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Submitted by Matt
(May 15, 2001)

I think that Robert Jordan, it bar-none the best fantasy writer ever! Anyone who says that Robert Jordan isn't a very good reader I just think can't read books! I am on #6 in the series and can't put them down! I am up till 12:00 every single night reading and I hate to put it down when I do. Every character he makes he describes right down to the pours on there skin, that is how good he is! Tolkien began fantasy, and I'll admit that he "was" good, and I hate it when people say that Robert Jordan and Eddings and all of them just copy Tolkien, but how can they not? He made the fantasy world and then stopped, so what, no one is supposed to make fantasy books anymore? No Robert Jordan has showed that he can make books as real as like, I sit there some times and just want to yell at some of the people in the books he writes because that is how much I am into the books! But overall I LOVED the Eye Of The World and suggest to everyone to read through the whole series starting with this book and not to skip the first 130 pages, since it is boring at the first since you don't understand anything but if you don't ready the first part of the book, you won't understand the rest of the series.

The eye of the world is the beginning of the wheel of time series, and I recommend reading it, not so much because it is a great book, but because it leads up to what turns out to be great saga. The eye of the world I found to be slow at times, often drowned in descriptions that were not completely necessary, and could have had a much stronger affect if related to the reader in fewer words. The story itself is good, with likable characters and enough creativity to keep your interest, but at times haltered by the over-use of descriptions. In truth, The main reason I recommend the book because it is the start of a fantastic story. The second book was much better than the first, with a more interesting plot and improved writing, and the third was better than the second. The series becomes more and more addicting with each installment. (I particularly enjoyed the fourth book).But throughout all of his books, I found myself skimming through the lengthy spots of description. I still don't understand why some author's feel the need to beat your brain numb with description. I understand that the author wants the world to feel fleshed out and believable, but in my opinion, it takes much more talent to do so in few words. Most any writer can create a vivid setting, but to create one with few, but well placed words takes a master. None the less, the Eye Of The World is a good read even with it's faults, and sets the path for a great story that you won't soon forget.

Being a new fantasy reader I found Jordan's writing in the Eye of the World excellent. I read many of the books in the Dragonlance series and couldn't put them down. I needed something to read while I waited for "Dragons of a fallen Star", so I bought this, and I'm afraid that I'm going to have to finish this series before pick up the Dragonlance books again. I love the descriptive nature of Jordan's work and hope to be able to finish the series soon. It's very difficult to stop. I would've never thought that Rand would've ended up being a male aes sedai, it just didn't seem right but that's what makes the book so good. If the rest of the Wheel of time series is as good as the Eye of the World then the readers are in for something great... thanks.

Traditionalists and postmodernists alike will enjoy the epic vastness and crafty intrigue of The Wheel of Time. Jordan combines the classic ultimate battle between good and evil with intricate political maneuvering and cynicism. His packed narrative moves from moments of light humor to adrenalin-pumping climaxes. These books are a good read for anyone who likes thick, weighty prose with a lot of drama and action. The Wheel of Time world is medieval, with nations and organizations trading loyalties and building alliances in the final days before Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle, in which the evil forces of the Dark will make their last attempt to conquer or be vanquished forever. There are the Aes Sedai, women who have for three thousand years claimed to stand as a lone flame of hope against the Dark. Pitted against them in political intrigue are the Asha'man, men of equal power who may save the world or destroy it. There are the warrior Aiel from
the deserts of the Waste, the hardy Borderlanders who fight to keep at bay the evils of the Blight, the mysterious and terrifying Seanchan whose armies invade from the sea. Prophecies say that the Dragon, the man who defeated the Dark One in his last attempt to destroy the world, will come again to fight the Last Battle. Amid the chaotic pieces that form the nations who will'and must'rise to defeat the Dark, the fate of the world rests upon one Rand al'Thor, shepherd from Emond's Field, a tiny village in a forgotten district called the Two Rivers. Jordan follows his narrative through the experiences of good and evil characters alike. If there is any moral to be found in the confusion of this vast world, it is that men and women are fallible and unreliable creatures. Loyalties shift as fluidly as the wind. Leaders and followers fumble in the dark to make their plans, and none are enlightened' the Dragon Reborn and the Dark One's mo
st faithful servants least of all. Readers in search of drama and political intrigue will find no lack of either in Jordan's writing. The author, an American residing in South Carolina, spins a world so vast it is overwhelming to keep track of. While reviews are overwhelmingly positive and sales reflect this, a fan of the series comments, 'One complaint I have is that every man is an island in the books. That's a rather cynical way of looking at the world, and I don't think it's true.' But in Jordan's defense, he is a realist, and his writing mirrors a certain turn-of-the-millennium angst. Those who don't like to be left hanging should take heed, however: the series is yet unfinished, and Jordan churns out a new volume about once every two years. Jordan originally signed a three-book contract with the publisher, but the series has expanded and neither the author nor the publisher have given a final count for the books.
-------------------------- Opinions and quotations included in this review were contributed by the Robert Jordan reader community at http://www.whitetower.org.uk/ .

The Eye of the World was an amazing piece of literature. I am an extremely slow reader, but it was worth every second. Jordan never lets you down. I had trouble putting the book down, and found myself up late reading it several nights. I am just getting started as a writer, and reading his style has improved my own. The Wheel of Time was an excellent book, and I would recommend it to anyone.