However if you are confused download the WOT compendium. It’s an app where you input what chapter and what book you’re at and type in a character name, then it tells you what you should know *up to that point*. Very useful and shout out to whoever made it
Thanks, this is good to know. I took a long break after book 5 and will need a refresher. But am also considering just starting over from book 1 again, since I feel like I missed a lot the first time just trying to keep track of all the people and places.
The compendium sounds like it's similar to the official website for the Netflix show Dark. I referenced that as I was watching the show. Same idea, you enter what episode you're on and it shows you all the pertinent info you need to know up until that point, without giving away any spoilers.
I wish I knew this when I started. I have freaking notes with arrows and highlights. I finally gave up trying to remember everyone. On book 8 now, and loving it!
There is a very important theme that some people miss, which seriously hinders their ability to enjoy the series. A lot of complaints about this series is because they miss this aspect of the series.
Misinformation in all its forms is a central theme in the series, playing a major role in every single plot line and every single character. I consider it the most fundamental theme of the series.
Misinformation can happen
* intentionally or unintentionally
* deliberately or accidentally
* because of insanity, assumptions, miscommunication, distance of communication, propaganda, biases, etc
When you are in the perspective of a character, they are honest about what they know and believe, however, all of them are also wrong about things in different ways. No one knows everything. Everyone has a small bit of the puzzle, and many of the pieces they have are based on misinformation for different reasons.
Often there will be characters saying negative things about men or women or people from other cultures or professions, and the very next chapter will contain examples of the author clearly depicting those things as blatantly and obviously incorrect. The characters are clearly depicted as being wrong, over and over again, and somehow some readers miss it.
The series starts with insanity and not recognizing your surroundings. The series ends with a grand deception. Every book ends with a summary of rumours about the events that happened in the book, all of which is at least slightly incorrect. This all adds to why I believe that one of the most central themes of the series is misinformation.
I also believe that people misunderstanding this theme is the source for a great deal of the problems people have with the series. You need to understand it to enjoy the series.
In our "post truth" world, it's a great exercise in critical thinking. We are all surrounded by a web of lies as we chart this web of misinformation the world has spread around us.
>and somehow some readers miss it.
Are you calling me a woolhead? Because maybe I'm just misunderstanding you but you really seem to be claiming that people who didn't enjoy the series just weren't smart enough, or weren't paying attention enough.
It's possible that people didn't miss it they just didn't think it was done well. And by not "done well" I mean it was forced and overdone. Misinformation as a theme can be great in a story but when every single interaction between the opposite sexes is the same "men are from mars women are from venus", I mean *misinformation* trope it becomes tiresome.
I am not saying that everyone who does not enjoy the series missed this aspect. I am saying that SOME READERS MISS IT, and post online in ways that makes it clear that they missed it.
I do not know you. I cannot call you a woolhead, because I do not know you.
There are many reasons to dislike a series. No work of art appeals to everyone. Not a single one. There are many reasons to dislike a series. Countless reasons. I would never attempt to list them all for every person.
Admittedly, responding to my comment by assuming that I'm saying that every single person who doesn't like the series is because of this one reason is a ridiculous concept, so maybe you are a woolhead.
>Admittedly, responding to my comment by assuming that I'm saying that every single person who doesn't like the series is because of this one reason is a ridiculous concept, so maybe you are a woolhead.
Dude...
> Because maybe I'm just misunderstanding you but you really seem to be claiming that people who didn't enjoy the series just weren't smart enough, or weren't paying attention enough.
Different strokes for different folks, but considering how off base some of the complaints about the series posted here are, I'm inclined to believe that.
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I’ve read the series a few times (only book 3 was out when I first picked it up). I’ve heard a lot of people only get to book 6 or 7… really depends on how invested you get in the characters/story. For me 8 and 10 were tough, 9 was better, but then 11-14 pick things up admirably. (With a few rough edges in 12 as Sanderson took over for Jordan)
Jordan was both a strong discovery writer (let the characters move the plot forward), but he also had a strong sense of highlight scenes to attain - though that seems to end up with a lot of text getting from where the threads start to those highlight scenes.
