders have ever seen, though Thom chuckles at their naiveté. Moiraine and Lan are known as Mistress Alys and Lan as Andra here; very cloak & dagger.

There's a first mention of "The Karaethon Cycle,� aka "The Prophecies of the Dragon." Only one prediction is mentioned at this time, that the fall of the Stone of Tear (a fortress guarding the city of Tear, near the coast well to the south) is one of the stated signs of the Dragon's return. That explains why a self-proclaimed reincarnated Dragon who can channel and his army are marching that way, since the fall of the Stone of Tear.

We'll read l lot more of these prophesies throughout the series. Get used to unanswered mysteries hanging around.

There are stories of a battle fought against the Dragon's army in Ghealdan, and the Dragon is named Logaine. The news of the battle is contradictory. There were or weren't Aes Sedai there, they were or weren't killed, the Dragon was or wasn't defeated.

The gang also learns there are members of The Children of the Light ("Whitecloaks" for short, since that's what they wear.) These guys hate "darkfriends", i.e. anyone they think is consorting with the Dark One, and they include Aes Sedai in that category.

The gang settles in at The Stag & Lion inn, where Moiraine is well known under her alias, Mistress Alys.

Rand runs into a diminished Master Fain (the peddler from Chapter 3) seems to have lost his wagon and his livelihood in the chaos of Midwinter Night at Emond's Field, but escaped with his life if not all his wits.

Rand has another unpleasant dream.

Chapter 15
Rand, Perrin & Mat trade notes on a shared dream that seems to have touched reality, as the inn finds a number of dead rats with broken backs, just as Ba'alzamon killed a rat in Rand's (and Perrin's & Mat's) dream.

Rand has a chat with Min, an apparent associate of Moiraine (Alys), who sees things: "pieces of the Pattern," Moiraine says. Min piles on a ton of vague visions, some of which won't fully pay off for a dozen books. :)

Min's visions:
Concerning the group together: "Sparks swirling around you, thousands of them, and a big shadow, darker than midnight. It’s so strong, I almost wonder why everybody can’t see it. The sparks are trying to fill the shadow, and the shadow is trying to swallow the sparks.�

Egwene: “You’re in love with her.... She loves you, too, but she’s not for you, or you for her. Not the way you both want.�

Lan: �...seven ruined towers around his head, and a babe in a cradle holding a sword,...�

Thom: �...a man—not him—juggling fire, and the White Tower, and that doesn’t make any sense at all for a man.�

Perrin: “a wolf, and a broken crown, and trees flowering all around him.�

Mat: "a red eagle, an eye on a balance scale, a dagger with a ruby, a horn, and a laughing face.�

Rand: “A sword that isn’t a sword, a golden crown of laurel leaves, a beggar’s staff, you pouring water on sand, a bloody hand and a white-hot iron, three women standing over a funeral bier with you on it, black rock wet with blood—� “Most of all, I see lightning around you, some striking at you, some coming out of you. I don’t know what any of it means, except for one thing. You and I will meet again.�

Rands runs into some Whitecloaks and doesn't exactly keep a low profile.

I have already started the chapters. I'm just an impatient person. I am the "I want to know now!" person. =)

Lisa wrote: "I have already started the chapters. I'm just an impatient person. I am the "I want to know now!" person. =)"

Ah yes, I'm the same. Which can be quite frustrating reading when reading this series! As G33z3r says - it piles on the mystery, making for more questions than it answers!

As for character development - yes, it happens. But very, very, very slowly. Which is not a bad thing, if anything it's probably more realistic in terms of time frame (the series is set over several years) than most books which have sudden and rapid character shifts! Characters that I strongly dislike earlier, I like later and vice versa. For example, I like Rand and Mat at the start, can't stand them later. Egwene, Nyaneve and Moiraine are all irritating at the start, but I quite like them later on!

And by later, I mean several books. This series is definitely a slow burn kind of series.

I am actually a week ahead of the scheduled chapters. Sorry about that. I’m reading several books and the one I wanted to finish was getting on my nerves so I had to quit reading it for a bit. I’m starting to enjoy it more and have learned to love the mystery and the adventure. I actually liked that they split up and each group had their own trials to get over. The girls still irritate me, but I’m breathing through that.

