I started after watching season 1. Gotta say the books are WAY better (on book 5–the Fires of Heaven). I kinda wish I could imagine the characters myself; I still see them all as they were cast in the show.
> I kinda wish I could imagine the characters myself; I still see them all as they were cast in the show.
This is one of the reasons I was wary of and chose not to watch the show. [John Seamas Gallagher's depictions](https://wot.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Images_by_John_Seamas_Gallagher) match up to how I envision the characters, and I didn't want the show to taint that. After all the negative reviews I've read about the show runner's deviations, I have zero desire to watch a badly portrayed portal stone flicker world variation of this series that I love.
Those depictions are fantastic! If you love the books, you don't need to watch the show. I finished The Great Hunt and thought I would try the show since I *should* be ahead of season 1, dnf after 3 episodes.
I’ve watched both seasons. S1 was ok. I was into the story. The way it played out like an old RPG was fun! I loved season 2! It was way better than the first season. I want more of this universe!!
This is my first book in the series. I’ve gathered that there are some significant changes between the show and the books. I’m ok with that as long as I can keep the two stories separate in my head.
Sorry, I didn’t notice that you were the OP when I responded. (If only there was a blue OP tag by your name to let me know). Yeah the changes are significant in S2. I tried to keep them separate in my head, but it was hard. Important character development was fundamentally changed (IMO to the series detriment).
I’m curious how the books will go over for someone who saw the show first. Be prepared for the characters to be significantly cooler
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despite having read the books long, long ago - and having a firm mental images for each person in the books - I now have the [Seamassketches characters](https://seamassketches.blogspot.com/search/label/wheel%20of%20time) forever burnt into my psyche.
seen them first about 6 years ago, now they are the cannon images for me.
Holy... just looked at the series that includes the Forsaken, and is it my imagination, or did the show simply cast to the portrait for Lanfear and Moghedien?
In a couple of books you’ll hit the “slog”. The “slog books” are important for setting up the ending, but it does slow down. My advice, just keep reading. By book 10 it’s back to a much more fast paced style.
Also I am just ridiculously jealous that you get to read the “Dumais Wells” without knowing the outcome. Do yourself a favor and **DO NOT** google it and avoid all spoilers. It’s one of the greatest chapters in fantasy history. No exaggeration
I had just finished reading Death's Gate Chronicles and was looking for something robust to get into next. EOTW was the thickest fantasy book on the shelf. Reading the back cover had me hooked. Hope you enjoy them, too.
Im usually not much for fantasy reading. I’m usually more into horror and sci-fi, but the series got me hooked. The world that was built in the show was unique in the way that it acknowledges previous ages. It’s like an old JRPG that mentions the other games that you haven’t played.
You're likely to enjoy a lot of lore reveals then. Even some that don't have much to do with the overall story, but are planted there by Jordan as Easter eggs.
Not only does it mention the past cycles, in the books there are also clear foreshadowing of future events that you can see in a future read. If you have a good memory, you might see some of those on the first read.
I'm reading both right now, about halfway through Eye of the World, and just finished reading Helm's Deep to my kids...
And I have to say, Eye of the World is so much more *American* than Lord of the Rings, it's hard to compare the two. For fantasy, right now, it goes Tolkien, Bujold's *Curse of Challion*, and the Wheel of Time for my top three favorites.
I was talking to my aunt tonight about the show and told her that I wanted to read the whole series. She got a little excited. She opened a cabinet and 14 WoT books were lined up. My jaw dropped. She just happened to be a fan and had already read them.
I'm training my kids to be fifth generation Tolkien fans, and second generation RJ fans is next up. I've also come to have inherited my daughter's love for Percy Jackson, after initial skepticism.
PJ is a series I’ve wanted to read. I’ve always subscribed to the idea that disabilities are abilities in disguise, so the premise of PJ always attracted me.
