Fifth of Daybreak

It is possible I'm just being too cryptic due to a nasty habit I picked up from the Aes Sedai.

Another book down! This was another one of those that I just couldn't put down. I had small get together with friends on Saturday that I almost cancelled simply so I could spend the day reading. (I did manage to silence Lews Therin's rumblings that I should be reading and spent the day being social.) I'm very torn between which of these last two I enjoyed more. I'm leaning more towards the Fires of Heaven simply because I felt like there was more wonder and discovery, between learning more about Balefire and Asmodean hanging around. I also felt like the climax of Fires of Heaven was just a bit more engaging. I was fairly skeptical going into the last hundred pages or so when it seemed that it wouldn't wrap up, but the ending was definitely explosive enough for me, just very unexpected. I'm jumping ahead of myself though. From the very beginning, Jordan did a fantastic job of building tension throughout the entire book. Especially in the beginning with the dynamic between Taim, Bashere, and Lews Therin. At this point, I'm not convinced that Taim is one of the Forsaken, it seemed that he didn't know how to make a gateway, so that really eliminates that possibility. Beyond that though, I'm certain he will not be a force for good, after witnessing the efficiency in which he trained the Asha'man to kill. I'm suspicious that the Black Tower will grow to be as sinister as the name suggests. The one portion of this book I cannot praise enough is the amount of character development that has been worked up to this point, and finally come to fruition. It seems that with the exception of Elayne and Mat, most characters have had a grueling story arch that has left changes that are both tangible, and believable. While Nynaeve and Egwene used to leave a bad taste in my mouth, now I'm just astonished by the changes apparent and that continue to take shape. The amount of respect I had for Egwene increased exponentially after she met her Toh. Gawyn was surprising for me. I understand how he's come into the place he is, but I can't help but regret it. He seemed such an earnest and well intentioned character that has been twisted by the trust he had in Elaida and the tower. I really hope that he is able to learn what events have truly transpired, and that his story is less dark than it seems to be heading. The viewing Min had was very sinister, and he seems to grow more dark every time I get his viewpoint. I suspected early on that Egwene would get made into the Amyrlin, but I doubted myself over and over due to not knowing that technicality. When she was summoned before the tower I knew for certain, but it takes away the ego boost when you solidify your theory a chapter before it's revealed. (This is probably a commendation to Jordan, as he puts in enough foreshadowing in for me to realize immediately before, but it's also frustrating to have things happen immediately after.) One thing that surprised me was the Little Tower beginning its march. Since about midway through The Fires of Heaven, I've been expecting a large scale battle at Salidar, between the Aes Sedai, the White Cloaks, and then the events of this book. I understand the Band is following, but I'm wondering if the White Cloaks are also following, which would make three fairly substantial armies marching close together. That's a powder keg waiting to blow if I've ever read one. I expect it will come to a head before they reach Tar Valon, as it wouldn't be advantageous to have a hostile army behind you while you lay siege to the bloody White Tower. Mat and Olver also were a pleasant surprise. It seems like a great relationship starting to build, and one that will help temper Mat. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy him as a character, but there's a lot of things he says that really goad me (and not just because he makes life harder for himself and Rand.) It seems like a bit of personal responsibility will transform him in a similar way the Aiel did for Egwene. I don't expect him to become a straight arrow, but at least learn to be slightly tactful. It put a giant smile on my face when I learned he'd be heading to Salidar. I was only slightly off when I imagined him strolling into Salidar by himself and causing a huge uproar when they learned he was immune to Saidin, but when he threw the dynamic between himself and Nyneave on its head, I couldn't have been more pleased. I did guess long before that his medallion would not stop things thrown by the power. I really didn't expect the Ebou Dar storyline to stay unresolved, and I'm looking forward to that storyline. I assume from Min's viewing of Berelain that she'll fall for Galad. When it comes to Min and Rand, having seen it from Rand's POV, I have to agree with Min: Rand's a complete woolhead. I'm glad Perrin came back for this book, but I'm back to being incredibly frustrated with Faile. I had hoped for a scene early on when Bashere and Rand met with Verin, Alanna, and the Two Rivers girls. I would've loved to have seen the result if one of the girls had let slip who Faile was with Bashere present, but alas, it didn't happen. Alanna bonding Rand was a huge surprise. I can't even begin to theorize what will come of that, other than Elayne is going to be a very unhappy daughter heir Loial on the run from his mother is hysterical! I did expect a good deal more involvement from the forsaken this book, but I did notice at the very least some clues of the Black Ajah, such as the cats being healed in Camelyn.I had expected a few of the sisters to be around Salidar and end up rescuing Mogheiden, so I was wrong on that account. I'm very curious about what they are actually up to. Jordan kept popping the Shaido up, and I kept ignoring it. There's no reason I should've been surprised by them popping up at the end. If the clue as to who killed Asmodean was in this book, I missed it. I'm starting to come up blank now, though I know I'll have more to say, so I'll leave it here for now, and post more as I think of it. The Morgase storyline was intriguing. Unless there were some involvement from the forsaken, it was very interesting to see the role chance played into her eventual surrender. That situation is explosive as well. Edit: Posting killed all my formatting for some reason.

