A review by nclcaitlin
Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

3.5

The first part of the Great Lord's message was simple. 'Let the Lord of Chaos rule.'

1,011 pages of politicking, Rand being frustrating, Mat being bullheaded, and Perrin being led everywhere….

Rand grants an amnesty for all men who can challenge, worrying over problem after problem, and struggling with controlling Lews Therin’s voice in his mind. 

Mat is leading the Band in a subterfuge to defeat Sammael.  

Nynaeve and Elayne are with the rebel Aes Sedai, learning and hiding Moghedien held prisoner and only known to them. There is just so much subterfuge between the Hall and the White Tower. 

Perrin Goldeneyes, Lord of the Two Rivers is back with Falie at his side, balking at the duties of a Lord and feeling the need to return to Rand. 

General non-spoiler thoughts:

Mat finally has more of a purpose and personality… hurrah! Also, he low-key adopts an orphan kid and it’s not what I was expecting, but it is actually very endearing.

Rand’s contrasting attitudes towards women and men really annoys me. The way he doesn’t care so much if an Aiel dies, but Wheel forbids one of the Maidens die who have sworn to protect him… Honestly, anything Rand frustrates me. 

No spoilers, but Egwene - YES, GET IT! I wasn’t expecting it, but also it makes so much sense? I guess I wasn’t expecting it to happen so early. 

We are always more afraid than we wish to be, but we can always be braver than we expect.

Elayne and Nynaeve take a backseat in this instalment as Min takes centre stage (and centre lap). However, character progression annoyed me as she went from the incredibly wilful and independent woman who didn’t care why there thought, to someone who blushed in Rand’s presence. 

"By the look of you, Nynaeve, I could almost think you were angry, but I know you have such a sweet disposition people ask you to dabble your fingers in their tea."

I think the slog is supposed to start in the next book, but at the moment I am still engaged enough to continue! I am glad as this was where I expected my interest to wane.