Wheel of Time Reading Order: Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, and the Prequel

The Wheel of Time is one of the longest and most ambitious fantasy series ever written — 14 novels across 4.4 million words. Robert Jordan began it in 1990 and passed away in 2007 before completing it. Brandon Sanderson finished the final three books from Jordan’s notes.

Here’s everything you need to know before you begin.

The Reading Order

Start with the prequel or Book 1? — This is debated. The prequel, New Spring, tells a story set 20 years before the main series and introduces key characters. Most readers recommend reading it after the main series, or at least after Book 1, when the characters it features already mean something to you.

The recommended first-time order:

1. The Eye of the World — start here, no question

2. The Great Hunt

3. The Dragon Reborn

4. The Shadow Rising
5. The Fires of Heaven
6. Lord of Chaos
7. A Crown of Swords
8. The Path of Daggers
9. Winter’s Heart
10. Crossroads of Twilight
11. Knife of Dreams ← Jordan’s final solo novel
12. The Gathering Storm ← Sanderson #1
13. Towers of Midnight ← Sanderson #2
14. A Memory of Light ← Sanderson #3, the conclusion
15. New Spring (prequel) — best saved for after

The complete Wheel of Time reading order lists all books with publication dates.

The Middle Books Problem

Books 8–10 are widely considered the slowest stretch of the series. Experienced Wheel of Time readers will warn you about them. Persist. Knife of Dreams (Book 11) is an extraordinary return to form, and the Sanderson finale is widely considered excellent.

A specific note on Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10): it covers the same period in time as Book 9, from different perspectives. Almost nothing happens in the conventional sense. This is the point where most readers consider giving up. Don’t.

Robert Jordan vs Brandon Sanderson

The transition from Jordan to Sanderson at Book 12 is noticeable. Sanderson’s prose is faster and more direct; Jordan’s was more immersive and digressive. Some readers prefer Sanderson’s finish; others find it a different flavour.

Both authors were working toward the same ending — Sanderson used Jordan’s notes, outlines, and completed scenes. The conclusion is Jordan’s. The execution from Book 12 onwards is Sanderson’s. Most fans consider it a worthy finale.

The Amazon Prime Series

The Wheel of Time series on Amazon Prime (2021–) compresses and rearranges the early books significantly. The casting is largely praised; the structural changes to the story are more divisive.

If you’ve watched the show, you already know the basic world and characters — but the books are substantially deeper, particularly in their political complexity and the depth of the women’s storylines (which the show simplifies considerably).

How Long Will This Take?

At average reading speed, the 14 main novels represent approximately 400 hours of reading. Most dedicated readers complete the series over 1–3 years. It’s worth it.

Where to Start

Pick up The Eye of the World and commit to the first 200 pages. If the Tolkienesque village-and-countryside opening feels familiar, that’s intentional — Jordan is establishing a fantasy baseline before pulling the rug out. By the end of Book 1, you’ll know whether this is the series for you.