The Eye of the World: Spoiler-free & Spoiler Review | 2 To Ramble #65 

Guaranteed you guys are gonna have 100k+ subs within the next two years. Gold content. When the deals start coming in don’t lose this style and passion. You guys are great and I could listen to you talk about books for hours and hours.

Gotta add, Rand’s reluctance/denial about being the dragon reborn, and being forced into prophecy and everything is the best conflict throughout the early series.

Just finished book 1 and Perrin by far was my favorite character! When the group got split up and each chapter was a different characters perspective, I was always wanting to go back to Perrins and learn more about his Wolf insight! I’m also eager to learn more about rand and his history and how he handles the one power from here on out!

As someone jumping into The Wheel of Time with no friends reading it, I'm incredibly hyped about this video series!

Getting someone to read WoT is like the most satisfying thing ever. My fiancé just finished Gathering Storm yesterday and began Towers of Midnight and I’m ecstatic! He’s almost done! I’ve read the series over 10x and each reread is always better. There should be a service to pair new readers with an OG reader because I think it’s just smoother that way 😂😅

It's gonna be so much fun 'cause I'm also reading The wheel of time and currently I'm also on Book 2. Wow lucky me!

Glad to see this channel slowly growing

Love your channel guys - all the way from New Zealand. Found you a few months ago and enjoy the discussions and general banter. First began reading WoT in 2005 at the start of high school and remember eagerly waiting for Sanderson to finish the series. This video gave me a massive sense of nostalgia . . . Wish I could rewrite the clock to be in Austin’s position as a first-time reader. It ramps up within the next few books!

Awesome video guys! Can’t wait for The Great Hunt!

Looking forward to this series - read the first two for the first time recently, excited to keep up!

As a big fan of The Wheel of Time, I would probably act the same way if I got one of my friends to start the series. My favorite book is either The Shadow Rising or A Memory of Light.

I just got started on Eye of The World. It's been on my TBR for so long because of how many books are in it, but I was actually lucky enough to find books 4, 6 and 9 at a thriftshop, so it made me want to at least start the first few. So excited to get into it. Edit: Just got into it a few weeks ago, it is a slow read but I'm working on it! Also grabbed the other books in between.

Hey guys. Loved this pod, I literally a week ago finished the books so I'm coming in full of love and found this chat a really fun listen. Subscribed and wish you both all the success!

Just finished the first book yesterday and was looking for a longer review of it since most videos I've seen are only 10-20 minutes long. Loving this series so far!

Excited that you guys will be covering the series! I read The Eye of the World last year and got about 2/3's into The Dragon Reborn before falling off. You're videos will definitely encourage me to pick the series back up. 😁 Edit: I also agree with Richard that The Great Hunt is where the story really gets going and it's the book that sold me on needing to continue the series. Will be eager to hear your thoughts when you cover Book 2! 😁

My personal journey with WoT started at my first job. I'd just started truly enjoying reading novels, being that I hated reading as a kid. A friend at that job offered to let me borrow the first book. I dont remember my first actual read of it, because I blasted through it so quickly nothing about it stuck. Meaning I didnt get any of the plot or characters. However I was interested enough in it to begin collecting the series. When I actually began. And read to understand the plot and characters. Robert Jordan was currently writing book nine 'Winters Heart.' So I read tge series up till that book. When it was released and I bought it. I read the series again up till and through book nine. I repeated that for all following books. But I've only actually completed the entire 14 book saga three times so far. But I have a very good knowledge base of the entire series now. My one and only criticism of this review is for Austin. At the end of each physical copy of the series there is a glossary. That glossary provides pronunciations for all of the character and place names in the series. Please go and read through that glossary. Sorry heh but mispronounced names of things in the series irk me. Like how you said myrdra'al. It's Mur drawl. Other than that. Excellent review you two! I agree on all points given.

