The Shadow Rising
February 1, 2026
Rating 4 of 5
The Shadow Rising is the third book in Robert Jordans famous Wheel of Time book series.
My reviews of the series
As these stories are rather long, rather then review the plot I’m just going to refer Wikipedia.
Of the three books so far The Shadow Rising just slightly worse then The Great Hunt, but is still a very good book.
The book has four concurrent timelines:
- Rand’s days and Tear, journey to the Aiel waste and Rhuidean to became the Aiel “Car’a’carn “Cheif of Chiefs”
- Perian’s Battle for the two Rivers vs Trollocs and White Cloaks
- Nynaeve and Elayne’s hunt for the Black Ajah in Tanchico
- The coup in the White Tower where Siuan is deposed by Elaida and then escapes with the help of Min taking Leane & Logain with them.
The best part of the book by far is Perian’s battle for the two rivers. I feel like this is a bit of Robert Jordans ode to the Lord of the rings battle for the Shire but turned up to 11. Perian is a good character in this story. His “romance” with Faile is not too cheesy. And a number of good characters are introduced. The murder of Perian’s family is a despressing but effective plot point. His shooting of the Slayer in the dream world is and exciting event. The development of Padan Fain as a new kind of evil creates some extra drama. The whole story is very exciting and I rather enjoyed it.
Rands trip into the waste is eventful too. The character development between Rand, Mat, Aviendha and Moiranie is very good. Mat developing “powers” at a price gives his character depth it lacked in the ealier books. My main gripe with this part of the story is I just don’t like the Aiel. I feel the the “dessert” warriors created in a harsh land is just such a trope. I didn’t really like it in Dune and I don’t really like it here. People running around with short spears and leather bucklers do not stand up to men in Armor with Pikes. Them being a “powerful warroir” people just makes no sense. I’m sorry. The good parts of the Aiel is their history and relationship to the Aes Sedi of the age of legends. Most everything else is kind of tripe.
Nynaeve and Elaynes hunt for the Black Ajah in Tanchico is just ok. Its not bad, just Nynaeve is such a obnoxious character. I think she’s purposefully written to be iratating and she really is. The introduction of Moghedien as the sneaky forsaken is good. She usually makes for a good plot point. The only problem is you only dislike her slighly less then Nynaeve. The capture of the male a’dam is weak sort of plot point. And then they just send Bayle Domon to toss it in the ocean? How could the black Ajah have missed it? It all just makes no sense.
The coup-de-ta in the white tower by Elaida is a good story.
Elaida makes a good semi-villian and Siuan losing her powers introduces
a bit of a underdog character. Min continous as a strong
part of the supporting cast. Her foreshading visions of Logain
and Gawyn makes one look forward to future parts of the plot.
All in all The Shadow Rising is a good fantasy novel exciting things happen and it doesn’t to much fall into being a romance novel.