I have always found it difficult to pin down my favourite books of all time. Fantasy as a genre has been a constant companion for me over the years, ever since I picked up the fantastic Belgariad Series by David Eddings as a young teenager. Even such literary classics from Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton hold fond memories for me. The Magic Faraway Tree was a group of stories I absolutely loved as a child, and I have since bought for the son of one of my best friends. I hope he'll enjoy reading them in later life.
Yet, as I have progressed through different styles of fantasy throughout the years, I have come into contact with different Authors. From Tolkien to Pratchett, Robin Hobb to Janny Wurts and George RR Martin, I have been privileged to read some excellent novels and appreciate the skill at its finest.
Another author that always stood out for me was Robert Jordan, the creator of the Wheel of Time series of books. I still remember the day I bought the very first book in the series, Eye of the World. I was in Waterstones, casually browsing the shelves and I saw the cover. It was one of the horrible Darryl Sweet covers (and fans of the series will know what I mean when I say that) and to this day I am surprised I picked it up. Fantastic artist that Mr Sweet undoubtedly was, he never quite managed to capture the epic scale and grandeur of the Wheel of Time for me. His characters were totally devoid of inspiration and the scenes he chose to depict were so commonplace and out of the ordinary that you often had to struggle to recall which scene they were meant to represent.
Thankfully, however, it was the blurb that sold me. Classic Fantasy. Good Vs Evil, magic systems (possibly, in my opinion, one of the best ever created) and what appeared to be an intriguing list of characters. Only a few others in the series had been written at this point, so I took the plunge and bought the book - and I have honestly never looked back. Barely a week later, after devouring a nearly 800 page novel, I returned and bought the rest. No questions asked.
Now, as I have decided to give this blog a reboot in the hope that it will further inspire my own creative attempts at writing, I thought it would be a great idea to review some of my favourite series'. So, here it is, in my own devastatingly original style. I was undecided on how to proceed. Should I go chapter by chapter and do a full analytic breakdown such as Cannoli does in his excellent Egwene's Evil efforts on Read and Find Out? I think that would be fun, but I don't quite like the thoughts of getting too deep and to involved that way. Simply, I don't think I have the skills for it.
So, in the end I have decided to start in a similar fashion to a writer who has posted his own thoughts on groups and forums recently, Drew McCaffrey. Similar, but not a copy (I am hoping). I am going to assume that most of the people I share this with will have read the books. There are spoilers for those who have not, but maybe this will inspire you to read and enjoy too.
So, Eye of the World...
The book opens with possibly one of the best prologues of any Fantasy book I have ever read. It is haunting, tense and mysterious. Lews Therin Telamon, known as The Dragon, is wandering aimlessly around his house calling out for his wife, Ilyena. Only after completing the rest of the series, did I realise just how much was foreshadowed in this one prologue alone. We hear of the True Power from Ishamael, who uses it to cure Lews Therin of his madness. We are given a very clear indication that Ishamael is not trapped like the rest of the Forsaken - due to his very presence here. It is only later we find out about his partial releases at various different points over the years. We see the creation of the Island where Tar Valon will eventually come to be built. It's all excellent stuff from Jordan and gives you just enough mystery to leave you desperate for more.
Then we move on to the opening chapter, An Empty Road, with the timeless words "The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass..." I know during my own writing I have always struggled at times when thinking on how to open a book. Robert Jordan from the start set out a perfect means of introducing us to his characters and then showing his readers different parts of the world. It's a fantastic few lines.
Hey Rand! In my opinion, Rand is one of the best developed fantasy characters I have ever read. The progression in his arc is simply astounding and is a testament to the skills of the author and how the pressures of the world can affect just one person. We're also introduced to Tam al'Thor, Rand's father. Tam is another great character and he typifies that classic 'takes no crap' approach that makes a character relatable. He reminds me a lot of Burrich from Robin Hobb's Farseer books. A no nonsense, competent man that will always get the job done, and get it done right. When Rand later in the series is going through his darker times - and even later in this very book, when he is being haunted by Ishamael in his dreams, I have always believed it is because of Tam that he was able to resist for as long and as successfully as he did.
I will admit, the first time I read this and I came to the part about the Myrddraal, I immediately thought 'discount Nazgul'. The whole black cloaked rider deal, the clearly creepy horse and the general situation of the meeting screamed it to me. Going through this whole book, there are so many comparisons to Tolkien. Yet rather than put me off, as i know some people found, it only intrigued me the more as Jordan gave it his own twist and added to it.