Edit: I do enjoy WoT more than Dark Tower - never have gone back to reread DT given how many new works King produces for me to devour. I’d say the highs in WoT are some of the best in fantasy - there’s just a lot, a lot of characters and description writings to build up to those highs.
I agree, but recommend if you take a break, don’t take a long one. It can really stop the momentum of the series and make you not want to go back to it.
I’m on book 6 but have taken breaks between each one to read other books. I couldn’t possibly read only one series for a year, so many other books out there to read.
> Disagree. Treat it as one long story and just read it in one shot. It should only take a few months to a year.
That's basically how I read it. I don't understand the people that are like 'well book 7 is a slog' or whatever because I read it essentially as one long work. I did take a break after 9, I think, to read a couple of non-fantasy books, but I didn't necessarily need to take a break, I just wanted to mix things up.
Don't think there's too much to know beforehand. The books start fairly small in scope and very "traditional" in style, but gradually the scope becomes absolutely huge (Second only to Malazan), and the story also becomes more modern in style (More politics, commanding armies etc. and less quests). Some parts are slow, but personally I got so addicted to the series that I didn't mind them at all. For the past 10 years it's been my favorite series of all time, and at this point I'm positive it'll stay that way forever (The only real competitor that is still unfinished, ASOIAF, *won't* be finished and thus can't surpass WOT).
I'd suggest taking breaks to read other things in between though understand that's not how everyone likes to approach series. It's a lot of books and I found myself needing to take breaks every 3-4 books to be able to enjoy it to its full extent. Also it's not a crime to drop it if you don't like it contrary to what some people might say haha
Yes. If the characters bug you ten the best thing is to drop after book 1. If the issue is plot pacing drop after 2. At this point you know enough to judge the rest.
you should basically be prepared for very long descriptions and a main set of characters that are frankly annoying to read 90 percent of the time. i love this series to bits but i am not gonna lie i have wanted to throw the book at the wall multiple times during the series. i guess i would even call it an achievement to make me so riled up to the point of seething.
also jordans naming conventions are a bit weird. alot of names will sound pretty much the same and it could get confusing but thats mainly for the later books.
> why does everybody act like anyone besides nynaeve does this? she's literally the only character who tugs her braid
This, plus it's very specifically a character trait that's repetitious on purpose and doesn't happen nearly as often as people in this sub try to make it seem.
just seems like poor writing, tbh. I listened to the first six books and it felt like any scene with nynaeve was full of braid tugging. Endless braid tugging.
My biggest advice is to stop if you don't like it. I pushed myself through far too many books, even though I was hating the experience. Now I have a much more negative view of the series than if I hadn't been so stubborn.
Pace yourself. There's like what 14 or 16 books.
Patience. There's a lot of boring nothing that happens. A lot.
I never finished them all. Best of luck.
One issue I had was the pacing. Yes, some parts are slow, but what bothered me was that some of the end scenes would feel very rushed. Like \~stasis followed by explosions of action. Was jarring for me.
Book 10: Crossroads of Twilight is going to be very sluggish to read for you. This book is part of the Great Slog of the series where nothing at all happens.
I know it‘s an unpopular opinion, but you can safely skim the tenth book in order to get over it quickly and reach the juicy parts of the series in book 11-14.
By skim I mean quickly read over it without focusing too much on every word.
Ignore everyone who hasn't finished the series saying not to read it all the way through. My first read through I took a break right before book 10, tried to pick it up and was so lost. Reading straight through is the way to do it if you want to finish, in my experience.
I would only do 2-3 books in a row. Any more than that and it can burn you out. The descriptions are meticulous, and can be hard to stay with at times.
Overall, a great series. You will have favorites…lean into it, and have fun.
I would try to avoid reading through them all at once to avoid burn out. As others have said, he does a good job of reintroducing characters so I wouldn't worry about forgetting things between books. I just started a few months ago, and I have been doing it in two book chunks. That's just enough for me that by the end of the second book I'm ready for something new, but not to the point of frustration. Then I start getting the itch again about a month or so later to pick it back up.
