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The monumental task of retrieving the lost Horn of Valere--the legendary horn that will raise the dead heroes of the Ages--rests on the shoulders of Rand al'Thor. Rand begins the long journey of discovery--a journey that starts with The Great Hunt.Tags
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The story and characters slowly grow as the epic begins to shape its longer arc. While still filled with epic fantasy tropes (the reluctant hero, the Chosen One, evil avatars, coming of age, hidden peaceful land where Power has no sway), it adds complex cultures and societies -- particularly the Seanchan (who one loves to hate for their inhumanity -- yet one uncomfortably understood where it comes to literally chaining those who once misused the One Power for selfish inhumane purposes). As with "The Wheel of Time," all the climactic action occurs quickly in the last pages of this multi-hundred-page work -- as if this section was fully conceptualized by the author before the rest, and what comes before is filler leading up to it. Still, show more the clear prose (excluding rare moments of repetition) makes this a page-turner and entertaining. show less
I enjoyed this more than the first one, but I'm likely to abandon the series now, for two reasons: (1) The sheer number of pages involved, but, more importantly, (2) The protagonist appears to have very little agency in the story.
He does what fate leads him to do. He makes very few decisions that actually matter, and in many ways rides along as a passenger throughout the story. My friend who has finished the series tells me that this doesn't really change.
A strong contrast to this is Terry Goodkind, who created a hero of genuinely transformative effect on the world around him. Goodkind's flaws are many and severe, sometimes even crippling, but the nature of his hero is a real achievement.
I respect Jordan's books, and I rate him a show more more effective writer than George R. R. Martin. His world-building is deep and excellent. All the same, I find it hard to get invested in a protagonist who is dressed up as an epic hero, but on the inside is nothing but a helpless plaything of fate. show less
He does what fate leads him to do. He makes very few decisions that actually matter, and in many ways rides along as a passenger throughout the story. My friend who has finished the series tells me that this doesn't really change.
A strong contrast to this is Terry Goodkind, who created a hero of genuinely transformative effect on the world around him. Goodkind's flaws are many and severe, sometimes even crippling, but the nature of his hero is a real achievement.
I respect Jordan's books, and I rate him a show more more effective writer than George R. R. Martin. His world-building is deep and excellent. All the same, I find it hard to get invested in a protagonist who is dressed up as an epic hero, but on the inside is nothing but a helpless plaything of fate. show less
{Second of 14 (plus 2 prequels) [[[Wheel of Time]]]; fantasy, epic, second in series (publication order), second in series, quest} (1991)
The Horn of Valere, which will call the heroes out of legend to fight the Last Battle, was lost Ages ago and a Great Hunt - which in turn gives rise to more legends - is called periodically to search for it; such a one has been called for in Illian and those who would be heroes are flocking to that city.
I picked this book up about three years ago to read again for the Wheel of Time group read and then again more recently ahead of the Amazon filmed series based on the first two or three of the books. It took me a while to read for lots of reasons, none of which were because it's a bad book; I was show more interrupted by expiring library books, books for book clubs or group reads and because I (finally!) got to travel. I've also found in recent years that it's harder for me to get into a book that I've read before because I remember the gist of the story (so there isn't that 'what happens next?!' impetus) but not the details - and during the pandemic I started a new crafting hobby, so that rather eats into my reading time. Having said that, once I got into the book, I had moments of 'I want to know what happens next ... but I'm scared to find out' and 'I know what happens next - stop interrupting my reading so I can enjoy it!'. In other words, even on the third or fourth read, it was still intensely captivating. For instance, the predicament Egwene found herself in towards the end of the book always frustrated (angered, scared) me. This time, knowing how it goes, it still had me gripped and resenting any interruptions to my reading.
The book is very well written and I've always loved the details Jordan put in.
*** WARNING: the following may not make much sense unless you've already read the first book, The Eye of the World, (sorry) though I'll try and avoid any spoilers. ***
The narrative begins a few weeks after the momentous events at the end of the first book and though Rand believes he won a victory to end the war we know from the prologue that that was just the first battle. Lan, Moirain's warder, has some sympathy for him and trains him to handle Tam's heron-marked blade until Rand, hearing that the Amyrlin Seat is coming to Fal Dara bringing more Aes Sedai with her, feels that he has to leave. Egwene and Nynaeve return with the Amyrlin Seat to Tar Valon to begin training as Aes Sedai; Egwene is excited about learning though Nynaeve is determined to bypass novice status and get on with become a full Aes Sedai so she can pay Moiraine back for everything that has happened to the Emond's Fielders. Meanwhile Rand, Perrin and Mat - and Loial, the Ogier, who wants to continue having adventures with ta'veren (those around whom the Tapestry of Fate swirls) - accompany a rare artefact as it is taken to safety. And so the young people, who left Emond's Field at the beginning of the first book not knowing anything of the world outside the Two Rivers, journey on to further adventures.
I like the way the Emond's Fielders often refer new things back to the way someone did something at home or to life in the Two Rivers; it shows that they are still linked to home despite their adventures and being put in the company of lords, ladies and rulers. As the original Two Rivers party splits up and meets more people (some equally important to the prophecies) the story also splits to follow their different view points. If you pay attention to the chapter headings, the accompanying icons help identify the points of view.
