Fantasy lovers looking to start Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series have a golden opportunity—Amazon has dropped the price of the first box set to a mere $12.36. That’s over 60% off its original price of $33, bringing each book in the set down to just $4.12. And the rest of the epic 15-book saga? Still very affordable if you’re willing to piece together the remaining box sets.
This is a rare deal for one of the most beloved high fantasy series in publishing history. And with hardcover editions also getting significant markdowns, now might be the perfect time to jump in—or revisit the sprawling, magical world Jordan built.
Five Box Sets, One Massive Saga
Let’s break it down. The Wheel of Time is spread across 15 core novels, released in five box sets of three books each. The current price for the first box set is the real standout at $12.36, but even the others are available for less than $20 apiece.
This is how it looks right now:
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Box Set I (Books 1–3): $12.36 (was $33)
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Box Set II (Books 4–6): $19.44 (was $33)
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Box Set III (Books 7–9): $18.13 (was $33)
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Box Set IV (Books 10–12): $20 (was $33)
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Box Set V (Books 13–15): $17.59 (was $32)
Yes, the first set is by far the cheapest—but altogether, you’re looking at completing the entire saga for around $88 before tax. That’s less than the typical cost of buying just seven hardcover novels at full retail.
A Fantasy Milestone that Keeps Giving
This series is no light read—literally or figuratively.
Book 1, The Eye of the World, clocks in at nearly 700 pages in hardcover. By the time you hit Book 14, A Memory of Light, you’re looking at over 900 pages. That’s a lot of world-building, battle strategy, character growth, and dense magical systems to chew on.
And here’s the thing: Jordan didn’t even finish the saga himself. After writing 12 of the books between 1990 and 2005, he passed away in 2007. Brandon Sanderson—of Mistborn and Stormlight Archive fame—stepped in to finish the final three novels, using extensive notes left by Jordan. For many fans, the transition was seamless.
The story eventually sprawled across continents, cultures, and generations, with characters who aged, faltered, evolved, and suffered. It’s dense. It’s messy. But it’s one of those stories you finish and miss almost immediately.
Paperbacks or Hardcovers? That’s the Real Question
So what’s the catch with these paperback sets? Well, they’re mass market paperbacks, which means:
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Smaller font
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Thinner paper
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Less durable bindings
They get the job done, sure, and they’re budget-friendly. But if you care about aesthetics or long-term shelf life, you might want to consider the hardcover editions instead. They’ve got the original ‘90s-style illustrated covers and dust jackets, which a lot of longtime fans swear by.
Check this out—a bunch of hardcover editions are now significantly discounted on Amazon:
| Book Title | Hardcover Price | Retail Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Eye of the World | $22.49 | $40 |
| The Great Hunt | $20 | $40 |
| The Shadow Rising | $16.27 | $40 |
| Knife of Dreams | $20.60 | $40 |
| A Memory of Light | $24.50 | $43 |
If you’re a collector or just want something that’ll last beyond one read, the hardcovers might be worth the extra investment.
That 30th Anniversary Edition? Gorgeous
Jordan fans, this one’s for you.
Amazon also has the 30th Anniversary Edition of The Eye of the World for $20 (was $43). It’s not part of the standard hardcover line, but it’s got a few perks:
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Four full-color maps on the endpapers
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Ribbon bookmark
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Gold-stamped snake-wheel on the cover
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New cover art
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Foreword by Brandon Sanderson
It’s the kind of book you put on the top shelf—not just read in bed.
Bonus Books for the Lore-Hungry
If you’re deep into The Wheel of Time and want more backstory, Amazon also has two major companion books:
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The Wheel of Time Companion: $13.50 paperback / $26 hardcover
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The World of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time: $18.30 paperback / $19 hardcover
These are packed with lore, character bios, side stories, and even concept art that didn’t make it into the main novels. One’s more of an encyclopedia; the other leans toward artbook.
Perfect if you’re obsessed with the minutiae of Rand al’Thor’s saga.
