I decided that I would submit a review of The Eye of the World only, instead of spending the next 6 months or more trying to explain why I love this series. Simply put, it is the most amazing thing I have ever read. Yes, this first book is a little slow. I have always cautioned people to make yourself get through it, and by the time you are two thirds of the way through, you're hooked. The best thing about this series is that each book gets better by a factor of at least 10! The characters in this story have become my dear friends and my mortal enemies. I have read and re-read them all so many times I've lost count. Please believe me when I tell you that all of the seemingly useless information that Mr Jordan includes in the first volume is CRUCIAL to the storyline. Never think that just because a character goes out of the picture that they will stay gone. I have spent the last 7 years trying to figure out all the twists and turns that the author has thrown into the plot. If you love mysteries, read this book. If you love adventures, read this book. If you love romances, read this book. If you love storytelling at it's best, OWN this book. Trust me, you will re-live it over and over again.

Had to buy the hardcovers since the paperbacks fell apart!

Rating: 5/5

The plot and characters are so detailed that every time I reread this series (and I must reread them all before starting the next new book), I find fresh nuances.

The basic storyline is a fairly common theme: young unwilling hero with no option but to leave home to save the world from total destruction while being pursued and persecuted by Evil Minions and sometimes by Trusted Friends, too.

What elevates this book, and the series as a whole, from being just another good read to being one of the very best reads is the intricacy and detail. There is an overall BIG PICTURE, several large plots, and many smaller ones. Characters separate (individually and in small groups) from the main hero and each other for varying lengths of time, all the while developing and growing in their own rights, then coming back together for stronger interaction and more realism.

What's the most fun part? The glossary! Worth reading in each book because the descriptions change as the characters and plot develop. You can occasionally get a little more information from it to supplement what's in the text.

Definitely looking forward to the next book, and to the eventual unraveling of some mysteries and curiosities.

How to begin.....

Rating: 3/5

I started this series when it first came out and enjoyed it a great deal. The story was good. The writing was okay. I looked forward to each book as it came out. Maybe it's because I'm 13 years older and more mature, but I'm just reading to find out what happens at this point.

I can't be the only person out there who is appalled by most of the characters. I'm tired of hearing their thoughts as they lie to themselves...'I only did that because I wanted to......certainly not because this other person wanted me/coerced me/tricked me into doing it....certainly not!'

I'm tired of their arrogance and overbearing pride. It seems that during every exchange one character is trying to abusively prove their superiority over another. How many times can we endure Nynaeve having to swallow her pride and yank her braid? Or endure her terrible treatment of her 'friends'? Or the seafolk insulting everyone with impunity until someone finds a way to do the same to them?

Are these characters so stupid that they can't realize that they can walk away from the abuse and refuse to deal with those that treat them poorly? What is Jordan's fetish with this type of character interaction? Does he actually believe that this is how people behave or is he operating under the misconception that we enjoy it? Would anyone really be upset to see Nynaeve killed at this point? Or Elaine? Or Logain? Or the Ashaman? Or Cadsuane? Or the Wave Mistresses? Or all of the Aes Sedai?

Rand, Perrin, Mat, Min and Lan are about the only ones I have any caring about at all. The rest have such irritating arrogance that a horrible, painful death would be a relief.

I beg you, Mr. Jordan. I want to enjoy the rest of your series. Make us care about your characters again....have them grow and show some common courtesy and respect for each other. Tie up some loose ends. Advance your plotlines. Come to an ending.