The Eye of The World by Robert Jordan Is Enjoyable But Feels Like Great Value Lord Of The Rings
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 เม.ย. 2019
- This episode of Mike's Book Reviews chronicles his first step into the world of Robert Jordan's fantasy epic The Wheel of Time. This is a full spoiler review for The Eye of The World, so use caution if you've not read the story yet.
Purchase Eye of the World here: amzn.to/3owlS7k (physical) amzn.to/3qDpuY4 (digital) amzn.to/3neFldq (audio)
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I really loved Mat's and Rand's travel on the countryside. The character development is really enjoyable (before Morainne takes it away from Mat after they all reunite) and I loved the constant pressure and fear they experience. For the firs time in the book they are alone without Lan or Morainne to guide them and watch over them like little children (even Nynavae starts refering to them as men instead of boy's after they reunite) and they have to manage with what they got all the while they are hunted by the followers of the dark one.
For real. My favorite chapter from eye of the world was the one that they are trying to get away from Gode. That shit was so scary and haunting i couldnt even sleep properly at night
I loved this stretch of the book too. I was also listening to the audiobook on a long road trip when this stretch came up.
Lan: panty-melting poet. Thom blows out his mustaches in approval. It is totally fair to say the third act in the Blight was rushed. Less dresses and wagons, more Blight.
Robert Lester Ha Ha I had forgot what I said so at first I was like “what the hell does this comment mean?”
0:00 that prologue is what hooked me decades ago, and i have loved the ride.
Yeah, that's why I chose it. So many people told me "don't worry about the prologue, it'll make sense later." I was like "that was my favorite part of the book."
@@mikesbookreviews I'll never stop chuckling and admiring Jordan's boldness with that prologue. He sets up an incredibly dramatic, magical, powerful scene, and then *insert spongebob meme* 3,000 years later...though it feels like 3,000 years earlier...
I should have known right then and there what kind of wild ride I was getting myself into!
I’m a year late, but I have a feeling I’m going to be eternally grateful for these videos as I get further through my first read through
Just started my 20+ reread, and I just adore these books
20+? I'd say so, ha ha. Only series I've come close to on that is Lord of the Rings are about 7 times. The first Dune novel I read yearly.
fairytail4life Nalu-really? What about the book do you find so intriguing?
I've only had three complete re-reads, but every time a new book was coming out I started the series all over again
Mike's Book Reviews dude first dune book is so good. I have this urge to wanna reread it
read something else maybe ??
The opening literally gave me chills, wot is amazing
Thanks! I feel like I have improved on the audio samples at the beginning (i.e. this is a more recent one th-cam.com/video/TTObeci4OiU/w-d-xo.html ), but I was proud of this one when I first did it.
@@mikesbookreviews may i ask the music you're using in the intro? its sounded so epic with the book narration
@@floatingaxedrop This one? th-cam.com/video/Hzb2kQZ2G6A/w-d-xo.html
My favorite aspect, at least the way I saw it, was that there is a lot that is thrown at you. The whole time trying to connect and remember everything, and trying to understand what’s happening puts you in the exact feeling of Rand, Mat and Perrin.
Right. That's why I thought it would help to take notes at first so I didn't feel overwhelmed at the number of characters Jordan throws at you.
I really liked the beginning two rivers section, In fact, if I ever write an epic fantasy I would gladly pay homage... (steal) what Jordan did. He introduced characters one chapter at a time. Also, each character had their own personality. So I was never overwhelmed right from the beginning.
This is probably the fastest I ever finished a high fantasy novel.
I love how much time Jordan spends on describing clothes . Wish more authors did this, probably the big weakness for in Storm light archive imo.
Not to mention he has a really beautiful way of describing things like the moonlight and also Balzamon's furnace like eyes and mouth
Nae'blis sent me too. I'm an old fan of this series and love seeing how much you got right (and wrong). You're a very incuteful and well read person, obviously. Can't wait to see your takes as you go forward in this.
Thanks! Sounds like I owe Nae'blis a drink at JordanCon.
Actually my original thought while reading the book was that Rand was going to be the Dragon Reborn, but the whole plot-line with mat and the dagger from Shadar-logoth had me thinking that Mat was going to turn to the Dark one at some point. Especially during one of Rands encounters with Baalzamon when he is told that one of his friends already halfway belongs to him.
