The Wheel of Time
By Robert Jordan
I first began reading this series about four years ago, I read the first four books but then left off. Not because I wasn't interested, but the books are big and enormously complex so I was slower reading them than other books. I picked them up again a year ago and got to book seven I believe, but then had to leave off again.
The author, his real name is James Rigney and he is also well known for the Conan the Barbarian stories, died in 2007 before he could complete the series. Another author, Brandon Sanderson finished the series (books 12-14) using Jordan's notes and plans; the last book is due out in 2012. This brings it to a total of 14 books with a prequel to the first book published by Jordan three years before he died.
The list:
0. New Spring -2004
1. The Eye of the World -1990
2. The Great Hunt -1990
3. The Dragon Reborn -1991
4. The Shadow Rising -1992
5. The Fires of Heaven -1993
6. Lord of Chaos -1994
7. A Crown of Swords 1996
8. The Path of Daggers -1998
9. Winter's Heart -2000
10. Crossroads of Twilight -2003
11. Knife of Dreams -2005
12. The Gathering Storm -2009
13. Towers of Midnight -2010
14. A Memory of Light -Due 2012
The story is highly detailed and it would take a lot of time and space to highlight every aspect. The basic premise is good vs. evil. Rand is the Dragon Reborn, that is a savior that will prevent the imprisoned Dark One from destroying the Wheel of Time. Rand discovers he has magic powers, only in his world only women, called Aes Sedai, are able to use their power without going mad. That is what happened to the last Dragon, his power drove him insane and he killed everybody he loved while fighting the Dark One. Rand is just a farm boy one day, the next both the savior and potential destroyer of the world. Because, if he goes mad before he defeats the Dark One he himself will destroy everyone.
The series draws greatly on mythology and duality of people and forces, evident influences of Buddhism and Daosim. Rand's world has all manner of creatures and people, both good and bad, in it. The immense thought and cultivation that went into the series is awe-inspiring. Universal Pictures bought the rights and supposedly, The Eye of the World is in development for release in 2011.
For fans of fantasy, or even sci-fi, this series is perfect. Of course, most books of this nature have similar themes of good vs. evil, frightening creatures, magic, and political and social schemes in societies where it is perfectly normal to kill someone in your way(just as long as you're discreet).
Enjoy!
The best summary can be found here.
By Robert Jordan
I first began reading this series about four years ago, I read the first four books but then left off. Not because I wasn't interested, but the books are big and enormously complex so I was slower reading them than other books. I picked them up again a year ago and got to book seven I believe, but then had to leave off again.
The author, his real name is James Rigney and he is also well known for the Conan the Barbarian stories, died in 2007 before he could complete the series. Another author, Brandon Sanderson finished the series (books 12-14) using Jordan's notes and plans; the last book is due out in 2012. This brings it to a total of 14 books with a prequel to the first book published by Jordan three years before he died.
The list:
0. New Spring -2004
1. The Eye of the World -1990
2. The Great Hunt -1990
3. The Dragon Reborn -1991
4. The Shadow Rising -1992
5. The Fires of Heaven -1993
6. Lord of Chaos -1994
7. A Crown of Swords 1996
8. The Path of Daggers -1998
9. Winter's Heart -2000
10. Crossroads of Twilight -2003
11. Knife of Dreams -2005
12. The Gathering Storm -2009
13. Towers of Midnight -2010
14. A Memory of Light -Due 2012
The series draws greatly on mythology and duality of people and forces, evident influences of Buddhism and Daosim. Rand's world has all manner of creatures and people, both good and bad, in it. The immense thought and cultivation that went into the series is awe-inspiring. Universal Pictures bought the rights and supposedly, The Eye of the World is in development for release in 2011.
For fans of fantasy, or even sci-fi, this series is perfect. Of course, most books of this nature have similar themes of good vs. evil, frightening creatures, magic, and political and social schemes in societies where it is perfectly normal to kill someone in your way(just as long as you're discreet).
Enjoy!
The best summary can be found here.
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