The Wheel of Time

In 1990, Tor Books published The Eye of the World, the first volume of what would become one of the most sprawling epics in fantasy literature. Robert Jordan, a Vietnam veteran and physics graduate from South Carolina, had initially planned a trilogy. But the story of Rand al'Thor and his friends from the Two Rivers grew far beyond that, eventually spanning fourteen main books and a prequel. The series is set in a world where time is a wheel, turning through ages of legend, war, and rebirth. At its heart is the Dragon Reborn, a prophesied figure destined to fight the Dark One in a final battle that could save or destroy existence.

Jordan built a meticulously detailed magic system called the One Power, divided into a female half, saidar, and a male half, saidin, the latter tainted by the Dark One and driving male channelers mad. This gender split is central to the world's politics and conflicts, especially in the Aes Sedai, an organization of female channelers who wield immense influence. The series also draws on a vast range of mythologies, from Arthurian legend to Hindu cosmology, weaving them into a narrative about destiny, free will, and the cyclical nature of history. Jordan populated his world with dozens of point-of-view characters, each with their own arcs and perspectives, creating a dense, immersive tapestry.

After Jordan's death in 2007 from cardiac amyloidosis, his widow and editor Harriet McDougal chose Brandon Sanderson to complete the series based on Jordan's extensive notes and partial manuscripts. Sanderson wrote the final three volumes: The Gathering Storm (2009), Towers of Midnight (2010), and A Memory of Light (2013). The conclusion was met with widespread acclaim, with Publishers Weekly calling it "a monumental achievement." The series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 34 languages. An Amazon Prime television adaptation premiered in 2021, introducing a new generation to Jordan's world.[edit]