Book Reviews

The Shadow Rising A Turning Point in the Wheel

/ Author Simon Phillips / Leave a comment

There comes a moment in every long series where the world tilts slightly, where what was once a journey across landscapes becomes a passage into myth itself. For The Wheel of Time, that moment arrives in The Shadow Rising, the fourth volume in Robert Jordan’s vast and labyrinthine saga. It is here the tale begins to unfold on a truly epic scale, uncoiling threads of prophecy, heritage, and power that stretch far beyond the Emond’s Field beginnings we once knew.

A Novel of Expansions and Transformations

Unlike the tightly structured urgency of The Dragon Reborn, this book refuses haste. It broadens rather than barrels forward. Rand, now declared the Dragon Reborn, does not simply charge into battle. Instead, he walks into the heart of the Aiel Waste, into a past carved by blood and fire, and into a people whose history reshapes his own. Jordan uses the Aiel journey to expand his world in the most powerful sense, not by adding more, but by revealing depth. The Waste isn’t just a desert; it’s a crucible for a cultural philosophy built on honour, tradition, and hidden sorrow.

Meanwhile, Perrin returns to the Two Rivers in what remains, for me, one of the most emotionally grounded and satisfying arcs in the series. His struggle is heavy with consequence, defending his homeland, confronting loss, becoming a reluctant leader. It’s no grand adventure; it’s resistance. The quiet strength of Perrin’s arc holds the novel together when the other threads drift toward abstraction.

Mat, of course, is dragged forward by the Pattern with coin in hand and complaint on lip. Yet beneath the bravado, something is stirring. His gift or curse, begins to awaken. And with it, we catch glimpses of a man who will one day command entire armies, whether he likes it or not.

Women of Power and Subtle Shifts

Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne continue their arc through Tanchico and Tel’aran’rhiod. It is perhaps the portion of the book that divides readers most. At times, their chapters feel drawn out, yet they contain critical developments. The World of Dreams becomes more than a curiosity. It begins to whisper of control, danger, and deeper truths. Nynaeve’s confrontation with Moghedien is quietly devastating, a clash of raw strength and hidden terror. Jordan doesn’t always balance his multiple arcs evenly, but there is no question he gives the women in this story power, danger, and consequence.

The Great Unfolding

What makes The Shadow Rising remarkable is not a single battle or twist. It’s the slow, deliberate shift in the series’ soul. The world feels older. The scope feels wider. Every major character walks deeper into their identity, shaped less by choice and more by necessity. Prophecy is no longer something quoted by Aes Sedai in candlelit chambers, it lives now, in action and aftermath.

It’s also worth noting that Jordan’s prose here becomes more assured. His digressions are longer, yes, and he tests patience now and again with endless politicking and braid-tugging. Yet his command of tone, setting, and foreshadowing has sharpened. He is no longer just building a world, he’s weaving fate.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t the book I’d recommend to first-time fantasy readers. It demands investment. Yet for those already caught in the turning of the Wheel, The Shadow Rising marks a threshold crossed. From here, the story no longer simply follows characters, it chases legacies. Heroes don’t just act; they echo.

If you’ve ever wondered where The Wheel of Time truly begins to feel legendary, it’s here.

If you’d prefer a more informal deep-dive, with visual breakdowns and unscripted thoughts, I’ve also posted a video review of The Shadow Rising on my YouTube channel.

The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan Book Review

/ Author Simon Phillips / Leave a comment

Third in The Wheel of Time Series By Simon J. Phillips

It’s no secret that The Wheel of Time series demands patience. It builds slowly, chapter by chapter, like a tapestry woven in the dark, you don’t always know what the full picture is until you’ve stepped back. But The Dragon Reborn, the third entry in Robert Jordan’s monumental saga, is where that picture finally begins to emerge from the shadows.

This is where the world stops expanding outward and begins folding back in on itself. The stakes rise, the characters deepen, and the mythic weight of Rand al’Thor’s destiny becomes more than prophecy, it becomes reality.

A Shift in Structure, a Strength in Storytelling

Unlike the previous volumes, The Dragon Reborn follows a bold structural shift. Rand, the titular Dragon, is largely absent. And that’s not a weakness, it’s a strength. His presence lingers on every page but it’s Perrin, Mat, Egwene, Nynaeve, Elayne, and others who take centre stage. Jordan challenges the typical ‘chosen one’ narrative by showing us the world reacting to Rand’s ascent rather than merely following in his wake.

It’s in this reaction that the book finds its strength. We feel the weight of prophecy as the pattern tightens. We see the signs, omens, chaos, and political unrest, as nations begin to stir, and the world reshapes itself to accommodate a Dragon Reborn.

