Mild spoilers follow.
Meh. It was good. Perhaps not great. Surprisingly, the writing was just okay. I'm trying to be objective, and that's the truth. I was able to read through small errors, bland dream sequences, and many unnecessary repetitions ("I wish Perrin was here. Perrin knows how to talk to women." Give me a break.) because I was reading with my heart, so that says something.
The plot is interesting, fo sho. The potential is most definitely there. But the themes and language are too similar to LOTR, not that I've read Tolkien, only watched the movies. (Note to self: READ Tolkien, you idiot.) Also reminds me of the Kingkiller Chronicles. Lots of inns and bread and cheese and common rooms with fireplaces. Makes me hungry. Characters are just somewhat compelling. Rand seems like kind of a bastard, but I am undoubtedly intrigued by his backstory. Mat is a just a pain in the ass. Lan seems to be fashioned after cardboard (it was intentional), and the women are insufferable know-it-alls. Perrin is by far my favorite character. His development and transformation are the most interesting.
I found the creatures of the Dark One (dun dun dun) to be a great plus to the overall story, though I had a hard time keeping them straight. Why are there so many different names for the Myrddaal? It's confusing I tell you! Then there are the Darkfriends (which I kept reading as fiends) and the Draghkar, and of course, the Trollocs, who, though truly frightening and disgusting, were far too similar to the frightening and disgusting LOTR Orcs.
The resolution of this book was a bit abrupt and a little too easy. I was confused about their final leg of the journey; the Eye, the Green Man, and just who the fuck they were fighting at the end. It made sense afterward but at the time ...
Lastly, one especial annoyance. Please allow me to vent about something trivial. I don't understand why Nyneave suddenly asks Lan to wed her toward the end of the book. Don't these people court? They've barely had a conversation between them and mostly disagreements at that. Are we to assume there's been more behind the scenes? Or are they so aware of one another that courting is unnecessary? Besides that, wouldn't she have considered the position he was in? Bound to the Aes Sedai and to Moiraine as her Warder? It's not like the dude has shown any indication that he's looking to settle down. Whatever, Jordan.
Will I keep reading? Hell yes. I am assured the series will get better.
J. L. Dodd
“As the Wheel of Time turns, places wear many names. Men wear many names, many faces. Different faces, but always the same man. Yet no one knows the Great Pattern the Wheel weaves, or even the Pattern of an Age. We can only watch, and study, and hope.”
― Moiraine in The Eye of the World
“I will hate the man you choose because he is not me, and love him if he makes you smile. No woman deserves the sure knowledge of widow’s black as her brideprice, you least of all.”
― Lan in The Eye of the World
Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2008238-the-eye-of-the-world
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