Chapter 16: The Wisdom

Nynaeve shows up! Apparently the Women's Circle agreed she should rescue the Emond's Field youngsters from the devious Aes Sedai. The gangs all here, just in time to split up.


Chapter 17: Watchers and Hunters
Turns out Baerlon isn't as safe as Moiraine (Alys) had hoped, and once again they decide to run off in the middle of the night. A few Children of the Light decide to oppose Moiraine's departure, and the Aes Sedai gets to show off some smoke & mirrors.


Chapter 18: The Caemlyn Road
Big running skirmish with Trollocs & Fades.
Eventually the group turns to run through a line of Trollocs blocking their way. As Rand & Perrin shout "Manetheren" and Lan shouts "For the Seven Towers," Mat burbles something in an unknown language. After the escape, Moiraine translates Mat's words as, "‘For the honor of the Red Eagle. For the honor of the Rose of the Sun.� The ancient warcry of Manetheren."
Recall the vision Min shared with Rand at the Stag & Lion concerning Mat (from chapter 15): "A red eagle, an eye on a balance scale, a dagger with a ruby, a horn, and a laughing face." Red eagle, check. That only took a couple of chapters!

just finished the chapters yesterday. at this point the only character i have an issue with is nynaeve since she is just kind of annoying and so far has done nothing redeeming. i do like how the cast is split up at this point since it does make things more interesting and allows for some different story lines. curious how the wolfbrother thing will tie in with the story. really cool concept with some promise, it also explains some of mins visions. curious top see how the next lot of chapters play out though since not sure what direction the story is heading in.

Bryce wrote: "just finished the chapters yesterday. at this point the only character i have an issue with is nynaeve since she is just kind of annoying and so far has done nothing redeeming...."

Well, some might say Nynaeve is very dedicated to her Two River's citizens. She considers them kidnapped by Aes Sedai machinations, and is determined to drag them home.


Bryce wrote: " i do like how the cast is split up at this point since it does make things more interesting and allows for some different story lines. ..."

Indeed. Chapter 20 gave us the first tidbit of a non-Rand PoV, and a chapter later it seems almost everyone has his or her own PoV story going. :)

Bryce wrote: "curious how the wolfbrother thing will tie in with the story. really cool concept with some promise, it also explains some of mins visions...."

Yes, Min's vision around Perrin started with "a wolf."

Her vision concerning Mat, in addition to the "red eagle," also included "a dagger with a ruby." In chapter 24, aboard the Spray, Mat reveals he kept a dagger of that description ("A curved dagger with a gold scabbard worked in strange symbols. Fine gold wire wrapped the hilt, which was capped by a ruby as big as Rand’s thumbnail, and the quillons were golden-scaled serpents baring their fangs") that he picked up in Shadar Logoth (there was a brief mention back in chapter 19, when Mordeth had gotten hostile, that Mat has clutched a dagger from the treasure pile, presumably for defense.

BTW, I mentioned earlier that I through it odd that Nynaeve's mentor as Wisdom was never mentioned. I noticed in chapter 21 she is at least given a name, Mistress Barran, though nothing is said of what became of here.

As an aside: In chapter 24, aboard Capt. Domon's riverboat, the Spray, that Rand does some reckless nonsense up in the boats rigging. I notice that the cover for the latest ebook edition is Rand in the rigging. Still seems an odd choice of scene to focus the cover on, at least to me. I wasn't a fan of the original covers, but at least they seemed to pick representative scenes.

G33z3r wrote: "Well, some might say Nynaeve is very dedicated to her Two River's citizens. She considers them kidnapped by Aes Sedai machinations, and is determined to drag them home..."

Some might say that... some might say she's a nosy busybody who dislikes not getting her way! I am in the latter camp. At the start at least. She redeems herself eventually. When she stops being a caricature.

It's interesting to note that when this series first came out that it was highly praised for it's female characters as they had personality and agency. Unlike a lot of classic epic fantasy. They certainly weren't all damsels. Now, however, I'm not sure that all of them have held up that well. Certainly, they aren't portrayed very sympathetically in the first book.

