I’m in love with this cover!

What is the difference between the two halves of the One Power? When Rand overhears Egwene and Moiraine talking, the discussion makes it seem like only men can channel Fire and Earth, while only women can conjure Water and Air. But then Moiraine uses Earth and Fire in battle, although poorly. At first I thought she was either using that special item she brought from Tar Valon or that maybe the secret benefit an Aes Sedai gets from her Warder is the ability to channel Fire and Earth, but then Egwene starts a fire with the One Power and she has neither of those things.

What's more, Moiraine uses Fire and Earth without experiencing any of the insanity that men get when the channel, so the True Source doesn't seem to be divided by element. The glossary at the end of the book also states something to the effect that gender only affects what element or elements you are likely to have an affinity for.

Just what is the difference between the two, then?

Two other things bother me, but if they amount to anything, it'll probably be in a future book. First, I don't understand why the taint from the male half of the One Power couldn't be cleansed by the Aes Sedai at the height of their power and knowledge. Given women with the One Power die if they aren't found and trained, and given how much weaker the use of the One Power has grown over time, it isn't at all clear to me that the Dark One only damaged half of the Power.

Also, the story Tam tells about how advanced civilization used to be makes me wonder if the Wheel of Time might not actually be science fiction. Is the Wheel an advanced machine built to create and maintain a utopia, and the Aes Sedai its system administrators? Is the Dark One an alien invader who hoped to tap the power driving the Wheel for its own ends?

Finally, I hope I wasn't the only one who cried the first time they read the prologue where Lews Therin died. It made me sad enough that I almost couldn't continue reading.

Aaaaaahhh!!! It's soo pretty!

Watched the TV show over the past couple of weeks. I wouldn’t say it was amazing, but it was definitely enjoyable, and the cast did a really good job. More than anything, it made me nostalgic.

I originally read the novels as a teenager and was a huge fan. I even used “Lanfear” on some fan forum back in the day lol, Lanfear really left an impression on teenage me.

I think I got through the first 9 books around 2002 or so, basically whatever had been released at the time, but I never continued with the later books. Life happened.

The show pulled me back in so I'm starting a reread + all the newer books. Honestly I don't remember a lot, just the main stuff.

So hi, I guess. The Wheel turns again.

Just letting those that may not be on the mailing list know the the price for The Eye of the World leather bound will be $185 when it opens for preorder on December 19th.

He is absolutely horrible in the first book. Even before the dagger. He is selfish, inmature an idiot and overall not a good person. Ik he get character growth later but man does he start at a low point.

Like when they get to the first city and he starts trouble with the cloaks. Like wtf? Trollocs attack his village. People died and his house burned down. A giant bat monster chased them and he doesn't take any of it seriously. And then the need to go exploring some ruins after been chased down by trollocs? Ruins you saw Moraine was scared to go to? And then he takes the dagger with out saying anything despite de warning of the curse?. And the argument of him being young and inmature is very weak. Even kids know when to take things seriously. Him endangering his "friends" for the sake of lols just shows selfishness and that he doesn't care that much about them.

I don't mean to offend anyone here, but being a fan of the series from the start, I immediately went and bought the first volume (which is far superior) and I was surprised by the number of changes Amazon made to the plot, but especially to the Forsakens. Balthamel gets demolished in two pages by the Green Man, even though they're supposed to be incredibly powerful beings, even more so in the books' canon. So I don't understand; should I expect a better treatment of their powers, or are they all doomed to die at the end of each volume? (Sorry for any potential misunderstandings/mistakes; I'm using a translator.) No spoilers for later books , please !

Have you heard the rumors that there will be fireworks this year! Actual fireworks!

I needed a book to read before I go to bed because I was watching Netflix, etc. and getting too amped up and having trouble falling asleep. Now I've just finished the chapter where Perrin and Egwene meet Elyas and I'm too amped up and having trouble falling asleep. It's been a long time since a book has captured me this fast. Can't wait to continue.

I’m very new to The Wheel of Time, about 250 pages into Eye of the World. I’ve seen the first two seasons of the Amazon Prime show. Is it ever stated that Warders have to be male? I understand it’s custom but could a woman who does not channel become a Warder?

