I was mistaken in previous reviews. I thought things got slower and slower between books 6 and 10, but this one (book 9) lurches forward a bit better than the previous one. However that's because its stumbles, and the story falls flat on its face for book 10. But this isn't about book 10. This is book 9. Let me leave my bitching about 10 for when I get to it. 
 The Perrin/Faile/Shaido/Prophet storyline kicks this one off, but after the first 6 chapters we never hear from them again. I think this storyline spans 4 books, technically, and it started in the last one. Not a lot happens, and the next section starts on page 172... Jeezy peezy, Jordan! 
 Elayne makes headway in securing the Lion Throne. Rand is warder bonded to the 3 loves of his life, and we later have a cool scene where he fights one of the Asha'man without the one power because they're in a place where it can't be used. It showcases again how badass he is. (view spoiler)[Rand is already bonded to Min when he kills Rochaid, so Min is aware of any emotions Rand might be feeling even if he's a few miles away. After Rand explains the fight with Rochaid and Kisman (who got away) to Min we get this: 
 "Rand," she said slowly, "you did all that, killed one man and faced another and... Rand, I didn't feel anything. In the bond, I mean. No fear, no anger. Not even concern! Nothing." 
 "I wasn't angry with him." Shaking his head, he began shoving clothes into the hamper again. "He just needed killing, that's all. And why would I be afraid?" 
 "Oh," she said in a small voice. "I see." 
 Just a man taking care of business. 
 I love this book's climax as well when Rand and Nynaeve cleanse Saidin of the Dark One's taint. It's a rather memorable scene with a handful of others defending them from the Forsaken. We see a lot of people getting more powerful. At the beginning of the series there was nobody who could even hope to challenge the Forsaken, and by this point our heroes are adapting, and finding ways to circumvent their weaknesses. As a result, another forsaken bites the dust, and a couple others get singed, though the cost is greater for the good guys. At least Rand got his business done. (hide spoiler)] 
 But that's not the best part of this book. We start the Mat/Tuon relationship story arc in this one, and I love that whole thing. Well, at least through the end of book 11 which is as far as I've read. Hopefully I'll like it all the way through to the end, but a friend who has read the whole thing indicates some badness happens in the last book. I hope it doesn't piss me off, but Jordan is good at that. He doesn't reap his main characters with a scythe like George R. R. Martin or Stephen King, but he'll make them do some shitty things that makes you want to throw the book sometimes. Anyway, Tuon is here now, and she's pretty awesome. I simultaneously root for her (because she's badass) and against her (because of her allegiance). I'm hoping Mat brings her around even if she's on one of the opposing teams. 
 OK, 4 stars because a couple of things actually happen, and Mat is back! (He was absent for the entire 8th book). And also because Egwene was in only 1 scene and didn't even get a point-of-view chapter. She is so annoying that any book is improved by her absence. And yet I root for her as well when she's fighting other forces opposing Rand. One thing's for sure: Jordan can craft some complicated situations that leave you not sure whose team you want to be on. I'm 100% for Rand, and mostly for his allies, but even his allies fight him by aligning with some of his enemies for various reasons, and I sometimes support his enemies when they share a common enemy with Rand. Well done with taking the simplicity out of it Mr. Jordan.