This book is as good a fantasy novel that you will ever find. Bar none, and I do include the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. While they may be better singlar achievements (ok, much better), The Shadow Rising is, so far, the best book that Robert Jordan has written. That makes it the best book in a series filled with good books.

While it is true that the series drags a bit later on, this book represents everything that is great about these books; with its best qualities (characters, action, humor, love, etc...) being shown in ever chapter. Ok, Tolkien may (rightly) have carved himself the number one position in the epic fantasy genre forever, but at this point in the WoT Jordan was giving him a run for his money. Try the book, but first read the first three books of the series.

Review from Amazon.com .

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