The love story between Lan and Nynaeve begins with her arrival in Baerlon, having been able to track his roundabout path. Her ability startled and impressed him, which in turn got him interested. Which Nynaeve noticed and appreciated, making her blush. It picks up traction after Shadows Waiting, during the separation chapters!
I love it. I totally ship them.
Ouais
I find myself wishing that I had a dollar for each time I channeled my inner Olenna Tyrell and said "Oh, my sweet summer child" during this review.
Ha ha that's why I never went back and listened to these again after I recorded them. I want to go back after I finish the series (on book 12 now) and laugh at myself.
"Every line could come back like 10 books down the road", lol. The ONLY time the towers of midnight were EVER referenced before becoming the title of the twelfth book was towards the end of the second book.
The dude had a plan.
Dude this is the most intelligent breakdown I’ve ever heard. You are a smart M’Fer
Watching your first two review videos to refresh myself before jumping into The Dragon Reborn; this being my first read through. Forgot how awesome your intros are!
Robert Jordan when he wrote this story and published it said it was a tribute to the Lord of the rings. For the first half of the book and then it goes it’s own direction
Dale Henrickson When I got to Great Hunt I was like WHOA. Nothing like LotR after that.
mat and rands journey was awesome! So tense and feels like they really could get caught, I love mats building suspicion. that whole part stuck out to me a lot
Wow! The part about him chanelling in the stable I totally missed (9:01). I'm currently on book 7 and I can definitely see a re-read of the whole series in my future.
People tell me about all the stuff I missed the first time. The foreshadowing is there from book 1. Amazing, really.
I had also picked up on that, but I thought it was Mat, I'm currently where the whole group ( with Loial) are about to go through the Ways and Moraine is doing that leaf thing. I am really enjoying it so far, specially the friendship between Rand and Mat. Perrin is a great character too who has the potential of being a leader. But I'm not quit understanding a few things like how can Moraine open the way to the Ways I thought only Ogiers could do it🤷♀️
Cool, I just found your channel and love it. I read these books as they came out and reread the previous books as I waited for each new one. As the years went by, each reread I would catch things that I missed, mostly because I had learned new words and phrases from languages foreign to me (French for instance), or I had become more familiar with some other series or mythology (Norse for instance). The layering of information is so dense and Jordan was so well read it took me a decade and ten times reading the first three books to fully appreciate the depth of the content.
I also eventually realized the LOTR and Dune parallels were purposefully added as "past turnings of the wheel".
I can't wait to watch all you videos. I really dig your style.
So I've been listening/watching you for a few weeks now. On a whim I decided to go back and watch your older stuff and I love it! You're honest. You just drop what you think and you stick with it so I subscribed. Keep up the awesome work and please keep Fantasy alive! Lol
Man, it’s so cool listening to this. I know you’ve read them by now but it’s interesting listening to a book by book review by someone who’s never read it. I’ve gone through them 3 times (the audio books helped the 2nd and 3rd times). Really amazing books and I’m going to binge on your reviews now
I've watched a few of your videos, recently. I was just today shown my 7 year reminder of the day I posted a picture of my copy of A Memory of Light being signed. I figured now would be a good time to revisit the books by way of your reviews as a first time reader. It helps to relive some of the awe and wonder of discovering the characters who have become old friends.
Happy to help. Fans that have commented along the way have made the past year reading this so fun. I'm actually sad that I'm over halfway done.
Oh, and ”new spring” (the prequel) is pretty much all of moraine and lans backgrounds and how they got where they are in the roles they are in!
Yes
I've only read the first book so far. Would it be beneficial to read New Spring before continuing? I already own all the books so it wouldn't be going out of my way. Would knowing more about Moraine & Lan before reading the series enhance the experience in your opinion?
@@616Haggard many say to read it after book 5 because there are many elements which are not introduced in the first few books...
@@616Haggard No read it after Lord of Chaos.
Watching this just fills me with joy. I would LOVE for you to do a comparison of your first read through and your second read through, perhaps in a few years. Seeing someone read it the first time is so great! Most spot-on quote I've heard yet...about the Fades...."Anytime one of them shows up, it seems like shit get's real!"
Ha ha I'm now through book 8 and I miss that feeling of being scared of them.
I just read this series at the beginning of this year and I fell so hard. Just like every other WOT fan I love hearing what first time readers think and what details stand out to them
Lol. I have a notebook of notes too. Wait until you get into all the Aes Sedai names!
