The Shadow Rising

by Robert Jordan

Other authorsDarrell K. Sweet (Cover artist), Thomas Canty (Maps), Matthew C. Nielsen (Illustrator), Carol Russo (Cover designer), Elissa Mitchell (Illustrator)
Hardcover, 1992-11

Status

Available

Call number

PS3560.O7617 S48

Publication

Tor Fantasy (New York, 1992). 1st edition, 1st printing. 704 pages. $24.95.

Description

The seals of Shayol Ghul are weak now, and the Dark One reaches out. The Shadow is rising to cover humankind. In Tar Valon, Min sees portents of hideous doom. Will the White Tower itself be broken? In the Two Rivers, the Whitecloaks ride in pursuit of a man with golden eyes, and in pursuit of the Dragon Reborn. In Cantorin, among the Sea Folk, High Lady Suroth plots the return of the Seanchan armies to the mainland. In the Stone of Tear, the Lord Dragon considers his next move. It will be something no one expects, not the Black Ajah, not Tairen nobles, not Aes Sedai, not Egwene or Elayne or Nynaeve. Against the Shadow rising stands the Dragon Reborn ...

User reviews

LibraryThing member atimco
Since this is probably the last book of the series that I will read, this review will vent the annoyances that have been building up over the past three. Maybe it's not quite fair to pin them all on one book, but oh well. I've read almost 4000 pages of the Wheel of Time—and so I think I've earned
Show More
the right to criticize a bit. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But this is an ending.

I'll dispense with the obligatory plot summary and get right to the snark. The storyline, though complicated in some ways, is pretty straightforward at its core: the bad guys are doing bad things, the good guys (and gals) are out to find out what it is and stop them, and everyone's infighting, pursuing their own selfish goals, telling us yet again how untrustworthy and dangerous Aes Sedai are, and just generally not communicating very well with one another.

What annoyed me most was Jordan's ideas about women. Can I just ask, what is up with all the braid-tugging on Nynaeve's part? Does Jordan not realize that women are the same as men in that it hurts to pull our hair? As in, actual physical pain, amazingly enough. Why would Nynaeve react to anything that angers her by pulling her own hair? Seriously? I don't know what to make of all the reviewers who extol the supposedly strong roles that women play in these stories (as compared to Tolkien's works, for example). Sure, they run around and act like idiots just like the men. That's supposed to be a model of a strong woman? Just because she wields power of some kind and dresses seductively?

I think if Jordan would confine himself to telling the story instead of constantly giving relationship advice, the series would be much stronger. Not to mention the fact that the bulk of his advice deals with how to manipulate the opposite sex. There are many, many, many asides about how hard women are to understand (because that's, you know, a highly original and hilarious thought).

I hit the eyerolling stage very early in this volume; the scene with Egwene, Elayne, and Rand was sloppy, awkward, and utterly contrived. Sorry, no one acts that way. It set the tone for the contrived explanations of Aiel culture and marriage customs, which manage to be women-empowering on the surface (they own stuff! they're roofmistresses!) but deeply chauvinistic when you examine them more closely. One word: polygamy. And the polygamy doesn't work both ways, oh no. A man can have multiple wives, but apparently Jordan's broadmindedness on this topic doesn't extend to women having multiple husbands. Funny how that works.

It seems all the women wear either clinging silk dresses they are uncomfortable in, or dresses of sheer material that you can see right through, or they end up naked at some point. Or they go around topless, in the case of the sea people. Or they dance seductively for the men, as with the Tinker women. No matter what else is going on, Jordan always finds a way to highlight female sexuality. To be fair, the sexuality of the ta'veren characters is often noted and they come in for a fair share of ogling, but it's always in the context of prowling women. Even when there are no male characters on set, the women still comport themselves in transparent apparel for the delectation of the reader. Evidently, in Jordan's mind, sex appeal defines women far more than it does men.

I wrote much of the above before I had finished the book, and every transparent-dress description I hit after writing this made me think, "I'm not changing a word, Jordan! I'm letting you have it because you deserve every scathe I can come up with!" But then he had to go and give this volume a cool ending and introduce a fascinating character in Asmodean. I was almost tempted to continue the series! The thing is, I enjoy the world-building (or perhaps I should say, world-borrowing! Perrin's entire adventure in this story is a ripoff of the Scouring of the Shire) and the complex web of politics and nations and powers. Jordan is very derivative, but he does do interesting things with the threads he pulls from other authors.

