The Not a Book Club Club discussion

Part 3

Please keep all discussion and speculation to the events of Part 3 (Chapters 16-23).

No spoiler tags required. Though it would be highly appreciated if you Uncheck Add to my Update Feed to avoid accidentally spoiling this for your good read friends.

Please do not discuss events from later chapters/books. Referring back to events from a previous section/book is fine.

Egwene's confrontation with Elaida was fantastic. Really that whole chapter was. Each chapter since has me eager to get back to her story. It's by far the best part of this book so far.

In the meantime the Dark Lord scores a major victory over Rand. He sets in motion a plan to have Ezra free Semihrage and collar Rand, only to allow Rand the use of the True Power. Rand uses Baelfire on both woman.

Then in his anger he banishes Cadsuane for failing to protect the collar and resolves to make himself even harder. He's grown that much closer to being corrupted by the Dark one, and he doesn't even realize it. Lews Therin does, but will that be enough?

Egwene crushed Elaida. I liked how she used what she had been learning from each Ajah to take her down. Taking the beating like that was impressive.

I don't really understand what Rand is using. Is saidin and saidar from the light and the dark one has his own power? Is that where Moridin is getting the black spots?

The magic stuff is better explained before the end. I just finished a chapter today where they talk a little bit more about it.

Ok good.

I think we have

Saidin : Male half of true source, which was corrupted by the Dark One as it touched him when they were binding him in the prison.

Saidar : Female half of true source.

True Power : The power which is exclusively used by dark friends or forsaken. Rand has access to it through his connection with Moridin/Ishammael.

Also there are so many factions in forsaken with Moridin going it in one way & shaidar Haran going it in another way.

Also where is Padan Fain or Mordith ?

I guess Rand banishing Cadusane was bad for him, but it wasn't helped by the fact that she did not treat him that well. But considering how she helped him in the meeting with chiefs, she was really an good ally for him.

Cadsuane doesn't treat Rand badly IMHO. She treats him the way she treats everyone else. Of course she's definitely a bully who's used to getting her way.

I also think that treating him kindly wouldn't work. For one thing it would make Rand more distrustful of her. For another that's not what he needs.

He needs someone willing to tell him their opinion without sugar coating it and without being sensitive to his feelings or power.

I wasn't a fan of the Egwene plot, but halfway through KoD and then this book, it's excellent. Although I do hope it gets resolved soon.

I'm glad the collaring of Rand didn't last long. With just a few books between now and the end, I didn't want a long drag until Tarmon G.

This book is moving right along. I remember vaguely about the True Power. Hopefully that gets some more development...I bet it will.