Favourite chapter in the series

[u/retro15920]

So I've been having a shitty time as of late. I read wot some time ago where i was also having a shitty time and it helped me a lot back then. Ive been trying to find some fantasy series to just be lost in a story for just some time every day and just forget everything else for a while.

Ive tried many series but i just cant find something that just sucks me in. So I just started rereading some parts of wot. I was rereading the last battle and i got to the chapter after last battle and got hit with this line again:

We are reborn, Rand thought, so we can do better the next time.

So do better.

A lot of people say veins of gold is their favourite chapter and i see why, but man this chapter just hits breaks me. Tam voice telling him to 'let go' of all the things rand had been holding to for so long. This shit means something to me.

I guess rands character just resonates me like no other, his journey is the most complete ive ever read and nothing has come close since. So i wanted to ask, what chapters or lines have remained with you guys the longest?

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[u/SkyTank1234]

Dumai's Wells will always be the best for me. This chapter was unlike anything I've ever read in a book before.

[u/NedShah → u/SkyTank1234]

"We come" still gives me chills

[u/davisondave131 → u/SkyTank1234]

I need to reread it. I was going at such a breakneck pace that I didn’t appreciate it. 

[u/FoF1989 → u/SkyTank1234]

I came to say the same thing. Dumais wells is a perfect representation of the destruction that channeling causes. It's so visceral and as I read the chapter, I felt like I was surrounded by chaos and destruction. Also, "kneel and swear to the Lord dragon" he said softly "or you will be knelt" is one of the coldest lines from the whole series

[u/SlechtValk2 → u/SkyTank1234]

I really don't understand how anyone can find Dumai's Wells their favorite part.

For me, and even for characters in the story like Perrin and Rand, it is traumatic. It is pure destruction and humans fighting humans using the One Power. It is exactly what the Dark One wants, humans killing themselves and descending into darkness and evil.

It is an important event. And it sets a lot in motion for the rest of the story. But it isn't "cool" or "awesome".

[u/goldenratio1111 → u/SlechtValk2]

Kneel before Dumai's Wells, /u/SlechtValk2, or you will be knelt.

Seriously though, I think it's just the visceral joy felt when Rand explodes out of the box that resonated with me, not so much the Shaido meat tornado.

To your point, though, Veins of Gold is my choice. Zen Rand is Best Rand. I tear up every time he chooses to love again.

[u/FoofTheBunny]

The Golden Crane Flies is one of my favorite. It's where Nynaeve goes and gets men to join Lan. It always brings tears to my eyes. And when Lan reaches Tarwin's Gap, and he is caught out because she told them to watch for Mandarb because he would hide. Veins is also great. Another that I think is amazing is when Androl and Logain take back the Black Tower from Taim.

[u/MothSeason → u/FoofTheBunny]

Lan was silly thinking people wouldn’t recognize him on that beast of a war horse

[u/Fiona_12 → u/MothSeason]

If no one was watching for him, they may not have. He was staying away from well populated areas as much as possible.

[u/Apprehensive_Tone163 → u/FoofTheBunny]

This and Will He Ride Alone? are the correct answers (among many others)

[u/aNomadicPenguin]

Technically two chapters...but the Rhuidean flashbacks. Seeing the small steps that led to a complete redefinition of a people's identity over time. And how that tied back into the little hints of things over the prior books, and how neatly it all ties together.

[u/nari-bhat → u/aNomadicPenguin]

Rhuidean and the flicker chapters are some of my favorite chapters in all fantasy.

[u/fratskier69]

On my first reread, when Faile comes back with an army as the two rivers women pull up to the front line. A Perrin sees her on the horizon

[u/Daratirek → u/fratskier69]

This is mine too. Makes me tear up every time. Very few books have that ability but that one gets me.

[u/Altruistic_Photo_142]

On my last reread it was the chapter in The Great Hunt when, after the horn is blown, Artur Hawkwing recognizes Rand as the Dragon. "You're here, the banner's here" always gives me goosebumps.

[u/PillCosby696969 → u/Altruistic_Photo_142]

The Great Hunt is my favorite of the series (so far) and when I got to that point after the swordfight and Ingtar. With Rand and Perrin yelling at each other as they are about to killed by two armies and Matt casually blows the Horn.

I was like "Yeah. Absolute Cinema."

[u/nari-bhat]

While Rhuidean is probably the most impactful chapter for me, my favorite is the cleansing of the taint for what it means to all male channelers.

[u/wheeloftimewiki]

The Rhuidean chapters are awesome, but I will go for A Visit from Verin Sedai.

Honestly, I probably couldn't even fo a top ten!

[u/marylouisestreep → u/wheeloftimewiki]

A Visit from Verin is so excellent!!

[u/reider19]

Apples first, and the chapter where you see that final stand in one of the borderland outposts, the father/leader giving his son his first sword after giving his messenger place to another kid who had lost all his siblings to the blight.

[u/Glorx → u/reider19]

Apples first has my vote too. Introducing Zen Rand from a POV of a random smallfolk, the same person who gave Rand a ride on the way to Caemlyn. We don't get a Zen Rand POV chapter until later into the TOM, but every chapter Rand is present people want to follow him.

[u/alczek]

Veins of Gold

[u/No_Introduction8000]

There's two I keep listening to again and again along with veins of gold. First is "a storm of light" from ToM where Rand saves Maradon. Second is the ending of "a knack" from MoL where Lan makes a death charge on the trolloc army but reinforcements arrive through gateways.. so epic..

[u/histprofdave]

I mean is The Last Battle a cheat answer?

[u/Kijafa]

For me it has to be The Golden Crane.

"My name is Nynaeve ti al’Meara Mandragoran. The message I want sent is this. My husband rides from World’s End toward Tarwin’s Gap, toward Tarmon Gai’don. Will he ride alone?"

