FINALLY! 
 This book is where the series comes to a screeching halt. Very abruptly as well, since book 7 had some action in it. 
 We do get some action in the last few chapters of this book, but they come so belatedly that they're sort of anti-climatic and not as impressive as previous books. They also feel forced and rushed. 
 The only incident that redeems this book is Egwene's plot-line. She finally gets things moving with the Salidar women. Elayne and Nynaeve's plot on the other hand was just so boring. Filled with bickering 500 year old senile women. 
 Thankfully, the mess with the Shaido only happens in the last book, so we were spared Perrin's miserable plot line. All in good time. 
 Mat was MIA during the whole thing, which is really retarded since we left him off in a HUGE cliff hanger in book 7. 
 And Rand's Plot is like reading the diary of a schizophrenic. 
 The one thing which I really enjoyed is reading the Seanchan POV's as this is the first time we get to really delve into their culture, crazy as they are. 
 Wishing I can blink and find myself already on book 11. Not looking forward to 9 and 10 AT ALL.