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mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Writing: 3.5⭐️/5
Jordan has a vision for this novel, but this vision feels like it’s a bit surrounded by repetitive phrases and scenes. The writing itself is serviceable. It gets the job done, and is easy to read when it needs to be. But the overall impression of the writing is a bit unsubstantial. Apart from a few moments of truly good writing, the novel doesn’t shine in its prose. That being said, it also isn’t held back by its prose. It’s served by its prose: nothing more, nothing less.
Characters: 3.25⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
Where the first book truly drew me into the characters, this book offered a number of reasons to question their characterization. Min, for one, has a moment that seems completely out of character for her. Not to mention a lack of any growth towards many of the characters we grew to love in the first book. Plus, and I can’t emphasize this enough, we have the fridging of a minor character solely for the purpose of advancing Thom’s plot, which I must (and truly do) consider a cardinal writing sin. If I’m being honest, the only character who retained growth from my perspective was Nynaeve.
Plot: 3.25⭐️/5
I feel the plot of this book will be entirely necessary to the plot of the series. And yet, it left me with the same taste in my mouth as a filler episode of a sitcom. Much of the plot felt pulled at – lengthened where it wasn’t necessary – and padded with fluff. The truly adventurous or intriguing parts of the plot were quickly (and sometimes far too easily) resolved in order to advance the next section. Of course, all that being said, it’s not an unenjoyable read at all and did keep my interest, whether deserved or not.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Those who read book one of The Wheel of Time (The Eye of the World)
Content Warnings?
- Slavery, confinement, kidnapping, toxic relationships, toxic friendships, blood, gore, torture, abuse, child death, war, misogyny, sexism, death, murder, injury, injury detail, fire, emotional abuse, gaslighting,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
As much as parts of this book IRRITATED ME (hi, Rand), I am very excited to start the third one.
Final Rating: 3.25⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Body horror, Gore, Toxic friendship, Grief, Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Trafficking, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Slavery, and War
Minor: Addiction, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Self harm, and Racism
cmklaft's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
I'm impressed I could even get through this. Robert Jordan has an amazing ability to draw out a story that could 100 pages 650 pages.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Blood, Violence, and Slavery
wogslandwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love Matt Cauthon so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Torture, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Violence, War, Death, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Alcohol
nadiaherondale's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Certainly an improvement in pace and interest for me. I'm glad things are picking up as I can actually enjoy what is a well written and thought world (that was obvious on the first one but all the introduction and the slow pace made it way too hard for me to enjoy it). Although I still feel like the climax of both the first and second books led to rushed endings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, War, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Torture, Blood, and Religious bigotry
surdiablo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I..
Flicker.
loved..
Flicker.
this..
Flicker.
book.
I was completely hooked from the beginning to the very end.(might be a slow start for some but I loved the anticipation).Turn of events in this book were much more intriguing than in the first. World building is amazing as usual, immersion is top-notch and the last couple of chapters brought me consistent goosebumps, especially the one named 'What Might Be'. Characters are still pretty much the same being obstinate or suspicious about everyone however, so if you were expecting them to change compared to how they were in the first, it won't happen, especially since the events take place soon after the first book. I didn't feel much drag except for a little in the middle where Rand gets (view spoiler) but we don't talk about that :D I just loved those final chapters so much that I don't care about any issues it had, but I have no doubt that this one improves upon the first book nonetheless.
Flicker.
loved..
Flicker.
this..
Flicker.
book.
I was completely hooked from the beginning to the very end.(might be a slow start for some but I loved the anticipation).Turn of events in this book were much more intriguing than in the first. World building is amazing as usual, immersion is top-notch and the last couple of chapters brought me consistent goosebumps, especially the one named 'What Might Be'. Characters are still pretty much the same being obstinate or suspicious about everyone however, so if you were expecting them to change compared to how they were in the first, it won't happen, especially since the events take place soon after the first book. I didn't feel much drag except for a little in the middle where Rand gets (view spoiler) but we don't talk about that :D I just loved those final chapters so much that I don't care about any issues it had, but I have no doubt that this one improves upon the first book nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Gore, and Slavery
Moderate: War, Blood, and Violence
joechio's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Robert Jordan's second book of his massive Wheel of Time series The Great Hunt picks off right where left our characters in the first book. Continuing the tale of Rand he must chase down the Horn of Valere that was stolen. The whole story is about Rand chasing down the horn and coming to terms with his identity as the Dragon Reborn. While not the BEST book of the series it really sets the tone and pace for the remainder of the series and who can doubt that the last 1/4th of the book is very epic. We got eastern style sword fighting duels and a bloody large scale battle that will have your eyes glued to the page.
