Towers Of Midnight Review (WOT 13)

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[@MrBdl32]

I think the one big flaw in Ewgene was that even if Rand was clear to her with his plans she always would had thought she knew better, since she was already in the ship that the tower needed to control the dragon and be in charge; which let's admit it honestly it wouldn't have worked well.

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

Yes, Egwene is trying to repeat history of making Theron confront the Dark One without female aes sadai help which led to the taint on sadir in the first place. I think he tells Nynieve not to ose who she was to the Tower as he sees it as stuck in a mold that can't support anything it can't control.

[@rebeccamedusasrockgarden4781]

My reread in March I realised Perrins trial wasn't actually about Perrin, it was Galads arc. It was almost all about making Galad grow, open his mind, become less black and white and start to see nuance. I loved Galad in this book, his growth and learning was so good.

[@dominuce2112]

That's still a problem. Galad isn't a main character. We don't have anywhere near the investment in him.

[@1estel1ch.42]

@@dominuce2112 even side characters deserve arcs

[@Parker8752]

That said, I think Perrin needed the trial too - for the longest time, he still felt guilty about the one time he completely lost control. He had killed other people since, but the first time he had ever killed someone was something he kind of needed to hear himself defend.

[@danwalker4064]

I loved how he flexed for his mum. "You should not speak so to my mother". Yes boy

[@god_hand576]

@@dominuce2112 Not a problem at all, galad has been a character in and out of the books for the whole series. Him having an arc just like gawyn was good thing to see

[@karthickDharmarajan]

Merphy could you share your thoughts on Aviendha's Rhuidean sequence. It's one of the most gut wrenching moments of the whole series and my favourite too.

[@Turvok]

She must have forgot. Darn Ya it would have been great to hear about.

[@wfTitus]

Up voted this because i want her opinion on this too!

[@AntoH]

This scene literally gave me instant depression.

[@josipbagi]

AntoH Same tbh. It’s on the verge of ruining the whole series for me if the future isn’t changed in the next book. What was the point of all this if the seanchan end up taking over the world?

[@spencergellsworth]

this scene was fantastic, one of my favorites in the series, but had the unfortunate effect of showing that the Seanchan were way better villains than the Dark One and Forsaken

[@shahyadesfandiary7234]

Well it was Rand’s intention to get Egwene to do the legwork for him to get all the political figures in one place and he did that by announcing the destruction of the seals to Egwene.

[@curtiswfranks]

Yeah, it was a good political trap.

[@blueeyedcowboy8291]

I agree, Rand knows Egwene and knew exactly how she would react and what she would do.

[@jbizzlemcnizzle]

Yep! Rand had truly become a master manipulator at that point.

[@usdrealm1]

I still think that Egwene should be ashamed of how easily he goaded her into bringing the remaining rulers to the table. She has a high opinion of how intelligent she is to be falling for reverse psychology 101.

[@afilthycasualplays4007]

This is very true and is revealed by Faile in the next book. A bit of a spoiler, but I understand why you posted it. I nearly did the same twice in response to other comments. I love that he did this and it was frustrating the first time, but it all has a purpose.

[@stephenbarrett8861]

Forging the hammer was sooooo good! Will LAN be a badass in book 14? Don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

[@oliverbrady6342]

Yup!

[@christopherrousseau1173]

Merphy, Forging power wrought weapons hasn't been done since 3000 years before the series began... It was even one of the things that the Aes Saidi vow not to do in the three oaths.

[@mephestopholes]

Rand became the Dragon...He chose when to sheath the sword. I'm really enjoying watching you take this journey. Most disappointing character in the series? Gawyn. Matt will always be my favorite.

[@oliverbrady6342]

Gawyn is the WORST.

[@petersalizzoni1690]

mephestopholes my most dissapointing character is Galad cuz I thought him being Rand’s brother was gonna be a way bigger deal than it turned out yo be... Also Asmodean

[@michael305m3]

@@petersalizzoni1690 yea I wish they had done more with that galad and rand arc

[@Lorkisen]

To be fair, lengthy interactions with the Tower haven't ended well for him so far.

[@ferransilves907]

Magus Mxviil yeah but Egwene's now the Amyrlin. Rand knows she's not gonna gentle him on the spot and they could really have had a deep conversation

[@alb0zfinest]

Ferran Silves This was one of the biggest downfalls of this book and the series in general. The characters never really grew up, despite ageing and their circumstances changing. How they refer to each other is just dumb, a child could have written a more professional, intellectual scene. If they did their stupid reactions in the heat of the moment once in a while, it makes sense, but they started from the beginning. Also didn’t Igwene lecture Gawyn about treating her like an amerlyn and about the necessity of respecting her rank? Like this was so bad, so cringe. And oh god don’t start me on the cursing “goats testicles,” ughhhhh Sanderson is so cringe.

