by Alice Atkinson-Bonasio

Created on: January 15, 2009

Book Review

Eye of the World

By Robert Jordan

With the Eye of the World, you could say that Robert Jordan begins an epic tale, but although that would be true, it is not what is remarkable about it. What actually begins with this book is the crafting of one of the most carefully constructed fictional universes conceivable, and one certainly not to be equalled anywhere in modern fantasy writing. Epic is a term heavily overused when referring to the fantasy genre, but in quality and sheer quantity, Jordan

has certainly earned the accolade. He worked right up to the time of his death in September 2007, struggling against a rare blood disease, and managed to write 12 books in the Wheel of Time series, which was sadly left unfinished.

The Eye of the World introduces you to many of the main characters in the story, but the incredible thing about the Wheel of Time, is that just when you think you have a hold of the story, the universe expands or the political manoeuvring gets more mind-boggling. It never makes you put the book down though, on the contrary.

This first book takes us to the Two Rivers, a Shire-like haven of good solid values and nice simple but intelligent and slightly stubborn people in the kingdom of Andor. Rand Al'Thor is the main character, but his friends all become important at some point in the gargantuan narrative that is to come.

Where a lot of the middle Wheel of Time books have you thinking hard to remember where you stand or referring back to other books to see where you heard of a certain character before, the Eye of the World tells a relatively simple and thoroughly enjoyable tale that hints at great things to come and leaves you wanting more while standing comfortably on its own.

Jordan
turns on the magic with clever and believable exchanges and banter that make you reread pages just for the enjoyment of reading such well-crafted and rounded work. At the same time, the action is fast-paced and conveys a sense of urgency that few books manage.

It is my duty to inform any reader thinking of starting to read the Wheel of Time series that Robert Jordan left it unfinished upon his death. Elantris author Brandon Sanderson will be writing the final book due to be published in 2009 which will be entitle A Memory of Light using Jordan's extensive notes and instructions. We can only hope that Sanderson will manage a seamless novel that fits in with the very distinctive style of the Wheel of Time.

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