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

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Publisher: Tor Fantasy
Release: 15 Nov 1990 (832 pages)
Image Source: Splash of Our Worlds
Other Titles in the Series: Check here

Rating:
Characters- 20/20
Plot- 19/20
Writing- 20/20
Originality- 19/20
Recommendation- 20/20
Overall- 98/100 or A+

The Wheel of Time turns and the 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 Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. 


Review: The Eye of the World has proven to be an in-depth, well thought, and breathtaking read. Robert Jordan has imagined a truly vivid world, where events seems to fly by at breakneck speed. Something about this book, maybe its tangibility, or the soul encased in its writing, will keep readers enthralled.  As mentioned, this fantasy’s plot is very fast paced, which greatly bumps up the excitement level.

Something truly astounding in my mind is the sheer detail Robert Jordan crafted into his novel. He seems to have an incredible eye for cause and effect relationships, which leads me to believe he would be a good historian. Indeed, reading The Eye of the World is a bit like reading history. In that sense, I could compare him to J.R.R Tolkien. Truly impressive work.

The Wheel of Time also incorporates a very detailed magic/belief system, unlike that of The Lord of the Rings. At the beginning of time, a Creator forged the universe and the Wheel of Time, which turns for eternity and weaves all lives. The wheel has seven spokes, and each represents an age. The magic in The Wheel of Time series is called the One Power. This form of magic is stemmed from something called the True Source, which powers the Wheel of Time. The One Power is dualistic, kind of like Yin and Yang, but instead is called saidin and saidar. Men are able to wield the saidin aspect of the One Power, and women the saidar. Not all people can use the One Power.

I found many similarities between Jordan’s system of magic and eastern religions in our world. The Wheel of Time concept is derived from Hindu and Buddhist teachings, while the True Source and saidin and saidar are reminiscent of Taoism. All in all, it makes for an interesting book.

Truly, The Eye of the World is a spectacular read for lovers of fantasy epics. It is detail rich and very fast paced. Sometimes the plot may seem a bit predictable or cliche, but it is still satisfying nevertheless. I’ve heard that the series is long (13 books and still going) but I plan on reviewing every one in the coming months.

Overall Grade: A+
The Eye of The World combines the best of fantasy: a mysterious history, vibrant characters, and an intense plot. Readers should notice Jordan’s eye for details and appreciate the incredible story he has woven. Anyone planning on reading the series is surely in for an incredible journey of 13 books. Personally, I can’t wait to embark!
Dragonmount.com
Jordan, Robert. (1990) The Eye of the World. United States: Tor Fantasy 

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One response to “The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan”

  1. I have bad news for you Jordan is not a talented writer and you will find this out for yourself if you continue with the series. Basically a well written novel takes the shape of a quest; a linearly horizontal progression through narrative time, Jordan explodes that linearity in a bewildering near-dimensionless knot or tangle of non-progression, utterly stupid! That’s why in literature/English courses he is constantly used as an example of what not to do.Also as the series continues his use of grammar becomes extremely childish; many believe his wife took over much of the writing in later books because of the extremes in ability and content. ‘She managed to be pretty if not beautiful despite a nose that was overbold at best’—at best? How would it have been if it had been the worst?‘Gaunt cheeks and a narrow nose hid the ageless quality of the red sister’s features’: so ‘cheeks’ and ‘nose’ don’t count as features? Her eyebrows climbed as she directed her gaze back to them, eyes black as her white-winged hair, a demanding stare of impatience so loud she night as well have shouted. Her eyes are black, they’re white, her eyebrows are escaping, her gaze is audible.This, this is all terribly written. I don’t just mean the style, although the style is awful. I mean the whole kit and kaboodle: the overall structure, and the narrative, the pacing and focalisation, the characterisation, the dialogue, the tone. All of it. The writing is bad from the get-go.

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