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The Eye of the World

(The Wheel of Time #1)

Robert Jordan

4.17 · Rating details · 412,211 ratings · 13,682 reviews

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of P ...more

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Mass Market Paperback, 814 pages

Published November 15th 1990 by Tor Books (first published January 15th 1990)

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Average rating 4.17 ·

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· 412,211 ratings · 13,682 reviews

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Start your review of The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time, #1)

May 13, 2007 J.G. Keely rated it did not like it

Shelves: novel, reviewed, america, fantasy

The first series that showed it was possible to do an uninspired rewrite of Tolkien and make a mint was Shannara. After that the doors were flung wide, and the next to profit off the scheme was was Robert Jordan. Of course, I'm not suggesting it's bad to take inspiration from older authors--all authors do this, as Virgil did from Homer, and Milton from Virgil, and Byron from Milton. Tolkien himself drew on the Norse Eddas, Welsh myths, English fairy tales, and Blake's myth-making.

But when a skil ...more

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Nov 22, 2009 Joel rated it liked it

Recommended to Joel by: Brian

Shelves: paternity-leave

Paternity leave reading for 3 a.m. crying jags. (Mine and hers.)

---

There, Brian. I read it. Are you happy?

My friend Brian has been telling me to read The Wheel of Time for years. It always went like this:

Brian: You should read The Wheel of Time. It's really good.
Me: I've heard that it gets really, really bad.
B: The first seven books are really outstanding.
M: Yeah, I'm not going to read seven books without an ending.
B: The first one is good but the second one is better.
M: Mmm. I don't know.
B: T ...more

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May 07, 2015 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-all, favorites, own

10/20/20 - I got the anniversary hardback edition and it’s so beautiful 😫 and the map and the little ribbon!

5 Stars Damn It 😘

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

That was an amazing little journey. I'm going to give it my all to make this a good enough review, but I kinda doubt it because this book is too great for my measly little words :-)

WELCOME TO THE WORLD KNOWN AS THE WHEEL OF TIME

Since I'm not good at explaining certain things, I'm so glad the author put a glossary in the back of the bo ...more

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Apr 08, 2019 Petrik rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5/5 stars

Here it is, I’m riding the winds of time! Wheeeeeeeeeee!

Another massive fantasy series to finish, a new epic adventure to undertake. Like many modern fantasy readers, the last three books finished by Brandon Sanderson played a huge motivational drive in my attempt to start and finish The Wheel of Time. I honestly find this series to be even more intimidating than Malazan Book of the Fallen due to the sheer number of word counts in it. To give a bit of information on how intimidating t ...more

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Aug 28, 2013 Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: THE WHOLE WORLD

Shelves: fantasy, not-your-ordinary-creatures, diabolical, some-kinda-magic, rabid-reads-reviews, kickass-heroines, the-book-boy-is-mine, audible, cover-whore, best-series

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

NOTICE: this reread is in preparation for finally biting the bullet and reading book 14. That means I HAVE NOT read book 14 yet. Please be mindful of this in the comments, both for me and for others who may or may not have progressed past this point in the series. Thank you.

It's hard for me to review this book, and only this book, objectively, b/c:

1. WoT is my favorite high fantasy series. Ever.
2. I've read the first eight books seven or eight times, maybe more (*whispers ...more

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Jul 21, 2014 Sean Barrs rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 5-star-reads

Robert Jordan copied Tolkien but, I just don’t care. What I mean is that his writing shouldn’t be judged on this single fact. Yes, Jordan has borrowed aspects of Tolkien’s middle earth; yes, he has blatantly reworked many aspects, but he has also infused it with a few of his own original ideas. The result is a fantasy universe that resembles Tolkien’s and, in some ways, transcends it.

Not completely original, but completely brilliant

description

I found that Jordan’s world wasn’t as obvious as Tolkien’s. I ...more

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Jan 10, 2014 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it it was ok

Recommended to Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies by: Navessa

2 stars for the benefit of the doubt, because I DNFed this shit at page 10. This is my new record.

