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The Great Hunt (Wheel of Time #2)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 87,991 ratings · 1,392 reviews

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. For centuries, gleemen have told of The Great Hunt of the Horn. Now the Horn itself is found: the Horn of Valere long thought only legend, the Horn which will raise the dead heroes of the ages.

And it is stolen.

Mass Market Paperback, 705 pages

Published October 15th 1991 by Tor Fantasy (first published November 15th 1990)

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

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May 25, 2013 Jocelyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-star-rating, interesting-stuff, not-bad, reviewed, supersize-monster, well-this-is-hard

You don't know how hard this is. I'd already written a long draft of this over 12k characters, and I lost it. The following review isn't as good as I intended and I'm in no mood to perfect it. I am very angry right now.

*hastily types out review and stomps off*
______________________________

Far better than its predecessor. The Eye of the World was a pleasurable enough read but a little unfulfilling, with much of its future depth and scope deferred rather than delivered. I was willing to give Jord...more

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Oct 30, 2010 Ryan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Here's a tough decision I think fantasy writers face: What requires detail and what will the reader's imagination run with?

Another view: Do you trust your readers to be able to fill in the details?

Someone -- I think Neil Gaiman -- once said that Gene Wolfe's writing makes his readers feel smarter. It's because Wolfe trusts his readers to pay attention and to fill in the blanks.

How do "The Wheel of Time" books hold up to this approach?

It's a little inconsistent.

When it comes to winds, cultural tr...more

14 likes · like · see review

Mar 02, 2012 Kaila rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, 2012, fantasy-aficionados-challenge-2012, so-fucking-epic

This review also available on my blog, Stumptown Books.

The tone of the series really changes with this second installment. It goes from following a few country bumpkins on their first wide-eyed adventure into the world, to what we know and love the Wheel of Time for - a sprawling epic covering an entire continent. From the prologue, we're suddenly bombarded with the styles and personalities of all the diverse regions of the land, and though it will be hammered home so we always know what Jordan...more This review also available on my blog, Stumptown Books.

The tone of the series really changes with this second installment. It goes from following a few country bumpkins on their first wide-eyed adventure into the world, to what we know and love the Wheel of Time for - a sprawling epic covering an entire continent. From the prologue, we're suddenly bombarded with the styles and personalities of all the diverse regions of the land, and though it will be hammered home so we always know what Jordan is talking about, we're also expected to start remembering all the crazy threads he is beginning to weave for us.

This is also where a number of phrases that Jordan uses ad nauseam really pick up. See the Wheel of Time drinking game for more info - beware spoilers! Braid tugging, skirt smoothing, wool heads, boxed ears, and sword stances (such as "Heron Wading in the Rushes") make me constantly roll my eyes. I got into the habit of shouting out the stances whenever they occurred to my begrudgingly tolerating boyfriend. "Cat Crosses the Courtyard!" I shout across the room. "The Swallow Takes Flight!" I'm amazed at the wide variety Jordan came up with; I don't know if one is ever repeated. I thought it pretty ridiculous that anytime the Heron marked blade came out, so did the fighting stances. For me though, this endears the series to me. All the things that are repeated over and over again can either annoy you or bind you closer to the story, it's really up to the reader. I chose to let them make me laugh every time they're mentioned.

Once again we're traveling across the face of the world, but instead of being chased, our young heroes are the chasers. The stakes are high and they never back down, although many readers will find the middle slow moving. There's a lot of information being given that doesn't come into play right away. The climax of The Great Hunt, however, is shiver inducing, as all the story lines come together for one great release of tension.

The Great Hunt is really just a warm up for the pure awesomeness that is books 3-6, but if you're uninterested in keeping the stories and vast cast of characters straight (and I don't blame you), this is where I suggest stopping. For myself however, I'm remembering why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place. The Great Hunt became harder and harder to put down with every chapter that I finished, and it took all my willpower to not run immediately to my bookshelf and pick up book 3, The Dragon Reborn. I can hardly wait to read more!(less)

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Mar 31, 2012 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Edit: March 31 2012
Re-reading it for the..well I have read it a lot

Rand knows he is the Dragon and does not yet believe it. I like the beginning in Shienar and how they hunt the horn later. Because here the threads are coming together and we are starting to believe.

As always my fav parts are the Rand ones, he is a bookboyfriend for a reason. The Mat and Perrin parts are good too. But the women parts, eh, boring as always. But that is just cos I keep favorites. I never did care to read about Egwe...more

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May 11, 2012 Zarakoda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, books-i-own, fantasy

Let's talk melodrama.

Typically, when I think of that term, I think of something along the lines of this: "Ohmigawwwwd like really? You're dating HIM?!! I'm going to get revenge on you by messing up your hairstyle." Basically, a glob of ick that makes me sink despondently down onto my doorstep and bury my cheeks in horrified tears that something like this exists.

That being said, there's good melodrama, too. Really. Think of Lord of the Rings and Mount Doom. Ohhhhh yeah that's melodramatic, but I...more Let's talk melodrama.

Typically, when I think of that term, I think of something along the lines of this: "Ohmigawwwwd like really? You're dating HIM?!! I'm going to get revenge on you by messing up your hairstyle." Basically, a glob of ick that makes me sink despondently down onto my doorstep and bury my cheeks in horrified tears that something like this exists.

