The Wheel of Time: Books in Order

The Wheel of Time is a monumental epic fantasy saga created by the American author Robert Jordan. Started in 1990 with the publication of The Eye of the World, the series spans fourteen main novels, one prequel, and one companion book.

Did you know that after Jordan's death in 2007, acclaimed writer Brandon Sanderson completed the final three installments based on the detailed notes Jordan left behind?

The narrative of The Wheel of Time It draws inspiration from various European and Asian mythologies, including the cyclical concept of time in Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism and Hinduism. The story revolves around the eternal struggle between the forces of Light and Shadow, with the Dragon Reborn facing the Dark One and here I am going to tell you how to read the books in order.

With a rich cast of characters and a meticulously constructed world, this series has become one of the most influential in the epic fantasy genre. Below, I leave you the order of books and a description of each one so you can immerse yourself in this fascinating story.

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0. Towers of Midnight (2021) (written by Brandon Sanderson)

This prequel to The Wheel of Time is the last one written, but corresponds to a prequel written by Brandon Sanderson. It might be a good idea to read it first to get a preview of The Eye of the World.

Rand finds new clarity and purpose as the forces of Light prepare for the Last Battle. Mat and Perrin fulfill ancient prophecies and face challenges that will define the destiny of the world.

1. The Eye of the World (1990)

The quiet life of Rand al'Thor and his friends in the village of Emond's Field changes dramatically with the arrival of Moiraine, an Aes Sedai, and her guardian Lan. Following an attack by the fearsome Trollocs, Rand and his companions are forced to leave their home and face a destiny that will mark their lives and the entire world.

2. The Great Hunt (1990)

Rand al'Thor, now aware of his connection to the Dragon Reborn, embarks on a dangerous quest to recover the Horn of Valere, A legendary artifact capable of summoning heroes from the pastAs the hunt progresses, Rand and his companions face ever-increasing threats that will test their bravery and their destiny.

3. The Dragon Reborn (1991)

Rand, facing his destiny as the Dragon Reborn, travels to Tear with the goal of claiming Callandor, a powerful sa'angreal sword. At the same time, His friends face personal challenges that will prepare them for the dangerous days ahead.

4. The Rise of the Shadow (1992)

As the seals containing the Dark One weaken, Rand seeks to unite the Aiel clans under his leadership. Perrin returns to Two Rivers to protect it from an impending attack, as internal divisions among the Aes Sedai begin to threaten their strength at a critical moment.

5. The Heavens in Flames (1993)

Rand attempts to consolidate his power among the Aiel clans while struggles to maintain control of its growing influence. Mat and Egwene face their own personal and political challenges, as the forces of the Shadow continue to gain ground.

6. The Lord of Chaos (1994)

Rand begins to consolidate his authority as a leader, confronting both the Followers of the Shadow like the Aes Sedai who distrust him. Egwene struggles to find her place among the Aes Sedai, while Perrin returns to action at decisive moments.

7. The Crown of Swords (1996)

Rand leads a campaign to take control of Illian and stabilize the region. Meanwhile, Nynaeve and Elayne search for a powerful Ter'angreal that could reverse the climate disasters caused by the Shadow.

8. The Path of Daggers (1998)

Political tensions and conflicts between the Aes Sedai and the kingdoms reach their peakRand seeks to stabilize his growing empire, while Egwene leads the rebel Aes Sedai in their fight to confront the Dark One.

9. The Heart of Winter (2000)

Rand struggles to maintain her leadership as internal conflicts threaten her cause. Mat tries to escape the chaos in Ebou Dar, as Perrin pursues Faile's kidnappers, facing unforeseen challenges on his rescue mission.

10. Crossroads in the Twilight (2003)

The personal conflicts of the main characters intensify in a world full of social and political tensions. Mat, Rand and Egwene face critical trials that will prepare them for the final confrontation against the Dark One.

11. Knife of Dreams (2005)

The characters' stories begin to converge as Rand prepares to confront the Dark One. Mat seeks alliances, Perrin advances in its rescue mission, and the world is on the brink of collapse as the Shadow spreads its influence.

12. The Storm (2009) (written by Brandon Sanderson)

Rand, on the brink of losing control of his power and his humanity, faces a dark personal dilemma. Egwene leads an epic confrontation within the Aes Sedai, as Mat and Perrin prepare to play crucial roles in the final events.

14. A Memory of Light (2013) (written by Brandon Sanderson)

The Last Battle, known as Tarmon Gai'don, decides the fate of the world. Rand and his allies confront the Dark One in an epic confrontation full of sacrifices, redemptions and the fulfillment of the final prophecies.

15. New Spring (2004) (prequel)

This book chronicles the events leading up to the main series, focusing on Moiraine and Lan as they search for the Dragon Reborn. An excellent read to understand the origin of the key characters.

Readers' Note:

Some questions about The Wheel of Time

How many books does the series cover? The Wheel of Time?

The series The Wheel of Time consists of 14 main books and a prologue or prequel titled New SpringThe series was started by Robert Jordan in 1990 and completed in 2013 by Brandon Sanderson, who completed the last three books after Jordan's death, using his notes.

How to read the books of The Wheel of Time?

The recommended order for reading the saga is as follows:

1. New Spring (optional, can be read before or after the main saga).
2. The eye of the world
3. The awakening of the heroes
4. The Dragon Reborn
5. Rise of the Shadow
6. Sky on fire
7. The crown of swords
8. The path of daggers
9. The heart of winter
10. Crossroads in the twilight
11. Knife of dreams
12. The storm
13. midnight tower
14. A memory of light

Although New Spring is optional, it can provide additional context about the characters and previous events.

What is it about? The Wheel of Time?

The series revolves around the struggle between good and evil in a cyclical world where magic is real and ages repeat themselves. The story follows Rand al'Thor, a young boy from a small town who discovers he is the Dragon Reborn, the hero destined to face the Dark One, a malevolent being who threatens to destroy reality. Throughout the books, Rand and his friends are caught in a complex web of prophecies, political alliances, and epic battles as they try to fulfill their destinies.

What is the longest book of The Wheel of Time?

The longest book in the saga is A memory of light (A Memory of Light), with approximately 355,000 wordsIt is the final volume of the series, where all the main plots converge in an epic conclusion known as "The Last Battle" (The Last Battle).

What is the story behind The Wheel of Time?

Robert Jordan drew inspiration from global mythology, including European, Asian, and Celtic traditions, to construct his universe. The concept of the "Wheel of Time" is based on the idea that time is cyclical, with eras constantly repeating themselves. Following Jordan's death in 2007, Brandon Sanderson was selected by Jordan's widow and editor, Harriet McDougal, to finish the series using the extensive notes left by the author. This allowed the work to be completed in three additional books.

¿The Wheel of Time is it post-apocalyptic?

Yeah, The Wheel of Time has post-apocalyptic elements. The world in which the saga takes place is the result of multiple cataclysms that occurred in past eras, including events that destroyed advanced civilizations. Although the characters live in a medieval environment, there are traces of technology and knowledge from previous eras, which reinforces its character as a cyclical and post-apocalyptic world.

The Wheel of Time is a masterpiece of epic fantasy, filled with complex characters, rich mythology, and thrilling narrative. If you're looking for a saga that will captivate you with its depth and keep you on the edge of your seat, now is the time to spin the wheel and delve into this fascinating universe. Are you ready for the ride?