The Eye of the World : Book One of 'The Wheel of Time'

Rating:
Summary: Danger! Addicting series with no end in sight
Review: I don't know wiether to thank or hate the friend who recommended this series to me. It certainly is enjoyable, at least up to book six where I am at. The characters definitely seem like real people, the vivid detail gives a feeling that I've visited these places. The political intrigue and fanatical religious fervor of each culture resemble this morning's newpaper headlines. You get a sense that Jordan wrote down his favorite Tolkien literary devices on 3x5 notecards, suffled them out of order and then for the first three books in his series pulled a card at random when he needed to spice up the story. HOWEVER, as the story progressed he did become more original in ideas but sacrificed plausability. I have and will recommend this series to people, that is if I can find anyone left who hasn't started it already.

Rating:
Summary: Jordan series begins with gusto, but loses its steam.
Review: I read this book a year ago in response to the badgering of one of my classmates. The first thing I noticed was the astounding detail; the second, that his premise is remarkably like that of Tolkien in LotR. I found it interesting how Jordan took the same structure and clothed it in new flesh; he focuses more on personal relationship and intrigue than on events on the larger scale used by Tolkien. Both of the authors can undoubtedly be masters, and Jordan's plot takes intriguing and absorbing twists that captivate me as well as the other. I am not ashamed to admit that I was so encapsulated in this book that the cover fell off. The ending I thought was great, and I went immediately on to the next book in the series. I read that and the third, then started the fourth. Now throughout the first three books the plot and characters were solid and well developed, and I had thoroughly enjoyed reading them. However, in the fourth book those strengths began to peter out. Plot grew thin and character grew repetitive. I read halfway through the fifth book and finally dropped it because it was getting nowhere in large circles. Not to say that those books are in any way bad, but I got the sense that the characters which had filled the first three books with vibrant energy had become like playing pieces on an immensely large board, moving by rule and not by initiative. The series became focused around strategy instead of emotion and arbitrarity. I have heard that the sixth book is good, and own the entire series if I decide to slog through the rest of it, but for now will go on to something else. Read the first three books for an exciting and tightly-woven story, but pretend it ends after the third.

Rating:
Summary: The Eye of the World. . . It just MIGHT be worth it. . .
Review: In the Eye of the World, Robert Jordan writes a very good story. I must admit, however, that the story is far better than the four stars that I have given it, yet in all honosty, compared to the second and third book, the only reason that I'd give to read it is so that you wont get hopelessly lost latter on. . . Still. . .it's a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Deeply involving fantasy world, system of magic
Review: "Eye of the World" is an excellent beginning to one of the better epic fantasies I've read. Jordan excels at creating a complex, involving world with a real feeling of history. Contributing more to this distinction than perhaps any other aspect of the world is the highly systematized and endlessly fascinating type of "magic," explored very successfully and at great length throughout the series. Battle scenes are also very well written. Characters are somewhat less compelling, especially later in the series, where they often speak and act according to simplistic gender stereotypes. These books can also be stylistically tedious at times, covering and re-covering the same ground; Jordan displays little metaphorical and descriptive inventiveness. But these faults aren't really apparent in "Eye of the World;" just be prepared to deal with them in the later volumes, because once you read "Eye," you'll probably be hooked for good.

Rating:
Summary: Great book, but it took some time before it got addictive
Review: Well, the book is well written and all that, but I think it took just a little bit too long before I was unable to put it down. So I give it 4 stars instead of 5. Hope the next books are more addictive. I also missed either humor or tension. I've read all of Eddings and alot of Brooks, and they have either humor or tension. Jordan has neither.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent fantasy novel, with charecters that come alive!
Review: The Eye of the World is the first in a whole series that grips you and never lets go. From the first page to the last page, I was rivited to the edge of my seat with daring escapes, and epic battles. The charecters came alive with their own problems and fears.

Rating:
Summary: An okay book
Review: Being the fantasy lover that I am I feel that I need to check out every book under that catagory. this book, while good, is hardly great. It has a good plot and story but lacks the qualaties that I found in a series like Dragonlance. I find that I have truble with a book that requires its own dictonary. A good book but If you want something great, try Dragonlance

Rating:
Summary: !
Review: Three years ago a friend of mine gave me the first book, The Eye of the World. Since then I have ransacked libraries and bookstores, looking for Jordan's writing. I now own all 8 books and have read and reread each volume at least three times. Jordan's book even have bettered my writing. If you have not read this series, you have missed out.

Rating:
Summary: A great first book - Riveting read
Review: Although it starts slowly (I believe this may have dicouraged some readers), the immense depth and detail of Jordans world leaves you wanting more at every page.

Rating:
Summary: Don't judge the Author!
Review: I think this book is the best book I have ever read. Don't compare this book to anything other authors have written. There is no need to think that Jordan is just a rip-off artist of Tolkien. People worship Tolkien too much. Old news. Get into the present and read new books! Tolkien was great in his time, but so was the chariot. New and better things have come along and it is time to recognize Jordan's skill and talent. This book stands alone as an introduction to a GREAT series. I have read the entire series five times and I still understand more every time. This book, and the rest that follow are captivating. I read the entire book in one day. It is that good.