Unlock the Secrets: Read The Wheel of Time Books in the Right Order!

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It’s time for The Wheel of Time to continue spinning in season 3 of the Prime Video show.

Over the last few seasons, there have been questions raised regarding the accuracy with which the television series, derived from Robert Jordan’s books, has translated the original stories from pages to the screen.

On this occasion, both Rosamund Pike, the leading actress and executive producer, as well as showrunner Rafe Judkins, have given fans confidence regarding Season 3.

According to Judkins, the series is the most faithful adaptation thus far, while Pike, portraying Moiraine, discussed an impending deviation from the books and explained why it was necessary.

Instead of Rand directly proceeding to retrieve Callandor from the Stone of Tear, there will likely be discussion about this matter. However, it’s more probable that his next step on his journey will involve venturing into the Aiel Waste first. This is because he needs to uncover his true identity before dealing with Callandor.

As a devoted cinephile, I can see how the inner struggles of Rand, as the Dragon Reborn, are abundant in the novels. However, it’s crucial that we don’t just let these battles remain internal; instead, we should actively portray them on screen to bring his journey to life in a compelling and relatable way.

Since objective analysis is necessary when it comes to filmmaking, he must embark on a journey to explore his identity by visiting his roots. Our first stop will be the Aiel Waste, and I trust you’ll comprehend and value our reasoning behind this decision.

Reading through Jordan’s epic fantasy series isn’t a light task; it consists of 15 detailed novels, hundreds of characters, and countless pages to turn over.

After Jordan’s passing in 2007, the last three volumes of his epic fantasy series were written jointly following the extensive notes he had left behind. Brandon Sanderson, another celebrated fantasy author, utilized these copious notes to continue and complete the unfinished story.

Delve into this article for comprehensive insights about the captivating fantasy novel series by Jordan, titled “The Wheel of Time.

The Wheel of Time books in order of publication

While not everyone agrees that the prequel “New Spring” should be read first, here’s the sequence in which the Wheel of Time books were published. Be advised, there may be spoilers from both the books and the upcoming TV series ahead.

1. The Eye of The World (1990)

In the initial book of the sequence, titled “The Eye of The World,” we follow a character named Moiraine Damodred, who is a mystifying traveler, as she embarks on a journey to discover the Dragon Reborn – an individual prophesied to bring both salvation and destruction to the world.

As hints surface, Moiraine gradually whittles her suspects for The Dragon Reborn’s true identity from a broad pool to just three youths: Rand al’Thor, Perrin Aybara, and Mat Cauthon.

At the end of the first book, Rand is revealed as the Dragon Reborn.

2. The Great Hunt (1990)

The Great Hunt narrative centers around Rand al’Thor, Perrin Aybara, and Mat Cauthon as they embark on a mission to safeguard the Horn of Valere from hostile forces. To accomplish this, Rand is compelled to embrace his fate as the Dragon Reborn and utilize his extraordinary abilities.

3. The Dragon Reborn (1991)

In a new challenge, The Dragon Reborn is assigned another significant mission: to recover the legendary crystal sword named Calendor from the fearsome stronghold called the Stone of Tear.

4. The Shadow Rising (1992)

After acquiring the sword Callandor, Rand embarks on a trip towards the enigmatic Aiel Waste, a vast desert inhabited by a warrior tribe. His aim is to assume leadership among them. Yet, to achieve this goal, he must learn and master the art of harnessing the One Power.

5. The Fires of Heaven (1993)

Concerned that certain Aiel warriors might rebel, Rand gathers his Aiel supporters and guides them towards Cairhien, aiming to assert authority over the city. An ensuing conflict with a pretender to the queen’s throne propels Rand into a realm of dreams, where he embarks on a mission to vanquish a wicked ruler.