That said, as with a lot of RJ's earlier books in the series there are some deus ex machina plot points that RJ chalks up to as "the Wheel Weaves and Wheel Wills". Rand being a person who turns the pattern inward on himself is a really convenient writing ploy to use as a way to wash away happenstance... I kind of see that as lazy storytelling. BUT who can blame RJ? He wrote a massive series and there is way to much detail in other parts of the story that it more than makes up for these slight blips.
I highly recommend this series and yes you must read book 1 before book 2. Cheers!
That said, as with a lot of RJ's earlier books in the series there are some deus ex machina plot points that RJ chalks up to as "the Wheel Weaves and Wheel Wills". Rand being a person who turns the pattern inward on himself is a really convenient writing ploy to use as a way to wash away happenstance... I kind of see that as lazy storytelling. BUT who can blame RJ? He wrote a massive series and there is way to much detail in other parts of the story that it more than makes up for these slight blips.
I highly recommend this series and yes you must read book 1 before book 2. Cheers!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and War
rwalker101's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I mean, if I could find a magical horn that would grant me access to the all-star team that is King Arthur, Amaterasu, St. Michael, St. Oscar Romero, St. Patrick, Shiva, John Henry, Boudica, Kali, and possibly Aphrodite and Hephaestus, I'd happily go through everything our protagonists go through in this book too.
Jordan was so clearly living his best life in putting together the Heroes of the Horn roster and honestly I love that for him.
Jordan was so clearly living his best life in putting together the Heroes of the Horn roster and honestly I love that for him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: War
Minor: Blood
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Murder, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
randanopterix's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, and Slavery
Moderate: Blood, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Suicide, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Blood, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
maiagaia's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
The Great Hunt is such an improvement on The Eye of the World. Since Rand is probably my least favorite of the main cast, spending less time in his head was a big plus for me. I don't dislike him, but I find the other characters more compelling.
Nynaeve is the best character in this series. I love her and all her bitchy stubbornness. Egwene has such a wonderful and heartbreaking plot that solidly moved her out of the "love interest" archetype. The time we spent with them in this book was my absolute favorite.
Perrin continues to be my favorite of the boys, and Matt had more glimmers here of some interesting depths and possibilities in the future.
I missed having Moraine around, but when we did get her POV, her and Lan had some great interactions. Speaking of Lan, god, I love him.
Now for some negatives:
I get that Rand is a young guy (like 19-ish?) But he is a grade A idiot when it comes to a particular woman that he needs to trust for plot reasons. It makes no logical sense, especially since he's already seen that women can be Darkfriends. But I give it a little lee way because he's supposed to be thinking with his dick. It's still annoying though.
Continuing with Rand, there's an entire plot having to do with polictical maneuvering that is totally contrived and nonsensical. Not terrible, but definitely worth skimming through because it doesn't add much but takes up a lot of pages.
Min Min Min Min. She went from an interesting, enigmatic character to a lovesick puppy out of nowhere. I don't care about prophecy; she shouldn't have such a sudden about face. That was truly some of the worst writing I've seen for a woman in a long time.
Nynaeve is the best character in this series. I love her and all her bitchy stubbornness. Egwene has such a wonderful and heartbreaking plot that solidly moved her out of the "love interest" archetype. The time we spent with them in this book was my absolute favorite.
Perrin continues to be my favorite of the boys, and Matt had more glimmers here of some interesting depths and possibilities in the future.
I missed having Moraine around, but when we did get her POV, her and Lan had some great interactions. Speaking of Lan, god, I love him.
Now for some negatives:
I get that Rand is a young guy (like 19-ish?) But he is a grade A idiot when it comes to a particular woman that he needs to trust for plot reasons. It makes no logical sense, especially since he's already seen that women can be Darkfriends. But I give it a little lee way because he's supposed to be thinking with his dick. It's still annoying though.
Continuing with Rand, there's an entire plot having to do with polictical maneuvering that is totally contrived and nonsensical. Not terrible, but definitely worth skimming through because it doesn't add much but takes up a lot of pages.
Min Min Min Min. She went from an interesting, enigmatic character to a lovesick puppy out of nowhere. I don't care about prophecy; she shouldn't have such a sudden about face. That was truly some of the worst writing I've seen for a woman in a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Blood, War, and Violence