Where to start with The Wheel of Time
New to The Wheel of Time? Begin with The Eye of the World, then follow the map. Sagamap keeps every connection and twist hidden until you've read past it.
Open the interactive map →Recommended reading order
Books 1–14 in order — the series is one continuous story. We slot the New Spring prequel after Knife of Dreams: late enough that its reveals land, before the finale trilogy begins. Fans debate the prequel's placement (anywhere after book 5 works); never start with it.
- The Eye of the World 1990
- The Great Hunt 1990
- The Dragon Reborn 1991
- The Shadow Rising 1992
- The Fires of Heaven 1993
- Lord of Chaos 1994
- A Crown of Swords 1996
- The Path of Daggers 1998
- Winter's Heart 2000
- Crossroads of Twilight 2003
- Knife of Dreams 2005
- New Spring 2004
- The Gathering Storm 2009
- Towers of Midnight 2010
- A Memory of Light 2013
Other orders
Publication
Exactly the order the books were released — New Spring (2004) lands between Crossroads of Twilight and Knife of Dreams.
The Eye of the World → The Great Hunt → The Dragon Reborn → The Shadow Rising → The Fires of Heaven → Lord of Chaos → …
Chronological
In-universe timeline: the prequel first. Only recommended for re-reads — New Spring spoils nothing huge, but it reads far better when you already know its two leads.
New Spring → The Eye of the World → The Great Hunt → The Dragon Reborn → The Shadow Rising → The Fires of Heaven → …
Questions readers ask
Where should I start with The Wheel of Time?
A great first book is The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. It opens the recommended path and needs no prior reading. From there, Sagamap's map shows exactly what comes next.
What is the recommended reading order for The Wheel of Time?
Our recommended order is: The Eye of the World → The Great Hunt → The Dragon Reborn → The Shadow Rising → The Fires of Heaven → Lord of Chaos → A Crown of Swords → The Path of Daggers → …. Books 1–14 in order — the series is one continuous story. We slot the New Spring prequel after Knife of Dreams: late enough that its reveals land, before the finale trilogy begins. Fans debate the prequel's placement (anywhere after book 5 works); never start with it.
Do I have to read The Wheel of Time in order?
Not strictly — but some books build on others. Sagamap marks "read-before" links on the map and keeps every spoiler hidden until you've passed it, so you can wander safely.
Publication order or chronological order?
Both work. Publication order is how the story was revealed; chronological order follows in-universe events. Toggle either on the map and your progress carries across.