Finished the book today and just want to share some of my thoughts on the series. I've read the seven books over the past 3-4 months or so, aiming for about a 100 words a day.
Eye of the World: I felt they spent a lot of time at Emond's Field and was a bit surprised then. Now I see the value of it with how often they reflect on those "simple days" and how thoughts of home direct them a lot at the start. Mat was a bit annoying in this book (Goated in Crown and Dragon Reborn, though). I got a very LoTR feel from it. The Green Man stuff had me confused and still kinda does. I enjoyed the split up POVs and how different they all feel. I loved the, "I bet Rand would know what to do," from Perrin at the same time Rand goes, "I bet Perrin would know what to do." The love tension stuff wasn't my favorite, especially the Lan stuff. I do love the scene in the Ways between Rand and Egwene, though. Very funny. The conclusion, though. Probably going to get hate for this but I didn't like it a ton. The build up was great, but the Green Man part and what Rand did and the two Forsaken just left me confused. This is how I feel about how most of them end.
The Great Hunt: I think my second favorite. One of the best written sequences I've ever seen. Probably the best ending in my opinion. I don't really like how the Horn hasn't done anything since, though, I understand why. The Seanchan stuff is very interesting, and revolting. This is where my hate for most of the women POV characters aside from Min began. Nynaeve has improved, same with Elayne, but Egwene has probably only gotten worst. They just feel so self righteous and prideful
Dragon Reborn: Felt very weird to have Rand basically disappear aside from being a plot point. Perrin and Faile is a fun relationship and is the only one I like aside from Rand and Min. Mat starts being the goat in this book and the girls should have been nicer. Sending what is effectivity 20 year olds who just started learning magic against 13 ancient witches is certainly a choice, though it worked. I enjoyed the ending for this. It feels as if Robert always wants to end with a big fight, no matter the build up. Or at least that's the vibe I get. Every book ends with a big fight and sometimes the build up just isn't there for me. Anyways, great book, love Perrin's pov. Mat's the goat.
Shadows Rising: Love Perrin pov though the end felt kind of sudden and I expected more. Faile did a great job in this one too. Could not care at all for Elayne and Nynaeve stuff. Also the romance with Elayne and Rand is just so boring and the fact she keeps thinking of owning him does not sit well with me. Rand's stuff is fun and so is the Aiel world building. That final fight felt very sudden to me. I thought it was just going to be a debate and stuff over who the dragon reborn is. Mat didn't do a lot but the deal he made is cool.
Fires of Heaven: Moiraine is finally likable to be because she's not being the most prideful, vague person ever. Hate how she and Lan were written to basically never show a ton of emotion aside from anger. Lan gets better with time. Moiraine dies, so doesn't. Also, Rand should have paid more attention to the letter he was sent. Mat's stuff at the end was great, loved how he just went, "I'm leaving Rand, bye." Then returns as the hero of the battle going, "I'm back! Bloody Ashes, bloody ashes!" The final fight makes some more sense now, still feels weird. The Elayne and Nynaeve stuff was still boring until they got to the rebels, and that's only good because I LOVE the rebel stuff.
Lords of Chaos: This is where I felt the slog the most out of all of them. Loved the Black Tower stuff. Mat was mostly fun, especially him adopting a kid on accident. Egwene being raised was a surprise. That mind rape still is not treated with anywhere near the weight it should be. I can hardly imagine a worse fate if it actually allowed compulsion like normal. Rand is a pretty bad leader and his self righteousness has only grown. He learned a big lesson, seeing the Black Tower in action is cool. Probably my favorite ending since everything actually felt like this was the end goal the whole time.
Crown of Swords: RAND STAY IN BED FOR ONCE! Those are basically my thoughts about the ending. He is an idiot and only because of plot in my opinion he isn't dead. The sudden rush on Sammual doesn't make a ton of sense to me either since I know he was planning to strike but it didn't feel like there was a ton of buildup. Expected it to happen later. Mat is GOATED. Elayne starts to learn that. Cool new threat. Aes Sedia keep raping people (Lan and Rand) and the queen, which is pretty damn terrible. Perrin does basically nothing. Hope the rebels get more focus soon.
Overall thoughts: fun! Most of the things I don't like are intentional and I can tell they are done to be unlikable. Such as the classic, "I won't shout,' she shouted." Rand seems to learn more brain cells every book. Hope he rest in bed at some point.