The Eye of the World

I had heard much about the 'Wheel of Time' prior to reading the "The Eye of the World". Supporters talk about how complex and detailed the storyline is. Detractors (among other things) claim Jordan is a hack, apeing J.R.R. Tolkien.

Many who are not fans of the genre don't realize how influential Tolkien has been, and are apt to dismiss all epic high fantasy as cloned from Tolkien. Though there may be a grain of truth to that (or even a sack full of grains), I love the genre, and believe there is enough variation from Tolkien within it for endless storytelling.

Unfortunately, that DOES NOT include the near endless storytelling of The Wheel of Time series. I am apalled by just how directly Jordan has "borrowed" from Tolkien, and have become convinced that the people who say it's not that similar to Tolkien have not actually *read* Tolkien.

I'll speak mostly about the first part of the book to avoid spoilers. The story opens in a place called Emond's Field (HOBBITON) where most of the folk would rather enjoy a good book and a pipe by the fire than go on adventures (one of several ALMOST DIRECT QUOTES to be found in both Jordan and Tolkien). People from all over the Three Rivers (THE SHIRE) are travelling to a PARTY at Emond's Field (Bel Tine in Jordan - BILBO'S BIRTHDAY in Tolkien) where among other things, there will be Storytelling, FEASTING & FIREWORKS!

But, there are rumors of impending WAR in far off lands, and lately Black Riders (BLACK RIDERS) have been seen in Emond's Field. These Black Riders and their Trollock (ORC) footsoldiers are servants of the Dark One (DARK LORD). The Riders (MUCH LIKE Ringwraiths) exist in a semi-corporeal state and (when they WOUND one of the heroes much like in Tolkien) we learn that their weapons are also POISONED.

For everyone's safety, Rand and his friends Mat (MERRY) and Perrin (PIPPIN) flee EAST across the Winespring (BRANDYWINE) river and with the aid of a the magic wielding Moiraine (GANDALF) who rides a white horse, and the fighting woodsman Lan (ARAGORN), who rides a black horse, they give the riders (including a Dragkhar a NAZGHUL like rider on a wyvern like FLYING MOUNT) the slip at the FERRY BOAT. And eventually make it to the nearest major city Baerlon (BREE).

Numerous other Tolkien rip-offs abound (such as the Darkwood instead of MIRKWOOD and The Mountains of Mist instead of the THE MISTY MOUNTAINS), but you get the point. In fact, the *only* members of the 7 MEMBER fellowship that don't seem to be taken directly from the Lord of the Rings, are the characters Egwene and Thom (who seem to be rip-offs of EILONWY and FFLEWDUR from from Lloyd Alexander's "Chronicles of Prydain" instead).

As the story progresses, there are all the other Tolkien ripoffs - one of the characters acquires an evil magic object that binds itself to him, corrupting his spirit much like the ONE RING - the group has to travel through a magic gate into a dark MORIA like region; an Ogier (ENT) who thinks humans are "too hasty" and educates the protagonists about the "old ways" and other rip-offs like a version of Tom Bombadil, the Ents and even reference to Mount Dhoom!?!

Good stories are immortal, but formats and languages change. Someone could make a pretty penny updating Tolkien for a contemporary audience, and as a matter of fact, it looks like that's exactly what Jordan has done; though he shouldn't have changed the names and omitted the credit to the original author.

Because the book is in fact well written, and interesting, I give it an average of 2 and a half stars. 2 stars for those who've already read "The Lord of the Rings", and 3 stars for those who haven't (and don't plan on it).