Cat wrote: "It's interesting to note that when this series first came out that it was highly praised for it's female characters as they had personality and agency. Unlike a lot of classic epic fantasy. They certainly weren't all damsels. Now, however, I'm not sure that all of them have held up that well. Certainly, they aren't portrayed very sympathetically in the first book. ..."

I guess I don't see the rap against Egwene or Moiraine.

Egwene was planning on a life in Emond's Field as the village Wisdom, a nicely respected position within the confines of a small farming town, and possibly marrying Rand al'Thor. (Nynaeve doesn't seem to have had a romantic interest back in Emond's Field, despite being older than Egwene.) Egwene had the possibility of a larger life as an Aes Sedai placed before her, and she's grabbed at it, even if it distances her from both her mentor Nynaeve and her not-quite-boyfriend Rand.

Moiraine, on the other hand, sees herself as clearly IN CHARGE (hence her conflict with Nynaeve, who is also used to being In Charge and is suddenly having her authority challenge by forces exogenous to Emond's Field.) Moiraine knows more about the larger world than anyone in the current group, and is determined that the Dark One won't have the three boys from Emond's Field (for no better-understood reason than what the Dark One wants should be opposed, and she's the one best equipped to do the opposing.)

Perhaps one feels Aes Sedai can never be sympathetic? They are powerful, both with the One Power and politically. They are a largely neutral organization unaligned with any of the world's kingdoms, but they manipulate behind the scene towards goals we don't yet comprehend (aside from opposing the Dark One and men who can channel, though they may disagree internally about how best to do both.) They never lie directly, but are evasive & "tricksome," ("the truth an Aes Sedai tells you is not always the truth you think it is.")

I finished the book a little earlier than planned. There is a death in my family and I have to go out of town and the book will be due at the library before then. So, I had to hurry and get it read. I will share all my thoughts after everyone (who has not read it before) finishes. I do have to say a few questions were answered and like any great book with a series, I was left with questions. Still do not care for the girls though. =)

Lisa wrote: "Still do not care for the girls though..."

Not sure why more people aren't on Mat's case. He's a constant source of trouble, a prankster at the start, never able to restrain himself by circumstance, and frequently blurting out inconvenient information. A lovable rogue?

Most of this next batch of chapters (25-36) is Rand & Mat traveling to Caemlyn, with a couple of chapters dedicated to Perrin & Egwene (and Elyas, et al), and one chapter to Moiraine, Lan & Nynaeve, just to remind us they're still out there.

Chapter 25, 27: Traveling People
Perrin, Egwene, Elyas + wolves run into some Tuatha'an, aka Traveling People, aka Tinkers (something else with a bunch of synonyms.) A bit like stereotypical gypsies with . They are looking for "the song," and follow the Way of the Leaf, i.e., pacifism.

We get a third-hand warning/prediction from an Aiel warrior-woman (aka Far Dereis Mai, aka Maidens of the Spear.) "Leafblighter seeks to blind the Eye of the World. Sightblinder intends to kill the Great Serpent." Because the Dark one needs two more names. That Eye of the World thing must be something, because that's the title of the book! :)

Perrin has to admit to himself that he has some psychic connection to the Elyas's wolves. The wolves call the Dark One "Heartfang," 'cause he needed another name.

G33z3r wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Still do not care for the girls though..."

Not sure why more people aren't on Mat's case. He's a constant source of trouble, a prankster at the start, never able to restrain himself b..."

I do have to say I did notice that Mat was a bit of a pain. He was a bit annoying to me in the beginning, but my terrible sexist nature against my own sex overshadowed Mat. Gosh, that is terrible I know. I however did not view Mat as a lovable rogue. Maybe a cross between a mosquito and a gnat. Just someone annoying that if you ignore they go away. Ha!

G33z3r wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Still do not care for the girls though..."

Not sure why more people aren't on Mat's case. He's a constant source of trouble, a prankster at the start, never able to restrain himself b..."

i think people dont get on mat's case as much as other characters cases because he tends to act as an almost comedy relief in the main trio. also unlike some of the more annoying characters he seems to serve a distinct purpose from the beginning and his inclusion as a main character makes somewhat sense. the thing im kind of curious about is who was/ is looking for rand and Mat, from what we heard it sounds like someone they have already met.