Customer Reviews

Dragon Reborn (Wheel of Time 03)

5 star:		(186)
4 star:		(90)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 8) -- so be forewarned about what you may be getting into.

The Dragon Reborn is a book of chases. Moiraine, Lan, Perrin, Loial chase Rand; Egwene, Elayne, Nynaeve chase the Black Ajah; Mat and Thom chase the girls. Of course, they all happen to meet at the same place, which is the last time in the series that all plot threads come together at the end. Like book 2, TDR is more action oriented than the other books, with some memorable scenes, but not a lot really happens. Compared to book 4, TDR is literaly whetting our appetites for the meaty offerings to come.
One of the pleasures of TDR comes from finally meeting a few Aiel, and some pretty important ones. The girls meet Aviendha and Rhuarc, Perrin meets Gaul, and Mat nearly dances with a Maiden or two. We saw just enough of the Aiel to make us curious. Perrin also meets his falcon, Zarine Bashere, a character that tends to inspire some remarkable passionate reactions - you either love her or hate her, but either way, you have to feel a bit sorry for Perrin, who never knew what hit him.
As well, we got another glimpse of the White Tower, along with some real head-scratchers. Repeat readers will find many aspects of particular Ase Sedai behaviour questionable at best. Verin's reluctance to give Egwene Corianin Nedeal's notes on dreaming; Sheriam's curious appearance and calm demeanour after Nynaeve and Egwene discovers something strange (she exhibits quite a lot of odd behavior in this book, possibly a set up for what we find out later); and finally, the Amyrlin's mind-bogging decision to let the 3 girls go unaccompanied to Tear to hunt Black Ajah. I've turned that over in my head a million times, and I still cannot see the logic in it. I realize RJ needed them in Tear, but if these girls have great potential, why would she let them go without an escort?
PLOTTING: In TDR, we had 2 plot threads which expanded into 3, but unlike the first 2 books, RJ seemed less interested in the traditional chase journey, and focued more on the girls and Mat. All 3 threads met at the end, but not until the battle, which could have been written with a bit more clarity (How the Aiel got in there? Rand? Moiraine and Lan?)
CHARACTERIZATION: Finally, we got a book that isn't all about Rand. Instead, RJ works on expanding the characterization of Perrin, Mat, Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve. Mat and Egwene in particular receive the most attention. In Mat's case, this is a welcome development, as his character wasn't really developed much in the first 2 books, but with scenes like his quarterstaff battle and the tough slog through the Tairen mud, Mat becomes a true 3-dimensional personality - as well as the most likable.
PACING: An obvious pattern has emerged by now: slow beginning, a splitting of the plot threads, and a slow buildup to a grand finale, with a couple of false climaxes along the way to keep the reader interested. RJ would alter this pattern in future books, but it serves him well in TDR. He maintains a certain amount of suspense with confidence and ease; I quite like the timing of everyones arrival in Tear.
BEST SCENE: This one is tough. I'm going to go with Mat's remarkable 2-on-1 battle against Gawyn and Galad. Before this scene, we really didn't have any idea what Mat (and his luck) was capable of, but Mat's ability with the staff hints at the Old Blood running strong in him.
MOST POV: I think you probably could call it a fairly even split between Perrin, Mat, and Egwene, with the final nod to Mat. RJ worked hard to build up their characters, obviously in anticipation of future books.
OVERALL: TDR has many treasures between its covers to keep the reader interested, and the book is worth it just for Mat's adventures, let alone the rest of the plot. Still, it was clear that RJ had exhausted this pattern of plot threads, and was ready to try something more complex.

P.S. I'm sorry for my rambling on, and making the review so long. Hope it helps!

Despite the fact that the extremely famous Wheel of Time series seems to have lost some popularity with fans by the 10th book, this is a good epic (at least for the first 4 books I've read so far). Just like Tolkien allegedly created his world to explore the various invented languages, so too it seems that one of the motivations behind Jordan's creation is to suggest how mythology is born, lived and forgotten. As a result, the Wheel of Time world is centred on the idea of the revolving wheel where the succession of ages, is circular. The series contains a very well thought out universe and mythology as well as interesting characterisation and good writing. I don't really consider fantasy a favourite genre but this series has been good at least in the beginning.