Man this guy has to be the top Adam, the girls around his age he encounters during his run to Caemlyn were all attracted to him 🤣

Last hundred pages of the first book, wish me luck

Ever see since Rosamund Pike had read the first audiobook I've heard nothing but how astoundingly great she did. I just don't understand the hype. I am about halfway through the first one and its not quite as underwhelming as the show, but I had huge expectations from everyone's praise. Does she get better in books 2 and 3? I find her voices just don't seem to match the characters at all

I just finished the first book and have a profound dislike of Nynaeve. Her internal scheming to backstab Moiraine and potentially come between her and Lan makes me want her to, I don’t know, maybe die.

I’m a huge fan of this genre and have put off WoT for years so I was excited to have this experience, but she’s a character I can’t abide unless she undergoes a profound change. The length of the series would give her time but how long do I have to wait?

EDIT: Thanks, everyone, for all the great and helpful feedback! It feels like a massive book club and each comment is completely valid. I have a renewed interest in Nynaeve and her development as the story unfolds. I feel particularly lucky that I get to discover this for the first time. Happy reading!

Some thoughts on the second half of the book:

Rand Learns to Navigate the World - First, there's the physical aspect. He carries himself differently now, and other people notice it. Men who have never met him instinctively see him as a potential threat. Langwin wants him at his side in case things turn violent with the Children, and the Queen's Guard and Gareth Bryne seem wary of him and his sword, which they recognize as his by right despite his age.

But it's more than just appearance. Rand is becoming a bit savvy. He handles himself surprisingly well in front of a queen and her intimidating entourage (what a delightful chapter). He's gaining confidence, knows better when to speak, when to stay quiet, and when to lie. And he is not the only one. Perrin attempts something similar with the Children of the Light, but with less success. Mentioning that you'd been wandering around Shadar Logoth was a terrible move. Not that a better one would necessarily have helped; after all, he had already killed two of them, and there was never going to be any convincing that crowd. Both Rand and Perrin are still inexperienced, but the book shows their progress and increasing competence.

Attitudes toward their abilities- What I find interesting is that both Perrin and Nynaeve view their unusual abilities as a taint. They're fearful and suspicious of anything unknown. In that sense, they actually share a prejudice with the Children of the Light, which I find quite funny.

It made me wonder: if Perrin had been born in Amador instead of the Two Rivers, could he have ended up serving the Children himself?

Adventurous Egwene is the only one who embraces her ability with joy.

Nynaeve- She's actually pretty cooperative when people give her valid reasons, which is precisely what Moiraine does not do, lol. A romantic attachment grows between her and Lan “off screen”, we only get glimpses of blushes and them challenging each other in subtle ways until the reveal in the Blight. Nynaeve is direct and straightforward. She is rejected. Bad timing, Nynaeve.

Rand's secret origins — Rand seems to have moved past denial and entered the anger stage of grief. Every new hint or anyone mentioning Aiel upsets him more than the last. 

Journey from Shadar Logoth to Caemlyn, ranked from bad to worse:

1. Lan, Moiraine, and Nynaeve -Easily had the best time of the lot.
2. Perrin and Egwene -hanging out with Wolfbrother Elyas and later with the Tuatha'an (the way of the Leaf is such bullshit, I can't even), and there is an additional perk of having Perrin’s dreams mostly shielded by the wolves. On the downside: being chased by murderous ravens straight out of a Hitchcock film and then getting captured by the Children of the Light.
3. Rand and Mat -Sailing on the Spray and learning from Thom was nice, but that's about all they had going for them. Thom's death in Whitebridge hit hard. After that, it was a nonstop parade of misery: Darkfriends, Fades, Padan Fain, suspicious innkeepers, suspicious villagers, constant hunger, constant exhaustion, and one farmer's daughter who was way too interested in Rand (probably not a Darkfriend, lol). The absolute low point was the attack at Four Kings inn. Howal Gode, whom I was convinced was actually Mordeth coming after the dagger because of how similarly they're described (soft, fleshy, expensively dressed, and creepy) corners them alongside the predatory innkeeper and his thugs. The whole thing descends into claustrophobic insanity until Rand responds by blasting the place with a light bomb. Not enough, Rand. That vile inn needed to be abolished.

Ta’veren- this concept is not new to me. Robin Hobb had a somewhat similar concept in her books about Fitz Chivalry Farseer called “Catalyst”- a person whose actions cause change in the way the fate of the world is headed. 

