Spoilers.

We start to move into what I regard as my favorite portion of the series, books 3-5.

First off, I would note that I do see a continuing trend: multiple groups moving independently that manage to end up in the same place (Tear, this time) for the book’s climax. We have Perrin et al trying to follow Rand, though never managing to catch up to him till the very end – interesting that Jordan never quite explains how Rand is able to do this. The wonder trio (Elayne/Egwene/Nynaeve) get caught up in Black Ajah nastiness and head off on their own. Mat randomly hooks up with Thom, discovers a plot in Caemlyn and then hightails it to Tear. Then, there is Rand, who is slowly losing his mind.

Seems somewhat implausible, but Jordan has the good old Pattern to fall back on. “It’s the Pattern’s fault!”

Aviendha is introduced briefly, as are a few more minor characters that play a recurring part. Aiel show themselves with a hint that they might be a major plot point.

Faile shows up. And Perrin falls in love, in the space of a very short time. Maybe I’m cynical, but I have a hard time seeing how two people who fight through the little of the book they’re both in manage to end up being all cuddly-wuddly at the end. It’s the same Nynaeve and Lan thing again – the characters have fallen in love because the narrator says so.

I suppose it could be worse. Elayne and Min are falling for Rand, and he’s not even anywhere near them. Being ta’veren is useful.

I find it interesting that Forsaken manage to gain control of 3 major cities without anyone having heard of it. You would think that someone, somewhere would have noticed. Besides Moiraine as she wanders through them.

The World of Dreams ups its importance in this book, much to my dismay. As I note earlier, I’m not a big fan of dreaming, the World of Dreams, or prophecy – and yet, that’s what much of this book is about.

DR is not quite as action-packed as the first two, but it’s fairly close. With multiple plot points, Jordan is freed from the necessity of having something interesting happening at all times – he can merely switch his focus.

Unfortunately, the climax seems a little rushed and somewhat disjointed; everybody arrives and is doing something, but Jordan can’t focus on everyone at once. Fortunately, unlike Falme, people will stick around in Tear for awhile at the beginning of the next book, allowing time for stuffs to happen.

1. The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time
2. New Spring: The Novel by Robert Jordan
3. Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
4. The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
5. The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
6. The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
7. The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
8. Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan
9. A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan
10. Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan
11. Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan
12. Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan
13. Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan