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The Wheel of Time #1-14
The Wheel of Time Series 1-15 Books Collection Set Pack (Book 1-14) By Robert Jordan
Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
About the author
Robert Jordan
666 books17.6k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting.
He described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and received communion more than once a week. He lived with his wife Harriet McDougal, who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books; she was also Jordan's editor) in a house built in 1797.
Responding to queries on the similarity of some of the concepts in his Wheel of Time books with Freemasonry concepts, Jordan admitted that he was a Freemason. However, "like his father and grandfather," he preferred not to advertise, possibly because of the negative propaganda against Freemasonry. In his own words, "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."
On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement that he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, and that with treatment, his median life expectancy was four years, though he said he intended to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intended to have a long and fully creative life.
He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early April 2006. Jordan was enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis.
Jordan died at approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT on September 16, 2007, and a funeral service was held for him on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston.
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting.
He described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and received communion more than once a week. He lived with his wife Harriet McDougal, who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books; she was also Jordan's editor) in a house built in 1797.
Responding to queries on the similarity of some of the concepts in his Wheel of Time books with Freemasonry concepts, Jordan admitted that he was a Freemason. However, "like his father and grandfather," he preferred not to advertise, possibly because of the negative propaganda against Freemasonry. In his own words, "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."
On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement that he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, and that with treatment, his median life expectancy was four years, though he said he intended to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intended to have a long and fully creative life.
He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early April 2006. Jordan was enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis.
Jordan died at approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT on September 16, 2007, and a funeral service was held for him on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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December 14, 202029h57m
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January 3, 2021
I originally started reading this series back in the 1990's, but stopped once I had exhausted the available published books. Over the summer, I opted to return to reread the books. It actually managed to be one of the few satisfying endings to a fantasy novel serial I've found. The story is not perfect...it meanders through a sprawling world through a large array of characters, sometimes to the deteriment of pacing. But there is no sense that the world is not one fully realized, and I found myself invested in the characters, as annoyingly human as they always were. I doubt the forthcoming Amazon series will do it justice, but one may hope!
March 26, 2021
Love this series. I had been searching for a book series I could lose myself in for a while and one google search led me to these books. I did find most of the female characters to be a bit annoying and uninteresting ( I didn’t know so many women suffered from bad tempers) but since these books were written by a man, I suppose that is to be expected. Despite that fact, it was still nice to have so many powerful women in the book. All in all, an enjoyable read. I am sad to be finished with them.
June 8, 2026
How do you review an epic of this magnitude??
Over 12 Thousand Pages in 15 books
(487 hours if you read the audio book)
...and it is worth every minute. (well OK, there are moments where it drags a bit, but YOU write 10 thousand pages at a sustained pace and you might start burning out readers.
I'll say this about the audio book: Rosamond Pike is my very narrator on earth (in Wheel of Time, I do not know what happened in Sense and Sensibility. I will read a book where the story is not gripping when the narrator is magnificent but I could read that one)
So read every book she narrates. And then switch to paper/e-reader
(4 books, 128 Hours)
The duo who narrate books 5-14 and the prequal. One of them is good, and the other, well I don't love the voice, and don't love how consistently they mispronounce realm terms which are organized in the most detailed glossary.
The only bad thing I'll say about it is his tone is a bit shrill in the first 1000-2000 pages. Like he has his amp turned all the way to 11 and then just has nowhere to go from there. But he settles into his flow and is consistently inventive, entertaining, and once he settles the characters develop a depth and range, not to mention you get to see their arc swoop and twist and dive as the wheel turns...
As a fan of Tolkien, I never thought another epic would get my attention with out languages and histories and back story for eons. Turns out all of that stuff can be very entertaining and if anything evoke your imagination better when hinted at then when laid out in lurid detail. Not that I would put Jordan above Tolkien. He created his own thing in a genre where it is hard to do anything that does not feel like a lessor echo of Lord of the Rings, or the Silmarillion in Color.
