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WoT04_TheShadowRising

The Shadow Rising which is the fourth book of the series (one of my favorites) is a deeper look into the world and the characters of the Wheel of Time. The book itself has at least four different plot lines.

At the beginning of the book we pick up inside the Stone in Tear. Rand has retrieved the crystal sword called Callandor. And is being publicly hailed as the Dragon Reborn. Rand has a mysterious army, a group of people called the Aiel. They are the People of the Dragon according to prophecy. But already Rand is being hunted by various Forsaken, and one in particular who seeks to make him her lover. Lanfear who was famously in love with Lews Therin Telamon in the last Age, and is highly determined that she will have Rand Al’Thor no matter the cost.

While Rand is in the Stone it comes under attack by Trollocs and Myrdralls sent by one of the Forsaken named Sammuel. There is a gruesome battle that takes place with many innocent dead including a child. Rand was unable to raise the child back to life although he tried. This event wounds the soul of Rand, and he blames himself. In order to get his mind right, and to sidestep his enemies, he decides to go into the Aiel Waste. A barren land with little contact with the outside world. Rand teleports all of the Aiel from the Stone, as well as Mat, Moiraine, Egwene, and Lan to the Aiel Waste. It is from here that Rand begins to learn more about himself, and about his people, the People of the Dragon.

Perrin hears of trouble brewing in his home village of the Two Rivers. He journeys back home to face the consequences.

In Tarabon Elayne and Nynaeve face one of the Forsaken while hunting for the mysterious Black Ajah.

Elmindreda, or most commonly referred to as Min heads to Tar Valon to answer questions from the Amrylin Seat.

Prophecies of the Book:

1. The Shadow shall rise across the world, and darken every land, even to the smallest corner, and there shall be neither Light nor safety. And he who shall be born of the Dawn, born of the Maiden, according to Prophecy, he shall stretch forth his hands to catch the Shadow, and the world shall scream in the pain of salvation. All Glory be to the Creator, and to the Light, and to he who shall be born again. May the Light save us from him.

-from Commentaries on the Karaethon Cycle

Sereine dar Shamelle Motara

Council-Sister to Comaelle, High Queen of Jaramide

(circa 325 AB, the Third Age)

2. And when the blood was sprinkled on ground where nothing could grow, the Children of the Dragon did spring up, the People of the Dragon, armed to dance with death. And he did call them forth from the wasted lands, and they did shake the world with battle.

-from The Wheel of Time by Sulamein so Bhagad

Chief Historian at the Court of the Sun, the Fourth Age

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Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Publication Date: September 15, 1992

Publisher: Tor

Genre: Fantasy

Pace: fast

Pov: Third person, multiple views

Pages: 699 (includes dictionary) Hardcover

Best Lines: “The worst sin a general can commit, worse than blundering, worse than losing, worse than anything, is to desert the men who depend on him.”