The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Emond's Field is a peaceful paradise far from the wars and conflicts of the rest of the world. That was until the trollocs and myrddraal attacked.  Rand al'Thor, Matrim Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Egwene al'Vere flee the village with strangers Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred and Warder Al'Lan Mandragoran. The gleeman Thom Merrilin tagged along, and later, the reluctant village Wisdom Nynaeve al'Meara joined the group to watch over Egwene and the boys. The trollocs seemed to have attacked specific villagers only which is why Rand and his friends had to leave. The Aes Sedai Moiraine isn't clear about her plans for the villagers however, an issue which irritated Nynaeve. For now, their goal is to reach the safety of Tar Valon. Their journey isn't easy however. They were herded by pursuers to an abandoned city---only a prelude to more troubles ahead.

The story is told primarily from Rand's point of view. Nagged by thoughts that he was adopted by the parents he grew up with, Rand is also tormented by dreams of a man who calls himself Ba'alzamon. Mat and Perrin seem to have the same experiences as well.

The Eye of the World is the first installment of a 14-book series which is reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings. The concept of duality and the nature of time as a cycle or wheel is akin to some of the metaphysical concepts from Asia. The prologue introduces these important concepts. Light's victory over the Dark also sets the rules for the magic system used in the series. The imprisonment of the Dark One has tainted the male half of the True Source. It is easy for the readers then to determine that the course of events in the series involves the search for the Dragon Reborn and the continuation of the war.

There are moments in the book when there are too many unnecessary details. Sometimes it's tedious. The good thing about it though is that there is no lack of description. Something always happens. Although there are obvious clues as to who the Dragon Reborn is, the intrigues and mysteries of the nature of the Dark One is enough reason to keep reading.

Rating: 7 out of 10