But in the end, I don't think I can stomach more. So the Wheel stops here. It hasn't been nearly as negative an experience as this review might indicate, and I'm glad to have read at least some of the series so I know what the fuss is about. But if I never read about another woman wearing a low-cut, see-through gown, it will be too soon.
Show Less
LibraryThing member AdamBourke
This book is incredible, and that's just the least I can say. Apart from being the longest, largest book so far, it is also the best. Beyond that there are not enough superlatives to do it justice.

The biggest improvement on the previous books is the lack of a prologue. In the first three books I
Show More
felt that the prologues harmed the story somewhat by being either irrelevant or confusing. The absence here is a huge benefit and means that when you read the opening paragraph you know that you are reading a wheel of time novel.

Most importantly though, is how well the independant storylines are woven around each other. Whenever the narrative moves between them it masterfully generates a sense of longing for the previous scene and excitement for the one that is upcoming. For me, no other book has managed this so acutely, so finely building suspense.

The characters, as always, are well written and developed. I personally grew quite attached to Faile (a character introduced in the last book, but more major in this one). But the three main characters truly come into their own here, especially Perrin. We learn how they see each other, and how they see themselves, which brings their character to a new depth. In particular the way each of the main three characters believe the other two to be better with women helps to tie the three men together in a way that i've never seen before in fiction.

To summarise then, this is the best book in the series so far, and one of the best out there. It does really need to be read as part of the series, but I would read the previous books as many times as i had to in order to read this one once. The Shadow Rising is brilliant, and sets an incredibly high standard for the rest in the series to meet.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mattries37315
After finishing The Shadow Rising, I am comfortable in saying that is this book in which The Wheel of Time series became an epic series. Author Robert Jordan changes things up for the second book in row, first with Rand Al'Thor's return as a major point of view character and the second with all the
Show More
major plot threads did not end together in the same location as the previous three books had done.

With Rand return as a major point of view perspective, we find him more confident in his role as the Dragon Reborn and learning to direct as well as react to events better than he had previously. Interestingly it is Rand, who had never interacted with an Tinkers or Aiel in the previous three books, that learns of their history as well as his own in the Aiel Waste. Along with Rand are Egwene, Mat, and Moiraine who's views of Rand's development round out the picture of a young man learning to use the One Power and if he is going mad or not. Perrin returns to Emond's Field with Faile, Loial, and three Aiel planning to turn himself into the Whitecloaks to save his village and family, by the end he has become a local hero and war leader. Then there is the hunt of the Black Ajah by Nynaeve and Elayne to the western shore of the continent only to find something even more dark than former Aes Sedai. And on top of all these major plots are the events taking place at the White Tower, the news of which hasn't reached any of the major characters.

With all these plot threads and new locations, it would have been easy for this book to become a mess. However this book was so good that I found it hard to put down when I had to get back on the clock. To me that is the best way to express how much I recommend this book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DWWilkin
This has always been my favorite book of the series. That it should never have come to pass and that this series should have ended at three is something I have mentioned in my series of reviews before. The backstory of this particular book, or the set-up takes a full third of the book to get
Show More
thru.

We have a technique that Jordan has used before, in this book which shows us that often no amount of read and find out, his RAFO term that is a disservice to fans of the series and if he were still being raised you could scold him for it by some authority figure that Jordan might listen to. Instead Jordan's Hubris is such that he would use RAFO often and it is clear at least here, that he does things for which he does not think of the consequence.

Men can channel, so why do we have our male lead hero (we have several by now) lose it with a miasma of the power leaking thru. (If you are afraid of spoilers in these reviews, my reviews are of my many times reread, and this being the fourth book of the series (fifth with the prequel) you should have some idea of what has happened and what will happen.)

Oh the Aes Sedai covers the gaff and says that these things happen. Rand has been able to channel since book 1, and this is the first time it has happened. And it will not happen again. So a better name for the problem and better explanation should have been done.

But why do I think this book is so good... Perrin and the Two Rivers. Here Perrin really develops. In the very first book and the others since, we break up our questers into various groups, once again three as one group is Rand, one is the near Aes Sedai girls searching for the Black Ajah, and Perrin.

The sequence that takes place in the Two Rivers has always been amongst the best best i felt that was written, still (I have read all of it up to the 11th book.) Rand and his walk through the Aiel Waste could have been better I think, why just clan chiefs and a small honor guard. Why not the dream messages to the clan chiefs summoning the entire clans on the move. Rand wants an army to use.

He has learned a little in two years away from being a sheepherder, and he has more to learn. But as he talks to himself he wants to assemble a force. He knows he wants an army, he has delayed the sense of urgency he keeps harking on.

