User reviews

I never read the books for The Wheels of Time so I had no idea what to expect but I have to say that I've truly enjoyed it so far. This show hooked me from the first episode and held my attention to the last. I binged the first two seasons in less than a week and was still hoping for more episodes when I was done so I'm glad season 3 is finally here. It seems like some of the people who read the books didn't like it as much but as long as you try not to compare it to the book and just enjoy it for what it is...and that's an entertaining fantasy series. The series should be judged on its own and not compared to the book. I'm not saying it's the best show I've ever seen but it's definitely worth watching. The world building and cast are the best things about the show and I can't wait for more.

First of all, forget the books - while the general premise is there, there is a different path that leads to each "key" moment, even if that path alters the characters singificantly or generally cutting corners (inevitably, due to the size of the original work).

Admittedly the first two seasons might seem a bit lacking in structure at points, or lacking in character development, or explaining important concepts, with each such moment coming down as a missed opportunity. I have to say that the third season really improves in everything. And even the overall quality of visual and sound effects is very high. Very much satisfied with how this monumental task is shaping and can't wait to see what comes next.

At the beginning I was not so sure, but as it has gone longer it has proven to be a very good show. While I have not read the books yet, I know many who both love and hate it and from both I have gathered it is a good enough adaption. If you have not read the books, you will enjoy it. If you have read the books you might take issue with some choices, but they also do a good job getting the broad strokes across in a very limited number of episodes. Some people are excessively negative about any adapted show, and that happens here as well. I say give it a shot if you enjoy high fantasy or fantasy at all.

Absolutely amazing season so far! A snow a bit shy, based on covid and Mat's recast in the ending of season 1, but getting better with each episode since! Season 3 is a must see, great world building, costumes and very good acting already at this point from the kids! Fresh new additions to the cast and solid adaptation. The show is now ready to lose some of the main protagonists as in the books, although that will make me cry! A few things done even better then in the books, especially when it comes to the heroes being more real and relatable in a tv adaptation. It also answers my biggest question as a huge book fan - why the white tower is unaware that there are so many channelers in the world outside of it? It absolutely bothered me in the books that the so powerfull and knowledgeable tower doesnt have a clue about the chanellers amongst the aiel, the seafolk etc if there are so many and each Aes Sedai knows who can channel only by seeing them, even when that person does not hold saidar at the moment. I beg those at Amazon, keep the show going it seems it will only get bigger and better now! The book material from now on has such a rich and unique storyline, that if the show goes all the way to the end, it will be impossible to ever find anything as good as it! PS: I cannot get "The hills if Tanchico" out of my mind! The hills of Tanchicoooo.....

The Wheel of Time is one of those rare shows where every season gets better and better. It's a show where you can't be playing on your phone, cooking dinner or doing something else, it requires your undivided attention. It's a show that never gets stale. I can't remember ever being bored, even for one episode. I loved every second of every episode and I think you will to if you give it a chance. The entire cast has been fantastic. With season 3 coming out I just rewatched the first two seasons from beginning to end. I saw that it's already been renewed for a fourth season and I'm sure it'll be just as good as the first three.

To start with, I have read the series of books and although they were not perfect, they were highly enjoyable and epic in their scale.

Now to the series.

A show or movies based on a book or series of books is generally bound to infuriate as the finished product cannot compare to the imagination of the reader, and there are not many examples of where this has been overcome.

So far I have been watching a show that has the main characters of the books relegated to supporting characters with little to no dialogue in some episodes.

There were over 2000 named characters in the book and they still felt the need to create new characters for the show that serve no real purpose.

The acting is fairly bad. With the amount of money spent on the cinematography, you would think they would have hired better actors.

I could see how someone who hasn't read the books would be confused as to what is going on, as the explanations as to what is going on are vague, which makes me wonder who this show was made for.

If it was to introduce people to the world that Robert Jordan created then they failed.

If it was for fans of the books, then they have again failed, as they have been changing things that didn't need to be changed and generally angering fans.

If you are going to adapt a series of books, then do so correctly, otherwise write your own original story and do what you want with it.

My positive takeaway from The Wheel of Time is that the cinematography is excellent, and unfortunately that is the only thing I find worthwhile.

Maybe it will get better, but I highly doubt it.

If you enjoy reading, I would recommend giving the series of books a glance, as this show is a pale reflection of the story Jordan wrote.