As others have noted, Jordan deliberately borrowed from well-known stories and legends; for instance, they stay at an inn called 'The Nine Rings', named for one of Rand's favourite adventure stories - I'm guessing this is a Tolkien homage. There are also a lot of names from Arthurian legends (and others) but I‘ve never managed to fit them into the same places. I remember resenting Min's foretelling (in the first book) that Egwene would not marry Rand because I've always wanted Guinevere and Arthur's story to end happily;mind you, she doesn't end up with Lancelot either, so at least we avoid that tragic triangle . I'm not sure if it was intentional or not but I also got a Pernese vibe; the Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, with more than one Warder each, remind me of the green dragons of Pern and their riders, who are known for having several partners. And there's a little bit of the same kind of humour (but more subtle) as in the Belgariad, which I've just finished reading:
I noticed, especially on these last two readings, that apart from Bela, Mandarb, Aldieb and occasionally Red, most of the other horses fall by the wayside, unnamed and I feel a bit sad for them.
I spent yesterday afternoon volunteering with the horses of Riding for the Disabled. I know that in a cast of thousands the animals aren't even bit players but it hurts when Jordan treats them so callously. Red has served Rand faithfully for a long time; I thought, since he's been given a name in this series, he'd get more respect.
I've always been curious about Tam al'Thor's younger days and I'd love to know the back story as to how he came to have a three thousand year old heron-marked sword but we don't find out much, unfortunately.
I did find, on these re-reads, the first four chapters where Rand is trying to leave Fal Dara a bit slow. The very first time it was a nice change of pace after all the action in the first book but recently I‘ve found it harder to re-read books. But the story really gets going after that. The first book ended momentously and, despite a slowish start, this second book did too. (I suppose the planned trilogy that turned into 14 books was still on track at that point.)
Well worth reading. And re-reading. Again.
Oh - one more thing:
I love Loial 😊
July 2022
4.5-5 stars show less
The Horn of Valere, which will call the heroes out of legend to fight the Last Battle, was lost Ages ago and a Great Hunt - which in turn gives rise to more legends - is called periodically to search for it; such a one has been called for in Illian and those who would be heroes are flocking to that city.
I picked this book up about three years ago to read again for the Wheel of Time group read and then again more recently ahead of the Amazon filmed series based on the first two or three of the books. It took me a while to read for lots of reasons, none of which were because it's a bad book; I was show more interrupted by expiring library books, books for book clubs or group reads and because I (finally!) got to travel. I've also found in recent years that it's harder for me to get into a book that I've read before because I remember the gist of the story (so there isn't that 'what happens next?!' impetus) but not the details - and during the pandemic I started a new crafting hobby, so that rather eats into my reading time. Having said that, once I got into the book, I had moments of 'I want to know what happens next ... but I'm scared to find out' and 'I know what happens next - stop interrupting my reading so I can enjoy it!'. In other words, even on the third or fourth read, it was still intensely captivating. For instance, the predicament Egwene found herself in towards the end of the book always frustrated (angered, scared) me. This time, knowing how it goes, it still had me gripped and resenting any interruptions to my reading.
The book is very well written and I've always loved the details Jordan put in.
*** WARNING: the following may not make much sense unless you've already read the first book, The Eye of the World, (sorry) though I'll try and avoid any spoilers. ***
The narrative begins a few weeks after the momentous events at the end of the first book and though Rand believes he won a victory to end the war we know from the prologue that that was just the first battle. Lan, Moirain's warder, has some sympathy for him and trains him to handle Tam's heron-marked blade until Rand, hearing that the Amyrlin Seat is coming to Fal Dara bringing more Aes Sedai with her, feels that he has to leave. Egwene and Nynaeve return with the Amyrlin Seat to Tar Valon to begin training as Aes Sedai; Egwene is excited about learning though Nynaeve is determined to bypass novice status and get on with become a full Aes Sedai so she can pay Moiraine back for everything that has happened to the Emond's Fielders. Meanwhile Rand, Perrin and Mat - and Loial, the Ogier, who wants to continue having adventures with ta'veren (those around whom the Tapestry of Fate swirls) - accompany a rare artefact as it is taken to safety. And so the young people, who left Emond's Field at the beginning of the first book not knowing anything of the world outside the Two Rivers, journey on to further adventures.
‘Life is very unsettling with ta'veren for friends'
I like the way the Emond's Fielders often refer new things back to the way someone did something at home or to life in the Two Rivers; it shows that they are still linked to home despite their adventures and being put in the company of lords, ladies and rulers. As the original Two Rivers party splits up and meets more people (some equally important to the prophecies) the story also splits to follow their different view points. If you pay attention to the chapter headings, the accompanying icons help identify the points of view.
As others have noted, Jordan deliberately borrowed from well-known stories and legends; for instance, they stay at an inn called 'The Nine Rings', named for one of Rand's favourite adventure stories - I'm guessing this is a Tolkien homage. There are also a lot of names from Arthurian legends (and others) but I‘ve never managed to fit them into the same places. I remember resenting Min's foretelling (in the first book) that Egwene would not marry Rand because I've always wanted Guinevere and Arthur's story to end happily;
"I don't know how humans do it but among Ogier. ... If a girl sees a boy she likes, she goes to her mother. Or sometimes the mother sees someone she thinks is suitable. In any case, if they agree, the girl's mother goes to the boy's mother, and the next thing the boy knows, his marriage is all arranged."
"Doesn’t the boy have any say in it?" Mat asked incredulously.
...
Mat gave a guffaw loud enough to draw every head, but at Loial’s frantic gesture he spoke softly. "Among us, men do the choosing’
...
Rand frowned, remembering how Egwene had begun following them around when they were both little. It was then that Mistress al’Vere had begun taking a special interest in him …
"I think we do it the same way," he muttered, and when Mat laughed, he added, "Do you remember your father ever doing anything your mother really didn't want him to?" Mat opened his mouth with a grin, then frowned thoughtfully and closed it again.