That being said, there's good melodrama, too. Really. Think of Lord of the Rings and Mount Doom. Ohhhhh yeah that's melodramatic, but I savor every word of it. And of course there's no getting around the infamy of Jaws' thrilling theme music or one of the most successful lines in cinema history: "LUUUUKE, I AM YOUR FATHAH!"

...Yup. I'm a sucker for that stuff.

Wheel of Time is no exception. There are parts of the book that simply ooze out uber-intense dialogue. "You are the Dragon Reborn," takes on just as much delightful drama as Darth Vader's declaration in The Empire Strikes Back. And there's other scenes, too, that give me similar excitement in this novel - the kind of excitement that makes me cackle wildly, because somehow good melodrama does that to me. (And yes, if you haven't figured out yet, I'm odd).

Of course the entire book isn't ALL dramatic-Darth-Vader-looming-and-breathing-heavily-in-your-ear material. Jordan strikes a proper balance of drama with daily affairs/casual conversation/whatever you want to call it. In any case, I find the series such a fun read. Or maybe "read" isn't entirely the correct term. For most books I read, I feel as though I'm watching the characters. For this series, I feel as though I am in the landscape with them. Maybe that's why, even when the books get "slow" and don't have much "happening," I just cruise right through it - I find joy in the little progressions and the big things alike. Certainly I visualize few books as well as Jordan's - and I'm guessing that is so for many others, being as fanart for the Wheel of Time explodes out just about everywhere (at least online).

The other reason why I remain as excited over this series and keep rereading it is because of the characters. Their personalities, their penchants, their distinctive appearances. And their characterization! Book two is really where characterization begins to roll. Obviously the characters morph infinite times more than just seen here, but I feel this is the point where readers really start to get the feeling that this series wrangles the initial characters into something completely different by the end of it all (which I still haven't read - woooot!).

So. Well. I guess, to summarize: Yay Robert Jordan. The books are set at such a pace that I feel I'm in the story and moving along at their timescale, not mine. And that Jordan-esque melodrama makes me cackle a little too excitedly.

The End of Book Two of the Wheel of Time

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Original review (back when I was sucky and never really wrote review crap)

This, of course, is a continuation of The Wheel of Time, so make sure you have read the first book before reading this. Rand is just discovered to be the Dragon Reborn - or so some of the Aes Sedai claim - but he does not want to be used for their gains. Mat (who has to be my favorite character) is in trouble due to his dangerous connection with the missing dagger from Shadar Logoth. Perrin, of course, is learning more about his gifts. I love this book just as much as the first one, and the story line only gets more surprising and complex as the series continues.(less)

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Jun 25, 2007 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fantasy fiction lovers with stamina

I read the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan because both my husband and best friend had read them. The best friend highly encouraged me to read the books - my husband warned me off.

The warning is not because the books are bad. The first few, actually, are very good. Great character development, interesting universe for those who love fantasy novels.

The warning is because these books never, ever, ever are going to end. Ever.

There are so far 12 books (including a prequel that came out somewhe...more

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Apr 04, 2013 Sher rated it 4 of 5 stars

A remarkable series, in that, it is so epic, so involved, so many characters, so many themes... Let's see 14 books in all, and all over 500 pages or close to it. It's a about a reluctant hero who may save the world. He's been born many times and died many times, and he fails each time to overcome the lord of darkness. Now is his last chance, because this next time he dies, he won't be reborn. Also, some wonderful females characters and true to the massive tome- not 1 or 2 females, but more like...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-own-books, the-best-of-the-best, favorites, scifi-fantasy, read-in-2010, read-in-2012

Last readings:
Dec 4 2009 - Jan 2 2010

I own the english version and the Finnish versions of this great book. The english version has been translated into finnish as 2 parts: Valeren torvi (eng. The Horn of Valere) and Lohikäärmeviiri (Dragon Pennant). I don't know why but all books from Wheel of time has been translated into 2 or 3 different books, of which usually the first book has the same name as the "motherbook" of those few separate books.
Wheel of time has been my favorite past time reading...more

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Aug 24, 2011 logankstewart rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Desperate Traditional Fantasy Lovers

Shelves: fantasy, own, 2010-read, 2011-read

Second Review (August 2011)
I first attempted The Great Hunt a year ago, and I threw it aside with contempt and loathing. The second time I dove back into Robert Jordan's enormous world, I appreciated it a bit more.

The Great Hunt picks up shortly after The Eye of the World. The Horn of Valere has been stolen, along with the evil dagger that's slowly killing Mat. Rand and the gang set out to retrieve the items, and adventure follows. Meanwhile, the girls (Egwene, Nynaeve, et al.) are all becoming...more Second Review (August 2011)
I first attempted The Great Hunt a year ago, and I threw it aside with contempt and loathing. The second time I dove back into Robert Jordan's enormous world, I appreciated it a bit more.

The Great Hunt picks up shortly after The Eye of the World. The Horn of Valere has been stolen, along with the evil dagger that's slowly killing Mat. Rand and the gang set out to retrieve the items, and adventure follows. Meanwhile, the girls (Egwene, Nynaeve, et al.) are all becoming Aes Sedai and learning how to use Saidar and channel the One Power.

