E is for The Eye of the World
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Book 5 in A to Z challenge
Slight cheat. I read this book before even moving to Oregon, so 2 years ago and that was the second time since I first read it back when I was in high school. I planned to review it and book 2 of the Wheel of Time series in one post but haven't finished re-reading The Great Hunt, so that review can happen some other time. For now, let's look at the first book of the series (not counting book 0 that was a later published prequel).
About the Book: 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 Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
This is one of those not for everyone type series. Epic fantasy can be that way in general, though, I've noticed. And while I haven't gotten very far, either times I've tried to read the books, I like what I've read so far. That's evident in book 1 in particular because even the second time reading it, I ended up reading about 300 or so pages in a single night. I rarely ever do that anymore. I would even say this (along with Dragonlance) are in part what peeked my interest to write back in high school, even though I am not yet ready to tackle epic fantasy. One day, one day...
Back to the book. It uses many expected elements of fantasy, ones that are now listed as cliche, with the prophesies, chosen one, farmer boy becoming something much greater, etc, but they all work in this case. It also tackles multiple points of view, though thankfully for this first book, those are limited and easy to tell when it's changing.
I could go into the awesome characters (there are some I don't like too but that's often how it goes with having multiple main characters) but that would take up too much space. Epic series doesn't make for the shortest book reviews, especially a 15 book one. The basics of book 1, however, are finding out why the fate of their group has been combined and who will become the Dragon Reborn. Written in an amazing world with worldbuilding that I can't even fathom, the story is a wondrous tale from life changing attack on home village to exciting battle against evil in hoping to triumph in the name of the light. It is long but easy to get caught up in and I definitely recommend at least this first book. Even if you don't read the rest, it still has a form of conclusion that works without knowing what else happens with the prophesy and the fate of the world. But if you want to know what happens next, there are many books to read.
I need to get back to reading book 2. One day, maybe, I'll have read the whole series.
Review by:
Dawn Embers
Saturday, April 05, 2014 | Labels: A to Z, epic fantasy, series |
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10 comments:
i remember reading this one back in high school.
it is one of the few epic fantasies that i've read and enjoyed.
i look at the series on the public libraries shelf and just shiver at how it takes up a the entirety of it.
great post.
I liked the Robert Jordan series… at first. And then he rewote the book over and over and over and then died before he actually finished it. George RR Martin better not die before he finishes his series or I'll rekill him. I don't care if Gaiman says Martin isn't anybody's b*tch, I will seriously freak out if he dies and… sorry, sidetracked. Eye Of time, good(ish).
Just visiting my neighbors on the A-Z list
flip at HILL BLOCKS VIEW
More to add to the TBR pile--still immersed in Game of Thrones at the moment... #atozchallenge
Just read Flip's comment--AGREED!
I got stuck on book 7 of this series and haven't read any since. I've been assured that if I can get past book 8 then it really picks up again but I just haven't been able to do it. Good luck in your reading.
Stephanie @ Curling Up By The Fire
I am really digging your reviews. You have made good cases for some hidden gems I hadn't heard of. Your newest follower, Shawn from Laughing at Life 2
I don't think this one is for me. I'm not really into fantasy, especially not epic fantasy.
Not a cheat, it started with E.
I have a to read book list too.
Hi,
This sounds like it could be a good book. I enjoy reading tremendously and may check it out.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Patricia
Thanks everyone for the comments. It's really great to see people are liking the reviews.
Flip McFliperson - Yeah. I'm uncertain as to the whole series cause I've only read three back in high school. They were great but to keep going with similar story arcs... I'm not sure where it went story wise. Though I never got into Game of Thrones. I tried reading during lunch breaks but that's not good for any epic fantasy book, let alone one with jumps in POV.
Stephanie - I've heard that books 7-9 are kinda rough, and that's from someone who read the whole series and most of Sanderson's books as well. But after it's supposed to get better. We'll see if I can make it through.
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