It's the book 7 finale and the halfway point of the series! Mat tries desperately to get the channelers to listed to him after the Gholam attack and finally gets some traction only to learn Olver is gone. So while everyone prepares to set off with the Bowl of the Winds, Mat heads into the city to find Olver when all hell breaks loose. Then we check in with a number of villains. Galina, Sevanna, Therava, Sammael, Graendal and even Shaidar Haran make an appearance and Sammael scatters the shaido t...
Nov 17, 2023•3 hr 15 min•Season 7Ep. 11
We're getting close to the end and it's white knuckle stuff! Rand shows off his sword techniques before he, Min, Cadsuane and others are accosted by Padan Fain and Mashadar 2.0! Rand takes a ruby hilted dagger to the side and almost dies before Sumitsu and Damer Flinn stabilize his and save his life. Meanwhile Mat is preoccupied with thoughts of Tylin and her treatment of him while they prepare to retrieve The Bowl of the Winds from the Rahad. But things go terribly wrong and a gholam inflicts h...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 58 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Hello hello hello! In this week's episode we check in with everyone's least favourite Amyrlin as she is deftly cornered and manoeuvred by Alviarin. However, the Black ajah sister's actions indirectly result in a fresh hunt for the shadow sisters in the Tower. Rand is sad. Min makes him feel better and he is bathed and ogled by Min and the Maidens. Now fresh of odour and mind, Rand meets with the Seafolk to finally strike a deal. Riding his ta'veren fortunes he decides to take on the rebels campe...
Oct 20, 2023•2 hr 20 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Welcome back, friends! Or are we the ones that are back? I forget. In this episode we bear witness to poor Mat being completely victimised by Tylin. At least he doesn't seem too cut up about it, but it does generate a good conversation about consent. Elayne puts her foot down with the rebel Aes Sedai and finally gets to show Reanne and The Kin who she really is. And Moghedien shoots her shot, and misses, effectively freeing Nynaeve from her block. Happy days! Let us know what you think, using th...
Oct 06, 2023•2 hr 21 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Hello and welcome back to the kidnapping corner! All jokes aside, wtf tries to kidnap Nynaeve and Elayne in Ebou Dar? TThey meet the Kin, get bustled out and immediately fall afoul of some would-be assailants. In the meantime Moghedien has to face her fate as a Moridin puppet, and Morgase and co live through the Seanchan invasion of Amadicia. Then walk out the front door. And finally we have Perrin leave Cairhien behind with quite the entourage. Let us know who planned the kidnapping by reaching...
Sep 08, 2023•2 hr 29 min•Season 7Ep. 7
We're back and better than ever! In this episode we see the entrance of everyone's favourite scary grandma, Cadsuane! We check in with Sevanna, Sammael and Graendal, all being spied on by Moridin who makes his entry into the series. Just who is more crazy or delusional between those is debateable. We also hop back to Ebou Dar where Birgitte and Mat bond over some pitchers of wine and Nynaeve is forced by Elayne to go apologise to Mat for their their treatment of him after Aviendha schools them i...
Aug 25, 2023•2 hr 29 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Hello friends! Here's a little odd one for you! I'm working on a youtube video, which may or may not see the light of day. But since we missed the last episode in our cycle, I thought I'd sahre the audio with you in podcast form. Go subscribe to our YouTube channel so you'll see when it's posted! Or send feedback via all the usual links below. Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod YouTube - Blood and Ashes Facebook - BloodAndAshesPodcast Web - www.bloodandashespodcast.com (Now with voicemail capabilities!) ...
Aug 19, 2023•31 min
Welcome back to Ebou Dar! In this episode we leave Egwene and the rebel Aes Sedai behind and check in on our intrepid girls, plus Mat. Elayne, Aviendha and Nynaeve decide to approach the many Sea Folk anchored in the Ebou Dar bay to ask for help finding what they now know to be The Bowl of the Winds. Mat, on the other hand, is gambling. He spots a familiar face in a crowd and follws her to the palace used by Jaichim Carridin. When we switch points of view to Bors, he's meeting with all sorts of ...
Jul 28, 2023•2 hr 31 min•Season 7Ep. 5
In this episode we focus in on Egwene as she tries deperately to carve out her place within the Aes Sedai while maintaining her link to the Wise Ones and Rand. First she deals with Faolain and Theodrin with great results! But she is quickly reminded of the work she has cut out for her when she's cornered by Romanda and Lelaine. To the point that she just walks away from them in order to follow up with a request from Gareth Bryne and simultaneously question Myrelle over some suspicious behavior o...
Jul 14, 2023•2 hr 33 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Welcome back, friends! Sit back, relax, and listen to Willie and I bloviate while Jody sinks deeper into his chair. Perrin and Faile reunite and make up, and Rand immediately tries to send Perrin to Tear and Illian. Tsk tsk. Rand then travels to Caemlyn himself to meet with Bashere and Bael. He tells them the army will march on Illian, much to Bael and Bashere's glee. Meanwhile, Egwene is squeezing Sheriam for info when she senses Moghedien escape. She has one on ones with Siuan and Leane before...