I just finished EOTW, this is the first video I’ve viewed of your channel, and I definitely side more with Rich than Austin (hope I got the names right) but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have to say my favorite character is Lan, although Loial comes in close 2nd. The image of him reading books in the library at the inn gives me a warm fuzzy, the green man gives me a warm fuzzy, the magic really hooked me, the plot kept me turning the page… definitely cannot wait for the second book and can’t wait to watch your video on that book when I’m done! Great video 👏🏼

When I started reading The Eye of the World I hadn’t seen the show. So after reading the first 10-15 Chapters I watched the first episode. I was so disgusted with the show that I had a bad taste in my mouth for the books. I sat the first book down because I wasn’t enjoying it because I was imagining the show. A month or two later I picked up the book again and started reading it in earnest and I absolutely fell in love. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m on the Great Hunt right now and I have a feeling that Wheel of Time could be one of, if not my favorite series.

I'm so glad to hear these opinions and discussion. I enjoyed the of the world but definitely felt a bit underwhelmed based on the praise I'd heard it received. I felt bad for not enjoying it as much as others and decided to give up on the series. I'm definitely going to go back to book 2 now however and give it another shot.

Just found this video after I finished the first book and I partially agree with Austin. The book is a 5/6 but is a really good set up. For me the main problem was that we never go deep in the world and the final is rushed a little bit. For example my favorite moment is when Moraine tells the story of the old kingdom of the two rivers and we know that Min in Baerlon see the simbol of the kingdom in Mat, and he also knew the battle chant. So Mat is the heir to the kingdom?? I don’t know sometimes the world seemed too big and dispersive. The only reason I kept reading was Perrin, to know the reason Moraine act like that, and the kingdom of Manhetheren( I think it is incorrect). The language isn’t the top, but i think this is a problem of the Italian translation. Otherwise great video from Italy.(sorry for my English)

I just finished this and your honest ratings was so validating to hear from you. This makes me actually want to read more. Thank you always!!!

Rand also climbs too high on the ship with Matt and Tom. The whole crew stops to stare. The author is telling us through environment that his behavior is odd/crazy or.. mad.. Tom even mentions this below deck scolding him.

love this channel! I’m on my first read through of the WoT and this it’s awesome!

Just finished Eye of the World last night. Already into book 2! Loving it! Love your content. We need more long form conversations about books. Even though you hate my favorite book, Name of the Wind, I’ll still subscribe lol.

There is NO WAY you make it thru shadow rising without being all in. Eagerly waiting on the rest of the books from you.

Cant wait till the next one!

I just started the series, at the end of book 2, and I had the same feeling about the first book. Feels like a good foundation, but you can tell it hasn't found its footing. But already by the end of the second book I do find myself with almost this nostalgia for the easy times in book 1 lol I miss the good ole days of Thom, and Mat, and Rand going from town to town by day and playing the flute and juggling for food by night. I can really tell though that Robert Jordan had an idea of where he was going but he was still learning how to write you could say.

I just finished the Eye of the World last week and I wanted to say THANKYOU for this discussion. While I loved exploring the world and I was definetly curious to continue with the story I did not enjoy any of the characters nor the main plot points. I am 150 pgs in The Great Hunt by now and I can tell that having heard your discussion has changed a bit how I feel with the characters, and has really improved my reading experience. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts when I finish book 2.

Perrin is definitely my favorite character from book one as well!!

Noice! I am reading the series for the first time, currently finishing the 2nd book and I am loving it.

Seeing clips of this video on tiktok was one of the reasons I read The Wheel of Time. What a journey that was 😊

I recently started wheel of time and I'm on book 6 so far. I totally agree with Austin on his opinion of the book

2:59 That's probably the best description i've heard about the whole series. Wheel done. Btw, i didnt expect to share almost the same points as Richard. The series is goddamn beatiful.

This pod teeters my totter like no other.

Great video! It would be nice next time to have theories about the next book or what you want/don't want to happen at the end of the video, and then go back to them after reading the next book! I had so many theories after book 2/3 and then I was like "Oh I was sooo wrong"!

watching this right after the red rising video is so funny to see who's more animated

I got five books in and took a little break as I just don’t have lots of time for 1000ish page books atm and I don’t have a lot of time for hearing about Nynaeve’s low cut dresses over and over again but watching you guys talk about it makes me want to get back on the wagon asap. Dragon reborn is my favourite so far. Richard please tell me Nynaeve and Egwain get less mule headed and annoying??! Looking forward to seeing your next video on the series!

