This is the story of three young men, Rand, Matt, and Perrin, destined to weave the world's fate around them. The great dark lord, Shaitan, seeks to kill them or bring them to his side, in gaining his release from the imprisonment of the Creator. Each of the boys has a strong destiny, seemingly appearing to aid in the fight against, or for, the end of the world.

Moraine, an Aes Sedai, comes to the boy's town seeking the three ta'varen, shortly before the Dark One's Trollocs (half men half beast) attack. She and her warder guard are able to secret the boys away safely, as well as a young Aes Sedai to-be, Egwene, and the gleeman (jester of sorts) Thom.

They travel perilously across the realm trying to reach the city of Tar Valon, the city of Aes Sedai, but are dogged at each turn by Trollocs, Draghkar (flying lizardlike men) and Fades (spectral men of sorts)

They are eventually separated by the forces of darkness, Thom, Rand and Matt travelling on foot to Caemlyn, Egwene and Perrin by horse on another route to Caemlyn, and Lan and Morain with Nynaeve trying to track either of the other groups down.

Rand begins experiencing odd problems, strange sicknesses. Matt gets exposed to an ancient evil, known as Mashadar, in the cursed city of Shadar Logoth. Tainted by a cursed dagger, his soul is slowly being overcome by the vile depravity of Mashadar.

Perrin and Egwene are rescued by a wildman, Elias, who seem to have the ability to talk to wolves (gold of eye, empathic). Through his unwanted guidance and exposure to the wolves, Perrin also develops the capability and the tell-tale golden eyes.

Eventually each of the groups reach Caemlyn, where they soon discover a plot by the Dark One to smite the Eye of the World (an ancient well of pure Saidin power - the male half of the power). Moraine is forced to change her plans to reach Tar Valon in order to reach the Blight (where the Eye is hidden), in order to stop Shaitan's plan. With the help of an Ogier, they are able to access the tainted Ways (an ancient portal travel system) to travel the distance in mere days.

The book ends in a climactic battle at the Eye of the World against the Forsaken (followers of the dark one) and the revelation that Rand has developed the ability to touch the Male side of the source and may be the 'child of the Dragon'.

An excellent beginning to an excellent series.