Okay, some others may have read my negative reviews on Eye of the World and Dragon Reborn. Just to prove I'm not such a clod, The Great Hunt is the best of the bunch so far (I'm currently on page 600 of The Shadow Rising). I liked The Great Hunt because, unlike The Eye of the World and Dragon Reborn, the plot line doesn't wander as much; I don't get the sense that Jordan is just filling up space. The plot of The Great Hunt is fairly linear and straight forward--a stolen horn, and the chase to get it back. And when Jordan does wander, in the final third of the book, it's actually quite entertaining. I have to admit that all of the Senachan stuff thrilled me greatly; I was unable to put the damn book down.

I was persuaded to read The Wheel of Time series by a friend. Though my tastes sway towards literary fiction, I've been trudging though Jordan's books as best I can. Sure, I may be critical at times (I think books one and three are borderline lousy), but it must say SOMETHING that I'm still reading the series (I'm on book four). Like a soap opera, I'm hooked!!!

Very good second chapter

Rating: 4/5

The Wheel of Time is probably the best-known and most widely read fantasy series other than The Lord of the Rings. There are many reasons for that:

(1) Books 1-5 of the series are non-stop action, adventure, intrigue, politics, magic, war, history and mystery wrapped together.

(2) Jordan creates believeable and often multifaceted characters.

(3) Attention to detail: from the various cultural traits of the 13 "nations" on the map (dubbed "Randland" by fans), to the commercial, political and economic interaction of the various peoples in the books to the characters and objects throughout "Randland".

(4) End-games. Jordan's at his best in the last chapters of books 1-6 and 9 when he writes of the climactic occurrences of each of those installments.

The Great Hunt, like The Eye of the World, again exhibits the best of Jordan's writing style and pacing. That is true also for books 3-5.

The Great Hunt picks up where Eye of the World left off and adds new facets to the complex plot: schisms and scheming among the sorceresses (Aes Sedai), an invasion by descendants of a long-lost conquistador exploration of lands across the ocean, introduction of the hero's jilted love interest, and exploration of more of Randland. The roles of Rand's various allies and friends are also revealed to a greater degree.

Once again, the writing is smooth, the various characters and their motivations work well, and there's action aplenty. The sense of innocence and mystery that corresponded to the heroes' relative lack of knowledge of their surroundings and the world at large in book 1 diminishes appropriately as the heroes are exposed to more of their world and the chaos therein.

The series is at 10 books (the tenth will be published late 2002 or so) and growing (13 total possible -- it's a common numerical theme in the books). The quality drops off sharply in books 6-8 before increasing slightly in book 9. You will likely enjoy the first 5 immensely, but know what you're getting into.

Excellent basic epic fantasy. Top notch.

Rating: 5/5

I am a fan of big, fat fantasy volumes, this should be said first. I would rather take my time and absorb a world slowly than slice through it quickly. Not everybody has this preference, I know, and what people like is what they like.

Robert Jordan gives us a richly detailed world to soak in, but it still does not feel like sloggish reading. So far, so good.

Character development is very good and represents a nice continuation of 'Eye of the World.' While I liked EotW, I was more connected with the characters after 'The Great Hunt.'

The world is richly detailed and characters have been given more depth. There is some reward at the end for those who have been faithfully moving through the story.

There is some torture, but it is described only mildly. This is a relief after reading some of Terry Goodkind's graphic torture description. In fact, when I realized they were using a collar to control and cause pain, I had a mini-learned-Goodkind-fear response. (Hats off to Goodkind for that, I guess). However, Jordan is a little more gentle with the reader. Thanks Robert.

As in most fantasy stories, there is some derivation. However, these are not needless and Jordan has created his own world. I have enjoyed these books and will read the rest of the series. In fact, the Dragon Reborn is ordered and should arrive today.

Overall, this is a great and enveloping story that is perfect for the fantasy fan and is accpetable for younger readers (who have the necessary reading skills).