The Shadow Rising

Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with the transition from following a prescribed path to forging their own identity. It is perfect for the adolescent who feels the heavy weight of adult expectations or who is struggling to reconcile their personal values with a world that demands they choose a side. This fourth installment of the Wheel of Time saga follows Rand al'Thor as he finally stops running from his destiny and begins to actively shape it. While it is a sweeping epic fantasy, the heart of the story focuses on the emotional burden of leadership and the courage required to protect one's home. It is a dense, rewarding read for mature teens who appreciate complex moral dilemmas and high stakes heroism.