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.
The Eye of the World: Book One of 'The Wheel of Time'
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
The peaceful villagers of Emond's Field pay little heed to rumors of war in the western lands until a savage attack by troll-like minions of the Dark One forces three young men to confront a destiny which has its origins in the time known as The Breaking of the World. This richly detailed fantasy presents a fully realized, complex adventure which will appeal to fans of classic quests. Recommended.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal."--The New York Times
"Jordan is able to take ... familiar elements and make them his own, in a powerful novel of wide and complex scope. Open religious and political conflicts add a gritty realism, while the cities and courts provide plenty of drama and splendor. Women have a stronger role than in Tolkien.... Each character in this large cast remains distinct.... Their adventures are varied, and exciting.... The Eye of the World stands alone as a fantasy epic."--Locus
"Robert Jordan has created a fantasy world as tangible and credible as history. He has a fine eye for detail and a vivid sense of drama."--Morgan Llewelyn
"Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World proves that there's still plenty of life in the ancient tradition of epic fantasy. Jordan has a powerful vision of good and evil-- but what strikes me as most pleasurable about The Eye of the World is all the fascinating people moving through a rich and interesting world."--Orson Scott Card
"Jordan's world is rich in detail and his plot is rich in incident. Impressive work, and highly recommended."--ALA Booklist
"Jordan is able to take ... familiar elements and make them his own, in a powerful novel of wide and complex scope. Open religious and political conflicts add a gritty realism, while the cities and courts provide plenty of drama and splendor. Women have a stronger role than in Tolkien.... Each character in this large cast remains distinct.... Their adventures are varied, and exciting.... The Eye of the World stands alone as a fantasy epic."--Locus
"Robert Jordan has created a fantasy world as tangible and credible as history. He has a fine eye for detail and a vivid sense of drama."--Morgan Llewelyn
"Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World proves that there's still plenty of life in the ancient tradition of epic fantasy. Jordan has a powerful vision of good and evil-- but what strikes me as most pleasurable about The Eye of the World is all the fascinating people moving through a rich and interesting world."--Orson Scott Card
"Jordan's world is rich in detail and his plot is rich in incident. Impressive work, and highly recommended."--ALA Booklist
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
210 of 225 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Wheel of Time is probably the best-known and most widely read fantasy series other than The Lord of the Rings.
When this book was published in 1988 or 1989, it created a sensation -- a tremendous first volume that had the usual good-evil battle and tons of action but also was filled with magic, history, politics, sociology, cultural background and realistic characters. When I re-read the first five books, I was amazed at the details of history and politics that Jordan provided in his world. Jordan also has numerous protagonists, not just one or two primary ones like many other fantasy writers.
When this book was published in 1988 or 1989, it created a sensation -- a tremendous first volume that had the usual good-evil battle and tons of action but also was filled with magic, history, politics, sociology, cultural background and realistic characters. When I re-read the first five books, I was amazed at the details of history and politics that Jordan provided in his world. Jordan also has numerous protagonists, not just one or two primary ones like many other fantasy writers.
Moreover, Eye of the World features strong men and, through their magical abilities and powerful personalities, stronger women. Jordan has been rightly lauded for the prominent and powerful roles he created for the female characters.
The Great Hunt, The Dragon Reborn, The Shadow Rising and The Fires of Heaven followed and created a tremendous series such that The New York Times noted that Jordan had come to dominate the genre that Tolkien made famous.
In Eye of the World, the writing is smooth, the various characters and their motivations work well, and there's action aplenty. The sense of innocence and mystery that correspond to the heroes' relative lack of knowledge of their surroundings and the world at large is palpable and realistic.
Unfortunately, starting with Lord of Chaos (book 6), Jordan's creation became unwieldy. Instead of concentrating on following the themes and story-threads of books 1-5 (which combined are more than 3500 pages, hardcover), he created new storylines, bogged down the narrative and halted the pace of the epic. Book 8 in particular is an unmitigated disaster -- 650 pages (hardcover) of wheel-spinning (pardon the pun) with almost no progress to the story. Book 9 began to jump-start the narrative once again.
The series is at 10 books (the tenth will be published in about two months from now) and growing (13 total possible -- it's a common numerical theme in the books), thus the last volume will be published in 2006, at the earliest.
The Eye of the World is great, as are the next four in the series. They are, however, addictive, so know what you're getting into.
68 of 75 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This book was recommended to me by the manager of a brick and mortar store nearby. I have read a great deal of science fiction/fantasy, and after a while, it all starts to feel the same. You know what I mean: how many times can we revisit Tolkein-esque charcaters like elves, dwarves, and orcs? I was very pleased to discover an entirely new world.
Robert Jordan has created a landscape of magnificent proportions. Accents, legends, superstitions, politics...His amazing attention to detail allowed me to become fully immersed in the story. Even more surprising is that the quality of his writing is maintained throughout the book's length of 782 pages. I couldn't put this novel down, with the result that I finished it well inside of a week.
This is the first book of a series, and the reviews for some of the later books aren't as glowing. However, I feel that this book is a great read, and can stand on its own. It is not uncommon for series to degrade over time -- take a look at "Wishsong of Shannara"by Terry Brooks, "The One Tree" by Stephen R. Donaldson, or "The Sorceress of Darshiva" by David Eddings. All three of these books fail to live up to the quality of others in their respective series, but that doesn't mean you should avoid the series altogether.