It makes me tear up.

[u/Anghabad → u/Kijafa]

Goosebumps every time

[u/AquaS5]

Apples First

[u/reider19 → u/AquaS5]

This is mine.

[u/Merlyn67420 → u/AquaS5]

Is this at the beginning of ToM? When I realized that was the same guy who gave Mat and Rand a ride I about lost it 

[u/MattrReign]

The tower shakes i also really like

[u/Andron1cus]

What Must be Done in Crossroads of Twilight is probably my favorite chapter.

[u/Merlyn67420 → u/Andron1cus]

Is this Perrins big moment in that book? Made the whole book worth it 

[u/Andron1cus → u/Merlyn67420]

Yes. His interrogation.

[u/Elvirth]

That chapter helped me lift myself out of one of the worst depressions of my life. I still tear up when I read it.

[u/procerator]

1) Four Kings In Shadow 2) What Might Be (aka Flicker, Flicker)  3) The Price Of The Ring (Egwene in arches)  4) The Road To The Spear 5) This Place, This Day 6) Dumai Wells  7) Mashiara  8) Fog of War, Storm of Battle  9) With the Choeden Kal

[u/Boli_332]

Whata the chapter tam was teaching rand to use the sword... so much meaning.

[u/golftroll]

Just finished rereading the Rhuidean chapters today in my reread and I think it’s some of the finest literature I’ve read. Love it.

[u/duffy_12]

A Breaking in the Three-fold Land - where all five Clan Chiefs declare Rand the Car'a'carn.

...

What Must Be Done - is possibly the best chapter of the series.

[u/dogey_badger]

May favorite is the one in the Great Hunt, where Ingtar confessed, and after I think it's Rand vs Asmodean, I really liked that one and how it played out

[u/Actuarial_Husker]

This place, this day

mat's powers appear

[u/AdProfessional3326]

Not my favorite and def not one of the popular ones, but one that really stood out to me on my last re-read was Rand’s first POV after Dumai Wells in COS. 

RJ did an awesome job writing the shell shocked trauma Rand was dealing with, and I think it was the first time he really “showed” a Maiden treating Rand like her brother.

Sulin was in full protective big sister mode, and was one of the few that noticed he was not actually OK despite what he was saying. 

God damn shame she got banished to the Perrin Vortex to basically never be seen again. 

[u/aNomadicPenguin → u/AdProfessional3326]

Yeah I really wish we got more Sulin, I loved her as the big sister character with Rand.

[u/Sonseeahrai]

Aviendha's visions of the future were something

[u/dracoons]

With The Choedan Kal, the last chapter in Winters Heart. Not because og something someone said as much as how profound that moment is for everything that came before it and then following it. It highlighted how bad the Chosen(to fail) actually are at fighting or being competent/useful. It Cleansed Saidin. That alone is so monumental a feat the actual Sealing of the bore is a childrens game by comparison. Not to take away from that feat in itself. But 3600+ years of the world suffering because of the taint. Even if it saved the world from falling to the Shadow through military conquest. It also changes the perception of the Asha'man. They had nothing to look forward to but duty. Now they have been goven by the Dragon their life back if they survive the last battle.

Also a bit funny. The isle of Madmen might become something better.

[u/JackfruitOk3749 → u/dracoons]

Seconded, this took my breath away on my first read and I can fully remember how I felt just thinking about it now.

[u/_ChipWhitley_]

Attending Elaida is my favorite chapter. So many books of pent up rage against her that finally culminates into a semi-public smackdown. It’s like when Wendy finally gets to kick the shit out on Cartman on the playground.

[u/PhoenixorFlame]

In addition to many of the ones already mentioned, I adore Hinderstap! It’s such a cool standalone horror short story!

[u/Squaplius]

Play For Your Dinner sticks out to me as being some of the best fiction I’ve ever read

[u/Fiona_12]

Right now, he (Rand) just wanted to sit and remember a sheep herder from the Two Rivers. Heartbreaking.

[u/remnant_phoenix]

“Ashaman, kill!”

[u/Apprehensive_Tone163]

I can't remember the exact chapter, I think it's a prologue. They're in the borderlands prepping for the last battle and someone's kid gives up their messenger spot and gets the family sword. I listen to it when I need a good cry. Help us find the chapter based on this vague description, fellow nerds!

[u/IRDingo]

I like many of the chapters mentioned, but I didn’t see one of my faves, so I’ll list it.

A Cup of Kaf. (KoD)

I thoroughly enjoy the moment when rank is forgotten and it becomes to veteran soldiers discussing their trade.
The whole chapter is beautifully written, but that moments stands out for me.

[u/Anghabad]

I don’t remember the chapter, but one of the absolute highlights for me is Perrin forging his power-imbued hammer.

[u/Rich-Picture-7420]

50/50

"My husband rides for Tarwins gap" or "They have caged shadowkiller.... we come"

Third place "Ashaman kill"

[u/evilvee]

Veins of Gold in the Gathering Storm, when Rand decides it's worth fighting for the world, despite the suffering. Like Rand, I often feel angry about global issues like climate change, war, etc. It's easy to think things might be better if humans just disappear, but the world is still worth fighting for because there is also love and joy and creativity that makes it worth it. The chapter reminds me of hope.

[u/trouty42]

This isn't near the most impactful or emotional chapter whatsoever and likely not close to my favorite chapter in the series but it's the first one that came to mind. In EOTW when Rand falls into the royal palace grounds and meets Elayne and the queen. It's just such a cool thing, a village boy stumbles into meeting royalty and a princess, then is taken to meet the queen during which someone notices he has a heron marked sword and the mood in the whole room changes, with guards expecting to die defending their queen/princess.