The Hunt is on...
So, the Wheel turns and I'm on to Book Two...
I think I enjoyed The Great Hunt more than The Eye of the World, which isn't to say that I didn't enjoy it(!), as per my review.
When I think about it, then it's probably not that surprising. I often find that, especially with visual media like films, the first one in a series is always the best. It has that originality 'X-factor'. Then the sequels come across as just more of the same. It's not necessarily a bad thing, if you have a formula that works. The in-jokes, action sequences or use of superpowers being portrayed in the first movie seems to lose that cutting edge come the sequels. I tend to feel this way a lot with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the origin movies compared to the follow up, such as Iron Man 2 or Thor: The Dark World. (Note: this probably also relates to the EXCESSIVE use of lightsabres in the Star Wars prequel movies...).
Don't get me wrong, I mean there are exceptions to the rule... Terminator 2 anyone?
On the flip side I find, particularly with fantasy series, that the first book often serves as more of an introduction. It helps set the scene down to locations/the world, the characters or an overarching story arc. Then the following books are where things tend to kick on and build upon that foundation. You're invested in the characters by that point and you start learning more of their backstory or about the world they inhabit. That's how The Great Hunt felt to me. Particularly in the case of Rand al'Thor, who takes more of a starring role, with his companions reduced to almost more cameo roles in the second installment.
Perrin and Mat, more often than not, play support characters within Rand's chapters as a part of his journey. Mat didn't feature too heavily in the first book, being more the victim of circumstance centering around his dagger from Shadar Logoth, but we certainly had more of Perrin in The Eye of the World. As a counterbalance within The Great Hunt, we have a little more time from Nynaeve, who grows a little more from our first glimpses of her in the first book.
The Great Hunt does introduce and develop some key plot points, for the series, as well as embellishing on concepts that were previously set out in The Eye of the World. Along the way we also get more exposure to some of the characters of the first book, whilst others take more of a back seat role. Through Loial we learn a little more of the mysterious race of Ogier as well as some characters from the Shienarans of the Borderlands, that featured at the end of the first book.
The title itself refers to the hunt for the Horn of Valere, a mythical and revered item of some power, reported to be able to re-call long dead heroes from the grave to fight in the final battle against the Shadow. Running centrally to The Wheel of Time is the constant idea of good Vs evil. The Light Vs the Shadow, with the 'Light' often spoken of with religious undertones such as 'May you walk in the Light' or 'the Light illumine you.'
The cyclical nature of the series suggests we are headed to the conclusion of this particular 'Age' with a final showdown in the form of a good old fashioned dust up, the battle referred to as Tarmon Gai'don. The Horn is painted as a key part of this, to call those long dead heroes to fight in said battle.
The main arc of this story revolves around the three main protagonists from the first book, Rand, Mat and Perrin having to strike out to follow try and recapture the Horn, which was recovered from The Eye of the World at the end of the first novel. Along the way are different and mysterious characters, such as the Lady Selene a highly beautiful woman encountered in another world that joins up with Rand and is obsessed with greatness. Not all is as it seems there.
Inter-spliced with the events that revolve around the Horn in this book we are introduced to a little more detail of the mysterious Aes Sedai and the infamous White Tower of Tar Valon. The Aes Sedai use 'The One Power', which is Wheel of Time's take on magic. It comes from a source, which is split between a female and male side. The female side wielded by the Aes Sedai and the male side, which seems to be much rarer and is said to cause madness in men. Any man proven to be able to channel will be dealt with harshly, stemming from The Dragon Reborn having gone mad and broken the world with his use of the magic.
A different element that is brought into the second book is a war-faring race known as the Seanchan, with their own claimed links to history and myth. They have strange customs and ways of thinking that are at odds to the lands we have been introduced to. Particular interest is in how they deal with those that can channel, such as Aes Sedai.
I find the varied people and locations within the world absolutely fascinating. Each city has it's own residents, that are vastly different to others in their customs. In this book we are introduced to the denizens of Cairhien. What struck me about them is their obsession with Daes Dae'mar, the great game. A 'game' of political intrigue, with a goal of getting ahead and holding power. Try as you might you will be drawn into it, as no action is an action in itself. A game of chess on a huge scale, played beneath the surface with people as the game pieces. To me there is a sense of threat and tension on par with any of the physical danger encountered through the two books so far.
The threat in the second book is less focused on 'The Shadow' in the form of Ba'alzamon, who was more prominent in the first book. Instead, it is more focused around him waiting in the wings and pulling the strings. Across the world are 'Darkfriends', who are people sympathetic with The Dark One, and willing to help him in his bidding. More often than not to prove their worth and get a position of power when he escapes imprisonment in Shayol Ghul (the dark one's prison). Again, it leaves this feeling of unease looming over the characters, like nowhere is safe, where you least expect it more often than not.
The conclusion to the book is along the same lines as book one. A revelation, albeit the confirmation of one, rather than something new for this book. It sets up nicely for the next book to see how things will unfold further.
