GIANT Wheel of Time secret coming in January, Brandon Sanderson has kept it secret for ten+ years, and is revealing it in January

[Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum]

If you watched the entire podcast as I did, Brandon Sanderson actually references Rowling by name and explains how this is nothing like that and he has evidence to back it up.

No worries, Brandon is still awesome in my book. This is just a small thing, and it won't make me throw up my hands in frustration. Probably a lot of my feelings toward post-series reveals have to do with ADHD, and Rowling didn't help. My ADHD brain is like, "Okay, this is it. We're done. Wait. Why is she saying it's not done? Still not done? Okay, I'm just not paying attention anymore, this is silly."

So when Brandon left things open for speculation at the end of the series, I was totally okay with that, because it let my ADHD out to play. The world of WoT is awesome for that. It's just the putting an "official stamp" on something that was left kind of open at the end kinda makes me feel...I dunno, weird. I don't hate this one, I'm fine with it, it's just not mind-blowing.

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

I'm not saying it isn't canon, I just don't understand why they felt the need to
a) keep it secret for so long.
b) Make it a huge revelation.

I would have found it a LOT more interesting if I had gotten this information 10 or 9 years ago 🤷‍♀️

 

[Dianna Melear]

I have to say, I am rather surprised how uninterested a Wheel of Time fan site is in a Wheel of Time secret that has been kept by Harriet and Brandon for ten years... I just thought there would be more interest or comments here. Strange.

@Dianna Melear Am I missing something? Why are only a few of you interested...

Ultimately we chose not to discuss it as a separate episode on the podcast because we'd covered most of the "reveals" before. For the three questions, we covered them in our "conspiracy theories" episode, and we covered the Nakomi reveal specifically in our "Origins of the Wheel of Time Review" episode.
We will likely touch on the Lanfear reveal at the top of an upcoming episode, but I'll also add my thoughts on that below...

It is part of canon, according to Robert Jordan's notes that Lanfear is second most powerful person there is second only to Rand, and manipulating Perrin is/was part of the canon from what I understand (I watched the entire podcast)

This was the part of the reveal that I had the biggest issue with. Because, as Sanderson and Matt explained it, they were actually wrong.
(I'm about to get pedantic and nit-picky here. Bare with.)

Spoiler: Come down the nit-pick rabbit hole with me

For one thing, Lanfear is dead. She's been dead. Moridin killed her after freeing her from the Finn. She was reincarnated as Cyndane. Yes, technically the same soul. But the person known as Lanfear is dead. So when BrandoSando and Matt say that she's alive, they're just wrong. (Sorry to crush Matt's dreams on this.)

For another, Cyndane isn't actually the most powerful female channeler left alive. When Lanfear was imprisoned by the Finn, they drained her of some of her power, just like they drained Moiraine. Cyndane is still really strong. But Alivia (former damane who is supposed to "help Rand die") is more powerful than her, according to the Companion, which is also based on RJ's notes. I ended up looking this up in the Companion while I was listening to the podcast, so to put some numbers to everything...
Lanfear's strength pre-Finn-capture: 1(+12)
Cyndane's strength: 2(+11)
Alivia's strength: 1(+12)
Nyneave's strength*: 3(+10)
*for context

Alivia is just as strong as Lanfear was, and is stronger than Cyndane and Nyneave. So when BrandoSando and Matt say that Lanfear/Cyndane is the most powerful channeler aside from Rand to still be around, again they're just wrong.

Spoiler: Book-related spoiler stuff

Lastly, I don't feel like Cyndane still being alive actually means anything for plots going forward. Maybe if we had some post-AMoL outrigger novels it would matter. But ultimately I feel like the reveal was a bit pointless.

 

[Boreas Silverfir]

This was the part of the reveal that I had the biggest issue with. Because, as Sanderson and Matt explained it, they were actually wrong.

Additionally, didn't R. Jorden get quoted saying that he intentionally made it vague who the "strongest" is because there are many ways of using ability which makes it impossible to compare apples and oranges?

