A review by mattiedancer
The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

adventurous 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? Yes

3.5

Writing: 3⭐️/5 
On one hand, Jordan knows he’s writing books that are very long and people may need reminders of certain things. On the other hand, Jordan’s repetitive phrases and facts really, really exhaust me (if Nynaeve tugs on her hair one more time…). All in all, the book is serviceable to the plot, demonstrating great control at times, and at others lacking a certain something something. 

Characters: 3.5⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
I am incredibly torn. Nynaeve and Mat continue to grow as characters, fleshing out their flaws and motives to be truly interesting characters. Rand even offers some growth – even if it is foul and unhealthy at times – with his passages becoming more unhinged, but also more interesting. However, it feels like we get a huge step back with Perrin, who reads during much of this novel like a carbon copy of Book-Two Rand. So much so that I wonder if Jordan knew how to make Perrin have an internal struggle that different from Rands. Egwene as well begins to act like a petulant child in a way that felt unnatural and unsmooth. I will say that at the end of the day, the characters are still fascinating and kept me reading.

Plot: 3.75⭐️/5 
*Some Spoilers*
We have a couple illegal tropes to charge Jordan with, mainly the “Adults are Useless” trope. I found it incredibly hard to believe that the Amyrlin Seat would have encouraged three untrained Accepted Aes Sedai students to chase after the Black Ajah with little thought to how untrained they are. Other than that though, I didn’t have a huge problem with any of the overarching plot. In comparison to the previous book, I thought this felt less stuffed with fluff. I enjoyed the traveling, I enjoyed the switching perspectives, and I enjoyed the pace (mostly).

Who Should Read This Book? 
  • Those who read book one and two of The Wheel of Time (The Eye of the World)

Content Warnings? 
  • Confinement, kidnapping, toxic relationships, toxic friendships, blood, gore, abuse, war, misogyny, sexism, death, murder, injury, injury detail, fire, emotional abuse, gaslighting, mentions of slavery, 

Post-Reading Rating:  4.5⭐️/5
Oh, I am worried for Faile. 

Final Rating: 3.5⭐️/5
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