by Avery Cloward

Created on: September 21, 2008   Last Updated: September 22, 2008

Once upon a time, men and women alike refused to believe children's stories... most were too afraid to. Then, one day, those "children's stories" came to life.

The Great Hunt is only second in an almost unimaginably long series of books titled "The Wheel of Time". It was not the beginning of the series, nor the end, but it was the beginning of a dangerous journey, and the end to all childish hopes and dreams. It was the beginning of cold reality.

In the beginning of this book, Rand al'Thor, Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara, Perrin Aybara, Mat Cauthon, Lan al'Mandragoran, Moiraine Damodred, and even Darkfriend Padan Fain are all in Shienar. They are all brought into the story when the Amyrlin Seat -the leader of all Aes Sedai- pays a surprise visit to those in Shienar. Rand is aware of his ability to channel, and therefore tries to hide from the Amyrlin, as he is afraid of being gentled.

Hiding cannot last forever, however, and Rand cannot forever hide the truth: he is a man who can touch the tainted side of the One Power, saidin.

The Amyrlin finds him, and she, along with Brown Aes Sedai Verin Mathwin and Moiraine, inform him that he is the Dragon Reborn. Horrified, Rand refuses to believe.

Meanwhile, Nynaeve is finding out more everyday of her love for Lan. When Lan and Nynaeve are about to separate paths - Nynaeve heading for Tar Valon, Lan going with Moiraine - Lan gives her his ring, the ring of Malkeri kings, as a token of his care. He tells her that if she ever shows the ring to any Borderlander or Warder, that she will receive aid. Then, he leaves.

Nynaeve vows vengeance on Moiraine who, she feels, has ruined all their lives.

Suddenly, there is an attack of Trollocs in Shienar. During the chaos, Fain escapes, taking with him the fabled Horn of Valere and the tainted dagger from Shadar Logoth that keeps Mat alive. The only thing Fain leaves behind is a writing on the wall of his former cell: "We will meet again on Toman Head. It is never over, al'Thor."

Mat, Perrin, Rand, Loial, a Shienaran captain named Ingtar, and Ingtar's band of soldiers leave in pursuit of Fain and his Darkfriends, and the precious possessions they stole.

Then, one night they camp near a strange stone that Loial identifies as a Portal Stone, said to have been used by ancient Aes Sedai to Travel. Seeing nothing useful to them in the Portal Stone, they go to sleep; only to find themselves in the same place the next morning, but in something that seems like a completely different world. Only

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>