Curtis on :
Finally, finally, Mat becomes an interesting character in the series.
Monday, May 20. 2013The Dragon Reborn (Chapters 14-19)
There were a few interesting things that happened in these chapters, but for the most part, they were just setup/exposition chapters. So far, I have concluded that Robert Jordan meant to make the Wheel of Time series so that each book was a stand-alone story. Because of this, he explains and re-explains the same things over and over again. While this might be useful if someone tried to read a single book of the series, it turns many of the chapters into exposition instead of action, lengthening the books and breaking their flow.
Chapter 14
Egwene and Nynaeve are chosen to act as the Amyrlin's hounds in hunting down the Black Ajah. The Amyrlin gives each of them a letter that gives them permission to do anything they deem necessary to accomplish their mission. It seems to me that the fact that most members of the White Tower will not even speak of the possibility that there is a Black Ajah says a lot about the Aes Sedai mindset. Chapter 15 A Gray Man, one of the Dark One's assassins tries, and fails to kill Egwene and Nynaeve with a crossbow. When they find him, he is dead, and someone has taken his weapon from him. When they go back for the crossbow bolt, it too is gone. Nynaeve suspects that Sheriam is involved somehow, and tries to question her. Chapter 16 Egwene and Nynaeve let Elayne in on the secret of the Amyrlin's mission, in spite of they Amyrlin's warning not to. Nynaeve confides that she believes that the Amyrlin is going to let Mat die. Chapter 17 Elaida attempts to question Elayne, Egwene and Nynaeve about their adventures, and about Rand. She is stopped by the arrival of Sheriam, who is coming to fetch the girls to be present at Mat's healing. Chapter 18 The Amyrlin, along with nine other Aes Sedai, heals Mat. Chapter 19 Mat wakes up. Perhaps because of the healing, or perhaps because of how long he carried the dagger, his link to the old blood of Manetheren has become stronger--now he is beginning to have memories of the previous battles where he fought. Is Mat, like Rand, a rebirth of someone from a previous age? If so, who is/was he? Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
Comments
Display comments as
(Linear | Threaded)
Curtis on :
Finally, finally, Mat becomes an interesting character in the series.
Curtis on :
We were previously teased with the threat of a Gray Man in this book, but now we finally get to meet one. It's kind of terrifying in principal, but I'm not sure how I feel about the execution in these chapters.
We are definitely meant to suspect everyone in the White Tower. Verin, Elaida, Sheriam...anyone could be Black Ajah. Honestly, I can't remember what the girls uncover in this novel, so I'm interested to see how their sleuthing works out. These are the kind of chapters I never remember when I finish a good book. Sorry Jared. AoD on :
Everyone is someone reborn from a different age, and in some turnings of the Great Wheel you might be in a different station in life than you were in others.
The Dragon Reborn has had many different companions across different turnings of the Wheel, and not all turns of the Wheel end up the same; e.g., we heard in The Great Hunt that Artur Hawkwing and The Dragon were sometimes contemporaries, even though this time they were reborn hundreds of years apart. Mat is definitely a strong ta'veren, one the Wheel kept in reserve for this specific turning. Who he was is not yet made clear; WHAT he is, and the role he plays in aiding the Dragon, will become far more clear as the series advances. Curtis on :
I inferred from his vision in this chapter that he was a general for the armies of Manetheren in the Trolloc Wars and he was known for taking risks that usually paid off.
AoD on :
*rattle* *rattle* *rattle*
Radar on :
Your question about who Matt is, may be the most interesting thing for me in these chapters. Although, the idea that Elaine might have the ability to channel as much as half of what the joined sisters can is pretty remarkable. But in the end, the eyesadye crap is just annoying and I continue to get frustrated having to listen to them. They deserve what they get.
I think that it is clear the dagger is a horcrux. Curtis on :
I hate you Pete.
|
Handy LinksItems of InterestCategoriesBlog AdministrationSyndicate This BlogPowered byTheme dropdownBookmark |