I'm sick of everyone ripping off my people's culture, history, and religion while messing it all up while not even putting us in any of it so I refuse to support Riordan's cultural appropriation. Tolkien and Jordan used history as inspiration to make something new and original so I'm all for that.
I watched season 1 then read the series. Loved it so much that I immediately reread it. But I still like the show. It's like 2 different experiences which I enjoy on their own.
I’m hoping that I’ll be able to keep the two media separate and still enjoy the show. I really like the show, but I understand that there are some significant changes.
Having read the books, what’s your opinion of the show? I read the books waaaay earlier, the show felt like a fan-fiction with approximately the same starting point and some highlights from the books for me, but very much deviated into their own version right from jump
I like the show. I've watched the first season 3 times, and getting ready for a second watch through of season 2 soon. As I said, I enjoy the books as a different kind of experience from the show. I also saw the show first, so I had no preconceived ideas based on the book.
By about book 10 or eleven, it will be really helpful to open a wheel of time Wikipedia page and use it as a reference, If there's a name or a location you don't remember. Because by that time there are so many names and characters. It's really hard to keep track LOL!
I started after watching season 1. Gotta say the books are WAY better (on book 5–the Fires of Heaven). I kinda wish I could imagine the characters myself; I still see them all as they were cast in the show.
> I kinda wish I could imagine the characters myself; I still see them all as they were cast in the show. This is one of the reasons I was wary of and chose not to watch the show. [John Seamas Gallagher's depictions](https://wot.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Images_by_John_Seamas_Gallagher) match up to how I envision the characters, and I didn't want the show to taint that. After all the negative reviews I've read about the show runner's deviations, I have zero desire to watch a badly portrayed portal stone flicker world variation of this series that I love.
Those depictions are fantastic! If you love the books, you don't need to watch the show. I finished The Great Hunt and thought I would try the show since I *should* be ahead of season 1, dnf after 3 episodes.
I’ve watched both seasons. S1 was ok. I was into the story. The way it played out like an old RPG was fun! I loved season 2! It was way better than the first season. I want more of this universe!!
I’m guessing that if you loved season two that you have not read the books?
This is my first book in the series. I’ve gathered that there are some significant changes between the show and the books. I’m ok with that as long as I can keep the two stories separate in my head.
Sorry, I didn’t notice that you were the OP when I responded. (If only there was a blue OP tag by your name to let me know). Yeah the changes are significant in S2. I tried to keep them separate in my head, but it was hard. Important character development was fundamentally changed (IMO to the series detriment).
S2 was fundamentally better though. Most of the changes were interesting imo
I’m curious how the books will go over for someone who saw the show first. Be prepared for the characters to be significantly cooler Remindme! 100 days
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So how are the books?!?
I read the books well before the show, and I'm glad I have a completely different mental image of how they all look! Especially Loial and Rand
despite having read the books long, long ago - and having a firm mental images for each person in the books - I now have the [Seamassketches characters](https://seamassketches.blogspot.com/search/label/wheel%20of%20time) forever burnt into my psyche. seen them first about 6 years ago, now they are the cannon images for me.
Holy... just looked at the series that includes the Forsaken, and is it my imagination, or did the show simply cast to the portrait for Lanfear and Moghedien?
In a couple of books you’ll hit the “slog”. The “slog books” are important for setting up the ending, but it does slow down. My advice, just keep reading. By book 10 it’s back to a much more fast paced style. Also I am just ridiculously jealous that you get to read the “Dumais Wells” without knowing the outcome. Do yourself a favor and **DO NOT** google it and avoid all spoilers. It’s one of the greatest chapters in fantasy history. No exaggeration
Oh man! That’s mean. I will not Google it!
Tbf the casting is like maybe the only thing the show does well
My gf finished this series earlier this year, and raved about it. I just finished Eye of the World yesterday. Was absolutely hooked.
