This is the last book where Rand is the central focus. That there are innumerable other characters with fully realized stories starts being seen here, but the central plot line continues to be Rand establishing himself as the "Dragon Reborn" with everyone else buttressing that plot to its conclusion. This is needed because that recognition paves the way for the entire world to truly open up and become the enormous epic that has been strongly hinted at so far. Knowing what is to come, there are many surreal and melancholy moments as characters desire things that they will never have, despite going on to do things they never imagined.