A Guide to The Wheel of Time Series
Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time is one of the most ambitious and sprawling epics in the history of fantasy literature. Its story is governed by a single, powerful concept: the Wheel of Time, which turns through seven Ages, weaving the Pattern of existence as it does. The lives of all people are threads in this Great Pattern, and the story we read is but one turning of the Wheel.
The saga is set thousands of years after the "Breaking of the World," a cataclysm caused when the last male channeler of the One Power, Lews Therin Telamon, known as the Dragon, sealed the Dark One away but tainted the male half of the Power, *saidin*, in the process. This drove all male channelers insane, reshaping the face of the world.
Now, prophecies foretell that the Dark One is stirring in his prison and that the Dragon will be Reborn into the world to fight him once more. But this time, the world fears his coming as much as it fears the Shadow, for the Dragon Reborn is destined to save the world and break it again. This guide chronicles the complete 15-book journey, from its prequel origins to the final, climactic battle.
The Complete Wheel of Time Chronology
The books are presented in their in-universe chronological order, beginning with the prequel novel.
New SpringRobert Jordan (2004)
Timeline: 20 years before Book 1. This prequel novel focuses on the final days of the Aiel War. We follow two younger, untested versions of key characters: Moiraine Damodred, an Accepted of the White Tower, and Lan Mandragoran, the uncrowned king of a fallen nation. After witnessing a prophecy of the Dragon's rebirth on the slopes of Dragonmount, Moiraine and her new Warder, Lan, abandon their old lives and begin a secret, desperate, two-decade search to find the infant Dragon Reborn before the forces of the Shadow can.
1. The Eye of the WorldRobert Jordan (1990)
The saga begins in the sleepy, isolated region of the Two Rivers. An attack by Trollocs, monstrous foot soldiers of the Dark One, shatters the peaceful lives of three young men: the shepherd Rand al'Thor, the gambler Mat Cauthon, and the blacksmith Perrin Aybara. They are forced to flee with Moiraine Damodred, who reveals that one of them is the Dragon Reborn. Their flight takes them across the continent, introducing the core elements of the world: the One Power, the female channelers known as Aes Sedai, their Warders, the monstrous Myrddraal, and the ever-present threat of the Forsaken, the Dark One's most powerful lieutenants sealed away since the Breaking.
2. The Great HuntRobert Jordan (1990)
The legendary Horn of Valere, which can summon the dead heroes of the past to fight in the Last Battle, is stolen. Rand, Perrin, and Mat are part of the party that gives chase. The hunt leads them to a confrontation with the Seanchan, a technologically advanced and ruthless empire from across the sea that uses female channelers as weapons. This novel solidifies Rand's identity as the Dragon Reborn, as he is forced to publicly embrace his destiny and the One Power to save his friends, all while fighting the encroaching taint on *saidin* that threatens his sanity.
3. The Dragon RebornRobert Jordan (1991)
Haunted by his destiny, Rand al'Thor sets out alone to the stone fortress known as the Tear to claim the legendary sword *Callandor*, proof of his identity as the Dragon. The narrative cleverly shifts focus, following his friends Perrin, Mat, and the young women from his village, Egwene al'Vere and Nynaeve al'Meara, as they hunt for both Rand and the agents of the Shadow. The story introduces the Aiel, the fierce desert warriors whose prophecies are inextricably linked to the Dragon Reborn, and culminates in a climactic battle within the Heart of the Stone.
4. The Shadow RisingRobert Jordan (1992)
Often considered a fan favorite, this novel massively expands the scope of the world and its history. Rand travels with the Aiel into their sacred home, the Three-fold Land, where he enters a *ter'angreal* that allows him to live the lives of his ancestors. Through this, he uncovers the secret history of the Aiel and their pacifist origins, a revelation that shatters their culture. Meanwhile, Perrin defends the Two Rivers from invasion, and Nynaeve and Elayne hunt the Black Ajah, secret Darkfriends within the White Tower, leading them to a confrontation with one of the Forsaken.
5. The Fires of HeavenRobert Jordan (1993)
As Rand consolidates his power among the Aiel and begins his campaign to unite the nations of the world against the Shadow, the Forsaken begin to move against him openly. The story follows Rand as he is hunted by the assassin-like Gray Men and the powerful Forsaken Rahvin. Nynaeve and Elayne's journey takes them to the city of Salidar, where they discover the Aes Sedai who have fled a coup in the White Tower. This novel features one of the most significant moments in the series: Moiraine's apparent sacrifice to save Rand from the Forsaken Lanfear, leaving him without his primary guide and mentor.
