The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World
The Wheel of Time #1
Robert Jordan

Front cover

Date read: 11 - 30 September 2019
Length: 812 pages (including contents, maps, prologue and glossary)
Published: 1990


Three young men from the Two Rivers have their lives changed in one night. Rand, Mat, and Perrin are suddenly whisked into a world of adventure, accompanied by Aes Sedai Moiraine and warder Lan, they travel further than they have ever before. Hunted by creatures of the Dark One, will they make it to the Eye of the World?


Wow. Now. I don't even know where to begin. There is so much to this book that I'm sure we've only just scratched the surface of what's to follow. So I was given this book by a friend. The Wheel of Time series is one of those things that you're vaguely aware of, but really don't know much about. When I began I new nothing barring the name of the series and that it was a long one. Once given the book, I looked on Goodreads and was a bit apprehensive as the reviews were so varied. Was this going to be a long series that I would have to slug my way through?

The answer is no. I very much enjoyed The Eye of the World, and I'm really looking forward to reading more. Although it's not part of my main reading lists so it'll probably be about a year and a half before I read the next one!

There are a lot of characters here, but strangely I didn't find that confusing or hard to follow. There have been other series I've read that has had a lot of characters that I've found more challenging, but not this one. I suppose that's a good thing, but may well change the further I progress in the series.

I liked pretty much all of the story, but I really liked the thing with Perrin. I thought it was very interesting and I hope there will be more about it in the following novels.


I'm glad my friend gave me this book and I'm looking forward to reading more - whenever that may be!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Look to Windward (Culture #7) by Iain M. Banks

Look to Windward
Culture #7
Iain M. Banks

Front cover

Date read: 1 - 10 September 2019
Length: 403 pages
Published: 2000


Major Quilan has a mission; to go to the Orbital Masaq' and convince the composer Ziller to return home. But Ziller will be nowhere near Quilan, even at the risk of not conducting the opening night of his new symphony. But is that all Quilan is here to do..?


As much as I enjoyed this book, the main characters left much to be desired. Ziller is petty and Quilan doesn't care about life. You just want to slap them both and tell Ziller to grow up, and tell Quilan that all life is precious, including his!

I do have some sympathy for Quilan in regards to his wife. He obviously loved her very much and this is a major reason why he feels the way he does. I want to slap him and then give him a hug.

I'm glad Quilan didn't succeed in his real mission. I won't say too much here, but it wasn't a very good thing and it would have been devastating.


Looking forward to reading some more, only a few left in the series now!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Boy with the Bronze Axe by Kathleen Fidler

The Boy with the Bronze Axe
Kathleen Fidler

Front cover

Date read: 28 - 31 August 2019
Length: 156 pages
Published: 1968


A young boy named Tenko comes to an island in a boat made from wood, carrying a bronze axe. He saves two children, Kali and Brockan, and is welcomed to the island by their father Birno. But not all are happy with this stranger and his weird tools. How will this matter be resolved?


This is a nice children's story. For me it had a message of stranger doesn't always mean danger. I know children have to be aware of the potential risk a stranger could bring, but that's not always the case. Here Tenko brings knowledge to the island, and while most accept his teachings, there are some who wish him gone, or worse.

I didn't like Korwen for this reason. He is against Tenko and will do anything to sabotage his relationships with his new family. Korwen is sneaky and untrustworthy, and just an all round unpleasant person.

I feel that Tenko is probably not as old as he seems in the novel. From reading you could think he was early twenties, but actually I think he's probably only mid teens, if that. It's hard to gauge his age, as he seems so mature, and he's obviously come to the island on his own, but he still needs the guidance of a parent.


It was a nice little read.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Sepulchre (Languedoc #2) by Kate Mosse

Sepulchre
Languedoc #2
Kate Mosse

Front cover

Date read: 9 - 27 August 2019
Length: 732 pages
Published: 2007


In 1891 Leonie Vernier leaves Paris with her brother Anatole to stay with their aunt in the country, at the Domaine de la Cade. There, she discovers a sepulchre full of mystery.
In 2007, Meredith Martin is researching for a biography she is writing, as well as trying to learn about her own family history. She visits the Domaine de la Cade and is intrigued by the past. Can she work out what happened all those years ago?

This story begins in

a city of bones...

I really enjoyed both parts of the story, although I will say it can sometimes be a little frustrating when you're right in the swing of things and then it changes to the other story. It's a good thing I do like both parts!

I liked the story of Anatole and Isolde. It's both surprising and tragic. I felt sorry for them and just wanted things to work out.

A lot of the time when I was reading the part of Meredith, I was waiting for her to work out the things that happened in the past, so that I would know too! I kind of felt like I was there with her, figuring out all of the events by her side.

The song at the end of the book is really good, and I actually still listen to it from time to time. You can find it on YouTube.

I have read Labyrinth, the previous Languedoc novel, and I have to say the writing has MUCH improved. I felt when I was reading Labyrinth that it was a good story, but that the writing was letting it down. I did not feel that way at all when I was reading Sepulchre. In fact, sometimes I struggled to put it down, I was so absorbed in the story!

I'm looking forward to reading Citadel much more now, though I have no idea when that will be!

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist