The Dragon Reborn: Book Three of ‘The Wheel of Time’

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1. 

   Ash1138 @ 5:47 am

   Seems there are two camps readers of the Wheel of Time series; those that think this is the greatest fantasy epic ever written and those that think the series is pure garbage (even though they still read 4-5 of the books). I seem to be one of the rare individuals who like the books yet still see the flaws in them. For this, the gushing fan-boys tend to rate my reviews not helpful.

   Seriously, there are great elements to Jordans books but to think any of them are five star books is just fooling yourself. If you are one of those individuals who’s about to click the “no – this wasn’t helpful to me” button because the Wheel of Time books are some of the best books you’ve ever read, I urge you to read more books by better authors.

   Here is what’s good about the Wheel of Time: It’s a huge epic fantasy of almost unparalleled scope. It’s an immense sweeping saga of good versus evil that plays like soap operah in many aspects. It makes good use of fantasy cliche’s such as ignorant farmers grow up to be heroes of the world and prophecies of a chosen one defeating evil. I like Wheel of Time because it is something I can get into. Robert Jordan gives you a world and characters you grow fond of without having it end after a few nights reading. Finally, Jordan’s skill at writing alone keeps you turning pages. Nothing may happen, but at least it’s enjoyable to read.

   The bad: Way too many subplots and way too much development of irrelevent details. Many times, Jordans books seem to lose focus, and this one is no different. He tends to go off into lengthy tangents only to come to the heart of the story at the very end. The other thing (and I fault the editor for allowing this) is Jordan’s use of “convenient” storytelling. I talked about this on my review of book two. It’s annoying when the characters just seem to be able to do whatever they need to do whenver the script calls for it. When a character manifests some new power or ability, it should not be right when he/she needs it. That is a cheap way to tell stories, and any no-name writer would be reemed by their editor for trying to do so.

   Fortunately, in The Dragon Reborn, the climactic ending doesn’t make use of convenient storytelling (though other parts of the book do) and Jordan mostly succeeds in writing a book that is only a small part of the series yet works on it’s own. Much of the book focuses on the three girls Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne and their learning to become Aes Sedai. This is all well and good, but aren’t these supposed to be supporting characters? Jordan has still failed to really show a strong main character. Logic would tell you it was Rand, but he get’s less screentime than anyone. Jordan’s books would all be so much better if they were more focused. He spends too much time juggling way too many characters and all the events that happen with them. Of course, lovers of long fantasy epics don’t seem to mind this, and since I am one, I enjoy the books.

   In all, if you liked the first two books, you will like this one as well. It’s better than book one yet not quite as good as book two.

   
2. 

   Ritesh Laud @ 6:29 am

   This is a great book, but moves somewhat slower than the first two. I read it first a couple years ago, and now I’m kind of re-reading it and am about halfway through it. Unlike the first two in the series, the focus lifts off Rand as well as giving us a somewhat clearer view of events outside the knowledge of the protagonists.

   The scheming of the Forsaken becomes less muddled, although the reader is still very much in the dark as to what alliances have formed among the Forsaken. It becomes obvious for the first time that the Aiel will play a MAJOR role in Rand’s destiny and he will need their help.

   As far as the main characters are concerned, Rand himself is in flight practically the entire book and Jordan doesn’t spend much time on him. The pacing seems a bit off; Rand should be out-distancing the rest of the companions (because they have several adventures along the way, i.e. Perrin and Faile, the wolf-man, etc.), yet Moiraine manages to end up in Tear at about the same time as Rand! Maybe I need to finish re-reading it to understand how that worked.

   As usual, Jordan shows his mastery of immersing the reader in the setting. The descriptions of the Stone of Tear and the final battle within are outstanding. The conclusion is very satisfying and henceforth Rand begins a widely recognized ascendancy as the Dragon Reborn, with promises of a gripping saga ahead!

   
3. 

