This is all pretty much exactly how I feel about it as well. Faile is an interesting character, I both like and dislike her on and off throughout the story...
Mat's luck I think is a combination of the dagger and being ta'veren.
Mordeth is not a Soulless, though I seem to remember that you will meet some in this book :look
And yeah, Whitecloaks are not generally liked anywhere, even in Amadicia. Unfortunately, you are going to see more of them too ;)