Here we go, The Wheel of Time... The Eye of the World (Book #1)

A Great Undertaking

So, here we go again...

A bit of background

If you've read my intro post you'll know I've been a fan of Sci Fi & Fantasy since my youth.  Once upon a time I picked up Book one 'The Eye of the World' of The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

If you're unfamiliar with the series it's a biggy.  There are fifteen books in the series (one of which is a prequel novella).  Sadly, Robert Jordan passed away in 2007 and hadn't finished the series himself, though he did make plans of how to do so following a diagnosis of a terminal heart condition.  The mantle was picked up by Brandon Sanderson, who completed the series across three books, following the plan put in place by Jordan.

Due to, I'm claiming, the poor attention span of youth, I think I managed to get about seven or eight books in to the series before moving to something else.  Now, several (I don't want to say quite how many) years later I've decided I owe it to myself, and Robert, to give it another shot and read this fantastic series.  I'm going to start from the true book one and revisit the prequel novella at a later date.

The plan for my reviews is to touch on plot points, but largely keep them spoiler free.  With this particular review I have tried to discount that I have previously read the book and several of the subsequent books, which probably give me a little more context than if I had been going in blind.

So, here we go.  The Eye of the World.  Book one. 

The Eye of the World

I enjoyed this book, a lot.  Though it is very difficult, when knowing the context of it as the start of a fifteen book series, not to see it as scratching the surface of something much larger. 

At it's core, it's the beginning of a tale as old as time (sorry!) of good Vs evil.  However, what the Wheel of Time series does, is weave (if you know, you know) it into a more complex tapestry of a cyclical nature.  That is to say there is a premise that everything that will happen has already happened in another age and will play out again, each time the wheel of time itself turns. 

There are a multitude of characters, each with their own unique, well written, personalities and motivations behind what they do.  Initially you think the story is going to centre around three village born young men in Rand al'Thor, Matrim Cauthon and Perrin Aybara.  All from Emond's Field in the Two Rivers.  As the tale unwinds further we start to get more time with some of the supporting cast with the likes of Egwene al'Vere and Nynaeve al'Meara.  The women of the Wheel of Time series are, generally, without fail, exceptionally strong characters.

We're introduced to Emond's Field as a small rural community, simple in their ways, preparing for the enjoyment of an annual festival with great anticipation.  There are a number of strangers in town as well, that add to the mystery and excitement.  Unfortunately though, on the eve of the festival catastrophe strikes and we're soon launched into the beginning a long journey and the start of the adventure.  

The journey, and the dangers that accompany it, are what really start to shape the characters in their experiences along the way.

One of the strangers in the village, prior to it all kicking off, is Moiraine Damodred, an Aes Sedai.  One of the themes of the opening book is ambiguity.  Often we're informed of mixed opinions on any number of topics within the world, from people through to places.  Aes Sedai are one of those polarising topics.  They're both feared as something evil or revered and respected as important and powerful individuals.  Not a lot is known of them, from the perspective of the Emond's Fielders, but we are slowly introduced to them through the character of Moiraine Sedai, to give her the correct suffix.  

One of their key characteristics is keeping their own counsel and not explaining themselves.  A characteristic that is shared by their Warders.  In Moiraine's case we have al'Lan Mandragoran (Lan for short).  A deadly warrior who partners and guards Moiraine.  Again we don't get exposed to too much information around the relationship between an Aes Sedai and their Warder.

It is something that comes up again and again throughout the book.  An introduction or reference to a race of people (such as the Aiel), historical events (both of legend and in terms of more recently such as wars) or any number of monsters or magics (Aes Sedai's 'Ajahs').  If Robert Jordan had a plan for an epically sprawling fantasy series, it makes sense that he would only tease some of these concepts and leave them for later books, but it does leave you feeling a little frustrated at times, wanting to know more or finding it as a distraction from what is happening. 

There are times when it feels as if the pace drops a little, but overall there is a lot of action throughout the book.  Due to some events, characters become split up and we see different pairings and detours from the main story arc.  Some events are followed in detail, whereas others seem to happen in a flash, almost as a way of introducing characters, which will crop up again later down the line.

There are also some running jokes established.  My favourite is probably Rand and Perrin's regular assertions, in their own head following different encounters, that the other would have known what to do in their place, as they are much better at talking to girls.

The end of the book culminates in a significant turn of events in the grand scheme of things, if not quite a cliffhanger.  Enough to make you want to get into the second book and see how it's all going to unfold.

The verdict...

Overall The Eye of the World serves as a good introduction to the series and I look forward to following it as it blooms.  I would certainly recommend it and score it an 8/10.

If you've read it, let me know what you think.

Cheers,

Steve L