The Shadow Rising (Chapters 25 - 30)

Annals of the Homestarmy

Tuesday, August 6. 2013

Wheel of Time Read-Through Posted by The Mad Giggler in Wheel of Time Read-Through

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The Shadow Rising (Chapters 25 - 30)

These chapters were really incredible. We get world building that doesn’t feel encyclopedic. We get some character development and some good action, as well as a little mystery and suspense.
Chapter Summaries

Rand learns the incredible history of the Aiel through the experiences of ancient Aiel leaders.

Rand finds Mat hanging from an odd weapon. He is able to revive his friend and they flee Rhuidean as another bubble of evil threatens them.

Perrin, Gaul, Faile, Loial, Bain and Chiad journey through the Ways to Manetheren. They fight some Trollocs and Myrdraal before narrowly escaping Machin Shin.

Perrin goes to the Wolf Dream to track down some wolves - hoping to ask for their aid. Instead he finds Slayer (permanently) killing wolves in Tel'aran'rhiod. He hunts Slayer to a strange fortress. A mysterious woman that the Tower leads to the land of the Snakes and Foxes and indicates the only way to win the game is to break the rules.

Perrin sneaks his way into Emond’s Field and seeks out the Mayor. His attempt to sacrifice himself to save his family ends when he is told they have already been killed by Trollocs. Faile breaks through his shock and comforts him.

Perrin decides to fight back against both the Trollocs and Whitecloaks who’ve invaded the Two Rivers.

My Thoughts

I have tons of thoughts about these chapters, but it is late at night and I have to take my wife to the hospital in the morning. I’ll do my best.

I loved learning the history of the Aiel through the experiences of past men. Some of their stories were so moving. I loved seeing how Jordan explained each important piece of Aiel lore. Why they don’t carry swords. Why they veil their faces. Why they allow the Tuatha'an to wander undisturbed through the Waste. The founding of the Maidens of the Spear and why Aiel use the short spears with a buckler. Incredible stuff. Lots of world building woven into interesting stories.

I love the conversations between Perrin and Gaul. The bit about trying to understand the sun really made me smile. The interplay between Gaul and the two Maidens is subtle and fantastic. Perrin hasn’t quite figured out some important needs that Faile will require of him.

I think I already mentioned in a previous write-up or comment that the Snakes and Foxes absolutely fascinate me. I love the little hint we get here and I’m excited to get more information on this stuff. There’s so much I don’t know that I’m expecting to uncover in the Sanderson novels.

My heart really breaks for Perrin. It was tough to read this section. Pete says I’m just a bleeding heart.

I’m excited to continue Perrin’s adventures in the Two Rivers.

I do want to point out that the Whitecloaks have only taken prisoners under Bornhald's orders. He is trying to capture a known murderer (using hostages.)

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Radar on :

To be fair to our bleeding heart compatriot, I also was moved by Perrin's situation. Though for me it was mostly the way that the reader in the audio book made me feel the emotion of his loss.

Snakes and Foxes, so very cool! I did not clue in to this meta-world that Jordan set up the first time i read through it. It fills me with questions like who and what are they. But more so, are they in a position to be asked for more things if you go to them through TAR? Or is it not safe to do so because it would be against the treaty. Someone answer this for me, will we get to see more of the snakes and foxes? Are they ever explained?

Also, the story of the Ieel, is really pretty cool. The sad part for me is that I could not always tell when one story ended and another began because the pauses were insufficient to notice. Makes me wonder how that device was created to tell their history.

DUKE on :

On my read through of these chapters I too was moved by Perrin's position. It seemed a bit unfair that this young man that really didn't have a choice was pulled from his family only to have them killed while he was away... simply because of the very reason he was pulled away in the first place. I did not reread the chapters before so I can't say as to if I was broken up or not... which sort of hints to me that I really didn't care that much. Perrin was really the only one that we didn't know much about. He would always talk about Master Luhhan but not much about his own family. So while I felt for Perrin and his loss, mine wasn't all that great.

Where to start with the snakes and foxes. Easily on of the most tantalizing mysteries about Jordan's world. If you want my suggestion, put the crafty devils on the back burner for a couple or eight books. To keep them at the forefront will drive you mad.

The way Jordan discloses information is fresh and exciting. After endless pages of mystery shrouded in shadow of the "prophecies" we finally get solid information. Indisputable, and raw.

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