This one wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Overall, not too much happened. There were some weird scenes, like Aviendha and Elayne "birth" scene. There's some cool stuff involving the start of engines and electricity. Sexy time with Rand and the three girls (not at once). They finally sorted all that out, and they're all bonded now. And Elayne may be pregnant? And ugh, more Perrin worrying over Faile and being annoyed with Berelain, and Faile...existing. On the other hand, Mat's back! We get some Seanchen viewpoints, daugter of the nine moons, and some more stuff with Tylin. The whole book was kind of just okay, but the ending was exciting. Nyneave and Rand paired up and cleansed the taint in an awesome, kind of confusing scene.

RJ’s world-building continues to impress. However, the scenery comes at a cost, as the book often feels overcrowded with visuals. The pacing in this book is frankly sluggish, marking the first time in the series where the reading feels more like a chore than a pleasure.

The portrayal of the Aes Sedai continues to undergo the a significant transformation that began perhaps two books ago. In earlier books they were depicted as near-flawless paragons of strength. Now they are revealed to be fraught with internal squabbles and emotional vulnerabilities, making them more human and relatable. This shift was and continues to abrupt, lacking the gradual introduction that might have lent it more believability. Again, they were too perfect in earlier books; the indication that they were not should have been telegraphed earlier in the series.

The weakest part of the book is my recurring critique of Jordan's storytelling: the depiction of interpersonal mistrust and the dynamics of power struggle. Early in the series, childish banter between genders hinted at deeper societal divides. Now, with a world expanded to include a broader array of factions, the execution of these themes still remains the same as the petty disputes between genders. This approach undermines the gravity of the legitimate grievances and societal critiques, making significant conflicts seem trivial rather than showdowns of ideology and will.

Not all is bad. Our first true look into Sea Folk culture provides a counterbalance to the Aes Sedai portrayal, hinting at the varied responses to authority and power within the series. We also get increased focus on the Seanchan monolithic culture, though their portrayal is too uniform and lacks the nuanced characterization found in other cultures.