What follows is pretty much standard fare for a fantasy novel. Darkfriends abound. Weird magical stuff happens. Rand complains a lot, whines even more, and struggles with his apparent role of being the Dragon Reborn. Battles crop up. Some people die.

One thing I noted was that apparently everybody in the world is uncannily beautiful. I'm pretty sure that every female Rand met he described her as some type of beautiful. That's just peachy.

I did enjoy the book more than I thought I would, though, and I can possibly see myself picking up Book #3 at some point down the road when I'm desperate again.

-----

First Review (August 2010)
I tried to like it. I really did. But the sentences were too long, sometimes spilling into paragraphs and pages of eye-rolling. I never cared for the characters or their lives, their fates, their choices, their fears, nothing. They were all just cardboard cutouts doomed to say and act the same way over and over again. The possibility of a rich and exciting world was drowned by the lack of focus on it or the intense amounts of focus on it, either one just as bad as the other. Characters always repeat the same mannerisms whenever they're mad/excited/nervous, and every time I died a little inside. And the plot just really didn't move much for me, even though this book is supposed to be one where things actually happen.

In the end, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the epic fantasy stuff. I think perhaps I've moved on from this cliched field that once held promise. There'll never be another Tolkien, and imitators just don't work well. So I put this book to my Forsaken shelf and hope I never have to fall back into its world again.(less)

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Jan 16, 2009 Alex rated it 1 of 5 stars

Well, if the first book in this series diminished somewhat outside the cozy light of memory, this second book absolutely withers away. The plot is listless, its tension flagging between points that are only interesting by comparison. And the characters refuse to evolve. That is, they are all still hung up on the same issues they had at the beginning of the first book, even though they've been through fairly earth-shattering experiences in the intervening pages. I mean, why is Nynaeve still schem...more

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Mar 28, 2011 Seak (Bryce L.) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, 2011, audio, 650-800-pagers

Seanchan, argh!!!

Just as good if not better than the first time through as I can see all the "threads" (get it) that have been established for lots of great things to come. Also, Audiobook is definitely the way to do a reread as I don't have that terrible feeling that I'm neglecting everything else, plus I don't think I'll get worn out when it comes to the middle/slower volumes.

As I mentioned in my Eye of the World review, this is just where I write down a few things so I can later keep track o...more Seanchan, argh!!!

Just as good if not better than the first time through as I can see all the "threads" (get it) that have been established for lots of great things to come. Also, Audiobook is definitely the way to do a reread as I don't have that terrible feeling that I'm neglecting everything else, plus I don't think I'll get worn out when it comes to the middle/slower volumes.

As I mentioned in my Eye of the World review, this is just where I write down a few things so I can later keep track of in what book which events take place.

***Spoilers***

Lots of time spent in Fal Dara with training followed by Trolloc/Fade/Dark Friend attack on Fal Dara which leads to the Great Horn being stolen. The 3 boys set out with Ingtar to retrieve it, the womenfolk proceed to Tar Valon to begin their training, Egwene and Nynaeve meet Elayne for the first time. While following the Shadowspawn with the Horn, Rand, Loial, and Hurin are transported through a portal stone where they meet Selene/Lanfear and Rand kills Grolm.

They end up in Cairhien finally (days ahead of Ingtar, Mat, Perrin, Verin Sedai and group) where The Great Game is played and where everyone thinks Rand is really good at it. He's eventually invited by every noble in town until finally the King and the Damodreds, the most powerful families around. It is found that the Damodreds are harboring the Dark Friends and have a Way Gate under the premises, which is blocked by Machinshin (Black Wind).

They find another way by using the portal stone in the Ogier Steading. It actually takes them 3 months to get to Falme after a long (and somewhat boring) dream sequence where the dark one always wins.

During this time, the women are training, until they are tricked by Liandrin who takes them to Falme and where they immediately meet the Seanchan who chain Egwene. Nynaeve and Elayne are able to escape whereas Min is not, but they don't care much about her since she can't channel.

They are able to arrange passage away from the Seanchan and about the same time they are about to leave, Rand and party show up, fight off the Seanchan (Rand beats a Herin blade holder), and Rand fights the Dark One in the Skies (again), many see it and are converted to the Dragon Reborn's camp.

Whew.

***End Spoilers***(less)

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May 26, 2008 Skip rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 23, 2007 Letha rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fantasy Diehards

This book, which I read to pass on key scenes for calendar illustration concepts to my graphic designer partner, was a somewhat enjoyable but fairly frustrating read. For several significant reasons the book never really hits a truly connected stride with it's reader, and I ended it on a ambivalent note --- not really satisfied, not really disappointed, knowing I will likely forget the book within a few weeks of having read it.

There are too many main characters, and our main man (Rand), though...more This book, which I read to pass on key scenes for calendar illustration concepts to my graphic designer partner, was a somewhat enjoyable but fairly frustrating read. For several significant reasons the book never really hits a truly connected stride with it's reader, and I ended it on a ambivalent note --- not really satisfied, not really disappointed, knowing I will likely forget the book within a few weeks of having read it.