[@MrSmokinDragon]

@@alb0zfinest "This was one of the biggest downfalls of this book and the series in general. The characters never really grew up, despite ageing and their circumstances changing." Disagree completely and utterly

[@DrecSutal]

Does he know that? He isn't received as a friend, he's received as a hostile leader or maybe a particularly dangerous beggar. They have him shielded by a full circle the whole time. He came to her place of power, *she* has to make the next move.

[@christopherbacon1077]

I think he still has PTSD from being locked in a chest.

[@sd2002]

Did you recognize the farmer who meet Rand in the beginning of book? We meat in book 1, keep an eye for him in book 14 (one of Mat scene)

[@lordofdarkness4204]

Honestly that is such a Jordan thing to do (I know it was written by Sanderson). He has a big tendency to bring back minor characters and make them have some relevance.

[@claytonaddison3451]

Egwene “I’m the only one allowed to be arrogant” Al’vere

[@nathanjarrett728]

SOMEONE GETS IT

[@mmiller2482]

Moraine has known she would marry Thom from the start due to a Min viewing. There are subtle hints/foreshadowing throughout the books.

[@sanin3213]

Can you tell me what were the hints? (If you have time)

[@eddie_asante.1]

@@sanin3213 yes, I'm interested too.

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

It was a plot twist for me when the letter to Thom was about rescuing her and not the names of those she promised to provide him for his help.

[@desertrose0027]

“My name is Nynaeve ti al’Meara Mandragoran. The message I want sent is this. My husband rides from World’s End toward Tarwin’s Gap, toward Tarmon Gai’don. Will he ride alone?” Chills every time. Also, one correction. Perrin's forging of the hammer is the first instance of a power wrought weapon since the breaking, because Aes Sedai have been prevented from making them via the oaths (and traditionally men couldn't of course). Unless the Seanchan had damage make weapons and we didn't know about it or something. So, yes, it's a very powerful moment. Nynaeve's testing is also awesome. I'm also surprised you didn't mention the Rhuidean glass columns in here.

[@garrettwagner5270]

I believe that the three oaths were put in place after the trolloc wars. Some weapons of power were made during that war.

[@bartsullivan4866]

Yeah the Aviendha's Rhuidean sequence was the real eye opening chapter in this book. Even if you win your people will eventually lose from the choices of your offspring. Pretty strong stuff. What does Aviendha do to prevent that future from playing out. Where the Seanchan eventually just rule everything. With Perrin gaining the ability to much such powerful weapons doesn't that level the playing field? And Rand's own kids wouldn't they be extremely powerful like ala a Luke Skywalker scenario. Since Rand didn't really hookup with any of the Seanchan ladies just Elayne (the twins,) Min and Aveindha's own children. Kind of hard to believe the White Tower wouldn't send the Brown Ajah off to find the most powerful weapons to strike back at the Seanchan so the White Tower would not fall. Wouldn't the armies of the world unite against the Seanchan once the threat of the dark one has passed they would be the dominate people to oppress others.

[@desertrose0027]

@@bartsullivan4866 what Aviendha did was insist that the Aiel join the Dragon's Peace after the war. She also told the Wise Ones about her vision. According to Sanderson this meant that the future she saw was avoided.

[@TheQwerty841]

What has two thumbs and finally started wheel of time? This guy. Thanks Merphy and the community for this recommendation.

[@aliciagroenewald3863]

I also just started it! On which page are you?

[@TheQwerty841]

Alicia G I am on chapter 5 right now, hbu?

[@aliciagroenewald3863]

@@TheQwerty841 chapter 14😄 love looking at the map while reading to pinpoint locations. Hope you enjoy it.

[@cdubbau135]

Have fun. I wish I could go back in time and read the WoT for the first time again.

[@matthewsmith4647]

@@cdubbau135 god yes. I wish I could read it for the first time again.

[@lewstherindragon]

So Thom and Moiraine. One of those things that makes a reread better. I admit there is not much but there are a couple subtle comments here and there. They make me smile.

[@RahulMohanty15]

I think you are spot on about the Egwene Rand conflict. The miscommunication though I feel is inevitable due to the changes in Egwene's personality since she became a leader of Aes Sedai. She has internalised the sense of superiority most Aes Sedai feel (about their views and knowledge) and is unwilling to engage with others very respectfully (unless they are fellow Aes Sedai or Aiel wise ones). She grew up with him, knows his true character, knows about cleansing of Saidin and other things Rand has done, despite which she is unwilling to giving Rand the benefit of the doubt or just talk to him in a more personal (where her courtiers are not present) to understand his proposal. Instead she questions his sanity and asks him if he is willing to get his sanity tested. That part is incredibly annoying.