Look, I'm sorry. This is another one of those Lord-of-the-Rings moment where I appreciate the effort, but this is not for me. Within the short amount that I read, I had names and random bits of history thrown at me and maybe it's because it's this early in the morning, but I nearly fell asleep and I honestly can't recall anything that I've read. I have a feeling I'd have a better time reading a text ...more

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Dec 18, 2013 Markus rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, wheel-of-time, favourites, 2014

"And the Shadow fell upon the land, and the world was riven stone from stone. The oceans fled, and the mountains were swallowed up, and the nations were scattered to the eight corners of the World. The moon was as blood, and the sun was as ashes. The seas boiled, and the living envied the dead. All was shattered, and all but memory lost, and one memory above all others, of him who brought the Shadow and the Breaking of the World. And him they named Dragon.

And it came to pass in those days, as it ...more

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Jun 19, 2019 Emily (Books with Emily Fox) marked it as to-read · review of another edition

With the Amazon show coming... I guess I don't have any excuses anymore and I need to put up my copy soon! ...more

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Sep 23, 2008 Mika rated it did not like it

Let me preface this by saying very clearly that I mean no offense to The Wheel of Time fans. It’s just my opinion, yes? Just my humble opinion.

So. Simply put: I hate this book. Somewhat passionately. The Romgi will attest to the fact that while I was reading I would mutter to myself about how ridiculous the plot was or how much I hated dragging myself through all 800+ pages. But I carried on.

The main character, Rand, was so uninteresting that I honestly didn’t care what happened to him, nor do I Let me preface this by saying very clearly that I mean no offense to The Wheel of Time fans. It’s just my opinion, yes? Just my humble opinion.

So. Simply put: I hate this book. Somewhat passionately. The Romgi will attest to the fact that while I was reading I would mutter to myself about how ridiculous the plot was or how much I hated dragging myself through all 800+ pages. But I carried on.

The main character, Rand, was so uninteresting that I honestly didn’t care what happened to him, nor do I have any interest in reading any more books in the series to find out if his story continues. I hope it doesn’t. I hope he dies a gruesome and painful death, leaving the entire Wheel of Time world to decay and be overrun by the forces of evil. Having a flawed main character is sort of necessary, but where were Rand’s strengths? He had a few spots of luck, and happened to be traveling with people significantly more talented than he. When he wasn’t protected by others’ cleverness and skill, he was stuck with Mat, who may possibly be the most idiotic character ever created. Perhaps that’s going a bit far. Mat is almost without a doubt the most idiotic character I have ever had to read about. I hate Mat about as much as I hate this book. His sole purpose as a main character is to screw things up for everyone else while being absolutely necessary to the Quest or Mission or whatever. Gosh I hate him.

Ok, there were some ok parts. Things I enjoyed on some level: Perrin (although couldn’t the author think of a name slightly less similar to Peregrin?) and his wolfness; the Tuatha’an (Gypsies); and Loial, an Ogier (basically a redesigned Ent).

The whole book was just such a patchwork collection of ideas and myths and fantasy cliches, like the author had a hat full of slips of paper with possible elements he could use and randomly pulled them out. To be fair, it appears he put quite a bit of thought into connecting everything once it was out, but seriously - Gypsies and yin-yang in the same story? A little weird, don’t you think? Oh yeah, and then there are obvious copies of Orcs and Ringwraiths, which the author intended to be similar. Not creative! Do not give him credit for that!

I feel I’ve gone on long enough. But just in case you didn’t catch my opinion, The Eye of the World has a horribly contrived plot, uninteresting or downright annoying characters, and too many pieces of stories to be worth the many hours of my life that were sucked away by reading it.

Yuck.

P.S. I think Robert Jordan is a lousy writer. Aside from not having enough of his own ideas, he just doesn’t have the literary genius to make this book worth it. The Eye of the World reads like a cheap fantasy book you’d pick up from the $1 bin at a used bookstore, except it happens to be one of the bestselling books ever. Undeservedly so, I think. ...more

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Nov 24, 2012 David - proud Gleeman in Branwen's adventuring party rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, buddy-reads, 2016-reads, favorite-books-or-series, branwen-likes-you-book, argona-equals-awesome, five-inges-because-inge-is-a-star, the-wheel-weaves-as-the-wheel-wills

Book One of my epic buddy read of the Wheel of Time world with Branwen Sedai, one of the nicest people of OUR world! :D

From the Eye of the World, you can see just how much danger the world is really in!
(That's not in the book, I just made that up myself. Don't worry, Robert Jordan's writing isn't nearly as cheesy as mine!)

