Rating: 
Summary: one of the best in the series
Review: the story is now in epic proportions, yet it remains exciting and interesting. the main plot continues to progress, adding new elements. i actually had to start writing names down in a notebook to keep track of everybody.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but sexist!
Review: Okay, some of you may have read my negative reviews for The Eye of the World and Dragon Reborn. I've also written a positive, 3 star, review for The Great Hunt (the best in the series so far). Well, despite all my complaining about the series and Jordan as a writer (he's a lousy writer), I'm still churning away (I've just started book 5). The Wheel of Time, I've realized, is just a soap opera. And I'm embarrassed to say, I'm hooked! That said, The Shadow Rising is easily the most entertaining since The Great Hunt. The Aiel are indeed quite interesting. Nevertheless, I'm put off by this book's sexism. Now, I had always suspected that Jordan's writing bordered on the edge of extended male fantasy (why do the novices in Tar Valon have to undress before passing through the arches? Why does Jordan again and again refer to such-and-such female character as crossing her arms under her breasts? Why does Mat view every woman, from Moraine to the Queen of Andor, as kissable?) But in the previous novels, Jordan's chauvinism at least TRIED to be subtle. In The Shadow Rising, Jordan throws all caution to the wind. Mat and Rand wander down to Rhuidean fully-clothed, but Moraine and Aviendha, poor women, have to strip down to their birthday suits and dart off to the Aiel city without a stitch of clothing. Rand faces Berelain, who's dressed to tease, while Mat flirts with every plump servant girl in the Stone of Tear. Later, the Aiel Wise Ones, along with Moraine and Egwene, hold a serious discussio--about Rand-- completely nude in a sort-of Aiel sauna! Nynaeve and Elayne, while in Tanchico, are constantly in either their shifts or some tight, revealing dress. Aviendha, when talking to Rand, cannot stop mentioning how nice Elayne's body looked once while taking a bath. Throw in some female shipwrights who set sail, if you can believe it, completely shirtless, and I'm at a loss for words. Lastly, and perhaps most sexist, every woman in this novel is fighting over Rand. Egwene loved him, but gives him up for Elayne. Elayne loves him, but she's got to be wary of Min. Lanfear has the hots for Rand and, I'm going out on a limb here, it seems that Aviendha may also have feelings. Other reviews that compliment Jordan's strong female characters are way off the mark. If anything, Jordan's females are surprisingly weak, wielding so much power yet still allowing themselves to stumble, awkwardly, schoolgirl-like over the men around them. These women need some self-esteem. Hey, here's what the world needs, a Chicken Soup For the Channeling Soul self-help book! P.S. I've started book five and the first chapter has Leane (yes, prudish, awkward Leane, former Keeper/Assistant to the Amrylin) flirting like a hussy with Gaebril Byrne. Really, Mr. Jordan, if you're reading this, find another outlet for all this stored-up sexual energy. I'll buy you a one-year subscription to Playboy. You can consider it an early Christmas present :)
Rating:
Summary: This book ROCKS!
Review: I loved this book! I think it's the best in the series. So far..
Rating:
Summary: The finest book of the Wheel of Time
Review: Of all the books in the Wheel of Time, this was definitely my favorite. It is full of amazing detail into the Aiel society, and it was definitely cool to have a return to the Two Rivers. What distinguishes this series from others is the fact that there are multiple conflicts occurring at different locations, including the boys' home. This Slayer character, I suspect, is Lan's cousin, who was briefly mentioned in the first book with the name Isam. Other avenues of writing are also opened with Birgitte's warning about the Eelfinn and Aelfinn, those snakes and foxes through the ter'angreal doorframes. This book is Robert Jordan's finest.
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't get any better than this!
Review: Well, I'm amazed! This guy is really a great writer! What with Rand going to Rhuidean with Mat, both of whom are being challenged by this Couladin guy, Perrin off in the Two Rivers trying to fight off like, 4 evils at once ("Padan Fain", the Whitecloaks, this "Slayer" dude and the Trollocs) and Nynaeve and Elayne off in Tanchico tracking something as dangerous to Rand as the Seanchan are to any woman who can channel, you will not get bored. Asmodean is a brilliant touch, adding extra entertainment and a very important element in. Lanfear is trailing Rand all the way, and I don't quite like the looks of that. All in all, very good. Nice bit about the two similar ter'angreal, one in Tear, the other in Rhuidean... I wonder what they told Rand in the Tairen one? With Moghedien mixed into the action in Tanchico along with the Black Ajah, Nynaeve and Elayne have all they can handle and then some. Best one yet, best book I've ever read, and I'm looking forward to the next!
Rating:
Summary: Ladys and gentlemen, Jordan's done it again!!
