The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World (Book 1)

Welcome to the first book of The Wheel of Time saga! Robert Jordan introduces his world to us through intense action, as well as some breathtakingly powerful moments. The books opens with the doom of Lews Therin Telamon, known as the Dragon, and then fast-forwards three thousand years to begin the main story. 

Strangers have come to the Two Rivers during the Bel Tine holiday. In this remote area three young boys, Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon and Perrin Aybara, look forward to the coming festival. With the mysterious outisders come strange stories of war and of a man named Logain, who claims to be the Dragon Reborn, the one prophesized to save the world, and also to destroy it in his madness. For it is known that no man can channel the One Power without going horribly insane.

On the night before Bel Tine, Trollocs come and ransack the village where the young men live. Together with the mysterious Moiraine and Lan, an even stranger man, the young men escape with a few other companions into the night and make their way toward Tar Valon. There they discover that they all have roles to play, and that evil seeks them out. They learn that this evil will search anywhere for them: even at the Eye of the World.

The Great Hunt (Book 2)

The second book of the series (originally designed to be a part of Book 1), begins in the north where some objects of great value are stolen by Darkfriends. Rand is forced to face the group he fears most: the Aes Sedai for fear of what they might do to him. Mat continues to slowly lose strength as an evil continues to grow inside of his body. Egwene and Nynaeve prepare to travel to Tar Valon to learn to be Aes Sedai, while Rand travels with Mat, Perrin, and the Lord Ingtar of Shienar in a quest to catch up with the thieves, and to save Mat.

The Dragon Reborn (Book 3)

In the 3rd book of the series, Perrin and Moiraine begin a long journey after Rand, who has run off to the city of Tear chasing his destiny. Along the way Perrin begins to see the major role he has yet to play. He meets Faile, a young mysterious Hunter of the Horn who is far more than she seems. 

Meanwhile, Mat is taken to Tar Valon for the Healing that is the only way to save his life. Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve search out a deadly foe that is far more dangerous than they think. Which will take them away from Tar Valon and back out into a world being quickly consumed by war and turmoil.

The Aiel have crossed the Dragonwall, for the first time in twenty years, and have headed toward Tear. In the Heart of the Stone, the great Sword That Is Not A Sword, waits for the Dragon Reborn to draw it out and complete the ancient prophecy. All paths lead to Tear, on a great collision course of destiny.

The Shadow Rising (Book 4)

The fourth novel in the Wheel of Time is considered by many fans to one of the finest, if not the finest, book in the series.

In the Stone of Tear, Rand must make a decision of what to do and where to go next. The Forsaken, still in hiding, are plotting against him. The local nobles are grinding their teeth and planning his demise behind his back. His decision will take him to a strange and deadly land where he will learn about his past, and of where his future must take him.

In the meantime, Perrin returns to the Two Rivers after hearing rumors of the Children of the Light looking for him there. dangerous than they think. Which will take them away from Tar Valon and back out into a world being quickly consumed by war and turmoil. He decides to save the Two Rivers by traveling back to his home and turning himself in to the Children. But upon arriving home, Perrin discovers that the Trollocs have returned and the Two Rivers in great danger. Perrin must become a hunter of Trollocs in order to save the Two Rivers. But what will he do about the Whitecloaks?

The Fires of Heaven (Book 5)

In the 5th, and perhaps the most ambitious of all novels in the series, the characters face some incredible new challenges. Many fans applaud this novel for it's rich characterization, exciting battle scenes, intimate love story, and fantastic ending.

Rand al'Thor, along with a reluctant Mat Cauthon, must lead the Aiel out of the Waste and back into the Wetlands. At the same time they must deal with the Shaido and others who refuse to follow the new Car'a'Carn.

The novel follows the amazing story of how two cultures are forced to work together, and how the Dragon Reborn must face enemies that are ever-growing.

Lord of Chaos (Book 6)

The sixth book in The Wheel of Time is without a doubt, the turning point in the series (and probably the longest book as well). It's where all innocence is lost, all bonds are broken, and "the world is changed forever."