I've seen the Richie's talk about this series, I wanted to be a Richie, but the whole way through I was an Austin. As an Austin without a Richie in my life, I dnf-ed the series after finishing book 1. Really interesting & enjoyable review guys. Thanks

The wheel of time has been on my tbr for so long. I'm really excited to read it, but at the same time it feels intimidating because of its massive length.

Y’all have become my go to book reviewers! I had a question though. From what I can gather from watching y’all, Richard’s favorite series is Wheel of Time and Austin’s is Red Rising. My favorite series is The Cosmere, but specifically The Stormlight Archive. I’m Cosmere current, and have read up to Iron Gold in the red rising series. While it’s good, it’s nowhere near my level of enjoyment for the Cosmere. I’m about to start the wheel of time, so I wanted to hear your spoil free review. My question is why do y’all like The Wheel of Time and Red Rising more than the Stormlight archive? I’d love to know.

I started reading these in the early 90's when I was in middle school, when there were only 3 or 4 were out. When a new book would come out, I'd re-read the previous book, or a few times, I did the whole series over.

I've had this on my TBR for a long time, i'm enjoying the light bringer and wow it's really good

I'm late to this discussion and only about 30% into the episode, but one thing to consider is that the state of SFF books in the late 80's and early 90's, it could be argued that Jordan needed to start with the homage to Tolkien/Fellowship to get published as an epic fantasy. Once that had success Jordan could, and did, take book 2 into his own story. Just my two cents as a big WoT fan. Hopefully interest keeps up and we can get chats about the whole series of books.

I finished the first book this morning and I really enjoyed it so I’m pumped for book 2. I do think Perrin was my favorite character from book 1. I do also like Lan, Tom and Rand, so I was really enjoying the bouncing around.

It's just a matter of time before this channel blows up! With out you guys I wouldn't have read some of my favorite books. Keep it up!

The Eye of the World is kind of a remix of The Fellowship of the Ring. Many similar elements, as you go over, but the context, the reasons for it, and the details are all wildly different. Comparing Myrddraal to Nazgûl, they are quite different: There are 9 Nazgûl, and who-knows-how-many Myrddraal. The Nazgûl are confined to physical space, whereas Myrddraal actually *can* just suddenly appear sometimes, making it very plausible what the myths say, that they can turn sideways and travel through shadows. Myrddraal cloaks also reflect how they're kind of not in the world in the same way that everything else is. If you kill a Nazgûl (see the Witch King), that's it. Myrddraal don't seem to care that they are dead for several hours after dying. With differences like these, for all the things that are similar, I think seeing it as derivative and bordering on plagiarism reflects getting too distracted by surface similarities to appreciate the details. That is a mistake with an author as skilled as Robert Jordan was. His writing makes every character perspective feel distinct even in what gets described from the background, and he loved using these character perspectives to hide things that might be obviously important from another perspective. The characters might barely notice something that turns out to be hugely important, but the reader can still pick up on it, just probably not the first time through.

Just finished this book myself and can’t wait to experience the second one with you guys

The 2nd book is one of my favorite fantasy books of all time, I'm currently on book 4.

I have read the entire WoT series. I have so many issues with this series and would never list it as one of my favorites. But if someone asked me if they should read it, I would have a boatload of examples of how incredible it is. I’m not a WoT fan - but I’m not NOT a WoT fan…? 👀 Very excited to hear your guys thoughts on future books! I agree with both of you.😅

Best series of all time! TEOTW is great introduction to a great series. The cover is possibly my favourite of all time! I still picture Lan and Moraine that way. Be well, stay safe!

The amount of foreshadowing for the 14th book in the first few books is absolutely insane.

You guys are great

WOT is the type of series that you hate it so much that you actually love it.

I’m on my first read through! Just started book 4 last week. So excited to have bumped into this podcast to read with! Also edit to add: I appreciate Austin’s thoughts on it, because that’s how I felt about book 1 mostly. But i am determined to read the whole thing no matter what, so we’re in it together at least 😂

I came to the WoT late, but I was hooked right from prologue. Because when Lews Therin goes completely mad, it reminded me a lot of Kevin Landwaster. We never get to actually see Kevin's crisis and breakdown, so Lews Therin's agony kinda filled that hole for me.

totally on austins side with this one. one of the only popular fantasy series I was unable to finish. BUT i did get through 8 or 9 of the books so I gave it a solid chance. Agree with richard, book 4 was my favorite of them, but overall, didn't care enough about the characters, and actively disliked some of jordans decisions, as well as his writing of women. But it's got a huge supporting, so enjoy the read for the first time!