I've been struggling to put into words exactly what it is that makes me dislike this tv show, the best I can do is say that Rafe Judkins has removed, changed and added so much that the resemblance to this book series is at best passing. What he has created from a classic fantasy story is a Frankenstein's monster with a rushed story that makes little sense in a world robbed of any character or depth. I watch because I love the book series, and seeing them mangle one of my favourite series is like witnessing a car crash happen in slow motion, I don't want to watch but I can't bring myself to look away.

I could go into detail, but nobody wants that so I'll save you that torment. The book readers know what the changes are, and the tv show enjoyers don't really care. Each to their own, Keeping Up with the Kardashians has been on television for 20 years so it's not like the bar is incredibly high. The crux of my criticism of the Wheel of Time steaming series is this; Rafe Judkins believes himself a better storyteller than Robert Jordan, that is the only way to explain how and why he made the changes that he did. That is the only way to explain it. There are moments that could have been book accurate, but weren't. For what reason? Only Rafe knows.

It started as an average fantasy. Probably with a not-so-bloated budget and at times quite childish. The series had its better and worse moments. At times it was childish.

Series II introduced new interesting plots, although in places it was exaggerated. And the finale left a lot to be desired.

Series III rises to a new level, the plot is much more mature, the characters have more interesting personalities, the story is more multi-threaded, scenes in which the first series were childish are now emotional. Very good scenes (in terms of scenography and plot) discovering the genesis (Rand) and the future (Moraine).

This is definitely the best series and at the moment it is already one of the better fantasy series. Now I really hope that there will be a fourth series.

Maybe it's because I haven't read all the books yet (still working on it) and they are taking short cuts to plot points further on in the series, but the show is so far off from the first book that I barely recognize it. It started to come back to the book towards the end but then the season finale blew that up. The way it ended in the book was so much better.

Also, there are several things that make this show look cheap, even though I know it isn't. The trollocs cgi is bad. Their movements are choppy and almost appear sped up. Also, some of the cities and places feel like they didn't have the money to do any sweeping panoramic shots and they are just filming on a tiny set so everything is shot in close up.

I was really excited for this series and now I could care less if it continues. I actually started reading the books because I heard it was coming out. I'm hooked on the books but not on the show.

Yes, this show is woke. But that isn't the issue. They ruined the story. That's the issue. The books have sold tens of millions of copies. There's a fanbase millions strong. Why not just follow the books? Especially the first six books, which are excellent. No green man, no forsaken, no rand destroying the trolloc army, no encounter with the demon guy in Shaddar Logoth, no Elias to teach about the wolf dream, no worms or lake monster in the blight, not starting off the show with Lews Therrin creating Dragon Mount. What the hell. Most of the best parts of the book were removed. I'm not a purist. Changes can be good, but none of the changes were. People who haven't read the books might like it because ignorance is bliss: they don't understand how good this show could have been.

Read the series through at least 5 times. First time reading was in the 90s and in high school. I am so glad to see this show. It is so fulfilling. I love watching it and so does my non book reader wife. I love hearing her thoughts about the series and characters. The characters are excellent and their portrayals are spot on. I love the complexity brought to the antagonists. I understand that some folks are not fans and I respect that, however, I have been blown away by the show. I also like the way the show has incrementally improved over the first three seasons. I enjoyed season one and I am so glad it has gained momentum! Please make more!!

The series gets better as it goes on.

I have to say that I was completely unaware of this world, I haven't read any of the books, and my first contact was with the series. Therefore, after the first season, I didn't feel very motivated to keep watching it, but it's worth it.

I think everything related to the setting is very good. The acting is varied: there are characters that are very well done and others that leave quite a lot to be desired.

Regarding the plot/story, it starts off slow and confusing, but in seasons 2 and 3 it takes shape and becomes attractive.

It's not the brilliance I was expecting to see, but it's a good series that keeps getting better.

To be clear: the first two seasons are really NOT good, especially if you are a fan of the books.

They changed a lot - also stuff that was not needed for an adaptation. They also had weak writing. 5he troubles while shooting (covid + hollywood strike) explain some of that, but these two seasons are no more than 6 stars, if even that high.

That beeing said, season 3 is really good. It is what this adaptation was supposed to be like. Nobody in their right mind expects a 1 to 1 translation from page to screen, thats not how tv works. You have to change stuff. The things they are changing for s3 make sense or bring things back on track from the first two seasons. If they continue like this, they can make it a good show.

Is it flawless? No. Is it finally an acceptable adaptation? Yes.

I hole we get s4 confirmed soon and they can make this something special.