Life in the village of Emond's Field had always been peaceful. Sure, the people sometimes argued, as families do from time to time. But ultimately, the village was a tight-kni ...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Navessa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

*SPOILER FREE*

You know that thing that happens with your favorite series? You know, that thing. Someone either asks you about it, or you sit down to try and write a review for one of the installments, and all you say or type is dying animal noises. Kinda like this:

"Navessa, what did you think of this book?"
"AAAAARRRRRRRHHHHNNNNNNNNNAAAAACCCCC"
"Um...are you okay?"
"AAAAARRRRRRRHHHHNNNNNNNNNAAAAACCCCC"
"Are you having some sort of fit right now? Do I need to call someone?"
"AAAAARRRRRRRHHHHNNNNNNNNN ...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller rated it liked it

I would like to start out by saying: don’t let my conservative rating scare you off from this series. At least 75% of customers I talk to about fantasy rank this series in their top 3, if not their #1. I am definitely the minority here, as the book didn’t even make my top 20.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a classic that deserves its place as one of the all-time fantasy greats, it just happened to have some elements that I personally didn’t care for. As the beginning of an epic quest not unlike t ...more

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Mar 27, 2019 Merphy Napier rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, fantasy

here's my video review where I give three pros and three cons (plus spoiler discussion) https://youtu.be/tUa7-tafdoA ...more

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Jan 03, 2016 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ rated it really liked it

Shelves: bingo-2016, library-has, fantasy, here-there-be-dragons

3.5 stars. Review first posted at Fantasy Literature:

The massive length, not only of The Eye of the World itself but the entire epic WHEEL OF TIME fantasy series, along with some differences in critical opinion regarding the literary worth of this series, has always daunted me. But I thought I owed it to myself to read at least this first book and judge for myself, so when the Buddies, Books and Baubles group here at Goodreads decided to buddy read the series, I was happy to seize the opportunit 3.5 stars. Review first posted at Fantasy Literature:

The massive length, not only of The Eye of the World itself but the entire epic WHEEL OF TIME fantasy series, along with some differences in critical opinion regarding the literary worth of this series, has always daunted me. But I thought I owed it to myself to read at least this first book and judge for myself, so when the Buddies, Books and Baubles group here at Goodreads decided to buddy read the series, I was happy to seize the opportunity. In the end, this book was both more and less than I had anticipated.

The plot primarily follows the adventures of three young men from a farming community ― Rand, Mat and Perrin ― whose sheltered lives are uprooted when monstrous Trollocs, led by undead Myrddraal, attack the village and their homes. When it becomes clear that the attack was focused on these three, they leave the village in the company of some more experienced and powerful individuals who “happened” to be there at the time of the attack, along with Egwene, a young woman from the village. Other characters join their journey along the way, as they travel to a destination that they hope will protect them from the evil that seeks to capture their souls and, ultimately to the mysterious Eye of the World itself, to shore up the forces that imprison this evil.

Robert Jordan’s debts to J.R.R. Tolkien are fairly obvious: the group of unsophisticated young men, from a small, isolated community, join a quest and undertake a long journey, continuously battling against a powerful malevolent force and pursued by its evil minions. The company is split apart during the journey. It’s no wonder that I kept envisioning orcs every time the Trollocs appeared on the page, notwithstanding their initial description as having an animal-like appearance.

