The Great Hunt consists of a prologue and fifty chapters. The main story is about a group of young heroes, namely Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, and Perrin Aybara, all ta'veren, who join Shienaran soldiers in a quest to get the Horn of Valere out of enemy hands. At the same time, Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara, and Elayne Trakand go to the White Tower in Tar Valon to begin learning the ways of the Aes Sedai. Finally, in a distant land, a strange group of people start an invasion of the western coast.

All the people from the Two Rivers seem to be incredibly naïve, except Nynaeve and I can’t help but yell at them sometimes in my head for the choices they make. New Aes Sedai are introduced - Elayne and Min, who join Nynaeve and Egwene at The White Tower, alongside the Amyrlin herself, Verin, and Liandrin from the Red Ajah While most of the characters get a chance to shine in this book, two outshines everyone else for me. First was Rand. He has come a long way from the farm boy we first met in Eye of the World. He has power now but he is scared to use as he don’t want to get mad (as people have drilled it in his mind, the more one touch Source, the more closer they get to insanity). I love the part where this mental struggle was described. He wanted to help and yet also remains hidden but in the guy accepts his duty and does what was necessary. Second character that won my heart in this instalment was Nynaeve. I just love this girl. She is stubborn, get easily angry and yet she cares deeply. She doesn’t think twice before facing evil if someone she loves is in trouble. She has flaws but she is just too good a character to deserve hate or dislike. If that wasn't obnoxious enough--and trust me, it is--she still hasn't figured out that it was her obsession with power and acquiring ALL OF IT that drove Lews Therin away the first time.Matrim Cauthon retrieves the dagger from Seanchan custody, but sounds the Horn of Valere in a moment of desperation during their escape, forging a link with it that can only be broken by death.

To begin with, we got to see some of Lanfear, who I personally think is the most interesting Forsaken in the entire series for reasons, no spoilers. Despite her being this evil villain, I still really do like her character as a whole and there times where you almost feel bad for her but then also not at the same time since she’s, you know, a ‘bad guy.’ Gawyn scratched his head, then shook it. “Well, if it has anything to do with Rand al’Thor, be sure you don’t let Elaida hear of it. She has been at me like a Whitecloak Questioner three times since we arrived. I do not think she means him any—” He gave a start; there was a woman crossing the garden, a woman in a red-fringed shawl. “ ‘ Name the Dark One,’ ” he quoted, “ ‘and he appears.’ I do not need another lecture about wearing my shirt when I’m out of the practice yards. Good morning to you all.”I guess this is because despite the extensive sword and sorcery embellishment, people remain the most important element in this novel: torn apart heroes, individuals hiding their secrets, searching for their own identity, struggling against inescapable destiny and ready for the biggest sacrifices. All the protagonists gradually mature and take more initiative (with the exception for Nynaeve who is a tad irritating in her wish to blame everything on Morraine when she remains a spiteful and self-righteous: nobody forced you to leave all the sheep in search for the lost one, you are not Jesus, girl!). But so far, all is well. Mr Jordan’s protagonists intrigue, sometimes entertain, move or irritate, but certainly do not leave the reader indifferent. I think I might even be able to survive the incoming tripled love triangle with Elaida, Egvene and Min all falling for Rand, plus the nefarious Lanfear, gah it was so obvious when a lusty femme fatale appeared who she really is! And even if this is the battle between those who walk in the Light and those who don’t, there are Darkfriends which are not that bad and vice versa. I prefer some of the Dark One’s acolytes to some of the ‘righteous’ ones.

In 2004, The Great Hunt was re-released as two separate books aimed at a young adult literature market, with larger text and a handful of illustrations. These were The Hunt Begins and New Threads in the Pattern. My main issue with The Eye of the World was that I couldn't make out distinct personalities for most of the characters. Mat, Perrin, and Rand all seemed to blend together and Egwene appeared shallow. All that was remedied in this book. Well. I still don't get the hype around Mat, but I hear that comes later. Rand was amazing in this book. I loved to see him struggle with Saidin and if he really is the Dragon. His internal struggle of not wanting to be used by Aes Sedai but also not wanting to fall to the Dark One I thought was done extremely well. I liked how small things kept being thrown at him in this department as well, whether it was Hurin insisting on calling him "Lord", the people of Cairhien reading meaning into nonchalant actions because of Daes Dae'mar, or even Lan teaching him in the very first chapters how to appear to be more than just a shepherd. I can honestly say now, that I fell in love with his character. Usually we do not,” the Ogier replied almost curtly. “ Usually. The price has always been too high.”

Reading this volume, you realize that the LOTR foundation remain just that: the foundation. The story expands in a multitude of directions, even if this volume is centered around the Horn of Valere. As these events unfold, action also takes place on the other side of the continent, where the Seanchan have occupied the city of Falme. Geofram Bornhald, of the Children of the Light, is preparing forces to take against the Seanchan. Fortunately there are more than enough interesting supporting characters to read about: Geofram Bornhald, such a rarity as a benevolent Whitecloak commander; the beautiful and mysterious lady Selene, encountered by Rand and Loial in a different world; Bayle Domon, Verin Sedai and many more.

I must go now, Nynaeve mashiara. The Amyrlin wishes to leave before midday, and there is much yet to be done. Perhaps we will have time to talk on the journey to Tar Valon.” He turned and was gone, striding down the hall. Nynaeve touched her cheek. She could still feel where he had touched her. Mashiara. Beloved of heart and soul, it meant, but a love lost, too. Lost beyond regaining. The end happenings were quite dramatic so I'm looking forward to see where the story goes in the third instalment. Right. So in addition to that, they've tamed monsters (like grolm: bear-sized, three-eyed beasts with grayish green, lizard-like, impossible to penetrate with things like swords or arrows, hide, and sharp, hooked beak-like mouths) to the point of riding them like horses. I normally don't enjoy books that are mainly travelling books (looking at you Feast for Crows), but while travelling from Point A to Point B was in large part what this book was about, the concepts were original enough and the characters engaged enough to the point where that didn't really matter. In pursuit of the thieves, Rand al’Thor is determined to keep the Horn out of the grasp of The Dark One. But he has also learned that he is The Dragon Reborn?the Champion of Light destined to stand against the Shadow time and again. It is a duty and a destiny that requires Rand to uncover and master extraordinary capabilities he never imagined he possessed.

The Great Hunt is a concept that can be found in numerous mythologies, but (not surprisingly) my favorite versions have always been the ones with Fae roots. Rand is a frustrating character given his constant internal babble about being the reluctant hero but he is pretty awesome as he ‘levels up’ in his sword fighting and powers. Uno was a highlight with his bloody goat kissing in-world swearing that I hope makes the TV show just as it is in the book. Mat and Perrin were a bit annoying at first but as the book progresses I came to like them.