 

[Dianna Melear]

Additionally, didn't R. Jorden get quoted saying that he intentionally made it vague who the "strongest" is because there are many ways of using ability which makes it impossible to compare apples and oranges?

I haven't seen that quote, but that does sound like something he would say. The Companion also says something similar. Iirc, it's basically that the power levels as listed have to do with raw amount of power that a person can channel. But even though women can't channel as much raw power as men ( ) because of their increased dexterity with the power they could be considered as strong as men who could channel more raw power than them and ultimately best them in a fight. (I may add the exact wording from the Companion when I get home, unless someone beats me to it.)

The Companion does list people's power levels, and as I understand it those are pulled from his notes. But lots of people are listed as being at the same level (like Lanfear and Alivia) so I could see it being vague as to who is actually strongest.

Spoiler: Character death spoilers

Ultimately the important point is who is left alive at the end of the series. Because lots of male Forsaken were stronger than Lanfear was/Alivia is. But they're all dead now.

 

[Dovienya el'Korim]

Lastly, I don't feel like Cyndane still being alive actually means anything for plots going forward. Maybe if we had some post-AMoL outrigger novels it would matter. But ultimately I feel like the reveal was a bit pointless.

This sums up my feelings on it. The reveal doesn't really take us anywhere or do anything for us without more books being written after this point.

 

[Boreas Silverfir]

Now, announcing a release of the in universe "Travels of Jain Farstrider"? That would get me hyped.

 

[Ephrem Elpidius]

@Dianna Melear I did not know much of that, that is partly why I was hoping people would talk here, so I could learn more, thank you so much!

 

[Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum]

Now, announcing a release of the in universe "Travels of Jain Farstrider"? That would get me hyped.

OMG, that!

 

[Ilverin Matriam]

Hey guys, I didn't comb this thread yet, but please consider that you are in General and people who havent finished the books might read this thread. I might move it to the ALL Spoilers forum soon, but gotta go to bed

 

[Dianna Melear]

@Ephrem Elpidius I'm glad! I hope you don't mind me being a bit rant-y

Now, announcing a release of the in universe "Travels of Jain Farstrider"? That would get me hyped.

Spoiler: I wants it

@Ilverin Matriam Sedai thank you for the note! 😅 I've added more spoiler tags to my posts...

 

[Megana Vallentin]

I'm not saying it isn't canon, I just don't understand why they felt the need to
a) keep it secret for so long.
b) Make it a huge revelation.

I would have found it a LOT more interesting if I had gotten this information 10 or 9 years ago 🤷‍♀️

This is about how I felt about it. It felt more on the level of a cool easter egg than a BIG REVEAL. Like oh huh I missed that, neat. And I'll be looking for it on my next re-read. But not world-changing to me.

 

[Nadezhda al'Lanahrin]

I agree. The reveal wasn’t anything huge.

 

[Ephrem Elpidius]

I agree. The reveal wasn’t anything huge.

I just enjoyed listening to Brandon's thought process for about 40 minutes on the big reveal, it was interesting to see where his brain went and how he sort of thought of these things. I find that stuff really interesting, more so than any reveal itself.

 

[Nadezhda al'Lanahrin]

I just enjoyed listening to Brandon's thought process for about 40 minutes on the big reveal, it was interesting to see where his brain went and how he sort of thought of these things. I find that stuff really interesting, more so than any reveal itself.

I agree! As an author, I really appreciate in-depth looks at other authors' thought processes.

 

[Silencia Roamadred]

Ultimately we chose not to discuss it as a separate episode on the podcast because we'd covered most of the "reveals" before. For the three questions, we covered them in our "conspiracy theories" episode, and we covered the Nakomi reveal specifically in our "Origins of the Wheel of Time Review" episode.
We will likely touch on the Lanfear reveal at the top of an upcoming episode, but I'll also add my thoughts on that below...


This was the part of the reveal that I had the biggest issue with. Because, as Sanderson and Matt explained it, they were actually wrong.
(I'm about to get pedantic and nit-picky here. Bare with.)

