So you've decided to dive into Robert Jordan's epic Wheel of Time series? Smart move - but where to start? With 14 main novels, a prequel, and companion books, figuring out the proper reading sequence can feel like decoding Aes Sedai prophecies. Having personally slogged through the entire series twice (yes, even Crossroads of Twilight), I'll break down every option so you don't make my early mistakes.
The most crucial thing? Stick strictly to the the wheel of time books in order for your first read. Publication sequence is king. Jumping around creates confusion with character development and spoilers. Trust me, I learned this the hard way when I accidentally read book 5 before book 4 during a library mix-up. Two weeks of utter confusion!
The Core Wheel of Time Books in Order
Here's the essential reading path - the backbone of the entire series. These fourteen novels form the main storyline from start to finish. I wish someone had given me page counts before I started; some volumes are absolute doorstoppers. The Eye of the World feels thin compared to later entries!
| # | Title | Year | Pages | Key Developments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Eye of the World | 1990 | 814 | Introduces Emond's Fielders, Trolloc attack, Moiraine's quest |
| 2 | The Great Hunt | 1990 | 705 | Horn of Valere stolen, Seanchan introduced |
| 3 | The Dragon Reborn | 1991 | 699 | Rand embraces destiny, Perrin meets Faile |
| 4 | The Shadow Rising | 1992 | 1008 | Aiel Waste journey, Two Rivers defense |
| 5 | The Fires of Heaven | 1993 | 992 | Battle with Couladin, Mat gains memories |
| 6 | Lord of Chaos | 1994 | 1011 | Asha'man founded, Dumai's Wells climax |
| 7 | A Crown of Swords | 1996 | 896 | Ebou Dar conquest, Bowl of Winds quest |
| 8 | The Path of Daggers | 1998 | 685 | Weather manipulation, Seanchan campaign |
| 9 | Winter's Heart | 2000 | 780 | Far Madding, cleansing saidin |
| 10 | Crossroads of Twilight | 2003 | 822 | Reactions to cleansing, Perrin's hostage crisis |
| 11 | Knife of Dreams | 2005 | 837 | Mat escapes Seanchan, Egwene captured |
| 12 | The Gathering Storm | 2009 | 783 | Egwene reforms Tower, Rand's descent |
| 13 | Towers of Midnight | 2010 | 864 | Perrin's trial, Mat rescues Moiraine |
| 14 | A Memory of Light | 2013 | 909 | Last Battle, Tarmon Gai'don conclusion |
Personal note about the page counts: These are Tor paperback editions. UK editions often run shorter but use smaller type. My first-edition hardcover of Lord of Chaos clocks in at 1,011 pages - it nearly sprained my wrist reading in bed!
Notice the gap between books 11 and 12? That's when Robert Jordan passed away in 2007, and Brandon Sanderson took over using Jordan's extensive notes. The writing style shifts noticeably - Sanderson's pacing is faster but loses some of Jordan's rich description. Some fans grumble about this transition; personally I think Sanderson nailed the impossible task.
The Prequel Dilemma: When to Read New Spring
Here's where new readers get tripped up. The prequel novel New Spring came out in 2004 (between books 10 and 11), but it's set 20 years before the main series. Many wonder if they should start with it. My advice? Hold off until later.
| Reading Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Before book 1 | Chronological timeline | Spoils Moiraine/Lan backstory reveals |
| After book 5 | Enhances White Tower context | Disrupts main plot momentum |
| After book 10 | Original publication order | During the "slog" (more on that soon) |
| After series | Acts as dessert after main course | Delays context about Moiraine's mission |
I recommend reading New Spring either between books 7-8 or after finishing the series. The backstory means more once you understand Moiraine's obsession with finding the Dragon Reborn. Jordan wrote this as a palate cleanser during the slower middle books - which brings us to...
The Infamous "Slog" (Books 7-10)
Let's be real - not every volume is golden. Books 8-10 especially test readers' patience. Jordan expanded side plots until some threads moved at glacial speed. Perrin's storyline in books 9-10? Felt like wading through waist-deep mud during my first read.
Typical complaints about these middle books:
- Endless Aes Sedai politicking (some call it the "soap opera phase")
- Minor character bloat with diminishing returns
- Plotlines resolving slower than a Whitecloak trial
- Repetitive character quirks (yes, we know Nynaeve tugs her braid)
Confession time: I quit twice during Crossroads of Twilight. Only returned when a friend promised book 11 delivers payoff. He was right - Knife of Dreams reignites the momentum. If you stall out here, skip ahead one book then circle back. Sacrilege to purists, but better than abandoning the series.
Why include this reality check? Because nobody warns you about the pacing issues. If you know it's coming, you'll push through to the Sanderson trilogy (books 12-14) where the pace accelerates like Mat fleeing a dice game gone wrong.
