Rating: 
Summary: Why is this series so popular?
Review: As a lifelong fantasy reader and occasional fiction writer, I have to say that this book is abysmal. It is so badly written that I feel compelled to defend the art of writing against such fodder by, what else, posting a review on Amazon.
Now, admittedly, the first book must have had some redeeming qualities or else I wouldn't have made it through the second one. Or it could just be part of the brilliant marketing trap of book series. Right now, I can't say if I will finish out the series, but since book three is sitting on my shelf, I just might have to read it.
The series is conceptualized quite well. Jordan has set up a vast, complex, and interesting world in which to let is characters roam, though I can't seem to keep all the ancient wars straight. The problems are his characters and his sense of narrative action. The characters are flat and dull; they are as psychologically complex as a group of lab rats. They behave predictably. For instance, Rand makes a big point of thinking "I will not be used!" or something to that effect, just to create tension I suppose, and yet he takes the dragon banner with him. Hello? Is it a shock when he pulls it out and uses it in the end? Yeah, couldn't see that one happening. The big bad guy, Ba'alzamon is a poor cousin to Darth Vadar. "Serve me, and live." What's next, "Rand, I am your father"? And don't get me started on the female characters. They are all predictably and blandly beautiful. Lame things come out of their mouths, like when Elayne says "Is this what an adventure is like?" Such sophisticated dialogue.
I can't shake the feeling that this is the kind of story I might have construed as a young teenager. Jordan's writing is about on that level. The action skips along without any logical progression; in fact, most of the character's actions are illogical. When Rand, Loial and Hurin are transported to that other dimension, it makes perfect sense to them that there is a damsel in distress (Selene) waiting for them and they are in no way suspicious of her. We as readers of course are much smarter, but that's not saying much. That's only one example among many.
If a story is going to be drawn out over twelve books, you had better have characters that are complex and compelling. Jordan hasn't delivered that for me. These cardboard characters could pop up in any kind of literature. There better be considerable payoff in those last pages. If I ever make it that far. Jordan certainly is not compelled to meet our expectations because he is already laughing all the way to the bank.
So, overall, I am largely disappointed. Jordan has done the genre of fantasy a great disservice by weighing down our shelves with this series.
Rating: 
Summary: Good job Mr. Jordan
Review: As with the other books in this series, I am addressing each book as it stands, not taking into account the whole series. This second book, in my opinion, is a actually better than the first. Character developement has reached a point where it is much easier to track the exploits and tribulations of each of the many, many characters Mr. Jordan has introduced. The story line continues to be solid. As with the first book, this continues to be a very complex work and you cannot just flit your way through it. I did read a couple of other reviewers who felt that Jordan's writing was somewhat juvenile. I might suggets those reviewers go back and take a second look. So much is in they eye of the beholder. I should be able to write like Jordan...sigh. Again, after well over fourty years of reading this particular genre, I feel this is some of the best. It may not be my favorite, but it is good. As to the rest of the series...well we shall see. I highly recommend this one.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent basic epic fantasy. Top notch.
Review: I am a fan of big, fat fantasy volumes, this should be said first. I would rather take my time and absorb a world slowly than slice through it quickly. Not everybody has this preference, I know, and what people like is what they like.Robert Jordan gives us a richly detailed world to soak in, but it still does not feel like sloggish reading. So far, so good. Character development is very good and represents a nice continuation of 'Eye of the World.' While I liked EotW, I was more connected with the characters after 'The Great Hunt.' The world is richly detailed and characters have been given more depth. There is some reward at the end for those who have been faithfully moving through the story. There is some torture, but it is described only mildly. This is a relief after reading some of Terry Goodkind's graphic torture description. In fact, when I realized they were using a collar to control and cause pain, I had a mini-learned-Goodkind-fear response. (Hats off to Goodkind for that, I guess). However, Jordan is a little more gentle with the reader. Thanks Robert. As in most fantasy stories, there is some derivation. However, these are not needless and Jordan has created his own world. I have enjoyed these books and will read the rest of the series. In fact, the Dragon Reborn is ordered and should arrive today. Overall, this is a great and enveloping story that is perfect for the fantasy fan and is accpetable for younger readers (who have the necessary reading skills).
