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The Shadow Rising (The Wheel of Time, Book 4)

The Shadow Rising (The Wheel of Time, Book 4)

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.19
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Satisfying and complex!!!
Review: For many people, The Shadow Rising is the book that hooked them on the series. Rising above the more formulaic aspects of the previous 3 books, TSR introduced a narrative complexity and a palpable sense of history that captured the imagination and humbled the gentle reader. This is where the meat of the series truly begins, where we really are in the thick of it. We've got Rand and the Aiel in Rhuidean, Perrin in the Two Rivers, and Elayne and Nynaeve in Tanchico. We've got secrets and deceptions, action and suspense, surprises and revelations. We've got the history of the Aiel and the making of history in the White Tower. TSR gives RJ a chance to stretch his abilities, and he makes the most of it.
We start out where everybody is still catching their collective breaths from the climax of book 3, but the plot soon splinters into 3 distinct parts. Rand attempts to fulfill his Aiel destiny, while Perrin sets off the rescue the Two Rivers. Finally, Elayne and Nynaeve continue to hunt the Black Ajah. Along the way, much effort is spent developing characters, giving protagonists like Elayne and Mat some needed time. As well RJ gives us a glimpse into the Aiel's past, a two-chapter section that I would stand up next to the highlights of any great literary giant with pride. Every thime I read those chapters, I get a marvelous chill down my spine, as if I'm reading the histories of my own people.
I still have some nagging questions that threaten to break my mind in two (What was preventing Asmodean from walking into Rhuidean before the ending?)but without question, TSR is the book that vaults RJ into Tolkien's league.
PLOTTING: Remarkably, RJ gives all 3 main plot threads about the same amount of attention. He may have been tempted to skimp a bit on the Tanchico thread (when you think about it, not a lot really happened there, at least when compared to the other 2 threads), and he wrapped up the Two Rivers thread a little too quickly, but the narrative was always clear and engaging.
CHARACTERIZATION: TSR spends a lot of time building up Elayne and Nynaeve's characters, and of course Perrin gets a third of the book all to himself. I liked Elayne's drinking episode, and Perrin's eventual reaction to the tragic news of his family, but the character that really surprised me and grew a third dimension was Min. Here's a girl who wanted very badly to head down to Tear and find the guy she desperately loved, and when the chaos started in Tar Valon, she had her chance to flee. Instead she stuck around, and help bust Siuan and Leane out of there.
PACING:With 3 plot threads, Jordan had the freedom to switch back and forth to keep events from happening too soon, and the narrative moved along so well that he could throw a subplot or two in the mix without missing a beat.
BEST SCENE: It has to be the 2-chapter section detailing the history of the Aiel.(I know that's a long scene.)
MOST POV: Perrin, Elayne, Nynaeve, Thom, Moiraine, Mat, Rand, Min, Egwene, Egeanin, and even Jaichim Carridin all had thier POVs represented, but this was Perrin's book more than anyone. What's odd is that RJ never used anyone else's POV in the Two Rivers. I guess he wanted to keep Faile and Verin mysterious for the time being.
OVERALL: TSR is satisfying, complex, and character-driven. TSR has plenty of scenes that tug at the memory years later, and RJ still trying to match the quality of this effort.

P.S. Sorry for my rambling on, and making the review so long. Hope this helps!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Good Read
Review: I really like the Wheel of Time series thus far-they are captivating books. The characters are, for the most part, interesting, and the plot(s) are well developed and are nicely planned out. However, I do have a few problems with Robert Jordan and the Wheel of Time.
I feel like Jordan is dragging on the series a little to long. (Note-I have read the reviews for the fith book onward, though I have not read the books.) Jordan is elaborating much more than is necessary in some points. Basically, I feel like he could have cut a few books.
Also, I think that some things are much to coincedential. For instance, I thought that all of those who set out from the Two Rivers meeting in Tear at exactly the same time after being in different coners of the world a little much.
However, I think that the books are well-written and fun. In particular, I liked that Rand was involving himself more with the Aiel in this book, that Perrin backtracked to the Two Rivers, where everything started, and how Nynaeve and Elayne realized, inside the Panarch's Palace, that no woman can do everything. All in all, I think that this book and this series, despite some flaws, is truly excellent.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THIS BOOK ROCKS!!!!!
Review: this is a great book. everyone had a great role in this, especially Perrin, with his going back to the Two Rivers and the mixed up romance with Faile, which started in the Dragon Reborn. then Rand's romance with Elayne and the beggining of his one with Avhienda. Elayne and Nynaeve went to Tanchico with Juilin Sanders and Thom Merilin and Rand, Mat, Egwene, Moirane and Lan go to the aile waste. the only downside is the beggining where there is 200 pages of ____. but its good, probably as good as the Fires of Heaven, which was one of my favorite books ever. Read this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best one yet!
Review: When I said that 'The eye of the world' was the best book ever, I was wrong. The first book was just outlining the plot, the second and third were good (Not as good as the first.), but this beats all. This is where it starts to get interesting. There's so much going on in this book, that when R.Jordan switched from one character to another, I didn't mind as much. The story was quite complex and there wasn't a great amount of travelling as in the first three books, more interaction between characters and a deeper plot. Having read the first three books, reading number four was a lot easier as I understood the societies and the background. (I do recommend reading the 'Robert Jordan's Wheel of time' for geater understanding.) There was less of 'what age is that? What on earth is a fade? and such, but more 'Perrin, you can't do that.' and 'Mat! Oh my God, I can't read on.' sort of thing. I thought the books would get less enjoyable as the series went on (As most series do), but this book totally turned it around. It made me laugh, it made me cry and at one point I refused to read it for a fear of what might happen. I enjoyed this book because no matter how the plot goes, all the characters are human. They aren't all innocent and pure, or all evil (except the 'Dark one'). They have faults and are not always right. Rand was much better in this book, I felt. He was less unsure and more determined. Mat was the same, but I love Mat they way he is and Perrin's character was more matured and defined (The interaction with Faile really made me smile, It was like 'Wow, couples really act like that, not always 'love struck' and romantic). This was the best book ever and all I can say is 'read it yourself, and all will become clear'.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Truly an adventure.
Review: The Wheel of Time series never ceases to tire of its incredulous and interesting change of events. This book proves it with a shine.
With the wide arrangment of POVs, the story is told richly without frustration of confusion.
Consider me a dedicated and forever-bound reader.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Shadow rises... as does my captivity by this series
Review: The fourth book of Robert Jordan's wheel of time is my absolute favourite so far. It cannot be denied that it has stiff competition - seeing that the previous three have been so amazing too. However, I still find this book the best. The series grabbed me from the first line... after that, I simply could not wait to get stuck into it.
The fourth book is the longest so far (I have just finished it)... and like reading tolkien's lord of the rings and discovering the world of middle earth, you develop a thirst for finding out more. You crave to know. That is why I enjoy what some people (who must be uncommited to the series) claim to be tedious reading. I love Robert Jordan's moment by moment writing style, where he leaves no rock unturned as the characters progress. He has managed to write a story where I have found myself ranging from sad, to happy, to tears, to furious at him - thinking 'how can he do it!'.
However, I know that he has his reasons and I am grateful for it - I know the story and it's development will continually shock me.
Perhaps I am just not normal... but I have come to rely on his characters to provide me with the day to day nourishment that I need. I cannot stand to go a day without knowing something more... that is why his fourth book - The Shadow Rising - has been so great to read.
A literary masterpiece, this book, which I stress MUST BE READ IN ORDER with the other books, is fantastic. We find ourselves quite taken up by all of the stories that are going on, his characters stories that are all tied together take hold of you one way or another.