6. Lord of ChaosRobert Jordan (1994)
Rand's efforts to unite the world are met with resistance from stubborn rulers and the scheming of the Forsaken. The schism in the White Tower deepens as the rebel Aes Sedai in Salidar raise Egwene al'Vere to be their Amyrlin Seat, a leader in opposition to the usurper in the Tower. The book is a deep dive into the political maneuvering of the world, culminating in one of the most brutal and important events of the series: Rand is kidnapped and tortured by a faction of Tower Aes Sedai, an event that hardens him forever and leads to the climactic Battle of Dumai's Wells, a terrifying display of the One Power that solidifies his authority.
7. A Crown of SwordsRobert Jordan (1996)
Reeling from the events at Dumai's Wells, Rand pushes forward with his plan, using his new power to crush all opposition and secure his hold over several nations. He faces a direct confrontation with the Forsaken Sammael in the city of Shadar Logoth, a place consumed by an ancient, mindless evil that is hostile to both Light and Shadow. Meanwhile, Egwene leads her rebel army toward Tar Valon, and Mat Cauthon finds his fate intertwined with the Seanchan as he attempts to escape the city of Ebou Dar.
8. The Path of DaggersRobert Jordan (1998)
Rand leads his army against the Seanchan, a campaign that proves disastrous and teaches him a harsh lesson about the limits of his power and the cost of war. His use of *Callandor* proves volatile and uncontrollable. Perrin hunts the Shaido Aiel who have kidnapped his wife, Faile, a quest that forces him to confront the darker, wolf-like aspects of his nature. Egwene's siege of Tar Valon continues, employing brilliant political and military tactics to bring the White Tower to the brink of civil war.
9. Winter's HeartRobert Jordan (2000)
This novel culminates in a monumental event. With the help of Nynaeve and others, Rand travels to Shadar Logoth to attempt the impossible: to cleanse *saidin*, the male half of the One Power, of the Dark One's taint. Using the two most powerful *sa'angreal* ever created, they succeed in a breathtaking display of power that is felt by every channeler in the world. This act changes the future of the world forever, but it also alerts the forces of the Shadow to Rand's location, setting up the final stages of the war.
10. Crossroads of TwilightRobert Jordan (2003)
Often considered the slowest book in the series, this entry deals with the immediate aftermath of the cleansing of *saidin*. The narrative follows numerous characters across the continent as they react to this world-changing event. Perrin continues his desperate hunt for Faile. Mat continues his attempts to escape Ebou Dar with Tuon, the Daughter of the Nine Moons. Elayne works to solidify her claim to the throne of Andor. It is a book of reactions and consequences, setting all the pieces on the board for the final run of the series.
11. Knife of DreamsRobert Jordan (2005)
Robert Jordan's final novel. The pace accelerates dramatically as the world prepares for Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle. The various plotlines begin to converge at a rapid pace. Egwene is captured by the White Tower, but turns her captivity into a weapon, sowing dissent from within. Mat and Tuon's relationship deepens, leading to the fulfillment of a key prophecy. Rand, now harder and colder than ever, prepares for his final confrontation with the Dark One, but is struck by a terrible personal tragedy that sends him spiraling toward the abyss.
12. The Gathering StormRobert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson (2009)
Brandon Sanderson's first volume, written from Jordan's extensive notes, focuses on two main threads. The first is Egwene's masterful political campaign from within the White Tower, which culminates in her reuniting the fractured organization under her command. The second, and more central, is Rand's descent into darkness. Consumed by the memories of Lews Therin, the taint on the Power, and the immense weight of his destiny, he becomes a ruthless, emotionless tyrant. The book culminates in a powerful, soul-searching climax atop Dragonmount, where Rand finally achieves a moment of enlightenment, coming to terms with his identity and purpose.
13. Towers of MidnightRobert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson (2010)
Perrin Aybara's long and arduous character arc comes to a close as he finally confronts the conflicting demands of his leadership and the wolf within, forging his own identity as he prepares to fight in the Last Battle. Mat Cauthon travels to the Tower of Ghenjei, a mysterious other-dimensional realm, on a desperate mission to rescue Moiraine Damodred. Meanwhile, the forces of the world, both Light and Shadow, gather their strength for the final confrontation that is now just days away.
14. A Memory of LightRobert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson (2013)
The grand finale. This entire novel is devoted to Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle against the Dark One and his forces. The book is a massive, sprawling account of the final war, cutting between multiple battlefronts and dozens of characters, major and minor, as they make their last stand. Egwene leads the armies of the White Tower, Perrin protects Rand in the Wolf Dream, and Mat Cauthon uses his luck and tactical genius to command the forces of the Light. It all leads to the final, metaphysical confrontation between Rand al'Thor and the Dark One at the Bore, a battle not of swords, but of philosophy and the very nature of reality, bringing the epic saga to a powerful and satisfying close.
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