One thing you did not mention was the dreams. I hate dream sequences but the subversion of that in this series is still one of my favorite aspects.
When you see what the world of dreams has become in the later books you almost forget that its introduction was a bunch of annoying dream sequences that slowly imply something more substantial.
That moment where he pulls the thorn out of his hand just captured my attention and changed how I viewed everything.
I'm reading ( almost done) book 1 and actually my most favorite character so far is Thom I hope we see more of him and if we do I have a strong feeling that I'm going to like him...also really excited to read all these books and parallely listen to your reviews thats what I always do because I've got no one to talk to about what I read where I live!!
Where are you now with the series?
At the end of the first few audiobooks, there is an interview with Robert Jordan. The interviewer asks him about the connections to LotR. I love his answer. Basically, he wanted to explore what would REALLY happen if a magical stranger came to a country village and said "You're Chosen, follow me!". And explore more of what the world around these Chosen would look like. It diverges pretty majorly from the LotR plot points after book 1 and 2, though it maintains many tropes like the reluctant hero and such. I appreciate that he never tried to hide the fact that he was influenced and inspired by LotR, but also clearly wrote his own story!
The Great Hunt took such a sharp left turn away from Rings that I was totally fine with this direction. Folks who say it's just a Rings clone clearly never read past the first book.
Rand's favourite book in the Eye of the World is the "Nine Rings", big homage scene to LOTR.
Aes Sedai being similar to the Benne Gesserit is so true! I thought the same thing when I started reading the eye of the world a few months back, thanks to your buddy Daniel Greene. Dune is a great series, Paul Atreides is the bomb!
Aes Sedai = Bene Gesserit and The Aiel = Fremen. But I also think everything goes back to Dune.
I enjoy seeing others getting excited about the series. Enjoyed the review as well.
I imagine this is like what it was for me when I had been begging people to read Song of Ice and Fire for years and then the show came out and now everyone talks about it.
Funny that you mentioned that because I have never watched or read Game of thrones. I will eventually, but my new series at the moment is Gentlemen Bastards and on top of that I am rereading WOT and King Killer Chronicles.
Great video. Thank you. I just finished reading this book, and I kept thinking of how similar it is to the lord of the rings. I honestly almost stopped reading just because, in my opinion, it was just too similar. I do understand that the story picks up in later books, so I am looking forward to that. If I knew nothing of how great everyone says the series is, I don't think I would've picked up book two.
Thanks for this Mike- you spotted some things I didn't and it is great to fill in those gaps so I can get the most out of the story as I move forward with these books. Currently on book 2.
Just stumbled across your review(s) because I'm psyched for the upcoming Amazon series and I'm consuming all thing WoT right now. The first thing I want to say is welcome to the community of readers. After that, a few points in a constructive, non-argumentative sort of rebuttal to your review:
- I got hooked not at the prologue, but at Moiraine's story of the history of Emond's Field --> Manetheren. That resonated with me deeply.
- I don't believe that the reader was supposed to be clueless about who is the Dragon Reborn, but rather that each reader should understand that Rand is but none of the other characters including Moiraine, know at that point.
- I also found points within the sries as "slogs"; even in my favorite books among the series. I've reread the entire series at least a dozen times, just to show my love of it... what kept me going were the "Moments of Awesome" (copyright Leigh Butler from Tor rereads - [highly recommended as long as your not easily offended]) as well as the amazing payoff / climax to each of the first 6 books.
I had never picked up the books prior to 2011 - after book 13 had already been published. I consumed those first 13 voraciously in about 5 weeks, at the expense of other commitments. I only had about an 18 month wait for final book.
I'm grateful that Sanderson finished what had become my favorite book series, but I so wish that RJ had been able to complete his magnum opus. (Sanderson didn't find the 'voice' of my favorite character in my opinion).
While I highly recommend the series to any fantasy lover I meet, I understand that not all are willing to invest the time in what became over a 4 million word / >12,000 page series. So I'm always happy to find new readers and especially those that stick with it.
At least you technically can kill a Myddral. The Nazgul were made from nightmare stuff when I read the Lord of the Rings with 10 years old.
"No, nooooo, you cannot kill them!" Yeah, that made them even more freaky.
Rand being the dragon reborn was obvious.
I mean, I thought so.
