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Review Summaries
"Moiraine is an Aes Sedai, a female magician. Upon graduating from Novicehood, she sets out to find the Dragon Reborn, a boychild which is prophecied to save the world from the Dark One and to break it in the process. However, the Black Ajah, an organization of female magicians who operates in hiding and serves the Dark One, is also looking for him, and will kill him and anyone else who stands in their way. At the same time, powerful political characters want to put Moiraine on the throne in Cairhien. Travelling alone, Moiraine is therefore forced to avoid Aes Sedai at every turn, since they might either by Black Ajah, or wanting to make her Queen of Cairhien. And will she find the infant Dragon Reborn before the Black Ajah does...?"
Espen Hegge, Resident Robert Jordan Scholar
"
Tor, Jan 2004, 22.95, 334 pp.
ISBN: 0765306298
The war against the Aiel has been devastating, but it goes on as the forces led by warriors like the uncrowned king Lan Mandragoran repel the dark clad enemy. The latest battle is currently just outside of Tar Valon. However, the key is not the bloody skirmish turning the snow red, but what is happening inside the city. An Aes Sedai channel of the One Powerprophesizes that a dragon is born, which means either the savior or the destroyer of the world has arrived.
Lan, accompanied by an Accepted future Aes Sedai, Moiraine Damodred travel to Dragonmount to keep this child alive. The birth of the dragon also means that the Dark One is free once more. Only the dragon can confront the evil as destiny has predicted will occur in the ultimate Last Battle that is if the newborn can be kept alive to meet fate head on. Lan and Moiraine know that followers of the Dark One will try to kill the fledgling.
Though well written and quite exciting, and on an epic scale and while adding depth to the Wheel of Time mythos, this reviewer is not sure why this prequel was written now. The story line is typical of the sub-genre with plenty of exhilarating action and adventure starring heroic individuals, and a support cast of thousands, mostly fodder. Fans of the series will enjoy this tale that patches up some issues and opens up new questions, but still feels out of sequential time with I think ten “wheels” already published and two or three spins to go.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Robert Jordan Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- roaming fantasy world, battling hostile monsters
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Adversaries are…
- dragon buddy
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
GIANT monster(s)
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
- Female
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
- mage/magician
Age:
- 20's-30's
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can talk to animals
- fire/lightning/weather cntrl
- mind control
- can cast many different spells
- healing
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
- an organization
Age:
- 40's-50's
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- can talk to animals
- fire/thunder/weather cntrl
- mind reading
- mind control
- can cast all sorts of spells
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- general past
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
- significantly more descript than dialog
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