The Great Hunt (Book Review) Book #2 of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

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The Great Hunt is the second book of the Wheel of Time series (for me it was the first book I read of the series) and was published in November of 1990. The Eye of the World, and The Great Hunt were originally one book. When it came to be published it was decided that it was to large, and must be printed as two books.

The Great Hunt quickly follow the events of the Eye of the World. After Rand and his friends visit the Eye of the World in the first book, and soundly defeat one of the Forsaken. They retrieve from the Eye of the World three items…a fragmented disc of white and black that forms the ancient sign of the Aes Sedai, which is a seal on the Dark Ones prison that is made of “cuendillar”. Also with the seal they find a Dragon banner, and the famous Horn of Valere. A mystical horn that is alleged to be able to call back dead heroes from the grave to fight in the last battle.

The main protagonist, Rand Al’Thor also makes a discovery about himself. He is declared the Dragon Reborn by the Aes Sedai he left home with, and the Amrylin Seat. In this book he begins to understand the reason why he was plucked from his village, and why the Dark One may be after him, and his friends. This book documents the struggle Rand has with his ability to channel the One Power (a definite death sentence for any man) as well as the hunt for the Horn of Valere, and a cursed dagger that was found in Shadar logoth. The dagger is psychically attached to Mat, and in the process is killing him. In order to save the world, and save his friend…Rand must join the great hunt.

The Great Hunt is the hunt for the famed Horn of Valere and the cursed dagger. Each of the friends that are gathered in book one of the series, once again venture in different directions in this book. Egwene Al’vere and Nynaeve Al’meara leave for Tar Valon with Moiraine to train to be Aes Sedai. Rand, Perrin, Mat, and Loial leave with a group of Shienarian soldiers to find the great Horn of Valere and the cursed dagger that was stolen in Fal Dara.

There is tension between characters, and surprising plot twists, great adventures, and even alternate worlds in this book.

Prophecies of the book:

1. And it shall come to pass that what men made shall be shattered, and the Shadow shall lie across the Pattern of the Age, and the Dark One shall once more lay his hand upon the world of man. Women shall weep and men quail as the nations of the earth are rent like rotting cloth. Neither shall anything stand nor abide…

Yet one shall be born to face the Shadow, born once more as he was born before and shall be born again, time without end. The Dragon shall be Reborn, and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth at his rebirth. In sackcloth and ashes shall he clothe his people, and he shall break the world again by his coming, tearing apart all ties that bind. Like the unfettered dawn shall he blind us, and burn us, yet shall the Dragon Reborn confront the Shadow at the Last Battle, and his blood shall give us the Light. Let tears flow, O ye people of the world. Weep for your salvation.

-from The Karaethon Cycle: The Prophecies of the Dragon,

as translated by Ellaine Marise’idin Alshinn

Chief Librarian at the Court of Arafel,

in the Year of Grace 231 of the New Era, the Third Age

2. And men cried out to the Creator, saying, O Light of the Heavens, Light of the World, let the Promised One be born of the mountain, according to the prophecies, as he was in Ages past and will be in Ages to come. Let the Prince of the Morning sing to the land that green things will grow and the valleys give forth lambs. Let the arm of the Lord of Dawn shelter us from the Dark, and the great sword of justice defend us. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.

-from Charal Drianaan te Calamon, The Cycle of the Dragon,Author unknown, the Fourth Age