Often we may find ourselves reading a book and desiring to be part of the adventure - but rarely do we read a book and feel that we are in the adventure. Each night, when I turn off my light and switch on my lamp, I am in another place. Where that is, I can never guess until I fold back the covers and step in.

Robert Jordan's series and particularly his fourth book THE SHADOW RISING have left no doubt in my mind that he is deserving of the title - International Bestseller.
This book, and his series is a must read for those willing to be swept away to another world - for those who would like to REALLY live.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A truely moving story.
Review: No book has ever moved me like this book did. I could not put it down. Read the first 3 books first, or you will be confused.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Still a readable series at this point (spoilers... beware)
Review: This is the most 'nothing' book in the series so far. Not a whole lot really happens. Reading it and coming to the end, I realized that Jordan realized that he had a fantasy franchise on his hands and was going to milk it for all it was worth. Don't get me wrong the book is well written, there are some tense moments that get your blood racing. But there is no big monumental event like the first three books ended with. Yes there is the big meeting of the Aiel, but since when is the climax of a fantasy novel a meeting. The final two chapters pack in all the action or confronting multiple forsaken, which could have been built up more along the way. There is the trolloc attacks on Emonds Field, and the rise of Perrin as a warrior leader among his hometown people. However there are certain plot points that are beginning to wear on me: The Whitecloaks being so corrupt, yet none of them seeing that they are corrupt, the ever present fear of the Dragon and the One Power, and the fact that none of the 'good guys' can get it together and kill the 'bad guys'. When you have beaten a forsaken, just kill them, don't wait for a trial, when you have pure evil at your fingertips ready to be killed, don't let it walk free. I can see why most people I have talked to about this series give up around the fifth book.

T

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Easily the best of the series
Review: There is little comparison to this one, all my friends that have read this series agree with me that this stands alone in its creativity, riskiness, adventure, character development, enjoyment... ok the list goes on. Basically I'll do a quick little review of the others leading up to this, since I doubt I'll review them individually: Book 1 Wheel of Time set it up but feels oddly segregated from the rest of the series, even if the majority of main characters are introduced here, so I'd give it an 8/10. Book 2 The Great Hunt certainly picks up the pace with quite a few character developments and a kick-shove into Jordan's world of magic that takes your breath away and leaves you begging for more, so this is definately a 9/10. Book 3 The Dragon Reborn seemed like it'd be the highlight with a title like that, but almost slacked-off the pace with very few chapters from Rand's perspective and only one really great twist to the end, so I give it an 8/10.

Finally we reach this one, the great one, one of the best fantasy books I've ever read: 10/10 easily. Every anty you can think of us upped in this book: characters are richer, enemies are trickier, twists are some of the best seen in any genre, and every character gets his share of the glory and grandeur of the storyline. Let's hear it for Perrin! The series drops off this climb like a boulder plummeting down a cliff after about Book 6, but you should enjoy Book 5 after this one, it doesn't disappoint, just not nearly as inventive.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great book! Great plot! Great to buy!!!
Review: Robert Jordan's fourth book, the shadow rising is a book not to be missed by anybody. Despite several ill-descripted and confusing parts, it is a book well written. It has an engaging plot and several surpising turns of events that I will certainly not reveal. Once you get started on this book, it's very hard to put down.
I have yet to read the rest of the series and I'm really hoping they'll all maintain this standard of writing.


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