[@tylerdurham6091]

I honestly don't think it was a miscommunication. I thonk Rand deliberately pissed her off sonshe would assemble half the nations of the world where he wantes them. This is his plan working.

[@michael305m3]

Pissing her off was part of rands plan and he knew it would work because egwene got a big superiority complex after becoming amyrlin

[@cdubbau135]

@@michael305m3 Egwene had a superiority complex since the very beginning. Mat said it best while talking to Rand in one of the books. I think it was either The Shadow Rising or The Fires of Heaven, "She's left Emond's Field further behind than either of us. And regrets it less." Egwene felt like she was better than the life she had in Emond's Field, and that's fine, but she started treating the other Emond's Fielders like they were beneath her. Especially Nynaeve. But don't listen to me. I hated Egwene from book 6 when Mat got to Salidar until Knife of Dreams, where she redeemed herself. And then disliked her in Towers of Midnight, then respected her in A Memory of Light, but still didn't like her.

[@michael305m3]

@@cdubbau135 yea the only arc I didn’t hate egwene was books 11 and 12

[@mikell5087]

For anyone seeing Rand and Egwene's conflict as a simple miscommunication, what series have you been reading? Men and women not seeing eye to eye is a core concept of The Wheel of Time. I mean it has been a foundational principle from the first chapter of the first book detailing the conflict between the Village Council and the Women's Circle. It's basic men vs women. Why should the Dragon Reborn and the Amyrilan Seat see eye to eye on this?

[@makaki6900]

I love the ‘ you can call me rand Sedai’ moment and where egwene and perrin meet in telanriod and he sais’weaves are useless’

[@TheWarmestFuzzy]

The testing is just another example of why Nynaeve is, was, and always will be, the best.

[@boxbo7926]

3 left feet arghghgghh that’s one of my favorite scenes!!!! Her whole thing this entire series has been about trying earn respect from others. Whether it’s from the women’s circle or the Aes Sedai. That is the moment she realizes that she doesn’t need other people’s approval. She also basically tells the Aes Sedai they’re stuck up in their literal ivory tower lmao

[@kght222]

i think she is the first real female aes'sedai we see in the series after moiraine and cadsuane. moiraine has the same realization before her testing in new spring, that even if she fails she will still be who she is, that she can still do what she must do. regardless of cadsuane's failings, i think she had the same realization and drive, to serve humanity. to be an aes'sedai. i think that the aiel show a good example of what aes'sedai are supposed to be when they force aviendha to realize that she could be doing more, force her to realize that they want HER to decide how to help. you can't force someone to be aes'sedai "servant of all", you can just provide the path.

[@thebkg]

@@kght222 "I can only show you the door. You have to walk thru it."

[@kght222]

@@thebkg and "nobody knows what you can do better than you"

[@zachbreth9696]

Upon reread, looking for the hints, Thom and Moiraine pairing makes TOTAL sense. But they are both such subtle people. But even from Emond's Field in book one they show the immense respect they have for each other. I had a similar reaction the first time though.

[@cdubbau135]

Spoiler alert: Hopper dying was like when Dobby died. Bummed me out hard. And the forging of the Power-wrought Hammer was awesome. Another spoiler for those not that far in the series: Mat actually did die in Fires of Heaven. He was just brought back because Rand killed Rahvin with balefire. Aviendha as well.

[@DarkClaw0912]

THAT was where it happened! I’ve been racking my brain trying to remember where he “died”. So much happens in these books that it’s hard to keep track of it all.

[@firstamongcows8426]

Every time somebody gets through the entire series, it's so cool to me (because so many people drop out)! You did a great job finishing the series, did a great character-by-character review, and made a great video! Thank you!

[@Jason530808]

What Mat does at the end of the book was great I feel the responsibility he feels for everyone he cares about. I also believe he cares about Morraine.

[@usdrealm1]

As much as I agree that Rand could have explained himself to Egwene and solved that conflict in one go, you have to remember that she has spent the entire series saying 'down' whenever he says 'up'. She takes the Aes Sedai stance against him - considering him a conqueror, a man who can channel, and a ruler who ought to submit to the White Tower, and it means she would never accept any explanation he gave her about breaking the seals.

[@michael305m3]

Nynaeve became a much better character in this book and all of rands scenes were incredibly satisfying. This was honestly one of my favorite books of the series especially mat rescuing moraine and aviendhas scenes in rhuidean

[@TheEmpty0333]

I hope you take the notes on the last book and make a bit longer in depth video.

