The Wheel of Time
by Robert Jordan · first published 2000
27% recommend56% neutral17% critical
Why HN recommends it
Sprawling epic fantasy with an elaborate, well-built world and hundreds of characters across 14 books that read as one story. Addictive and immersive for readers who like long series; the audiobooks are well liked.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Mentions per year
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What is your favorite fantasy novel(s)? Mine: Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (RIP)
on “Ask YC: Favorite fantasy novel(s)?” ↗…Robinson. Had an impact mostly unrelated to its sci-fi content but related to more down to earth things mentioned. Whether it was positive impact remains an unanswered question, over 18 years later. - Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. A book series that, now that I think of it, fed probably disturbing amounts of growth of my personal morals. Unclear on how positive that impact was, but I think it was? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗+1 for the First Law books. The Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey are great. Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake The first 6 books in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan are very enjoyable. EDIT: The Bas-Lag books by China Miéville are wonderful.
on “Entitlement issues (2009)” ↗If you are just looking for fantasy that equalizes male and female practitioners of magic Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series levels the playing field. In fact, it is seriously tilted towards women for the first part of the series.
on “Terry Prachett: Why Gandalf Never Married (1985)” ↗I've been following the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (RIP) which is one of the most famous fantasy series of the past 50 years, and all of Peter F. Hamilton's novels, which can only be described as epic space operas. Both authors…
on “Ask HN: Summer Reading Recommendations?” ↗I read "Wheel of time" series by Robert Jordan this year. The books in this series are just so addictive.. wasn't able to stop till I read all thirteen books :)
on “Ask HN: Best book you read in 2011” ↗Sounds weird but Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time. By far it’s my favorite fantasy series, and have read it quite a few times since I was a kid. I find that it has tinted my view of how the world works. Looking back, it provided heroes I looked up to…
on “Ask HN: What book(s) had a profound impact on your life and why?” ↗Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series is rather epic, as well.
on “Ask HN: What literature do you read?” ↗Hang in there. I'll second the advice to find something else you love and do that for a while instead of programming. If you like reading (a lot), try Robert Jordan's A Wheel of Time. Learn a little about cooking. Learn a little about playing a musical instrument; the bass is good - you don't have to be good at all to have fun playing along with your favorite bands. Otherwise learn…
on “Help me. My job killed my enthusiasm.” ↗Yes, the entire series is a joy to listen to. As a lifetime theater actor Roy Dotrice not just reads the book, but really brings it to life. You could also check The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. It is also a good series and has two fine voice actors. Though IMO, not on par with Dotrice. Please tell what you've bought, I have some credits of my own that lay around :)
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite audiobooks?” ↗A Song of Fire and Ice Zennis Wheel of Time Quiet Lord of the Rings Irrational Exuberance
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite books?” ↗…O. Bennett Spooky Action at a Distance: The Phenomenon That Reimagines Space and Time—and What It Means for Black Holes, the Big Bang, and Theories of Everything by George Musser Towers of Midnight (Wheel of Time, #13) by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov Just started reading The Penguin History Of The World by J.M. Roberts & Odd Arne Westad. I'd always found history interesting…
on “Ask HN: What are the best books you've read this year?” ↗Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan) Stormlight Archive; Mistborn (Brandon Sanderson) Belgariad and Malloreon (David Eddings) Discworld (Terry Pratchett) Sword of Shannara (Terry Brooks)
on “Amazon to Adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s Globally Renowned Fantasy Novels” ↗The Wheel of Time series (Robert Jordan + Brandon Sanderson). I started it when I was !4 - re-read as each new book came out. Did a final read through a few years ago.
on “Ask HN: What book have you re-read 3x or more?” ↗…of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty I've also been listening to a lot of audiobooks and was really impressed by Rosamund Pike's reading of The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan (Book 2 of the Wheel of Time series) for Audible; enough that I'm waiting to listen to Book 3 to when her reading of it is released next summer.
on “Ask HN: What is the best thing you read in 2022?” ↗