Companion Books & Resources
Beyond the main sequence, these supplements exist. I own all three and consult The World of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time constantly during rereads:
| Title | Type | Best Used | Essential? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Spring (2004) | Prequel novel | After book 7 or 10 | Highly recommended |
| The World of RJ's WoT (1997) | Encyclopedia | After book 7 | Nice-to-have |
| The Wheel of Time Companion (2015) | Character guide | After series | Spoiler risk |
| River of Souls (2013) | Deleted scenes | After book 14 | For completists |
Seriously avoid the Companion until you finish. I made the mistake of checking a minor character entry and got hit with an endgame spoiler. Jordan's world has more factions than a medieval parliament - you'll want reference materials eventually.
The Brandon Sanderson Trilogy Transition
When Jordan passed, his widow Harriet selected Brandon Sanderson to complete the series using extensive notes and recordings. The final three books (12-14) were originally planned as one mega-volume titled A Memory of Light, but were split due to length.
What changes when Sanderson takes over?
- Pacing accelerates dramatically (book 12 covers more ground than books 8-10 combined)
- Action scenes become more cinematic (Sanderson's strength)
- Some character voices shift (Mat feels different initially)
- Resolution of countless plot threads
First time reading The Gathering Storm, I missed Jordan's lush descriptions. But Sanderson's handling of Rand's breakdown? Masterful. The Last Battle chapter in A Memory of Light is 189 pages alone - longer than some novellas! Totally worth the journey.
Die-hard Jordan fans debate the transition endlessly. My take? Sanderson delivered the impossible: a satisfying conclusion honoring Jordan's vision while providing closure for dozens of characters.
TV Series vs Books Order Concerns
With Amazon's adaptation gaining popularity, many enter the books through the show. Beware - the series remixes events significantly. Season 1 combines elements from books 1-2 while altering characters (Perrin's wife? Not in the novels!).
Major divergences to know:
- Show condenses timelines dramatically
- Some character arcs differ (Mat's parents)
- Book 1 prologue appears in season 2
- Moiraine's stilled/gentled? No book equivalent
Does watching spoil the books? Partially. Core revelations (Dragon identity, Forsaken) come earlier. But Jordan's depth makes rereads rewarding regardless. My cousin watched first then read the wheel of time books in order - said he appreciated both versions more.
The TV series pulls from all 14 books simultaneously. Don't assume season 2 equals book 2! You'll miss critical context if you try syncing them.
Complete Wheel of Time Reading Order Flowchart
Still confused? This optimal path balances chronology and spoiler avoidance based on 30 years of reader experiences:
| Phase | Books | Estimated Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 1-3 | 2-3 weeks | Establish main characters |
| Expansion | 4-6 | 3-4 weeks | World opens up significantly |
| The Slog | 7-10 | 4-6 weeks | Push through or skip book 10* |
| Recovery | 11 + New Spring | 2 weeks | Prequel acts as breather |
| Finale | 12-14 | 3 weeks | Clear your schedule! |
*Controversial advice: If you stall at book 10 (Crossroads), jump to Knife of Dreams (11). Return after finishing book 14. Better than quitting entirely.
Total word count across all books? Approximately 4.4 million - longer than War and Peace ten times over. Audiobooks run 19 days continuous playback. This isn't casual reading; it's a lifestyle commitment.
Wheel of Time Order FAQs
What's the best wheel of time reading order for first-timers?
Pure publication order: Book 1 through 14, inserting New Spring between 10-11 or after 14. Chronological orders create spoilers.
Should I read New Spring first?
No. It assumes you know core concepts like the One Power and Aes Sedai. Reading first is like watching Star Wars starting with Episode I.
How many books are in the main wheel of time series?
14 core novels plus the prequel. Companion books are optional extras.
Why does the writing style change after book 11?
Robert Jordan died in 2007. Brandon Sanderson completed the final three books using Jordan's outlines.
Are the middle books really that slow?
Books 8-10 drag noticeably. Jordan expanded minor plots while delaying major resolutions. Sanderson's books 12-14 compensate with breakneck pacing.
Can I watch the TV show instead of reading?
The show adapts elements but remixes plots dramatically. Core themes remain, but character arcs differ significantly. Better to treat them as separate entities.
What's the best edition to buy?
Recent trade paperbacks have matching spines. Original hardcovers have superior maps. Avoid mass markets unless you like microscopic text.
Is there an ideal reading pace?
Allow 9-12 months for the full series. Rushing loses nuance; dragging prolongs the slog. I averaged one book per month during my first read.
Should I take notes?
Only if you enjoy note-taking. With 2,782 named characters, nobody remembers everyone. I started bookmarking Aes Sedai ajahs around book 4.
Final Thoughts Before You Begin
Attempting the full the wheel of time books in order feels like preparing for Mount Everest. You'll face fatigue, confusing prophecies, and moments questioning Jordan's obsession with dress descriptions. But reaching Shayol Ghul makes every braid-tugging session worth it.
Practical tips from a survivor:
- Use online chapter summaries if stuck (Tor.com's re-read is gold)
- Join r/WoT on Reddit but BEWARE SPOILERS
- Skim descriptions if overwhelmed (Jordan loved detailing tapestries)
- Embrace audiobooks during commute/slow sections
- Remember even bad fantasy books end eventually
My journey took 11 months. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Already did during lockdown. Will you regret it? Only if you hate rich worldbuilding. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to check if my second edition of The Eye of the World has recovered from that coffee spill...
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