20 Must-Read Books Like The Wheel of Time Series

I discovered Robert Jordan’s “The Wheel of Time” series back in the ’90s, and it quickly captivated me as one of the most engrossing fantasy sagas. This epic tale spans an impressive 15 volumes, with the final three books penned by Brandon Sanderson following Jordan’s passing in 2007, using his notes to complete the unfinished series. Recently, Amazon’s television adaptation has brought this captivating world back into the spotlight for fans like me.

In this article, we are going to concentrate on the books, as we are going to give you a list of the 20 best books like The Wheel of Time you can enjoy reading. The books are, in one way or the other, similar to The Wheel of Time franchise.

The books are arranged in a non-sequential manner, which means their positioning does not indicate their quality. We’ve made an effort to select outstanding fantasy books that embody either the genre, style, or essence similar to “The Wheel of Time”, hoping you will find them as captivating as the original series.

1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)

The narrative opens with an account of the stir caused throughout the County due to the announcement of a celebration in celebration of Bilbo Bessac’s 111th birthday, a Hobbit, and Frodo, Bilbo’s adopted little cousin who was turning 33.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary tales surrounding Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who seems to have swapped his tranquil homely life for a world filled with adventures. Whispers abound that he’s secretly stashed an incredible fortune within his humble abode. Moreover, it’s astounding how well Bilbo, a man of a hundred years, maintains his youthful vigor. Yet, his remarkable generosity squashes any green-eyed envy stirred by his wealth and longevity. The anticipation for the upcoming celebration is palpable among us hobbits, as feasting, merrymaking, and exchanging gifts are our cherished pastimes.

Gandalf, an old friend and sorcerer, comes to the Shire and plans to contribute as a fireworks specialist during the celebration.

2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers (1954)

In “The Two Towers,” we delve into the journeys of characters other than Frodo and Sam. The Uruk-hai capture Merry and Pippin, and Boromir, who tried to help them, perished before Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli could arrive, with Gimli being occupied by secondary battles and Aragorn pursuing Frodo’s trail instead.

Following Boromir’s ashes being sent off with the Anduin river, the remaining three set out on a mission to save Merry and Pippin. Meanwhile, the Uruk-hai dash towards Isengard, leaving a clear path behind them, but they are swift and have already gained quite an advantage in distance…

3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King (1955)

In “The Return of the King,” we follow the adventures of various characters instead of just Frodo and Sam, mainly focusing on Merry and Pippin’s experiences.

At the onset of the book, Pippin and Gandalf enter Minas Tirith, which we find to be the once radiant city of Gondor, now in a state of decay during the Third Age. The White City is gearing up for its most significant battle.

I, along with my loyal companions Legolas and Gimli, as well as the Dúnedain and the sons of Elrond, delve into the Dwimorberg together. Our mission is to rally the army of the Dead to our cause, reminding my king of the oath he made to his ancestor Isildur. Meanwhile, the Rohirrim, where we find Merry, are gearing up to ride to the aid of Minas Tirith.

4. George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings (1998)

Despite being recognized as a king, Joffrey Baratheon questions the validity of his rule due to whispers suggesting he’s the offspring born from an incestuous relationship between Jaime and Cersei Lannister. Meanwhile, Robb Stark proclaims himself as “the Ruler of the North.

Stannis Baratheon, Robert’s elder sibling, asserted his rule as King of the Seven Kingdoms, backed by Melisandre from Asshai, a priestess possessing extraordinary abilities, who worships the god R’hllor. In contrast, their brother Renly, known for his charm and backed by House Tyrell, also claimed the throne despite being the youngest among them.

In an attempt to forge an alliance, Catelyn Stark, acting on Robb’s orders, endeavors to mend the rift between the quarreling brothers, Renly and Stannis Baratheon. However, the night prior to their impending battle, a shadowy figure, witnessed by Catelyn and Brienne de Torth, Renly’s protective guard, stealthily slays Renly within his tent.

5. Christopher Paolini, Eragon (2002)

In the northwestern part of the Empire, nestled within the picturesque Palancar valley of Alagaësia, resides a small village named Carvahall. Fifteen-year-old Eragon, an orphaned farmer, calls this place his home, living just beyond its borders.

Whilst venturing through the notorious Crest Mountains, once feared following the defeat of the wicked King Galbatorix who lost a significant portion of his army there, he stumbles upon an enigmatic, bright-blue stone adorned with intricate white veins in a secluded glade.

Initially, this rock unexpectedly transforms into a dragon’s egg, from which a brilliant blue dragon hatches shortly after. In an ordinary rural setting, Eragon, a humble peasant, later discovers he is the long-lost successor to the ancient Dragon Riders, a lineage that has been absent for more than a century…

6. Michael Ende, Die unendliche Geschichte (1979)

Bastien Balthazar Bux is a ten-year-old child who’s on the shorter side, round in shape, timid, not particularly attractive, without a mother, and often misunderstood by his father. One morning, chased by some classmates, he seeks shelter in a bookshop.