It’s a highly detailed story and world (as it should be, at 800+ pages), but the pace of The Eye of the World is frequently plodding. My detachment from the tale wasn’t helped by the repeated immature actions and decisions of several of the characters, particularly Mat, whose greed and irritating penchant for mischief endanger both himself and the group. Rand is a more sympathetic character, although he oozes “The Chosen One” vibes and occasionally his obliviousness is frustrating. Both Rand and Mat read younger than the 19- or 20-year-old men they are supposed to be. The most interesting of the trio was Perrin, who initially seems slow-witted but then develops some unexpected depth, particularly when he meets Elyas, a man accompanied by a wolf with which he telepathically communicates. Elyas claims that Perrin also has the ability to mindspeak with wolves. Perrin is resistant to the idea but here, as so often is the case, resistance against your destiny is futile.

The Eye of the World did become more absorbing and interesting as I got deeper into the tale, when some intriguing new characters were introduced and the narrative took some unexpected turns. In the end, although it never completely captured my imagination in the way I had hoped, it’s still a worthy epic fantasy with layers of meaning and complexity. I’m not convinced yet that I’ll find it worthwhile to plow through thirteen more volumes of the same or greater length, but I’m open to the idea of checking out at least the next volume or two ... sometime. ...more

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Feb 15, 2017 Ahmad Sharabiani rated it really liked it

Shelves: literature, fantasy, 20th-century, epic, united-states

The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1), Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World is a fantasy novel by American writer Robert Jordan, the first book of The Wheel of Time series. It was published by Tor Books and released on January 16, 1990.

The Eye of the World revolves around protagonists Rand al'Thor, Matrim (Mat) Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Egwene al'Vere, and Nynaeve al'Meara, after their residence of "Emond's Field" is unexpectedly attacked by Trollocs (the antagonist's soldiers) and a Myrddraal (t ...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Evgeny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, fantasy

It was early 1993. I picked up a free sample of this book at our university book store and promptly forgot about it (finals). I dug it up later and read it. The free sample ended just as things started to get interesting, so I went to a library and borrowed a full book. Little did I suspect of what I stumble into.

The most developed world of any fantasy books (OK, except Tolkien's Middle Earth). The most complex plot of any fantasy - bar none. A very long journey. This is a beginning of this jou ...more

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Oct 27, 2015 ✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to ✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) by: Angela

Shelves: my-friends-corrupted-my-soul, fantasy, go-me, i-must-be-mad, cool-kick-ass-chicks-ltd, take-that-ye-of-little-faith, 2016, br-2016

● Epically Epic Buddy Read with the BBB gang ●

☢ Friendly warning: this book is looooonnng. How short do you think my review is going to be? That's right, time to do the "get a snack, grab a drink, we're going to be here for a while" thing ☢

☢ Friendly warning #2 (view spoiler): I seem to have recently contracted Acute Acronymitis Syndrome (AAS™). So prepare for a Painful Onslaught of Acronyms (POA™) ☢

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

Yeah Yeah yeah, I kn ...more

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Feb 19, 2017 Hasham Rasool rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, favourites, robert-jordan, fiction, fantasy

"The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again.

What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow."

I have heard of 'The Wheel of Time' from my cousin, Brandon Sanderson, the readers and my Goodreads friend. When I have became a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson. My cousin is a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson too. He told me that Brandon Sanderson ha "The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again.

What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow."

I have heard of 'The Wheel of Time' from my cousin, Brandon Sanderson, the readers and my Goodreads friend. When I have became a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson. My cousin is a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson too. He told me that Brandon Sanderson has wrote the last three books of 'The Wheel of Time'. He hasn't reading it yet but he wants to read it. When I have researched about 'The Wheel of Time' series, I have found out that there are lots of books in the series fifteen books in 'The Wheel of Time' series! Then I have heard that Brandon Sanderson was influenced by Robert Jordan and I have seen many readers have praised towards 'The Wheel of Time'. I find it curious. I have asked my Goodreads friend as I see he loves 'The Wheel of Time'. I have asked him whether 'The Wheel of Time' is worth reading. He told me definitely, if I love Sanderson's books then I told him oh man! I love Sanderson's books. I have decided to read 'The Wheel of Time' series.

It is mind blowing. AlhamdulIllah, I love this book so much. I will definitely carry on reading this series. Inshallah.

It is an unusual epic fantasy book. I have never read this kind of epic fantasy book before.

