Rand al'Thor is just another shepherd in the backcountry area of the Two Rivers. He and his friends from Edmond's Field, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Egwene al'Vere, are looking forward to another Bel Tine as spring comes.

But then everything changes.

The night before Bel Tine, Trollocs attack Edmond's Field -- specifically, the houses of Rand, Mat, and Perrin. Trollocs are creatures of the Dark One have not been seen for years upon years. In the aftermath of the battle, Rand is confronted by Moiraine, an Aes Sedai (basically: witch/magician) who has come looking for him. She convinces him that he and his friends must leave the Two Rivers and come to Tar Valon for their own safety.

This is the beginning of an epic series by Robert Jordan that follows Rand and the other people whose lives he influences.

Fantasy nuts. It's a life-changing story, something that people can relate to: Leaving home for the first time and setting out to see the world. It's a little depressing and scary in parts, but otherwise interesting and engaging.

In this book, Perrin's adventures are my favorite part. He has a part of himself that he is forced to deal with when he and Egwene get separated from the others.

Nothing. This is an excellent book.

Read the others (for the first time, and later again). There are ten published books in this series, including this one.

Meditative. The book makes you think, question your own values. It's also a little scary (as was mentioned before) because Rand, Mat, and Perrin have to face the Dark One -- all in their own ways.

Has a gift for detail and description.

It's the typical save-the-world plot often found in fantasy, but with twists that keep it interesting. Good and Evil are not always defined here, and stereotypes lead to ignorance.

It's long, and the others after it are longer. Don't start unless you intend to read them all.

The book becomes episodic in the middle, switching from various POV's -- Rand, Perrin, Nyneave (the village Wisdom who follows the group when they leave), and even a little Moiraine.

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Created Oct 26, 2003 at 2:56pm • Submit your own review...