The Great Hunt : Book Two of 'The Wheel of Time'

Rating:
Summary: There's too much of it
Review: Well, I started reading this series about three years ago, and then for some reason quitted (college and everything linked with it keeped me to occupied to read 700+ pages of each book). So it was about time that I try and read it again. This time I hope I'll last trough the whole series. Okay, now that being said, I'll say what is the main problem of this book. Let me put it this way. For six hundred and fifty pages Jordan's characters travel around, making small talks, noticing new and weird stuff around themselves all the time having in their mind some goal which will eventualy resolve itself cause "Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills". And in the last fifty pages entire story, or better, part of the whole story reserved for this book is solved. Fifty pages. One does begin to wonder did we really need those six hundred of them, six hundred pages of various characters appearing and disappearing, all making some wisecracks comments about life and the universe, every five pages Rand mutters to himself that he is not the Dragon reborn and that Tam is his father (though much less than in the first book -> in this one, he slowly starts to accept the fact). It is like stereotype of bad fantasy game (you might even call it a book). Linear travelling from point to point and events just roll by. Oh, and I cannot put out the king of pathetic endings which you will have to read for yourself (if you're going to). So to summarize what do we have here... It is average fantasy with stereotypical characters (while I could name types that appear in other books widely read) with tendency towards epic storytelling which sometimes gets out of hand. If you are fed up with television and want to realx yourself, choose this series (or just the first three books) and then upgrade your yearnings towards something better...

Rating:
Summary: A Fantasy addict's review
Review: I have to admit that Robert Jordan has become an icon for the entire fantasy genre. His intimately detailed images ranging from the various settings and landscapes, to the actions and ranges of emotions portrayed in the enormous character list. He currently has ten books in the series (eleven if you count the prequel novel) and I have enjoyed every one of them. That being said, I would be remiss if I didn't address some things that I have read in other reviews of this series.
1. "RJ's books are too dry and repetitive from book 7 on." The day you actually create a story this in-depth and have your characters go through so much, is the day you can complain about the story getting dry. So there wasn't a battle or someone dying every four pages. Wah, Wah, Wah. As people like our heroes grow and have more experience, the enemy has to continuously think or more complex and in-depth ways of coercion/ killing or what have you. I'll leave it at that.
2. "The books are too long" Ahhhhhhhhh do we actually have to read something longer than a maxim? Are we mad that there are no pictures? Tough. If you don't like it, put this book down and pick up a Maxim, or go back to your religious following of 30 minute sitcom watching acolytes.
3. As for the reviewer J .T. (name withheld to avoid public embarrassment and ridicule)...Are you out of your F***ing mind!? I guarantee I've read more fantasy than you could hope to achieve in your lifetime and almost all of them (as you stated) starts to devolve into the verbal tripe. Where this series differs, is the author's active role to keep the verbal tripe to a minimum, where as Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series repeats at least four paragraphs worth of useless drivel from the first book throughout the rest of the series. Goodkind, Brooks, Weiss, Hackmann, Gregory Niles, Salvatore, Greenwood, Cunningham: you name it...any author out there that has written a series is going to repeat what they believe to be "need to know" information throughout their books because they know that some morons out there for SOME reason like to start in at the middle of the series and then wonder why they are lost the entire book. Finally, if you had read and PAID ATTENTION in the fourth book, there was one of the biggest series shockers of the entire genre with what Rand found out about the whole civilization. In fact I'm just going to stop here and say that you don't know what you are talking about.
Believe me folks when I say that I at least, know what I'm talking about. You could pretty much name every fantasy author over the past 25 years and I've read their work. Jordan is one of the top ten. If you actually like to READ (instead of thumbing through the pages looking at the pretty pictures), then give this series a chance. Don't remain there with the rest of the window licker generation; content to stay in the comfortable 250 page section of young adult novels. Put down the Harry Potter books and join the big boys. I guarantee if you remain open minded then you will join the ever-growing population of Jordan addicts.
And now I believe I've spoken my peace and I'll exit stage left (taking my soap box/ coffee table {don't judge, it's not like you haven't had a bachelor pad before and if you haven't, please move out of you parent's house already!}with me). Thank you for spending 3-5 minutes (depending on how fast you read) out of your day and let me pollute your mind with this opinionated drivel. Good-bye and happy reading.


Rating:
Summary: Even Better then the First
Review: The Great Hunt is the thrilling sequel to Robert Jordan's first novel, The Eye of the World. The plot is just as captivating and exciting as it processor with an ending even more addicting then the first. It had me sitting up until early hours in the morning trying to reach a satisfying ending point more then once; and more often then not I ended up reading until my eyes were beet read and stinging like crazy. This is science fiction fantasy in its prime.