Robert Jordan was a great author. I can see that Jordan has copied it from Tolkien but I don't mind because Jordan has his own original idea of the storyline.

I have noticed that Brandon Sanderson and George R.R. Martin have used the name for the character from Robert Jordan's ideas the names of his characters. Brandon Sanderson has included the character named Wit in 'The Stormlight Archive' series I know his real name is Hoid. George R.R. Martin has included the character named Bran in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series. Wit and Bran names are in this book.

'The Wheel of Time' has drawn millions readers of worldwide.

The worldbuilding is stupendous! Robert Jordan has done very well.

This book has drawn me. I am addicted 'The Wheel of Time' series.

This book does remind me of 'The Lord of the Rings'. I have pointed out that Jordan has copIed some aspects from Tolkien: Jordan has included the Black Rider which originally idea from Tolkien, Tolkien has used the phrase 'Hobbit' refer to the small group of people whereas Jordan has used 'Darkfriend' also I feel both universes: 'Middle-earth' and 'The Wheel of Time' are reminiscent someway.

Robert Jordan is the pseudonym of James Olivier Rigney Jr. ...more

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Oct 23, 2019 Matthew rated it really liked it

Recommended to Matthew by: Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin

Shelves: own, fantasy, 2019

If you like fantasy stories with lots of wandering around, have I got the book for you!

The Eye of the World has:

-Roving
-Trekking
-Jaunting
-Roaming
-Sneaking

And, occasionally

-Stops in cities, castles, etc. for a few pages

Just kidding! But, really, I am not! 😊

I did enjoy this book, but the majority of it is discussion between characters while they are travelling long distances to both escape baddies and make their way to mystical places. While I don’t believe they actually make it anywhere they were ...more

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Feb 07, 2020 Mayim de Vries rated it really liked it

“Always men think it a new war, but it is just the same war discovered anew.”

This wheel, once it starts rolling, rolls at a sedate pace of continental drift. But - you want to know - is it just rolling or is it eye-rolling that I have in mind. Well, for most of the time it does roll smoothly.

[Just to warn you: this is going to be a long one. But if you plan to embark on a 14-book-long journey, a lengthy review should not be a problem, right? That’s what I keep telling myself.]

Ahem.

In Two River ...more

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May 10, 2012 Allison rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-stars, first-in-series, potential-re-read, epic, warriors-fighters, series-i-finished, political-intrigue, survival, seers, on-the-run

It's really difficult for me to write an unbiased review of this because there's a fair bit of nostalgia involved for me. I began reading The Wheel of Time in 1995, and it was the first fantasy series that I really fell in love with. It captured my heart and held my imagination for a long, long time. I re-read the series over the years as new books were released up until Robert Jordan died - it was too heartbreaking that he wasn't able to finish it himself and I've waited until the series is fin It's really difficult for me to write an unbiased review of this because there's a fair bit of nostalgia involved for me. I began reading The Wheel of Time in 1995, and it was the first fantasy series that I really fell in love with. It captured my heart and held my imagination for a long, long time. I re-read the series over the years as new books were released up until Robert Jordan died - it was too heartbreaking that he wasn't able to finish it himself and I've waited until the series is finished (and the mourning period is over) to read it again.

Even on my 7th time through this 800 page tome (I know, I'm crazy), it had the power to grab me again. There is so much action, so much danger, and I love the feel it has of a world and history much larger than what we are introduced to here (even though we already get a lot!). Even knowing exactly where it was going, I still wasn't bored.

This has everything you could possibly want in a classic, epic fantasy: humble beginnings; reluctant self-discovery; prophecies; creepy, dark, evil enemies of various types; good guys with unknown motivations; a unique magic system; swords and fighting men (and women); memories and relics of old things; cities; remote places; survival on the run; a vast world with many glimpses of what is to come... I could go on and on. This, to me, is Fantasy at its best. There's not just a country or two, a city or two. There are several countries, cultures, peoples, and races that are each vividly described so that it feels like an entire world. You can get completely absorbed in it if you want to. It is so well-developed as the books progress that I almost believe I've been there. I love the feeling of being in this world, and 14 books gives me that long to soak it in.