Mat Cauthon Awakens

This is the book where Mat comes into his own. Finally freed from the Shadar Logoth dagger, we get our first real glimpse of the roguish, witty, battle-hardened gambler he’s destined to become. His escape from Tar Valon is one of the most thrilling moments in the book, a chaotic run through city streets, dice in the air, and fate at his heels.

Jordan shows incredible restraint here. Mat doesn’t immediately become the legend; he earns it page by page, through struggle and sheer bloody-mindedness. It’s some of the finest character development in the series.

Dreamers, Wolfbrothers, and the Loom of the Pattern

Perrin’s arc continues to evolve, and though his brooding nature can wear thin at times, his growing bond with the wolves adds a haunting edge. It’s here that we begin to sense the vast, spiritual undercurrents of Jordan’s world, dreamwalking: the World of Dreams, and Talents that feel less like magic and more like fate reaching through.

Egwene’s training in the Tower and her own journey through Tel’aran’rhiod offers a parallel to Rand’s, the rise of another kind of power, more subtle but no less dangerous. The female half of the One Power continues to feel richer and more complex than most fantasy series ever attempt, and Jordan does not shy away from making the women in this world powerful, flawed, and capable of true leadership.

The Stone of Tear and the Dragon’s Claim

The climax of The Dragon Reborn erupts in the heart of Tear, a city long resistant to prophecy, and the prophesied site of the Dragon’s rise. Rand enters the Stone of Tear alone, facing off against one of the Forsaken, Be’lal, and ultimately seizing Callandor, the crystalline sword that no man but the Dragon Reborn can touch.

It’s a moment both personal and mythic. Rand doesn’t just fight a Forsaken, he confronts destiny. He steps fully into the role the Pattern has woven for him. The image of Rand holding Callandor, victorious but shaken, marks a seismic shift not just in his arc, but in the world itself. The prophecies are no longer shadows, they’re real, glowing, and deadly sharp.

Final Thoughts

The Dragon Reborn is not a flawless book, it still carries Jordan’s love of travel scenes, internal repetition, and the occasional pacing lull but it’s where The Wheel of Time begins to feel truly alive.

This isn’t just a continuation. It’s a turning. A reshaping. A slow-burning epic beginning to spark.

If you’ve made it through the first two books and weren’t quite convinced, this is the one that might win you over.

You can also watch my companion review video on YouTube if you’d rather hear my full thoughts aloud. It’s linked below.

Let me know in the comments, how did The Dragon Reborn hit you? Did Rand’s absence bother you, or did it make the book stronger

Revisiting The Eye of the World: A Journey Back to the Wheel

/ Author Simon Phillips / Leave a comment

Three years ago, I delved into Robert Jordan’s The Eye of the World, the inaugural volume of his expansive Wheel of Time series. At the time, I recorded a comprehensive 40-minute video review, capturing my initial impressions and analyses. Now, with the passage of time and further reflection, I find myself drawn back to that world, eager to share renewed insights and perspectives.

Initial Impressions: A World Unveiled

My first encounter with The Eye of the World was marked by a sense of familiarity intertwined with novelty. Jordan’s narrative begins in the quaint village of Emond’s Field, reminiscent of Tolkien’s Shire, introducing us to characters like Rand al’Thor, Mat Cauthon, and Perrin Aybara. Their lives are disrupted by the arrival of Moiraine Damodred, an Aes Sedai, and her Warder, Lan Mandragoran, setting them on a path fraught with peril and discovery.

The journey that unfolds is rich in world-building, with Jordan crafting a universe steeped in history, magic, and prophecy. The concept of the Wheel of Time, turning through Ages, and the idea of ta’veren, individuals around whom the Pattern weaves itself, add layers of depth to the narrative.

Reflections After Three Years

Revisiting my review and the book itself, I appreciate more profoundly the intricacies of Jordan’s world. The pacing, which I initially found deliberate, now feels purposeful, allowing for a gradual immersion into the complexities of the setting and its inhabitants. Characters like Nynaeve al’Meara and Egwene al’Vere, whose arcs seemed secondary at first, reveal themselves as pivotal figures with compelling growth trajectories.

Moreover, the themes of destiny, free will, and the cyclical nature of time resonate more deeply. Jordan’s exploration of these concepts invites readers to ponder the balance between fate and choice, a contemplation that remains relevant.

The Video Review: A Deeper Dive

For those interested in a more detailed analysis, I invite you to watch my original video review below. In it, I discuss character developments, thematic elements, and the broader implications of Jordan’s work within the fantasy genre.

Connecting to My Own Writing Journey

Reading The Eye of the World not only enriched my appreciation for epic fantasy but also influenced my own writing. The meticulous world-building and character complexities inspired me to infuse similar depth into my creations. As I continue to develop my narratives, the lessons gleaned from Jordan’s work remain a guiding force.