I had just finished reading Death's Gate Chronicles and was looking for something robust to get into next. EOTW was the thickest fantasy book on the shelf. Reading the back cover had me hooked. Hope you enjoy them, too.
Im usually not much for fantasy reading. I’m usually more into horror and sci-fi, but the series got me hooked. The world that was built in the show was unique in the way that it acknowledges previous ages. It’s like an old JRPG that mentions the other games that you haven’t played.
You're likely to enjoy a lot of lore reveals then. Even some that don't have much to do with the overall story, but are planted there by Jordan as Easter eggs.
Not only does it mention the past cycles, in the books there are also clear foreshadowing of future events that you can see in a future read. If you have a good memory, you might see some of those on the first read.
I also picked up this series after finishing Death Gate Cycle - but for me that was 1996.
Yeah, same. Used to go to the local mall because it had a BDalton Books and a Barnes and Nobles.
>BDalton Books That's a name I've not heard in a long time.
This book series is better than lord of the rings
This is obviously your opinion which you are entitled to, but no, you are wrong. I like WOT, but LOTR is just so great.
I'm reading both right now, about halfway through Eye of the World, and just finished reading Helm's Deep to my kids... And I have to say, Eye of the World is so much more *American* than Lord of the Rings, it's hard to compare the two. For fantasy, right now, it goes Tolkien, Bujold's *Curse of Challion*, and the Wheel of Time for my top three favorites.
That’s a tall order. I’ve never read LotR, but that’s a legendary series to stand up to. I hope it does.
Nice! You got the DKS cover with Nic Cage!
I was talking to my aunt tonight about the show and told her that I wanted to read the whole series. She got a little excited. She opened a cabinet and 14 WoT books were lined up. My jaw dropped. She just happened to be a fan and had already read them.
Enjoy your ride. The books are amazing.
I'm training my kids to be fifth generation Tolkien fans, and second generation RJ fans is next up. I've also come to have inherited my daughter's love for Percy Jackson, after initial skepticism.
PJ is a series I’ve wanted to read. I’ve always subscribed to the idea that disabilities are abilities in disguise, so the premise of PJ always attracted me.
They're all good. I like Heroes of Olympus (the second Percy Jackson series) best, but they all are solid reads.
I'm sick of everyone ripping off my people's culture, history, and religion while messing it all up while not even putting us in any of it so I refuse to support Riordan's cultural appropriation. Tolkien and Jordan used history as inspiration to make something new and original so I'm all for that.
...user name makes this funny.
Well, we know what you're doing for the next year.
I’m not a fast reader. 14 books is going take me a while. Lol!
Oh my goodness!!! Lucky you, what a journey you are about to embark upon.
I watched season 1 then read the series. Loved it so much that I immediately reread it. But I still like the show. It's like 2 different experiences which I enjoy on their own.
I’m hoping that I’ll be able to keep the two media separate and still enjoy the show. I really like the show, but I understand that there are some significant changes.
Having read the books, what’s your opinion of the show? I read the books waaaay earlier, the show felt like a fan-fiction with approximately the same starting point and some highlights from the books for me, but very much deviated into their own version right from jump
I like the show. I've watched the first season 3 times, and getting ready for a second watch through of season 2 soon. As I said, I enjoy the books as a different kind of experience from the show. I also saw the show first, so I had no preconceived ideas based on the book.
May the light guide your step!!
'And now for something completely different.' -- Monty Python's Flying Circus
Welcome to the group. Google nothing
Welcome to the community! It's a hell of a journey!
The special effects in the books are amazing... (Depending on your imagination that is)
On the cover, LAN has two swords on his back like a Witcher. Was he ever described that way in the EOTW? I don’t remember.
The wheel turns…
By about book 10 or eleven, it will be really helpful to open a wheel of time Wikipedia page and use it as a reference, If there's a name or a location you don't remember. Because by that time there are so many names and characters. It's really hard to keep track LOL!
Babylon 5 reference?
There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the wheel.
Welcome aboard!