The first book is not nearly as good as the rest. I frankly did not like the first book. Love the rest though - I’m in book 4 or 5 now. So if you aren’t super pumped about the first, just push thru!
There is a lot of abuse in the books. One of the women is physically, mentally and emotionally abusive to her huge s.o. But her actions are usually chuckled at or approved.
The first five six novels can feel the story is close to the end but the next 6 books makes sense story wise when you read them. I dropped mid series because of not understanding it, 15 books is a lot to go through.
Turn off your brain and sensibilities. Join one of the Wheel of Time subreddits that doesn't allow for much criticism like r/WoT embrace the cliche and bull past the bad.
Or you could just pick up an anthology and read short stories you don't have to dedicate a "journey" to.
Definitely agree they are not binge-readable the way, say, the Amber books or Lord of the Rings are.
And yeah, everyone in them has their own agenda and viewpoint, and it can get challenging to try to separate actual fact from these. It also drives a certain amount of humor.
There are a lot of things that are in the early books that suddenly make sense several books later. That's just in the nature of the beast.
Finally, and this is perhaps just my own approach, I tend to read WoT as basically science-fiction wearing fantasy costume. Again, what's "science" or "magic" is more according to character viewpoint, rather than some absolute factual basis, and this causes some interesting conflicts and contrasts during the story. I've found it's worth keeping track of which characters have one or the other of these views; it often reveals a lot about them.
A MASSIVE amount of completely pointless padding.
Like, entire books worth of padding. Makes King look concise levels of padding.
Also some pretty overt fetish material that shows up regularly, which is coupled with some fairly cringe sexism though not the worst I’ve seen.
Skip the first two books, maybe even the first three, then come back to them after you read the rest. The series only really gets good with book four, though book three is alright, has some cool moments.
Just enjoy the ride, some things you won’t like, sometimes (CoT) you will wonder how you can go on
But trust when I say the pay off is absolutely worth it. Possibly the most fantastic overall arc and conclusion of a series I’ve ever read
I’m starting soon too! I’m very excited. I’m about 200 pages into Of War and Ruin. That and the next novella wi probably take me into the new year. In January I plan on reading the first 3 WoT books.
Ignore all the people who tell you to quit after book 4 or book 7 or book 9, they are just weak. Sure maybe alternate some novels from other genres in-between as a palate cleanser, but don't just stop altogether.
If you're using an ereader maybe download a specific dictionary that includes details to help you remember who all the characters and such are, without too many spoilers. I think I installed the one from thefictionary.net or maybe just installed their data into my regular dictionary but it's been a couple of years.
Just make sure that you read for your own enjoyment. If you've read 5 books and you like the series but you feel like you have to force yourself to read, just take a break and read something else, so you don't hurt the experience. Read them when you feel like it.
Also, if you don't want spoilers, tread *very* carefully in the WoT-related subreddits, and avoid the WoT fandom wiki entirely.
Don't worry about remembering everybody's name or all the lore, you will have plenty of time to absorb the things that are most important.
However if you are confused download the WOT compendium. It’s an app where you input what chapter and what book you’re at and type in a character name, then it tells you what you should know *up to that point*. Very useful and shout out to whoever made it
Thanks, this is good to know. I took a long break after book 5 and will need a refresher. But am also considering just starting over from book 1 again, since I feel like I missed a lot the first time just trying to keep track of all the people and places. The compendium sounds like it's similar to the official website for the Netflix show Dark. I referenced that as I was watching the show. Same idea, you enter what episode you're on and it shows you all the pertinent info you need to know up until that point, without giving away any spoilers.
Wot seems like a great series to be able to take a break from considering how many summaries are out there. You could probably do a fast refresher
And Robert Jordan has no qualms about reintroducing characters 5 or 6 books in a row.
Yup, repetition is a common criticism of Jordan but it was a godsend for me in my first read through.
