Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Book six of the Wheel of Time Series
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; 1St. edition (November 15, 1995), Mass Market Paperback: 1011 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0812513754, ISBN-13: 978-0812513752

Another great book centering around our protagonist Rand al’Thor, The Dragon Reborn.  I enjoyed reading this book, I like how the story is being weaved together.  This book starts shortly after the end of the last book and although it mostly centers around Rand it also deals in varying degrees with all the main characters.

There is growth within all the characters although I thought the most growth was shown in Egwene and Rand. Although there was quite a bit going on, the storyline did not progress very far.

The weather in the book is all wrong, it should be winter but everywhere it is still summer which is a sign that the dark one is getting a stronger hold on the world.

Rand has somehow rediscovered the talent of traveling, which seemed a bit odd to me since Asmodean (the forsaken who Rand had teaching him lost talents) was killed at the end of the last book. The book starts with Rand popping back and forth between Cairhien and Caemlyn. Rand’s main focus is going after Sammael with a plan that is not shared with the reader.  Also, Rand does not really seem to put much effort into this scheme.

Egwene is still with the Aiel recovering from the injury she sustained after being attacked by Lanfear and continuing to learn about Tel’aran’rhiod. Elayne and Nynaeve are in Salidar with the rebel Aes Sadei using Moghedien to rediscover lost talents. Rand in using Matt and his band to distract Sammael from the true plan. Perrin, Falle and Loial do  not appear until towardsthe end of the book, when they appear in Caemlyn. Perrin was drawn there since he felt the pull of ta`veren and felt that he needed to be near Rand.

Although I really enjoyed the book, I thought that this book had a few flaws, or perhaps the writer intended them, I am not sure.  For one thing Rand seemed to flit around from place to place and plan to plan without any real focus.  Another part I did not enjoy was Falle’s treatment of Perrin.  But other than that I was very entertained.

I am looking forward to continuing the story in the next book, A Crown of Swords.

******SPOILER ALERT******do no read any further if you have not read the book as I am summarizing what occurred in the book.

The Aes Sedai from both Elaida and the rebels come to Rand to offer their support, but on their terms.  Alanna makes Rand her warder against his will, but she is unable to control him with this because he is too strong.  Rand gets scared when he realizes there are 13 Aes Sedais in the rebel group, 13 are enough to take control of him against his will and turn him to the dark side. So he flees to Cairhien where Elaida’s Aes Sedai are and they trick him and capture him.  They put him in a small chest, torture him twice daily and Hall him off to the White Tower. The Shadio Aiel are helping the Aes Sedai.

However, Perrin, who has arrived in Caemyln with Falle and Lolial. First went with Rand to Cairhein and then once they determined that Rand has been captured he lead the assault to free Rand. After Rand has been held prisoner for several weeks, Perrin`s group finally meets up with them at Dunai Wells where there is a great battle.  And at first it seems that Perrin`s group is greatly out numbered due to the number of Shadio Aiel, but with the help of the wolves and the Asha`man, (men who can channel) that arrived at the last minute using travelling, they are successful and Rand is set free.

Rand stills a couple of Aes Sedai during his release and he shields many more.  These are the first Aes Sedai to swear fealty to him and part of the prophesies are fullfilled.

First Matt is sent to march towards Illian and Sammael and then Rand pulls him off that and sends him to Salidar to take Elayne to Caemlyn to be crowned queen.  However, Elayne wants to go to Ebou Dar to find a Ter`angreal that will repair the weather so Matt goes with her and Nynaeve to Ebou Dar.  Elayne and Nynaeve are now full sisters even though they have not used the oath bar and Nynaeve can only channel when she is angry.  They leave Egwene in charge of Moghedien in Salidar.

Egwene was called back to Salidar which she was able to travel in 1 day and there she was made the AmrylinSeat and also becomes a full sister without using the oath rod. The Rebels make her the Amrylin because she is very strong in the power, they think they can control her and there are 3 separate groups there that would rather see Egwene as Amrylin than one of the other groups. She convinces the rebels to start moving towards Tar Valon, which they do under Gareth Bryne`s army.