The Shadow Rising begins with Min, a character from a previous book in the series, arriving in the white tower, the capital of the feared and honored Aes Sedai (women who can channel magical powers). Min has the gift to somehow see what's going to happen to people in the future. She tells the leader of the Aes Sedai that the Dragon Reborn, the man destined to break or save the world, is journeying to Tear, the city that has never been broken. There he will wield the sword that only the Dragon Reborn can hold.
The story goes on to tell how Rand, the Dragon Reborn, gets the sword (Callonder) and is faced with the decision to either go back to his home, where he would help his friends who are being squeezed between two enemies, or to journey to the Aiel City Rhuidean to fulfill more of the prophesies the Dragon must fulfill. He chooses to go to Rhuidean, and brings along his lucky friend, Matt, who loves to gamble. He also brings along Moiraine an Aes Sedai who is trying to make sure he does not die before he can save the world from the dark one, Ba'alzamon. Some women from his village who are studying to become Aes Sedai go on a quest to track down some Aes Sedai who serve the dark one. Rand's other friend, Perrin, who can talk with wolves, goes to save the villagers from their home town. | ||
Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - great warrior Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a teen If magical mental powers: - can cast many different spells Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - long-lived adults Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can cast all sorts of spells How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Terrain Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society Takes place on Earth? Yes Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths How much dialogue? - mostly dialog |