Another thing I've always enjoyed about The Wheel of Time is that it has both male and female lead characters, and really great supporting ones as well. The female characters can be annoyingly bossy at times, but they are also often sympathetic (depending on whose point of view you're reading at the time). The women are strong, just as strong as the men, and I especially love following Egwene's story in the future out of those we meet in the first volume. I love the variety of characters, and I can never decide whose point of view I like best.

Many people are afraid to start the series because it's so long. I can see how that would be intimidating, and I'm glad I started when there were only 6 books. I believe it ended up so long mainly because the story has more than the usual one or two protagonists. 5 main characters are introduced in this book, as well as a few minor ones. With that many characters, and more to come, 14 books is what it took to play out all their paths in sufficient depth (although I will agree that some of the later books could have been less detailed). I really don't mind the length, though. I love this world. I love to have plenty of time to live in it. I don't claim that it's perfect, but I do believe it's worth some effort. Now that my memory is stirring, I can't wait to relive the rest of it again. ...more

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Nov 12, 2018 Justin rated it really liked it

Second time through this thing, and I will actually continue this series this time around. Here’s my 2028 review:

Well, ladies and gentlemen, gleemen and Aes Sedai, Darkfriends and Wisdom, boy did this book hit me at the right time.

I was bumbling around town like I always do. I was in this weird time in my life just wandering around thinking about books and what I should read next. I was parading down the cold streets with a warm beverage, wearing a sweater, considering my options, sipping my la Second time through this thing, and I will actually continue this series this time around. Here’s my 2028 review:

Well, ladies and gentlemen, gleemen and Aes Sedai, Darkfriends and Wisdom, boy did this book hit me at the right time.

I was bumbling around town like I always do. I was in this weird time in my life just wandering around thinking about books and what I should read next. I was parading down the cold streets with a warm beverage, wearing a sweater, considering my options, sipping my latte, letting the heat warm my bones and the caffeine electrify my brain.

I had a lot of demands for whatever book I would read next. I was like a rock star passing off my rider to a sold out venue. I wasn’t playing unless all of my requests were accommodated. Well, Robert Jordan delivered for me. And now I have to read 13 more long, winding books to finish this epic journey I’ve begun.

At the top of my list was some kind of epic fantasy book that was kind of like Lord of the Rings but different. This book apparently gets a lot of negativity because it copies so much from Tolkien, but I didn’t care. When I look for a new book, or movie, or band, or whatever, aren’t I always looking for comparisons? Isn’t every book now compared to Gone Girl because it was popular and people wanted something similar to read for the rest of their lives? It’s the same thing here. He does borrow a lot from Tolkien, but he also has a lot more story to tell and my guess is his story is going to veer off into many other directions. So I didn’t care, and I wasn’t upset about it.

Next up on my list was a story with lots of inns and innkeepers. Man, I just loved every time these guys wandered into a new town, found that town’s inn with its fun little name, talked to that inn’s hospitable and maybe sinister innkeeper, met more townsfolk, rested, strategized, etc. I couldn’t give enough of all of these towns and the people inhabiting them. I loved every time they reached s new destination and the story unfolded more and more. I wanted inns and innkeepers, and I got a daggum plethora of them.

Those were the only two requirements, really.

I would love to rate this book five stars. I really had a blast reading and following Rand and his crew on their wild adventures. I loved meeting new people and learning more about the history and setting of the story. My only complaint is that there are a ton of people! There are so many words and concepts I just don’t get yet! I have so much to learn! So as epic and fun as this book is, it’s also challenging and not easy to keep up with at times. I had to stop and remind myself who people were sometimes, and I still have a lot of questions. I also have a lot more to read so I’m sure things will work themselves out.

If you love fantasy books and books with innkeepers, boy do I have the book for you! If you like Lord of the Rings, boy so I have a carbon copy of that story to give to you! I’m kidding. Stop. What’s the hunt for the Great Horn anyway? I’m about to find out! I’m all in on this adventure. Can’t wait to keep truckin’ along with these guys.

