Title: The Eye of the World
Series: The Wheel of Time (Book #1)
Year: 1990
Author: Robert Jordan
Summary: The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
Main Characters:
~ Rand al'Thor
~ Mat
~ Perrin
~ Egwene
~ Nynaeve
~ Moiraine
~ Lan
~ Rand al'Thor
~ Mat
~ Perrin
~ Egwene
~ Nynaeve
~ Moiraine
~ Lan
Review: I've heard a lot of people say that Robert Jordan is the new Tolkien. While I partway agree, I still think Tolkien is the best. Old loyalties die hard.
But honestly, I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. Robert Jordan has created a whole world, with histories and genealogies just as complicated as Tolkien's. If you need a good LONG fantasy fix -- pick up the Wheel of Time series. Jordan began this series thinking it was only going to be six books long. Ha. Yeah. Fourteen books later...
Rand, Mat, and Perrin are three friends from a small town known as Emond's Field. Rand farms and herds sheep, Perrin works as a blacksmith's apprentice, and Mat creates mischief. All three seem pretty ordinary, but one night changes everything when everything they know gets turned upside-down. With an Aes Sedai to guide them and Trollocs and a Fade -- and worse! -- at their backs, they begin the epic journey of the age.
So many books today focus on a central character being the chosen one or the unlikely hero. Rand, Mat, and Perrin are unlikely heroes, but I feel that this story breaks the cliche by following THREE of them, not just one. Three different stories and fates tied together -- because even though they stick together and help each other out, they each have a story and a path of their own. I love complicated twists!
There's honestly a little bit of everything in here for everyone. My husband and I both wanted to read this series so we've been taking turns reading it out loud to each other. I'll be the first to admit I've loved sharing this adventure with him. When we're away from the book, we discuss what we've read, try to figure out the mysteries Jordan's been weaving, and throw around suggestions on what's to happen next. Because Jordan keeps you on your toes -- right when you think all's well and something can neatly tie up with a bow, BAM! And you can basically hear Jordan laughing at you in your mind's ear, saying, "Didn't see that coming, now did you?"
The Ogier is one of my favorite characters; I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in later books. Nynaeve is particularly multi-faceted. I'm very interested in her story. Also, Egwene. Poor dear. I'm still rooting for her and Rand... even though I know there's still so many books ahead of us.
Book one ends satisfactorily... if you like a million questions unanswered. I'm so glad I basically found the whole series at Goodwill. Because I'm gonna keep needing to get to the next book ASAP. Once you get sucked in, this is the kind of series that you can't put down.
But honestly, I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. Robert Jordan has created a whole world, with histories and genealogies just as complicated as Tolkien's. If you need a good LONG fantasy fix -- pick up the Wheel of Time series. Jordan began this series thinking it was only going to be six books long. Ha. Yeah. Fourteen books later...
Rand, Mat, and Perrin are three friends from a small town known as Emond's Field. Rand farms and herds sheep, Perrin works as a blacksmith's apprentice, and Mat creates mischief. All three seem pretty ordinary, but one night changes everything when everything they know gets turned upside-down. With an Aes Sedai to guide them and Trollocs and a Fade -- and worse! -- at their backs, they begin the epic journey of the age.
So many books today focus on a central character being the chosen one or the unlikely hero. Rand, Mat, and Perrin are unlikely heroes, but I feel that this story breaks the cliche by following THREE of them, not just one. Three different stories and fates tied together -- because even though they stick together and help each other out, they each have a story and a path of their own. I love complicated twists!
There's honestly a little bit of everything in here for everyone. My husband and I both wanted to read this series so we've been taking turns reading it out loud to each other. I'll be the first to admit I've loved sharing this adventure with him. When we're away from the book, we discuss what we've read, try to figure out the mysteries Jordan's been weaving, and throw around suggestions on what's to happen next. Because Jordan keeps you on your toes -- right when you think all's well and something can neatly tie up with a bow, BAM! And you can basically hear Jordan laughing at you in your mind's ear, saying, "Didn't see that coming, now did you?"
The Ogier is one of my favorite characters; I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in later books. Nynaeve is particularly multi-faceted. I'm very interested in her story. Also, Egwene. Poor dear. I'm still rooting for her and Rand... even though I know there's still so many books ahead of us.
Book one ends satisfactorily... if you like a million questions unanswered. I'm so glad I basically found the whole series at Goodwill. Because I'm gonna keep needing to get to the next book ASAP. Once you get sucked in, this is the kind of series that you can't put down.
Advisory: Lots of fighting/violence/scary creatures/evil in general. For those of you who are familiar with Tolkien, this is up a notch. Certain parts can get kinda gruesome, but I haven't been completely grossed out yet. Just expect with this epic fantasy to have a lot of blood and whatnot.
Also, magic of sorts. I don't mind it so much, since this series is clearly a made-up fantasy, but it is very prevalent in the novel. The "magic" or power comes from the One Power, an abstract source of some kind of energy. It's split up into two segments - saidar, the female power, and saidin, the male power. Using either half of the Power is known as channeling. For females, channeling normally means training as an Aes Sedai, learning how to use the Power. For males, touching the One Power normally results in the man going mad and killing everyone near him. While it's not implied that everyone can use this Power, it does seem to be available to multiple people. Egwene and Nynaeve both expect to be trained so they known how to use it.
This book also contains a few New Age type elements. Tam al'Thor teaches Rand (his son) to focus on a void, blocking everything else out. Kinda becoming one with everything around him. That is also echoed in some of the Aes Sedai teachings, though not as prevalent in this book.
Also, magic of sorts. I don't mind it so much, since this series is clearly a made-up fantasy, but it is very prevalent in the novel. The "magic" or power comes from the One Power, an abstract source of some kind of energy. It's split up into two segments - saidar, the female power, and saidin, the male power. Using either half of the Power is known as channeling. For females, channeling normally means training as an Aes Sedai, learning how to use the Power. For males, touching the One Power normally results in the man going mad and killing everyone near him. While it's not implied that everyone can use this Power, it does seem to be available to multiple people. Egwene and Nynaeve both expect to be trained so they known how to use it.
This book also contains a few New Age type elements. Tam al'Thor teaches Rand (his son) to focus on a void, blocking everything else out. Kinda becoming one with everything around him. That is also echoed in some of the Aes Sedai teachings, though not as prevalent in this book.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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