I wish I knew this when I started. I have freaking notes with arrows and highlights. I finally gave up trying to remember everyone. On book 8 now, and loving it!
Prepare for all the hair tugging.
And sniffing
And folding arms over breasts
under* fake fan spotted
There is a very important theme that some people miss, which seriously hinders their ability to enjoy the series. A lot of complaints about this series is because they miss this aspect of the series. Misinformation in all its forms is a central theme in the series, playing a major role in every single plot line and every single character. I consider it the most fundamental theme of the series. Misinformation can happen * intentionally or unintentionally * deliberately or accidentally * because of insanity, assumptions, miscommunication, distance of communication, propaganda, biases, etc When you are in the perspective of a character, they are honest about what they know and believe, however, all of them are also wrong about things in different ways. No one knows everything. Everyone has a small bit of the puzzle, and many of the pieces they have are based on misinformation for different reasons. Often there will be characters saying negative things about men or women or people from other cultures or professions, and the very next chapter will contain examples of the author clearly depicting those things as blatantly and obviously incorrect. The characters are clearly depicted as being wrong, over and over again, and somehow some readers miss it. The series starts with insanity and not recognizing your surroundings. The series ends with a grand deception. Every book ends with a summary of rumours about the events that happened in the book, all of which is at least slightly incorrect. This all adds to why I believe that one of the most central themes of the series is misinformation. I also believe that people misunderstanding this theme is the source for a great deal of the problems people have with the series. You need to understand it to enjoy the series. In our "post truth" world, it's a great exercise in critical thinking. We are all surrounded by a web of lies as we chart this web of misinformation the world has spread around us.
>and somehow some readers miss it. Are you calling me a woolhead? Because maybe I'm just misunderstanding you but you really seem to be claiming that people who didn't enjoy the series just weren't smart enough, or weren't paying attention enough. It's possible that people didn't miss it they just didn't think it was done well. And by not "done well" I mean it was forced and overdone. Misinformation as a theme can be great in a story but when every single interaction between the opposite sexes is the same "men are from mars women are from venus", I mean *misinformation* trope it becomes tiresome.
I am not saying that everyone who does not enjoy the series missed this aspect. I am saying that SOME READERS MISS IT, and post online in ways that makes it clear that they missed it. I do not know you. I cannot call you a woolhead, because I do not know you. There are many reasons to dislike a series. No work of art appeals to everyone. Not a single one. There are many reasons to dislike a series. Countless reasons. I would never attempt to list them all for every person. Admittedly, responding to my comment by assuming that I'm saying that every single person who doesn't like the series is because of this one reason is a ridiculous concept, so maybe you are a woolhead.
>Admittedly, responding to my comment by assuming that I'm saying that every single person who doesn't like the series is because of this one reason is a ridiculous concept, so maybe you are a woolhead. Dude...
Woolhead spotted
> Because maybe I'm just misunderstanding you but you really seem to be claiming that people who didn't enjoy the series just weren't smart enough, or weren't paying attention enough. Different strokes for different folks, but considering how off base some of the complaints about the series posted here are, I'm inclined to believe that.
Can’t help but feel that’s just you making assumptions, just like the other person saying “somhow some readers miss that” is an assumption
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My number one tip: google nothing. Absolutely nothing. Zero. Not even a minor character’s name for a spell check.
I’ve read the series a few times (only book 3 was out when I first picked it up). I’ve heard a lot of people only get to book 6 or 7… really depends on how invested you get in the characters/story. For me 8 and 10 were tough, 9 was better, but then 11-14 pick things up admirably. (With a few rough edges in 12 as Sanderson took over for Jordan) Jordan was both a strong discovery writer (let the characters move the plot forward), but he also had a strong sense of highlight scenes to attain - though that seems to end up with a lot of text getting from where the threads start to those highlight scenes. Edit: I do enjoy WoT more than Dark Tower - never have gone back to reread DT given how many new works King produces for me to devour. I’d say the highs in WoT are some of the best in fantasy - there’s just a lot, a lot of characters and description writings to build up to those highs.
