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The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time)
  
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The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time) (Paperback)

by Robert Jordan (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (125 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 688 pages
  • Publisher: Orbit; New edition edition (1 Feb 1992)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747409870
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747409878
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (125 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,125,162 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #73 in  Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > J > Jordan, Robert

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Eye of the World and its sequels in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series show the extent to which one can go with a traditional fantasy framework, with added gusto. Stock elements are abound: a reluctant hero--in fact five humble village folk--plucked from wholesome obscurity to fight dark powers; an eternal evil enemy who can be defeated but not destroyed, until the end of the world, which is fast approaching; a mysterious sisterhood with vast powers and who love to manipulate thrones and kingdoms from the shadows (think of the Bene Gesserit of the Dune series); a ferocious battle-hardened warrior race (echoes of the Fremen of Dune, or the Haruchai of the Thomas Covenant novels).

Jordan didn't become a bestselling author merely by mixing up traditional ingredients; a master storyteller, he ingeniously gives unusual twists to these conventional fantasy elements. He also excels in the descriptive and narrative skills needed to create a detailed and coherent imaginary world. The many lands he portrays are vast in scope and contain amazingly varied countries and peoples, while retaining the inner coherence needed to make them satisfying places for a fantasy fan to roam around in. However, Jordan's writing never attains the subtlety or sophistication of, say, George RR Martin and there are some annoying stylistic tics: he seems unable to introduce a female character without commenting on her neckline and thereafter has them forever smoothing their dresses.

To his publisher's credit, Jordan's books are fortunate among fantasy novels in not having covers that look like an explosion of a teenager's bedroom. The absence of such lurid artwork is, perhaps, part of their appeal. --David Pickering --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review
Vast, improbable fantasy that touches all the standard bases, with an unimpressive though complicated good. vs.-evil/cyclic-history backdrop. Upon peaceful, bucolic Emond's Field suddenly descends a horde of bestial, vicious Trollocs directed by sinister shadowy Fades at the behest of the Evil One. Their targets are three young men: sheepherder Rand, blacksmith Perrin, prankster Mat; all three miraculously escape. Also on hand are Moiraine, a well-dressed lady of the Aes Sedai (those who can tap the One Power to work magic) and her sidekick, the warrior Lan. Clearly, the only safe place for the three is Tar Valon, the magically defended city of the Aes Sedai. So, accompanied by the village Wisdom (witch) Nynaeve and her apprentice Egwene, they all set off. After some adventures and hairsbreadth escapes - the usual heroic-travelogue padding - they join up with a cuddly giant Ogier, Loial, who takes them through magical tunnels to see the Green Man. Nearby is the Eye of the World, which the Evil One fears: it's a source of power to be used against him. Finally, some sort of ethereal battle ensues, as Rand taps the power of the Eye to destroy the Evil One without quite knowing how. Neither will his readers. Despite one or two encouraging signs of inventiveness: portentous, ponderous, and contrived, with a rationale that's not even half worked out. (Kirkus Reviews)

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Customer Reviews

125 Reviews
5 star:
 (81)
4 star:
 (25)
3 star:
 (7)
2 star:
 (5)
1 star:
 (7)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (125 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh no, another addiction...., 24 Mar 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time) (Paperback)
Wow. I read this book six months ago and can still tell you exactly what happened, but I won't, because I want everybody to read the books. The wheel of time is surely THE MOST addictive series of books ever. I read Eye of the World in five days and went straight out to buy the next one, and straight out to buy the one after that, and so on. Yes, it's a little slow to start, but the minute Winternight gets going you can't stop. Ever.

Sub-plots galore, love and hate relationships, twists and subtle hints as to what the horrifying ending is all make this book possibly the beginning of the best series I will ever read. People say the later books are more boring and too long, but THIS IS NOT TRUE. Robert Jordan has an amazing talent for story-telling, and I recommend him to everybody.

