Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is similar to the world Tolkien brought in Lord of the Rings but with a lot more detail and much longer.  If you enjoy fantasy style writing, you will love this series.  The story takes place in a time before vehicles or technology, but in a different world where some of the population have abilities and powers that can be developed.  This power of course is used for good with some, but bad for others.  The book refers to many ages where history repeats itself (as the wheel turns) but nothing is really predetermined in the present.  It's the classic...