With the third leg of the quest we begin the world is so large I forget who I have whose met who problem. Thom Merrilin spent several days aboard Bayle Domon's boat, and they both know Floran Gelb. It would seem that they should acknowledge each other, why keep it secret, they can trust each other, and a run in with Gelb would surely have been a resolution to that bad person, who is just bad and not a Darkfriend.

Then there is Byar and Bornhold. Perrin emerges as a good leader but he is shortsighted when it comes to these two. Bornhold also is not written convincingly. First he cares about the people he is charged to protect then he doesn't. Certainly does not have any of his fathers genes... These little quibbles are something that Jordan, or someone who could have talked to Jordan, could have made better. Life does have inconsistencies, but not so significant ones.

Overall, the series is still worth constant rereading. and a very good time of it. Worth the price of admission and then some. And now rumors of movies... I hope that transition to the screen is handled as well as Tolkein. It is all worth it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rbtwinky
Even my third time reading through this book, it’s my favorite in the series. The culture of the Aiel is so rich and intriguing. The mysteries of Rhuidean are still interesting even the third time through the novel. It’s nice to see Rand acting instead of reacting, even if we are kept in the
Show More
dark as to what he’s planning. With Elayne and Nyneave, we get to see the equally fascinating culture of the Sea Folk, and of course with Perrin we get our first real love story in the series. Add that to all the drama going on in the White Tower, and you just can’t beat this book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Jefficus
It's nice to see Perrin getting some screen time, but it's been four books now and I'm drowning in emotional constipation, here. Every characters seems to amplify their problems - and their sense of alienation from the others - by festering over things and sharing nothing. Rand won't tell anybody
Show More
what he's planning. Moiraine won't divulge her schemes. Mat won't speak up about his fears. Perrin can't tell Faile how he feels, or that he's worried about her. Elayne sends mixed signals to Rand. Egwene... And Nynaeve. Christ, even Lan is a walking pressure cooker of unexpressed inner angst. I expect this sort of self-oriented world view from the Forsaken, and the Seanchan, but every single human being in their entire world? Really?

Sigh. Well, at least the world building is interesting.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Dr_Bob
Long.
The next segment of the prophecy of the Dragon Reborn unfolds for Rand al'Thor among the wasteland of the Aiel. Back in the Westlands, his friend Perrin becomes the necessary if the reluctant leader of their homeland of the Two Rivers where hounds of the Dark One (Luc/Isam and Padain
Show More
Fain/Ordeith) bring war and devastation in hope to lure Rand to them. The young women of Rand's childhood, grow into their own powers as Aes Sedai of The White Tower in all but name, Egwene following Rand and learning how to Dreamwalk while Elayne and Nynaeve continue their secret search for the Black Ajah as assigned to them by the Armylin seat, the head Aes Sedai unaware that rebellion has come to The White Tower.

Rand's friend Matt Cauthorn, the Aes Sedai Moraine who discovered Rand and his friends in the Two Rivers, and the Seanchan (invaders from across the ocean) who figured prominently in the past books of the series have comparatively small parts in this one.

More exquisite, lengthy world-building, visiting of new lands and cultures, and many many more new characters introduced.

In a similar pattern to the prior novels in the series, the climactic action of Rand battling against one of the Dark One's thirteen chief minions, the Forsaken, is reserved for the book's final pages. In this case, the last ten pages of this 680 page tome.

There is a lot to revel in -- or slog through, depending on your affinity for epic fantasy of this vast scope.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JechtShot
The Shadow Rising is by far the best of The Wheel of Time series thus far. In this novel Jordan once again sends off his main characters on three divergent paths. The ladies: Nynaeve and Elayne are in pursuit of the Dark Ajah, Perrin: Returns to the Two Rivers to protect his people and The Rest:
Show More
Rand, Moiraine and Company travel to the Aiel wastes where much is revealed about the history of the Aiel people. Fear not, no spoilers will be provided here, but I will say that the chapters involving the history of the Aiel were so compelling and well written that I re-read them three times.

Robert Jordan continues to improve as a writer with each subsequent novel and though I know this most likely will not continue, I will enjoy the ride while it lasts.
Show Less
LibraryThing member readafew
I originally read this book more than 10 years ago and had the oppertunity to listen to the book on CD. Once again there was so much I didn't rememeber but with each book there are more details that I remember ahead of time.

Perrin goes back to the Two Rivers with the intent of turning himself in to
Show More
the White Cloaks to protect his family. Only to find he was to late.