Mazrim Taim, the false Dragon, is brought before Rand al'Thor. Rand gives him a task, something that has never been done before in this Age and something nobody would have ever expected.

Egwene is summoned away from the Wise Ones she is with, and must accept a new role which she is not sure she's ready for.

Perrin also, feels the pull of ta'veren, and has to make a choice of where to go.

Everything in this book builds up to a climatic ending that changes every aspect of the story. The ending is considered by many to be Jordan's best moment in the series.

A Crown of Swords (Book 7)

In this seventh volume of the series, it picks up right where Lord of Chaos left off. We finally watch as Rand goes and prepares to against Sammael, who is holding power in Illian. The taint on saidin is growing worse and worse for him, and slowly he can feel insanity creeping up (if it is not already there).

Meanwhile, Mat, Elyane, and Nyneave go to Ebou Dar to find the Bowl of the Winds, what they believe can fix the unnatural weather that the world has been experiencing. Readers who are fans of Mat Cauthon usually love this book as he gets himself into some unexpected trouble that some say "He had coming".

In this book we also begin to learn more of some new threats from the Shadow. New Forsaken walk the world, and new enemies seem to spring up around the land. All of this culminates in an ending that is truly dark and mysterious.

Path of Daggers (Book 8)

As the eighth book in The Wheel of Time series, The Path of Daggers carries the difficult task of being somewhere in the middle of this giant series. Instead of high-paced action, it focuses more on the in-depth politics surrounding the nations and the divided White Tower.

Egwene goes for broke in an all out attempt to unite the tower. Rand struggles with his sanity, while Cadsuane Sedai and the Wise Ones struggle to guide him. Elayne, Avihenda, and Nynaeve meanwhile flee Ebou Dar, which has fallen to the Seanchan. They head towards Andor, where Elayne will attempt to take back the Lion Throne.

Even though this book is not as much high adventure as the earlier books, it boasts an amazing battle scene spanning over 100 pages, contains hidden secrets and information for the die-hard fans, and sets you up for what will end up being one of the most amazing parts of the entire series: the seige of Tar Valon.

Winter's Heart (Book 9)

The latest in The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. There is no need to describe how long fans of this series have waited for this volume to be released. With the cliffhanger ending of The Path of Daggers keeping us all in suspense, WoT fans waited oh-so-patiently for it to be released.

In this volume, Perrin begins a hunt that will certainly last a few more books. He is followed by Berelain, Morgase, and the Prophet.

Meanwhile, Elayne has returned to Andor in order to secure her claim to the throne. In this volume she has a few surprise visitors as well. (Read about one of them in the prologue.)

Mat Cauthon has arrived back on the scene! (Fans will remember he was absent in The Path of Daggers.) As he is recovering from an injury, and trying to avoid being killed by a gholam, he runs into somebody that he's been dreading for a long time....

Lastly, Rand has finally left behind politics and seeks to find a way to shift the balance of the war into his favor. The result is a climax that many fans are calling the greatest scene in the books so far. Be prepared for an ending that will amaze you and make you want to read it again!

Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10)

The tenth book in the Wheel of Time series was met by the public with mixed reviews, most of them poor. 

Although we enjoyed it, a lot of fans felt that this book drastically slowed the series down. 

In truth, there is less action, battles, and huge revelations than other books in the series, but it does serve a purpose in that it begins to bring all of the characters back together again. 

This novel is the begginning of the end. It's the calm before the storm.

Knife of Dreams (Book 11)

The eleventh book in the Wheel of Time series was mostly received with praise for bringing the series back to life in dramatic fashion. 

Although many fans don't see it as the best book in the series, it certainly is filled with the more excitement and incident than the previous few books. 

Most significantly however, several plot threads are concluded, and the stage is set for the final novel in the story.

The Gathering Storm (Book 12)

Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.

The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan’s editor---his wife, Harriet McDougal---to complete the final book. The scope and size of the volume was such that it could not be contained in a single book, and so Tor proudly presents The Gathering Storm as the first of three novels that will make up A Memory of Light. This short sequence will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of the Wheel of Time, the preeminent fantasy epic of our era.

In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward---wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders---his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.

Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower---and possibly the world itself.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.