Following a disagreement with a grumpy elderly bookseller who dislikes children, and due to a brief lapse in focus, the man ends up accidentally stealing a book that seems to captivate him. Afraid of being late for class and facing punishment, he instead opts to hide secretively in an old school storage shed.

He plops himself down onto some dust-covered mattresses and starts delving into the purloined book titled “The Neverending Story”…

7. Neil Gaiman, Stardust (1999)

Near the tranquil English village of Wall lies a grand wall, marked by a solitary entrance that grants access to the mystical realm of Fairy Land. Constantly watched over by the villagers, this gate opens seldom – once every nine years during the enchanting Fairy Fair, an extraordinary market held just beyond and adjacent to the wall.

Tristan Thorn, a local villager who’s mother hails from this enchanted realm, finds himself smitten with a girl named Victoria Forester. In exchange for a kiss, she tasks him to venture beyond the barrier and retrieve a fallen star that lies within the Fairy Kingdom.

Eager to explore without limits, Tristan embarks on a journey seeking a star that is more than just a celestial body. In truth, it’s a captivating woman who, like the star, draws interest not only from Tristan but also from wicked beings due to her mystical powers…

8. C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)

In the midst of World War II, specifically during the Battle of Britain, their parents arranged for the evacuation of their four kids (Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy Pevensie) from London’s bombings to a sprawling, antique manor owned by an elderly professor named Kirke.

One sunny afternoon as I let my inner child run free, exploring the family home, little Lucy stumbled upon an enigmatic cupboard that led to another realm. This peculiar closet was crafted by none other than Professor Kirke, in his youth, using the mystical wood of a magical apple tree from the fantastical world of Narnia.

9. George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones (1996)

In the realm known as Westeros, Eddard Stark, a noble lord residing at Winterfell, governs the northernmost province of the Seven Kingdoms. He is a descendant of a storied line of Starks, tough and unyielding like his lands’ harsh climate, but fair and esteemed. About a decade and a half ago, he aided his old friend Robert Baratheon in overthrowing Aerys II Targaryen, the cruel monarch known as the Mad King.

Ever since that point, Robert held dominion over the Seven Crowns. Following Jon Arryn’s demise, a crucial role in the kingdom, second only to the king himself – the Hand of the King position – was temporarily filled by King Robert. He then traveled to the North to assign this duty to Eddard.

Initially showing no excitement, he becomes convinced when his wife Catelyn intercepts a coded message from his late sister Lysa, widow of Jon Arryn. In this message, Lysa asserts that her husband’s death was a murder orchestrated by the Lannister family, who are linked to Queen Cersei’s marriage with the king…

10. Philip Pullman, Northern Lights (1995)

Eleven-year-old Lyra hails from Oxford, England, where she spent her childhood days. Her companion, known as Pantalaimon, is her daimon. Lyra is a spirited and intelligent girl, often found amidst the bustling city with Roger Parslow, an assistant cook at a college, and children of the gyptian tribe, who live on water-bound vessels and travel along the rivers.

Yet, her laid-back existence takes an unexpected turn when she secretly witnesses a gathering between Jordan’s scholars and her uncle, Lord Asriel, concerning a mystifying substance called Dust. In this conversation, Lord Asriel successfully secures financial backing from the College for an Arctic research expedition, despite a failed assassination attempt.

11. Andrzej Sapkowski, Chrzest ognia (1996)

Following the intense occurrences on Isle of Thanedd, Triss Merigold escorted Geralt to the Brokilon Forest, where Dryad healers nursed the wounded witcher back to health after his fierce battle with the sorcerer Vilgefortz of Roggeveen.

Geralt is set for a prolonged hospitalization, where he encounters Maria Barring, famously known as Milva, who’s been assisting Scoia’tael rebels elude human militias for months. Despite the urgings of Eithné, queen of the Dryads, Milva provides Geralt updates about the world beyond the hospital and more significantly, about the destiny of her apprentice, Ciri…

12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937)

In the tranquil confines of my cozy Bag End dwelling, I found myself living a leisurely life until an unexpected encounter with the enigmatic Gandalf. Little did I know that this meeting would be followed by an unwanted visit the very next day – a motley crew of thirteen dwarves, each as different as they were intriguing, led by none other than Thorin Oakenshield. Accompanying him were Balin, Dwalin, Fili, Kili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oïn, Gloïn, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur – a colorful assemblage who graced my humble abode with their presence for an uninvited but memorable tea party.

As I find myself embarking on a journey, my destination lies at the imposing Lonely Mountain – a place where the fearsome dragon Smaug now resides, having seized the dwarves’ once prosperous kingdom and their hoard of treasures. In order to successfully execute our plans, we require an unparalleled burglar, and Gandalf has suggested none other than Bilbo Baggins. Despite my initial hesitation to partake in such an adventure, I find myself unwillingly drawn into this fellowship…

13. George R.R. Martin, A Feast for Crows (2005)

Amidst a chaotic situation, the Seven Crowns of Westeros are now ruled by young King Tommen Baratheon. In the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy’s brothers and daughter argue over who should succeed him, while Prince Doran Martell’s wisdom prevents Dorne from waging war against the Lannisters and Tyrells.