I noticed, especially on these last two readings, that apart from Bela, Mandarb, Aldieb and occasionally Red, most of the other horses fall by the wayside, unnamed and I feel a bit sad for them.
"Loial, I mean to ride as hard as I can, and if I ride Red to death, I'll buy another horse, or steal another, if I have to."
I spent yesterday afternoon volunteering with the horses of Riding for the Disabled. I know that in a cast of thousands the animals aren't even bit players but it hurts when Jordan treats them so callously. Red has served Rand faithfully for a long time; I thought, since he's been given a name in this series, he'd get more respect.
I've always been curious about Tam al'Thor's younger days and I'd love to know the back story as to how he came to have a three thousand year old heron-marked sword but we don't find out much, unfortunately.
I did find, on these re-reads, the first four chapters where Rand is trying to leave Fal Dara a bit slow. The very first time it was a nice change of pace after all the action in the first book but recently I‘ve found it harder to re-read books. But the story really gets going after that. The first book ended momentously and, despite a slowish start, this second book did too. (I suppose the planned trilogy that turned into 14 books was still on track at that point.)
Well worth reading. And re-reading. Again.
Oh - one more thing:
There was a scraping sound from over Rand's head, and then Loial was letting himself down from the wall.' The Ogier did not even have to straighten his arms completely before his boots touched the ground. "Rash," he muttered. "You humans are always so rash and hasty. And now you have me doing it. Elder Haman would speak to me severely, and my mother..." The darkness hid his face, but Rand was sure his ears were twitching vigorously. "Rand, if you don't start being a little careful, you are going to get me in trouble."
I love Loial 😊
July 2022
4.5-5 stars show less
Holy moly. So many emotions in the last 30 pages. you know everything is coming to a head (Toman's Head, to be precise) and you can somewhat see the gears shifting in Robert Jordan's head but that doesn't make it any less dramatic.
Except for that one thing. Did not see that coming and I'm not sure how I feel about RJ playing me like that.
Except for that one thing. Did not see that coming and I'm not sure how I feel about RJ playing me like that.
A series to read when you are not in a hurry, because Jordan is extensive in the way he tells the story, which can help with immersion, but you have to be in the mood to spend a lot of time in this world and with these characters.
I'm enjoying the series, although at times I wish the characters enjoyed themselves more. In the beginning Matt was my favorite character, because he was cheerful and a jokester, but then he got that curse thing and has been miserable since then. Rand is always moaning about how actual adventures are much more miserable than they seem in the books. Perrin hates his wolf-thing...
I mean, I get it, being in danger and having sinister people trying to kill you is not fun in real life, and I'm not asking for these show more guys to be partying all day, but I'm going to be accompanying these characters for a long time, and I think it would be fun for me as a reader if they had fun from time to time.
Another nitpick: I hate dream sequences, and there are quite a lot of those. show less
I'm enjoying the series, although at times I wish the characters enjoyed themselves more. In the beginning Matt was my favorite character, because he was cheerful and a jokester, but then he got that curse thing and has been miserable since then. Rand is always moaning about how actual adventures are much more miserable than they seem in the books. Perrin hates his wolf-thing...
I mean, I get it, being in danger and having sinister people trying to kill you is not fun in real life, and I'm not asking for these show more guys to be partying all day, but I'm going to be accompanying these characters for a long time, and I think it would be fun for me as a reader if they had fun from time to time.
Another nitpick: I hate dream sequences, and there are quite a lot of those. show less
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Title: The Great Hunt
Series: Wheel of Time #2
Author: Robert Jordan
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 1072
Words: 276K
Synopsis:
From TarValon.net and authored by Toral Delvar
For all the pansies in the world
The book begins a few weeks after the end of The Eye of the World. Rand has remained in Fal Dara, practicing the sword with Lan, even though he had said he would get as far away as possible. Any plans he had to leave are shelved when a contingent of Aes Sedai visit, the Amyrlin Seat among them. Rand is questioned by one of them, Liandrin of the Red Ajah, who uses the Power on him to try and get answers to her questions. Moiraine convinces the Amyrlin, Siuan, that Rand must be allowed to go his own way, and that she will be there when he needs her.
Trollocs attack the town, freeing Fain from the dungeons and taking with them the Horn of Valere and the dagger, which are within the same chest. They leave Dark Prophecies on the wall, linking Luc with Isam, Lan's cousin.
Rand is brought before the Amyrlin, Moiraine and another Aes Sedai, Verin, who has realized that Rand must be the Dragon Reborn. They tell Rand that he was born on Dragonmount at the end of the Aiel War, where Tam, his father, found him. They also tell him he is the Dragon Reborn, which he refuses to accept.
Moiraine convinces Rand to follow after the Horn, telling him it is important that Mat gets the dagger back. As the Aes Sedai are leaving, an arrow is shot from one of the towers, which only just misses the Amyrlin, though it might have been meant for Rand.
They set off after the Horn, using a man called Hurin, who can smell violence, to locate it. Perrin and Mat see Rand with the Dragon Banner Moiraine gave him, and Perrin reasons that Rand can channel. Fain, meanwhile, is beginning to show increasing abilities, which enable him to take control of the Darkfriends and stake a Myrddraal to a door.
Lord Ingtar, the leader of the Shienarans, tells Rand that Moiraine has made him second in command. Rand enters a room in a deserted village and experiences strange flashbacks. During one night, Rand, Loial and Hurin are transported to an alternate world via a Portal Stone. Rand wakes to find a heron branded into his hand. Hurin is able to use his abilities to keep on the trail, so they set off after the Horn. On the way, they meet Lanfear, calling herself Selene. She spends much of her time imploring Rand to seize greatness. They see a memorial of the victory of Trollocs over Artur Hawkwing and realize that in this world, all animal life has been destroyed. Eventually they find another Portal Stone, which Rand uses when they are under attack by creatures known as grolm to transfer them back to the real world. They find they are ahead of the Darkfriends, as Hurin had been smelling where the Darkfriends were going to be, not where they have been. Rand and Loial sneak up on them, and take the Horn and dagger back.
