I enjoyed this book quite a bit better than I have the preceding few. In large part, I credit Mat's complete absence (may he fall in a hole and never return). I also felt that the story was quite a bit tighter, mostly sticking with one group until their story was totally updated before moving on to the next, only hopping around at the very end, when it worked because the plot lines mostly came together. Finally, the book was also quite a bit shorter than the last few have been, without sacrificing much, if anything. 
 I'm finding the contrast between Egwene and Elaida as both character face very similar struggles as the Amyrlin of their respective towers to be very interesting, and a neat idea. 
 Perrin and Faile, on the other hand, are still horrible. At least now that Perrin has largely "tamed" Faile (*cringe*), they aren't quite as explicitly abusive as they have been - with the exception of Elyas teaching Perrin to shout at Faile and Faile feeling so wonderfully giddy that Perrin has finally learned to be a douche.