There are too many main characters, and our main man (Rand), though struggling with the weight of his powerful burdens as well as his world's, feels under developed --- whiney, confused and devoid of real human pathos. As he takes up a good portion of the pages in the book he should hold the attention and gain the compassion of the reader but instead he feels determinedly 2D throughout. Many of the more truly interesting characters are left to languish plot wise for several chapters at a time while our man Rand rails against the downsides of his awful power or debates which woman he should be not marrying. In paradox to the main character’s dominance of the book’s word count there are just too many secondary characters and their related plot tangents to follow. Half way through the book while being introduced to what seems like the hundredth ‘integral’ character, fatigue sets in as you realize yet another storyline is being integrated into the plot. This continues right up to the end of the book (as it should I suppose, it is a serial series after all). I am all for plot complexity --- I crave it in fact, however in Jordan's case overabundant paths within the story’s framework do not equal a engaged mind the way a single strong dispersed concept can.

The book also suffers from a derivative feeling throughout. Although there are some novel handlings of key concepts (gender reversal of power, the male struggle with violence), overall the cultures, creatures and characters all remind the reader of other stories, other authors.

When the book closes on the last page the fianl verdict is that it’s a good example of the fantasy serial genre, a solid choice for diehard fantasy fans. But if you are drawn to high concept or a more thoughtful, subtle approach to human nature and the examination of our personal or social constructs in fantasy fiction then stick with an author like Ursula Le Guin.
(less)

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Jun 28, 2012 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone getting into the epic fantasy genre.

Recommended to Melissa by: Zoe's coffee table at 2 in the morning.

Shelves: epic, fantasy, pulp

Little-known fact: this is the book I started reading when I went through the series originally. I got into Wheel of Time because this story is really, really good. It's not so vast as to be confusing (yet... yet...) but it hints at a larger world than the podunk localities that the characters visit. It's full of small and great mysteries, small and great people, and it has a very clear sense of right and wrong that makes for a straightforward tale. It doesn't make you think too much, but it req...more

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May 11, 2011 Coligne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fanucci, fantasy, la, ruota, del, tempo, my, favorite, sfida, dei, mattonazzi, 2009

Il finale del libro è spettacolare!
Nelle ultime cento pagine de La Grande Caccia Jordan ci infila una trovata geniale una dietro l'altra, con un susseguirsi di colpi di scena che lasciano esterrefatti dall'intensità di quella parte.

Peccato che per le 600 pagine precedenti non succede quasi nulla di significativo, la cosa, se non si è abituati a descrizioni dettagliatissime e elucubrazioni pseudo psicologiche, potrebbe anche risultare noiosa.
Jordan usa quelle pagine per ampliare ulteriormente il

...more

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Jun 09, 2013 David Bonesteel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Still trying to deny that he is the Dragon Reborn, the being who is destined to save the world by destroying it, Rand and his friends Mat and Perrin join a troop of soldiers to recover the stolen Horn of Valere, a powerful artifact that has the ability to call dead heroes back from the grave. Meanwhile, Egwene and Nynaeve begin Aes Sedai training with unexpected results.

This 700+ page novel is far too long for its own good. Robert Jordan clearly loves the world he has created, but he goes on at...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Henry St rated it 2 of 5 stars

I gave this series a go because I am an avid fantasy fan and a friend whose judgement I normally trust recommended them.

This is my humble, if somewhat strongly worded opinion. Not really humble at all actually, but it feels cathartic to vent online when you have just read something as god awful as this...

Two books (over 1,000 pages) down and bitter disappointment has followed. I trudged through the quagmire of boring, repetitive drivel in the first one in the hope that my efforts would be reward...more I gave this series a go because I am an avid fantasy fan and a friend whose judgement I normally trust recommended them.

This is my humble, if somewhat strongly worded opinion. Not really humble at all actually, but it feels cathartic to vent online when you have just read something as god awful as this...

Two books (over 1,000 pages) down and bitter disappointment has followed. I trudged through the quagmire of boring, repetitive drivel in the first one in the hope that my efforts would be rewarded by a lightening of style, maturing of the characters (or author), injection of humour, quickening of the asphyxiated pace - something, anything that could explain my friend's recommendation - only to find this. The girls against boys thing is pathetic. The references to sex are irritating. The lazy logic and plot holes are frustrating, and the lack of drive behind the story line agonising. Not to mention the way he introduces a concept conveniently a few pages before it is needed by one of the characters or by the one dimensional plot (SO so lazy).

Everything is explained in too much detail, and repeated. We are told that "someone could one day be the most powerful wizard in the world" (deliberate spoiler avoidance there) way to early in their character's story for it to be interesting, especially as it doesn't happen for another several books! The fights are dull and the battles simple. Nothing draws one in or challenges the imagination, except perhaps for the magic he describes - that is quite intriguing.

This is not even close to Tolkien, despite what back of cover comments might say. It isn't even Brandon Sanderson. I wouldn't recommend this to a 12 year old as the writing is so poor it might stunt their mental growth.

