Rating: 
Summary: Terrific Read
Review: Actually 4.5 starsThe Eye of the World is a terrific read. Jordan rarely steps wrong, and it's an excellent book for new fans to get started with. We meet most of the central characters in the series in a nicely economical fashion, and the familiarity of the first third of the book helps to ease the reader into the story. The climax is fairly satisfying, and yet Jordan maintains enough of a mystery about the ending that you're left with little choice but to read the next volume in the series. Also Recomended: The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Left Behind Series by Tim LaHain and Jerry B. Jenkins, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Shannara Series by Terry Brooks, The Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan, and the Remnants Series by K.A. Applegate.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Fantasy
Review: I am currently on a mission to read different types of fiction in hopes of getting fresh new persepectives on life. I have spent my whole life reading generic "classroom" fiction, which are admittedly worthwhile, but appear to lack a certain depiction, a certain aroma which other genres apparently have. Looking around for a good fantasy book to read, I was delighted when my friend recommended the Eye of the World to me. This took all the pressure off of me to find a novel worth my while to reading. I quickly learned that the book is regarded as a classic and the entire series has a huge following - so how could I go wrong? Well, the Eye of the World is definitely a good book, with an amazing story line, great development of characters and a superb author who writes each word as if it were his last. The whole idea of Good vs. Evil set on the country-side of a parallel dimension is really cool. All the characters and events are painted so perfectly that you can actually experience what happens to the characters right as if it were happening to you. The book has the ability of making you cross over into that parallel dimension almost completely, losing yourself in the process. While the whole concept of the book is good, I must admit that I was not that impressed with the Eye of the World. As I was reading, I never really got a sense of exhiliration or of pure and true wonder that I have felt before in many of my other readings. The drive to keep me reading did not come from myself but rather from my friend and the large following for the series - both of which indicated to me that I might pass up a gem of an opportunity if I did not complete the book. Sadly, the book was not that pleasing to me. Even though Jordan writes like an angel, I never was personally attracted to the characters or setting. Furthermore, the in-depth descriptions were somewhat dull and lent themselves to further distractions. I found the book somewhat repetitive and drawn out as the "evil forces" (Trollocs, Fades, etc) failed to frighten or stir me after the umpteenth time they appeared. The journey the characters take is interesting but too drawn out. It seems that Jordan himself realized this, and hurried to usher the characters to their proper destination at the end by having them travel a lengthy distance of several hundred miles in a matter of days in truly contrived magical fashion(via a Way Gate). All in all, I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers and those new to the genre alike. Everyone will get something different out of it and most will at least not be entirely let down by the book. Even though I myself will not finish the series, I can easily see the potential of future books.
Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this, having picked it up to find out what all the fuss (both positive and negative) was about . It has a well-crafted world, interesting characters and a story that keeps you turning its 800-odd pages. At its heart is a traditional young-heroes-go-forth-into-the-world plot, set against a deeper and fascinating cosmology of fate, recurring events and an endless war against evil. This story is fleshed out with detailed descriptions and small incidents which help to develop the setting.
The Wheel of Time series is sometimes held up as an example of stereotypical good-vs-evil magic-laden fantasy. In some ways this is correct (one or two characters suspiciously resemble ones from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and the whole concept of a hero popping up from some remote farming village is certainly not new), but in other ways it isn't. The line between good and evil in the books is sometimes fuzzy - there are some obviously evil characters and creatures, but few or no clear 'good guys' - most characters have some sort of humanly selfish motivation.
Another thing I like about Jordan's world is the nature of magic in it. The idea of male and female halves to magic is intriguing.
The book's faults lie mainly in areas where it conforms too strongly to stereotypes. The idea of so many people destined for greatness appearing in one little village is rather absurd (if there's an explanation, I haven't found it yet, and I'm on the fifth book at the moment). The ending seems a little abrupt and over-spectacular, too.
I'd also agree with others that the book can seem overlong at times, with slightly too much time devoted to travelling about, particularly given the shortness of the climax. This isn't too great a problem though in my opinion, the story still maintained my interest throughout.