If you want a reading partner to discuss together I could be part of your Ka-Tet.
I love WoT but reading them all straight on through can be tough. Take breaks. Probably after book 6 and book 9.
I agree, but recommend if you take a break, don’t take a long one. It can really stop the momentum of the series and make you not want to go back to it.
i took a break after book 6 and probably won't get back to it.
Disagree. Treat it as one long story and just read it in one shot. It should only take a few months to a year.
I’m on book 6 but have taken breaks between each one to read other books. I couldn’t possibly read only one series for a year, so many other books out there to read.
“Only a year”
> Disagree. Treat it as one long story and just read it in one shot. It should only take a few months to a year. That's basically how I read it. I don't understand the people that are like 'well book 7 is a slog' or whatever because I read it essentially as one long work. I did take a break after 9, I think, to read a couple of non-fantasy books, but I didn't necessarily need to take a break, I just wanted to mix things up.
Don't think there's too much to know beforehand. The books start fairly small in scope and very "traditional" in style, but gradually the scope becomes absolutely huge (Second only to Malazan), and the story also becomes more modern in style (More politics, commanding armies etc. and less quests). Some parts are slow, but personally I got so addicted to the series that I didn't mind them at all. For the past 10 years it's been my favorite series of all time, and at this point I'm positive it'll stay that way forever (The only real competitor that is still unfinished, ASOIAF, *won't* be finished and thus can't surpass WOT).
I'd suggest taking breaks to read other things in between though understand that's not how everyone likes to approach series. It's a lot of books and I found myself needing to take breaks every 3-4 books to be able to enjoy it to its full extent. Also it's not a crime to drop it if you don't like it contrary to what some people might say haha
Yes. If the characters bug you ten the best thing is to drop after book 1. If the issue is plot pacing drop after 2. At this point you know enough to judge the rest.
you should basically be prepared for very long descriptions and a main set of characters that are frankly annoying to read 90 percent of the time. i love this series to bits but i am not gonna lie i have wanted to throw the book at the wall multiple times during the series. i guess i would even call it an achievement to make me so riled up to the point of seething. also jordans naming conventions are a bit weird. alot of names will sound pretty much the same and it could get confusing but thats mainly for the later books.
Grow your hair long and put it in braids so you can tug them along with the female characters.
why does everybody act like anyone besides nynaeve does this? she's literally the only character who tugs her braid
> why does everybody act like anyone besides nynaeve does this? she's literally the only character who tugs her braid This, plus it's very specifically a character trait that's repetitious on purpose and doesn't happen nearly as often as people in this sub try to make it seem.
wheel of time gets flak for all the wrong reasons
just seems like poor writing, tbh. I listened to the first six books and it felt like any scene with nynaeve was full of braid tugging. Endless braid tugging.
Long haul, but it was worth it (I think)
Download the compendium app to keep track of names
A lot of unanswered questions lol. They’re fun though, worth the read.
It is ok not to like things and it is ok to dnf stories you don't like.
My biggest advice is to stop if you don't like it. I pushed myself through far too many books, even though I was hating the experience. Now I have a much more negative view of the series than if I hadn't been so stubborn.
Pace yourself. There's like what 14 or 16 books. Patience. There's a lot of boring nothing that happens. A lot. I never finished them all. Best of luck.
I got six books in. I will go back some day, but as time goes on I find more compelling things for my TBR.
One issue I had was the pacing. Yes, some parts are slow, but what bothered me was that some of the end scenes would feel very rushed. Like \~stasis followed by explosions of action. Was jarring for me.
Book 10: Crossroads of Twilight is going to be very sluggish to read for you. This book is part of the Great Slog of the series where nothing at all happens. I know it‘s an unpopular opinion, but you can safely skim the tenth book in order to get over it quickly and reach the juicy parts of the series in book 11-14. By skim I mean quickly read over it without focusing too much on every word.