Brandon Sanderson had me worried. I was not familiar with his writing when Robert Jordan died, and I could not imagine anyone stepping in and finishing the final books. Sanderson did it remarkably well without fully copying Jordan's voice, his telling of the story honors what Jordan began in a way that is remarkably seamless!
The story? Its good. Sometimes really gripping for 2 or 300 pages, and then you get a bit of a lull to catch your breath and lick your wounds.
The ending: There is no way to end a series after 12 THOUSAND pages. The ending could have been its own book. And if there are fan fiction writers out there skilled enough to pull that off, I'll be cheering for you!
Over 12 Thousand Pages in 15 books
(487 hours if you read the audio book)
...and it is worth every minute. (well OK, there are moments where it drags a bit, but YOU write 10 thousand pages at a sustained pace and you might start burning out readers.
I'll say this about the audio book: Rosamond Pike is my very narrator on earth (in Wheel of Time, I do not know what happened in Sense and Sensibility. I will read a book where the story is not gripping when the narrator is magnificent but I could read that one)
So read every book she narrates. And then switch to paper/e-reader
(4 books, 128 Hours)
The duo who narrate books 5-14 and the prequal. One of them is good, and the other, well I don't love the voice, and don't love how consistently they mispronounce realm terms which are organized in the most detailed glossary.
The only bad thing I'll say about it is his tone is a bit shrill in the first 1000-2000 pages. Like he has his amp turned all the way to 11 and then just has nowhere to go from there. But he settles into his flow and is consistently inventive, entertaining, and once he settles the characters develop a depth and range, not to mention you get to see their arc swoop and twist and dive as the wheel turns...
As a fan of Tolkien, I never thought another epic would get my attention with out languages and histories and back story for eons. Turns out all of that stuff can be very entertaining and if anything evoke your imagination better when hinted at then when laid out in lurid detail. Not that I would put Jordan above Tolkien. He created his own thing in a genre where it is hard to do anything that does not feel like a lessor echo of Lord of the Rings, or the Silmarillion in Color.
Brandon Sanderson had me worried. I was not familiar with his writing when Robert Jordan died, and I could not imagine anyone stepping in and finishing the final books. Sanderson did it remarkably well without fully copying Jordan's voice, his telling of the story honors what Jordan began in a way that is remarkably seamless!
The story? Its good. Sometimes really gripping for 2 or 300 pages, and then you get a bit of a lull to catch your breath and lick your wounds.
The ending: There is no way to end a series after 12 THOUSAND pages. The ending could have been its own book. And if there are fan fiction writers out there skilled enough to pull that off, I'll be cheering for you!
April 11, 2024
It is rare I found a book or a book series so good that I would listen once—let alone 3 times and will return yet again. Robert Jordan is a master of the science fiction genre and influenced many science fiction writers of today. His originality is astounding.
The book series deals with the themes of reincarnation, parallel universes, the One True Power, a distant Creator, and a Savior reincarnating to save the world(s.). Plus the series is rich with clues that lead to the final battle. Every. thing. is. a. clue. JK Rowing fans will discover her use of clues is trivial compared to what Jordan created. The Harry Potter theme is similar, but WOT deals with adults.
There are many characters, all of whom are also flawed and human. The Tar Volen Aes Sedai are educated women who can safely wield the One Power and seek to control world politics and rid the world of men who can use the power, but go mad and die reclaim to be prophets. An Aes Sedai cannot lie due to their oaths, but the truth you hear may not be the real truth. An unwilling young man discovers he is the Dragon Reborn and has to come to terms with his destiny. The books begin with him and 2 male friends being critical to the last battle and 3 female friends who become Tar Volen witches. The series is set in what the reader learns is a post apocalyptic world similar to the 1800s after a very advanced Age of Legends where many advancements occurred.
Robert Jordan had created a world where many love to visit and reread. I highly recommend this lengthy, but fascinating series of 14 books.
The book series deals with the themes of reincarnation, parallel universes, the One True Power, a distant Creator, and a Savior reincarnating to save the world(s.). Plus the series is rich with clues that lead to the final battle. Every. thing. is. a. clue. JK Rowing fans will discover her use of clues is trivial compared to what Jordan created. The Harry Potter theme is similar, but WOT deals with adults.
