You've probably seen the show on Prime Video and thought, "Hey, maybe I should finally read those." Then you look at the shelf. It's daunting. Robert Jordan didn't just write a story; he built a world that feels like it has its own gravity. Reading the wheel of time books in order isn't just a weekend project—it’s a commitment that can take months, or even years, depending on how fast you can devour 4.4 million words.
Honestly, it’s a lot.
But here’s the thing. Most people get overwhelmed because they see 14 massive novels plus a prequel and don't know where to start. Do you read the prequel first? Do you skip the "slog"? (We'll talk about that later). If you want the real experience, the one that makes the ending of the final book hit like a freight train, you have to follow the path Jordan laid out.
Starting at the Beginning: The Core Sequence
Most folks should start with The Eye of the World. Published in 1990, it feels a bit like The Lord of the Rings at first. You’ve got a group of farm kids, a mysterious wizard-like figure (Moiraine), and a dark rider chasing them out of their quiet village. It’s familiar territory. But by the time you hit The Great Hunt and The Dragon Reborn, Jordan starts pulling the rug out from under those tropes.
The world opens up. You get the Aiel Waste, the politics of the White Tower, and the sheer complexity of the Forsaken.
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Here is the straightforward list of the main series:
- The Eye of the World (1990)
- The Great Hunt (1990)
- The Dragon Reborn (1991)
- The Shadow Rising (1992) – Many fans, myself included, think this is the best one.
- The Fires of Heaven (1993)
- Lord of Chaos (1994) – That ending? Dumai's Wells? It’s legendary for a reason.
- A Crown of Swords (1996)
- The Path of Daggers (1998)
- Winter's Heart (2000)
- Crossroads of Twilight (2003)
- Knife of Dreams (2005)
- The Gathering Storm (2009)
- Towers of Midnight (2010)
- A Memory of Light (2013)
What About New Spring?
This is the prequel. It tells the story of how Moiraine and Lan started their search for the Dragon Reborn. Even though it's chronologically first, do not read it first. If you do, you’ll lose the mystery of the Aes Sedai that makes the first few books work. Most experts recommend reading it after book 10 (Crossroads of Twilight) or book 8. It’s a nice breather before the stakes get impossibly high.
Surviving "The Slog" and Why It’s Overblown
If you spend any time on Reddit or Dragonmount, you’ll hear about the "slog." This refers to books 7 through 10. People say the plot slows down. They complain that nothing happens.
They’re kinda wrong.
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Back when these were coming out, waiting three years for a book where the timeline only moves forward a few days was frustrating. I get it. But now? You can just pick up the next one immediately. Book 9 (Winter's Heart) has one of the most important magical events in the entire history of the world. Book 10 is definitely slower—it's basically everyone reacting to the ending of book 9—but it sets the stage for the explosive finale.
If you’re looking at the wheel of time books in order, don't let the fear of the slog stop you. Just keep pushing. The payoff in Knife of Dreams is worth every second of political maneuvering in the previous installments.
The Sanderson Transition: A Changing of the Guard
Robert Jordan passed away in 2007 before he could finish the final book. It was a massive blow to the fantasy community. His wife and editor, Harriet McDougal, eventually chose a young writer named Brandon Sanderson to finish the series based on Jordan's extensive notes and recorded dictations.
Sanderson didn't just write one book; he realized the ending was so big it needed three.
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The shift in prose is noticeable. Sanderson is faster-paced. His dialogue feels a bit more modern. Some fans prefer Jordan’s descriptive, lyrical style, while others love the sheer momentum Sanderson brought to the finish line. Regardless of which camp you fall into, the transition in The Gathering Storm is handled with immense respect for Jordan's vision. The ending of A Memory of Light is the exact ending Jordan intended. He wrote the final scenes himself before he died.
Tips for Your First Read-Through
It’s easy to get confused. There are over 2,700 named characters. No, you don't need to memorize all of them. Here’s how to actually enjoy the wheel of time books in order without needing a PhD in Randland history:
- The Glossaries are your best friend. Every book has one at the back. Use it. It’ll remind you who that minor High Lord is without you having to risk spoilers on a Google search.
- Avoid the Wiki. Seriously. Even typing a character's name into a search bar can autocomplete with "Character Name Death" or "Character Name Secret Identity."
- The "Wheel of Time Companion" App. There are fan-made apps where you can set which book you are on, and it will only show you information that was known up to that point. It's a lifesaver.
- Listen to the Audiobooks. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are the GOATs of fantasy narration. If you find the physical books too dense, the audio versions make the travel sequences fly by.
Why This Order Matters
The series is built on "The Pattern." It’s a circular view of time where ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend, and legend fades to myth. Reading them out of order breaks the internal logic of how information is revealed to the characters. You’re supposed to feel as confused as Rand al'Thor does when he first encounters the politics of Daes Dae'mar. You're meant to grow with the characters.
By the time you reach the final battle, you've spent millions of words with these people. You know their quirks—Nynaeve tugging her braid, Mat Cauthon's luck, Perrin's internal struggle with the wolf. That emotional payoff only happens if you've walked every mile of the journey in sequence.
Actionable Next Steps for New Readers
If you're ready to start, go buy a copy of The Eye of the World. Don't buy the whole box set yet—see if you like the first one first. If you've already started and you're feeling the "slog" in book 8 or 9, switch to the audiobooks for a while. It changes the pacing and helps you get through the slower descriptive passages.
For those who have finished the series and are looking for more, go back and read New Spring. Then, start a re-read. The amount of foreshadowing Jordan hid in the first book that doesn't pay off until book 14 is absolutely mind-blowing. You’ll realize the creator knew the ending from the very first page.