[@ZeldaLover1031]

Said it before and I'll say it again. Merphy, you're gunna want to do two videos for next book. One for the beginning and end of the book, and one for the 200+ page Last Battle chapter.

[@mist7295]

the reason lan has no page time is because other characters are catching up with him. he is already that awesome.

[@SirCharles12357]

My favorite 2 scenes in this book is the Perrin-Eqwene encounter in Tel'aran'rhiod . Perrin shows absolute control in the world of dreams. Eqwene's reaction is awesome! I also love the forging of the hammer scene, simply amazing!

[@nickywal]

Without spoilers, Jordan isn't afraid to kill off fairly major characters. Tarmon Gaidon is a bloodbath, without saying who dies get ready. And yeah Elayne and Gawyn are so stupid, Tigraine must have had some seriously strong genes that Galad and for that matter Rand aren't drooling morons

[@michael305m3]

Elayne became unbearable after getting pregnant

[@nickywal]

@@michael305m3 yep, I'm immortal so I'm going to get so many people killed through sheer stupidity

[@annarien4333]

Hahaha, so true. The Trakands are the biggest idiots in WoT, so I blame that side of the sheets for everything.

[@jake61494]

I like Mat a lot because I just find his scenes to be a breath of fresh air from all the moronic decisions/communication failures that I felt plagued the rest of the characters (your Rand x Egwayne complaints for this book is how I felt for most of the conflicts across the whole series, though I still enjoyed it). And something Sanderson has said kind of stuck with me. Something along the lines of Mat being one of the most difficult characters to write because of how he is always saying one thing, thinking another, and often doing yet another. Which I just find kind of fascinating and interesting to read.

[@timswabb]

I recommend reading the prequel New Spring now, before book 14. It’s not necessary but it gives two key characters more depth. I know you may be impatient to see how it ends but if you are going to read New Spring, now is the time.

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

Please don't say that! I have it on standby.

[@dcd9565]

Rand miscommunicated with Egwene intentionally because he knew how she would react. Her will to bring everyone to the last battle to oppose Rand breaking the seal is what he wanted. He needed everyone there to eventually sign the peace treaty, and he knew by getting Egwene to oppose him, she would ensure everyone would be at that meeting.

[@michael305m3]

And that when egwene caved all of her allies would cave

[@brendondavid7349]

Finally there, I found this channel just before you took this journey and now the conclusion is knocking. Take your time with the next book, you only get to finish the series for the first time once. 😁😁

[@caotico09i47]

13 was one of my least favorites. I loved 11 and 12.... but i really think 13 was weaker on characterization and showed the biggest changes between authors. I felt that Mat's character changed alot and they were most obvious in this one. And... Egwene gets on my nerves.

[@lordteensie6156]

"The dragon is one with the land and the land is one with the dragon."

[@oliverbrady6342]

Matt "gave up half the light of the world to save the world" and it's another situation of him almost frivolously putting others ahead of himself. If you are looking for more Lan, book 14 is for you!

[@matthewsmith4647]

That Man Still Stands!

[@michael305m3]

@@matthewsmith4647 the line where loial goes to watch lan “die” is such a good one

[@stevencook388]

I think the lack of communication between Rand and Egwene is pretty consistent for them. Throughout the series we see them struggling to connect with each other.

[@ferransilves907]

Love your prediction🤭 can't wait for your thoughts on book 14. It's so amazing and sad and wonderful and exciting and terrifying and everything

[@sethattun7196]

I always loved perrins coming into himself in this book, especially the forging scene. You mentioned wanting to reread the tower scenes. Check out the channel Reflections of Sound. They put Thom's song there into actual song and interweaved it with the audiobook there and it is absolutely fantastic. Video is called "BOOK 13 SPOILER!! Wheel of Time: Sweet Whispers of Tomorrow (Audiobook & Song Mix)"

[@cameronbradley8390]

I remember when i finished this book i was so exited that i got out of my bed, screamed, and ran around the house doing star jumps to try and expend some of the energy and excitement that i built up. This was at 2am after reading for 3 hours. The family was not happy.

[@makaki6900]

Relatable

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

I have to finish tonight. I've been in shock since Verin's letter and stopped there to let it sink in.

[@KeyAitch]

Enjoy book 14. It's one hell of a ride!