I do not recommend reading this book without reading The Eye of the World first, it makes so much more sense when you know the background of the story and how everything came to be how it is. It begins a few months after Jordan left off with The Eye of the World in the fortress of Fal Dara. When the Amyrlin Seat herself arrives in Fal Dara, Rand can't help but feel like the Aes Sedai are trying to use him for there own purposes. Meanwhile, Fal Dara is attacked by monstrous trollocs and the Horn of Valere is stolen by Padan Fain, a darkfriend who was formally thought to be a simple peddler that used to visit Rand's home, the Two Rivers, regularly. Along with that, he steals Mat Cauthorn's ruby hilted dagger that he needs to survive. Mat and Perrin (Rand's best friends) set out to hunt down Padan Fain and the horn, return it to Fal Dara, and recover the dagger to save Mat's life. Determined not to be an Aes Sedai puppet, Rand joins them to escape their snares while Egwene and Nynaeve depart to Tar Valon to begin training to become Aes Sedai.

One of the nice things about this book is the narration. Not only do we see things form Rand's point of view, but we get a glimpse into Moiraine's mind. We get to learn a little more of her intentions and get a taste of what the Aes Sedai mean to do about Rand since he can channel the One Power. Another trait that adds color to the book is the little bit of emotion we finally see out Lan, Moiraine's stone-faced Warder. He laughs! Actually laughs! And smiles more then once. Who would of thought he and Rand would become such good friends. (He still calls him "sheepherder" though; doesn't quit with that until the forth book.) Apart form that, we begin to see Rand developing his talents with the One Power and assuming his roll in the world as a ta'veren and military leader. There are many obstacles in his way that he learns to overcome and new friends and enemies are met along the way. Perrin also begins to bloom and must learn to accept his connection with wolves and use it to his advantage. It is a fascinating journey for our three ta'veren that is sure to earn this book a place on your favorites list.

The Great Hunt is a brilliant masterpiece and a wonderful addition to the Wheel of Time Series. Just be forewarned that the series is addicting and you're in for a few late nights and a fabulous story. Robert Jordan has such ability to capture a reader and hold their attention through heart-pounding suspense. This is a must read for anyone looking for a lot of excitement and an enjoyable read. This is definitely one of the best books I have ever read.


Rating:
Summary: Two Rivers Folk are Stubborn, very stubborn
Review: I can't believe that Rand is such an idiot in this book. In the beginning he keeps telling himself "The Dark One's dead, the Dark One's dead." Trollocs and Halfmen storm Fal Dara and still "the Dark One's dead". He gets an sudden rush of dizzyness when he names the Dark One's name and still "The Dark One's dead". Darkfriends are still looking for him and still "The Dark One's dead".
Rand still doesn't trust Aes-Sedai, even after one of them cured his father, helped Mat, guided them through Trollocs, Halfmen, and creatures in the Blight, and saved his village from Trollocs.
Rand refuses to believe that he's the Dragon Reborn, even though he knows he's the only man alive who can channel the One Power and that he's not the farmer that he always thought he was, and even when Artur Hawkwing himself calls him Lews Therin.
Man, I wish I could go inside the book and just smack him around a bit.
I also didn't like how Min and Egwene were captured and treated cruely in Falme.
And I can't believe that Rand doesn't make a move with Egwene, Elayne, Min, or Selene.
But other than that, I thought that this book was cool. There are several suprises and cool action scenes. I'll deffinatly read the next book. I just hope that Rand isn't the idiot he is in this one.

Rating:
Summary: Good job Mr. Jordan
Review: As with the other books in this series, I am addressing each book as it stands, not taking into account the whole series. This second book, in my opinion, is a actually better than the first. Character developement has reached a point where it is much easier to track the exploits and tribulations of each of the many, many characters Mr. Jordan has introduced. The story line continues to be solid. As with the first book, this continues to be a very complex work and you cannot just flit your way through it. I did read a couple of other reviewers who felt that Jordan's writing was somewhat juvenile. I might suggets those reviewers go back and take a second look. So much is in they eye of the beholder. I should be able to write like Jordan...sigh. Again, after well over fourty years of reading this particular genre, I feel this is some of the best. It may not be my favorite, but it is good. As to the rest of the series...well we shall see. I highly recommend this one.

Rating:
Summary: Better than Book 1, but closer to the downfall of the series
Review: The Great Hunt is an epic fantasy novel that continues the story begun in The Eye of the World. The book follows the adventures of the same group of village boys (and girls) and, thankfully unlike The Eye of the World, this book doesn't start as a retread of The Lord of the Rings in any fashion. The unique storyline and the fact that characters are developed more three-dimensionally makes this novel even more enjoyable than the first novel. There's plenty of action, intrigue and suspense and the novel as a whole has more direction. Also, The Great Hunt ends much more satisfyingly than rushed and disjointed conclusion of The Eye of the World.