I read this when I was about 13-14.. it was a surprise for me
@@alphaqgentley897 wow really. But we'll if you are not an experienced reader it makes sense
After 30 pages.
Great video. I just finished The eye of the world and am about a third done with the great hunt. I had a lot of similar feelings as you did from the sound of it. Some slow parts for sure, but the end kept me curious and I do like the depth of character development. Interested to see where this goes.
Thanks for watching (and commenting). Seems I'm not the only one taking this ride for the first time. I don't know if it's the upcoming show or pure coincidence, but interest seems to be growing. Oh, and don't worry; the third act of Great Hunt will blow your mind.
Thanks for the review! Excited to listen to the others. One thing you talked about that I really liked was lack of detail towards the end. One thing I think you'll find is that Jordan is great at detail and lack of detail when characters are uncertain about what's happening around them.
@@TellyTravel Thanks for watching! This is a damned good point and makes way more sense than his editor telling him to wrap it up.
same here! just finished eye of the world this morning- as in 1 am
It's really nice to see another reviewer besides greene and nae'bliss. Subscribed. Looking forwards to other reviews. Plot videos for re-readers would be nice in future too when you're done. I felt daniels was rushed and couldn't jive with nae'bliss the same way. Yours videos are thoughtful, and decently paced without bogging the reader with theory crafting or history of author etc etc.
Thank you so much. I look at those two guys as the gold standard of WoT content on TH-cam so this means more than you realize.
One of the things that I most like about this first book is that we, as readers, know about the world at the same time as the characters do. I must admit that I had to re-read some parts of the last chapters because I wasn't getting the point of what was happenning, but I completely understand why Robert Jordan decided to do that - Rand isn't aware of what is happenning around him, and we as readers either. It's not until Moraine's explanation when Rand understands that he had absorved the Saidin in the Eye of the World. This part is very confusing but again, Robert Jordan makes the readers understand the world at the same time as Rand does, as what had ocurred along the whole book. I'm about to finish reading book 3 and book 1 has been my least favourite, but I'm sure that I will enjoy book 1 more once I finish all the 15 books and re-read book 1 again.
Just finished the book, loved it, i really liked the Perrin POV chapters. I do agree though the ending seemed rushed.
Medieval Brooks and Dunn, I died when you said this. Also love your channel and just finished Eye of the World after owning the book since I was 8, I'm 28 now and always come to see what you have to say about books!
Thx mike .. well done .. enjoyed your review very much .. i just yesterday finished this book .. needed a good solid review .. well done sir :-) .. just what I needed today .. thx again mike .. I am going to keep an 'Eye' on your channel .. greetings Ip from the netherlands!
all these little hints and lines and prophecies are what makes it so fun to reread the wheel of time! (and then again and again xD)
I was thinking about it in ACoS and how some of the things Min initially saw in EotW (IIRC) are already starting to come back. Very cool.
Also many people don't notice the GLOSSARY and CHARACTER lists in the appendix for each book
I started using those before I found the WoT Compendium app. It's so much faster.
This book is an absolute favorite of mine, I’m now onto The Great Hunt and loving it as well
Just finished this book, on my first read through and loved it.
" The Eye of The World" meaning we the people, in this fishbowl like existence , being watched and subject to it's trial's and temptations.
I love seeing new readers (well, by the playlist you are on the home stretch by now Mike but still... ;-) ) get into WoT.
Yeah, the Mat and Rand travel stuff past Thom feels a bit dragged out to me BUT it is only a chapter or two, even if it sometimes feels to me it is half the book. Perrin's journey is much more enjoyable to read. Perrin and Nynaeve is my altime favorite characters in the series though the first time through i really hated her with a vengeance. Coming along and stopping my guys from doing fun things and wanting to drag them back to boredom. (Hey, I was 13!) It was book 7 that really made me appreciate her and rethink some of my views on the whole thing. And then I had to wait for more books, just when she bcame really interesting! Not that she wasn't before on re-reads. Mat also finds his stride past Great Hunt. A PoV of Mat before that point would just be a bagful of cats. Mad CRAZY cats, with big claws. Brrr. Not going there.
Great video. Really love this book. I totally agree, series can seem daunting at first. So many similar names. Lol. Once I reached the 3rd book I was hooked.
I was hooked after the ending to The Great Hunt. Thanks for watching!