On the positive side, I must confess to reading the last 50 pages in one go. It somehow pulled together for the climax, although I had accepted that it was tripe by then as well so was less irritated. For this and the good idea for a story it earns a second star. That's only because the story, if well told, could have been very good indeed.(less)

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Mar 29, 2013 J. Wootton rated it 4 of 5 stars

An excellent sequel to The Eye of the World - Jordan leaves behind the LotR motifs and firmly establishes himself and his setting as a unique and compelling addition to the epic fantasy genre. He continues to draw strongly on Frank Herbert's Dune for inspiration and theme; like Paul Atreides, Jordan's main character, Rand al'Thor, struggles to both fulfill and defy his destiny, to seek out an acceptable path between the possible futures his fate carries him towards. (This is a thematic contrast...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Jeffrey Grant rated it 4 of 5 stars

Caveat: I would actually give this 3.5 stars, but that's not an option, and I got an extra kick out of this one because it's not my first time through, so I know what all of the prophecies and stuff are referring to.
This book sets up the pattern that dominates the rest of the series: The major characters split off in groups at the beginning, there's a lot of character interaction, traveling, and foreshadowing in the middle, and then a lot of revelatory action is crammed into the end.
Many criti...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Werehare rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

4,75/10

Leggermente migliore del volume precedente in quanto la trama non è pesantemente ispirata al SdA, ma non per questo si tratta di qualcosa di originale: seicento pagine della più classica delle quest per trovare l'Artefatto Magico, peraltro abbondantemente diluita. Qualche sprazzo interessante (la prova delle Aes Sedai, la statua con la palla di cristallo, la visione delle vite alternative, i Seanchan soprattutto), diverse banalità (tutte le ragazze che spasimano per Rand, l'esercito di mo...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Georgia Johnston rated it 3 of 5 stars

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK, the first one is good, you will be fooled but it's a looooong series that follows and all the little things that start to grate on you snowball until they drive you crazy and you realize you have wasted days on a series you can never finish without blowing your brains out. Genders are horribly typecast - the women are all horribly bad tempered, impatient and all henpecking know-it-all's (one can't help thinking that the author's wife must be a nightmare to have left him ne...more

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Aug 29, 2012 Ileen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, 2012, scrittori-statunitensi

Ci ho messo molto, molto tempo per finire di leggere questo secondo volume della saga. Il problema non è il libro in sé, né le sue pagine, quanto le cose che sono intercorse in questo anno.. diciamo che la prima metà l’ho letta tra aprile e giugno 2011, la seconda metà da febbraio 2012 ad adesso. Questo è uno di quei libri che fanno sognare, fanno evadere.. ma quando tornare alla realtà è un po’ troppo doloroso, allora i libri come questi si accantonano. Ed è quello che ho fatto io, l’ho accant...more Ci ho messo molto, molto tempo per finire di leggere questo secondo volume della saga. Il problema non è il libro in sé, né le sue pagine, quanto le cose che sono intercorse in questo anno.. diciamo che la prima metà l’ho letta tra aprile e giugno 2011, la seconda metà da febbraio 2012 ad adesso. Questo è uno di quei libri che fanno sognare, fanno evadere.. ma quando tornare alla realtà è un po’ troppo doloroso, allora i libri come questi si accantonano. Ed è quello che ho fatto io, l’ho accantonato, messo lì sul comodino per mesi, spolverandolo di tanto in tanto. E poi, finalmente, quando mi sono sentita meglio, ho ricominciato da dove lo avevo lasciato.

Non sto a dilungarmi nuovamente sulla meravigliosa scrittura di Jordan e non ringrazierò mai abbastanza Eleclyah per avermelo fatto conoscere… ma una cosina la vorrei riprecisare di nuovo: Jordan non è Tolkien, o meglio, Tolkien non è Jordan. Tolkien ha partorito il fantasy, è il papà biologico, Jordan lo ha cresciuto, è il papà effettivo. A chiunque abbia la netta sensazione, leggendo L’Occhio del Mondo, di stare rileggendo Il Signore degli Anelli, io dico: leggete La Grande Caccia e vi renderete conto che Jordan ha costruito qualcosa che Tolkien non ha nemmeno provato ad immaginare.

Piccolo flash sulla fine del primo libro della saga: Rand ha scoperto (e con lui anche Moiraine e gli altri) di poter incanalare Saidin (la metà della vera Fonte, la parte di Unico Potere maschile, che ha causato la pazzia di Kingslayer e la contaminazione di tutto Saidin). Rand è a tutti gli effetti un Aes Sedai maschio e davanti ha sé ha una triste possibilità: quello di essere domato da un’Aes Sedai donna, prima che diventi pazzo ed uccida tutti incanalando quantità sconsiderate di potere. Hanno scoperto perfino il tanto ambito Corno di Valere.