Among the five claimants to the throne who vied for power at the onset of the war, namely Joffrey, Renly, Stannis Baratheon, Robb Stark (also known as “King of the North”), and Balon Greyjoy (reigning over the Iron Islands), only one, Stannis Baratheon, remains alive. However, instead of continuing his claim to the throne, he has opted to relocate to the Wall, leading a diminished army…

14. Philip Pullman, The Subtle Knife (1997)

12-year-old Will Parry resides in modern-day Oxford, shouldering adult duties due to his mother’s mental instability following the vanishing of her husband, John Parry, during an expedition to the Arctic. In a bid to safeguard his mother, young Will unfortunately ends up taking a man’s life, who intruded into their home with the intention of stealing correspondence from his father.

As a movie enthusiast, I stumbled upon an extraordinary finding as I strolled through my city: a nearly invisible window in mid-air, leading to a realm unlike any I’ve ever known. Curiosity piqued, I stepped through that window and found myself in Cittagazze – a place where I encountered Lyra Belacqua and Pantalaimon, who had also arrived from another world, connected by the bridge constructed by Lord Asriel during his Dust investigations…

15. Terry Pratchett, The Colour of Magic (1983)

Twoflower, a native of the Agatean Empire, steps off in Ankh-Morpork for some tourism. He enlists the services of the unsuccessful mage Rincewind as his guide. The Agatean Empire houses vast amounts of gold, but its worth is extremely low.

As I, the humble movie critic, embarked on my own grand adventure, I found myself laden with the wealth amassed throughout my life – a treasure hoard intended to finance my journey. However, this golden bounty seemed to stir up covetousness among the cunning denizens of Ankh-Morpork, where thieves and cutthroats lurk in every shadow.

Twoflower’s actions unwittingly spark a city fire, compelling two accomplices to escape. However, these individuals are unwitting pawns in a cosmic board game, played out by the gods of Discworld, specifically the Lady (symbolizing luck in vast numbers) and Fate…

16. Andrzej Sapkowski, Krew elfów (1994)

In this adaptation, young Princess Ciri stands alone after the fall of the Kingdom of Cintra. Finding herself on the run from the capital, she encounters Geralt of Rivia, who becomes her mentor and guides her towards Kaer Morhen – a fortress known as the Witcher’s sanctuary. Here, Ciri learns about magic and begins to unveil her extraordinary abilities, which have sparked jealousy among some powerful figures. One such mage is prepared to challenge Geralt, hoping to gain access to his promising apprentice.

17. Stephen King, The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982)

Initially in the narrative, Roland from Gilead – the lone gunslinger amidst a transforming universe – treks across a desert-like landscape shrouded in blinding dust. He’s pursuing the enigmatic man in black, who seems to possess miraculous abilities.

In a universe mirroring the American Frontier, Roland’s realm exists parallel to ours, marked by remnants of a catastrophic past. Traces of our culture are evident, such as the song “Hey Jude,” nursery rhymes, biblical excerpts, and technological artifacts.

For nearly two decades, Roland’s pursuit has persisted, yet it’s not just any chase he’s after. The true goal of his journey is the enigmatic Dark Tower, a structure that serves as the hub of all realities and has become the focus of the wrath of the Crimson King…

18. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion (1977)

Following an initial cosmic narrative (“Ainulindalë”), there’s a section that introduces the ruling entities of the world, known as the Valar (“Valaquenta”). The main body of the work is primarily focused on “Quenta Silmarillion”, a detailed chronicle of the struggles and triumphs experienced by the Elves, culminating at the downfall of Morgoth, the initial Dark Lord.

This section, along with the entire book, takes its title from the Silmarils, three enchanting jewels that play a crucial role in shaping history. The narrative primarily delves into the grandeur and downfall of the people of the Isle of Númenor during the Second Age (“Akallabêth”), and chronicles the history of Middle Earth from the War of the Ring to its aftermath (“Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age”).

19. Terry Pratchett, Pyramids (1989)

After completing his training at the Assassin’s Guild in Ankh-Morpork, Teppic went back to his native land, the kingdom of Jolhimome, where he assumed the throne following the demise of his father, the former Pharaoh.

In a strange turn of events, his father’s spirit pleads with him to halt the construction of the pyramids, as they are causing harm to the nation. However, under the sway of High Priest Dios, Teppic orders the building of the grandest pyramid ever, which leads to a disruption in time and space…

20. Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass (2000)

In a hidden cave, Lyra Belacqua is kept in a deep slumber by her mother Marisa Coulter, as a precaution against the Magisterium who are determined to find and eliminate her. This is because they recognize the girl’s significant role in shaping human destiny, causing them to commission Father Gomez for this very purpose. Simultaneously, Mary Malone, a scientist, adheres to orders from the Shadows, prompting her to traverse through windows into various worlds. She befriends the mulefa and constructs the amber telescope – an intriguing device used to scrutinize the particles of Dust.

2025-06-02 20:46