The Dragon Reborn: Book Three of 'The Wheel of Time'

The Dragon Reborn--the leader long prophesied who will save the world, but in the saving destroy it; the savior who will run mad and kill all those dearest to him--is on the run from his destiny.

Able to touch the One Power, but unable to control it, and with no one to teach him how--for no man has done it in three thousand years--Rand al'Thor knows only that he must face the Dark One. But how?

Winter has stopped the war-almost-yet men are dying, calling out for the Dragon. But where is he?

Perrin Aybara is in pursuit with Moiraine Sedai, her Warder Lan, and the Loial the Ogier. Bedeviled by dreams, Perrin is grappling with another deadly problem--how is her to escape the loss of his own humanity.

Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve are approaching Tar Valon, where Mat will be healed--if he lives until they arrive. But who will tell the Amyrlin their news--that the Black Ajah, long thought only a hideous rumor, is all too real? They cannot know that in Tar Valon far worse awaits...

Ahead, for all of them, in the Heart of the Stone, lies the next great test of the Dragon reborn....

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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.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

The best of the first threeMar 20, 2003
By Neal C. Reynolds
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.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:

Good resolutionApr 16, 2002
By newyork2dallas
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.

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:

A Treasure!!Jul 17, 2002

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!

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