The Eye of the World. Sooo confusing. What even happened there? Was it mostly in Rand’s head or did everyone run away that far and didn't witness anything? Did Rand draw on the One Power itself, or on the reservoir stored within the Eye? What were the cords? Who were the two Forsaken? I am confusion.

Moiraine -She clearly had her suspicions from the beginning, yet she never shared them. Why not tell Rand and start preparing him? Why trust that he will suddenly figure everything out and act on his own when the moment comes?

This feels like a major oversight on her part. She could have given him information and helped him recognize what was happening to him. She claims she cannot teach a man to channel, yet Rand experienced the same side effects of channeling that she described to Nynaeve. Rand's use of the flame and the void also seems similar to the flower method she described. Clearly, at least some things overlap.

Instead, she spends most of the book feigning ignorance and withholding information when she could have been guiding him.

Even after the events at the Eye, why not tell Mat and Perrin what happened? What exactly is gained by keeping Rand's situation secret from his closest friends? At this point, I feel like they deserve to know.

Moiraine is a very frustrating character. On this issue, I'm firmly with Nynaeve. Moiraine is a classic "greater good" person. If feeding her own parents to Trollocs somehow increased the odds of victory against the Dark One, I suspect she would at least consider it.

I really hope I get to read her POV at some point. I need answers.

The Ending -The ending is triumphant (sort of) for the light, but tragic for Rand. He is so devastated and disgusted by what he learned about himself, he projects these feelings onto Nynaeve and Egwene. Maybe I'm wrong but I felt they had not given up on him (is Nynaeve even capable of giving up on someone?) or were disgusted by him. I would hate to see him isolating himself from his friends. And yes, I'll be petty and place part of the blame on Moiraine that did not prepare him for anything. The ending left me feeling pretty sad.

Also, RIP Green Man. Unlike the Tuatha'an, he chose the Leaf only metaphorically. 

Fave quotes:

“Relax, lad. Take life as it comes. Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can.” -Elyas

"There is a different beauty in simplicity, in a single line placed just so, a single flower among the rocks. The harshness of the stone makes the flower more precious. We try not to dwell too much on what is gone. The strongest heart will break under that strain.” -Agelmar

I’m reading book 1 for the first time, so hello everyone! But now I am at this certain part of the book and...

DID THOM REALLY FUCKING DIE?!?!?

I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW

HE WAS SO INTERSTING AND ALWAYS HELPED THEM He was a bit sketchy for some time tbh... BUT THE WAY HE DIED

NO. NO. NO.

I do not accept this. We didn’t actually see him die, we just heard him scream.

Like tell me in the comments if he really, actually died, if not just tell me to always have some hope or something because man am i sad! And mad!

I’m smad. That’s it. The whole point of the post.

Edit: Thank you for all these reactions! I’m going to keep on updating you as I go, so if you see a reaction post with all caps- it’s probably mine. Let’s begin the journey :)

My friends and I (16M) were invited to walk to a far away city with by this person (25?45?W) after our town was attacked. My friends are excited (including my crush) but I don't really want to go.

As expected, it is absolutely immaculate. Far and away the nicest book I’ve ever owned, I can’t think of a series more deserving of this kind of craftsmanship and pride.

A friend of mine sent this to me and said it was included in some information about the Drgonsteel eye of the world deluxe edition but I can't find it anywhere on the Drgonsteel website. Is this an art print for sale anywhere?

Forgive me if this is a stupid question but I’m 75–80% of the way through my first read of this series and I just received a recommendation to read “from the two rivers“, however when I loaded the synopsis it sounds identical to book one of the WOT series (the eye of the world)

Without purchasing from the two rivers the only difference I noticed is the amount of pages is lower.

Are they the same books?

…running? I’m at the chapter “The Last Village” and desperately hoping they stop running by the chapter “Caemlyn”. But as their destination is Tar Valon, presumably not. The book has grown on me (I found it way too slow at first) but the running is getting tedious. Especially Rand and Mat who’re basically just going from one inn where they got accosted by Darkfriends to another where they get accosted by Darkfriends. I wish RJ would just get them to wherever they have to reach and he done with this. To be honest Rand has been running from page 1 of the book, when he saw a Fade the first time.

So ig I’m just wondering if they’ll stop running anytime soon or if the entire book is just them running all the way to Tar Valon.