Are The Wheel of Time Books The Best Fantasy Series Ever?

The Wheel of Time books stand out for their vast worlds, unique magic system, and, of course, Robert Jordan’s (and Brandon Sanderson’s) brilliant storytelling.

You might argue otherwise, but only a few series in the genre are as awesome as the Wheel of Time books.

Amazon Prime, thankfully, is giving the series some good publicity outside of the bookish community. Whether or not you’re impressed by the motion picture adaptation, The Wheel of Time remains one of the most influential epic fantasy series out there.

Here are some interesting things to know about the Wheel of Time books

What Makes The Wheel of Time Series Stand Out?

The Wheel of Time books stand out for their vast worlds, unique magic system, and, of course, Robert Jordan’s (and Brandon Sanderson’s) brilliant storytelling.

The characters are just as varied as the lands and cultures we come across in the books, as readers are sure to be sucked into Randland, following the protagonists as they move across Cairhien, Ebou Dar, Whitebridge, Caemlyn, Tear, and other cities.

In the Wheel of Time series, we see entirely fantastical worlds as clearly as if they were real. As the massive word count of over four million words suggests, the author(s) is/are in no rush to get to the finish line. Instead, as many words as possible are expended to ensure that the mental pictures that form in readers’ minds are vivid.

If you haven’t read the series, rest assured that you’ve never come across anything like it before. While some of the themes may be familiar from other fantasy series such as The Lord of the Rings or Malazan Book of the Fallen, The Wheel of Time series stands as an entirely unique work.

What Is The Wheel of Time About?

Without giving away spoilers, the Wheel of Time tells of a group of protagonists and their evolution from innocent, carefree youth to decisive and powerful characters in the fight against evil.

However, condensing The Wheel of Time to simply a tale of good vs. evil doesn’t do the series any justice. Amid this classic thematic backdrop, we see the machinations of a very special sect of magicians, the Aes Sedai, and their natural enemies, a religious order known as the Whitecloaks.

We also meet a most exciting set of antagonists: fourteen of the most black-hearted and lovable villains you’ll ever find in epic fantasy. This goes without mentioning the hundreds of brilliant secondary characters, places, and memorable quotes littered throughout the books.

Correct Reading Order of the Wheel of Time Books

The correct Wheel of Time reading order is as follows:

0. New Spring

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1. The Eye of the World

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2. The Great Hunt

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3. The Dragon Reborn

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4. The Shadow Rising

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5. The Fires of Heaven

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6. Lord of Chaos

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7. A Crown of Swords

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8. The Path of Daggers

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9. Winter’s Heart

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10. Crossroads of Twilight

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11. Knife of Dreams

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12. The Gathering Storm

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13. Towers of Midnight

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14. A Memory of Light

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What Series Are Similar To The Wheel of Time?

Although it’s virtually impossible to find a fantasy series that’s exactly like The Wheel of Time books, there are a few similar reads based on specific characteristics:

1. Malazan Book of the Fallen: For complex magic system
2. Lord of the Rings: For good vs. evil premise
3. Sword of Truth: For female-only magic corps/sect
4. Stormlight Archive: For in-depth worldbuilding
5. A Song of Ice and Fire: For memorable characters

Wrapping Up

If you’ve read The Wheel of Time, you’ll admit that it’s genuinely one of the best fantasy series out there. Along with series like The Lord of The Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire, the Wheel of Time books are essential fantasy canon.

If you haven’t, you’re definitely missing out!