There are many characters, all of whom are also flawed and human. The Tar Volen Aes Sedai are educated women who can safely wield the One Power and seek to control world politics and rid the world of men who can use the power, but go mad and die reclaim to be prophets. An Aes Sedai cannot lie due to their oaths, but the truth you hear may not be the real truth. An unwilling young man discovers he is the Dragon Reborn and has to come to terms with his destiny. The books begin with him and 2 male friends being critical to the last battle and 3 female friends who become Tar Volen witches. The series is set in what the reader learns is a post apocalyptic world similar to the 1800s after a very advanced Age of Legends where many advancements occurred.
Robert Jordan had created a world where many love to visit and reread. I highly recommend this lengthy, but fascinating series of 14 books.
October 2, 2023
It is done. 12,000 pages, over four hundred hours, and countless cups of tea later the journey has ended and good has once again prevailed.
The Wheel of Time is you typical fantasy series of fated heroes, magic wielders, dark creatures, and world-altering events. While it’s not one of my favourite series I’ve ever read, it was solidly good. All of the characters were incredibly well-developed with full and detailed arcs, there great action scenes, the world itself was fully explored and travelled throughout the story, and my most hated character I came to love and sympathize with at the end, which doesn’t often happen.
As for the things I took issue with, the pacing is the most glaring issue. A lot of the books had a lot of nothing going on in the middle. It felt like it took five hundred pages to set up for maybe fifty pages of action. You could probably have removed half the books and been able to tell the same story more succinctly.
Nevertheless, I had a good time following the struggles and triumphs of Rand, Perrin, Mat, Egwene, Nynaeve from their humble origins in the two rivers to their glorious final moments defending the world against impossible evil and untold darkness. May they always find water and shade as the wheel turns.
The Wheel of Time is you typical fantasy series of fated heroes, magic wielders, dark creatures, and world-altering events. While it’s not one of my favourite series I’ve ever read, it was solidly good. All of the characters were incredibly well-developed with full and detailed arcs, there great action scenes, the world itself was fully explored and travelled throughout the story, and my most hated character I came to love and sympathize with at the end, which doesn’t often happen.
As for the things I took issue with, the pacing is the most glaring issue. A lot of the books had a lot of nothing going on in the middle. It felt like it took five hundred pages to set up for maybe fifty pages of action. You could probably have removed half the books and been able to tell the same story more succinctly.
Nevertheless, I had a good time following the struggles and triumphs of Rand, Perrin, Mat, Egwene, Nynaeve from their humble origins in the two rivers to their glorious final moments defending the world against impossible evil and untold darkness. May they always find water and shade as the wheel turns.
November 17, 2024
I am so irritated by the television series I can't be bothered to watch the 2nd season. I only finished the first one because a woman I know was in it - luckily she died!
I do really love the story and what RJ tried to do but on this second time through the whole lot. His attempts to over come his sexism seem pathetic and miniscule.
ALL the women are obnoxious, vain, unlikeable, irrational, 'beautiful'. The plot forms around stupid decisions and refusal to be clear or honest usually for no good reason.
Every single heterosexual relationship is toxic. Lesbian relationships are hinted at but always subject to heterosexuality or suggested evil - as in the red Ajah
This series reminds me why I stopped reading books written by men. I think I will stop again
Having said that it is a real epic in an often enjoyable world
I do really love the story and what RJ tried to do but on this second time through the whole lot. His attempts to over come his sexism seem pathetic and miniscule.
ALL the women are obnoxious, vain, unlikeable, irrational, 'beautiful'. The plot forms around stupid decisions and refusal to be clear or honest usually for no good reason.
Every single heterosexual relationship is toxic. Lesbian relationships are hinted at but always subject to heterosexuality or suggested evil - as in the red Ajah
This series reminds me why I stopped reading books written by men. I think I will stop again
Having said that it is a real epic in an often enjoyable world
October 21, 2025
I had my gripes in the early books and some of the recurring things throughout that seemed to drag an overall good series, but as time went on most of the complaints turned into understanding of characters and a feeling of... continuity or recognition of a friend's ticks? Exceptional series with tons of ups and downs; if you can bear through some of the rough edges the journey is absolutely worth it. I'll miss not having these characters with me until my eventual re-read.