Overall I would say I give The Great Hunt 8.5/10.
If you've read this one, let me know what you think.
Thanks
Steve L
When I think about it, then it's probably not that surprising. I often find that, especially with visual media like films, the first one in a series is always the best. It has that originality 'X-factor'. Then the sequels come across as just more of the same. It's not necessarily a bad thing, if you have a formula that works. The in-jokes, action sequences or use of superpowers being portrayed in the first movie seems to lose that cutting edge come the sequels. I tend to feel this way a lot with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the origin movies compared to the follow up, such as Iron Man 2 or Thor: The Dark World. (Note: this probably also relates to the EXCESSIVE use of lightsabres in the Star Wars prequel movies...).
Don't get me wrong, I mean there are exceptions to the rule... Terminator 2 anyone?
On the flip side I find, particularly with fantasy series, that the first book often serves as more of an introduction. It helps set the scene down to locations/the world, the characters or an overarching story arc. Then the following books are where things tend to kick on and build upon that foundation. You're invested in the characters by that point and you start learning more of their backstory or about the world they inhabit. That's how The Great Hunt felt to me. Particularly in the case of Rand al'Thor, who takes more of a starring role, with his companions reduced to almost more cameo roles in the second installment.
Perrin and Mat, more often than not, play support characters within Rand's chapters as a part of his journey. Mat didn't feature too heavily in the first book, being more the victim of circumstance centering around his dagger from Shadar Logoth, but we certainly had more of Perrin in The Eye of the World. As a counterbalance within The Great Hunt, we have a little more time from Nynaeve, who grows a little more from our first glimpses of her in the first book.
The Great Hunt does introduce and develop some key plot points, for the series, as well as embellishing on concepts that were previously set out in The Eye of the World. Along the way we also get more exposure to some of the characters of the first book, whilst others take more of a back seat role. Through Loial we learn a little more of the mysterious race of Ogier as well as some characters from the Shienarans of the Borderlands, that featured at the end of the first book.
The title itself refers to the hunt for the Horn of Valere, a mythical and revered item of some power, reported to be able to re-call long dead heroes from the grave to fight in the final battle against the Shadow. Running centrally to The Wheel of Time is the constant idea of good Vs evil. The Light Vs the Shadow, with the 'Light' often spoken of with religious undertones such as 'May you walk in the Light' or 'the Light illumine you.'
The cyclical nature of the series suggests we are headed to the conclusion of this particular 'Age' with a final showdown in the form of a good old fashioned dust up, the battle referred to as Tarmon Gai'don. The Horn is painted as a key part of this, to call those long dead heroes to fight in said battle.
The main arc of this story revolves around the three main protagonists from the first book, Rand, Mat and Perrin having to strike out to follow try and recapture the Horn, which was recovered from The Eye of the World at the end of the first novel. Along the way are different and mysterious characters, such as the Lady Selene a highly beautiful woman encountered in another world that joins up with Rand and is obsessed with greatness. Not all is as it seems there.
Inter-spliced with the events that revolve around the Horn in this book we are introduced to a little more detail of the mysterious Aes Sedai and the infamous White Tower of Tar Valon. The Aes Sedai use 'The One Power', which is Wheel of Time's take on magic. It comes from a source, which is split between a female and male side. The female side wielded by the Aes Sedai and the male side, which seems to be much rarer and is said to cause madness in men. Any man proven to be able to channel will be dealt with harshly, stemming from The Dragon Reborn having gone mad and broken the world with his use of the magic.
A different element that is brought into the second book is a war-faring race known as the Seanchan, with their own claimed links to history and myth. They have strange customs and ways of thinking that are at odds to the lands we have been introduced to. Particular interest is in how they deal with those that can channel, such as Aes Sedai.
I find the varied people and locations within the world absolutely fascinating. Each city has it's own residents, that are vastly different to others in their customs. In this book we are introduced to the denizens of Cairhien. What struck me about them is their obsession with Daes Dae'mar, the great game. A 'game' of political intrigue, with a goal of getting ahead and holding power. Try as you might you will be drawn into it, as no action is an action in itself. A game of chess on a huge scale, played beneath the surface with people as the game pieces. To me there is a sense of threat and tension on par with any of the physical danger encountered through the two books so far.
The threat in the second book is less focused on 'The Shadow' in the form of Ba'alzamon, who was more prominent in the first book. Instead, it is more focused around him waiting in the wings and pulling the strings. Across the world are 'Darkfriends', who are people sympathetic with The Dark One, and willing to help him in his bidding. More often than not to prove their worth and get a position of power when he escapes imprisonment in Shayol Ghul (the dark one's prison). Again, it leaves this feeling of unease looming over the characters, like nowhere is safe, where you least expect it more often than not.
The conclusion to the book is along the same lines as book one. A revelation, albeit the confirmation of one, rather than something new for this book. It sets up nicely for the next book to see how things will unfold further.
Overall I would say I give The Great Hunt 8.5/10.
If you've read this one, let me know what you think.
Thanks
Steve L
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