The head on to Cairhien, outside of which they see a sa'angreal in the form of a giant great statue which Rand feels calling to him. Rand is taken for a Lord, and gets mixed up in Daes Dae'mar; the noble houses begin sending him invitations, which he just burns, leading to invitations from greater and greater Houses, eventually leading to invitations from the King and Lord Barthanes, the King's main rival.
Rand sees Trollocs in the city, and ends up in the Illuminators chapter house when he tries to flee them. His actions lead to the chapter house burning down. He meets Thom, who survived the Myrddraal in Whitebridge. While Rand visits him, the Darkfriends steal the Horn back.
Ingtar and the rest of the Shienarans are joined by Verin, who claims that Moiraine had sent her. They meet an Aiel claiming to be seeking He Who Comes With the Dawn, but Verin says they have seen no signs of him. They then catch up with Rand and the others.
Hurin traces the Horn to the manor of Lord Barthanes. The group uses an invitation to attend a party Barthanes is throwing. Here, they discover that Fain has taken the Horn through the Ways to Toman Head, on the Aryth Ocean, where Barthanes, a Darkfriend, says he will wait for Rand. The Waygate in Barthanes' manor is blocked by Machin Shin, which tries to come out when they open it, although Verin insists it can't be controlled. The following day Barthanes is found dead, his body completely ripped apart, presumably by a gholam. Thom's girlfriend is killed by men working for the king who was suspicious of his involvement with Rand and his presence at Barthanes party. Thom kills the king.
They try a Waygate outside a nearby stedding. In here they meet more Aiel, which is unusual, as Aiel never leave the Waste. Mat tells Rand they are searching for him, as he is the only Aiel they know. Rand is not amused. Loial is nervous, since he doesn't have permission to be outside his own stedding. He meets a female Ogier, Erith, who he is attracted to. The Waygate outside is also blocked by Machin Shin. They try using a Portal Stone. Something goes wrong when traveling through the Stone, enabling them all to experience many lives they could have led if circumstances had been different. In each of them, Rand is defeated, hearing the words "I have won again Lews Therin" as he dies. They arrive in Toman Head in autumn, having actually lost time due to their use of the Portal Stone.
In Falme, Fain meets with the Seanchan High Lord, Turak, claiming to be a descendant of men who kept their oaths to Artur Hawkwing. Fain gives him the chest with the Horn and dagger in it, though he is only interested in the dagger. The High Lord opens it and intends to present it to the Empress. Bayle Domon is also taken to see Turak, as one of the Seanchan, Egeanin, believes that his interest in the Age of Legends may prove interesting.
The girls head for Tar Valon, beginning lessons in the use of the Power on the journey. It becomes apparent that Nynaeve cannot channel unless she is angry, but when she does, she is very strong. Egwene starts having dreams of Rand, and one of the Aes Sedai, Anaiya, suspects she may be a Dreamer. In Tar Valon, Egwene befriends Elayne and Min, and meets Elayne's brother, Gawyn, and their half brother, Galad, who Egwene is immediately attracted to. She also sees Logain, who looks utterly forlorn. Both Gawyn and Galad fall for Egwene. Nynaeve is raised immediately to Accepted. Passing three times through a ter'angreal that is perhaps connected to Tel'aran'rhiod, she first fights Aginor. She is then forced to abandon the Two Rivers, then Lan, in order to prove her desire to be Aes Sedai.
Liandrin comes to tell Egwene and Nynaeve that their friends are in danger and that they are both needed to help them. They agree to go with her through the Ways, bringing Elayne and Min with them. When they come out of the Ways, they are met by a group of Seanchan and it becomes apparent that Liandrin belongs to the Black Ajah. Nynaeve and Elayne escape but Egwene and Min are captured. Egwene has a collar fastened to her neck, which gives another woman total control over her. She is told she is a damane and the woman her sul'dam.
Nynaeve and Elayne stay around to try and figure a way to rescue Egwene. Nynaeve eventually discovers a way to use the Power to remove the collars; these make her angry enough to channel just by looking at them. Nynaeve arranges with Bayle Domon to take them away from the area. They release one damane and capture her sul'dam by using the collar, much to the sul'dam's surprise. They then go to rescue Egwene.
Moiraine visits with two old Aes Sedai, Vandene and Adeleas, who she believes to know more about Dark Prophecy than anyone else. Whilst there, they are attacked by a Draghkar that is warded in some way so that Aes Sedai cannot detect it. They believe this means it was sent by one of the Black Ajah.
Mat, Rand, Perrin, Ingtar and Hurin enter Falme, to try and retrieve the dagger and the Horn, after Verin warns them that the Seanchan may sense a man channeling. They go to the house of the ruling Seanchan lord. Rand kills him, and they escape with the dagger and the Horn. Rand sees Egwene and decides he cannot leave her behind. Ingtar reveals that he is a Darkfriend, but wishes to return to the Light, and stays behind to prevent them being caught. They end up between two large armed groups: Whitecloaks, led by Geofram Bornhald and Seanchan. Mat blows the Horn to enable them to escape safely. The Heroes, led by Artur Hawkwing, appear, claiming to know Rand and telling him they need the Dragon Banner to be able to fight. Perrin raises it and the Seanchan are driven back. Rand is involved in a fight of his own, against Ba'alzamon. This duel is visible in the sky, with the pattern of their fight influencing the battle below. Eventually, Rand decides to let Ba'alzamon strike him, so that he can strike Ba'alzamon, who disappears.
Rand is severely wounded, and Min, Elayne and Egwene are drawn to him. Min keeps him warm, and is greeted by Lanfear, who tells her that Rand is hers.
My Thoughts:
Ok, this shows Jordan's writing in top form! In the first book the characters really annoyed me on several occasions but in this book, I don't think it happened once. Yes, they were still them, but the fingernails on chalkboard aspect wasn't there. A big part of it is that they're going their separate ways and aren't in one big group, where everything gets ratcheted up annoyance-wise. I don't think I'm going to have as much to say about this book as the previous, but here I go.
As I mentioned, the characters were much more palatable. It helps that Matt is pretty much sick and out of commission for the entire book because of not having the dagger. His obsession with getting it back makes him more focused, less mischievous and not a dick. Nynaeve isn't a witch the entire time because she's getting a solid dose of humility with starting her training as an Aes Sedai. I in no way advocate violence against women, but my goodness, Nynaeve makes me want to stuff a sock in her mouth and spank her til she cries. But she's not nearly so insufferable this time around. We also get to see just how smart she is when the rescue for Egwene happens. I needed to see another side of her and thankfully Jordan provides that. I think Rand is the one who changes the most though and as the main Main Character, he needed to. He's maturing and growing up and beginning to take on some of the responsibility that the Dragon Reborn is going to have to shoulder.
Darkfriends and the Black Ajah and the Seanchan and the Forsaken. The book starts off with a gathering of darkfriends, with hints that some extremely powerful people are part of the dark cabal. Jordan moves Darkfriends from a group of hick villagers who lust after power (like we saw in the first book) to a real Cabal of the powerful. The Black Ajah goes from being something that nobody really believes to having it shoved in our faces with the selling of the girls to the Seanchan by one of the Black Ajah. They haven't really amped up their threat level in terms of power but have definitely made their move into the larger storyline. The Forsaken, namely Lanfear and Balzaman, show just how divided the Forsaken are, with each having their own goals alongside trying to return the Dark Lord from his prison. Finally, the Seanchan and their chained, trained and battle ready slave women who can channel. I found it almost heartbreaking to know that the descendants of this worlds version of King Arthur had turned into a stratified slave society.
The world continues to grow at a very organic pace. As our various groups of villagers go out into the greater world, they learn about the world they inhabit and we as readers are along for the ride. I think Jordan made the right choice with starting out with ignorant characters, as it doesn't feel like we're having information shoved down our throat. What the characters learn, we learn. It is also becoming apparent that this world does nothing but cycle through Ages. Thankfully we readers aren't running for our lives so we have time to think about what “X” could mean AND we have several viewpoints all feeding us input. It is no wonder this series spawned a rabid fandom that thrived on speculation.
To do the whole Wheel thing, I'll end where I began with this review. Jordan's writing is as good as I could ask for. Not once during these 1000 pages was I bored, or confused or overwhelmed. I might not have understood everything but I was never flailing. It takes consummate skill as an author to guide your readers like that and Jordan showed a deft and masterful hand that way. I ended up giving this the Best Book of the Year tag as I enjoyed every part. I suspect several of these WoT books will get that tag this year :-)
★★★★★ show less
Title: The Great Hunt
Series: Wheel of Time #2
Author: Robert Jordan
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 1072
Words: 276K
Synopsis:
From TarValon.net and authored by Toral Delvar
For all the pansies in the world
The book begins a few weeks after the end of The Eye of the World. Rand has remained in Fal Dara, practicing the sword with Lan, even though he had said he would get as far away as possible. Any plans he had to leave are shelved when a
Trollocs attack the town, freeing Fain from the dungeons and taking with them the Horn of Valere and the dagger, which are within the same chest. They leave Dark Prophecies on the wall, linking Luc with Isam, Lan's cousin.
Rand is brought before the Amyrlin, Moiraine and another Aes Sedai, Verin, who has realized that Rand must be the Dragon Reborn. They tell Rand that he was born on Dragonmount at the end of the Aiel War, where Tam, his father, found him. They also tell him he is the Dragon Reborn, which he refuses to accept.
Moiraine convinces Rand to follow after the Horn, telling him it is important that Mat gets the dagger back. As the Aes Sedai are leaving, an arrow is shot from one of the towers, which only just misses the Amyrlin, though it might have been meant for Rand.
They set off after the Horn, using a man called Hurin, who can smell violence, to locate it. Perrin and Mat see Rand with the Dragon Banner Moiraine gave him, and Perrin reasons that Rand can channel. Fain, meanwhile, is beginning to show increasing abilities, which enable him to take control of the Darkfriends and stake a Myrddraal to a door.
Lord Ingtar, the leader of the Shienarans, tells Rand that Moiraine has made him second in command. Rand enters a room in a deserted village and experiences strange flashbacks. During one night, Rand, Loial and Hurin are transported to an alternate world via a Portal Stone. Rand wakes to find a heron branded into his hand. Hurin is able to use his abilities to keep on the trail, so they set off after the Horn. On the way, they meet Lanfear, calling herself Selene. She spends much of her time imploring Rand to seize greatness. They see a memorial of the victory of Trollocs over Artur Hawkwing and realize that in this world, all animal life has been destroyed. Eventually they find another Portal Stone, which Rand uses when they are under attack by creatures known as grolm to transfer them back to the real world. They find they are ahead of the Darkfriends, as Hurin had been smelling where the Darkfriends were going to be, not where they have been. Rand and Loial sneak up on them, and take the Horn and dagger back.