April 28, 2022
I reread this series. I still find the books a bit wordy and over explaining, but the story is solid and the world building complex and amazing. As a writer my self, I learned a great deal about world building from these books. I also learned what I like and dislike about character building. It was a long journey of fourteen books. It will be another ten years if I decide to read it again.
October 16, 2023
I fell in love with this magical world Robert created many, many years ago. I have just finished rereading the entire series again. I am currently watching the TV series, whilst it is good it is not as good as the books.
If you haven't read this series you are truly missing out.
I have every book sitting on my bookshelf.
If you haven't read this series you are truly missing out.
I have every book sitting on my bookshelf.
August 7, 2025
Sets the standard. Some of the middle books were a hard slog to get through, mainly due to the lengthy descriptions and the multitude of characters and plot lines. In the end though it's worth it because Jordan has built a world that is vivid and expansive. The ending was epic and ties off each characters journey fittingly. It's a big investment of time to read, but it pays off.
June 4, 2022
I almost stopped somewhere around book 9 or 10, but had invested so much time I had to see it through. It was like watching a first run syndicate fantasy show that you really like, but also understand has some cringeworthy plots and characters.
November 4, 2022
Finished!!! Because of the time commitment that this series requires I’m not sure I would recommend it. It’s good but there are so many great books that I will think twice before ever taking on a series that again,
April 10, 2023
I love this series and have read and listened to it multiple times on audiobook - especially the first and last two books.
June 16, 2023
An epic I couldn't stop reading. It took me 18 months to complete but it was the only book I gave my time to during this period. Absolutely loved it
June 25, 2023
Fantasy at its best every book digs you deeper into the detailed, exotic and character driven worlds that only a master like Robert Jordan can bring together.
March 14, 2024
Gesamtbewertung 4, manche insgesamt 3, manche 4. Vor allem das Finale ist unfassbar. Suchtfaktor
April 15, 2024
Good reads, but can get dull at certain points. Was a bit hard to follow the first few books.
May 29, 2024
Currently in book 7 but will finish the series. Very imaginative but too much detail for me. Sometimes I wanna shout “just get to it already!”
September 16, 2024
Loved it!
October 1, 2024
Not perfect but that’s what makes it great
February 22, 2025
The more series I read the more I realize how good this one actually was.
Read
April 18, 2025This is my favorite series. I compair all other books to this.
June 22, 2025
Read all of em, fire as hell, fav series
July 10, 2024
Wheel of time series: 9.45
-Emotional impact: 10/10
-Characters: 9.5/10
-Plot: 10/10
-Dialogue: 7.75/10
-World Building: 10/10
This series is as near perfect as it gets. No emotional beat is out of place or under played. It hits higher highs and lows than anything ive read. I couldnt give charachters a ten because some few miss and it took mat until book 3 to find his stride, this book has a beautiful plot. It truly does make a beautiful pattern ;)
Robert jordan, can write 10/10 lines sometimes and on average is very good. But he can not write romance, cut the romance easy 8.5+
This series is THE master class in world building. It puts the LOTR to SHAME. This. This is the pitch for this series for me. There is no world, better built, fleshed out and maintained through a series than wheel of time.
-Emotional impact: 10/10
-Characters: 9.5/10
-Plot: 10/10
-Dialogue: 7.75/10
-World Building: 10/10
This series is as near perfect as it gets. No emotional beat is out of place or under played. It hits higher highs and lows than anything ive read. I couldnt give charachters a ten because some few miss and it took mat until book 3 to find his stride, this book has a beautiful plot. It truly does make a beautiful pattern ;)
Robert jordan, can write 10/10 lines sometimes and on average is very good. But he can not write romance, cut the romance easy 8.5+
This series is THE master class in world building. It puts the LOTR to SHAME. This. This is the pitch for this series for me. There is no world, better built, fleshed out and maintained through a series than wheel of time.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews