Fantasy Fanatic Book Review and Recommendation- The Eye of the World

 The world is changing...winter is over and yet its touch hasn't faded from the land. The people of Two Rivers, and across the world, struggle on their farms as supplies are dwindling with wolves killing sheep and crop not even producing a fraction of what they once did.

Rand al'Thor works diligently in peaceful Two Rivers along side his father on their farm. Rand and his friends, Matrim and Perrin, are readying for the celebration of Bel Tine when the peace of Two Rivers is shattered! From the shadows come creatures only found in stories and burn half of the village to the ground in search of what -- whom-- they seek.

At the insistence of a stranger, Moraine, Rand and his others must leave Two Rivers at once as she believes the three young men are what the dark creatures seek.

They, along with others, set out into the world that none in Two Rivers has seen in ages in hopes of sparing their home further harm, finding out why the dark creatures want them, and saving their own lives. The journey that is before them is a treacherous one; one that will change all of their lives and destroy the very foundation of all that they believe.

So I know this is listed as a "Best Seller" but...I give it 5/10 fanatic points.

Honestly, I really really tried to like this book. There were some bits that seemed very promising but then they just fell flat. When I started reading I had this new experience of being completely confused as to what was going on AND curious enough to keep reading. Normally if I"m confused to the degree I was here I'm like.."psh..never mind", but I didn't do that.

So, I kept reading and got a little over half-way through and was finally bored enough to just put the book down. Like I said..there are some spots where you think the writer is really about to hit their stride and turn out a great tale..but then....nothing. The author would have this grand action sequence with magic and and swords, wonderfully written..then the following scene completely fell flat and killed the idea that the book was getting better.

Also..there is so much going on in this book and there are things the author doesn't even try to make clear. It seems he makes the assumption that the reader is familiar with the world in which the story takes place and makes no effort to detail anything. I know too much detail can be detrimental; but, no detail is even worse in my book. I barely even remember getting descriptions of the characters...I have no idea what some of them would look like..just vague shadows of images fill the spots in my mind where those characters would be, and these are main characters.

Now, obviously there are people out there that like this book and the "Wheel of Time" series that it begins. However, in my own opinion this book is just too slow and the main character is not all that "main" based on the way he is written. I honestly wouldn't spend my money on it...if I hadn't already and I probably won't bother with the subsequent books in this series. I'm just not digging this one. Sorry, I was really hoping to have found a new series to read and enjoy...but this just isn't it for me.  But if you want to take your chances...please do.