[@maXXXthesilent]

rand's being circumspect with egwene in regards to his plans is just him manipulating her so he doesn't have to do so much heavy lifting in preparation for the last battle

[@dudeguy8686]

I know it's subjective, but 14 is by far my favorite of the series. Hard to say why without spoiling anything, so I'll save it for the review. 12 was like "congrats, you made it through the slog, have a cookie", where 13 is more of a calm before the storm. One thing you mentioned here about Rand weaving 100s of times, but still drained himself, I wonder how that plays out in the last battle..?

[@MrMatheusBuss]

To me "A memory of light" is the best book

[@martinhaugum4228]

Found your channel this week and must say that I love it. Of course I haven’t gone through all your content, but as a huge Harry Potter fan i appreciate your detailed reviews. Funny thing though, I’m also on my first read of WOT starting book 14 now. Keep up the good work!

[@chrissleeping65]

Can't believe this series of 14 or 15 books only covers about 2 year's or so in continuity, what a crazy 2 year's for all these characters

[@garrettwagner5270]

The cool thing about how the gholam was defeated is that RJ set it up in fires of heaven when it was explained that people who fell off the edge of a skimming platform fall forever.

[@dalehenrickson6243]

RJ from the beginning said that the heroes would be reluctant heroes. Just nobody wants to face that kind of oddss

[@coltseavers6298]

Yea, the trial did not make a lick of narrative sense. The reason Perrin's arc _appears_ to be the slowest, and he is STILL doing the same ol' same ol' in book 13, is because Sanderson redid his Jordan completed mid series arc. If you go back and re-read Perrin's last Jordan chapters you can tell that his arc is completed and he is now ready to . . . _lead for the Last Battle at the end of_ _Knife Of Dreams._ Some of this was actually resolved way back in book#8. The problem is, as great a writer Sanderson is, he failed to properly research Perrin's story line when he took over( _similar to what happened to Mat here, too_ ) and thus we got a retelling of Perrin's mid series story arc, but in a much bigger Hollywood style picture. The making of his new hammer is a perfect example of this, however, Perrin's narrative now feels like a square peg being forced into a round hole. Sadly It appears that Sanderson needed to get back to writing his own books and thus failed to give this great series the time and attention that it deserved for it's grand final. I do agree with your takes on Mat and Lan.

[@jessicaflower71]

Sanderson has said that Perrin was his favorite character in the series and most of Perrin's storyline in these final 3 books was all him. I guess he was just a hardcore angsty Perrin guy and wanted to revel in it longer. Robert Jordan seemed to have moved passed that in Knife of Dreams. Lots of people complain about Sanderson's handling of Matt but it was Perrin that I felt he butchered.

[@jerrygg3487]

i mean, sanderson is a huge WoT nerd, so i believe that he did his due diligence and wanted to tell the story the way he imagined perrin. to me it was perfect. this dude was so forgettable and dumb throughout the series with the coolest powers. his trial made no sense, he had learnt nothing tbh, also what did he do in the last battle i don't even remember loll

[@coltseavers6298]

@@jerrygg3487 _"what did he do in the last battle i don't even remember loll"*_ Do you remember what Bilbo Baggins did during during the Battle Of Five Armies? He slept through the entire thing, similar to what Perrin does here. I guess Sanderson was Bilbo fan too.

[@Andre-xl2oe]

Sanderson definitely did a good job with the books, I dont think any other author would have done a better job. The creation of the hammer was something jordan already indicated in the notes he prepared.

[@coltseavers6298]

Sanderson has said many times that Jordan's notes on Perrin only involved the instruction of him being a King at the very end of the series. ( _This was due to Perrin's arc being finished at the end of _Knife Of Dreams._ ) Everything else is pretty much straight out of Sanderson's head.

[@nicholasbenjamin3826]

One of the things about that Rand/Egwene scene that always strikes me every time I read it: Rand is a out-manipulating the manipulators. He goes in with two huge problems. He leaves with none. Hear me out. The dude is a General in the last battle. He somehow has to assemble his army from all corners of the continent. The only way for him to do so is magic, but the people he was planning on using (the Ash'a'man) are somewhat unreliable. He's also got to deal with the sisters constantly second-guessing him, trying to steer him their way, etc. They are 125-year-old-magical superwomen, and as far as they're concerned he's barely 20. Solution? Tell the sisters that he's going to do something they will have to directly oppose, and tell them the only for them to oppose him is coordinate a massive Traveling operation to get the Amies of everyone to the Fields of Merrilor.

[@purusingh6085]

Lmao I can't believe someone is replying to this after a year, but rand was not 20 at time. He will mention to cadsuane in future that he is in his 440s. This after his sequence on dragonmount, he is lews Therin , and lews was a master manipulator.

