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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: Among the best of the series
Review: What a great book! In some ways Shadow Rising marks a dramatic change from the first three books of the series. The pace of the narrative slows, while the complexity and richness of the WOT world expands dramatically. In my opinion Shadow Rising is the book that changed WOT from a five book series to a 12+ book series.

After a dramatic beginning in Tear our protagonists break into three groups and head their different ways. The three major story lines follow Rand, Matt and Egwene to the Aeil waste, Perrin back to the Three Rivers, and Nyneave, Elayne and company to Tanchico. Each of the three threads is entertaining and well written, building to an exciting conclusion. We also begin to understand the bad guys better (Forsaken and Fain). The Rhuidean sequence and the finale of the Three Rivers sequence are two of the highpoints of the entire WOT series.

Highly recommended

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This book was awesome, the best one yet
Review: This is such a good book, The thing I like most is when Perrin goes back to Edmonds Field. A lot of action there, Its cool because Perrins wolf like emotions turn up. The story line is perfectly rounded. You will get hooked on it just like I did. There is so much good stuff in this book and this series right after your done with the last book start over agian. I love the action scenes and when they meet old friends. Another good thing about this book is that it is fast paced. It startes of with an awesome trolloc attack on the Stone. Rand pulls out Callandor and lays some whoopin's on those trollocs. The only bad thing is that he temperarly went insane. This is a great book.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Good Installment... But Drawn Out at Times
Review: I just started reading these books about 3 months ago. My first delve into the fantasy genre started over a year ago with Terry Goodkind. His work was brillant (except for Faith of the Fallen)and I wanted to give other fantasy authors a try. So I picked up Eye of the World. I must say, there are some things about Wheel of Time that I like more then The Sword of Truth. For instance, the whole concept of magic. I like the male and female aspect of it and how different types of magic are placed into 5 categories. Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Spirit.

But one thing Terry Goodkind does well is advance the plot. Jordan seems to be a bit sluggish in this area. It takes me longer to finish each installment I read just due to sheer boredom. The whole thing with Rand in the desert I felt was too long and drawn out. It would take me a day or two just to get past one of his chapters. Another thing about Jordan (and Goodkind to be truthful) is that he may sometimes give his character's a lack of realism. Like take for instance the whole thing with Nynaeve and Elayne. They are trying so hard to work harder at not getting caught by the Black Ajah. And Nynaeve practically pulls her braid out yelling at Thom, the theifcatcher, and Domon to be careful. But the next minute she is drinking tea and blabbing out all of their secrets to a woman she hardly knows and doesn't even flinch. And when she finds out the woman is Seanchan. She continues to discuss plans and Black Ajah in front of her. Her excuse is that they can't free the woman. True, but couldn't Elayne have woven air around her ears to keep her from hearing?

And the continous jump from Rand's ancestor to ancestor was mind boggling. It took me awhile just to realize who it was they were talking about. And that lasted WAY to long.

But all in all, it was a fun book and I like to see advancment in everybody's abilites and there was plenty of that. So I will give the next book a try. Hopefully it will be better then tis one was

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Why?
Review: Jordan is dragging this series out, and it really need to be put out of it's misery. It wasn't ever very good, chock full of cliqhes galore, has everything to hate about the current fantasy scene. Rand is the usual moron who is the 'chosen one'. And the women are somehow better than he, and of course he is irritated about that and cannot 'understand' them. After getting to the aiel waste he wastes time (along with everyone else who is not from the aiel waste) worrying about the way the aiel live, anyways, the whole thing is boring and seem to take the reader intelegance like there is none, good for those who have allready swallowed the bait, but bad for those who have read anything better. (I sugest "A Game of Thrones" but not this.)

