So... How fast did you read the book, once you were through that prologue? Just a fair warning: the prologues only get worse as the series progresses. Some of the stuff in them is really cool and useful, though.
I've loved Perrin from early on in the series and I really like him and Faile together. It's been SO MANY YEARS since I read this for the first time - I'm enjoying seeing it again through your eyes!
Stephen: Remember how I emailed you and told you I hadn't finished the book a few days short of the deadline? Well, I'd already gotten to the meat of the story by then, and I remember assuring you, "Don't worry, I'm sure I'll finish it on time!" It took me about 3 days of reading before work, and I couldn't put it down. I read slowly (at least in my judgement of the speed of an average reader,) but somehow even though I was gone every evening, I still tidied it up in just a few hours. I think I've gotten past all the re-cap explanations in the next book, which I've already started reading... I think....
Maibella: Yay someone besides my boss is reading my articles! :clap Hoho. I'm glad you're re-experiencing the book some through my articles. That is the purpose and thus, it makes me happy. Perrin's and Faile's general awesomeness aside, I think I really enjoy reading Perrin's part because he and Faile are finding happiness in a sea of so many other terrible things happening. Seriously, at this point in the series, Rand's life is terrible, and so many bad things are happening to everyone else, like Siuan getting stilled. It's nice to spend time with those who have a happy life event. I wonder what other happy things could happen to Perrin next. Maybe he has a child?! (Perrin Jr. Perrin Jr.!) But actually... the world gets broken at the end of the series so... his child might die... and that would be terribly depressing. Maybe we just shouldn't think of that right now.
Nice review! Its been awhile since I read that book for the first time, so its really cool to get a first time readers in depth analysis of the story so far!! Can't wait to see the next one!
I love reading these! And, unfortunately, it's true that WoT prologs get worse. My friends and I used to joke that there are books the size of some WoT prologs.