Jun 30, 2023•2 hr 52 min•Season 7Ep. 3
We love when RJ focuses in on a short period of time and lays it out over multiple chapters. In this episode we basically have Rand and co. travel from Dumai's Wells via gateway, and take a day's ride to Cairhien. There they head straight to the palace and confront lady Colavere who has been crowned queen in Rand's absence. All of this plays out in a pressure cooker with almost every single faction at each other's throats. Aiel, Asha'man, Aes Sedai, Two Rivers men, Mayeners, Warders, Hunters for...
Jun 16, 2023•2 hr 23 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Mmmmm, that's the smell of a brand new book! We start A Crown of Swords pretty much exactly where we left off with Lord of Chaos: Dumai's Wells. Elaida and Alviarin catch up and we get a clear view of Elaida's state of mind. Spoiler: it's no bueno. We see Sevanna's point of view just before, during and immediately after the battle at Dumai's wells Alviarin gets a visit from a Forsaken and learns a new trick. Pedron Niall is assassinated and Eamon Valda immediately moves in to capitalise. And Gaw...
Jun 02, 2023•2 hr 12 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Ok, get comfy. It's not our beefiest episode yet, but it's beefy nonetheless. Everyone realises what's happened to Rand, so Perrin leads an all star team to rescue him and they set off after the kidnappers. Rand is not doing so well, physically or mentally. By the time Perrin arrives chaos erupts in one of the most iconic battles in the series. Join us as we discuss Dumai's Wells and the events leading up to and immediately after the battle itself, then let us know what you think of our hairbrai...
May 19, 2023•3 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Oooooooo, we're getting close now! In this episode we set up for the explosive finale for Lord of Chaos and things are really heating up! Nynaeve, Elayne, Mat and co set out on their mission in Ebou Dar after the wonder girls meet with Queen Tylin. Who turns out to be a formiddable figure but ultimately friendly to the ladies. the girls have no luck in the Rahad butt do catch a glimpse of a healer who seems to be able to channel... Mat's luck is ebbing slightly as he tries desperately, and witho...
May 05, 2023•2 hr 27 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Welcome back to another great mix of storylines in our latest episode! We're nearing the pointy end of Lord of Chaos and all the pieces are moving a lot: The Salidar Embassy is trying to figure out what to do about Rand while also trying to figure out how to cooperate with Verin and Allana. Mat refuses to stew in Salidar and goes dancing. With a Forsaken. And some Aes Sedai. He gets propositioned by Myrelle to be bonded as her warder and he gets thouroughly kissed by Leanne. Way to make a splash...
Apr 21, 2023•2 hr 37 min•Season 6Ep. 11
We are spoilt for POVs this episode with pretty much the whole gang here. Except for Perrin... Egwene is running things in Salidar with the help of Siuan, Nynaeve and Elayne. She also takes control of Mogehedien. Mat Salidar and immediately things get comical. He also links back up with Thom who seems to be moved by the letter Mat brought him. Aviendha finally comes clean to Elayne, but for her trouble is informed there is another woman in the mix! Speaking of which, Min arrives in Caemlyn and i...
Apr 07, 2023•2 hr 33 min•Season 6Ep. 10
We're back, baby! And so is Egwene! Undoubtedly the highlight of this stretch is what happens with Egwene as she says goodbye to her Aiel Wise One mentors and heads back to Salidar to face... punishment? Rand drops Aviendha off with Mat and gives Mat a new mission: Find Elayne and put her on the Lion Throne. Plus some side quests. And we also get a bunch of Whitecloak info with POVs from Eamon Valda and Raddam Asunawa. Ugh. Let us know what you thought of this episode! You can do so by following...
Mar 24, 2023•2 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Only 4 chapters and so much happens. Elaida's delegation of Aes Sedai drop in on Rand and they square off for the first time. Ominous times. Back in Caemlyn Rand has some meetings and during the course of the day he's attacked by a Gray Man. We get a quick reminder of how foul Padan Fain is, and move over to Salidar where Nynaeve is hung over. Oh, and then she heals both gentling and stilling. Salidar is abuzz with Nynaeve's discovery and in the midst of the excitement, Asan'gar arrives in their...
Feb 24, 2023•2 hr 35 min•Season 6Ep. 8
This was a great episode, with loads to discuss, so get stuck in! We pick up right where we left off with the Ogier as Rand takes them and some Aiel on a day trip to Shadar Logoth before depositing them in the Two Rivers. Mat and the Band are on the move South from Maerone toward Illian when they hit some spear shaped snags. Graendal and Sammael duke it out in a game of bluff and Egwene has gone full Aiel when the Aes Sedai embassy from the Tower arrives in Cairhien and we meet the sisters comin...
Feb 10, 2023•2 hr 37 min•Season 6Ep. 7
It's good to be back after a nice long holiday as we leave the inaction of Salidar behind and get back to... Rand and his moods. But don't despair! Things do get interesting. Rand first entertains some Andoran nobles, adds two and two with regards to his lineage, and then entertains a meat puppet from Sammael. He jets off to Cairhien where he has to make some tough choices (for a change!?) and has a relatively fruitless conversation with Egwene. He does however have a great philosphical chat wit...
