The Shadow Rising
Often named the series' best: the story splits across the Aiel Waste, the Two Rivers and Tanchico, and the past gives up an astonishing secret.
Where it fits in the The Wheel of Time
Widely held as the series' first great peak, as nations and powers reorder themselves around the Dragon Reborn.
to other The Wheel of Time books — mark it read on the map to reveal them, spoiler-free.
Read first: The Dragon Reborn
What you've unlocked here
This section reveals spoiler-safe connections, cameos and lore as you read. Mark The Shadow Rising (and the books it links to) as read to light them up.
Common questions
Can I start the The Wheel of Time with The Shadow Rising?
Not ideally — read The Dragon Reborn first. The Shadow Rising is #4 of 15 in our recommended The Wheel of Time order.
What should I read before The Shadow Rising?
Read The Dragon Reborn before The Shadow Rising.
Where does The Shadow Rising fit in the The Wheel of Time reading order?
The Shadow Rising is #4 of 15 in our recommended The Wheel of Time reading order (#4 in publication order). The previous stop is The Dragon Reborn. Up next is The Fires of Heaven.