The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan Review: Why Book 2 of The Wheel of Time Improves on Everything

Epic fantasy series have always had a special place in the book world. Readers love massive worlds, ancient prophecies, unforgettable characters, and stories that slowly build into something enormous. Few series have reached the legendary status of The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, a fourteen-book fantasy saga that has influenced countless authors and built one of the most dedicated fan bases in the genre.

The first novel, The Eye of the World, introduced readers to Rand al’Thor and his friends as they were pulled from their quiet lives into a conflict much larger than they ever imagined. While many readers enjoyed the beginning of the series, others felt the first book leaned heavily into familiar fantasy formulas and spent much of its story on constant traveling and running from danger.

Then comes The Great Hunt.

The second novel takes everything established in the first book and improves on it. The world expands, the action increases, the stakes become much larger, and the story finally begins to feel like Robert Jordan is stepping fully into his own style.

If you’re reading The Wheel of Time and wondering whether the series gets better after the first installment, The Great Hunt might be the book that convinces you to continue.

Warning: Mild spoilers for The Eye of the World ahead.

The Great Hunt Summary

The Great Hunt begins shortly after the events of The Eye of the World.

Rand al’Thor and his companions are staying at Fal Dara after surviving the dangerous journey and confrontation from the first novel. The immediate threat may seem over for the moment, but peace never lasts long in The Wheel of Time universe.

The Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, arrives at Fal Dara and her presence immediately raises tension. Powerful figures are beginning to take notice of Rand and the events surrounding him.

Meanwhile, Mat Cauthon faces a growing problem.

The cursed dagger from Shadar Logoth continues to affect him, and his condition steadily worsens. The dagger’s influence is slowly destroying him, making it clear that time is running out.

Things become significantly worse when Darkfriends attack.

Padan Fain, who was imprisoned following the events of the previous novel, escapes during the chaos. But he does not leave empty-handed.

He steals two incredibly important items:

• The Horn of Valere
• Mat’s cursed dagger

Losing the dagger places Mat’s life in serious danger. Losing the Horn of Valere creates a threat that could impact the fate of the entire world.

For those unfamiliar with its significance, the Horn of Valere is one of the most legendary objects in existence. According to prophecy, blowing the Horn summons heroes from the past to fight for the Light.

Allowing such a powerful artifact to remain in enemy hands cannot happen.

Rand, Mat, Perrin, and a group of allies begin pursuing Padan Fain and the Trollocs to retrieve the stolen items.

At the same time, Egwene and Nynaeve leave for Tar Valon to begin their training with the Aes Sedai.

As the journey continues, unusual circumstances separate Rand from the main group. Alongside a few companions, he follows a different path that exposes him to dangerous political situations, deeper mysteries surrounding the One Power, and increasingly unavoidable truths about his destiny.

The Dark One’s plans continue moving forward.

Enemies are gathering.

Prophecies are unfolding.

And Rand must slowly confront something he desperately wants to avoid:

The possibility that he truly is the Dragon Reborn.

The Great Hunt Commentary

One of the first things that stands out about The Great Hunt is how naturally it continues from the previous novel.

Rather than feeling like a separate adventure, this book reads almost like the second half of one enormous story. Events from The Eye of the World carry immediate consequences and continue pushing the plot forward.

At the same time, the novel feels noticeably stronger than its predecessor.

The biggest improvement is pacing.

While The Eye of the World often felt like a long chase sequence where characters continuously moved from place to place while avoiding danger, The Great Hunt creates more variety.

There are mysteries.

There are political conflicts.

There are major reveals.

There are battles.

There are moments where characters can actually breathe before things inevitably become chaotic again.

The story simply feels more balanced.

The action scenes also improve significantly.

Instead of endless travel sequences, readers get more meaningful confrontations and stronger moments of tension. When battles happen, they feel important rather than existing simply to move the plot along.

Rand Finally Steps Forward

One of the biggest differences in this novel is its focus.

In The Eye of the World, much of the mystery revolved around determining who the Dragon Reborn could be.

Readers spent much of the novel wondering whether Rand, Mat, or Perrin might be the chosen one.

That uncertainty created intrigue, but it also divided the story’s attention.

The Great Hunt shifts that approach.

Rand becomes the clear center of the narrative.

Some readers may initially think this leaves other characters behind, but in many ways, it actually strengthens the story.

Rand’s internal conflict becomes one of the novel’s most interesting elements.

He still struggles with his identity.

He still resists accepting what others believe about him.

He fears the implications of his destiny and what it could mean for his future.

But unlike the previous book, Rand begins actively making choices rather than simply reacting to events around him.

That change makes a huge difference.

Instead of being carried by the story, Rand starts driving it.

Watching him slowly grow more confident becomes one of the most rewarding parts of the novel.

He begins training.

He becomes more capable in combat.

He starts understanding the responsibilities being placed on his shoulders.

The hesitant farm boy from the first novel slowly starts becoming someone else.

And that transformation is satisfying to watch.

Robert Jordan’s World Continues Expanding

As expected from Robert Jordan, the world-building becomes even larger.

Readers are introduced to more cultures, political tensions, prophecies, and mythology surrounding the world.

At times, Jordan throws an enormous amount of information at the reader.

There are prophecies.

Ancient legends.

Different factions.

Political systems.

History lessons.

Magical rules.

Names and titles.

It can occasionally feel overwhelming.

Fortunately, Jordan has a habit of reinforcing important information repeatedly throughout the series. Concepts are revisited enough that readers rarely feel completely lost for long.

What initially feels confusing usually becomes clearer as the story progresses.

Final Thoughts

The Great Hunt was the book that truly made me understand why so many people love The Wheel of Time.

While The Eye of the World introduced the world and characters, this sequel finally made everything click.

Rand and his companions are no longer simply running away from danger.

Now they are pursuing it. That reversal changes the entire energy of the story.

The characters become more proactive. The stakes become larger. The world becomes richer.

And the excitement increases dramatically.

I finished the first book interested in continuing. I finished The Great Hunt wanting to immediately jump into the next one.

For a series with fourteen novels, that feeling matters. Because once a fantasy series gets its hooks into you, there is no turning back.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

And The Great Hunt may be the exact moment The Wheel of Time grabs hold of readers and refuses to let go.

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