Rating:
Summary: I don't care what anyone else says
Review: I am enjoying this book!! I haven't finished it yet, but it is hard to put down and I hate having to put it down just to go to bed!!
I realize that many people give this book/series low stars stating that Robert Jordan isn't like their obviously favorite authors, however I realize that Robert Jordan is different. I am enjoying the series, thus the 5 stars for this installment. I truly hope that this helps people who are thinking of embarking on the series and that they use it as a guide, not a rule.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow & plodding at times, but still a fun read
Review: I am not a fantasy reader....I had read Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, and a friend at work recommended "Wheel of Time". I have to say, I really enjoyed the first book "Eye of the World". The way the story developed and the characters was fascinating and I was sucked in. About halfway through this second book things.....began....to....slow...way....down. I don't know if I am just tired of following of the same story or if Jordan's writing pace is just wearing me down. I enjoy in depth character studies....but usually only when it pertains to characters who will be focused on throughout the story, Jordan seems to give even the bit players a lengthy description. Also, I am beginning to suspect that almost any storyline involving the main characters; Perrin, Mat, Rand, Loial etc..are beginning to lose the tension the first book held because I don't think Jordan will let any real harm come to them in these first few books. So, when Mat's life seems in danger midway through the book, I don't feel the urgent need to read on because I already know he will survive. I don't know how...just that Jordan doesn't seem willing to kill off one of his main characters. Also, I hope that Jordan will begin to populate his novels with average looking or ugly people. So far everyone who happens along is exceedingly beautiful or strikingly handsome. I was kind of hoping Rand would be described as looking like Clint Howard just to balance things off. Still this isn't a bad book, but I don't think it lives up to the promise of the "Eye of the World". The action and climax of this book is very good once you get there, but be warned, you don't want to start this series here, you would be completely lost.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I eagerly anticipated getting to this book, especially after having spent so long trying to wrap up the first in the series. It is really more the first book than "Eye....", which seemed more of a introduction into the world of Jordan. You don't even necessairily have to read the first book: the characters and their back-stories are all explained, not too great length, but enough to get a good idea. I'd suggest reading EOTW anyhow, it's a good piece of literature.
This is the continuation of th WOT series, and is basically the platform on which to set up Rand al'Thor and his future. In fact, a more appropriate title would be "The Book of Rand", since the other characters generally sit around, watching and waiting for the next move. Perrin, my favorite character, doesn't really make the kind of advancements that I would have liked, and Mat is still basically as he was at first, not quite realized, just a stock character of sorts, although he is one of the main reasons for the story to go on, and he has a good role in the ending. Nynaeve becomes a bit more likable, a bit more tolerable, and Egwene is more fully realized. Moiraine and Lan don't have much of a role here, although you do find out more about them. Also, a character comes back from the dead....
As with the first book, I have a serious bone to pick with Rand. His stubborness and his refusal to accept the truth are very irritating and somewhat nerve-wrecking. I found myself wanting to slap him on numerous occasions. He does somewhat become more enjoyable towards the end, and he has noble enough reasons for doing a lot of the things he does. A main element of the series so far seems to be the beauty of friendship, loyalty, love. Another is the conflict between good and evil.
This novel doesn't seem quite as long as the first, and I was able to complete it in a few weeks. Keep in mind, I have a LOT of free time. If you had 6-8 hours of steady reading time every day, you too could finish it in about that much time, but otherwise it could be a matter of months. The finale alone is worth sticking along with the tale for. As would be expected, the book ends, when you would like it to keep going. Fortuately, there are many more to be read, and I am going to be starting "The Dragon Reborn" very soon. All in all, it's fantastic read, and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: You can't put this book down
Review: I haven't read a Fiction book in years. Most are in a bookshelf unfinished never to be touched again. This book is NOT like those others. After the initial set-up of the first few chapters I was swept away never to look back. The book charged ahead with vivid characters and intense action.