   Craig MACKINNON @ 7:45 am

   Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series is legendary in its length (11 books, so far, and still not over), so why care about what happens in lowly Book 3? Because ee have some neat plot points, the overall story arc starts to crystallise, and mainly, it is the most enjoyable read of the first three books. I was reminded of Star Wars Ep. 1 – the book has a resolution of it’s main plotline, but it is obvious that there is lots more of the saga to go, especially since we know that, at the end of the book, certain baddies are still on the loose.

   After bringing most of the main characters together for the climax of Book 2, Jordan cleaves the group again for separate journeys to the city of Tear. Prophesy says that only the Dragon Reborn can wield the magic sword stored in the vault of that city’s fortress. Some have complained that it takes a series of unbearable coincidences to get everyone to the final battle, which would be a valid complaint except that Jordan’s world is designed in such a way that unbelievable coincidences can (and often do) occur, because of the overriding “will” of the Wheel of Time. This is a standard literary device, well-known to the ancient Greeks (the Fates) and Arabs (Kismet). It could potentially become a crutch, but in this book Jordan convincingly brings the threads of a number of seemingly diverse storylines together. The reason everyone ends up in Tear? – they all know (or are chasing people who know) that the Dragon Reborn will show up in Tear to claim the magic sword. It’s only a matter of timing (they all arrive at the final battle simultaneously) that needs invocation of the Wheel’s influence.

   Curiously, this book focusses on 3 characters, two of whom are my least favourite in the series (Nynaeve, the petulant bully, and Mat, the selfish prankster). Fortunately, Jordan mostly steers clear of the constant and irritating internal editorialising by these characters that so plagued Book 2. Jordan also finally reveals Mat’s “special power” (of the three “Ta’vern,” we already know that Perrin can speak to wolves and Rand can channel the One Power). I will not reveal it in this review, but it is an ingenious and well-designed power that (so far) is correctly limited in its scope.

   Book 1 was very good, but was clearly a travelogue to get us oriented with Jordan’s world. Book 2 was a 400-page story trapped in a 600 page book, becoming unbearably repititious in places. Book 3 finally lives up to the promise of the series – we are now well underway with the adventure of the reborn Dragon.

   
4. 

   Neal C. Reynolds @ 10:33 am

   I welcomed the change of emphasis in this third book. I was glad to follow Perrin and Matt and learn more of them. Each of the three major characters is fascinating and this third book does reward the reader for following through the first two books. The manipulations of the Aes Sedai do become more complex, and the conflicts between the ajahs are well developed.

   I might groan a bit at the thought of seven more novels published with the promise, or is it a threat, of at least two more to come. However, so far, so good.

   
5. 

   newyork2dallas @ 10:33 am

   Book Three of the growing Wheel of Time series has the most interesting ending of the first three books and develops Mat, Perrin and Nynaeve to the point that their individuality is fully realized by getting inside their heads, instead of just reflected by the other characters’ reactions to them.

   As the book starts, Mat is in Tar Valon for healing and rest, Perrin is with Moiraine chasing Rand across the continent as they try to discern what his plans are. In the end, Rand, Perrin, Nynaeve-Egwene-Elaine, and Mat all end up in Tear where Rand declares his true identity through his deeds and finds some new allies.

   Unlike later books that give short shrift to major characters, The Dragon Reborn maintains a good balance among the three major story threads: the Accepteds traveling cross-country, the chase after Rand, and the wanderings by Mat. Rand’s development is seen through the eyes of his allies more than through his own viewpoint. Because Rand is determined now to drive events, instead of having events determine his actions, this technique works in The Dragon Reborn.

   Given the story arc in books 1-3, this would have been a good demarcation of the first 1/3 of the story — namely, how Rand discovered, abhorred and then began to accept his destiny. Books 4 and 5 detail how Rand fulfills still more prophecies and how he begins to establish hegemony over the Eastern parts of “Randland”. Unfortunately, books 6-9 get bogged down in ancillary matters and lose focus (especially book — so be forewarned about what you may be getting into.