This third book contains many good parts that I enjoyed - the continuation of the glimpse of the Game of the Houses and the idea of the Forsaken having infiltrated much of the kingdoms' societies, the near-impossible prophecy of Rand having to storm Tear to prove himself the Dragon Reborn and the menace of the Black Ajah finally taking toll. However, much of the book is spent in Rand-space - waiting for Rand to decide what to do, looking for Rand, Rand being tormented by everything he sees from rabbits to grass and hills etc etc. This seems to go on for a few hundred pages and the tidbits of information in the midst of all this just aren't enough to stop the mind from wandering.

These faults (which are basically the same in the next book) largely spoil what could have been a much punchier continuation of the saga.

Let me tell you how good this book is. My public library didn't have books one and two of the Wheel of Time series, so I was stuck with book three (a friend of mine had recommended the series to me). But even though I was missing out on roughly 2000 pages of material, Robert Jordan developed his characters and his world so well that I felt that I wasn't missing anything at all. I remember that I couldn't wait to come home so I could read this great book. I think the biggest thing that I liked about it was that it was ORIGINAL. No sorcerers (at least not by that name), no fire-breathing dragons. The characters treated the enemies as if they were REAL, causing me to further believe in the story. I like how RJ starts off the book by putting one of the characters in a wicked catch-22 situation. And RJ is very skilled when it comes to ending a chapter. Some authors are so boring that you have to push yourself to turn the page. Not so with this book. But most of all, I liked the part towards the end, where they're on the rooftop, which reminded me of that chimney-sweep dancing scene in Mary Poppins. Sorta. As for those of you who complain that Rand becomes the Dragon Reborn too quickly, I don't know what you're talking about. It takes him 2000+ pages to become the Dragon Reborn. All throughout the series we see how he is slowly making the transition from denial to acceptance. In this book he finally accepts who he is. Believe me, a slow transition like that is far more believable than one of those dumb books where the protagonist realizes that he's a prince on page 50 and kills the "ultimate" evil on page 300. Do yourself a favor, pick up this book and read it. I've read it FOUR times (and counting). In my mind, this is one of the top three Wheel of Time books. I'd rather read a bad (not that he's written any bad books) RJ book than read some stupid L. Sprague de Camp book who is a PASTICHE author, who can only make his living finishing uncompleted ROBERT E. HOWARD Conan stories!

As with other Wheel of Time books, I prefer to limit this review to this particular book and judge it for its own merits and not for the series as a whole.

In this, the third installment of the Wheel of Time, the characters find themselves going in different directions while pursuing various tasks. There is more and more intrigue as various powers decide what to do about the many conflicting reports they have of the events in previous books.

As is common with sequels, there is a lot that won't make sense to a reader that hasn't read the previous books, but this book still manages to keep the components of a stand alone book. A clear beginning (characters trying to decide what to do about the situation they now have due to prior events) and a clear ending (The main objective of this novel having resolution).

What I liked:

*The resolution of a couple of threads, the opening of some others.
*Rand and Mat becomming more Independent, signs that Perrin may be getting there as well.
*More adventure in a deep, very well presented world.
*Battles involving the Aiel
*More Battles involving the Forsaken

What I didn't like:

*The constant cat-fighting among Egwene-Nynaeve-Elayne (though at times this was actually quite amusing).
*Faile. One of my least favorite characters.

In summary:

All in all, this is another great work by RJ that takes you on yet another adventure which not only resolves the quest at hand, but also resolves some issues that go back to the previous book. I give it 5 stars without hesitation (Not liking certain characters just isn't a good enough reason to take a star away).

The Dragon Reborn is perhaps the best novel I have read by Robert Jordan. The strength of the plot is impecable and Jordan moves through it quickly enough that it is exciting. If you liked the first two Wheel of Time novels, you will love this novel. I encourage you to read this novel closely, because Jordan reveals the plot of the next novels in three prophcies Moraine mentions. As of book nine, two of them have been fulfilled, and I can see where the third will be fulfilled. If you have already read the Wheel of Time, I encourage you to reread the Dragon Reborn because of its importance in the overall plot.

What happens. Rand has declared himself the Dragon Reborn and is being tormented in his dreams. In an attempt to assure himself of his claim, he sets out to fulfill a prophecy of the Dragon. He leaves by himself and we see only glimpses of his travel, while we track Rand with Lan and Perrin and watch the search for the Black Ajah with Egwene, Elayne, and Nyn. I find the most entertaining parts of the novel to be those that concern Mat. Mat is healed in the White Tower and leaves before he has regained his full strength. He faces many dangers as he delivers a letter for Elayne and travels to Tear.

The novel is amazing. I have read it three times. I encourage you to buy it also, because you will likely read it more than once.