The head on to Cairhien, outside of which they see a sa'angreal in the form of a giant great statue which Rand feels calling to him. Rand is taken for a Lord, and gets mixed up in Daes Dae'mar; the noble houses begin sending him invitations, which he just burns, leading to invitations from greater and greater Houses, eventually leading to invitations from the King and Lord Barthanes, the King's main rival.
Rand sees Trollocs in the city, and ends up in the Illuminators chapter house when he tries to flee them. His actions lead to the chapter house burning down. He meets Thom, who survived the Myrddraal in Whitebridge. While Rand visits him, the Darkfriends steal the Horn back.
Ingtar and the rest of the Shienarans are joined by Verin, who claims that Moiraine had sent her. They meet an Aiel claiming to be seeking He Who Comes With the Dawn, but Verin says they have seen no signs of him. They then catch up with Rand and the others.
Hurin traces the Horn to the manor of Lord Barthanes. The group uses an invitation to attend a party Barthanes is throwing. Here, they discover that Fain has taken the Horn through the Ways to Toman Head, on the Aryth Ocean, where Barthanes, a Darkfriend, says he will wait for Rand. The Waygate in Barthanes' manor is blocked by Machin Shin, which tries to come out when they open it, although Verin insists it can't be controlled. The following day Barthanes is found dead, his body completely ripped apart, presumably by a gholam. Thom's girlfriend is killed by men working for the king who was suspicious of his involvement with Rand and his presence at Barthanes party. Thom kills the king.
They try a Waygate outside a nearby stedding. In here they meet more Aiel, which is unusual, as Aiel never leave the Waste. Mat tells Rand they are searching for him, as he is the only Aiel they know. Rand is not amused. Loial is nervous, since he doesn't have permission to be outside his own stedding. He meets a female Ogier, Erith, who he is attracted to. The Waygate outside is also blocked by Machin Shin. They try using a Portal Stone. Something goes wrong when traveling through the Stone, enabling them all to experience many lives they could have led if circumstances had been different. In each of them, Rand is defeated, hearing the words "I have won again Lews Therin" as he dies. They arrive in Toman Head in autumn, having actually lost time due to their use of the Portal Stone.
In Falme, Fain meets with the Seanchan High Lord, Turak, claiming to be a descendant of men who kept their oaths to Artur Hawkwing. Fain gives him the chest with the Horn and dagger in it, though he is only interested in the dagger. The High Lord opens it and intends to present it to the Empress. Bayle Domon is also taken to see Turak, as one of the Seanchan, Egeanin, believes that his interest in the Age of Legends may prove interesting.
The girls head for Tar Valon, beginning lessons in the use of the Power on the journey. It becomes apparent that Nynaeve cannot channel unless she is angry, but when she does, she is very strong. Egwene starts having dreams of Rand, and one of the Aes Sedai, Anaiya, suspects she may be a Dreamer. In Tar Valon, Egwene befriends Elayne and Min, and meets Elayne's brother, Gawyn, and their half brother, Galad, who Egwene is immediately attracted to. She also sees Logain, who looks utterly forlorn. Both Gawyn and Galad fall for Egwene. Nynaeve is raised immediately to Accepted. Passing three times through a ter'angreal that is perhaps connected to Tel'aran'rhiod, she first fights Aginor. She is then forced to abandon the Two Rivers, then Lan, in order to prove her desire to be Aes Sedai.
Liandrin comes to tell Egwene and Nynaeve that their friends are in danger and that they are both needed to help them. They agree to go with her through the Ways, bringing Elayne and Min with them. When they come out of the Ways, they are met by a group of Seanchan and it becomes apparent that Liandrin belongs to the Black Ajah. Nynaeve and Elayne escape but Egwene and Min are captured. Egwene has a collar fastened to her neck, which gives another woman total control over her. She is told she is a damane and the woman her sul'dam.
Nynaeve and Elayne stay around to try and figure a way to rescue Egwene. Nynaeve eventually discovers a way to use the Power to remove the collars; these make her angry enough to channel just by looking at them. Nynaeve arranges with Bayle Domon to take them away from the area. They release one damane and capture her sul'dam by using the collar, much to the sul'dam's surprise. They then go to rescue Egwene.
Moiraine visits with two old Aes Sedai, Vandene and Adeleas, who she believes to know more about Dark Prophecy than anyone else. Whilst there, they are attacked by a Draghkar that is warded in some way so that Aes Sedai cannot detect it. They believe this means it was sent by one of the Black Ajah.
Mat, Rand, Perrin, Ingtar and Hurin enter Falme, to try and retrieve the dagger and the Horn, after Verin warns them that the Seanchan may sense a man channeling. They go to the house of the ruling Seanchan lord. Rand kills him, and they escape with the dagger and the Horn. Rand sees Egwene and decides he cannot leave her behind. Ingtar reveals that he is a Darkfriend, but wishes to return to the Light, and stays behind to prevent them being caught. They end up between two large armed groups: Whitecloaks, led by Geofram Bornhald and Seanchan. Mat blows the Horn to enable them to escape safely. The Heroes, led by Artur Hawkwing, appear, claiming to know Rand and telling him they need the Dragon Banner to be able to fight. Perrin raises it and the Seanchan are driven back. Rand is involved in a fight of his own, against Ba'alzamon. This duel is visible in the sky, with the pattern of their fight influencing the battle below. Eventually, Rand decides to let Ba'alzamon strike him, so that he can strike Ba'alzamon, who disappears.
Rand is severely wounded, and Min, Elayne and Egwene are drawn to him. Min keeps him warm, and is greeted by Lanfear, who tells her that Rand is hers.