Ora tutti i ragazzi si trovano a Fal Dara, nello Sheinar. L’Amyrlin Seat però sembra essere a conoscenza del segreto di Rand e sembra volerlo proteggere in quanto Drago Rinato. Tale segreto è condiviso da sole tre Aes Sedai: Moiraine, Verin e la stessa Amyrlin Seat. Questa informazione, infatti, è estremamente pericolosa: se qualcuno la venisse a sapere Rand verrebbe immediatamente domato e ucciso, se poi venisse ad orecchio dell’Ajah Rossa o di quella Nera, la sua fine sarebbe anche peggiore. Rand vorrebbe però allontanarsi da tutto e da tutti, l’idea di fare del male a chi ama non è qualcosa che Rand Al’Thor possa sopportare. Moiraine però ha piani diversi.
Padain Fain è rinchiuso nelle prigioni, ma qualcuno è in agguato nell’ombra e l’Amico del Tenebroso viene liberato; con lui scompaiono il pugnale al quale è legata la vita di Mat e il Corno di Valere. L’esercito di Ingtar parte con Loial, Rand, Mat e Perrin all’inseguimento di Fain, mentre Nynaeve ed Egwene si dirigono insieme all’Amyrlin Seat a Tar Valon per essere addestrate. Le strade dei nostri amici si dividono e non sappiamo se e quando si ricongiungeranno. Inoltre le strade di Rand e gli altri si dividono ulteriormente: senza sapere come infatti, durante una notte, Rand attiva una Pietra Portale che trasporta lui, Hurin e Loial in un’altra dimensione (parallela a quella reale ma completamente diversa per qualche o molti particolari). Qui incontrano una figura strana e misteriosa, una ragazza di nome Selene, che riuscirà a guidarli attraverso questo mondo parallelo ed a farli tornare in quello reale. Ma una volta tornati in quello reale, di lei non si troverà più traccia. Rand nel frattempo, anticipando di molto Ingtar in marcia su Caihrien, ha recuperato Corno e Pugnale. Ha inoltre scoperto che il suo caro e vecchio amico Thom Merrilin non è morto. Tuttavia proprio quando oramai crede di avercela fatta, tutto riprecipita nel caos: il Corno ed il Pugnale vengono nuovamente rubati proprio in concomitanza con l’arrivo di Ingtar. Padain Fain ha portato le preziose reliquie a Capo Toman e lì aspetta che Rand arrivi. Parallelamente Egwene e Nynaeve vengono convinte da un’Aes Sedai (dalle frange rosse.. o forse addirittura nere) a partire in gran fretta da Tar Valon per ordine di Moiraine. Alle ragazze si aggiungono Elayne e Min. Attraverso le Vie, arrivano a Falme, ma quando si accorgono che tutto è un inganno oramai è troppo tardi: Min e Egwene vengono fatte prigioniere dai Seanchan e Nynaeve e Elayne riescono a salvarsi per miracolo; ovviamente Lindriain le ha tradite. Falme è in mano ai Seanchan, che si proclamano come i discendenti delle armate di Arthur Hawking e sono decisi a riprendersi tutti i territori. Sono guidati da una pressochè sconosciuta imperatrice e da un uomo chiamato Turak. Usano come schiave delle Aes Sedai che chiamano Damane (sono donne legate da un guinzaglio magico ad altre donne capaci, ma incoscienti, di incanalare, dalle quale non possono liberarsi). Inutile dire che fine abbia fatto Egwene. Ma un colpo di scena sconvolge il finale di questo libro: Rand guida tutti a Capo Toman.. utilizzando la Pietra Portale e lì, si accorge di Egwene, che non è a Tar Valon come lui crede, ma è ridotta in schiavitù ed in pericolo..
Le ultime pagine sono carichissime di suspence e quindi mi fermo qui. Leggetelo tutto d’un fiato… anche perché non potrete farne a meno.
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Apr 08, 2012 Brandon rated it 5 of 5 stars

"The Great Hunt" by Robert Jordan is a marvelous book. It takes the reader on a fantastic journey through this surreal land full of magic and fanciful creatures.

The main characters in this book are incredible. We can applaud Robert Jordan for producing such relatable characters. It’s not only that, but when the characters are hurt the reader can feel it. When the character’s have their internal struggles of old life meeting new I could relate.

The setting of the book is in a fantasy world. The...more

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Apr 01, 2012 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

A very immersive story. The world Jordan creates is rich and full. I felt myself constantly pulled in and wanting to know more. Jordan’s style is not to have constant fast paced action to make one want to keep reading. Instead, the story moves at a steady pace, and is pulled by the wonderful characters interacting in the world.

I enjoyed the first two thirds of the book a little more than the last. I found the intrigue of “The Great Game” in Cairhien lacking. I also felt that how Jordan chose to...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Natalie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: laughed-cried-or-shouted-out-loud, re-read

You can also find this review (and many other spoiler-filled ones) at my blog, Where's Bela?, in which my best friend and I reread and review the full Wheel of Time series in preparation for A Memory of Light.

For the first time in over ten years, I read an audiobook. It was the Great Hunt.

Audiobooks have always been somewhat frustrating for me. I read much faster than spoken word, and I have a lot of books I want to read, so it has always made more sense for me to read a book in a few hours rat...more You can also find this review (and many other spoiler-filled ones) at my blog, Where's Bela?, in which my best friend and I reread and review the full Wheel of Time series in preparation for A Memory of Light.

For the first time in over ten years, I read an audiobook. It was the Great Hunt.

Audiobooks have always been somewhat frustrating for me. I read much faster than spoken word, and I have a lot of books I want to read, so it has always made more sense for me to read a book in a few hours rather than listen to one over the course of several days. I’m also an incredibly poor listener. A single thought can distract me and suddenly I haven’t heard or seen anything going on around me in the last five minutes. An audiobook keeps going during that and suddenly I don’t know what’s going on, but with a book, I don’t (usually) continue turning the pages, so I can jump right in where I left off.

Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting much.

My expectations were BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER!

It was hands down amazing. I’m currently rereading the Wheel of Time in preparation for the final book to come out, so this wasn’t my first time reading the Great Hunt. But it was my favorite time! I think the Wheel of Time actually lends itself quite well to reading on an audiobook (especially if it’s a reread) because it’s so dense. Almost every other sentence foreshadows something (or at least makes a tongue-in-cheek joke about something that will happen later), so I didn’t have a problem with daydreaming – it was interesting enough that it made me want to listen closely so I didn’t miss anything, be it vital to the plot, foreshadowing, or just plain clever wording. I think I actually picked up more from listening to it than reading because it forced me to slow down – as I said, I’m a very fast reader, and when I get excited especially I can’t slow down because I just want to see what happens next, which sometimes it means I just blow by the little details without quite paying as much attention as I should.