New listener! New Subscriber!

I can finally watch this! I just finished this book yesterday

WoT has some elements that I ultimately dislike *a lot*, but I can forgive how similar EotW is to LoTR, for two reasons: 1) The publishing landscape at the time rewarded, if not outright demanded, that similarity to “on ramp” fantasy readers easily. See Sword of Shannara, Dragonbone Chair, et al. 2) I see Jordan essentially steel-manning Tolkien before conversing with him. Sometimes this is in tribute, other times in argument. But I think you have to have a shared foundation to do either.

im so exited, im starting the series too

I finished eye of the world over a month ago (currently reading shadow rising) but I honestly was pretty happy with it. I loved the slow build, the characters, and the plot for the most part but my major criticisms were rand being boring, the dream sequences being confusing, and ending feeling strange and rushed. I felt eye of the world was about 4.25/5 or so. But after reading the next two books which are easy 5/5s, I honestly look back on eye of the world a little more harshly now because the great hunt/dragon Reborn are so amazing and SO much better. I honestly hope Austin ends up feeling the same about the great hunt because I am pretty invested in the series now and I want him to be too 🤣

On my 4th re-read and am in Book 8. Hope y’all can catch me to 14

A 4.4 is crazy lol it’s a slow start because of the world building and character development but that’s still crazy. It’s the fellowship of the ring for the series.

8 minutes in and I gotta say BRAVO for not just rubber stamping the Eye of the World a 10 out of 10. I did have some comments about it and would not give it a 10. Now I'm excited to hear your reviews.

i feel like, even if you know logically moiraine is on their side, logically you should understand that the characters wouldn't know that. even if you know that the characters are making a wrong decision, you should still be able to put yourself into their perspective and try to understand why they make that decision.

Im loving this. I just finished the Dragon Reborn and I cant wait to watch your reactions

Have to agree it was better the second time through. Just starting eye of the world for the third time this month. Going faster than I expected.

I friggen love eye of the world!

I did struggle through this book and almost gave up on it but my friend said to keep going and 2 moths later I've torn through the next three books. it definitely gets better.

Probably on this too late (10 months after the posting) but when Rand acts unusual it is not the madness. It is just him touching the source for the first couple of times. Moiraine describes the process (I believe this is the case, might have been a different one, don't have the books with me at the moment) to Nynaeve when Nynaeve catches up to Lan and Moiraine after Shadar Logoth.

Just want to recommend the recent Rosamund Pike version of the audio book. She really elevates some of the dialog to another level.

As far as the differences between Jordan and Tolkien, the first book and the setup is very LOTR. After book 1 is where he really sets things apart.

I'm on book 2 right now. 60% in. I cannot stand Nynaeve so I'm interested to see this progression you speak of. We'll see how it goes.

I think it's important to note that at the time EOTW was released, everything fantasy took heavy influence from Tolkien. It doesn't feel like the book breaks new ground now, with the context of modern fantasy, but at the time this was a big deal and the series was a piece of the progression fantasy as a genre over time. Enjoyed this conversation and look forward to the next one!

Every tavern owner, and winch in the entire bloody, world has a name!

Listening to this while cooking, the moment he said the Wheel of Time is the closest thing to come close to Tolkien in world building, as a reflex, I literally said out loud: “read Malazan before you set any standards of world building!” That said I liked this podcast, and I subscribed after it.

Austin - I really hope you enjoy book 2 much better. It only goes up from here! Enjoy the ride!

On the topic of world-first vs character-first: Austin is wrong in implying this is a world-first series. It’s basically a 10/10 in both world building and characters pretty much every book going forward. It’s one of the few series that has me cheering, in tears, genuinely in love with all the characters as if they were my friends. Hope yall enjoy this!

Waiting on that Red Rising trilogy breakdown… I know it can’t be too far off!