[@curtiswfranks]

Hey, hey! Use his proper title: Rand Sedai. :D

[@AC-eb7kt]

The end with mat leaving the tower. I must have reread that section a dozen times but i still get chills at Mat's realization

[@smuckfuzzer]

Talking wouldn’t have helped. Egwene wants to control everything.

[@judasbarnet8604]

Besides moiraine, min and avihenda, i can't stand the women in this series.. i've really tried but i just can't stand them.

[@kght222]

0:39 i've been into this series since 94 or 95 (i can't remember for sure, i was like 10 or 11). the shadow rising is to this day my favorite, so much happens there, two of the main characters really establish themselves in this book, and one gets set up to really have some fun. and the side characters really start to shine, it starts to feel like a bigger world.

[@jerrygg3487]

same, TSR is my favorite book, and the rhuidean sequence the pinnacle of story telling IMO.

[@abiye3241]

😞hey MERPHY...I've been writing a book...I have the plot line all laid up, I have the characters, I have the plot, I have the climax....but I don't have the...I don't even know what I don't have, but i can't put text on the screen. It's been blank for days and I know what I'm supposed to write but I don't know 'what I'm supposed to write' 😞I don't know if anyone understands...but I need to know what to do.

[@Shaddowsir]

Hello good morning. I don't have much writing experience, and your comment doesn't have much context but I would like to at least try and help. The only advice I could give would be to have a re-read or a skim of what you have written already to get yourself fully immersed back into the story and that might give you what you're missing or what you don't know that you're missing. I hope that this helps, have a wonderful day!.

[@WhatsCookin420]

Victoria Kiolawson literally write down whatever comes to mind. Good bad it doesn’t matter because it’s better than writing nothing and it’s easier to just edit text instead of typing it perfectly.

[@abiye3241]

@@Shaddowsir thank you very much ..

[@Shaddowsir]

@@abiye3241 It's my pleasure!! 😊

[@dudeguy8686]

Throw in a problem and let your characters figure out how to solve it. Just keep in mind the general direction they have to go for the story, and present the challenges that will bring them closer to being able to solve the final problem.

[@SeverianTheLame]

Prophecies--I am the chosen Ta'veren--The flame will grow I Feel the heat, I'll keep on breathing After all there's no tomorrow Wheel of time!!! Save my soul, find a way And if I fail, will it all be over? Oh wheel of time!

[@JonasBelgi]

You totally called me out, lol. 12/13/14 are my favorites, even when I'm rubbish remembering them. And Towers of Midnight definitely altered my concepts, of and provided some truly twisting dark. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on A Memory of Light!

[@graybabyoracle]

Can't wait for you to finish the series, including New Spring, then give impressions of the series as a whole. Maybe you could include your thoughts on how they might tighten the TV series into something they can actually finish in a reasonable number of seasons.

[@curzon176]

I just finished book 14 last month (second time) and i'm really excited for you Merphy. That book is phenomenally exciting.

[@bitsoflit]

I have checked out the first wheel of time book from my workplace thanks to you. Hope I like it!

[@LezbiNerdy]

"Nynaeve is such a proud character" I had to stop the video at this point to comment because I am literally in the middle of editing a video for my (brand new tiny) channel where I say the exact opposite. In my perspective, I see Nynaeve as an intensely insecure character (right from the beginning), and her bluster and 'pride' is a cover for her self-doubt. Of course, only my opinion, and not saying you're 'wrong' or anything, but it just struck me as funny because my opinion of this one character is so incredibly opposite from yours!

[@smaug1234]

Shes a overly confident young woman who has that confidence broken and built back into something more real, she is a hypocrite, a bully, a goddess, an angel all in one, very much like most of the great woman you will meet in your life, just my opinion :)

[@cloudbloom]

The forging of the hammer gives me goosebumps every time. Such a fantastic scene, I love the artwork on the copy you have where he's holding the hot hammer and there's a wolf head in the flames. So cool, I have a print of it on my wall

[@tomlehmann306]

Just finished it, sad I only have one more to go. Been like a good friend to me

[@Torsin2000]

I've always seen the interaction between Rand and Egwene as actually a calculated plan to get her to do some of his work for him, getting her to assemble the nations/armies that he does not explicitly control.

[@james35813]

Watching you review these last few books makes me want to reread the series

[@luscarora703]

I've been waiting for Moiraines rescue since she died, I coudnt believe such a great character was killed of in an early book

[@quinnlevy8996]

At least with the Moiraine and Thom thing Mat was in the same boat as the rest of us

[@areallyboredguy5825]

Mat regressed as a character by ten books.

[@lordofdarkness4204]

Nyneave is a character who rejects the White Tower, while Egwene embraces it. One is better then the other in my eyes.

