Book Review: 4 Treasure Boxes
Book Five of the Wheel of Time Series
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; 1ST edition (October 15, 1994), Mass Market Paperback: 992 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0812550307, ISBN-13: 978-0812550306

Once I picked this book up, I had a very difficult time putting it back down.  It was captivating and the writing is stellar. This book takes place immediately following the end of book four. I really enjoyed the character development and the developing relationship between the characters.

It was particularly fun to read about Aviendha and Rand’s relationship. I also enjoy reading about Nynaeve, she is amusing and this book focused quite about on what and how she thinks and it really shows that underneath she is a very caring and brave person. It is interesting to read about both her and Egwene’s growth in this book.

I like how the author has built into the story the challenges that Rand has to go through especially with the Aiel.  It follows the prophecies that Rand is to bring them together, yet tear them apart (redo) but they must follow him if a shred of a shred of the Aiel is to survive the last battle.  This builds into the story that the Aiel must follow him, yet they are reluctant and even scared (although Aiel do not show any fear) and at the same time a large group of the Aiel are opposed to him and cause him much discord and destruction.

There are basically two main storylines in this book. One follows Rand, Mat, Egwene and Moiraine who are all together in the Aiel Waste and it follows their journey.  The other one follows Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom and Juilin who have all just escaped from Tanchico after foiling the plans of the Black Ajah at the end of The Shadow Rising. There is a minor story-line with Siuan, Leanne, Min and Logain who have escaped from Tar Valon.  This book does not deal with Perrin in any way.

The book had a great ending and I am anxious to pick up the next book in the series.

***Spoiler alert, following is a recap of the book, do not read it if you have not already read the book***

Rand and gang are in the Aiel Waste, but there is a lot of dissension within the Aiel. With the most problems coming from the Shaido, who are lead by Couladin.  Couladin has also been marked as the Car’a’carn, but he received his marks from Asmodean.  Couladin leads his people across the dragonwall to Cairhien and in the process murders many people and captures many more as slaves.  This forces Rand’s hand to follow him which culminates in a great battle between the two groups of Aiel. Mat’s abilities as a great general really stand out and he earns himself a large following of soldiers who like to fight with him (especially due to Mat’s uncanny luck and ability.)

Once Rand defeats the Shaido and Mat kills Couladin, Rand finds out there is trouble in Caemlyn.  He knows that Ravhin is there and so he decides to go and face Ravhin so he can save Caemlyn for Elayne.  Once there he battles and kills Ravhin with balefile.  However, before he goes Moiraine faces Lanfear and they both fall through the twisted red doorframe ter’angreal that Mat went through in Rhuidean.  After they fall through it the ter’angreal catches fire and is burnt to the ground.  However, before Moiraine disappears she gives Rand two letters. One addressed to Rand which states that she new this was going to happen as it revealed to her in Rhuidean and that she thinks Rand will do well with all he has learned so far.  The other letter is addressed to Thom, but we do not know what it says.

Nynaeve, Elayne and gang are traveling to Tar Valon to dispose of the male collar (a collar that can capture and control Rand) and the seal on the Dark Lord’s prison when they discover that Elaida and not Siuan is the Amyrlin Seat and that the tower has split into two group. After they are almost captured and shipped back to Tar Valon, they decide to go to the rebel group of Aes Sedai, which they find at the end of the book.  In their journey the famous archery hero of legend is ripped out of Tel’aran’rhiod by Moghedien. Brigitte almost dies from this and the only way to save her is for Elayne to make her a Warder.  Nynaeve is able to capture Moghedien with a collar and makes her a prisoner.