As with the Eye of the World, I give The Great Hunt 5 stars and place it among the top fantasy novels every written, and I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys them, but always with the caveat placed on the later books. Sadly, Jordan has either begun milking his story line for more books and money, or he has created so many loose-ends and characters that he's unsure where to go with it. By Book 10, the handful of main characters from Book 1 have multiplied into literally a hundred that you have a difficult time keeping track of. But again, the series started off so fantastically that I still occasionally reread the first 3-4 books. Book 5 is the pivot that marks the downfall for me. You can actually read the first 3 books and they stand alone very well and can feel like a complete trilogy. Book 4 is better than the first three, but it doesn't give you the apparent resolution that book 3 gives so it's not a good book to stop on. Yet, if you're daring, you can move on, but it'll probably be to your own disappointment.


Rating:
Summary: Its getting better!
Review: This was good, some of the best fantasy that I have ever read. It is an improvement to the Eye of the World. It continues to follow the tradtional fantasy guides that the Eye of the World started with. The plot improves and gets more complicated. There are new forces, enemies, whatever you may call them that enter the book and the idea of the Hunt for the Horn of Valere was good. The end of the book also has good drama and action. Three forces come together in battle, and the battle scene is awesome. The final charge, the invaders from over the sea and...well I won't spoil it, you should read it for yourself. If you have read the Eye of the World, you will have to start with that. The Great Hunt is good and anyone who enjoys traditional fantasy should try this.

Rating:
Summary: Why is this series so popular?
Review: As a lifelong fantasy reader and occasional fiction writer, I have to say that this book is abysmal. It is so badly written that I feel compelled to defend the art of writing against such fodder by, what else, posting a review on Amazon.
Now, admittedly, the first book must have had some redeeming qualities or else I wouldn't have made it through the second one. Or it could just be part of the brilliant marketing trap of book series. Right now, I can't say if I will finish out the series, but since book three is sitting on my shelf, I just might have to read it.
The series is conceptualized quite well. Jordan has set up a vast, complex, and interesting world in which to let is characters roam, though I can't seem to keep all the ancient wars straight. The problems are his characters and his sense of narrative action. The characters are flat and dull; they are as psychologically complex as a group of lab rats. They behave predictably. For instance, Rand makes a big point of thinking "I will not be used!" or something to that effect, just to create tension I suppose, and yet he takes the dragon banner with him. Hello? Is it a shock when he pulls it out and uses it in the end? Yeah, couldn't see that one happening. The big bad guy, Ba'alzamon is a poor cousin to Darth Vadar. "Serve me, and live." What's next, "Rand, I am your father"? And don't get me started on the female characters. They are all predictably and blandly beautiful. Lame things come out of their mouths, like when Elayne says "Is this what an adventure is like?" Such sophisticated dialogue.
I can't shake the feeling that this is the kind of story I might have construed as a young teenager. Jordan's writing is about on that level. The action skips along without any logical progression; in fact, most of the character's actions are illogical. When Rand, Loial and Hurin are transported to that other dimension, it makes perfect sense to them that there is a damsel in distress (Selene) waiting for them and they are in no way suspicious of her. We as readers of course are much smarter, but that's not saying much. That's only one example among many.
If a story is going to be drawn out over twelve books, you had better have characters that are complex and compelling. Jordan hasn't delivered that for me. These cardboard characters could pop up in any kind of literature. There better be considerable payoff in those last pages. If I ever make it that far. Jordan certainly is not compelled to meet our expectations because he is already laughing all the way to the bank.
So, overall, I am largely disappointed. Jordan has done the genre of fantasy a great disservice by weighing down our shelves with this series.


Rating:
Summary: Slow & plodding at times, but still a fun read
Review: I am not a fantasy reader....I had read Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, and a friend at work recommended "Wheel of Time". I have to say, I really enjoyed the first book "Eye of the World". The way the story developed and the characters was fascinating and I was sucked in. About halfway through this second book things.....began....to....slow...way....down. I don't know if I am just tired of following of the same story or if Jordan's writing pace is just wearing me down. I enjoy in depth character studies....but usually only when it pertains to characters who will be focused on throughout the story, Jordan seems to give even the bit players a lengthy description. Also, I am beginning to suspect that almost any storyline involving the main characters; Perrin, Mat, Rand, Loial etc..are beginning to lose the tension the first book held because I don't think Jordan will let any real harm come to them in these first few books. So, when Mat's life seems in danger midway through the book, I don't feel the urgent need to read on because I already know he will survive. I don't know how...just that Jordan doesn't seem willing to kill off one of his main characters. Also, I hope that Jordan will begin to populate his novels with average looking or ugly people. So far everyone who happens along is exceedingly beautiful or strikingly handsome. I was kind of hoping Rand would be described as looking like Clint Howard just to balance things off. Still this isn't a bad book, but I don't think it lives up to the promise of the "Eye of the World". The action and climax of this book is very good once you get there, but be warned, you don't want to start this series here, you would be completely lost.