Rating: 
Summary: Comparisons
Review: The Wheel of Time series has been compared to the earlier works of J.R.R. Tolkien (writings that would later become the Silmarillion and The Books of Lost Tales, as well as The Lays of Beleriand and the other books that Chris has "scraped" together). Robert Jordan's works have also been compared to an "adult Harry Potter." Now, it's natural to make comparisons between different fantasy series, and I support the spirit behind most of them, but many people that make this comparison miss many key factors in the Wheel of Time series that would attract people that didn't like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, and that would also drive away some that did. I'm going to analyze these factors here. (1) The political environment in the Wheel of Time is the most fully developed I've seen in fantasy, ever. There are twenty-odd countries in his world, all of which have expanded to their full power potential. Jordan uses political subversion and intrigues in his novels, where it's impossible to do as much with the three Wizard Schools of Rowling or Tolkien's 4 nations: Gondor, Mordor, Harad, and Rhun. (2) Jordan writes much more in depth than any of the other authors. Where Tolkien skims over the journey south from Rivendell to Moria, saying that it was "some 40 days," Jordan follows Rand and Mat through the most dull portions of their journey to Caemlyn, and Elayne and Nynaeve through the sometimes tedious politicking at Salidar. He paints a real world, with lulls and periods of excitement that make you truly believe in the ta'veren. (3) The hopelessness that Rand faces is far beyond that which Frodo or Harry faces. Let's analyze Frodo Baggins, Hobbit of the Shire, first. He's a simple creature, taking an item of extreme power into the realm of a lesser god, in order to destroy it. The Maia Sauron opposes him, the Maia Olorin (Gandalf) moves with him much of the way. Harry's a human... facing a human. Oh jeez, I don't know if he can handle it (that's not to say there's no hint of hopelessness, but, as a children's novel, Harry Potter is much simpler and much less dark than the other two). Rand, on the other hand, is facing the single greatest force in the world, the Father of Lies, Master of the Grave. Even with the Choedan Kal at his disposal, a ter'angreal that could lay waste to a continent in a single stroke... and his own massive strength as the Dragon Reborn... he still doesn't have more than a hope of defeating this irresistable force. Now, there's other differences, but I'm sure as you read, that you'll pick them up. Where the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter seem intended for the more casual fantasy readers, the Wheel of Time bears no competition for it's depth and sheer beauty of storytelling. It's at times obvious how much Jordan planned the future of his world (I'd get into Min's foretellings, and how well Jordan uses foreshadowing in EotW to tell us about future books, even up to Winters Heart, but that's for a different essay), far beyond what Tolkien or Rowling did. That's not to say either of the latter authors is poor, but Tolkien was a linguist before storyteller, and Rowling is telling a story to children. Here's the final verdict. For the most part, if you consider Harry Potter of The Lord of the Rings complex to the limit of your desire for complexity, certainly do not get involved in this book. The first book is nearly addictive, but as the series rolls on, it becomes wearing for anyone who is not absolutely enamoured of deep storytelling and prose that tells a story that's true to life. The Wheel of Time's complexity is what should draw you. The purpose of fantasy is to escape into it's grasp, and picture yourself as part of the world, or as one of the characters. You are so intimately linked to Mat, Rand, Egwene, Perrin, Faile, Moiraine, Lan, Aviendha, Elayne.... that this is possible beyond what is in other fantasy novels. Read the Wheel of Time if you have a lot of Time to roll away in solitude.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Harry Potter
Review: This book is awesome! It had me more absorbed than harry Potter did! This is one of the greatest books ever... it is very thrilling, grabbing, and you get attached to the characters. Ime not one to really read books either, I had to read one for a book report so i just picked this one up... it was better than the Harry Potter series! I cant see how anyone would give it less than a top score unless your another author demoting it! I recommend this to anyone who likes medieval types of stories where an unlikely sheepherder gets swept off as a "hero". except in this book its really like what would happen if you did it. You wouldnt magically become the best swordsman ever, you would still stink at it and be afraid of things... You should definatly read this, but keep a day or two ready to just sit and read... The people are really grand too. They all have different personalities, unlike some books where everyone is the same (booooring), and it changes very very fast, there is only about a chapter and a half where it slows down a little, it is when they finnaly reach a certain town (not giving anything away of course because you are going to read this book), it gives you a while to actualy put the book down and do something else, but then after that you cant put ti down again.. p.s. have the next book ready so you dont get left hanging like me... HAPPY READIN!!
