So you've heard about The Wheel of Time and want to dive in. First question that hits you: how many Wheel of Time books are there actually? Smart question. I remember staring at my bookstore's fantasy section years ago, completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of thick spines with that iconic wheel symbol. Let's cut through the confusion.
The complete Wheel of Time series includes 15 core narrative books:
| Book Type | Count | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Main Novels | 14 | Original story arc from The Eye of the World to A Memory of Light |
| Prequel Novel | 1 | New Spring (published between books 10 and 11) |
| Companion Guides | 2 | The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time (1997) + The Wheel of Time Companion (2015) |
| Graphic Novels | 3 | Adaptations of New Spring and The Eye of the World |
Honestly? Even as a fan, I'll admit that hearing "15 books" makes most new readers gulp. That's over 4.4 million words! But here's the real talk: understanding exactly what counts as a Wheel of Time book saves you from buying duplicates or missing crucial entries.
The Complete Wheel of Time Book List in Order
Let's break down every single book in the main sequence. Publication dates matter because reading order debates get heated in fan circles:
| # | Title | Author | Release Year | Page Count (Hardcover) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Eye of the World | Robert Jordan | 1990 | 814 |
| 2 | The Great Hunt | Robert Jordan | 1990 | 705 |
| 3 | The Dragon Reborn | Robert Jordan | 1991 | 699 |
| 4 | The Shadow Rising | Robert Jordan | 1992 | 1008 |
| 5 | The Fires of Heaven | Robert Jordan | 1993 | 992 |
| 6 | Lord of Chaos | Robert Jordan | 1994 | 1011 |
| 7 | A Crown of Swords | Robert Jordan | 1996 | 856 |
| 8 | The Path of Daggers | Robert Jordan | 1998 | 672 |
| 9 | Winter's Heart | Robert Jordan | 2000 | 780 |
| 10 | Crossroads of Twilight | Robert Jordan | 2003 | 822 |
| P | New Spring (Prequel) | Robert Jordan | 2004 | 334 |
| 11 | Knife of Dreams | Robert Jordan | 2005 | 837 |
| 12 | The Gathering Storm | Brandon Sanderson | 2009 | 766 |
| 13 | Towers of Midnight | Brandon Sanderson | 2010 | 864 |
| 14 | A Memory of Light | Brandon Sanderson | 2013 | 912 |
Reading these as they released was torture. Waiting years between Jordan's later books? Brutal. Sanderson did a miraculous job finishing up, but I still miss Jordan's intricate descriptions. That man could spend three paragraphs on a dress pattern.
Where New Spring Fits In
The prequel question trips up everyone. New Spring focuses on young Moiraine and Lan, set 20 years before Book 1. Controversial opinion: I'd skip it on first read. It's rewarding later but disrupts the main flow early on. Some fans swear by chronological order though.
Essential Companion Books You Might Overlook
Beyond the novels, these reference works exist:
The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time (1997)
Teresa Patterson's guidebook approved by Jordan. Packed with maps and lore but outdated since series completion.
The Wheel of Time Companion (2015)
The definitive encyclopedia edited by Harriet McDougal (Jordan's widow). Contains spoilers for all books - use only after finishing the series. Over 800 pages of character bios and glossary terms.
These aren't narrative books but solve "how many Wheel of Time books exist" debates since they carry official branding. Personally? Unless you're writing a thesis, the Companion feels excessive. I've opened mine maybe twice.
Graphic Novel Adaptations
Dynamite Entertainment adapted portions of the saga:
- New Spring graphic novel (2013-2014) - 8 issues
- The Eye of the World graphic novel (2019-present) - Ongoing adaptation
These condense stories but lose Jordan's rich internal monologues. Cool artwork though.
Critical Reader Questions Answered
How many Wheel of Time books did Robert Jordan write?
Jordan completed 11 main series novels and the prequel before his 2007 death. Brandon Sanderson wrote the final three books using Jordan's extensive notes.