Jan 27, 2023•2 hr 35 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Hello and welcome back to Salidar! I mean, Blood and Ashes! We spend the majority of our time with Nynaeve as she's desperately trying to learn about what direction the Hall will take, trying to break her block and looking for a way out of salidar where she suddenly feels very claustrophobic. Elayne is less keen to leave but she and Nynaeve make a trip to Tel'aran'rhiod to find something via the "need" method and end up in Ebou Dar. But back in the waking world they have to navigate the prying s...
Dec 16, 2022•2 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Man, Lord of Chaos just keeps throwing punches. We start off with arather innocuous chapter following Nynaeve through Salidar as she picks up bits of information from Logain, Siuan, Theodrin, Lelaine and even Moghedien. We check in Pedron Niall and his spy master(s) as well as Morgase. And then we switch to Rand who runs into some familiar faces! Some of those faces are a welcome sight, others, not so much. Things go down and they have repercussions for the rest of the story. Huge moment. And la...
Dec 02, 2022•2 hr 25 min•Season 6Ep. 4
If you love reading about the Forsaken, you're in for a treat. In this episode we get some meaty Graendal, Sammael and Semirhage points of view with a coating of vileness and a sprinkle of Shaidar Haran. But not before we rejoin Mat and the Band of the Red Hand on their way to meet up with Rand's main force on the border of Illian. We get to see Mat try really hard to win the attentions of a bar maid, and we meet everyone's favourite scamp, Olver! Elayne, Nynaeve, Siuan and an assortment of Aes ...
Nov 18, 2022•2 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Here we go! Lord of Chaos is officially underway as we move on from the lengthy prologue and into the chapters proper. In this episode we cover 4 chapters, all from Rand point of view. In fact, they span a single day, and what a day it is. Rand meets Mazrim Taim and sets in motion Taim's Black Tower arc. We even get to meet some of our favourite Asha'man, some of whom feature heavily in future events! The cherry on the cake though is Rand trying to trade jokes with the Aiel. And failing miserabl...
Nov 04, 2022•2 hr 13 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Ah, a brand new episode for a brand new book. Let the Lord of Chaos rule! And things are chaotic in Randland. In this episode we check in with the Forsaken (including Demandred, Mesaana and Semirhage!), Nynaeve, Elayne and Min, Gawyn, some Tower Aes Sedai and Shaido, Morgase and Pedron Niall, and two new players on the scene in Osan'gar and Aran'gar. It's a lot. As always, we get right into the nitty gritty. So join us! And you can do so by sending in your thoughts via any of the social media or...
Oct 21, 2022•2 hr 56 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Holy moly. I feel like I say this all the time, but this one's a beefy boy! Join the boys and I as we're joined by friends of the show, Kerri and Rowan, as we dissect the final 5 chapters and the explosive conclusion to The Fires of Heaven. We join the gang as they face down THREE forsaken and deal the shadow a massive blow. But not before we're dealt a number of gut punches ourselves as we see some all time favourite characters die. Luckliy, some come back almost immediately! Rowan's audio isn'...
Oct 07, 2022•4 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Welcome back to this, our penultimte episode for The Fires of Heaven! Nynaeve and Elayne make it to Salidar where they're given a rather cold welcome, and their companions find their own way of integrating with the group already gathered there. But before then they have to fight their way through the streets of Samara to make it onto a boat. Min finally comes clean to Elayne about being one of Rand's love interests, and Elayne is thankfully quite gracious about it. Back in Cairhien Rand is plott...
Sep 23, 2022•2 hr 49 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Oh boy oh boy oh boy, this episode. Wow. All four chapters covered in this episode centre around the battle for Cairhien and the immediate aftermath. Not much else to say here. Stop reading and jump in! Ok, you can continue reading now that you've listened to the episode. How good is it? Let us know using any of the links below! Twitter - @BloodAndAshPod YouTube - Blood and Ashes Facebook - BloodAndAshesPodcast Web - www.bloodandashespodcast.com (Now with voicemail capabilities!) Enjoy! Mo, Will...
Sep 09, 2022•2 hr 35 min•Season 5Ep. 9
We're back once again with another great primer episode! Elayne performs before her frist real crowd and Nynaeve finds Uno. She also finds The Prophet and Galad though, but at least both of them present a possible escape from the whitecloak and dragonsworn infested Samara. Rand surveys the battleground around Cairhien as they prepare to take on the Shaido, but not before Lan coaxes a detailed battle plan from Mat. Poor Mat, he thinks he's leaving, haha! Lots of great setup in the episode as we g...
Sep 02, 2022•2 hr 33 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Hello and welcome to our cozy little episode set almost completely in Valan Luca's menagerie! Nynaeve meets up with Birgitte in Tel'aran'rhiod, decides a good idea to spy on Moggy, who's spying on the other fab four forsaken, and is ultimately captured by the Spider. But before Moghedien can enact her evil pla, Birgitte puts an arrow through hjer chest before being unceremoniously ripped from T'A'R by the felled forsaken. Liandrin pays a hefty price for attempting to strike at Moghedien while sh...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 48 min•Season 5Ep. 7