I must also say that his characters are perfectly developed so that you know precisely who they are and what they would feel and think. By book 9 you will know and love our main characters, and don't start book 1 without thinking you won't finish, because you will be hooked. Enjoy, everybody, you will not find better.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars the best of the series, 16 Jun 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time) (Paperback)
Arguably the best (I certainly think so) of Robert Jordan's novels. This is why we all appreciate Jordan's writing. It is undoubtedly one of the best novel since J.R. Tolkein and far outstrips and out paces all other contemporary fantasy novelist. Eye Of The World is what made us jump (more like grabbed and pulled in) headlong into a world that seems so real that we can picture the world in our imagination in detail, really few authors can simulate this kind of realism.It has all the perfect magical ingredients a fantasy book needs to make it successfull and thoroughly engaging. It has the traditional fantasy plot, good Vs evil, light and dark. It may not be unique but Jordan expands on this,and adds his own touch and detail to it. But the main thing (and what sets Jordan apart) is the sense of epic ness, the grand adventure it inspires to his readers.The depth and realism of the characters are outstanding. Each character is written in precise detail and Jordan adds a bit of mystery into them (a ploy which Jordan intelligently uses to keep us absorbed, wondering what the character will reveal next).The pace and action is all there ( EoTW has more action than the last two novel, PoD and WH combined). From the start to finish it is all action and adventure with the perfect amount of intrigue, magic and unsolved mystery to it.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great start to the series!, 19 Dec 2002
This review is from: The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time) (Paperback)
This book (and the whole series) was recommended to me by a friend at work, following a discussion about how good Lord of the Rings was - he said that Robert Jordan's series was better than Tolkien, so I decided to find out for myself.

I loved this book!!

So much so that before I was even halfway through Eye of the World I had already ordered books 2-9, so that I can get up to date with the events in the series. I'm not going to say whether or not it's better/worse than Lord of the Rings in my opinion, because I don't want to think about that - both are fantastic works of fiction, and I enjoyed them both so much that I don't want to demean one by classing it as inferior to the other.

The storyline of EotW is a new version of the classic 'Quest' storyline, covering the journey of a group of friends, and focusing on one in particular who is destined to be something very special (although saying that, the supporting cast is great, particularly the Warder; Lan, the blacksmith's apprentice; Perrin, and Thom the gleeman).

What makes this unique (in my eyes) is the characterisation and pure readability of the book. Considering this book introduces an entirely new world with background and people, it's very easy to read (perhaps more so than LotR was the first time).

Looking at the series as a whole is quite daunting really (thousands of pages), but if every volume is as enjoyable as this was, I'll get many weeks of pleasure going through them.

If you like to read epic stories that you can really get into, I definitely recommend this. Chance are you'll get as hooked as I've become!!!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad
I've read this, the first book in a series of 15 (maybe...!), under pressure. I'm not normally a fan of tolkien-esque fantasy - in fact, I rather quickly gave up on Lord of the... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Jimternet

5.0 out of 5 stars Shaitan means Devil
For anyone who wants to know, Shaitan is an arabic word used in Holy Koran and is the word used for the DEVIL. Read more
Published 1 month ago by rpg gamer

4.0 out of 5 stars classic fantasy quest
I picked up the eye of the world on a whim, having seen the series around, i thought it would be worth a try. I am very glad i did. Read more
Published 2 months ago by T. Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly great opening for an amazing series, patience is required.
A brief overview of the series, spoiler free.
As the series progresses the detail and setting expand, more and more characters come and go. Read more
Published 4 months ago by genejoke

4.0 out of 5 stars Love and Hate
This whole series is annoyingly long and not yet complete. I hate it when fantasy books are released this way. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dr. R. L. Lee

4.0 out of 5 stars Good first book
This is the first of the Wheel of Time series and is a great first book. All the main characters are introduced (even if they appear in a couple of pages) and though some times... Read more
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3.0 out of 5 stars Seems harsh to give it only 3 stars but...
I've got mixed opinions about this book.

It's well written, got good characters, good plot / story and has obviously been well thought out. Read more
Published 11 months ago by S. Baker

4.0 out of 5 stars Wheel of time
I have now read all books so far in this series, having first read this one back in 1992.

Good book. Not a bad series. Lost its way a little after book 3. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Londoner

5.0 out of 5 stars Sprinter girl
I thought that this book was great! It took some time to get into, but once I'd passed the first chapter I was completely ingrossed and took this book everywhere with me till i... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Twilight Dreamer

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing!
this is a brilliant book if you enjoy fantasy! Has depth that rivals series such as "A song of ice and fire"! I really really recomend it! I'm hooked!
Published 15 months ago by J. Colclough

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