The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time
Cover of The Eye of the World (1990)
Created byRobert Jordan
Original workThe Eye of the World (1990)
OwnerTor Books (Macmillan)
Years1990–present
Print publications
Book(s)
Novel(s)
Short stories
  • "The Strike at Shayol Ghul" (1996)
  • "New Spring" (1998)
  • "River of Souls" (2013)
  • "A Fire Within the Ways" (2019)
Comics
  • New Spring (2005, 2009–2010)
  • The Eye of the World (2010–2013)
  • The Great Hunt (2023–present)
Films and television
Television seriesThe Wheel of Time (2021–2025)
Games
TraditionalThe Wheel of Time Collectible Card Game (1999)
Role-playingThe Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game (2001)
Video game(s)The Wheel of Time (1999)
Audio
Soundtrack(s)A Soundtrack for the Wheel of Time (1999)

The Wheel of Time is a series of high fantasy novels by the American author Robert Jordan, with American author Brandon Sanderson as co-writer of the final three installments. Originally planned as a trilogy, The Wheel of Time came to span 14 volumes, in addition to a prequel novel and three companion books. Jordan died in 2007 while working on what was planned to be the twelfth and final volume in the series. He prepared extensive notes, enabling Sanderson to complete the final book, which grew into three volumes: The Gathering Storm (2009), Towers of Midnight (2010), and A Memory of Light (2013).

The series draws on numerous elements of both European and Asian mythologies, most notably the cyclical nature of time found in Buddhism and Hinduism; the metaphysical concepts of balance, duality and a respect for nature found in Taoism; and the dualistic concepts of God and Satan which is the foundation of Zoroastrianism.

The Wheel of Time is known for its length, detailed imaginary world, magic system, and large cast of characters. The eighth through fourteenth books each reached number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. After its completion, the series was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novel. As of 2021, the series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling epic fantasy series since The Lord of the Rings. Its popularity has spawned comic book adaptations, a collectible card game, a video game, a roleplaying game, and a soundtrack album. A television adaptation, The Wheel of Time, aired for three seasons on Amazon Prime Video, from 2021 to 2025.