Last updated on 23 February 2025 at 08:38 pm
I’ve put together a top 7 of great reasons to read The Wheel of Time book series, though, of course, anyone familiar with the 14-book fantasy saga (plus a prequel) knows there are far more. The novels endure, fascinate, and stand the test of, ha-ha, time! So, if you’re thinking, “Should I read The Wheel of Time?” or even “Is The Wheel of Time worth reading?“ let me put your mind at rest…
7 Great Reasons to Read The Wheel of Time
1) The Wheel of Time is Complete
Firstly, fans of A Song of Ice and Fire and The Kingkiller Chronicle might be pleased to know these books are finished! And they end spectacularly well. Of course, I won’t spoil the ending, but you’ll eat it up like custard when you get there.
I want you to imagine raising a child from the squarks of infancy through their rebellious teens and experimental years at university. Imagine watching as their closest confidant in their battles as young adults, backing them with all your heart as they start their careers and raise their families.
Now imagine being there, having loved them through all their ups and downs, when they make their crowning achievement. When they become heroes of their generation. Well, that’s the sense of pride, joy, and relief you’ll get when you complete The Wheel of Time book series. At least, that’s how I felt.
2) Growing Up with Rand al’Thor
One of the pleasures of my mid-teens was devouring these books as they were published. For this reason, I really recommend starting The Wheel of Time at a young age. If you still can, of course!
Growing up with the characters can’t be replicated, but the length of each book and the size of this series allow young teenagers to enjoy a similar reading journey to mine. It was great following Rand al’Thor through innocence, troubles, and relationships at a time when I was also experiencing changes in myself and my world.
Rand wasn’t the most relatable character to me as a youth, but he is the pillar character that affects the lives of all, so he is a prime example. The Wheel of Time has a cast of thousands, male and female, so there is almost certainly someone who will capture the interest and imagination of a young person. However, I’m still re-reading these books as an adult, so older generations can enjoy the series from the start, too!
3) The Wheel of Time is not Medieval and Re-Invents High Fantasy
So much modern fantasy features knights and castles set in the 11th to 15th centuries, but The Wheel of Time doesn’t do that. The Ages that come and pass are Earth’s future and its past. The main plot is set in the 3rd Age and you can imagine the late 17th century in concept for this series (but without gunpowder).
While there are beasts and creatures in the many shapes of Shadowspawn, The Wheel of Time has humans at its heart. This subverts the typical high fantasy worlds of dwarves, orcs, and elves and makes the series accessible for all.
4) The Wheel of Time Characters
The characters in The Wheel of Time are thoroughly wholesome to read, even the minor ones, and Robert Jordan embeds these characters in our souls. We see the story from multiple viewpoints, creating exciting dynamics and interactions.
I love the main protagonists, but reading characters like Bayle Domon, Egeanin, Alviarin, and even Elaida (just a few examples) brings joy to my heart. I promise you’ll discover your own affections, and if you’re a cosplay fan, then The Wheel of Time has hundreds of options for you.
There is occasional exasperation from the reader when characters behave in a way that we know to be ill-advised (because the author gives us more intelligence). And, while relationship building is often flimsy in Robert Jordan’s writing, some of his characters match up, and we ship them (I won’t spoil which). Whatever your frustrations, the nuances of the people in this world, the foreshadowing, and the false narratives will persuade you to keep reading.
The people feel real, and you get to know all their quirks and fashion preferences throughout the adventure. Robert Jordan’s characterizations are so good that your favorite character in the beginning will change as their personalities grow throughout the series. This is particularly true if you’re growing up with the books.
5) Re-reading The Wheel of Time
The re-readability factor is a hallmark of The Wheel of Time book series. The books are layered with foreshadowing from the start, and many payoffs don’t occur until much later in the series. I’ve discovered something new every time I’ve re-read the books, and you will, too. It means we can ironically enjoy The Wheel of Time all over again, maybe with a new perspective or the simple pleasure of knowing what comes next.
I’m not the only person who has read the complete series multiple times, listened to it with the audiobooks, and gawped wondrously at the graphic novels. I can also watch The Wheel of Time TV series! There are companion books to explore, and many YouTube channels broadcast exclusive content on The Wheel of Time. You’ll find the Wheel is still turning, with a beautiful community of fans.
6) The Wheel of Time World and its Magic System
The Wheel of Time is a story of discovery, and Robert Jordan’s writing excels at worldbuilding. All the nations and cultures are nuanced, and all the places feel real.
Robert Jordan was inspired by historical events, myths, legends, and the people of our natural world. It all shines through on the page, and being there is brilliant. It also makes sense when you add in the context of landscapes, environments, and politics. There’s just a lot going on in this broad and expanding world. It’s marvelous forming images of places in your head, and you’ll have your own opinions on the ethics or motivations of those we read about.
The magic system fits into the world perfectly and is as complex as you want it to be. There is fear of having magic and fear of being without it. There are chains and reactions, consequences and constraints… some dire! So, no one can righteously argue that Robert Jordan didn’t nail it regarding the One Power.
7) Diversity in The Wheel of Time
Although our figurehead is a young white male, The Wheel of Time’s diversity puts it ahead of its time (the books were chiefly written in the 1990s and early to mid-2000s). We have female protagonists with plenty of power and agency, people of color, people of wealth and poverty, and people of prejudice.
There are religious zealots, tribal communities, and even a traveling circus. Farmers, tradespeople, merchants, soldiers, lords, and monarchs exist. A cast in the thousands that brings a diverse, wondrous feel to Robert Jordan’s world.
The Wheel of Time fandom is a broad church, too—the LGBTQ+ communities and most ethnicities and age groups are all vocal. There are no barriers to entry with Robert Jordan’s series. It can be enjoyed regardless of your background (it is undoubtedly represented) and your political or religious beliefs.
Is The Wheel of Time Worth Reading?
There are between 4,199,660 and 4,325,879 words in The Wheel of Time series (depending on whether you include the prequel and/or the additional prologue for The Eye of the World). Of course, I must trust the data at my disposal here (sourced mainly from A Wheel of Time Wiki), but that’s the ballpark we’re playing in. That’s a lot of reading!
It will take nearly 300 hours to complete The Wheel of Time, so I understand why people might ask whether reading the series is worth their time, but my answer is swift. We’re talking just shy of a fortnight to read The Wheel of Time without any sleep. It’s a vacation-length adventure that you’ll talk about for far longer than your stay. It’s a bucket list achievement and a feather in your cap.
The Wheel of Time is worth your earthly hours for all the above reasons. Like The Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time is an integral read for devotees of the fantasy genre, and I suggest you get started now!
Get Started on The Wheel of Time
It’s worth mentioning that The Wheel of Time is being adapted for television by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television. The first season aired in 2021, and Season 2 followed in 2023. It’s more than likely that the books will gain a new generation of readers as a result. So, now is a great time to get started.
You should begin with Book 1, The Eye of the World. Although there’s a prequel, it’s worth waiting until you’re a few books in before reading New Spring. For a spectacular introduction to the series, you can enjoy the graphic novels, which were reprinted in 2023, but I have posts covering all available formats:
I’ve written this post as much to invite your thoughts as I am to inspire new readers. What were your reasons for reading The Wheel of Time, and what would you say to anyone considering the series? Share your stories in the comments section below this post. I always respond.
Until next time, may the Light shine on you, my friends!
Russell
