I think Tuon is one of the best leaders in the series and a great character. She is complex, fun to read (minus the menagerie portion). Here's a couple of reasons I find her appealing as a character in WoT:

First: She is one of the only ruler out there that whishes for peace and unity. She actually is working towards that goal, putting personal and petty reasons on the side to accomplish the Return. On top that, she is slowly revising some pre-conceived notions about the Shadow and will eventually help the light with military support. She is briging good to Randland and that's the exact reason why Dark Rand didn't Balefire her in TGS.

Second: Her views on channeling are reasonable from her POV. We all have to remember that in Seanchan, channeling has brought chaos, war and death and that no White Tower was there to keep in line channelers from trying to rise to power. If we were living in Seanchan, we probably would aslo think like her and would want to collar everyone that can channel. So people that think she is being unreasonable because of that attitude should place themselves in a Seanchan perspective.

Third: She has secured a huge portion of Randland, where peace exists, people are living in a relatively safe and secure place given the LB is on the verge of starting. I ask, if you were a non-channeler, were would you want to live? Seanchan are vilains, or evil? Please! Their continent has been under a unified ruler for the past 1000 years. Nobody in Randland has done that.

Fourth: If RJ planed some outriggers novels with her and Mat reclaiming Seanchan, it means that in the end, she will turn around on a lot of sensible subjects most readers and Randlanders disaprove of her. Most likely she will tone down her views on channeling and Aes Sedai/Ashaman. She will probably retain large parts of territory in Randland and then will sail back to her continent.

The reason I choose to post this is because it seems that Tuon and some other female characters, which are strong willed, never get recognition from fellow posters.

Please feel free to comment!