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Summary: Introducing Wheel of Time
Review: It's been 8 WoT-books since I read this book, so this review may be somewhat biased or lacking.Wheel of Time is an excelent Fantasy series. And with the Eye of the World Robert Jordan writes pretty good an introduction to the Wheel of Time series. You won't notice however. Not until you've read halfway through the series and re-read the Eye of the World. That's where the book is lacking. While Jordan tries numerous gimmicks to have the reader feel familiar with the world from page one, he actually gives the book a "been there, read that" feeling (Unless you haven't read Fantasy EVER). However, in just under 800 pages, Jordan manages to introduce almost all key players in the series. He also gets you to feel familiar with the deus ex machina style that guides the series. You also get lots and lots of high paced action. But reading EotW I had that same alienated feeling as in Furrey's Aurian series. Why is this all happening? Luckily, (in contrast with the Aurian Series) things will eventually be explained in the later WoT books. As for characters, Jordan has a way of making them overact. Since they aren't flat characters in the true meaning of the word, I'll forgive him at that. Jordan just doesn't know where to draw the line. It's really a minor flaw. Conclusion: Eye of the World is not the best in Fantasy like some people will have you believe, but it has it's flaws. It also has high paced action, a complex metaplot, interesting (yet somewhat melodramatic) characters and a great mix of fantasy elements. If you've read Eye of the World and didn't like it, give The Great Hunt a chance before putting Wheel of Time aside.
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Summary: An ok start to a brilliant saga
Review: I've read every Wheel of Time book out so far, and they are all brilliant, save the Eye of the World which is only okay...But that's okay. This book just sets up for the extraordinary others! This book is very slow and drags on and on... but like I said: it starts a great story for the other books to build off from...Don't give up; read on!
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Summary: Disapionting
Review: I must admit right now that I was EXTREMLY disapionted by this book. It stared out ok but it draged on and on and on... I had heard some reveiws about this stroy that souned pretty good. I never finished the book. So I tried the second book. I stoped at the middle and returned the two books in disgust. In my mind it gets the one star for the interesting world, not the plot.
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Summary: Wow!
Review: After reading this novel, all I can say is that I feel very fortunate that I discovered Jordan when I did, that is two months ago...I have eight more books of his to read in this series!!! Yes, I am definitely very lucky.....Excellent reading.
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Summary: Great book!
Review: When I read this book about two years ago, it became my favorite. This is not a book to miss.
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Summary: A Great Fantasy Epic In The Making
Review: This book was the first fantasy book I started reading. I got into fantasy epics from the late RPG's released on the Plastaytion, Sega Genesis, etc. I began reading this book in the 8th grade. It took me about 2 weeks to read, but when I finished, I couldn't wait to start reading The Great Hunt(book 2). I thought this book was a good start to Jordan's new series. I thought it had a great storyline. The battle scenes and the scenery around the world was fantastic. The lush environment they adventured quickly became full of demons and allies of Ba'alzamon or The Dark One. They were constantly running from Halfmen and Trollocs. I won't give any endings away, but I suggest this book to anyone who can read. This book just gets better and better, with the rising conflicts until the climax is finally overturned to one side. This book is a great begging to Jordan's new fantasy world. This book deserves to be read by anyone with a desire to escape reality and enter a new world where anything can happen.
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Summary: Fantastic book, but you may regret starting this series.
Review: I will not waste your time reviewing book 1, it is simply great, cover to cover. But I have to contradict some misleading reviewers that say there is nothing wrong with the series. FACT: Until Jordan shows that he knows how to tie up the myriad plotlines and actually approach and end to the series, don't waste your time getting involved. The early books are so good that you will become emotionally attached to the series. The resulting torture from the low calibur quality of the last few books becomes unbearable. After book 5(maybe 6) the series stalls -- literally. Books 8 and 9 actually take place around the same exact time and could have (should have) been just one book! Take out all the filler ("rich characterizations" as some die hard Jordan fans will call it) and you have about 200 pages of actual plot advancement. Unless you enjoy reading over and over and over again about women smoothing their skirts, plotting against each other, and giving each other dirty looks, avoid getting involved with this series like the plague. You get the feeling in books 8 and 9 that Jordan ran out of things to say and wanted to soak his loyal readers for some extra $$. These last few books equate to a Sienfeld episode. A whole lot stuff about nothing! It's too late for me, hopefully it won't be too late for you!
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Summary: This is the worst fantasy series I've ever read.
Review: This author has absolutely no understanding of people, especially women. EVERY female character throughout his entire series has the exact same personality. Every single one of them seems to feel that men are just of slightly less intelligence and must be manipulated by wiser and stronger women. Obviously this author has some issues with the opposite sex. It would be okay if one or two female characters behaved this way, but there is not a single female throughout his entire series that is at all different from this. There is no variation in personality between his characters at all. Some of the males would be all right, except they ALLOW the women to browbeat them left and right, and I find it impossible to feel any sort of sympathy toward ANYONE in this series. It's a piece of crap and I not only recommend not wasting your money here, but if you get these books for free you're still wasting valuable time.
Rating:
Summary: great way to hook - 15 year old reader
Review: this book hooks you from the very first chapter. When a friend lent it to me I didn't really have an intention to read it, and then you opened it up and read a little and was totally hooked on it now I am ripping through the series one book after another. Great book, great read, perfect start to a captivating series! Two thumbs up.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Expectations
Review: The Wheel of Time series came to me highly recommended and I imnmediately went out and bought five of the books to get me started. I am now up to the fourth and am able to more clearly critique the merits of _The Eye of the World_. Jordan is a marvellous storyteller - he encaspulates his readers with grand visions and diverse characters - not to mention fine plots and breathtaking events within. Many speak of Book 1 in the series as his best but I disagree. My initial impression was that it was slightly verbose - but I have come now to expect that of this grand master of fantasy and I do not think it necessarily detracts from the quality of his stories. For that is what he is - a great storyteller. And Book 1 does magnificently to draw readers into the world where his story begins.. _The Eye of The World_ transports readers deeply into the lands where Rand, Mat and Perrin are clearly important figures - or pawns - in the scheme of events where their fates - and actions - may impact the difference between Life and Death, Good or Evil, Happiness or Devastation - not for a country or a continent - but their entire world. We are drawn into their desparate journey to 'safety' in a land called Tar Valon led by the mysterious but powerful Moraine and her equally powerful and loyal Warder, Lan. Jordan is extremely talented. As readers, we feel the desparation, the urgency, the mystery, the fears, and the deep desire that all be well. Magic, danger, battles, politics and mystery entwine themselves within a solid fantasy plot to make this book a highly recommended one. The most significant weakness of this book - and probably the major reason why it does not hold its status as a favourite in the series - is the highly disappointing anti-climax of the ending. Jordan draws the reader so deeply into the world - capturing the imagination and excitement of readers exceedingly well - but throws all this at the end. I was left grappling with surprise and thwarted with the disappointment that it left me. Nevertheless, his earlier few hundred pages did draw enough merit for me to continue to the next books in the series and from where I stand, I have not been disappointed again. Well worth reading - excellent fantasy series - magnificent storytelling..just heed my expectations for the end.
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