Why do some counts say 14 books instead of 15?
This excludes New Spring. Many fans consider the "core" series the 14-book sequence from Eye of the World to Memory of Light without the prequel.
What about audiobooks?
All main books have phenomenal narration by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. Each averages 25-40 hours. Completing the full series requires roughly 450 listening hours!
Is the series complete?
Yes! Despite Jordan's passing, the main storyline concluded with A Memory of Light in 2013. No more main sequence books are planned.
How many Wheel of Time books should I read before quitting?
Book 4 (The Shadow Rising) hooks most people. If you're not invested by then, this epic isn't for you. Book 10's pacing drags - push through to Sanderson's revitalized conclusion.
Reading Order Controversy Explained
Ask three fans how to approach Wheel of Time books and you'll get five opinions. Here's the messy truth:
| Approach | Sequence | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publication Order | Books 1-10 → New Spring → Books 11-14 | Original experience, avoids spoilers | Prequel feels disjointed mid-series |
| Chronological | New Spring → Books 1-14 | Story timeline consistency | Reveals mysteries meant for later reveals |
| Sanderson Switch | Books 1-11 → New Spring → Books 12-14 | Clean transition between authors | Disrupts climax of Jordan's last book |
I tried chronological order on my reread. Mistake. Learning certain backstories early drained tension from Jordan's carefully layered reveals. Stick to publication order first time.
The Infamous "Slog" Books
Books 7-10 develop a reputation for glacial pacing. Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10) spends its entire length covering events from the previous book's climax from different viewpoints. Even diehard fans skim here. Persist though - Knife of Dreams ramps up dramatically.
Physical vs Digital Considerations
Ownership matters with such a long series:
Paperback costs: Buying all 15 books new ≈ $150-$220 depending on editions. Hunt used bookstores - I found books 4-9 for $3 each!
Ebook advantages: Search function is essential with 2,782 named characters. Though I miss seeing my progress through those doorstopper paperbacks.
Audible value: Credits make the audiobooks affordable. At 1 credit per book versus $30-40 individual cost.
How the Amazon Series Affects Book Counts
The TV adaptation (2021-present) combines plotlines and invents new material. Key differences:
- Season 1 mixes Books 1 and 2
- Major characters receive altered backstories
- Condenses the "slog" books significantly
While enjoyable, the show won't replace knowing how many Wheel of Time books exist. The literary experience remains richer.
Why Getting the Count Right Matters
Understanding Wheel of Time books numbering prevents:
- Missing finales: New readers often don't realize Sanderson completed the series
- Prequel confusion: Accidentally starting with New Spring spoils early mysteries
- Companion pitfalls: Opening the Companion before finishing leaks massive spoilers
My horror story? I lent a friend "Book 1" of my hardcovers. She actually took New Spring by mistake and spent weeks confused about "that Moiraine girl who wasn't in Eye of the World."
Special Editions and Box Sets
Recent re-releases complicate counts:
- Premium hardcovers with new illustrations (Tor Publishing)
- Two-part splits for younger readers (Eye of the World divided into "From the Two Rivers" and "To the Blight")
- Box sets typically bundle 1-14 excluding New Spring
Carefully check contents. Those split editions double shelf space unnecessarily.
Final Tally: What Truly Counts
So when someone asks how many Wheel of Time books are there, here's your cheat sheet:
Minimum essential reading: 14 books (Books 1-14)
Complete experience: 15 books (+ New Spring)
For superfans: 15 books + 2 companions + graphic novels
Will you read them all? If you fall for Jordan's world, absolutely. That first time finishing Memory of Light? I cried in a coffee shop for twenty minutes. Worth every page of the journey.
Still wondering how many Wheel of Time books exist? Honestly, after 15 main entries, I wish there were more. Jordan's notes reveal abandoned sequels about Mat in Seanchan. Maybe someday...
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