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: when is this going to end?
Review: Ok, ok,I admit that this is a great series and a wonderful read, but please enough is enough! Jordan, this is more in the realm of the tedious now you know...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Magnetism
Review: _The Shadow Rising_ is an excellent book. I am quite a latecomer to the World of Time series but having recently sped through Books 1-3, this one has definitely cemented my addiction to the series. I couldn't put it down! Rand has finally shown his full acceptance of his fate and is ready to perform his 'duties' for the world else the Dark One succeed. It is clear to readers that the fatigue and pressure of such a role takes its toll on Rand as he envelopes himself more and more into his own little world - to the extent that even we only see parts of his world and thoughts. Jordan has woven an excellent web around Rand - enticing us with small parts of his plans and thoughts as the Mighty Dragon Reborn - enough to weave the book with solid threads of mystery and to capture the readers imagination more. Perrin has similarly evolved to an acceptance of his place in the world and has a love interest. Mat is still up to his old tricks - observed by all to still be a gambler/pilferer and at times emanating a very selfish attitude. But he is strong taeveren as readers know, and it is not easy for someone like him to escape his responsibilities, and fate. Speeding through from adventure to adventure, answering answers to old planted puzzles, adding dashes of romance, elements of mystery, and magic catapults this book to its status an outstanding contribution to the genre of science fiction/fantasy. In my opinion, some of the weaknesses in this book are those that have stood throughout the series - the portrayal of women, painted too commonly with women all acting 'icy' towards men and amazingly impatient and disrespectful at times, and the element of romance - this has been stronger in this book and welcomingly so but Jordan draws an uncertain hand in depicting this and the romance is always fleeting, and dissatisfying. And just if I could? My suggestion - get rid of Nyaeve! (The most ill tempered, illogical, and irritating character) The fact that a man such as Lan loves her makes it worse Nevertheless, an excellent read and an enjoyable, thrilling one at that!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: it's really slowing down
Review: Maybe Jordan peaked too soon, or maybe there's a hidden meaning somewhere that will pop up later. (I hope) this one took me a bit longer to read, mainly because I just couldn't get into it at all. It was, however, a good book because you got to know the others characters better. Like Perrin always had that window dressing theme until this book, and Mat got a better look, it was ... interesting to see what make him tick. I was relived to see the three boys start acting like young men rather than the past "goody two-shoes" they all seemed to be growing up. I love how shy Perrin is and also how life like. I loved the book mainly because I loved getting more of Perrin. I reccomend reading this book just for the insight on the characters besides Rand.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wow! This one is good!
Review: I'm just gonna say one thing... if you could give this book more then five stars, I would! Everything in this book is just so... Impressive! I really love the relation between Faile and Perrin... man so sweet! And It's really sad that Perrins family got killed... Jordan has it all in this book! Both sadness, and also happyness! The only thing i missed in this book, was a fight between Rand and The Dark one, but It doesn't really matter, because there are many other fights. I'm Just gonna tell you all! GET THIS BOOK NOW!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great as usual
Review: The story continues as Rand, having subdued (in a sense) Tear, sets off for the Waste. _The Shadow Rising_ has a few amazing chapters about the history of the Aiel, helping make it one of the best books in the series. The Aiel customs are worthy of a book just to themselves, and watching Rand try to learn them is hilarious. The sense of lurking evil is also slightly more potent in _The Shadow Rising_ than in the earlier novels. Rand encounters the Shadow while trying to gain Aiel support; Mat, while obeying the prophecies of the mysterious people in a ter'angreal; Perrin, back at home in the Two Rivers, in scenes that are some of the most affecting in the series. I'll just say that the Bornhalds come back to haunt him. Egwene begins to study with the Aiel Dreamwalkers, eventually gaining the most maturity of any of the Two Rivers friends so far. Elayne and Nynaeve continue the search for the Black Ajah with two additions to their team and a few surprises to discover in post-Seanchan Tanchico. The ending, although not as battle-filled as the previous two books, is one of the most vivid-- I hate it for what happens during it, but I'll read it over and over. For a while, the fate of the world literally hanging by a thread of the Power.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: ROBERT JORDAN RISING
Review: The Wheel of Time series hits some new heights with this fourth book. It starts where the third book left off--the Stone of Tear. Rand is the Dragon Reborn, the Stone has fallen, and the sword called Callandor is in Rand's possession. But Rand can't stay in the musty fortress forever. The Last Battle is coming and Rand has a long way to go to get ready for it. Meanwhile, Mat is trying to find some answers, while the women are hunting down some of the members of the Black Ajah. In some parts this book is slower than the previous three, but some of the parts that I mention below are what make this book an easy 5 stars. About a third through the book is a part where Rand has a series of visions where he learns about the true history of the Aiel. There is lots of history in those two chapters for you Wheel of Time buffs out there, so you might want to make a chart or something when you get to that part. That part's very fun to read. Another good part is where the young Tinker named Aram picks up a sword for the first time. I found that scene very moving and convincing. When you read about Tanchico, there will be mention of a museum-type place where there is a dinosaur-like skeleton (from what I gather of RJ's description). If you've been paying attention, he mentions it in book 2 in a sentence somewhere. Although I started the series with book 3 (and loved it!), I wouldn't recommend starting with book 4--unless you're really desperate to read this book. There is simply too much stuff you'd have missed out on. Like most of the Wheel of Time books, I own this one in hardback and am most pleased with it. I highly recommend this book.


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