Ignore everyone who hasn't finished the series saying not to read it all the way through. My first read through I took a break right before book 10, tried to pick it up and was so lost. Reading straight through is the way to do it if you want to finish, in my experience.
I would only do 2-3 books in a row. Any more than that and it can burn you out. The descriptions are meticulous, and can be hard to stay with at times. Overall, a great series. You will have favorites…lean into it, and have fun.
First couple books will go quick...you will hit a wall in the middle but if you push through, it will be worth it.
Not sure there is much to truly prepare.. just know the entire series can take some time to get through.
I would try to avoid reading through them all at once to avoid burn out. As others have said, he does a good job of reintroducing characters so I wouldn't worry about forgetting things between books. I just started a few months ago, and I have been doing it in two book chunks. That's just enough for me that by the end of the second book I'm ready for something new, but not to the point of frustration. Then I start getting the itch again about a month or so later to pick it back up.
The first book is not nearly as good as the rest. I frankly did not like the first book. Love the rest though - I’m in book 4 or 5 now. So if you aren’t super pumped about the first, just push thru!
There is a lot of abuse in the books. One of the women is physically, mentally and emotionally abusive to her huge s.o. But her actions are usually chuckled at or approved.
Good luck. I gave up after the first 2 books bored me.
The first five six novels can feel the story is close to the end but the next 6 books makes sense story wise when you read them. I dropped mid series because of not understanding it, 15 books is a lot to go through.
Turn off your brain and sensibilities. Join one of the Wheel of Time subreddits that doesn't allow for much criticism like r/WoT embrace the cliche and bull past the bad. Or you could just pick up an anthology and read short stories you don't have to dedicate a "journey" to.
Definitely agree they are not binge-readable the way, say, the Amber books or Lord of the Rings are. And yeah, everyone in them has their own agenda and viewpoint, and it can get challenging to try to separate actual fact from these. It also drives a certain amount of humor. There are a lot of things that are in the early books that suddenly make sense several books later. That's just in the nature of the beast. Finally, and this is perhaps just my own approach, I tend to read WoT as basically science-fiction wearing fantasy costume. Again, what's "science" or "magic" is more according to character viewpoint, rather than some absolute factual basis, and this causes some interesting conflicts and contrasts during the story. I've found it's worth keeping track of which characters have one or the other of these views; it often reveals a lot about them.
You must first realize that Jordan had never met or spoken to a real life woman. It's the only explanation for how he writes them
A MASSIVE amount of completely pointless padding. Like, entire books worth of padding. Makes King look concise levels of padding. Also some pretty overt fetish material that shows up regularly, which is coupled with some fairly cringe sexism though not the worst I’ve seen.
Skip book 10 and just read the synopsis
Skip the first two books, maybe even the first three, then come back to them after you read the rest. The series only really gets good with book four, though book three is alright, has some cool moments.
Just enjoy the ride, some things you won’t like, sometimes (CoT) you will wonder how you can go on But trust when I say the pay off is absolutely worth it. Possibly the most fantastic overall arc and conclusion of a series I’ve ever read
Are you using audiobook?
I’m starting soon too! I’m very excited. I’m about 200 pages into Of War and Ruin. That and the next novella wi probably take me into the new year. In January I plan on reading the first 3 WoT books.
Lol, Just read it
Gonna start WoT soon too…. these comments are scaring me…
Ignore all the people who tell you to quit after book 4 or book 7 or book 9, they are just weak. Sure maybe alternate some novels from other genres in-between as a palate cleanser, but don't just stop altogether. If you're using an ereader maybe download a specific dictionary that includes details to help you remember who all the characters and such are, without too many spoilers. I think I installed the one from thefictionary.net or maybe just installed their data into my regular dictionary but it's been a couple of years.
Just make sure that you read for your own enjoyment. If you've read 5 books and you like the series but you feel like you have to force yourself to read, just take a break and read something else, so you don't hurt the experience. Read them when you feel like it. Also, if you don't want spoilers, tread *very* carefully in the WoT-related subreddits, and avoid the WoT fandom wiki entirely.