Winters Heart by Robert Jordan, Book Nine of the Wheel of Time series.
Introduction
Winters Heart by Robert Jordan is the ninth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows four main plot arcs. Rand tracks the assassins who tried to kill him in the previous novel. Mat seeks to escape the Seanchan in Ebou Dar. Perrin must return Masema to face Rand, but he finds out that the Shaido captured Faile. Elayne takes over Andor, but the Borderlander’s armies besiege her. Rand’s chapters were the best ones of this novel.
Summary – Prologue
The prologue has four point-of-view characters, and each point of view sets up a plot arc for the novel.
Seaine is an Aes Sedai in the White Tower. Seaine with the help of Pevara and others are tasked with discovering the members of the Black Ajah. This is the Black Ajah Hunter Arc.
Elayne is the Queen of Andor and must protect her realm from within and without. This is the Andor Arc.
Toveine Gazal and about 50 other Aes Sedai were sent by Elaida to capture the Black Tower and gentle the Aha’man found there. They don’t succeed. This is the Black Tower Arc. Rand is on the hunt for revenge against the channelers that attacked him in Cairhien at the end of the previous novel. This is Rand’s Revenge Arc
Summary–Groups of characters
Winters Heart by Robert Jordan has four main plots.
Rand bonds with Elayne, Aviendha, and Min. He has a special night with Elayne. He tracks the assassins too Far Madding tries to kill them. Rand and Nynaeve accomplish something with far reaching consequences.
Mat seeks to escape from Ebou Dar. The plot involves freeing Aes Sedai trapped as damane by the Seanchan. He captures Tuon but realizes that she is the Daughter of the Nine Moons and will become his wife so he takes her with him.
Perrin starts bringing Masema back to Cairhein to see Rand, but he finds out that the Shaido have taken Faile.
Elayne maneuvers herself to rule Andor. She faces the threat of the Borderlander’s armies besieging Caemlyn.
Summary–Best Chapters
Four Chapters stand out in Winters Heart by Robert Jordan.
Chapter 12 A Lily in Winter. This is the chapter where Elayne, Avienda, and Min bond with Rand. Then Rand and Elyane have their special moment.
Chapter 22 Out of Thin Air. This is the chapter where Rand tracks the Asha’man assassins to Far Madding. At the end of the chapter the reader learns more about Isam.
Chapter 33 Blue Carp Street. Rand gets a clue to the assassins location. He thinks it is a trap and brings along Lan. There is a fight. Lan and Rand have an awesome moment.
Chapter 35 With the Choedan Kal. Rand and Nynaeve do something awesome and a dozen characters reflects on that action.
Recommendation
Winters Heart by Robert Jordan has some brilliant scenes but misses conclusions to many of the plot arcs explored. There are two exceptions, and they are the best parts of the novel. Both involve Rand. Rand tracks down the Asha’man assassins that tried to kill him at the end of the last novel. Rand and Nynaeve do something awesome. The reflections of a dozen characters in the last chapter were excellent.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Winters Heart by Robert Jordan.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13891.Winter_s_Heart
Review of Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan. When Rand fights the Seanchan, will they defeat him, or will he win across the Path of Daggers?
This is the link to my review of Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. When Rand forces the hand of one of the Forsaken, will the Forsaken defeat him or will he earn a Crown of Swords?
This is the link to my review of Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Book Six of the Wheel of Time. Chaos reigns in the Westlands. They push Rand to the edge of insanity. Will he survive the box?
This is the link to my review of Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan, Book Five of the Wheel of Time.
This is the link to my review of Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, Book Four of the Wheel of Time.
This is the link to my review of Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan, Book three of the Wheel of Time.
This is the link to my review of Great Hunt by Robert Jordan, Book two of the Wheel of Time.
This is the link to my review of Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, Book one of the Wheel of Time.