The Dragon Reborn is the third book in the Wheel of Time series written by Robert Jordan. It was first published in October of 1991. When bringing up great books in the Wheel of Time series, this entry is often in the conversation. So let’s look and see what this book is all about and if this entry is worth the time to read. 

What to Expect When Reading Dragon Reborn

Surprisingly, this book does not follow the Dragon Reborn which is Rand Al’Thor’s character very much. We are mostly following Perrin, Moraine, Elayne Nynaeve and Egwene, Matt Caldron and Thom Merrilin. This decision allowed for some really solid character growth with all the other characters in the series in which some needed more than others. 

One thing that really stood out for me was the growth of Matt’s character from cover to cover, I enjoyed the story of his character and his recovery from the curse of the dagger that was placed on him in the very first book to the series Eye of the World. He has not gotten much character advancement up until this point. 

Matt Cauthon In Dragon Reborn

He still comes across as a hot-headed character and through the course of this entry to the series is still trying to just get away from the events that are going on around him. After recovering, he becomes very hungry as the recovery takes much out of him. He eventually takes the risk to leave Tar Valon and give a note to the queen in Caemlyn for Elayne, Nynaeve and Egwene. 

While doing his he discovers that he seems to be extremely lucky at dice and other events such as taking guesses. He also becomes very skilled at defending himself with a quarter staff against the grey men who appear to be pursuing him from the moment he attempts to leave the white tower in Tar Valon. 

Nynaeve, Egwene and Elayne In Dragon Reborn

Nynaeve, Egwene and Elayne have been tasked by the armillion seat who is the leader of the ais sedie to find out who the black aja are in the tower. She fears that these aise sedia that serve the dark lord have infiltrated the tower. 

Egwene comes into possession of a ring that when worn allows her to enter a dream reality to help hunt and accomplish this goal. They do all of this while appearing to get in deeper and deeper trouble at the tower in Tar Valon where they are training to become full fledged Aise Sedia. They were all promoted to the ascended which is the level up where they receive their rings that mark them as aise sedia. 

Perrin and Moraine In Dragon Reborn

Perrin and Moraine are travelling to where they believe Rand will be through the book. They run into a girl that calls herself the falcon that chooses to follow them as they appear like a perfect group to follow that may know where the Horn of Valar is. The hunt is still very much going on in the world as the entire world is unaware that it was found already and blown by Matt. 

The groups all end up coming back together around the end of the book in an epic showdown as Rand faces off against the dark one and harnesses Callandor. At the end he fully takes on the role of The Dragon Reborn. 

Character Progression

The book is really good at growing and progressing the characters. It seems that most of the characters in this book do not follow everything Moraine tells them to do anymore and rather do what they feel is the right thing to do. I think that this shows at this point that everyone involved with Moraine now feel at a more even level playing field for what is the right thing to do and what is not. 

All the characters are much more travelled in the world then when they were first introduced in the small down of Edmonds field in the first book.  

There’s not much for trollocs in this entry but they seem to be replaced with the threat of the grey men who chase more than just Matt but also Moraine and Perrin.  

Rand himself seems to be growing increasingly more unstable in this book. Towards the end though he seems to regain some of the sanity that he had in the previous entry. Toward the beginning of the book however he was fighting constantly with himself and the responsibilities that were being forced upon him. 

Is The Dragon Reborn Good?

Out of the 3 entries to the series that I have read so far, this one does not beat the Great Hunt for me but was at the same level of quality of Eye of the World. So for the entire series has been a fantastic read and I cannot wait to continue with the series.  

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What were your thoughts on the Dragon Reborn? How does this entry to the series rank as a whole for you? Comment below and let us know.