On the whole, I'm really enjoying the Wheel of Time (only 4 1/2 more books to go then however many have still to be written!).
PS: Thanks go to the author for that very helpful glossary!
Rating:
Summary: Personally, I love the whole series
Review: Personally, I love this series; the suspense, the realism, the well developed charactars. I think that everyone should read it and enjoy it as much as I do. However, here is a warning: if you are a slow reader, or extremely busy, don't start this book. I read very quickly, able to knock out 1,000 pgs+ in about three or four days. (Maybe that's just because I love the series so much!) Yet it it understandable that the series could begin to get old, say, two years and 6,000 pages after beginning "The Eye of the World"
Rating:
Summary: New to this author
Review: I am new to the world of Fantasy. Other than reading the HOBIT in high school I have read mostly history. I found this novel to hold explicit details. The characters come alive as you read. Jordan brings characters in and out of his story so that you don't get bored following one character around. He uses young farmers/shepherds as his heroes. Jordan creates their villiage so you can see it and feel it as if you were there. Once the characters leave their home in a quaint villiage in the Two Rivers you learn of the greater world somewhere out there. I found this book to be an incredible read and can not wait to read following books. I am not an experienced fantasy reader so I don't have much to compare Mr. Jordan's work with, but I know I loved this book and am looking forward to round two. If anyone has suggestions of similar works, I would love to hear about it.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelieavable
Review: I really have nothing more of value to add to the other reviews. This book, the first in a long series, is breath taking.
Rating: 
Summary: interesting read, but no heir to tolkien
Review: Im not sure which it is; either Jordan's a very good auther with a very bad story, or the other way around. His writings are inconsistant- read the 1st page of the prologue, and you'll know what i mean; he paints a very vivid picture of the scene into your mind. He sounds almost like a poet. But then comes the first chapter, where everything goes downhill. He no longer uses such ornage adjectives, nor describes much; Terry Brooks and Terry Goodkind can take up an entire page describing the foliage on the near cliff. You have to make it past the 1st 70 pages for anything AT ALL to happen, and by then your nearly asleep. The characters are way too powerful, ( rand kills the reincarnated dragon and defeats the nameless one in about 10 pages ) and the story comes to and arupt ending with the impossible happening- cant the forces of evil ever even have a chance of winning? an interesting read, but nothing at all to get excited about. I much prefer Druids and Wizards to Aes Sedai.
Rating:
Summary: Great Introduction to a Phenomenal Series
Review: When I came upon Jordan's first book I was looking for a fantasy series that would keep my attention past the first chapter. This one was a definite success. With the passing of every page the characters become more and more alive. I recommend this series to anyone seeking to lose themselves for several months.
Rating:
Summary: The best thief there ever was...
Review: The series that began with "The Eye of the World" is arguably the best available in fantasy today. I'm sick of comparisons to Tolkien, but since Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" remains the yardstick for fantasy, I rank this on the same plane. Granted, the works are quite different. Let's see what done to death elements are used: reincarnation, prophecies, heroes with humble beginnings, a female order of spellusers (a la Dune's Bene Gesserit), a desert race of master warriors (a la Dune's Fremen), a created race of evil goblinoid creatures, a dark god, an order of evil sorcerors, political infighting, wizards who can magically travel great distances instantaneously, a dream world, gypsies, werewolves (well, sort of), knights bonded to their charges, thieves, bards, gateways to other worlds, magic weapons, magic items, an ancient king similar to Arthur... So you would think it's a hodgepodge of cliches. That is anything but the truth. Every old concept has a unique and fascinating reinterpretation, and you'll be dazzled at the new tricks that enter the mix. It's like he stole a go cart and turned it into a corvette. I cannot recommend this series enough. The only drawback is twofold: it is HUGE (7000+ pages in nine books, at present) and it probably won't be complete for a while. It starts slow, but once the series gets going you won't find a lull until you're waiting impatiently for the next book to come out. Go for it.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the JR Tolken books
Review: Better than the JR Tolken books. I am now reading book 3 of the series and they get better by the book. The more you read the more you will enjoy it. There are several interesting plots all going on at the same time. Also many interesting characters involved.
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