Hello Everyone, welcome back to Part V of the read along. In this section, we cover Chapters 28-33. Please add your link below if you put up a post. If the link mechanism isn’t working, let me know in the comments, and I’ll do it old school. Also, make sure to visit our awesome cohost Anya over at On Starships and Dragonwings. If you want to check the schedule or sign up for the discussion questions email, look over HERE. Oh, and there is still a little time left on our Wheel of Time Audiobook Giveaway, so check that out if you haven’t.
With that, Here Be Spoilers!
1) Perrin, Egwene, Elyas, and Bela had quite the intense ride. What did you think about the ravens and what dark magic could motivate birds, even carrion birds, into such behavior?
I was biting my knuckles the entire time. I have chickens, which are omnivores, and I have seen how intense and ecstatic they get when they find a mouse. And I have seen what little was left of the mouse. So, yes, I had a pretty darn good visual of what those ravens were doing to anything they found moving. I think I can safely say that these ravens are in thrall to Big Bad Dude – hmm.. attempt spelling of Bal’zamon. I wonder what other animals he can control to that extent?
2) In Chapter 29, we hear part of the legend of Artur Hawkwing. How do you like Robert Jordan’s nod to such an ancient legend and his use of it and other mythologies in building his world?
I like how Jordan pulls in cultural references like Beltyne celebration and now Artur Hawkwing (King Arthur), as it gives Jordan’s a feeling of age and history. I also have to note that there have been some similarities to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and I tend to think these were done on purpose, perhaps as a nod to Tolkien’s works. I am looking forward to seeing what other myths or legends get pulled into the series.
3) Do you think Lord Captain Bornhald and Child Byar capture the two ends of the spectrum for the men who make up The Children of the Light?
These dudes creep me out. They are both dedicated heart and soul to their purpose, though I do believe Bornhald believes he is doing good while Byar just seems to enjoy the control. Perrin and Egwene are in a difficult situation and I worry that before the end of the book we are going to learn about the Children’s methods for bringing folks to the light….like torture.
4) Mat and Rand have a little fight over whether to sell Mat’s dagger, as they are running out of food. How do you like the solution they came up with?
Quite frankly. I am surprised that Mat didn’t come up with being traveling entertainers earlier. But perhaps that dagger is not only setting his mood dial on permanent Grumpy Suspicion, but also deleting brain cells. Still, after loosing Thom, I am glad the boys are continuing forward and have found a way to provide for themselves.
5) At Four Kings, Mat and Rand play for food and bed at a dive of an inn run by Saml Hake. During the course of the night, Rand spots a man, who turns out to be a Dark Friend, Howal Gode. And this naughty Dark Friend disturbs their sleep in a locked room. What do you think happened there?
Wow! OK, I finally believe that Rand is a male Aes Sedai, with all that lightening. Of course, there is the other tell-tale sign of Rand coming down with illness afterwards. I really wish he could have come into his power with Moiraine by his side to help guide him, or at least provide some info. And if 1 Dark Friend could find them on the road, others could too. These guys are to have to be extra careful.
Other Tidbits:
I am glad that we are seeing parts of the story through other characters now. It was cool to start the book with just Rand’s point of view, but now I am glad the story is branching out.
