This is the best of the early volumes of the Wheel of Time. We follow the Dragon Reborn and Mat to a city in the Aiel Waste -- Rhuidean. Rand fulfills a prophesy and becomes the Car-a-carn -- the Chief of Chiefs for the Aiel. Mat encounters the snakelike aelfinn and the foxlike eelfinn -- beings who answer questions and grant wishes. Jordan weaves these wondrous fairy tale elements into the story making it ever more complex.

Yet, this is, above all, Perrin's book. The childhood friend of Rand -- one of the three young men who left Emond's Field in a flight for their lives in the first book of this saga -- returns home upon hearing that Emond's field is now threatened by armies of Trollocs. Coming home, Perrin, with Faile and the Ogier Loial, organize the defense of the entire Two Rivers. In one of the most masterful parts of this entire saga, Jordan tells the story of how a noble earns his name. Perrin returns to the place where he made his living as a blacksmith's apprentice to gradually earn the respect and love of all his people. His ability to command and his courage ultimately save the day in a most satisfying manner, earning him both the status of a hero, and the proverbial girl. Yes the hero gets the girl, but also a banner and a name... the legend of Perrin Goldeneyes is born.

On to the next one....