Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter
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Series · fantasy
The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan has 16 books and is best read in publication order, starting with The Eye of the World (1990).
- Books
- 15 novels + 1 novella
- First published
- 1990
- Status
- completed
- Last checked
Start here: The Eye of the World (1990) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The order the books were released — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
The Eye of the World
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Eye of the World - Book 2:
The Great Hunt
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Great Hunt - Book 3:
The Dragon Reborn
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Dragon Reborn - Book 4:
The Shadow Rising
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Shadow Rising - Book 5:
The Fires of Heaven
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Fires of Heaven - Book 6:
Lord of Chaos
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Lord of Chaos - Book 7:
A Crown of Swords
Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Crown of Swords - Book 8:
The Path of Daggers
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Path of Daggers - Book 9:
Winter's Heart
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Winter's Heart - Book 10:
Crossroads of Twilight
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Crossroads of Twilight - Book 11:
New Spring
Alternative text for cover: Cover of New Spring - Book 12:
Knife of Dreams
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Knife of Dreams - Book 13:
The Gathering Storm
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Gathering Storm - Book 14:
Towers of Midnight
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Towers of Midnight - Book 15:
A Memory of Light
Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Memory of Light - Book 16:
River of Souls
Alternative text for cover: Cover of River of Souls
The order the story's events happen in, novellas slotted where they belong.
- Book 1:
New Spring
Alternative text for cover: Cover of New Spring - Book 2:
The Eye of the World
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Eye of the World - Book 3:
The Great Hunt
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Great Hunt - Book 4:
The Dragon Reborn
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Dragon Reborn - Book 5:
The Shadow Rising
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Shadow Rising - Book 6:
The Fires of Heaven
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Fires of Heaven - Book 7:
Lord of Chaos
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Lord of Chaos - Book 8:
A Crown of Swords
Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Crown of Swords - Book 9:
The Path of Daggers
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Path of Daggers - Book 10:
Winter's Heart
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Winter's Heart - Book 11:
Crossroads of Twilight
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Crossroads of Twilight - Book 12:
Knife of Dreams
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Knife of Dreams - Book 13:
The Gathering Storm
Alternative text for cover: Cover of The Gathering Storm - Book 14:
Towers of Midnight
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Towers of Midnight - Book 15:
A Memory of Light
Alternative text for cover: Cover of A Memory of Light - Book 16:
River of Souls
Alternative text for cover: Cover of River of Souls
About The Wheel of Time
In the Third Age, the Wheel of Time turns and ages come and pass, but the Dragon is bound to be reborn to save the world — or break it. Robert Jordan's fourteen-volume epic follows Rand al'Thor, a sheepherder from the Two Rivers, as his quiet life is shattered by Trollocs, Aes Sedai, and the growing, terrifying suspicion that he is the prophesied Dragon Reborn, doomed to fight the Dark One at the Last Battle even if it means going mad and destroying everyone he loves. Around him, his childhood friends Mat Cauthon and Perrin Aybara are pulled into their own destinies, and the story steadily widens into one of the most fully realized secondary worlds in fantasy: a magic system built on the male and female halves of the One Power, a deep and consistent history stretching back thousands of years, and a cast that eventually numbers in the hundreds.
This is the series that codified the modern doorstopper epic fantasy that came after it — readers who love intricate political maneuvering, slow-burn found-family relationships, prophecy that pays off literally instead of vaguely, and a magic system with real rules will find their patience rewarded many times over. It is also famous for its sprawl: subplots multiply for volumes at a time before converging, and the middle books test the reader's commitment before the back half accelerates hard toward the ending. Jordan died in 2007 with the series unfinished; Brandon Sanderson completed the final three books from Jordan's notes, closing out the story he began in 1990.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in The Wheel of Time?
There are 14 numbered novels in the main sequence, plus the prequel novel New Spring and the short story "River of Souls," for 16 pieces of fiction in total.
What order should I read The Wheel of Time in?
Publication order, starting with The Eye of the World. Save the prequel New Spring for later — it reads better once you already know the characters it's about, and reading it first spoils reveals from the main books.
Did Robert Jordan finish The Wheel of Time before he died?
No. Jordan died in 2007 partway through writing what became the final volume. Brandon Sanderson completed the series from Jordan's extensive notes and dictated outlines, splitting the planned final book into three: The Gathering Storm, Towers of Midnight, and A Memory of Light.
Is The Wheel of Time finished?
Yes. The main story concluded with A Memory of Light in 2013. There is no announced new novel in the works.
Do I need to read New Spring before The Eye of the World?
No. New Spring is a prequel about Moiraine and Lan's backstory, but it was written and published after ten of the main books and is best read as a supplement once you're already invested in those characters.
If you like The Wheel of Time
Reading order last verified .