The Eye Of The World

Author: Robert Jordan	Series: Wheel Of Time
Rating: 9.5	Reviewer: TK42ONE
Genre: Fantasy	Publisher:Tor
Binding: Paperback

Eye Of The World by Robert Jordan
A review by Neil Richard

Overall Rating = 5 out of 5

The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.

PROLOGUE

In 1990 I was between Middle School and High School. Eighth grade graduation was interesting. I can still remember the pictures of me with my girl friend, her parents, my dad, etc. We were wondering what would happen between us since I was going away fro the summer. My mom was in North Carolina and that would mean a long-distance relationship. Neither of us were excited about it. I learned that summer that we weren’t meant for each other. I also learned that summer that my stepfather and I didn’t get along very well. My mom got MS and I cam back home to start High School. My dad and I were getting further and further apart. Heads butting like two mountain goats.

During all this time, I know I was reading. I had discovered R. A. Salvatore a few years back and had gotten hooked. I also kept up on my Hardy Boy Casefiles collection. Little did I know that lurking in the shadow was the Wheel Of Time.

It’s now 2005. I’m married, my daughter is almost a year old, and the sixth Star Wars movie is about to be released. My stepfather passed away years ago. My mom still has some health related issues, but gets along pretty good with the help of her boy friend. My dad and I get along great, mostly due to my finally learning that he’s not stupid. I’ve been working long hours for several months now. Combined with a long commute, it makes for a very long day. So I started looking for an audio book that would help pass the time during my drive to and from work.

In steps Robert Jordan. By now I know who he is and I’ve heard of the Wheel Of Time series. I also know it’s very long. Over ten books. But I had heard good things about the series, so when I saw the first book on CD (unabridged of course), I picked it up. Sixty dollars for 25 CDs. Not a bad deal for a few weeks of entertainment. By the time I got to the third CD, I had to buy the next book. About ten CDs later, I had to buy the third book.

REVIEW

I walked into this series knowing only the name of the series and the general length of it. The first few chapters (most of the first CD) were a little slow going. Some may argue that the entire book is slow, but I’ll get back to that in a little bit. After the story started to unfold, it was like the sun rising on a beautiful summer day. The beginning set the feel for the rest of the day and you knew it would be great.

Keep in mind that this is all based on the unabridged audio book. I got the whole story, but I listened to it. I’ve never been a big fan of audio books. I’ve tried the Lord Of The Rings series. The Star Wars Radio Drama. The Phantom Menace. Attack Of The Clones. All of them were okay, but very hard for me to follow. Even though I already knew the story. They were all like background noise, not a story. Jordan did a great job in telling the story slow enough for me to follow with my ears. And there were times where I wanted to go out and sit in my car just to listen to the end of the disc. Only a few more tracks, I’m sure I’ll be able to stop by then. Yeah, right.

So yes, I’ll agree that Jordan does write at a slow pace. But there is still plenty of action to keep you busy. The whole book only takes place over a few months (if that) as far as I can tell. Some chapters seem to cover only a few hours of travel. Others cover a few days. Either way, he keeps that carrot dangling just far enough away for the reader to keep turning the pages.

SUMMARY

The McGuffin for this story is the title, The Eye Of The World. Rand, Perrin, and Mat (sheepherder’s son, blacksmith’s apprentice, and practical joker) are swept into a prophecy. Moiraine and Lan (the magician and her protector) travel to the Two Rivers to track down these country folk to lead them on the righteous path against the darkness. Along the way they get separated, battle evil creatures, and get banged up.

But none of this is anything new for most stories. Time really is a Wheel. What set this adventure apart from the others are the characters and the pace. And a few minor differences.

The characters are people that can be identified with (as much as possible with a fantasy novel). While some things are similar to other stories, (like the reluctant swordsman, the uncrowned king, etc.) the interaction among the characters is what drives this story apart from the others. A truly character driven story is so hard to find.

Tied to this is the pace. Some may complain that Jordan writes to slow, but he doesn’t. He sets the pace and tells the story. He leaves all the details in so the reader can see where the characters are. Details are good. And the tidbits of information that Jordan drops here and there is like a detective story. If you don’t follow the breadcrumbs, you’ll miss something. And I think that’s why people don’t like his writing. They missed the clues early on. They didn’t slow down and take their time in reading what was actually happening. So they missed the fact that Rand could use the One Power. They missed that the Peddler was a Dark Friend. They missed that Min’s visions would come true.

One of the minor differences that set this world apart is variety of races of creatures. Ogiers sound like Ogres, but they’re good guys. I have yet to hear of any elves. Dragons are dead and gone. Dwarves aren’t mentioned. The main race is human. And there are plenty of good and bad humans to go around.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line, if you haven’t started this series, start it. I may have to shell out some serious gold pieces to get the full set on audio, but the books should be just as good (and cheaper). Plus the books have the maps and the glossary. The audio book only had a brief interview with Jordan.

So sit back and relax. Then snuggle a little deeper into that seat. You’ll be hanging on every word waiting to see if Rand survives his meeting with the man in his dreams. And while some may complain about Jordan being a Tolkien rip-off (as if Tolkien is an original fantasy writer) or complain about how slow Jordan writes, don’t sweat it. It’s a long story, but it’s supposed to be.

Blood and ashes, that was a long review. Oh, and don’t forget Perrin. He’s my favorite.

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