The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning. This thread is for the discussion of the book series known as The Wheel of Time, a 14-book series (15 counting the prologue book) written by Robert Jordan, and ghost written by Brandon Sanderson after Robert Jordan's death after finishing the 11th book. This story follows...well, far too many people to count, and all important in their own right to the events within the books. The main character, however, is Rand al'Thor, a young man from the quiet country village of Emond's Field in the Two Rivers, a long-neglected region in the west of the kingdom of Andor. Rand is a sheepherder and lives his days helping his father, Tam, around the farm. He gets into mischief with his friends: strong and gentle Perrin Aybara, and clever and mischievous Matrim Cauthon. One day, when walking back home from hunting with his father, Rand sees a mysterious man standing on the road, silent and still, staring at him. The man's cloak is black as pitch, and, bizarrely, does not move at all in the wind. Upon informing his father and looking back, the man is gone, and, wondering if it was his imagination, he continues onward to Emond's Field. There, he meets with his friends, as well as his mutual crush Egwene al'Vere and the village Wisdom (head of the Women's Circle and village herb healer), Nynaeve al'Maera. They meet a mysterious newcomer at the inn, the beautiful woman who introduces herself as Moiraine, and her traveling companion, the quiet Lan. Little did they know that this encounter would possibly be the most momentous in their lives. Emond's Field is a quiet place that keeps well to itself, knowing nothing of what goes on in the outside world apart from what they hear once a year when the peddler called Padan Fain comes to sell his wares. This time, he brings word of a man proclaiming himself the Dragon Reborn, a man who can channel the One Power and with it, do supernatural things. This proclamation incited war, something unheard of in the Two Rivers. Apparently, the man proclaiming to be the Dragon Reborn is trying to build an army in preparation for Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle against the Shadow. This news interests Rand and his fellow villagers, naturally, since a false Dragon isn't something that happens often. But this news is little more than a diversion for the villagers, since it doesn't involve them or affect their way of life. They continue with their preparations for Bel Tine, an annual festival celebrating the arrival of spring, and word has it there will even be a gleeman, a wandering performer who juggles and sings ballads and epics in exchange for boarding, food, and money. That night however, something most unexpected happens that turns everyone's world upside-down... Now, since there are 15 books (including the prologue book, New Spring), I ask that everyone who wishes to discuss something state within spoiler tags which book or books they're including in their posts so those who aren't as far along can be warned.
This is an excellent book series, and one I intend on finishing if I ever find more books to it. So far I've only read 4 books in, and it's just fabulous. Have you ever read the Sword of Truth series?
I have not, but if you wish to tell me about it, feel free to shoot me a PM or visitor message. Don't want the thread to get derailed on the first post. xD
When I first heard of this series, it was because I listened to the Blind Guardian song with the same title as the series. [video=youtube;y_ts8cPScXM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ts8cPScXM[/video] While I have yet to read the series, I have heard nothing but good things about it and am thoroughly excited to begin.
The snake is indeed the ouroboros symbol, called the Great Serpent in the books, a symbol of the perpetual and cyclical nature of time. It usage predates the Wheel used in the main series. The Wheel of Time has 7 spokes, representing the 7 Ages. From my understanding, these ages repeat themselves over and over for all time, but are so far apart in time that no one notices the repetition, as stated by the refrain I posted in the first post about memories becoming legend. The Wheel being a wheel, again is clearly because of the cyclical nature of time.