Rand and Matt go to the Aiel waste and both go into Rhudian, both come out changed.
Show Less
LibraryThing member redderik
The plot and intensity continue to rise, but the story continues to fracture as more support characters are made main characters. A great book, but the pace starts slowing down.
LibraryThing member jjsreads
I think this one dragged a little, don't quite remember if this or the next.
LibraryThing member clong
The Shadow Rising marks a dramatic change in style and complexity from the first three books of the Wheel of Time series. The pace of the narrative slows, and the scope of Jordan's world building becomes much more ambitious, with much more focus on the background and history of the WOT world. The
Show More
conclusion is also quite a departure from the earlier books, much more of a personal, psychological confrontation than the big public battles with clearly satisfying victories that ended the first three books. In many ways the ending of this book raises more questions than it answers.

After a dramatic beginning in Tear our protagonists break into three groups and head their different ways. The three major story lines follow Rand, Matt and Egwene to the Aeil waste, Perrin back to the Three Rivers, and Nyneave, Elayne and company to Tanchico. Each of the three threads is entertaining and well written, building to an exciting conclusion. We also begin to understand the bad guys better (i.e., the Forsaken and Fain). The Rhuidean flashback sequence and the finale of the Three Rivers sequence are two of the highpoints of the entire WOT series.

This is my favorite of the Wheel of Time books, and yet in some ways I think it set up the decline in the quality of the later books in the series. The ambition of Jordan's vision was ratcheted up several notches, and the recent books have failed to match that ambition. The Shadow Rising is the book that changed WOT from a series that could easily have been finished in five books to a series that may never end.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jpsnow
Decent pace and interesting for the return to earlier places.
LibraryThing member DaddyPupcake
Out of the first four books in the series...I think this is second best. I couldn't wait to find what was happening with each character chapter after chapter.
LibraryThing member readermom
This is my favorite of the series, so far. The scene with Perrin in the Two Rivers still makes me cry.
LibraryThing member SonicQuack
The Shadow Rising is definitely a book divided in to thirds. The first few hundred pages expertly entwines the build up of this chapter with a summary of the last three books. There is then a further, less pacey section with deals with culture, exploration of new content in the form of dreamscapes
Show More
and the further definition of the Forsaken, the minions of evil. This middle section is tough going and before the action gets going another four hundred pages have passed. The final third, a siege, a daring infiltration and a clash of culture are all well crafted and ensure the first two thirds are well spent. Many of the main plot lines are closed, with a myriad of new paths created to ensure the fifth instalment is eagerly sought out. Overall, Shadow Rising is a competent entry in the series, but it is too long, with content that could be presented in a more slick fashion.
Show Less
LibraryThing member carmelitasita29
This is the fourth book in the Wheel of Time series and I had kind of hoped the story would be further along. Dragging is the proper term for it. I didn't realize there were more than ten books in this series when I started and I don't think I'll be reading any more after this one. They are just
Show More
too long and I have many other books I'd rather spend my time with. The one thing I have enjoyed in this series is the interaction between genders and the differences in how boys and girls think and manipulate each other. That said, it's just not enough to keep me interested.
Show Less
LibraryThing member seaofsorrow
i liked this installment a lot more than the last. I would like to finish the rest of this series by the end of the year so...
LibraryThing member DWWilkin
This has always been my favorite book of the series. That it should never have come to pass and that this series should have ended at three is something I have mentioned in my series of reviews before. The backstory of this particular book, or the set-up takes a full third of the book to get
Show More
thru.

We have a technique that Jordan has used before, in this book which shows us that often no amount of read and find out, his RAFO term that is a disservice to fans of the series and if he were still being raised you could scold him for it by some authority figure that Jordan might listen to. Instead Jordan's Hubris is such that he would use RAFO often and it is clear at least here, that he does things for which he does not think of the consequence.

Men can channel, so why do we have our male lead hero (we have several by now) lose it with a miasma of the power leaking thru. (If you are afraid of spoilers in these reviews, my reviews are of my many times reread, and this being the fourth book of the series (fifth with the prequel) you should have some idea of what has happened and what will happen.)

Oh the Aes Sedai covers the gaff and says that these things happen. Rand has been able to channel since book 1, and this is the first time it has happened. And it will not happen again. So a better name for the problem and better explanation should have been done.

But why do I think this book is so good... Perrin and the Two Rivers. Here Perrin really develops. In the very first book and the others since, we break up our questers into various groups, once again three as one group is Rand, one is the near Aes Sedai girls searching for the Black Ajah, and Perrin.

The sequence that takes place in the Two Rivers has always been amongst the best best i felt that was written, still (I have read all of it up to the 11th book.) Rand and his walk through the Aiel Waste could have been better I think, why just clan chiefs and a small honor guard. Why not the dream messages to the clan chiefs summoning the entire clans on the move. Rand wants an army to use.