Review: This one of the best books Robert Jordan has ever written. From the search to find the Black Ajah, Rand and the Aiel, Perrin at Two Rivers again, this book takes the cake. A must read. Full of great adeventure with Rand, the Dragon Reborn, going to Rhuidean and proclaiming himself Car'a'carn to the Aiel and being challenged by Couladin of the Shaido. And every step of the way, Lanfear is there. Perrin has his trouble with Whitecloaks and Trollocs at Emonds Feild, and Nyneave and Elayne duke it out in Tancicho with the Black Ajah and a Forsaken. This book is the best fantasy you can get with a great story line, and the ongoing battle between good and evil. Having the best ending in the series, Shadaow Rising is a must for any fantasy lover.
Rating: 
Summary: Great, but some parts were a drag
Review: I think this book deserves a solid 4 stars. I loved it, near the end I was especially in a have-to-read mood, but some parts you do kind of have to pull yourself through. And even though he does it excellently, I wish Robert Jordan would do a little less describing and get on with the story. And I wished the Aiel had remained more mysterious. But seriously, those were the only things wrong with it, unless you count the fact that I thought the first three books were a tad better. Definetely don't start this book if you haven't read the first three, and definetely don't fell overwhelmed by it's size (it goes by surprisingly fast!). I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes this sort of thing. And even to some people who don't...yet. If you totally disagree with my opinion, or if you totally agree, feel free to e-mail me, that's why I left my address.
Rating:
Summary: 'Shadow Rising' a.k.a. 'The Aiel Book'
Review: I admit it. When I first read 'Eye of the World', I thought the Aiel were a neat idea. A mysterious xenophobic group of people. But, as Jordan has done with so many things, he shreds the mystery. By the end of the book, the reader knows everything about the Aiel. I mean everything. Jordan spends at least 400 pages concerning Aiel. '..Shadow..' follows the by-now-familiar pattern of Jordan's books..an interesting beginning followed by a fast descent into mediocrity, then wraps it up into a mind-blowing final 100 pages. Sometime around the middle of this book, Jordan's constant use of the same phrases really started to bother me. He spends way too much time having characters upset with others...also the amused looks are way too much. Example: Character X (usually one of the Big 3) is teased/mocked/embarrassed by a supporting character (usually an Aiel). Character X's traveling companions always look on with a smile on their faces, enjoying X's discomfort. Jordan must have used this 15 times. Even more annoying though is Jordan's arrogant characters. The Aiel Wise Women are at the top of the list. They think everyone else is 'foolish'. Apparently they despise everyone who thinks differently from them. From there it's a short step to the rest of the women. They think all men are 'foolish'. Jordan's favorite term for men is 'wool-brained'. After about 80 instances in this book alone, I, for one, was very tired of it. Finally Jordan likes to have a character muttering under its breath..usually about something derogatory to another character. The first time it was funny. The next 15...no. Wrapping it up, 'The Shadow Rising' is not a great book. Robert Jordan is not a great writer. It is entertaining. As I said earlier, the final 100 pages are slam-bang entertainment. I couldn't put the book down (I even took an extra lunch hour to finish the book off). If you're looking for good fantasy, WITH good writing, check out Donaldson's Thomas Covenant books.
Rating:
Summary: The Shadow Strikes Back
Review: I have just started reading Jordan's works, and I am continually being draw in to his world. Despite some sexism and the oft-read repetition, RJ is still the reigning king of fantasy. He seems to step into this world whenever he feels like it, take notes on what's happening, come back to the real world and compile his facts together. It makes for an amazing and engrossing read, no matter who you are. I quote: anyone who disagrees with me is a "wooden-headed, wool-brained lummox!!"
Rating:
Summary: Jordan has done it once again!!!
Review: Jordan truely is one of the most fantastic authors I have read. The Wheel of Time is a exceptional series that I recommend highly. If you can make it past the first few chapters of "The Eye of the World", get ready for an adventure that leaves you spellbound and ready for the next book in the series. In this book Rand has fullfilled the prophecies of the Dragon Reborn and the Stone of Tear has fallen. Two more of the Forsaken have been dealt with and now the Aiel feel a longing for the Waste. It is discovered that the Aiel Clan chiefs are marked with a dragon upon making it through the sacred city Ruideian. Their secret name is the dragon's people. Rand, Mat, Eqwene, and some of the others follow the Aiel into the waste. Rand is interested in finding if he is "The one who comes with dawn", the Aiels Chief of Chiefs. Does Rand complete another part of the Prophecies? Twice and Twice shall he be marked. Twice the heron, and twice the Dragon. If he does fulfill another prophecy of the Dragon Reborn, does this fullfill the Aiel prophecies. You'll have to read to find out. Perrin, doesn't make the trip into the Aiel waste, but his is an adventure in his own. Fain goes after Rand by vowing to destroy the Two Rivers and all he loves. Perrin is the only one who can make the trip to save their boyhood home. Mat has his own destiny to fulfill, for he learns he must die in order to live again. This book will leave you mezmerized and you will not want to put it down.
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