The Wheel of time digs deep into new cultures as well as political intrigue of different types in the Shadow Rising. This is the 4th installation to the Wheel of Time series written by Robert Jordan and ranks among the top tier books in the series. So let’s find out what makes this book so great.

I am going to review this book spoiler free to begin with and then with spoilers later just in case readers have not read the book yet.

Wheel of Time Shadow Rising Spoiler Free Review

The Shadow Rising takes place not very long after the events of the 3rd book in the series, the Dragon Reborn, where the group finds themselves at the stone trying to figure out what must be done next.

In this book the party does split but it does so again in a way that makes the story contently refreshing from chapter to chapter, where one storyline does not overstay it’s welcome but keeps you reading on.

I personally love the new locations characters venture out to in this book. Not only does the reader get to experience new cultures in the series, but also is split up with fantastic chapters involving Perrin and a more familiar location in the Two Rivers.

readers can get the sense of the rising stakes and the beginning of what can only be a twist of ideas through the series as characters become more well versed in the world as well as the mystical items and experiences they are constantly running into at this point.

Wheel of Time Shadow Rising feels like a book that sets up much more in the series. So I highly recommend picking this book up and continuing the journey.

Spoiler Review for Wheel of Time Shadows Rising

The Shadows Rising takes place after the events in the Dragon Reborn. Rand is feverishly trying to learn as much as he can while also juggling the responsibilities of leading many people in his cause.

With more threats of death coming from many sides, Rand must balance his responsibility while also learning to defend himself and forward his cause.

This sends Rand to Rhuidean. This is a city in which no one is allowed to speak of or enter. This is probably the most interesting part of the book, but leaves Rand with the mark of dragons up his arms which will be important later.

Along with this journey, Rand learns of his real parentage and copes with the idea of being true Aiel born.

He works to gather the leaders of the Aiel and try’s to get them to back him as well.

But towards the tail end of all this a massive fight occurs where Lanfeer returns. Rand faces off against a

Perrin, leaves for the Two Rivers to defend his hometown. Along with him comes Faile and Loiel. This leads Perrin to discover the death of his family, and the “defense” the White cloaks who still beleive Perrin to be a Darkfriend.

Perrin leads the Two rivers in multiple battles against the Trollocs and the myrrdral as they try and take the Two Rivers. This is where I believe most of the action is in this book apart from the events at the beginning and end with Rand.

Perrin really grows as a character and in status as the world perceives him, he is no longer able to hide the fact that his eyes have gone golden and is referenced to as Golden eyes and lord Perrin. Titles he wish was not bestowed on him.

Perrin and Faile after a majority of the book bickering between each other get married. The relationship does not feel forced to me and was pretty pleasant to read. I am actually happy that they got married so quickly after coming together so as to not drag out that potential plotline where other more interesting.

Egwene in the series also takes on what feels like a more important role than before where she learns to adapt to the Aiel culture. She journeys with Rand from the stone to the wastes where the Aiel are. She learns the culture well as while also growing her knowledge of dream walking.

She is really beginning to become a powerful aes sedai quickly.

Nenavee and elayne travel to Tarrabon where they experience new culture as well on the coast. They meet. They to learn to dream walk in order to keep in touch with Egwene and Moraine. They also befriend a Seanchan women despite having to overcome a hatred for the Seanchan from being captured by them in The Great Hunt.

The Overall Story of Shadow Rising

The story here is ballooning in scope with so many parts of the world now being realized as well as a noticeable difference in character development as all the characters begin to fully embrace the roles of aes sedai or being a lord and leader. Gone are the days where these characters act like children. They are all fully aware of the situation they are in and what that means for themselves.

I feel that this book really sets up some much larger plots for the future. With Rand continuing to have more follow him and his cause and the promise of change being realized with just Rhuidean alone is quite something.

In addition to that, the abilities that Rand has are really beginning to take shape as he learns to better control them.

Should you read Shadow Rising?

Yes. Wheel of Time Shadow Rising is a great book in the series that really shows growth of character and cope of the world. To me this is always the biggest draw to fantasy series and Shadow Rising does this really well while also keeping me entertained with a moderate pace to the plot.

If you have read the series up to this point I hope that you continue forward as well as based on this book the promises for what is to come will be really interesting!