Shadow Rising for me.
hey new to your channel. Thanks for this video. I decided to start the series because of your review on Top Fantasy series video. :)
I know I read this in the 90s, my uncle was a big fan and lent me the first book. I know it was 90s because I graduated in 2000, and I was at least at book 3 by then. Around the book 7 to 10 range though is when I took a big break because they did get slow. I finished up when I discovered that audio books were actually a good way to get through more books quickly but it was rough getting back in as I had forgotten some things by then.
I know you can't do audio books but I kind of have the opposite problem, when I read a passage I need to read it 2 or 3 times to really understand what I just read, with audio I usually get it right away. I still try to actually read as much as I can, but to get through as many books as I want to, audio for me is a must.
I've re-read the series 6 times and currently doing the audio. WOT grabbed me from the beginning.
It's remarkable how many people have started the series this year.
@@mikesbookreviews fantastic
Yesterday finished The Eye of The World, so exited that a lot is ahead of me. A bit conflicted to continue with The great Hunt or The Stormlight archives 1st book part 2 :D
just found your reviews of the series, im going to enjoy following your journey! the nyneave lan thing did have some foreshadowing to it, most people don't pick up on it until the second read. I was one who happened to pick it up the first time through but there are so many other things to miss. the first read of this book is average IMO but it gets better once you reread and realize how much is there that you miss the first time. things mentioned for a sentence or a paragraph become super important later. they just seem like almost random events first time through until you realize things 5 books later.
If there's one thing I've learned from Wheelies along the way is that everything fits more smoothly in a re-read.
@@mikesbookreviews I remember picking up a couple good points in book 1 around the 5th read. its been a year or so for me I think I need to start a reread
quick note, I would NOT call Thom the Gandalf Stand-in, that is 100% Moiraine. It is just flipped as she is a woman.
Excellent video - I just finished Eye of the World and had a lot of similar thoughts. Pacing was ALL over the place, and even characterization seemed to bounce between super detailed and incredibly rushed. I’m gonna continue on but, like you said, not an opening that made me want to read 13 more
Just finished the Eye of the World, I like the story so far but it got me confused as well. Going to start book 2 tomorrow.
> "Let's hope great hunt is more like the last jedi"
oh god no
> "...but good"
oh thank god
HA HA, right?
When Perrin linked up with Élyas was the moment when I got hooked… for the 25th time
On to The Great Hunt!!
I didn't know until far more recently that the parallels to Lord of the Rings were intentional. The first book uses LOTR as a framework, and then he works his changes and then runs with it from there. So it starts out with that familiar framework and then it takes us somewhere else and weaves a larger, far more complicated tale.
In 1990, if you weren't trying to be Lord of the Rings, you weren't getting published. So I understood it. Book 2 takes a HARD left and I've never felt any LotR in this since.
I just started this book, I'm about 160 pages in. They are crossing the Tarin and it is beginning to pick up
The prose took me a while to get used to but it’s great. Love Lan he’s awesome.
True there are a Lot of characters that constantly come and go but it’s just that. You don’t really have to remember or focus too much on anyone but the main characters and maybe the rulers of Territories. Not as bad as I was expecting once I got going
I’ve just finished Eye of the World with the intent of continuing the series. I agree with you Matt. I found the pacing, character development and storytelling very engaging for the first 80%. At that point I would have expected them to maybe reach Tar Valon by the end of the book which would have been fine. But no. The story sped up dramatically - too quick - like Jordan was on a word limit. Left me a little unsatisfied but will kick on with book 2.
Wheel of Time helped me pick out my sister's wedding dress.
I know it's cliche, but underrated comment right here.
I've put off reading through this series mostly due to just how daunting of a task that seems with life not allowing much time for reading.
After "Warrior of the Altaii" was released not too long ago and I read through that loving every minute, Robert Jordan was back in focus for me.
That being said, I decided to pick this book up and it immediately had me hooked again. About 400 pages to go now. I completely agree with the overload of characters thrown at you. A bit overwhelming but I followed the WoT wiki to remind myself of character relations, taking precaution to not read through spoilers if I can help it. Enjoyed your review and will try to watch the rest as I go along the series.
Excited to see where this story takes me. :)
Buckle up, man. Book 2 is a wild ride.
Eye of the World is one of my favorites! 9.5/10 and not a boring moment
Just finished the first book man I loved it but there are so many things I need to know!!!!!
