The Eye of the WorldBook 1 of The Wheel of Time
by Robert Jordan
audiobook: 30 hours
by Robert Jordan
audiobook: 30 hours
*** About the Book ***
In this first book of the Wheel of Time series, three farm boys and two young women are ripped away from the quiet life of their village when creatures out of myth attack in the night. They are guided by an ageless woman with mysterious powers and her quiet protector. The group ventures out into the world with one goal in mind: to evade the evil forces that continue to track them. They encounter new friends and new enemies on their journey and learn some unsettling facts about themselves as well.
The series is based on a cyclical notion of time and the idea that everything has happened before and will happen again.
Of course, it is really hard to summarize epic fantasy so just go with, ok?
*** Why I (re)Read it ***
I've read this book at least twice and listened to the audio version at least three times. A while back I gave away a copy of this book in a contest. Nicole won it and was excited to read it. When she asked me to be a guest on her blog talk radio show she said I had to pick a book to discuss with her. This seemed to be the perfect thing, and she agreed. So I had to revisit it to prepare for our discussion.
*** My Thoughts ***
As difficult as it is to summarize an epic fantasy novel, it is far more challenging to share my thoughts about a book that is so familiar to me. I love this book and have loved it for so long that I really don't know what to say about it.
Ok, I'll give it a shot ...
- The characters in this book are wonderful. They are kind, cruel, smart, stupid, tormented, conflicted, loving ... in short, they are REAL.
- There is Adventure! And who doesn't like Adventure?!
- This is a new world but it isn't all that different from our own (albeit in an older time period) so I can imagine things quite clearly.
- Jordan is a master of description; he's been compared to Tolkien in case that helps you get an idea of his writing style.
- The plot is exciting and unpredictable - no guessing the ending ahead of time with this book/series.
- There are things you learn as side notes in this book that become important plot points later in the series. In fact, I seem to find more and more of these every time I revisit this book.
*** Your Thoughts ***
I posted some discussion questions for this book yesterday in preparation for my interview tonight on That's How I Blog! - be sure to check them out if you haven't already. I'm thrilled by the response I got when I encouraged people to read this book for the show. If you did read it, THANK YOU for trusting my opinion and I hope I didn't let you down.
Here are some other reviews you might like to check out:
- It's All About Books - read it for the show
- One Day At A Time - I dared her to read and she ended up liking it
- My Two Blessings - was surprised that she hadn't read this before
- and I KNOW that more of you have read this book so please link to you review in the comments!
16 comments:
Each time I re-read this book I have to track which of Min's viewings have come to pass. :)
Also, I find another bit of foreshadowing for something six, seven, even ten books away. How did I miss the role Jain Farstrider played in the events around the fall of Malkier?
It's been ages since I've listened to this series, but it was a great one to have in the car for those long commutes. I also liked that the story was slow enough that I could focus on driving if I needed to without missing a lot. In other words, this is the perfect audio book for car rides.
As to the story itself, well, it's epic fantasy. And so many other epic fantasy books are out there it's hard to keep them all straight at times. But this is a good addition to any library, especially if the reader likes the fantasy genre.
Oh I love love this series. I've read this book at least three or four times. How is listening to it compared to reading it? I'm going to try and make it to your show tonight. I am going to ask you which character you like/relate to the best. I think I also love how bad the bad guys are. It's just a fun series.
Before I started my little classics challenge, all I read was sci-fi and fantasy, but I have always been wary of getting into this series. First because it seems so long, and second because I wasn't sure if it was ever going to end.
Perhaps I do need to give this series a try.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and just posted a review of the book on my blog.
http://www.mytwoblessings.com/2010/02/eye-of-world-by-robert-jordan.html
Look forward to discussing it tonight.
ella144 - I know, right?! I noticed the Jain thing this time as well! That's why I love http://www.encyclopaedia-wot.org/ - have you used it before?
TK42ONE - Exactly. It is PERFECT for long car rides. :)
Amanda - I personally love the audio books. They are great, especially if you are already familiar w/ the story. Of course it does take some getting used to when they narrators pronounce things differently than you do in your head. ~LOL~
Allie - Now that it DOES have a set end you should definitely give it a shot!
Robin - I'm so glad! Can't wait to talk to you tonight. :)
Love the book, love the series and never got bored with it.
I really want to check out this series! Everyone has so many good things to say about it!
Heather_J,
I poke around Encyclopedia_WOT, Dragonmount.com, and Thirteenth Depository depending on what I'm looking up and the level of detail/discussion I'm looking for. :) I'll be visiting these a lot over the next few months as I re-read the whole series.
I wonder how much of that is due to familiarity with the books and hindsight and how much is due to the fact that I'm 10+ years older than when I first read this book?
(wow, does that makes me feel old!)
um, the second paragraph should read:
"I wonder how much of what I'm picking up on now is due to . . ."
Ryan - I'll admit I was frustrated w/ the time between new books, but NEVER with the story itself.
amy - Give it a shot please!
ella144 - I know what you mean; I've been reading these books since the early '90s ... crazy, right?
I really wanted to join in on your 20 minute book talk for this, because I totally heart Robert Jordan. But I was out of town on the Washington coast, where I didn't even get cell phone reception, let alone internet. :(
You'll be proud to know that I have this one on my MP3 player -- now I just have to start listening.
I'm rereading LOTR this winter with the blogging group. I'll save WOT for when I'm done with Tolkien.
J.T. - Darn, I would have loved to hear from you! Did you get a chance to listen to the recording of the show?
Beth F - Definitely wait until you finish Tolkien, but don't forget to start this one afterward!
Oh how I love this series, but this book most of all. There is just something about the innocense of these characters that brings me back again and again. And once I've started with Eye of the World I have to continue on.
What an amazing series this is, I'm not really sure how many times I've read and listened to it.
More than just the amazing story, I feel an emotional attachment to these characters. I've grown up with them. I've been through everything with them, and they with me. My heart breaks and their flight for their lives. We're all decades old friends.
storeyonastory.wordpress.com
qarae77 - Thanks so much for coming by my blog. I agree, this series is a huge part of my reading life and has been for many, many years - these characters are like family at this point. :)
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