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
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.
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.
The correct Wheel of Time reading order is as follows:
New Spring begins Moiraine and Lan's quest to find the Dragon Reborn that will lead to the events of The Eye of the World...and their fateful meeting with Rand al'Thor. New Spring is a perfect jumping-on point for fantasy readers wanting to know more about The Wheel of Time.
When a vicious band of half-men, half beasts invade the Two Rivers 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.
The Horn of Valere, whispered of in legend, resurfaces, promising the rise of heroes long past. But in a cruel twist, the Horn is stolen! Thrust into the pursuit of the thieves, Rand al’Thor is determined to keep the Horn out of the grasp of The Dark One. But he has also learned that he is the Dragon Reborn, champion against the encroaching darkness. It is a duty and a destiny that requires Rand to uncover and master magical capabilities he never imagined he possessed.
Rand al’Thor has been proclaimed the Dragon Reborn. Traveling to the great fortress known as the Stone of Tear, he plans to find the sword Callandor, which can only be wielded by the Champion of Light, and discover if he truly is destined to battle The Dark One. Following Rand, Moiraine and their friends battle Darkhounds on the hunt, hoping they reach the Heart of the Stone in time for the next great test awaiting the Dragon Reborn.
Accompanied by Moiraine Damodred, Rand arrives at the Aiel Waste and is granted permission by the Wise Ones to enter the sacred city of Rhuidean. After passing through a doorframe ter'angreal, Moiraine gains foresight while the Aiel await Rand's return, either with both arms marked by dragon symbols, validating his identity as He Who Comes With the Dawn, the Chief of Chiefs of all the Aiel―or to never emerge at all.
Prophesized to defeat the Dark One, Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, has upset the balance of power across the land. Shaido Aiel are on the march, ravaging everything in their path. The White Tower's Amyrlin has been deposed, turning the Aes Sedai against one another. The forbidden city of Rhuidean is overrun by Shadowspawn.
Split into two factions, the Aes Sedai of the White Tower and their rebel counterparts both seek to ally themselves with the Dragon Reborn. Rand knows all too well the manipulative nature of the Aes Sedai, no matter which side of their internal war they stand upon. But even he cannot predict just how desperate, cruel, and treacherous they can be.
And in the shadows, the Forsaken and the Dark One are conjuring even more chaos...
Incited by nobles seeking to reclaim their places of power, armies march against the Dragon Reborn. But nothing can stop Rand and his Asha'man soldiers from storming the city of Illian to confront the Forsaken Sammael, and challenge him to a duel of the One Power with the winner taking the Crown of Swords...
Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, has conquered the city of Illian, struck down Sammael the Forsaken and shattered the armies of the invading Seanchan. But Rand and the Asha'man that follow him are slowly being corrupted by the madness that comes to the male wielders of the One Power. If they cannot remove the Dark One's taint from the True Source then none will survive to fight the Last Battle against the Shadow.
In Winter's Heart, the Dragon Reborn's allies face various challenges. Perrin Aybara, after finding the Prophet, learns his wife has been abducted and leads his army on a perilous rescue mission. Mat Cauthon, trapped in a Seanchan city, becomes entangled with escaping Aes Sedai and his own prophesied destiny.
The fate of the world hangs in the balance as shadows lengthen in this epic book. Mat Cauthon, burdened by a prophesied marriage, flees with the Daughter of the Nine Moons, hunted by both the Shadow and the Seanchan. Perrin Aybara, consumed by rage for his wife's capture, contemplates a dark alliance. And Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, faces a world unchanged despite his cleansing of the True Source. Trust is fractured, enemies disguised as allies, and Rand must gamble with himself as the stakes rise ever higher.
The world teeters on the brink. The dead rise, reality warps, and alliances shift like desert sands. Perrin, consumed by rescuing Faile, seeks a desperate solution – one that clashes with the Dragon Reborn's war. Mat, entangled with prophecy and Seanchan intrigue, navigates a perilous courtship. And Rand, desperate for a truce, walks into a trap set by a powerful enemy – his very resolve hanging in the balance.
Rand al'Thor, burdened by the coming Last Battle, struggles to unite a fractured world against the relentless Dark One. Betrayal and war threaten from all sides - the Seanchan advance, the Forsaken plot, and Rand's own hardening resolve test his allies. Meanwhile, Egwene al'Vere fights to unite the Aes Sedai against a tyrannical Seanchan leader, her leadership the only hope for the White Tower and perhaps the world itself. The storm gathers, and heroes rise to meet the coming darkness.
As the Third Age wanes, darkness tightens its grip. Perrin Aybara grapples with inner demons and a tightening snare. Mat Cauthon delves back into Otherworldly dangers. Rand al'Thor's shocking revelation at the White Tower fractures trust, forcing Egwene to make a desperate gamble - uniting the Borderlands against the Dragon Reborn himself. The fate of the world hangs in the balance, as heroes face trials within and without.
The fate of the world hangs in the balance as the Last Battle begins. Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, leads the desperate charge against the forces of the Dark One. His plan, fraught with peril, is their only hope for victory. Yet, the weight of responsibility and visions of a bleaker future threaten to unravel him. Meanwhile, across the land, allies sacrifice dearly in brutal battles, leaving victory uncertain. In this final stand, the fate of humanity goes beyond winning – it's about the very nature of the future itself.
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:
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!