Multiple story lines weave and meander together brilliantly leaving you a bit off balance and hungry for more. :) Truly a masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Sequel
Review: Jordan comes through again in the Great Hunt. Rand has to deal with pressures of being able to channel, Perrin is depressed because of his ability to talk to wolves, and Mat's dagger is stolen along with the Horn of Valere(sp?) by Padin Fain. Egwene, Elyane, and Nynaveave go off to the White Tower to learn how to be Aes Seadi (though Nynaveave [annoyingly] only goes so she can for some reason kill Moiraine for some ambiguous and pointless reason) Rand gets lost in another world on his chase of the Horn and dagger where he meets a mysterious women who becomes very important later in the series...I'll leave it at that... If you did not like the last book because Jordan borrowed some things from Tolkien then you will like this one more because he does no do that here. Magic becomes more important; standard fantasy cliches are almost non-existant; the plot is complex; and women take a more active role. The main reason this book is great is because the characters develope a lot more. Mat shows his true colors from the beginning and very ending of the previous book; Perrin has conflicting ideas of his abilities; Lan and Moiraine's relationship gets more complicated; and all the other women develope more(Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elyane) Though, I still don't think this book is as good as the Eye of the World. In TEOTW everything was more detailed and Jordan painted a better picture. In this book danger is at every corner and the dumb characters walk right into it. (The po-dung women where at least smart in the previous book) I do have a couple of small gripes that almost gives this book a 4 but not quite. The main character (especiall the women) are petty, childish, and argumentative. There is competition between women and men where women think all men are "wool heads, hasty, over-heroic, and thing with the hair on their chest. The men are whipped and bend over backwards to this treatment and let the women walk all over them. (I think Jordan is trying to appease his wife) But still, this is a great book, one of the best in the series. It is detailed there are plots at every turn and Jordan tells a satisfying story.
Rating: 
Summary: Arguably the Best of the Wheel of Time Series
Review: Robert Jordan does it again in this great book. With Rand, Loial, Perrin, Mat and more they go searching for the stolen Horn, that has Artur Hawking and his armies bound to it, but anybody can use it and then the horn and the armies are bound to that person! Also stolen is Mat's dagger from Shadar Logoth and Mat's dying.
Full of excitement, loyalty, and danger, makes this book arguably his best.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Book 1, but closer to the downfall of the series
Review: The Great Hunt is an epic fantasy novel that continues the story begun in The Eye of the World. The book follows the adventures of the same group of village boys (and girls) and, thankfully unlike The Eye of the World, this book doesn't start as a retread of The Lord of the Rings in any fashion. The unique storyline and the fact that characters are developed more three-dimensionally makes this novel even more enjoyable than the first novel. There's plenty of action, intrigue and suspense and the novel as a whole has more direction. Also, The Great Hunt ends much more satisfyingly than rushed and disjointed conclusion of The Eye of the World.
As with the Eye of the World, I give The Great Hunt 5 stars and place it among the top fantasy novels every written, and I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys them, but always with the caveat placed on the later books. Sadly, Jordan has either begun milking his story line for more books and money, or he has created so many loose-ends and characters that he's unsure where to go with it. By Book 10, the handful of main characters from Book 1 have multiplied into literally a hundred that you have a difficult time keeping track of. But again, the series started off so fantastically that I still occasionally reread the first 3-4 books. Book 5 is the pivot that marks the downfall for me. You can actually read the first 3 books and they stand alone very well and can feel like a complete trilogy. Book 4 is better than the first three, but it doesn't give you the apparent resolution that book 3 gives so it's not a good book to stop on. Yet, if you're daring, you can move on, but it'll probably be to your own disappointment.
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