Rating: 
Summary: Great For Younger Kids
Review: This is a great way for younger kids to get interested in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time books. The first book , "Eye of the World" has been broken down into 2 books for younger kids.
Rating:
Summary: Same Incredible story, new art, new Material
Review: This is a new edition of "THE EYE OF THE WORLD" by Robert Jordan. This is NOT a new book, so don't expect it to be. What it is though, is a way to introduce younger readers to one of the most popular and well-written Fantasy series' of our time. This edition is only half of the original edition (but it's still a good couple hundred pages!). There are illustrations throughout the books, and even a new chapter not found in the original. Some people may complain about various things, but the bottom line is that this is the same incredible saga. It's the same moving tale of young people discovering a larger world, and of a boy learning he is fated to both save and destroy the world. The Wheel of Time is a saga that has captivated millions. At times it is controversial, and sometimes even a bit slow. But for the most part: nothing is like it. Try this book. If you don't like it: oh well. If you do though...you'll want them all.
Rating:
Summary: Same Incredible story, new art, new Material
Review: This is a new edition of "THE EYE OF THE WORLD" by Robert Jordan. This is NOT a new book, so don't expect it to be. What it is though, is a way to introduce younger readers to one of the most popular and well-written Fantasy series' of our time. This edition is only half of the original edition (but it's still a good couple hundred pages!). There are illustrations throughout the books, and even a new chapter not found in the original. Some people may complain about various things, but the bottom line is that this is the same incredible saga. It's the same moving tale of young people discovering a larger world, and of a boy learning he is fated to both save and destroy the world. The Wheel of Time is a saga that has captivated millions. At times it is controversial, and sometimes even a bit slow. But for the most part: nothing is like it. Try this book. If you don't like it: oh well. If you do though...you'll want them all.
Rating:
Summary: The book that changed my life
Review: This is how I came to read this amazinging book. Last year in school, one of my friends was reading this book. For a while he kept trying to get me interested in the book. For a while I didn't know what he was rambling on about. He finally finished the book and lent it to me. It took me a while to actually into the book. I thought it was pretty good, so I asked my friend if I could borrow the second book. He wasn't done yet, sigh. The books became an addiction, I just couldn't stop. Now after a few months I'm on A Path of Daggers (book 8). Now if you've read Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (great movie!) and your tired of wating for J.K. Rowlings 5th Harry Potter Book; which I bet stinks as much as the other ones, Try out Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. God, I love these books!
Rating: 
Summary: Older WoT Readers/Fanatics Beware.
Review: This is not a new book containing revalations about life in The Two Rivers. It is a reprint of the first half of "Eye of the World" Being an RJ WoT fanatic, I buy everything remotely related to the series and I bought "From the Two Rivers." However I will pass on any future split-up versions of books that I already have. The so-called new proglogue was at best a "yawn" and the art work, which might have been the book's single redeeming factor, was, at no fault of the artist, absolutely abysmal. It was, at best, blurred and hardly worth a second glance. Buyers who buy this book to get their child interested in WoT had better beware also. I say this because unless your child is a glutton for excruciating detail (which I am) they will not read past the first few pages. On an ending note, this version of Eye of the World was published by Starscape (a Tom Doherty Associates, LLC publisher)and not by TOR. I was not overly impressed by their product.
Rating:
Summary: A helpful re-release!
Review: Well, thanks to info available on the Jordan fan websites, I knew this was a reprint. Doesn't matter, I'm still buying it. First off, I'm a rabid Wheel of Time fan, so it's worth the 6 bucks for the new pre-prologue. Also, most parents realize that giving a huge tome to a child is usually going to daunt all but the most avid reader. I think these books are a great way to introduce this fantastic world to younger readers. So, if you're new to the WoT books and are intimidated by gargantuan books, buy this and "To the Blight". If you're hoping to introduce a youngster to epic fantasy, buy these books. If you're a rabid fan of all WoT and want a complete collection, buy these books. If you've read The Eye of the World and are not an extreme fan of the series, don't buy these books, you won't be happy.
Rating: 
Summary: amazing
Review: when i first dug into the beggining pages, i was at first confused at who the story was about but as i got into it it became an amazing fantasy of the good world falling into the hands of evil and then putting up a good fight . i think it is a great beggining to an amazing series! but if you hate repitition i would advise you not to attempt to read the over 9-book strong series you may feel you are reading the same book again and again.
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