The Great Hunt (The Wheel of Time #2) (1990)

by Robert Jordan

Still trying to deny that he is the Dragon Reborn, the being who is destined to save the world by destroying it, Rand and his friends Mat and Perrin join a troop of soldiers to recover the stolen Horn of Valere, a powerful artifact that has the ability to call dead heroes back from the grave. 

Meanwhile, Egwene and Nynaeve begin Aes Sedai training with unexpected results. 

This 700+ page novel is far too long for its own good. 

Robert Jordan clearly loves the world he has created, but he goes on at such length that it bogs down the story. 

Robert Jordan

Part of the length is due to Jordan's commitment to keeping his large cast in play even when they have little to do.

 Moiraine and her bodyguard warder Lan appear to be investigating something of great import, only to vanish from the narrative about midway through the novel. 

I suppose their import will be revealed in a later book, but that lack of closure weakens this book. 

A character named Selene is introduced in a manner that leads us to believe that she is important; she also vanishes abruptly, never to be seen again. 

I guess she, too, will reappear later, but I think Jordan would be better off leaving such characters off-stage entirely until they are ready to have a significant impact on the plot. 

"The Awakening of the Heroes" (Spanish)

All of these criticisms probably leave the impression that I dislike the book, but I actually enjoyed it. 

"The Great Hunt" (Hungarian)

Jordan tells a good story and has created an interesting world. 

"The Great Hunt" (German)

I just wish he had more discipline or a better editor.

"Big Game" (Persian)

"Big Hunt" (Chinese)

"Great Hunt" (Russian)

"The Great Hunt" (Dutch)

"The Big Hunt" (Portuguese)

"The Great Hunt" (Italian)

"The Big Hunt" (Serbian)