6. Lord of Chaos (1994)

Rand chooses to educate a fresh group of individuals capable of harnessing the One Power, with the aim that they may counteract the danger instigated by the Dark One. Simultaneously, an unforeseen figure arrives in Cairhien and abducts Rand. Though his companions offer stalwart resistance, they ultimately are compelled to pledge allegiance to the Dragon Reborn.

7. A Crown of Swords (1996)

In “A Crown of Swords,” the narrative revolves around Rand’s quest to find another powerful artifact, the Bowl of the Winds, capable of counteracting the Dark One’s weather-altering abilities. Concurrently, a band of female channelers known as Aes Sedai unite during this period.

8. The Path of Daggers (1998)

After discovering the Bowl of the Winds, the Aes Sedai successfully undo the destruction wrought by the Dark One. Meanwhile, Rand engages in battles against incoming enemy troops elsewhere.

9. Winter’s Heart (2000)

In this novel, Winter’s Heart focuses on the journey of characters close to the Dragon Reborn as they embrace their destinies. Perrin pursues the abductor of his wife, while Mat encounters the woman he is fated to wed. Simultaneously, Rand achieves a significant milestone by purging saidin (the male aspect of the One Power) of the Dark One’s influence.

10. Crossroads of Twilight (2003)

At the Crossroads of Twilight, Mat, Perrin, and Rand each move closer to embracing their respective destinies. Meanwhile, Rand becomes a father to twins in private.

11. New Spring (2004)

If you’d like to delve into Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” series, consider starting with “New Spring.” This tale is set 20 years prior to the storyline in “The Eye of the World,” so you can either jump right in or follow the sequence of publication order.

12. Knife of Dreams (2005)

In Knife of Dreams, Rand and the Daughter of the Nine Moons reach an agreement, but their peace is shattered when Lews Therin, Rand’s alternate personality, seizes control of saidin. This violent struggle results in Rand losing his left hand.

13. The Gathering Storm (2009)

In “The Gathering Storm,” Rand embarks on his preparations for the epic confrontation between the powers of good (Light) and evil (Shadow), referred to as the Final Conflict or Last Battle.

14. Towers of Midnight (2010)

Ahead of the Last Battle, Rand’s plans are derailed when the world unravels…

15. A Memory of Light (2013)

Ultimately, the confrontation commences between Light and Darkness. Rand stands at a critical juncture where he must master every facet of the One Power in order to vanquish the Dark One. Will he prevail in this endeavor?

The Wheel of Time books in chronological order

Given that a prequel novel to the series exists, the order of the books is slightly altered.

  1. New Spring
  2. The Eye of the World
  3. The Great Hunt
  4. The Dragon Reborn
  5. The Shadow Rising
  6. The Fires of Heaven
  7. Lord of Chaos
  8. A Crown of Swords
  9. The Path of Daggers
  10. Winter’s Heart
  11. Crossroads of Twilight
  12. Knife of Dreams
  13. The Gathering Storm
  14. Towers of Midnight
  15. A Memory of Light

If you’re curious about following the series chronologically based on its fictional timeline, here’s how you should go about it.

Is Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time different to the books?

Absolutely, The Wheel of Time series adapts quite a bit from its original sources, yet showrunner Rafe Judkins emphasizes that he strives to remain faithful to Robert Jordan’s original work.

The key moments involving certain characters and narratives that we believe will provide the most impact during the initial three seasons should be introduced here, as we won’t have a viable opportunity to establish them effectively at a later stage due to our adaptation plan. If we’re fortunate enough to reach season three, these elements will pay off significantly. Therefore, it’s crucial for us to address them in the first season itself.

We’re aware that many viewers will be book readers, possibly a significant number, so we’re cautious with the changes we make. We never alter things solely for shock value towards book readers. Some shows might do that to keep their audience guessing, but our adjustments are primarily focused on how best to translate this book series into television.

While this statement acknowledges that there are elements in the show that may surprise book readers, it also hints at both excitement and potential anger among them. If I were a fan of the books myself, I’d feel the very same way while watching the series unfold.

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2025-03-10 18:35