"Eye of the World" provides us with an epic that is also refreshingly new. Robert Jordan presents us with a world that is the most richly colorful since Tolkein. If you're a fan of fantasy, then don't miss reading this book.
1,093 of 1,356 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ok, I'm giving this book only three stars despite the fact that, judged solely on its own merits, it probably deserves the 4 or 5 most people give it. Before you condemn me too harshly though, I'm doing it for a very good reason!
Before you read all the glowing reviews and buy this book, be warned: This is the start of a very long, drawn-out series. Not long and drawn-out in the sense that it's an "epic" story that needs time and patience to tell, but more in the sense that the author has discovered he has a virtual cash machine in his keyboard, and he's milking it for every last penny it's worth.
"But if they're good..." you think. Uh-huh. But they're not, you see.
The first four or five books in the series are excellent; I'd be lying if I said otherwise. Can Robert Jordan write? You bet your bottom he can -- but only when he puts his mind to it. Starting with the abysmal "Path of Daggers," the series' progress has slowed to a sad crawl. In each successive book, less and less happens, and more paper is wasted describing clothing, repeating characters' annoying mannerisms, and introducing new characters who don't seem to do anything to advance the plot. Maybe he doesn't know how to finish it... but that doesn't stop him adding to the misery.
How much of this do you think you can take? The 10th book is coming out soon; are you that patient? Will you really be able to stand seeing these cinderblock-sized lumps taking up more and more space on your bookshelf, nudging out more deserving titles? Will your wallet stand up to being burdened with a never-ending book series you're obliged to read because you've got too much invested to quit? What about when people come over, notice that massive row of "Wheel of Time" novels, and ask, "Oh. Robert Jordan fan, eh?" Will you be proud to turn them on to this series... or embarrassed? Give ya' a clue: Mine are boxed.
Really. It's your call. Go on and start this series if you want to. But don't say nobody warned you...
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Like watching highschoolers play D&D
The prose is ham-fisted, the characters are cardboard cutout RPG archtypes whose dialog sounds like larpers carrying foam swords, and the pacing is awful. Skip it.
Published 5 days ago by SneerValiant
reprint of the first wonderful epic fantasy
The Trollocs unexpectedly attack Emond's Field. While the surprise assault on the village continues unabated, a Myrddraal targets three young men (Rand al'Thir, Matrim Cauthon and... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Harriet Klausner
Redefining Epic
I discovered the Wheel of Time series in 2002 several years after I had given up on the fantasy genre. Read more
Published 20 days ago by TW Brown, Author, Editor, and Reviewer
An English Major's criticism of Jordan
Writing Quality: 4/10.
Compared with other writers, Robert Jordan is not great. But at least he doesn't trip over amateurish mistakes as often as Terry Brooks, or even worse,... Read more
Compared with other writers, Robert Jordan is not great. But at least he doesn't trip over amateurish mistakes as often as Terry Brooks, or even worse,... Read more
Published 20 days ago by neal call
Layers
At first look, it is easy to bypass this book. For one thing at first it appears to be a wanna be Lord of the Rings. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Angela Reed
Pricing fail.
This is a Great book and well written, but, it has a poor pricing scheme. Why is the paperback cheaper than the Kindle edition?
Published 27 days ago by jeremy stegall
Book good, audio not so good
First off, I am a diehard WOT fan. I've read the series probably 5 times through book 8, then succeeding books fewer times. I love the story, the world, etc. Read more
Published 28 days ago by E5
if Disney wrote adult literature...
A friend of my husband's got him this book when she heard he liked to read because this book "is so amazing". Read more
Published 1 month ago by she-who-is-not-amused
Soap opera with weak female characters
Jordan seemed to think that one makes a strong female character by giving her magical powers rather than making her a strong person. Read more
Published 1 month ago by TGD
great series
read this with my son back when he was abt 12. became a great bonding experience and great read for us both.
Published 1 month ago by E. Wall
Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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great blight, wagon bridge, second covenant, golden crane, shaggy mare, bundled cloak Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Aes Sedai, Dark One, Two Rivers, Emond's Field, Tar Valon, Master Gill, One Power, Moiraine Sedai, Green Man, Thom Merrilin, Shadar Logoth, Taren Ferry, Bel Tine, Master Luhhan, Lord Agelmar, Shayol Ghul, True Source, Village Council, Master Fitch, Age of Legends, Captain Domon, Cenn Buie, The Queen's Blessing, Artur Hawkwing, Mistress Alys Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
great blight, wagon bridge, second covenant, golden crane, shaggy mare, bundled cloak Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Aes Sedai, Dark One, Two Rivers, Emond's Field, Tar Valon, Master Gill, One Power, Moiraine Sedai, Green Man, Thom Merrilin, Shadar Logoth, Taren Ferry, Bel Tine, Master Luhhan, Lord Agelmar, Shayol Ghul, True Source, Village Council, Master Fitch, Age of Legends, Captain Domon, Cenn Buie, The Queen's Blessing, Artur Hawkwing, Mistress Alys Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
54
books
cite this book:
See all 54 books citing this book
- The Hunt Begins (The Great Hunt, Book 1) by Robert Jordan in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Matter
- The Whispering Mountain by Joan Aiken in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- How to Read a Novel: A User's Guide by John Sutherland on page 140, and Back Matter
- Orvis by H. M. Hoover in Front Matter
- Calix Stay: The Circle of Light, Book 3 by Niel Hancock in Front Matter
See all 54 books citing this book
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