As we reach Emond's Field (Hobbiton - again, not a criticism) , we start to see a few minor characters (very minor in some cases) and we get a heavy foreshadowing of the famous Two Rivers stubbornness which is basically the backbone of a lot of RJ's story. The heroes' couldn't have done and achieved what they did without this stubbornness. We get an insight into Tam's character a lot more, too.
Eventually, we reach the village Inn and meet Bran al'Vere. It is here that we first meet the eventual best character in the series, Mat Cauthon. Throughout the first two books, Mat struggles to assert himself on the story, I feel. Obviously a lot of the plot is driven through his interactions with the dagger and Shadar Logoth, yet I honestly must say that in Eye of the World, my favourite character was Perrin, probably due to his abilities and how unique I found them at the time. Mat was the comic relief for two books, despite his illnesses. I'm just glad that he got out of that funk and started to shine.
Padan Fain, Moiraine and Lan all arrive. Yay for Moiraine and Lan! Not long after this, though, we're introduced to Egwene. Ahh Egwene. Better virtual pens than mine have described in loving detail just how appalling of a person and character Egwene is. Selfish, vindictive, hypocritical, power hungry, a raving sociopath - the list is endless. I will try and not turn this into a an Egwene hating session, but I would like to point two things out for those who think I only see the bad in her.
1. On my very first read, Egwene was my second favourite character, behind Mat. It was only after numerous re-reads and Cannoli's dissection that I began my dislike of her.
2. The way she treats her closest friends, and long term betrothed, is appalling. Also, each one of these friends anticipates and understands her far better than anyone else throughout the series. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Nynaeve - all of them distance themselves from her to a varying degree. I'm always reminded of one of Mat's comments, later in the series. "Egwene has left Emond's Field further behind than the rest of us - and she regrets it the least" This coming from the guy who only ever wanted to see the world, dice, gamble and not 'be a bloody hero'. Quite the damning assessment.
The Trolloc attack on Rand's farm was the hook for a lot of people, I know. For me, he had me at the prologue. The scene where Rand is dragging his father through the woods is just creepy and so well set up. Tam's fever dreams are mesmerizing and I remember reading them through a few times to try and catch the meanings behind it.
How awesome is Moiraine's Manetheren speech? It gave me chills just reading it! Also, gives us our first hint about Ishy being free when she speaks of a "Power was in that dread black banner that gave hope to the Shadow". Mentally applauding RJ here.
We get the hint of Rand's first Channeling of Saidin as the party are fleeing from Emond's Field. The great thing about all this is that in the first book Egwene, to me at least, is there to provide the reader with that parallel of the reactions and symptoms of Channeling so you can spot those same issues cropping up with Rand. That was her only purpose in book one, as she sure as hell did not contribute much else.
Just realising I have really rambled on here - first review and everything! I will get to Baerlon and leave it there, I think.
Moiraine sinking the ferry was the very first indication for me that Aes Sedai 'ain't all that nice, really, and what she was willing to sacrifice to the cause. Or the 'Greater Good'. Hightower might have been a bit of an ass, but did he deserve to have his livelihood destroyed to delay being chased? Lan himself said that Hightower would run a mile if he ever came into contact with a Fade. We later find out that the Fade's use the Ways to cross over the Taren anyway, plus the Ferry would never have carried hundreds of Trollocs who are scared of water. It seemed callous and unnecessary from Moiraine, and you can totally understand the reactions from Rand, Mat and Perrin - and to a lesser extent, Thom - towards her. It's basically vandalism. Egwene of course, does not care. It's Power. She wants it.
When we reach Baerlon (basically Bree!), we get a lot more information about Logain and I think we also see the very first Ta'veren twisting of the pattern from the three boys in the bath chamber. The attendant says far more than he originally intended to do and his reaction is very much the same to how other characters have reacted later in the series when near Rand, Mat and Perrin. Did anyone else notice this?
I think I will stop here for now, as it's fairly late and I am supposed to be up early tomorrow. Solar Eclipse, you know! Hopefully you all enjoyed my chattering away, and I will look to post another part in a few days time. Please look through the rest of my stuff and feel free to leave comments and feedback on my own writing!
Thanks,
CM
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