Product Description

The fourth book in Robert Jordan's internationally bestselling epic fantasy series, THE WHEEL OF TIME, now reissued with a stunning new cover design. The Stone of Tear, invulnerable fortress of legend, has fallen. The Children of the Dragon have risen to the call of prophecy and march to the aid of the Light. Callandor, the Sword That Is Not a Sword, is held by Rand al' Thor, the man proclaimed as the Dragon Reborn. But still the shadows lengthen and still the Forsaken grow in strength. If he is to fight them, Rand must master the male half of the True Source, a power corrupted by the Dark One, a power that drives men to madness, a power that may save or damn the world. Find out more about this title and others at www.orbitbooks.co.uk

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5782 in Books
• Published on: 1993-05-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 1046 pages

Review
'Epic in every sense' THE TIMES 'On very rare occasions, very talented storytellers create worlds that are beyond fantasy; worlds that become realities. Robert Jordan has' MORGAN LLYWELYN 'A powerful vision of good and evil' ORSON SCOTT CARD

From the Publisher
THE SHADOW RISING is Book Four of THE WHEEL OF TIME, Robert Jordan’s international best-selling epic fantasy series.

Praise for Robert Jordan

‘With THE WHEEL OF TIME, Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal’ THE NEW YORK TIMES

‘A powerful vision of good and evil’ ORSON SCOTT CARD

‘Epic in every sense’ THE TIMES

‘Well written adventure on the grand scale’ ANNE MCCAFFREY

‘Glowing with true magic’ FRED SABERHAGEN

The Wheel of Time series:
THE EYE OF THE WORLD, THE GREAT HUNT, THE DRAGON REBORN, THE SHADOW RISING, THE FIRES OF HEAVEN, LORD OF CHAOS, A CROWN OF SWORDS, THE PATH OF DAGGERS, WINTER’S HEART

About the Author
Robert Jordan was born in 1948 in Charleston. He was a graduate of the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, with a degree in physics, and served 2 tours in Vietnam. His hobbies inc. hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool and pipe collecting. He died in September 2007.

Customer Reviews

The best book I have read since Lord of the Rings and Dune
I stumbled across Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series by accident when I bought a 5 for the price of 4 offer on the first books in several famous fantasy series. The Eye of the World gripped me much more than the others, and I've just completed this 4th episode. The major characters have been developed very well over the 4 books, and the 3 or 4 starnds of narrative are always interowrked skillfully. What sets this episode above the first 3 for me ( and they were very good) is the thread where the central character, Rand Al'Thor, discovers the history of the Aiel through the memories of his direct ancestors. Another development is the increased importance of the dream world "Tel an' Rhiad?" and the development of the powers of Egwene et al. The continued presence of the Forsaken , the Seanchan and the black Ajah keep all threads exciting and interesting: I like my plots complex!

I loved it!
This has to be one of the best books I have ever read. I am completely hooked on The Wheel of Time series. The world created seems so real, it is amazing! I loved the development of the storyline and the characters. The way Robert Jordan writes is magic. I finished the book within two weeks and would gladly pick it up again. As soon as I had finished it I wanted to carry on with the next one. Definately a worth while read.

The Best Yet
This book is simply brilliant. I loved it.

I always say this about Jordan's books (see my other reviews!!) but the same applies, good character and plot development, great suspense and a good overall experience. Yet this book is even better than all the others so far in the wheel of time series.

This book features more of Rand Al'Thor than the last book (a big relief) and furthers the plot a great deal. We see Rand's adventures in the waste take up a major part of this book. Yet also Perrin Ayabara has his own sub-adventure to follow and add more suspense to the plot.

A lot of people say that these subplots are simply to pad out the books and are only parts people want to get past. But i disagree as I think that they do add something to the plot and make for a good read. They can also be a bit easier going than the complex dealings with The Dragon Reborn and his work.

Perrin's part is also supported by old charcters such as Tam Al'Thor, not seen since the first book and a good character. I will not say what happens in the sub-plot as it will ruin your reading of the book but i will say that you should read this.

The second sub-plot involves Elayne, Nynaeve, Thom Merrillin and the Thief-Taker from TDR. This bit seems to be a good piece but the weakest plot arc of the book. While the characters and general story are well developed, they spend too long walking through the streets of a dangerous town for my liking. Not a major downpoint (the only one I can think of!!)

The ending of this book is as fast-paced and powerful as ever with a mighty double barrelled fight involving Perrin and Rand, both fighting seperate battles on opposite sides of the continent. Yet these battles follow one after the other to bring the close to another piece of magnificent writing by Robert Jordan.

As I always say with these books i will reccomend this but if you have not read books 1-3, read them first. This book will make absolutely no sense without the knowledge contained within the first books.