The Great Hunt was published by Tor Books in November 1990, just ten months after The Eye of the World. The Horn of Valere — a legendary artifact that can summon dead heroes to fight — has been stolen by Darkfriends, and Rand is drawn into the pursuit. Simultaneously, a massive invasion force called the Seanchan arrives from across the Aryth Ocean, bringing an alien culture that enslaves women who can channel the One Power.
The novel expands the world enormously: the Seanchan introduce a second major antagonist faction (distinct from the Dark One’s forces), the Portal Stones reveal the existence of parallel worlds, and Rand’s struggle against his destiny (he does not want to be the Dragon Reborn, knowing that the Dragon is destined to go mad) becomes the series’ central psychological drama.
The Seanchan
The Seanchan — descendants of Artur Hawkwing’s armies who crossed the sea a thousand years ago and built an empire on a distant continent — are one of Jordan’s most original creations. Their culture is hierarchically rigid, ceremonially elaborate, and built on the enslavement of channelers (damane). They are not evil in the simplistic sense — they maintain order, despise the Shadow, and honour their oaths — but their practice of enslaving women who can channel makes them morally monstrous by the standards of the Westlands. This moral complexity is characteristic of Jordan’s approach: the Seanchan are simultaneously admirable and horrifying.
The Flicker Sequence
The Portal Stone sequence — in which Rand lives dozens of alternate lives, each ending with the phrase “I have won again, Lews Therin” — is one of the most admired passages in the series. It establishes the cosmological stakes: in every possible version of reality, the Dark One wins unless Rand fulfills his destiny. The sequence also foreshadows the madness that comes with wielding saidin, the tainted male half of the One Power.
Collecting The Great Hunt
First edition (Tor Books, New York, 1990): Boards with dust jacket.
Approximate market values:
- Fine in dust jacket (first printing): $200–$600
- Signed first edition: $400–$1,200
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate to strong appreciation. As the second volume, it is less sought than The Eye of the World but more collectible than the mid-series volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this better than the first book? Many readers think so. The world opens up considerably, the Seanchan add genuine menace, and the climactic battle at Falme is one of the series’ best set pieces.
Can I skip The Eye of the World and start here? Not recommended. While the main plot is comprehensible, the character relationships and world-building foundation from the first book are essential.