The Dragon Reborn

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This article is about the novel. For the episode of the television series, see The Dragon Reborn (The Wheel of Time episode).
The Dragon Reborn
WoT03 TheDragonReborn.jpg
First edition cover showing Perrin Aybara and Mat Cauthon looking upon Rand al'Thor as he reaches for Callandor.
AuthorRobert Jordan
Cover artistDarrell K. Sweet
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Wheel of Time
GenreFantasy
PublisherTor Books (North America) and Orbit Books (UK)
Publication date
October 15, 1991
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages624
ISBN0-312-85248-7
OCLC23900618
813/.54 20
LC ClassPS3560.O7617 D7 1991
Preceded byThe Great Hunt 
Followed byThe Shadow Rising 

The Dragon Reborn is a fantasy novel by American writer Robert Jordan, the third in his series The Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on September 15, 1991. The unabridged audio book is read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. The Dragon Reborn consists of a prologue and 56 chapters.

Plot summary[]

From the Mountains of Mist to Tear[]

Rand al'Thor, having been declared the Dragon Reborn by Moiraine Damodred, secretly goes to Tear to prove himself. Along the way he is hunted by Darkhounds and Darkfriends. After leaving in secret, Moiraine, Lan, and Perrin follow always one step behind. Rand leaves in his trail a pattern of weddings and strange events. Perrin comes across an Aiel warrior that was captured and in a cage. He frees him, earning a friendship with Gaul, a Stone Dog, who will accompany Perrin on his travels. This event is witnessed by a hunter of the horn, Zarine "Faile" Bashere, who joins the party as well.

Min reports to the Amyrlin Seat, while Moiraine, Lan Mandragoran, Loial, and Perrin Aybara follow Rand. En route they acquire Zarine Bashere (alias Faile), battle Darkhounds, and discover that the Forsaken Ishamael rules in Illian.

From Tar Valon to Tear[]

Mat Cauthon is taken to Tar Valon by Verin Mathwin, Nynaeve al'Meara, Egwene al'Vere, Elayne Trakand, and Hurin. Immediately after arrival in Tar Valon, Hurin departs to report to King Easar in Shienar. The Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, sets Nynaeve, Egwene, and later Elayne, to hunting down the Black Ajah, and therefore to Tear.

In the White Tower, through the use of a sa'angreal by Aes Sedai, Mat is healed of the corruptive influence of the ruby dagger of Shadar Logoth. Once healed Mat defeats Galad Damodred and Gawyn Trakand in a practice sword battle, using a quarterstaff. This wins him enough money to gamble with and purchase passage away from Tar Valon; at which he is approached by Nynaeve, Egwene and Elayne to deliver a letter to her mother Queen Morgase. Mat reunites with Thom Merrilin, and they together travel to Andor, where Mat delivers the letter and learns of a plot by Queen Morgase's lover, Lord Gaebril, to murder Elayne. To prevent that murder, Mat pursues the killers to Tear.

Climax in the Stone of Tear[]

In Tear, Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne are betrayed by Juilin Sandar (under the influence of Liandrin) to the Black Ajah and imprisoned in the Stone of Tear, whence they are rescued by Mat and a repentant Juilin. Faile falls into a trap meant for Moiraine, and Perrin risks his life to rescue her. Rand and the Forsaken Be'lal duel in the Stone of Tear, until Moiraine kills Be'lal with balefire. Ba'alzamon disables Moiraine and attacks Rand, whereupon Rand takes Callandor (a more powerful sa'angreal), and apparently kills Ba'alzamon; but Moiraine argues that the Dark One, having no tangible body, is not represented by the dead man. Egwene, remembering a prophecy, instead deduces that the corpse is possibly Ishamael, Chief among the Forsaken. The Aiel in Tear conquer the Stone in loyalty to Rand.

Notes[]

Among The Wheel of Time books, The Dragon Reborn was unique at the time in that it only had a handful of chapters told from Rand al'Thor's point of view. Instead, nearly all chapters are told from the perspectives of his friends and allies as they race to catch up to him and help him. This is unusual: Rand is the protagonist of the series and, as the Dragon Reborn, he is the title character of this book. However, although few chapters are told from his point of view, his presence in the plot is ubiquitous; all major characters in the book are either trying to help him or are working against him.

Release details[]

  • 1991, USA, Tor Books (ISBN 0-312-85248-7), pub date 15 October 1991, hardcover (First edition)
  • 1992, UK, Orbit Books (ISBN 1-85723-028-0), pub date 25 June 1992, paperback
  • 1992, USA, Tor Books (ISBN 0-8125-1371-1), pub date ? October 1992, paperback
  • 1992, USA, Gallant / Publishing Mills (ISBN 1-879371-29-4), pub date ? Nov 1992, audiobook (cassette)
  • 1993, USA, Tor Books (ISBN 0-7653-0511-9), pub date ? September 2002, paperback
  • 1995, UK, Orbit Books (ISBN 1-85723-065-5), pub date 31 December 1995, paperback
  • 1999, UK, Orbit Books (ISBN 1-85723-024-8), pub date 6 May 1999 ?, hardcover
  • 1999, USA, Rebound by Sagebrush (ISBN 0-7857-1633-5), pub date ? October 1999, hardcover

External links[]

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