Spoiler: Come down the nit-pick rabbit hole with me

For one thing, Lanfear is dead. She's been dead. Moridin killed her after freeing her from the Finn. She was reincarnated as Cyndane. Yes, technically the same soul. But the person known as Lanfear is dead. So when BrandoSando and Matt say that she's alive, they're just wrong. (Sorry to crush Matt's dreams on this.)

For another, Cyndane isn't actually the most powerful female channeler left alive. When Lanfear was imprisoned by the Finn, they drained her of some of her power, just like they drained Moiraine. Cyndane is still really strong. But Alivia (former damane who is supposed to "help Rand die") is more powerful than her, according to the Companion, which is also based on RJ's notes. I ended up looking this up in the Companion while I was listening to the podcast, so to put some numbers to everything...
Lanfear's strength pre-Finn-capture: 1(+12)
Cyndane's strength: 2(+11)
Alivia's strength: 1(+12)
Nyneave's strength*: 3(+10)
*for context

Alivia is just as strong as Lanfear was, and is stronger than Cyndane and Nyneave. So when BrandoSando and Matt say that Lanfear/Cyndane is the most powerful channeler aside from Rand to still be around, again they're just wrong.

Spoiler: Book-related spoiler stuff

Lastly, I don't feel like Cyndane still being alive actually means anything for plots going forward. Maybe if we had some post-AMoL outrigger novels it would matter. But ultimately I feel like the reveal was a bit pointless.

So I am not sure if this thread is spoiler free but as others have used Spoiler tags I thought it prudent:

Spoiler: Spoilerific Spoilers for aMoL

Ok so I am going to also nitpick. Whilst Lanfear (reincarnated as Cyndane) is not the Strongest in terms of raw strength, I would argue she is still the most powerful. If you were to put Cyndane in a direct conflict with Alivia, I would put Cyndane as the winner - even despite Alivias age and her use as a literal Power weapon, I just think Lanfear knows too much - which we see evidenced in her ability to help Perrin.

Also - apparently some people are upset that this harms Perrins arc? Anyone know what that reasoning is?

Personally I think this makes complete sense and is in keeping with Lanfear and her arc, although I saw her actions as her succumbing to madness once Rand (Lews Therin) gives her the final rejection, I thought her jealousy and rage got the better of her, but thats what she wanted everyone to think, so she could "die" at the hands of Perrin.

Robert Jordan you are a genius and WoT is the gift that keeps on giving. *claps*

 

[Ilverin Matriam]

I just enjoyed listening to Brandon's thought process for about 40 minutes on the big reveal, it was interesting to see where his brain went and how he sort of thought of these things. I find that stuff really interesting, more so than any reveal itself.

I agree, while I didn't enjoy the revelation :P I really enjoy listening to Sanderson talk about the books and his writing. The video was very interesting to listen to!

 

[Arella Mathara]

@Silencia Roamadred, all forums are spoiler free except the Wheel of Time - Spoilers forum in the Library section of the boards. Unless specifically states as such like the full spoilers discussion thread in the TV show forum

As for the reveal I think I agree with those who say they don't really care much at this point. Revealing it now does start a lot of discussions about WoT again but so did the release of the TV show.

Personally I'm a lot more up for discussions about the books and theories right after or during a reread regardless. I don't really remember the minute details after a while

 

[Silencia Roamadred]

Personally I'm a lot more up for discussions about the books and theories right after or during a reread regardless. I don't really remember the minute details after a while

This is me at the moment - I'm on my first ever re-read but luckily I do have a really good memory for stories and plots. The WoT Universe is so big and complex though that this re-read is fabulous for all the details I missed before and having a contextual understanding of things so I can see the foreshadowing better is awesome.

 

[Arella Mathara]

I used to remember things very well, almost verbatim, but unfortunately I've been hit with cognitive impairment. Life 🤷‍♀️

Forshadowing is one of the literary tools I enjoy the most!