He has learned a little in two years away from being a sheepherder, and he has more to learn. But as he talks to himself he wants to assemble a force. He knows he wants an army, he has delayed the sense of urgency he keeps harking on.

With the third leg of the quest we begin the world is so large I forget who I have whose met who problem. Thom Merrilin spent several days aboard Bayle Domon's boat, and they both know Floran Gelb. It would seem that they should acknowledge each other, why keep it secret, they can trust each other, and a run in with Gelb would surely have been a resolution to that bad person, who is just bad and not a Darkfriend.

Then there is Byar and Bornhold. Perrin emerges as a good leader but he is shortsighted when it comes to these two. Bornhold also is not written convincingly. First he cares about the people he is charged to protect then he doesn't. Certainly does not have any of his fathers genes... These little quibbles are something that Jordan, or someone who could have talked to Jordan, could have made better. Life does have inconsistencies, but not so significant ones.

Overall, the series is still worth constant rereading. and a very good time of it. Worth the price of admission and then some. And now rumors of movies... I hope that transition to the screen is handled as well as Tolkein. It is all worth it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member molliewatts
Having taken possession of both Callandor and the Heart of the Stone with the help of the Aiel, Rand al'Thor is now publicly declared the Dragon Reborn - but now he must work even harder to stay one step ahead of both is enemies and his followers. The Aiel have been revealed as the People of the
Show More
Dragon; but they have their own prophecy, that of He Who Comes with the Dawn, the one who will break and unite their tribes and lead them out of the Three-Fold Land. So, Rand travels to the Aiel Waste, to the mysterious Rhuidean, accompanied by Moraine, Lan, Egwene, and Mat. Perrin and Faile head to Emond's Field with Loial and several Aiel as they seek to save the village from marauding Trollocs and Children of the Light. Nyneave, Elayne, and Thom travel to Tanchico, seeking the remaining Black sisters who got away from them in Tear.

The fourth WOT book deals more with the Aiel and their prophecies and customs. More secrets are revealed and more discoveries are made as all of our heroes grow stronger in and more accustomed to their powers. Each ones path seems to be taking a stronger turn, but surprises are always just around the corner.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Karlstar
Up to now, the Wheel of Time series has proceeded in somewhat logical, predictable fashion. Rand has learned that he is the Dragon Reborn, and has inherited the potential for incredible power. However, as a man that can channel, the White Tower is sworn to track him down and kill him. Rand's
Show More
friends Matt and Perrin have some unknown role to play as well, as do the ladies from his home village.
At this point, the series gets even more complicated. Besides the many nations, the Whitecloaks, the Aiel and the White Tower which were already involved; the Seanchan, Sea Folk and more and more Forsaken are entering the story.
Jordan writes a very complicated story full of very powerful magic and intricate plots. Half of the characters are involved in plots they don't understand at all, including Rand, which can sometimes be frustrating. However, it is a bold, vivid and great story. Just trying to identify the various villains has occupied a great amount of time and effort on a number of messageboards between very dedicated fans.
Show Less
LibraryThing member draigwen
This is the fourth book in a series and is perhaps my favourite so far. The series follows a large number of characters and I found in the last two books that some really annoyed me. In this book I found the characters all followed fairly interesting plots, and those who annoyed me were accompanied
Show More
by other characters which made them much more bearable. The storyline followed by my favourite character, Perrin, was great and it was wonderful to read about him in some detail.This isn't a very indepth review, I'm afraid. Being the fourth book in a series then you'll either read it (because you like the series), or you won't. But if you are interested in an epic storyline then I certainly recommend starting at the beginning of the Wheel of Time series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member librisissimo
The only book of the series worth reading, despite the fact that Jordan continued writing them, long after the story was actually finished. I would say that "Never has so bad a writer claimed so large a cult following" except that I just tried re-reading a Thomas B. Costain novel. To each
Show More
generation its own trash.
Show Less
LibraryThing member coffeesucker
My favorite of the series
LibraryThing member LaPhenix
Another great book in the Wheel of Time series, it is becoming a little bit harder to keep track of characters as new ones are continuously introduced, but the journey is captivating nonetheless.

Awards

Locus Award (Nominee — Fantasy Novel — 1993)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1992-09-15

Physical description

704 p.; 6.45 inches

ISBN

0312854315 / 9780312854317

UPC

890544110347

Local notes

Embossed on title page under inked "Oct' 92": "Library of Teri L. DeFrancisco"
Page: 0.8945 seconds