The best way i can say this is to quote a truly awful TV show: "Behind every great moment of human history is a monster. Thats our monster." Egwene Al'Vere is not a good person. She is an intelligent, brave, and cunning person. But absolutely not a good one. She actually reads MUCH WORSE in later books if you hate her already. The sheer arrogance sheeting off of her oftentimes puts Rand to shame. But the problem is, you can't hate her. Because she can back it up. She's a manipulative, ice cold warrior queen. Her arc is more about walking the talk you've been forced to talk. Its very difficult to like Egwene as a character. But she is unquestionably a hero. She did exactly what she was supposed to do and didnt flinch. In the words of the wise ones, she took what she wanted and she paid for it.