For instance, there’s a point where (view spoiler) I’m serious. The way he says that line alone makes the whole thing worth it.

I recommend that EVERYONE try to listen to the book at least once. There are some things you just can’t give justice to in your head. (less)

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Nov 07, 2011 James rated it 2 of 5 stars

Now as I am writing this I am looking back on it from the perspective of the sixth book, so my view is very vague and probably not going to be that much use to you.

This was a poor book; though how much of that was down to feeling let down after such a great series opener than the actual quality of the book, is hard to judge.

It felt very... un-directed. I don't know how best to put it - it just didn't really feel like it had a destination. Up until now I didn't realise (consciously) that books w...more

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Sep 02, 2011 Sally added it

Thisws series was a deeply frustrating experience. So much so that I nearly gave up! I thought the author needed an exceptionally strict editor and I frequently skip read to avoid all of what I thought were unecessarily overlong descriptive passages about womens clothes and appearances and if the man mentions a woman's breasts again I'll scream!!! However, and in his favour I have come to see the books as a very real portrayal of the way that organisations consistently fail to work together. Whi...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Danny Bennett rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Characterization: The reader is able to dive deeper into the characters of the wheel of time. Most of the book consists of Rand agonizing over whether he should channel or not. I found Rand a little frustrating at times; his stubbornness and all to easy temptation with a new character was annoying at times. I did start to appreciate Egwene more in this book where as in the first book, I wanted nothing to do with her. Jordan practices the hard fast method of giving his character more depth by mak...more

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Jun 08, 2011 The W rated it 4 of 5 stars

W Rating : B

Note: I am engaged into the task of completing the entire Wheel of Time series. I have read eight or nine of these books around ten years ago, and I found myself very disappointed with the series as the novels progressed. The lack of focus in conjunction with overwhelming focus of Jordan was very tiresome. Jordan’s lack of focus typically revolved around the side plots and characters that he created. Now, for those who have read Jordan will understand that he does not do “small” plot...more W Rating : B

Note: I am engaged into the task of completing the entire Wheel of Time series. I have read eight or nine of these books around ten years ago, and I found myself very disappointed with the series as the novels progressed. The lack of focus in conjunction with overwhelming focus of Jordan was very tiresome. Jordan’s lack of focus typically revolved around the side plots and characters that he created. Now, for those who have read Jordan will understand that he does not do “small” plots. Robert Jordan creates intrigue and drama at every turn, but he forgets about them for books on end. The over focus of Jordan creates his “glacier” pacing where you find a character spending an entire book devoted to escaping one city. At this point of reading, I stopped.

So, here I am. I will be rereading some and reading the latest for the first time. With any luck, I won’t become angered by the forgotten characters, plot lines, and lack of good pacing. Here goes…

Side Note: I had thought that I would be able to begin a more detailed review of all these books, but I don’t feel that I have the time nor does the typical review reader have the patience for an in depth review. I will be giving quickies.

The High Hunt by Robert Jordan is a “Hunt” scene or a “mini” quest novel. This book also begins the whine. It is subtle compared to the rest but it is definitely the beginning. Our illustrious three and their many important slightly less main characters are to begin the process of breaking up. To start it off Rand has a strange and abrupt change in his opinion of Moiraine (sorceress). Now, his reasons are all fine and correct. The fact that he has roughly a 135 degree change in his dealings is what jars me. I say 135 due to the fact that he was not completely following and trusting the sorceress. Rand becomes the first to whine out loud, Perrin has been silently moping since his eyes changed which is no better since the reader gets internal monologue, and Mat whines about the sorceress and his knife. Rand wants to be left alone by the Aes Sedai. Perrin wants to be left alone by the Aes Sedai. Mat wants to be left alone by the Aes Sedai. The girls are sent off to the White Tower to be Aes Sedai. The boys are sent off to find the Horn (that would be the quest/hunt item).

Super Sum up: Rand, Perrin, and Mat along with warriors and other reoccurring characters follow the trail of an evil man who stole that which was found in the previous novel. Along the way Rand meets the most attractive woman ever who makes you want to scream at Rand for his ignorance. Mat is negative about Rand. Perrin sulks. Alternate reality is discovered for a bit which allows the boy party to arrive at their destination in time for the fireworks.

The girls are sent off to the White Tower. Mystique of the Tower and the Aes Sedai is shoved at the reader. New girls only known to the boys are now friends with the girls. Red ajah hate men. Girls are swept away by another sorceress seemingly to help the boys. It’s a Trap! One girl is made to be a slave by a race of people from across the sea (they have the worst name ever for a race in my humble opinion). She will have much resentment which will be repeated to the reader in case they missed it. The trap was at Falme.