[@mikesbookreviews]

At least once on every WoT review on my channel: "Well, you know, Merphy thought ______________. So what do you think about that?"

[@kev4366]

Beast-mode Perrin in full flight is so satisfying to read that I think it somewhat likely RJ made a conscious choice not to spoil us with him and save that impact for later in the series. If we had gotten full beast Perrin for eight straight books it would have been much less thrilling in the final books. I do love the forging scene though, its such a heavy build up for Perrin to be fully unleashed. Its like DING! he's done, you can take him out now he's done.

[@smaug1234]

last one before the crap hits the fan, grats on making it to the end :)

[@andrewhanson405]

I'm looking at your subscription numbers how come you are letting Daniel do all the author interviews?

[@jonhall152]

Here is how conflict breaks down in WoT: 5% Dark One and minions 5% Seanchan 1% Children of the Light 89% Poor Communication

[@Parker8752]

This was the book where I realised that Perrin and Galad are both almost certainly autistic. Their conversation following the trolloc ambush pretty much seals it for me.

[@clementine2948]

where did you get such a beautiful set of this series? I’ve been looking for sO long for a full set but I can only find them being sold in groups of three...

[@edwardaverros3028]

The reason Lan hasn't been everything you wanted so far is because he is a man waiting for a war, and in the next book, he finally gets one.

[@NionzaNari]

One of the many amazing things about re-reading WoT is how the relationships that seemed to come out of nowhere the first time through are actually there all along. It's just generally not focused on. With Thom and Moiraine, it's because the viewpoint characters are generally rather young and don't pick up on much of what goes on between the adults. My favorite example of this is Nynaeve's chapters in book 1. They are amazing on re-read because her crush on Lan is there all along, and will seem to be impossible to miss, but it tends to be completely invisible to first time readers.

[@sophiaanna7458]

I love you're videos and will be starting wheel of time soon! Will you be doing a Dear Author soon?

[@merphynapier42]

Next week!

[@sophiaanna7458]

@@merphynapier42 Thank You😊💙

[@ramspencer5492]

Book 12 was probably my favorite since book 4. Book 13 not so much... Book 14 was a mixed bag for me.... Some was great... Some didn't land.... And all of it was too rushed. Ought to have been split into two parts. I don't think Sanderson really knew what to do with Egwene after finishing the white tower split arc in book 12.

[@birdup657]

I know these are old reviews, but I love hearing you talk about this series. Especially now that I'm rereading it.

[@MartinUnderwood]

I just finished this book for my first time. Loved it. I also kind of think that Sanderson was poking a little bit of fun at the Thom/Moiraine quick romance with how he wore Mat's reaction to it. So funny🤣

[@AlexLifts777]

Wow! Your channel is growing so fast! We’re almost at 150k and it only feels like yesterday you were 50k♥️♥️♥️

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

I'm reading this now and am 4 pages from the end and have been in shock for a day after Talmanes read Verin's letter. I'm afraid to read further. This was the most fulfilling single book I've read with all the payoffs. It's almost enough to cause WOT to pass Mistborn as my favorite series of all time. Incredible! I have the same problem with Egwene as I always have. She is patient and respectful to the White Tower and it's system, but she still has an arrogance that women need to be in charge to save the world from bumbling men. While Rand informed her of his plans as opposed to discussed, she formed a coalition to oppose him rather than hoping to understand what his motivations are. It's possible that Rand approached her as he did because he knew she wouldn't wish to reason self-assured that he must be wrong.

[@worfsonofmogh1]

The only thing that I was shocked to see you leave out was Aviendha's trip to Rhuidean. I thought that that was one of the most interesting (and heartbreaking) parts of the book. I agree that this isn't the best book in the series, but that's likely a function of the set-up role that you mentioned repeatedly. It also suffers slightly from the fact that Perrin and Mat's stories are happening parallel to Rand and Egwene's in The Gathering Storm. My predictions for the last one are that you will be pleased with the developments of many of the characters, shocked by several moments, and that you'll cry *at least* twice. It's so good; you're gonna love it.

[@timidalchemist8475]

Jordan intended book 12-14 to be one, which is why most of the character focus are different between each entry and honestly it's great that Sanderson did everything he did especially Jordan.

[@TheLyon301]

the trial was fine. could have been better conversations…. but that’s par for the course with this series. Perrins storyline was the best of this book.

