alwroteabook's review against another edition
5.0
In a fit of whimsy, I hereby announce I will give everyone five stars, but the reviews may not reflect it.
When I read volume one of The Eye of the World graphic novel, it reminded me of everything I enjoyed about The Wheel of Time - the epic quest, the interesting world and the promise of greater things to come. Volume two reminded me of what I didn't like - whiny teenagers. Yes, this focuses mostly on Mat and friends. The artwork continues to excel and really breathes life into the world, but the boys could flash some more appeal.
When I read volume one of The Eye of the World graphic novel, it reminded me of everything I enjoyed about The Wheel of Time - the epic quest, the interesting world and the promise of greater things to come. Volume two reminded me of what I didn't like - whiny teenagers. Yes, this focuses mostly on Mat and friends. The artwork continues to excel and really breathes life into the world, but the boys could flash some more appeal.
nibblersmommy's review
3.0
I think that I enjoy these more because tEotW is one of my favorite books more than anything else. It's sort of fun to see the book in a different way, but also a little disconcerting because they characters look so different from what I pictured - and from volume to volume.
It's a little frustrating that the art design keeps changing. Hopefully it will continue to improve - I liked this art much better than the art in volume one, which was way too dark.
For fans of the book, I'd say it's a fun little distraction. If you've never read the book, stick with the real thing!
It's a little frustrating that the art design keeps changing. Hopefully it will continue to improve - I liked this art much better than the art in volume one, which was way too dark.
For fans of the book, I'd say it's a fun little distraction. If you've never read the book, stick with the real thing!
mapetiteliseuse's review
4.0
I have read RJ's The Wheel of Time series from end to end twice, yet somehow the existence of the graphic novels escaped me. Until now.
I am a huge fan of Chuck Dixon mainly for his work on Batman and he hasn't disappointed in bringing to life the characters in these novels. I would absolutely recommend anyone who, like me, has read the novels then goes on to read the graphics. It's such a powerful visual reminder of the world you grow to love in the novels.
As standalone graphic novels though, I'm not sure the cuts of the story would hit the mark. I'll have to trust someone else's judgement for that.
I am a huge fan of Chuck Dixon mainly for his work on Batman and he hasn't disappointed in bringing to life the characters in these novels. I would absolutely recommend anyone who, like me, has read the novels then goes on to read the graphics. It's such a powerful visual reminder of the world you grow to love in the novels.
As standalone graphic novels though, I'm not sure the cuts of the story would hit the mark. I'll have to trust someone else's judgement for that.
shanbear16's review against another edition
5.0
The actual cover is different than the one in this image. In fact, Shelfari has pretty much messed up the order of the books by listing New Spring as book 1. Anyway, this volume continues Eye of the World up through the group running towards Shadar Logoth. The art is still great and of course the story is amazing. I'm not sure if those who haven't read the books will really get everything that's happening as it's been so long since I was a new reader for the series, but I like to think it would at least be enjoyable.
noveladdiction's review against another edition
3.0
This was really good, and now that I'm addicted to the story, I am desperate for another volume. Fingers crossed the next volume will come out soonish.
shannasaurus_rex's review against another edition
4.0
I've read the Wheel of Time multiple times, so it's pretty awesome to get to read it in a new way. Plus, it's so pretty.
vylotte's review against another edition
5.0
I am loving these graphic adaptations of the first book in the Wheel of Time series. I've read the original novel many, many times yet I still find this fresh and new, the visuals and languid pace that come with the format change are a joy, to see scenes mostly as I imagined but so much more detailed. Highly recommended if you're a die hard fan.
kukushka's review against another edition
3.0
I took all the Wheel of Time-related graphic novels out from the library and brought them along on vacation. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that The Eye of the World comes in six volumes, and only brought the three my library has. I got to the end of the third pretty certain that a good chunk was missing and, sure enough, I'm only halfway through. Still, I figured I'd better write a review, since I don't know when I'll be able to get my hands on the next three volumes.
I was quite surprised by how much of the first novel's plot I could remember. The middle books, particularly around where it became obvious that Jordan had completely dropped the reigns of the plot, are a blur, but I had distinct memories of everything covered in the graphic novels. I've found the same thing with A Song of Ice and Fire - where the first book is also quite well plotted, with a much tighter storyline than later books. In both cases, I feel like the authors started off with a very clear idea of a beginning, and then much vaguer notes for the rest of the series. It's a shame.
Regarding the graphic novels specifically, I found the text to be much better than what I saw in the New Spring graphic novel. It was much easier to follow what was going on, and I think I would have been able to read it even if I hadn't read the book first. I'm not sure how much of that is a real difference in quality and how much is just because the plot of Eye of the World is so much more action-oriented, relying less on narrative (and therefore more easily exportable to a visual medium), though.
The artwork was a little disappointing, though. The images looked messy, for lack of a better word - like coloured sketches. This meant that it was often difficult to tell one character apart from another - particularly in the beginning. Some of that might have been intentional, to show how ordinary the three Ta'veren are at the start of the story, but I don't feel like that came through very well.
There were also quite a few consistency issues, particularly with Moiraine's forehead pendant (which changed shape and style frequently from panel to panel).
Generally, though, I thought it was fine. It was certainly readable. I'm just scratching me head over who the intended audience might be for these. There isn't really a lot of added value for someone who has already read the novels, and I'm not sure how well someone who hasn't read the novels would be able to follow along with the graphic novel version. It seems a bit superfluous. Or perhaps they are looking for people like me, who are at the end of the novels and want a refresher on the series without having to tackle the doorstopper tomes for a second time.
I was quite surprised by how much of the first novel's plot I could remember. The middle books, particularly around where it became obvious that Jordan had completely dropped the reigns of the plot, are a blur, but I had distinct memories of everything covered in the graphic novels. I've found the same thing with A Song of Ice and Fire - where the first book is also quite well plotted, with a much tighter storyline than later books. In both cases, I feel like the authors started off with a very clear idea of a beginning, and then much vaguer notes for the rest of the series. It's a shame.
Regarding the graphic novels specifically, I found the text to be much better than what I saw in the New Spring graphic novel. It was much easier to follow what was going on, and I think I would have been able to read it even if I hadn't read the book first. I'm not sure how much of that is a real difference in quality and how much is just because the plot of Eye of the World is so much more action-oriented, relying less on narrative (and therefore more easily exportable to a visual medium), though.
The artwork was a little disappointing, though. The images looked messy, for lack of a better word - like coloured sketches. This meant that it was often difficult to tell one character apart from another - particularly in the beginning. Some of that might have been intentional, to show how ordinary the three Ta'veren are at the start of the story, but I don't feel like that came through very well.
There were also quite a few consistency issues, particularly with Moiraine's forehead pendant (which changed shape and style frequently from panel to panel).
Generally, though, I thought it was fine. It was certainly readable. I'm just scratching me head over who the intended audience might be for these. There isn't really a lot of added value for someone who has already read the novels, and I'm not sure how well someone who hasn't read the novels would be able to follow along with the graphic novel version. It seems a bit superfluous. Or perhaps they are looking for people like me, who are at the end of the novels and want a refresher on the series without having to tackle the doorstopper tomes for a second time.
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