Things that surprised you

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I don't think them not being able to see Bao's weaves was a part of the Ayyad prophecies. This was simply something that they would be aware that Demandred was capable of from their time around him making it possible for Moghedien to use that as identification when she Mirrored him. Although they did refer to him as Dragonslayer and if that is part of their prophecies it indicates that Rand was NOT supposed to be Bao the Wyld.

It could be that Bao the Wyld is just some "prophecy" that's been circulated in Shara. That is, one that isn't real. Maybe it was even planted there by the Shadow, for this very purpose? Ishamael created the Black Ajah 2000 years ago, it would make sense if he did something to prepare Shara for the Last Battle as well. Create a false prophecy, intended to be fullfilled by another Forsaken - and given the unique knowledge they have, it wouldn't be difficult to include things only another Forsaken could do. Either that, or someone corrupted an existing prophecy. That feels more likely to me, than Demandred by accident finding legitimate prophecies, reading up on them in great detail, figuring out that he could fullfill them even though he isn't the real deal, and then gaining the support of all of Shara - all in much less time than it's taken Rand to do his stuff.
 
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I thought the same about a third power Belgareth Gaidin.
When you think about it the existence of a power from the creator is very logical since the pattern works in balance.
The One Power isnt good or evil, and the True Power is evil so there HAS to be a power that is good.
Some things were a surprise but they were all listed already.:p
 
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I think most of the surprises for have been covered. Except, and forgive my levity here, but was no one else expecting Elayne to go into labour at like the WORST possible time of course, During the Battle. Then I was shocked she was only 6 months along. Hasn't she been pregnant for like 100 books now? Geesh.

This... And now that I look back, I listened to the books, so maybe I missed something, but we never did hear when she had them or even what their names where? I know there was a conversation and rand said dont name a boy rand...

While I was ok with the end, I personally think they took the easy way out and let too many people live, if that makes any sense.. And honestly, rands part of the final battle, again, IMO was kinda weak. Now granted, he's spent books setting the whole thing up, but something just seemed lacking.
 

Aduiavas Ida

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I think I shouted something like "Oh, no you didn't" when Graendal took Rhuarc. That was something I really did not see coming.
 

Bryher al'Venna

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I did the same thing! NO!! Not Rhuarc!

I had another moment when I realized where the male Aiel channelers came from. That really hurt. Going to make the ultimate sacrifice, only to end up twisted and used to fight for the enemy.
 
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I did the same thing! NO!! Not Rhuarc!

I had another moment when I realized where the male Aiel channelers came from. That really hurt. Going to make the ultimate sacrifice, only to end up twisted and used to fight for the enemy.

This surprised me in the moment, but made perfect sense when I thought about it. Why would the DO waste such a perfect resource? As long as he keeps them in the Town when they're not on jobs for him, the Aiel will never realise, and their male channelers will keep coming to him. The fact that some of them (the ones without the pointy teeth, I believe, or maybe it was the other way around?) didn't have to be Turned was upsetting, but Melindhra the Shaido Maiden back in book whatever proved even the Aiel have darkfriends.
 
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I expect those who don't have to be turned are those born in the Town; as there were non-channellers there; we must assume TDO acquired some females for them to breed with.

Talolas: Elayne didn't have the children; she's still pregnant at the end.
 
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Surprised about Egwene, but more... pleased disbelief. I really grew to dislike her.

Also surprised that the Seanchan were allowed to continue collaring people, even if it was Moghedien.

Surprised at the way Lanfear finally bit it. I really thought it would be Moiraine again, or possibly Rand.
 

Bao the Wyld

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The Great Generals. I only caught it after Bashere was named as a darkfriend, but remembered that Rand could see darkfriends.
 

Megana Vallentin

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The generals surprised me, but I was expecting SOMETHING to disrupt all the battle plans...just not sure what.

The Sharans surprised and outraged me. Like they didn't have enough to deal with, they had to throw in another huge unbeatable army. At this stage in the story!

Elayne not having her babies also suprised me. I was expecting the whole prophecy about Rand's blood spilling to turn out to be Elayne going into labor in the middle of everything.

Egwene's death...I admit my first thought was dismay for all the alliances she'd forged, inside the tower and with the Sea Folk, Aiel, etc. Although if anyone can hold all that together, it's Cadsuane.

Where Cadsuane and Min ended up was an amusing surprise.

For some reason, I was very surprised that Lan survived. I think from the beginning of the book I was just waiting for him to die somewhere.
 
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The Red-veiled Aiel was a surprise for me, but makes complete sense.

Min with a honoured place by Tuon was another.

Matt not being linked to the horn........ not sure how I didn't see that coming.
 
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Another thing that surprised me was that I'd got it into my head that Rand, Perrin and Mat were all going to have to face the DO together. I only think this because I'm thinking that's the way I would've written it.
 

Ealandrelle Melyma

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Shara. I just didn't see that coming. I'd always thought the interest in Shara was either academic, or like when Graendal used a couple of them (the Sh'Bota and Sh'Botay?) to try and distract Sammael.

Bela. I mean, come on, that horse has survived so much and put up with some pretty bad riders. She couldn't make it through the Last Battle? That SUCKED.

Egwene. Well, it was a surprise in so much that I didn't expect her to be one of the main characters who would die before I started reading. As soon as Gawyn did that "OMG how stupid are you?!" thing of putting the rings on, I figured that Egwene wouldn't be hanging around either.

Siuan and Bryne :( I like the plot twist that they hadn't fulfilled Min's viewing, but I dislike them not making it :(

I hadn't done much reading of theories or anything before the book came out, so the Rand/Moridin body swap did surprise me. I'd expected some kind of resurrection or something along those lines.
 

Megana Vallentin

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Another thing that surprised me was that I'd got it into my head that Rand, Perrin and Mat were all going to have to face the DO together. I only think this because I'm thinking that's the way I would've written it.

I was feeling that way too, now that you mention it, Belgareth Gaidin. (Ahhh I said your name...now I have to go re-read all my David Eddings books...) Every time Perrin or Mat talked about feeling Rand pulling at them in the last book, I waited for something to go wrong on Rand's end because they weren't there.

I'm re-reading the last few chapters now and another thing that I find surprising is who actually killed Demandred. Gawyn who is ALMOST Rand's family tried, Galad who is Rand's blood relation tried, and then Lan succeeded. After seeing Gawyn and Galad, my brain wants the next person on that list to be Tam, the person who Rand actually considers family. That would have been pretty amazing if ordinary ol' Tam Al'Thor, not even a Warder or a channeler or anything 'special' like the others, just a father protecting his son, managed to bring down Demandred.
 

Megana Vallentin

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I keep going back and forth, Kerna Sedai...like I said above, I think Tam would have been great, but when I review the battle between Lan and Demandred and everything that comes after, I think how could it have been anyone BUT Lan? Ahhh...
 

Maran Damastes

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That so much was left undone :-( I was waiting for the Ogier/Aiel/Tinker meeting and the song. That more people didn't die. That Rand just walked away. That so much I was really looking forward to was just so.....unepic. Rand and Tuon for example.

I've just finished and although I love the last paragraph, I am left feeling a little deflated. A little let down. Maybe I need to reread.
I found TGS and TOM so much better.

Well. Is about all I can say right now.
 
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