Great video. I think the Lord of the Rings parallels get overplayed, especially considering the time it was published (basic Campbellian Hero's Journey, etc.) . While there are deliberate callbacks (Myrdraal = Black Riders), there are a lot of different things RJ does with tried and true fantasy tropes, some of them only become apparent after you have read more of the books in hindsight. I'm a bit surprised about the complaints about the number of characters, as all you have to keep track of is the main party members plus a couple of others. Most of the rest are basically extras (some may become important later, RAFO).
By the way Mat is not my favorite character. He really comes into his own in the third book and beyond.
By the way, did you get all the real world references in the stories the villagers request from Thom? Lenn flew to the Moon in the belly of an Eagle made of fire = John Glenn. Anla the Wise Counselor = Ann Landers the advice columnist. Shows the whole cyclic nature of stories and legends.
I think most people find the ending disjointed, I think he was trying to give closure in case the series was not popular while still leaving the story options up for the series.
I can agree and even I said while reading it that you can see the parallels if you're really looking for them, but Campbellian themes are in almost every fantasy story. The thing about the characters is because I was told there are over a hundred POV characters in the series, so I wasn't sure which ones were important and which were "background."
I would totally listen to you narrate audio-books.
I wish. That would be an incredibly fun job.
That last Jedi comment tickled my funny bone buddy!
Interesting, Lan is one of my favorite characters and his love story with Nynaeve is great (he brings the best in her and she makes him want to live). I like Nynaeve and her character arc through all the books, more than Egwene, but I agree that her character flaws are annoying :) Another favorite is Thom and his secrets. Of the major three, I like them all but I identify with Perrin the best.
Great channel, keep those reviews coming. I'm especially looking forward to a Dune review as it is also among my favorites.
Thanks! The current plan is to do Dune as a series next year leading up to the new movie. The original will probably be the longest video I'll ever make.
@@mikesbookreviews That's smart!
I've just finished this book today, and I'm about to start the next one. I loved the story and the writing style until now, and found it quite catchy, as I just couldn't stop reading until I finished the last page.
To some extent, with all respect I have for LoTR in regards to fantasy books, I was happier reading The Eye of the World than with LoTR, because apart from the chapters with Tom Bombadil, I found LoTR mostly boring given to its language and never-ending descriptions. Robert Jordan, even though he is also highly detailed and full of characters and care, I found his language more warmth and interesting. Most of the time there's a reason for me to continue reading, as there's something interesting about to happen.
That's it. I find this one of the best fantasy books I ever read and hope it will continue as good as that in the next sequels.
ha, and I found the ending a bit rushy, as it's unclear what Rand has actually don to "beat" the Dark One, and Moiraine doesn't seem interested on telling him that no, he hasn't beaten the villain as that's actually exactly what he wanted him to think. She say just that "believing in the lord of lies is the first step to fail" or the like, but that's not the same as saying "no, you didn't kill him, he isn't gone, and the worst is to come". Anyways, naive kid :D
I think I might have liked this book more than you did. I like Shannara too!!! Great review.
2-4 has been my favorite WoT stretch. In hindsight I like this one more because of the amount of Moiraine & Lan in it.
Yes.....I agree. The book was good but not great. Right now I'm on book 4 and I really like the series. I do have my issues, though.
The braid- tugging, the mustache blowing.... I could do without. I also find it nice to have a reviewer that's not extremely biased towards the series.
Jordan meant the first 1/2ish of the book to be am nod to Tolkien. It was his way of saying ”i love and respect your work, but let me do it better!” also, morgaine is Gandalf! Though tom could be too!
I saw the Gandalf role split between the two of them, for sure.
They both fulfill similar roles for sure!!! So I agree that they're a split. But for my argument for moraine, she's the one leading the party. Holding the secrets of what's going on, and (of course) is the one who can channel
I love the tension between Thom and Moraine. Thom’s presence provides a steadying mentor presence for the boys but also casts doubt on Moraine’s motivations, undermining the stability of the party and really amping up the subtle tensions of those scenes.
still a sick channel thanks Mike!!!
Now on to the Fires of Heaven - loving it :-)
Starting off, Mat wasn't one of my favorites, but as time passed, events happened, and he eventually became a favorite.
I just finished book 11 and yeah. He’s up there.
He's annoying up until around book 4.
