This is the worst book in this series. Absolutely nothing happens, it is a waste of the printed page! The plot does not move forward at all in any of the character plot lines. It is mostly just Elayne and her bitching about her pregnancy and blaming it on Rand. Who fucking jumped who people? I got 50% of the way in and I just couldn't take it anymore, I give up. I'm reading the freaking chapter summaries for the second half - except the last chapter with Mat - I'll read his chapter because I love him. Oh and I'll read the last one in the book with Rand (the only time he appears in this one can you believe it?) I don't know what the heck Robert Jordan was doing when he wrote this book...its just so terrible. Thankfully, Brandon Sanderson takes over soon and salvages this series because it has been on a downward spiral since book six I think.