Epic fantasy
The Eye of the World
After a night attack on their quiet village, three young friends are hurried away by a mysterious woman and a wandering guide. They learn that they may be tied to a prophecy about a dark power returning to the world.
- First published
- 1990
- Pace
- slow
- Length
- long
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a classic, slow-building fantasy quest that opens up into a huge, richly layered world.
Skip this if you want fresh plotting, since the start borrows heavily from older fantasy, and it is long.
The feel
Content warnings
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Barnes & Noble | Check price | Buy new from Barnes & Noble |
| Print, used | ||
| AbeBooks | Check price | Buy used from AbeBooks |
| ThriftBooks | Check price | Buy used from ThriftBooks |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Eye of the World
-
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The model for this opening, with a similar flight from home and a hidden danger on the road.
-
Mistborn: The Final Empire
A faster, more tightly plotted epic fantasy with a crisp system of magic.
-
Eragon
A simpler, younger-feeling fantasy with a similar farm-boy-to-hero beginning.
Epic fantasy
