The Eye of the World, Book one of the Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
Moiraine Damodred arrives in Emond’s Field on a quest to find the one prophesized to stand against The Dark One, a malicious entity sowing the seeds of chaos and destruction. When a vicious band of half-men, half beasts invade the village seeking their master’s enemy, Moiraine persuades Rand al’Thor and his friends to leave their home and enter a larger unimaginable world filled with dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light.
Book was a little slow in getting started. Many characters with unusual names and a lot of world building. Things picked up after the first few chapters. Very reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. Good character development and good description of the characters epic journeys.