Large army of purist assholes that no one likes is outside of Falme as well. The DarkOne led all the pieces to this final battle. The boys deal with their issues. The girls deal with theirs. Momentous actions take place. Roles established for two boys. Army of assholes destroyed save the one man that was sent to bring word to the son of the leader. This is to create issues in the future most likely…

All in all, this was a good book too. The whine, even with what I mentioned about up top, honestly, wasn’t that bad. The pacing was good in most places except when Jordan had to add plot devices/explanations (alternate world) so he added in a bit of chase scene to help those move along. The characters are developing nicely with everyone becoming more of what they are. The plot is good if it is actually used in the end. The Horn must have actual value in the end and not just pandering for this book’s plot to have true value. All that is discovered in this book is used later and is important. Every book brings more to this world that Jordan created, but this one’s add-ons are easier to see if forgotten in the end. So, I have faith he will be true.

On to the next…
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May 06, 2011 Ryan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy, own, fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My summary:

Second book in the wheel of time series. Continues the story of Rand, Perrin, Mat, Egwene, and Nynaeve (all from Edmonds Field). Rand and the others are all in Fal Dara after recovering the Horn of Valere. While they are there the Amyrlin seat and other Aes Sedai come to see Morraine. Rand tries to leave when they arrive because he discovers at the end of the first book that he can channel the one power. Aes Sedai usually "gentle" men who can do this because they will eventually go m...more My summary:

Second book in the wheel of time series. Continues the story of Rand, Perrin, Mat, Egwene, and Nynaeve (all from Edmonds Field). Rand and the others are all in Fal Dara after recovering the Horn of Valere. While they are there the Amyrlin seat and other Aes Sedai come to see Morraine. Rand tries to leave when they arrive because he discovers at the end of the first book that he can channel the one power. Aes Sedai usually "gentle" men who can do this because they will eventually go mad. Morraine and the Amyrlin seat, however, don't wish to do this to Rand because he is the Dragon reborn and is supposed to defeat the Dark One. While they are in Fal Dara, the Horn is stolen and the darkfriend, Padan Fain, escapes from the prison there. The warriors of Fal Dara quickly form a party to recover the horn, including Rand, Perrin, and Mat (who must recover the dagger that was stolen or he will die). Egwene and Nynaeve go with the Aes Sedai to Tar Valon in order to receive training. Nynaeve becomes one of the Accepted because she is older while Egwene becomes a Novice. In Tar Valon they meet Elayna and her 2 brothers. They are later convinced by a Black Aes Sedai to follow her through the Ways and into a trap laid by the Seanchan army (the lost army of Artur Hawkwing). Egwene is captured and enslaved through the use of a silver collar that forces her to use her powers as commanded. Nynaeve and Elayna escape and plot how to free Egwene in Falme. Meanwhile, Rand, the Ogier (Loial), and Hurrin (the sniffer) get separated from the rest of the party when they travel to a parallel world through a portal stone. There they meet Selene, a beautiful girl who tries to convince Rand to seize the horn for the glory it will gain him. They travel back to real world ahead of Fain and the Trollocs and manage to steal the horn from them. They go onto Cairhien (where Selene is from) and wait for Ingtar (the leader of the hunting party). While they are there they are enveloped in a world politics among the nobles of the city for status and power. Shortly before Ingtar catches up with them, the horn is stolen and they are forced to follow Fain again. They try to follow him through the Ways again, but the Black Wind guards the gate. They head for another waygate at a Stedding, but that one is also blocked. They then use a portal stone to get to Falme to meet Fain. Once there they send 5 people (Ingtar, Mat, Perrin, Rand, & Hurrin) into the city to try and recover the horn. After getting the horn, Rand must face the leader the Seanchan in a sword fight. After defeating him they try and escape right at the same time Egwene is being rescued by Nynaeve and Elayna. Rand spots Egwene and knows he can't leave, plus they run into Whitecloaks attacking the Seanchan right when they are trying to leave. Mat blows the Horn of Valere and the heroes from the age of Legends come back to fight the Seanchan and all else who oppose the dragon reborn (Rand). As they advance, Rand must fight the Dark One in a battle with the outcome of his friends on the line. He finally allows the Dark One of stab him so he will have a clear shot to kill the Dark One. He defeats him and later finds out that his battle took place in the sky above the city so everyone knows that the true Dragon has returned. The Seanchan retreat across the sea and the Rand begins to understand he is the Dragon reborn.(less)

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Robert Jordan's:T...: The Great Hunt Read Along Part VII	3	9	Apr 07, 2013 12:43pm
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About Robert Jordan

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reily.

Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to...more Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reily.

Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting.

He described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and received communion more than once a week.[7] He lived with his wife Harriet McDougal, who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books; she was also Jordan's editor) in a house built in 1797.

Responding to queries on the similarity of some of the concepts in his Wheel of Time books with Freemasonry concepts, Jordan admitted that he was a Freemason. However, "like his father and grandfather," he preferred not to advertise, possibly because of the negative propaganda against Freemasonry. In his own words, "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."

On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement that he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, and that with treatment, his median life expectancy was four years, though he said he intended to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intended to have a long and fully creative life.

He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early April 2006. Jordan was enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis.

Jordan died at approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT on September 16, 2007, and a funeral service was held for him on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston.
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Books by Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1)

The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, #12; A Memory of Light, #1)

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“Better to have one woman on your side than ten men.” — 136 people liked it

“Women often seemed to leave things unsaid, and in his limited experience it was what they did not say that proved the most trouble.” — 100 people liked it

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