Finished eye of the world two days ago. I found it enjoyable enough to continue. I just started to read books in general wanted to get into a big series. 6.5/10.Took me 2 years to get to page 400 then once I started liking reading as a medium after reading dune and red rising I finished the rest in like a month.

Moiraine is my favorite in book one so far. I’m on chapter 32

I’m in the same boat as Richard. I didn’t reach LOTR until about 20 years after I read EOTW, so I didn’t see that overlap like Austin did. I enjoyed EOTW for its own merit so I don’t have all of the stigmas associated with it that Austin has.

Alright. Alright. I’ve been convinced to read book 2, hah. My feelings on ‘The Eye of the World’ were quite mixed, when I read it earlier this year! On the one hand, I *did* enjoy most of the actual act of reading. Whatever it is about the writing style, I was engaged from scene to scene, enjoying myself while listening. It even tempted me into continuing to read even after getting home from work a few times, which doesn’t happen often! I was also at least somewhat interested in some of the development we got from side characters, and about a few different worldbuilding details. But aside from that moment to moment entertainment factor and the vague promise of the characters, it really just didn’t do anything for me. The whole somehow felt like *less* than the sum of its parts; by the end of the book, I really just did not particularly care about what might come next for this world. 😅 I may have enjoyed my time, but the book wrapped up what components did spark my interest, and what picture it seemed to paint of the future was actively disinteresting to me. (I… had a similar feeling by the end of Dune, come to think of it; another series where I read and somewhat enjoyed book one but haven’t talked myself into reading further.) But! Yes. The discussion in this video has successfully talked me around at least a bit. I’ll be putting book two on hold at the library!

Reading contemporarely with you guys, don’t be too much of a slow ass readers 😂❤ love from Italy

I just did the audio as a reread, and didn’t feel the slog.

Hey which series is beside wheel of time on your shelf ?

Awesome - ALL HAIL THE LORD DRAGON!! and 100% the re-read first time round is one of the best experiences of your life. coming in a close second from the Virgin read. Enjoy the ride!!

Haven’t thought of a way around it yet, but it seems like most people watching for the spoiler free section. Watching after 7 to 15 minutes and that might not be good for the tip algorithm in terms of recommendations. However, you do have people coming back to see review after they read it which will be good it just might be delayed response.

Biggest point I think was missed in the comparisons to LotR is temporal context. EotW came out in 1990 and was the bridge between LotR trillogy ripoffs/serialized fantasy to what we have today with the multi novel epic. Also that list of similarities becomes almost equally long if you compare EotW to Arthurian legends. It is part of the DNA of the series that there are so many similarities that it becomes more like Easter eggs. Lastly, in RJ’s original outline, the first three books were supposed to be one volume. His outline for book one ends with the final scene for TDR, hence the pacing issues at the end.

Hoping this will onspire me to pick it back up, dropped it halfway through book 3.

You guys are great “ teeter my totter”

I just got the set at a thrift book store, all hard backs. For 35 bucks 😮🎉

Austin have you started the second book yet, how are you enjoying it so far?

The whole derivative thing. It’s not just Lord of the rings he’s taking things from. There’s King Arthur & the knights of the round table as well as William Morris (the Well at the Worlds End….) and many others. Yes, Lord of the Rings is too obvious in EotW and a bit off putting maybe for todays reader. But so much has changed since this was written, much of that change influenced by Jordan himself.

Part of me is like "Ooh great, I have the books and want to get into them, now I can read along" and the other is going "I'm 4/5 into Words Of Radiance, oh god why is it so easy to watch an entire movie series but takes so long to get through a book series."

Best magic system ever.

42:00 Wow... I really hated Nynaeve and loathed her chapters until like book 10. Her 'affection' for the Emen's fielders always felt fake because none of them liked Nynaeve or trusted her any more than they did Moiraine.

When are you guys planning on doing the great hunt?

Never ever end vids

A few things. Perrin is a reference to the slavic god Perun. "The Eye of The World" doesn't actually refers to the location in the novel but actually refers to Rand. The location was to justify the name in world. ta'veren is literally a way to say main character and a way to explain why things are always happening around them and deus ex machina. The first book is completely derivative of Tolkin on the first read. The world has changed so much that it actually is a different book on the re-read. Also Moiraine uses compulsion on the boys when she gives them the coin.