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Submitted by Bragolithwen 
(May 18, 2003)I found out about the WOT books from an online friend. Tired of being clueless whenever she started going on about "Ajahs" or "ter'angreal", I did I quick search on the net, just to find out a *little* about these books she was so hooked on. I soon I decided that I had to read them myself. Good fantasy is hard to come by, especially in Europe, and I was tired of reading The Silmarillion for the umptenth time.
Finally, 3 weeks ago, I got my hands on them. I'm already to A Crown of Swords, and that's counting a week's break after I read number one, trying to read them slowly. That soon proved impossible to do! I am ready to say that they rival Tolkien, although not quite. But still, they are by far the best fantasy I've read since The Lord of the Rings.
I've heard many people say that the books are too long. That's not, at least in my opinion, right. Had Robert Jordan tried to shorten the plot, it would have showed, and some of the many subtle underplots, which I enjoy very much, would be lost. I don't find the books sexist, either. The women in The Wheel of Time are portrayed just as much as the men are, and they certainly have a much stronger role than in, for example, Tokien's books. Some of the characters annoy me as well, for the time being, mostly Rand, but I see that as proof of Robert Jordan's ability as an author. He makes his characters so vivid and real that they have enough personality for you to become annoyed with them.
All in all, good fantasy that should be read by any who lacks it. Quick reading is NOT required, some of my fellow WOT-readers have proven that. Don't run away screaming just because it's a big book.
Submitted by Muj Hameed 
(May 18, 2003) I first read the Eye of the World when I was around 8 years old, and I only read it to look grown up, but now I realise that the books aren't all that good. The first one was a good book in it's own right, and an interesting pattern can be discovered in the overall quality of the books.
1st book: good all round
2nd book: not so good, but good ending
3rd book: good, very good ending
This pattern then goes on throughout the series.
The books do degenerate towards the end of the series, though. The characters were really interesting, and the way they all matured and developed was brilliant, especially Rand and Mat. Perrin, I'm afraid, was cool at the start of the books, but the he got MARRIED and grew a BEARD! What a loser. Every time somebody gets married, as a character they die. They're just not interesting to read about anymore. Perrin and Faile keep saying stuff to each other along the lines of "Oh, my heart," and it's just so fake and transparent, it almost makes me laugh.
One of the most amazing characters, Mat, is now becoming less cool. With the arrival of Tuon (who incidentally will end up marrying Mat), his facet of the story just lacks the driving force. He doesn't flirt so much, which just doesn't make him Mat. And plus, Tuon is a short, bald skinny girl. I mean.... damn!
Rand is still going strong however. The very fact that he has three women at his beck and call is well, just brilliant, and Lews Therin is also very interesting. I think Robert Jordan should do the decent thing and end the series at the 11th book, before they get too tiresome.
Submitted by Will 
(May 18, 2003)Ok, having read through the VERY extensive litany of reviews here I felt compelled to add my own humble opinion. The Wheel of Time is a good series, the prose is well constructed and, usually, the story proceeds apace as long as you are a fast reader. The characters are intriguing and their development is really rather admirable. However, it does not come close to rivalling the literary masterpiece known as the Lord of the Rings. Too many people seem quick to bash Tolkien and elect Jordan to the throne of Fantasy Emperor. However, Tolkien manages an equally epic storyline, and he did not require 12 books to do it. His writing is majestic and beautiful, far more melodic than anything attempted subsequently. Any good author could develop complex characters given 12,000 pages to do it in. Tolkien draws us into a magic world with a history and mythology apart from the ordinary world. His Christ figure is far less obvious and much more charming and he doesn't have to semi-plagiarize other mythologies to populate his world. The Lord of the Rings is indeed the original and the best.
However, The Wheel of Time is a compelling series which I have enjoyed greatly, and I recommend it to all,
Will
Submitted by Cathy
(May 18, 2003)When I first picked up Eye of The World, I was hooked. I admit it even now. The Great Hunt, The Dragon Reborn were all great. The Shadow Rising to Lord of Chaos was average. It had their bad sides as well as a mix of adventure, romance, mystery, horror, etc.
Then it began to go downhill. More new characters with names that I can never remember or say. Thousands and thousands of subplots and minor characters that seem to take the places our beloved Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and so much more. What was the point of making a Black Tower then having it destroyed? The lengths of the book doesn't bother me. I love lengthy books. The whole entire plot is what bothers me. Characters that were dead come back alive. People who weren't supposed to be dead are six-feet under.
I want to read an "epic" that holds up to it's name. If I can turn back time and just not have picked up The Eye of The World, I would have. The recent quality of the books scare me. I can hardly RELATE Crossroads of Twilight to The Eye of The World. That's how ... HORRID it was.
I, who have been following WoT since it began, now wish that it had never been published. I kept on telling myself that "the next book would be better." I guess I was proven wrong.
Submitted by Gerry 
(May 18, 2003)Well, it has taken me nigh on 6 months to plow through the first 8 books of this series and rarely, may I say, have I been less enthralled by the prospect of reading more of such books. Jordan seems to have no idea of how to pace and structure his books or how to paint characters in worlds of this nature. The narrative bounces around so often that it is impossible to feel any sense of urgency as the plot develops. Moreover, I never felt any sense of intimacy with any of the characters, either because there was scarcely enough focus on any one of them for long enough to do so, or because they appeared so lacklustre. In fantasy terms, this is a very hackneyed plot - the fact that it has taken Jordan 10+ books to drag it out is no cause for lionizing him. So, why did I read those 8 books? Grim determination. My advice to anyone thinking of buying these books? Save your time and your money. Go see & read LOTR instead.
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