[@MilkshakeEmber]

By the way, Moirane and Thom have fancied each other since the first book.I say this a LOT about the romance in the series, but JUST BECAUSE YOU DID NOT NOTICE, DOES NOT MEAN THE CHARACTER'S AFFECTION IS UNFOUNDED OR SUDDEN. (Caps for emphasis, not for shouting) All the hints are there, and they have been since the beginning. The first time Lan meets Nynaeve in Eye of The World, he's taken aback and visibly impressed that Nynaeve has the skills to track him. Nynaeve reluctantly accepts the complement (which she's not used to hearing from any man) and their torches for one another burn bright during many scenes in the first book. But readers miss these interactions and claim that Jordan writes poor romance. No, rather the story slipped by you. It's understandable in this gargantuan series, but every single reviewer brings this up, and every single one is wrong about it.

[@tylerdurham6091]

I mean, some of it us really subtle writing on Jordan's part but some is just not being good at romance. If people are missing key relationship moments regularly, that's on the writer for not being clear enough.

[@sanin3213]

Lmao they have one or two scenes together and suddenly they're madly in love

[@Junya01]

I saw Nynaeve and Lan pairing together from a mile away, as with Egeanin and Domon, Tallanvor and Morgase, and Siuan and Bryne, but Thom and Moiraine? Did not see that coming. Guess they were too subtle for the likes of me, Daes'dae'mar and all. I always assumed Thom's affection when talking about Moiraine post-death was that of like, respect of a friend cuz of what she told him about his nephew or somethin.

[@christianrapper]

They never really explained how Rand cured his madness by himself. It just happened. I guess that we are supposed to assume the creator helped him.

[@markissleepy]

I originally each of the Wheel of Time books as they came out and just recently reread them for the first time since the final book was published and it's very interesting to see your first-time persepctive on this series. I have to say that I am with you on the abruptness of the Moiraine-Thom love! I didn't remember that at all from my first read of the series and it surprised the heck out of me in my reread; it was definitely just out of nowhere.

[@martinzubr2113]

Yeah, this book with both Perrin and Lan made me realise how incredibly annoying can the "reluctant leader" trope be when overdone.

[@adamlewitt788]

Nothing is wrong with you for not loving Mat. He is a character I love but let's be honest he's not for everyone. I can see an alternative universe existing out there where I don't like him and I wouldn't be that different there.

[@pablocendejas9862]

Most of the merit of getting rid of the Gholam is Mat's but it was also the Aes Sedai's input that made them solve the problem ultimately.

[@fantasticfoil92]

rodel ituralde! androl! olver! love them sooooo much

[@adso9323]

I get that people find olver endearing and a bit of comic relief, but the thing I find funniest is that I just know I would detest the naughty little kid irl

[@giorgichigladze817]

In MOL You'll have some of the best Lan, his scenes in last book are one of the high points of the book (probably series) one scene expacially

[@markpapa6639]

Love the series but your wrong about Elaine she rocks and the most real .

[@sanin3213]

I hope a lot of good guys die in the last book. I'm tired of good guys always winning lol

[@andrewhanson405]

Towers of Midnight is more towards the bottom of the list for me ahead Path of Daggers and Crossroads of Twilight. It has some amazing moments but I felt RJ set Perrin up for the turn around of the character at the end of Knife of Dream and for some reason Sanderson wanted to keep Perrin stuck with where he was at as an angsty character during books 8, 9 and 10 for The Gathering Storm and 3/4s of this book. There was also way too much of the whole Trakand family for my taste. Loved what little Rand and Nynaeve I got. Matt was the standout character for me. When this book first came out I was a little disappointed with Sanderson, as I didn't think he capitalized off of the highs that he built with The Gathering Storm and I was super pissed off about the all the wheel spinning he did with Perrin at the beginning. But forgave him because he delivered with A Memory of Light. The First 400 pages of A Memory of Light will do some last-minute making sure everyone is where they need to be and then you will be throttled with a non-stop powder keg going off. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on that one. Hope you vlog while reading The Last Battle chapter. I am really looking forward to hearing whether or not Lan stepped it up for you in the final book.

[@lupaecainis]

Wonderful summary. I love how you break it down character by character. And yes, Lan will rock in book 14. Enjoy your read of the last book. And then the New Spring.

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

Is it just me or when you see Lan do you picture the Netflix version of the Witcher?

[@kght222]

real question: are the forsaken right when they call the third age aes'sedai "so called". how far have they actually fallen. i think they are right. that the servants are trying to be the masters.

[@christopherrousseau1173]

They have fallen a lot because of lost knowledge and skills, but they have also gained a lot in wisdom... Try to remember when Egwene wanted to drop the three oaths and Suian told her why the three oaths make them better? Who would sacrifice years of life and power unless they had some wisdom?

[@eddie_asante.1]

I am so sad Matt loses his eye. Why who writers do that?

[@ethanmulvihill7177]

How can you not be attached to Hopper?