My Thoughts:
Ok, this shows Jordan's writing in top form! In the first book the characters really annoyed me on several occasions but in this book, I don't think it happened once. Yes, they were still them, but the fingernails on chalkboard aspect wasn't there. A big part of it is that they're going their separate ways and aren't in one big group, where everything gets ratcheted up annoyance-wise. I don't think I'm going to have as much to say about this book as the previous, but here I go.
As I mentioned, the characters were much more palatable. It helps that Matt is pretty much sick and out of commission for the entire book because of not having the dagger. His obsession with getting it back makes him more focused, less mischievous and not a dick. Nynaeve isn't a witch the entire time because she's getting a solid dose of humility with starting her training as an Aes Sedai. I in no way advocate violence against women, but my goodness, Nynaeve makes me want to stuff a sock in her mouth and spank her til she cries. But she's not nearly so insufferable this time around. We also get to see just how smart she is when the rescue for Egwene happens. I needed to see another side of her and thankfully Jordan provides that. I think Rand is the one who changes the most though and as the main Main Character, he needed to. He's maturing and growing up and beginning to take on some of the responsibility that the Dragon Reborn is going to have to shoulder.
Darkfriends and the Black Ajah and the Seanchan and the Forsaken. The book starts off with a gathering of darkfriends, with hints that some extremely powerful people are part of the dark cabal. Jordan moves Darkfriends from a group of hick villagers who lust after power (like we saw in the first book) to a real Cabal of the powerful. The Black Ajah goes from being something that nobody really believes to having it shoved in our faces with the selling of the girls to the Seanchan by one of the Black Ajah. They haven't really amped up their threat level in terms of power but have definitely made their move into the larger storyline. The Forsaken, namely Lanfear and Balzaman, show just how divided the Forsaken are, with each having their own goals alongside trying to return the Dark Lord from his prison. Finally, the Seanchan and their chained, trained and battle ready slave women who can channel. I found it almost heartbreaking to know that the descendants of this worlds version of King Arthur had turned into a stratified slave society.
The world continues to grow at a very organic pace. As our various groups of villagers go out into the greater world, they learn about the world they inhabit and we as readers are along for the ride. I think Jordan made the right choice with starting out with ignorant characters, as it doesn't feel like we're having information shoved down our throat. What the characters learn, we learn. It is also becoming apparent that this world does nothing but cycle through Ages. Thankfully we readers aren't running for our lives so we have time to think about what “X” could mean AND we have several viewpoints all feeding us input. It is no wonder this series spawned a rabid fandom that thrived on speculation.
To do the whole Wheel thing, I'll end where I began with this review. Jordan's writing is as good as I could ask for. Not once during these 1000 pages was I bored, or confused or overwhelmed. I might not have understood everything but I was never flailing. It takes consummate skill as an author to guide your readers like that and Jordan showed a deft and masterful hand that way. I ended up giving this the Best Book of the Year tag as I enjoyed every part. I suspect several of these WoT books will get that tag this year :-)
★★★★★ show less
Enjoyed reading the second Wheel of Time novel over the course of about five weeks. I much enjoyed the epic journey of the characters throughout the world in hunt of the Great Horn and more. The tension created when the characters went to different places was well done. My favorite parts were the "Great Game" (i.e. the political moves and counter-moves in Cairhien) and the surprises with certain characters.
I felt that the White Tower was a missed opportunity as a place of magical training. I'm comparing it to the "The Magicians" by Grossman and, of course, Hogwarts. The White Tower just doesn't seem to actually teach magical skills or knowledge in anyway, aside from some vague hints in the narrative.
I felt that the White Tower was a missed opportunity as a place of magical training. I'm comparing it to the "The Magicians" by Grossman and, of course, Hogwarts. The White Tower just doesn't seem to actually teach magical skills or knowledge in anyway, aside from some vague hints in the narrative.
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Author Information
259+ Works 187,676 Members
Robert Jordan was born James Oliver Rigney Jr. on October 17, 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina. He received a B.S. in physics from The Citadel in 1974. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Army and won The Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star and two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry. From 1974 to 1978, he worked for the show more U.S. Civil Service as a nuclear engineer. During the 1980's, he began writing several novels for the Conan the Barbarian series that was created in the 1930's by Robert E. Howard. He also wrote under many pseudonyms, which include the historical novels The Fallon Blood (1980), The Fallon Pride (1981) and The Fallon Legacy (1982) as Reagan O'Neal; and the western Cheyenne Riders (1982) as Jackson O'Reilly. He wrote articles for periodicals for the Library Journal, Fantasy Review and Science Fiction Review as Chang Lung. He was the author of the Wheel of Time series and The Towers of Midnight. He died on September 16, 2007 following a battle with cardiac amyloidosis. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Series