Kelsier 30 Miles 15 Ferring 13 Lerasium 4

Aons 10 Breath 10 Elantris 8 Ferring 14 God King 8 Hemalurgy 9 Investiture 13 Jah Keved Lerasium 10 Miles 15 Preservation 10 Kelsier 20

Aons 10 Breath 10 Chouta 8 Denth 10 Elantris 10 Ferring 10 God King 10 Hemalurgy 11 Bad for you, good for me Investiture 10 Jah Keved 8 Kelsier 11 Lerasium 10 Miles 11 Odium 10 Preservation 10 Edgedancers 8

It will make it a little better if she talks about it later, but this just seemed like a plot hole to me. She should have felt him getting stabbed, and opened herself up to the source before they came in a shielded her. It seems unlikely to me they would stab him after getting to her, especially since it was a knife to the back.

Definitely, I wasn't happy he died, but at the same time, I can understand from a writer's perspective. It seemed like Rand had already learned most of what he could from Asmodean, even in just the gap between the last two books. He was an excellent character, but I assume it will be more interesting to see Rand muddle through what he hasn't learned rather than having Asmodean info dump on screen, or Rand suddenly an adept channeler from off screen lessons. One thing I haven't stressed in my posts is just how much I love the Warders. It's not even something I can put my finger on or quantify, other than they are just plain cool. The bond, the cloaks, the mannerisms, all ridiculously cool. But there's one thing I don't understand that keeps bugging me. The Aes Sedai are supposed to feel every wound that their Warders take, so why didn't Siuan feel her warder get stabbed during the mutiny in the tower during Shadow Rising?

Speaking of posts that require absolute self control to not downvote... I would like to nominate a mistcloak-duster fashion, and The Book of Endless Pages. Hopefully this doesn't end up like the Top 30 where everyone supports their own nominations

Edgedancers 28 Dustbringers 4

Edgedancers 24 Dustbringers 12 Let's go for a shut out!

Edgedancers 21 Dustbringers 18 Finally!

Bondsmiths 8 Windrunners 4 I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. Dustbringers 12 Truthwatchers 4 Lightweavers 8 Elsecallers 3 Edgedancers 20

Bondsmiths 8 Windrunners 7 Dustbringers 11 I find myself completely satisfied with the finals, so now I feel compelled to pick up your strategy Observer. Hurt the mighty! Heal the weak. Truthwatchers 4 Lightweavers 8 Elsecallers 5 Edgedancers 20

Bondsmiths 11 Windrunners 8 Skybreakers 5 Dustbringers 8 Edgedancers 17 Truthwatchers 6 Lightweavers 10 Elsecallers 12

Bondsmiths 9 Windrunners 9 Skybreakers 10 Dustbringers 10 Edgedancers 13 Truthwatchers 10 Lightweavers 10 Elsecallers 11 Willshapers 5 Stonewards 6

Bondsmiths 10 Windrunners 10 Skybreakers 9 Dustbringers 10 Edgedancers 12 @_@ I'm actually on the same side as Observer. It's a Middlefest Miracle! Truthwatchers 10 Lightweavers 10 Elsecallers 11 Willshapers 6 Stonewards 8

I'd like to do a villains/antagonist match.

Free chouta for everyone!

Herdaz 19 Hallendren 5

Herdaz 19 Hallendren 8

Herdaz 21 Hallendren 13

Terris 7 Herdaz 23 Hallendren 11

Terris 13 Herdaz 20 Lopen is just so Ch-arming Hallendren 11

Terris 17 Herdaz 21 Hallendren 14

Terris 20 Herdaz 20 Hallendren 16