Amazing prologue… it’s the only reason I read 5 of these things, hoping it would get that epic. It does I just didn’t have the patience lmao
To some, it seemed like Nynaeve and Lan having a thing came out of nowhere in book 1, but I noticed that they sprinkled a lot of stuff throughout it. If we weren’t mostly in Rand’s POV we would’ve gotten more hints probably.
Ex:
- Nynaeve blushing when Lan complimented her on her tracking skills in Baerlon.
- Nynaeve and Lan always competing in the woods and Nynaeve hating that she couldn’t sneak up on him.
- When Lan was searching for Rand and Mat in Shadar Logoth, Nyneave stayed up staring out a window worried about him waiting for him to return.
- Nynaeve always caring about what Lan thinks about her.
- Lan wantinf to take a stand against Moraine when she wanted to leave Nynaeve behind after rescuing Perrin and Egwene. Then when Nynaeve showed up with the two horses he ran to her and helped her down.
- Lan would have a different look in his eyes when looking at Nynaeve compared to others.
In book 1, all of these things (and most likely more occurred during the time jumps the book took while they traveled) occurred way before Nynaeve proposed marriage to Lan towards the end of the book.
It's definitely clear the interest is sprinkled in clear enough, for me it was the jump from blushing and thinking someone is attractive to 'I would marry you' so fast that made my head spin
I finished this last night, and my girlfriend was concerned when I said a quiet little "Noooooo" when Lan turned down Nynaeve.
I read the series around 3 or 4 times, the first book at least, but I totally forgot how much stuff actually happens in the first book :D
I'm not even sure I can remember by this point (almost through book 12)
I just finished it myself, and thought it mediocre. The pacing was kind of an issue for me. BUT I will definitely be continuing with the series, and my first impressions will probably change. That's interesting you made some comparisons to Dune. I can definitely see that!
Mediocre is an apt description of EotW. It isn't bad, but there's not much special about it.
aww this video makes me want to do another reread :)
I'll bet many things are more clear in a re-read.
@@mikesbookreviews absolutely. You know what's going to happen and you can see the foreshadowings more clearly. And with every new reread I notice different things.
I think reading this after malazan made it a breeze to be honest.
Really enjoyed it as a kind of easier read after reading forge of darkness.
But I am a long time malazan fan... read the main 10 multiple times and the extra books a few times so yeah I was well prepared for wheel of time.
Really enjoyed it to be honest from beginning to end and am now 130 pages into the second book a day after finishing the first lol
I definitely this would be simple after Malazan.
I said the exact same thing about this book reminding me of Dune. Also, Dune drags a little for me due to all the dialogue. Like them both.
Dune doesn't click for everyone. Hell, it took my third try before it blew me away. But just wait until you get to The Shadow Rising (if you haven't already). It basically has the Fremen in it.
@@mikesbookreviews I am enjoying Dune, but I think it is just where some of the dialogue is there for exposition and world building. I borrowed it from the library, and the book itself is just beautiful. If I buy it, it will be this version. It has blue color to the pages and is quite new. I am unable to find the hardcover with this cover yet, so I am still looking. But the cover is orange or goldish and has a figure with blue eyes standing in front of this moon or planet. It really is beautiful. Thanks for your responses. You are the best man.
That Illianer beard, though
I've read the series through once; and some of the individual books twice. I enjoyed most of them too.
However, I must admit that when I first saw Eye of the World in 2005, I was a teen and not a big reader. The cover, featuring what looked like a little girl on a prancing pony alongside an giant knight, put me off for several years. I had no one to set me straight. Good thing I didn't see the early Brothers Hildebrandt portrayals of hobbits. Too childlike. I'd have skipped Tolkien! Yikes.
Peace! I've come to appreciate them all, artwork of all styles included.
Some of those covers are TERRIBLE
Just wait til the very last book. Lan and obscure poetry have a loooooong history. RAFO :P
"Everyone gets a super power except Mat. Maybe that comes later." Mhmm. Lol
Someone PLEASE tell me how many times they say “blood and ashes!” 75? 90 times?????
sick channel!
Im really happy I keep getting recommended your channel! Except for the wheel of time books lol. I tried, I gave it a chance but this book is so dull.. it does a poor job trying to sell me the whole series.
Does anyone know the track at the start?
I finished the first book today and I know I am going to read all of them eventually but the process was painful. It must be his prose bc I found it difficult to read. Sanderson is a lot smoother I think.
I absolutely love Lan