I just hope there are even more inns and innkeepers in the next book. ...more

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Dec 31, 2015 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it really liked it

Shelves: super-sidekicks, awesome-audio, chick-i-want-to-hang-out-with, witches-warlocks-and-magic, 4-5-stars, fantastic-fantasy

Sale Alert: Kindle Daily Deal 26Apr19 $2.99

2016 is The Year of the Wheel for me, I'm reading a book a month in this series. Yes I know that will take me into 2017 but I don't care. Brandon Sanderson was influenced by Robert Jordan and finished out the series for him so it must be good.

Reading with some friends at Buddies Books and Baubles and Sanctum of Fantasy.

Great intro into a series. RTC ...more

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Aug 06, 2020 Sara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Wauw ,🤩 I realy enjoyed this quest with rand and the crew ,I love story's where they are traveling and having a old grand adventure , I read a lot that this is compared to j.r. tolkien but I don't mind that 🤷‍♀️, My only hope is that this serie better be worth it because it is massive but we will see , for now is this realy good if you love ' high' fantasy and great world building , 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ...more

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Dec 16, 2008 Dan Schwent rated it did not like it

Shelves: fantasy

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this book was the one that put me off fantasy for years afterwards. Part of me was slightly interested in how the whole thing was going to end but it was over-ruled by the knowledge of nine books (at the time) after this one that I was going to have to push through. The story itself is such a fantasy cliche. Kid finds out he's the chosen one, has to defeat the big bad. I liked that story the first couple of times I read it. The characters are unlik ...more

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Mar 02, 2018 Em Lost In Books rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3-star, 2018, massive-tomes, br-with-ini, 1990-99

I was so scared to start this series for two reasons 1) of course, 14 tomes are scary! 2) I have seen many people grumbling about those middle books are slow. This is such a huge series and reading people grouch about 8-10 is not a good sign since reading 7 tomes is huge task. But then one can’t know until they try. Right? Hence I took the plunge and started Jordan’s colossal work.

First thing first, Eye of the World takes its inspirations from Middle-Earth is plain to see. Right from the start ...more

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May 12, 2014 Ivan rated it did not like it

Shelves: fantasy

DNF @50

3 years after I finished this book and a year after I DNF-ed the third one I decided to give this series another chance. Obviously that didn't end well. My initial rating was 3 stars than 2 after editing and now 1 since that is what DNF-ed books get.

There is interesting worldbuilding here and potentially good heroic tale but I just can't look past so many annoying characters and this time around was even worse because I knew they become even more annoying. Jordan couldn't write non-obnox ...more

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Mar 12, 2017 Holden Johnson rated it really liked it

4.25/5

"The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills"

The Eye of the World, the first epic fantasy book in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, provided me with exactly the kind of experience I expected from it.
1. An old school fantasy feel.
2. Lots of intense descriptions on every small detail that normally my brain just tries to ignore and piece together itself.
3. Tons and tons of traveling. (No campfire is left to the imagination)
4. Enough epicness to prove that it is truly one of the greats.

Readin ...more

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Jan 01, 2016 Eon ♒Windrunner♒ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.

And so we are ushered into the magnificent world that Robert ...more

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A Wheel Of Time R...: EotW Week 4 - Chapters 43 to 53	19	43	Feb 06, 2021 08:22PM
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Fantasy series. Boy becomes powerful magically. [s]	3	15	Jan 27, 2021 05:46AM
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About Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan

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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.

Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.

Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting.

He described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and received communion more than once a week. He lived with his wife Harriet McDougal, who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books; she was also Jordan's editor) in a house built in 1797.

Responding to queries on the similarity of some of the concepts in his Wheel of Time books with Freemasonry concepts, Jordan admitted that he was a Freemason. However, "like his father and grandfather," he preferred not to advertise, possibly because of the negative propaganda against Freemasonry. In his own words, "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."

On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement that he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, and that with treatment, his median life expectancy was four years, though he said he intended to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intended to have a long and fully creative life.

He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early April 2006. Jordan was enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis.

Jordan died at approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT on September 16, 2007, and a funeral service was held for him on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston. ...more