PG16- "The Wheel of Time" (some x,v,some b)

Robert Jordan is the author of the famous Wheel of Time series. These books are all based on one quest, but to stop it from getting boring, Jordan brings in many side plots, quests, and unexpected occurances.

The series is an ongoing project, and although there has been much debate as to exactly how many books there will be in the series, no one I know seems to know. Which doesn't seem to matter to any of us, we just look forward to the next one.

Jordan uses three main characters, these being Rand, Perrin and Matrim. With the secondary characters, he seems to have spread it more fairly between the sexes, but still, oft times the males do dominate. At least, they try. The females often seem to put up a fight and take matters into their own hands.

This is another feature which makes Jordan's books an enjoyable read. Within the books it seems to be not just a battle between good and evil, but also alot of the time between the two sexes.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, and Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.

The Eye of the World - Rand, Perrin and Matrim. Three boys born within months of one another, living in the quiet village of Two Rivers. Their lives are filled with farming, sheep, and tabac, fairly boring, never full of excitement. Then one day, their lives are changed forever. More strangers than have been in the village at once appear, as well as a black cloaked man who is stalking a number of the boys. Add to this a winter harder than usual, and many strange rumours, and the boys can't help but think that maybe their lives will soon be filled with adventure.

Well, they were right, but it turns out to not be the type of adventure which they had planned on. Instead of exploring the land and seeing sights of wonder, they are running for their lives. Forced to put their trust in Moiraine and Lan and leave their quiet lives far behind them, they journey to find out exactly why it is they who must run.

The Great Hunt - The Horn of Valere. A legend of which travelling gleeman have been telling tales for centuries, fated to bring dead heroes back from their graves. And now, the Horn of Valere has been discovered, though few know about it. Before it can be taken to safety, it is stolen, along with a dagger from Shadar Logoth. A dagger which, if not found, will be the death of Rand's friend Mat.

Having started to discover things about himself which he is not sure that he likes, Rand takes on the task of retrieving both the Horn and the dagger. Once again accompianied by Perrin and Mat, as well as the Ogier Loial, Rand finds himself riding with an army. With the Aes Sedai hounding him and dreams of dire proportions haunting his nights, Rand begins a long journey of discovery.

The Dragon Reborn - The leader long prophesied who will save the world, but in doing so will destroy it. The saviour who will run mad and kill all those dearest to him. The one fated to oppose the Great Lord of the Dark. All these things and more, and Rand has discovered that he is the Dragon Reborn. Able to touch the one power, but all those who have done so in the last three thousand years have gone mad. Now he must somehow learn to use it to save himself and his friends.

But Rand is not the only one who finds that destiny is pulling along paths he had never dreamed of. Perrin has discovered that he can talk to wolves, the blood of Manetheren surges strong in Mat, and Egwene and Nynaeve are learning to touch the female side of the One Power, to become Aes Sedai.

Rand must now decide whether to accept destiny, accept that he is the Dragon Reborn, and fulfill the prophecies.

The Shadow Rising - Rand now holds the Callandor, the Sword that is not a Sword. That which is prophosied to proclaim him to the world as the Dragon Reborn. But Rand's struggles are only just begining. He studies the prophesies of the Dragon, trying to understand what to do next, where to go, and how to fight the Dark One. He also continues to try and learn how to control the Power that is his.

His steps lead him to the Aiel Waste, where he must come face to face with and accept his past and the past of his ancestors. Only then will he recieve the last of the marks and be able to lead the Aiel.

Meanwhile, Perrin, Faile and Loial have returned to the Two Rivers, only to find that much has changed, and will continue to do so. The villagers proclaim Perrin Lord of the Two Rivers, as he tries to protect them from all the dangers that are falling on the small village. Not only is he fighting off the Trollocs, but also the Children of the Light, lead by a man who wants Perrin's head upon a spear.

All three of the ta'veren will have to fight every step of the way, as the Dark One's prison crumbles and bubbles of evil are drawn to the three and those around them.

The Fires of Heaven - The Chosen are on the loose, looking to prepare the world for the Day of Return, when the Dark One will once again walk the land. They also struggle between themselves for power, for the right to be the one to stand at the Great Lord's right hand and wield power over all.

Rand must attempt to bring all the clans of the Aiel behind him, for he will need their help and support to bring the rest of the world to his side. Seemingly opposed on all sides Rand must face one Chosen after another, as well as destroy Couladin, an Aiel who claims to be He Who Comes with the Dawn, and has used this as an excuse to rally those Aiel who are not happy with a wetlander leading them, and has set off out of the waste to destroy whatever they can.

Lord of Chaos - The White Tower has split, and both sides of the Aes Sedai try to put a leash around the Dragons neck, though through different means. The Amyrlin Seat in the White Tower, Elaida, a Red, has decided that the only way for them to survive is to have Rand Gentled. Egwene, suddenly raised from Accepted to Amyrlin Seat of the Little Tower, tries to suggest caution and gentleness. But Egwene has her own problems. Although she is the Amyrlin Seat, head of the Aes Sedai, many of them do not take her seriously, and only see her as a puppet to use to their own benefits. She must try and take control of the Tower, as well as help Rand.

Drought covers the land, brought upon by the Dark One, as his grip strengthens. Nynaeve and Elayne must search for a ter'angreal which they hope will return the weather to normal. But they have to compete with Aes Sedai from the White Tower, the Little Tower, as well as from the Black Ajah. They also enlist the aid of the Sea Folk, the Atha'an Miere, who have come looking for the one from their prophesies to aid and lead them.

A Crown of Swords - Once again, Rand faces one of the Forsaken. But this time, it is in a place where neither can afford a mistake. Shadar Logoth, home of the blood-hungry mist, Mashadar.

Perrin finds himself once again standing in Rand's shadow, ta'veren drawing ta'veren. But Rand, not wanting to risk hurting his friend, sends him away on yet another task.

Meanwhile Elayne, Aviendha and Mat come ever closer to finding the ter'angreal needed to restore the weather. Along their path are many obstacles, including the return of the Seanchan, who are dedicated to bringing all under their rule and reclaiming the land lost to them hundreds of years ago.

The Path of Daggers - The Seanchan have invaded, and hold in their control a number of towns and cities, forcing all to swear allegiance to them. Rand, in Illian, vows to throw them out like he did at Toman Head, but it is not going to be quite so easy this time.

Egwene and the Little Tower march for the White Tower, planning on once again reuniting all Aes Sedai, but with them in charge this time, so that they can back Rand as they want to. But they find themselves faced with an army preparing to stop them from moving any further, and Egwene must decide whether to continue to follow others, or take her destiny into her own hands.

Nynaeve, Elayne and Aviendha head towards Caemlyn to reclaim Elayne's throne, but come face to face with an enemy much worse than even the Seanchan.

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Last Updated: February 9, 2000

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