As usual my first impressions of some the the characters is decidedly negative and as I continue the story my opinion of the characters change.

Berelain.

In the Shadow Rising my opinion was Berelain is a shallow, lightskirt who will use her hot babe looks to manipulate men. She appears at Rand's bedroom door in suggestive nightwear and tries to seduce Rand. Later she tries the same approach with Perrin. As I continue the story Berelain is a competent administrator who is using what few weapons she has to secure Mayene's independence.

However I will not change my opinion about Berelain's and Faile's relationship. Berelain chose to go to war with Faile. Berelain is older, more experienced in sex as a weapon, and beautiful, yet she chose to take on a much younger less experienced, and less beautiful opponent for no apparent reason. Other than Perrin not taking the opportunity to be Berelain's message boy.


Faile - I know many posters love to hate Faile.

I'm not sure that hatred is warranted. What we have is a 16 year old girl trying attract the man she loves, trying to behave the way Saladean women behave toward their men, and trying to help their man. Faile tricks Loial into taking her into the Ways. Why? The women of Saladean leaders go to war with their man. Deira certainly goes to war with Bashere. Faile was going to war with her man/husband.

Faile expects Perrin to act like Saladean men. The first sign of this was in TSR. In the Ways Faile slaps Perrin across the face, Perrin say don't do that again and Faile slaps Perrin again. Perrin proceeds to spank Faile. Faile is not mad at Perrin but wonders by Bain and Chiad didn't stop Perrin. Later is the series Faile gets jealous of Berelain because Perrin treats Berelain like Faile wants to be treated. Maybe Perrin should spank Faile more often.

Speaking of Chiad and Bain. Why did Chiad and Bain agree to go with Faile to Two Rivers? I think it was because Chiad knew Gaul was going an wanted to be close to Chiad.

Egwene

The first time I noticed Egwene's potential. Eqwene is young and inexperienced and way over her head. Yet, she is one of the first characters to try and juggle more than one responsibility at a time. Moraine is only concerened about Rand and guiding Rand. She happily assists Nyneave and Elayne in their trip to Tanchico so there are 2 less voices Rand will listen to. The Wise Ones are only concerned with the Car'a'carn and saving the Aiel. Both are noble goals. The thought that Rand is the Dragon Reborn and responsible for the wetlands, that Egwene came with Rand, that Egwene was from the White Tower, and that Egwene may have other responsibilities never occur to the Wise Ones. Egwene is an apprentice dreamwalker. Egwene should have told the WO of her other responsibilities but like most teenagers she doesn't.

Egwene is trying to balance her responsibilites to Elayne and Nyneave in searching for the BA, her responsilitites to Rand, and her responsibilities as an apprentice dreamwalker.

Insert Cannoli's humorous, well thought out rebuttal here.