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Is contained in
The Wheel of Time, Boxed Set I, Books 1-3: The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt, The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
8 " Wheel of Time " PAPERBACKS (#1 the eye of the world #2 the great hunt #3 the dragon reborn #4 the shadow rising #5 the fires of heaver #6 lord of chaos #7 is missing #8 the path of daggers #9 winters heart) by Robert Jordan
Complete Wheel of Time 12 Volume Hardbound Set Plus Companion Volume: The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Great Hunt
- Original title
- The Great Hunt
- Original publication date
- 1990-11-15 (Tor Books) (Tor Books)
- People/Characters
- Rand al'Thor; Matrim Cauthon; Perrin Aybara (Young Bull); Egwene al'Vere (Novice | Tuli | damane); Nynaeve al'Meara (Accepted); Elayne Trakand (Novice) (show all 63); Ishamael (Ba'alzamon | Forsaken | Elan Morin Tedronai); Siuan Sanche (Aes Sedai | Amyrlin); Lan Mandragoran (Warder); Moiraine Damodred (Aes Sedai | Blue Ajah); Padan Fain; Loial (Loial son of Arent son of Halan | Stedding Shangtai | Ogier); Hurin (Sniffer); Lanfear (Selene | Forsaken | Mierin Eronaile); Thom Merrilin; Geofram Bornhald (Child of the Light); Jaichim Carridin (Child of the Light | Hand of the Light); Ingtar Shinowa (Lord); Amalisa Jagad (Lady); Alanna Mosvani (Aes Sedai | Green Ajah); Alviarin Freidhen (Aes Sedai | White Ajah); Anaiya (Aes Sedai | Blue Ajah); Carlinya (Aes Sedai | White Ajah); Liandrin (Aes Sedai | Red Ajah); Maigan (Aes Sedai | Blue Ajah); Serafelle (Aes Sedai | Brown Ajah); Verin Mathwin (Aes Sedai | Brown Ajah); Ragan (Shienaran warrior); Masema Dagar (Shienaran warrior); Uno Nomesta (Shienaran warrior); Changu (Shienaran warrior); Nidao (Shienaran warrior); Easar Togita (King); Agelmar Jagad (Lord); Pedron Niall (Child of the Light | Lord Captain Commander); Eamon Valda (Child of the Light | Lord Captain); Bayle Domon (Ship Captain); Yarin Maeldan (sailor); Galldrian (King); Sheriam Bayanar (Aes Sedai | Blue Ajah); Maglin Madwen (innkeeper); Aldrin Caldevwin (Captain); Elricain Tavolin (Lieutenant); Adeleas Namelle (Aes Sedai | Brown Ajah); Vandene Namelle (Aes Sedai | Green Ajah); Myrelle Berengari (Aes Sedai | Green Ajah); Else Grinwell; Asan Sandair (City Guard); Cuale (innkeeper); Ryma Galfrey (Aes Sedai | Yellow Ajah | Pura | damane); Jaret Byar (Child of the Light); Seta Zarbey (Seanchan woman | sul'dam); Aedwin Cole (Sailor); Rogosh Eagle-eye (Hero of the Horn); Gaidal Cain (Hero of the Horn); Birgitte Silverbow (Hero of the Horn); Mikel of the Pure Heart (Hero of the Horn); Paedrig the peacemaker (Hero of the Horn); Otarin (Hero of the Horn); Artur Hawkwing (Hero of the Horn); Erith (Ogier | Erith daughter of Iva daughter of Alar | Stedding Tsofu); Bors; Leane Sharif (Aes Sedai | Blue Ajah)
- Important places
- Fal Dara, Shienar; Shayol Ghul; Cairhien, Cairhien; Falme, Toman Head; Amador, Amadicia; White Tower, Tar Valon (show all 11); Stedding Tsofu; Tremonsian, Cairhien; Medo, Sheinar; River Queen (ship); Illian
- Epigraph
- And it shall come to pass that what men made shall be shattered, and the Shadow shall lie across the Pattern of the Age, and the Dark One shall once more lay his hand upon the world of man. Women shall weep and men quail a... (show all)s the nations of the earth are rent like rotting cloth. Neither shall anything stand nor abide... Yet one shall be born to face the Shadow, born once more as he was born before and shall be born again, time without end. The Dragon shall be Reborn, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth at his rebirth. In sackcloth and ashes shall he clothe the people, and he shall break the world again by his coming, tearing apart all ties that bind. Like the unfettered dawn shall he blind us, and burn us, yet shall the Dragon Reborn confront the Shadow at the Last Battle, and his blood shall give us the Light. Let tears flow, O ye people of the world. Weep for your salvation.
--From The Karaethon Cycles: The Prophecies of the Dragon,
as translated by Ellaine Marise'idin Alshinn,
Chief Librarian at the Court of Arafel,
in the Year of Grace 231 of the New Era, the Third Age
And men cried out to the Creator, saying, O Light of the Heavens, Light of the World, let the Promised One be born of the mountain, according to the Prophecies, as he was in Ages past and will be in Ages to come. Let the ... (show all)Prince of the Morning sing to the land that green things will grow and the valleys give forth lambs. Let the arm of the Lord of the Dawn shelter us from the Dark, and the great sword of justice defend us. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.
--from Caral Drianaan te Calamon, The Cycle of the Dragon,
Author unknown, the Fourth Age - Dedication
- This book is dedicated to Lucinda Culpin, Al Dempsey, Tom Doherty, Susan England, Dick Gallen, Cathy Grooms, Marisa Grooms, Wilson and Janet Grooms, John Jarrold, the Johnson City Boys (Mike Leslie, Kenneth Loveless, James D.... (show all) Lund, Paul R. Robinson), Karl Lundgren, William McDougal, the Montana Gang (Eldon Carter, Ray Grenfell, Ken Miller, Rod Moore, Dick Schimdt, Ray Sessions, Ed Widley, Mike Wildey, and Sherman Williams), Charlie Moore, Lousia Cheves Popham Raoul, Ted and Sydney Rigney, Robert A. T. Scott, Bryan and Sharon Webb, and Heather Wood.
They came to my aid when God walked across the water and true Eye of the World passed over my house. - First words
- The man who called himself Bors, at least in this place, sneered at the low murmuring that rolled around the vaulted chamber like the soft gabble of geese.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Let the dragon ride again on the winds of time.
- Blurbers
- Saberhagen, Fred; McCaffrey, Anne
- Original language*
- Engels
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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