First of, I'm a relatively recent book reader, stared a year ago and I'm on book 7 Coming into this show, I had somewhat high expectations, with even though the first book being the worst of the first 7, it was still a pretty good book with such indept explanations of everything and everything was tied in such a way that kept us wondering and guessing and rooting, a fearing.. On the first Episode I understood how fast they had to move for such deep plot... But that was to be excused if they weren't gonna waste an entire Episode around a useless depressed warder and his issues.. The chacters are bland, the tone is weird because it wants to be a jolly show with dark elements and fails miserably at both, shadar logot was the biggest missed opportunity of the whole show.. The VFX and CGI of this show is simply bad, really bad! The worst I've seen in an Amazon show, let alone the one with the highest budget of them all.. everything from the creatures, the cities, everything that was soo fake and the sets in tar valon looked really cardboardy, and lets not talk about Ishamael because he just looked like a mashed potatoe. I feared for no one, i felt zero empathy, nothing of it looked reall and so one of the worst experiences of my life..

Than we have the plot changes.. from all the moments that makes my EOTW experience, they kept zero of them in the show, and traded them for women power representation or supposed to be shocking moments that none worked.. The dialogue is childish and highschoolish, weak and really poor, wasting most of it cringing.

I'm not mad for the changes just because of the changes.. I'm mad because they made up for such a weaker overall story than the book was, wand it was the worst book.

Overall, it's a pretty weak show, with weak character's, weak plot, weak motivation's and I'm having the saddest christmas eve ever with how bad tis finale was.

The best source material really any show could hope for, and what is the first thing they do, change it all, change the characters, the way they behave, then changed the settings which were so amazing in the books, changed the dialogue to the point that most people are bored silly. This is not Wheel Of Time.

Whoever wrote, and directed this I feel has just done a great disservice to the Books, and clearly wasn't a Wheel Of Time fan. If you are a fan you wouldn't feel the need to completely change it. Why get a person who hated the source material to write/direct it?

The only good news is, they messed it up so badly that there is plenty of room for someone to come in and do it correctly at some future date, as this will be completely unmemorable... I find every time i try to watch it within 5 mins I am simultaneously so bored, and frustrated that I just can't watch another min. I really want to like this, and I really wanted it to be good, but it just isn't. And there is some good talented actresses, and actors in it. So I blame the writing team and the director on this one...

Absolutely love seeing the story come together so fantastically. A few changes from the book but it all still fell together so fantastically. Season three was the best yet. Every episode this season was on the edge of your seat, the scenery was beautiful and the magic is done so well and realistically (unlike a lot of other shows). Can't wait for the next season!!! My only complaint is we didn't see more wolves and of course no asmodeum. The actress that plays the spider is such a treat to watch, such a talent. I know season one got off to an iffy start but season two and three were spectacular.

Power scaling in this is a bit ridiculous with the dragon reborns power hardly being showcast at all compared to his companions.

Season finale was weak and left with more questions than answers and was very anticlimactic.

Deviated too far from the original text for seemingly no reason other than to tell a different story perhaps.

The Wheel of Time is an ambitious fantasy series based on Robert Jordan's iconic book series, bringing to life a sprawling world filled with magic, prophecy, and a battle between light and darkness. Visually, the show is stunning, with breathtaking landscapes, detailed costumes, and a rich cultural tapestry that sets it apart from other fantasy adaptations. The special effects and world-building are genuinely impressive, capturing the epic scale and complexity of the source material. Rosamund Pike delivers a powerful performance as Moiraine, grounding the story with wisdom and mystery. The supporting cast also brings energy and diversity, representing the wide array of cultures and nations that exist within the Wheel's turning. However, despite all these strengths, the show's momentum is noticeably held back by the portrayal of its central character, Rand al'Thor, played by Josha Stradowski. While the character is meant to evolve from a humble farmer to a world-changing figure, Stradowski's performance often feels flat, lacking the emotional depth and inner turmoil that defines Rand's journey in the books. His stoic demeanor comes across more as wooden than reserved, making it difficult to connect with him or fully invest in his transformation. Given the importance of Rand to the overall narrative, this casting misstep significantly impacts the emotional resonance of the series. One can't help but wonder how much stronger the show could have been with a more dynamic actor in the lead role-someone capable of conveying the vulnerability, fear, and reluctant heroism that Rand embodies. For instance, imagining an actor with the nuanced charm and range of a young Daniel Radcliffe, best known for his portrayal of Harry Potter, could have dramatically altered the feel of the series. Radcliffe's ability to grow with a character and express internal conflict would have added layers to Rand's arc, making the story more compelling and emotionally grounded. That said, the rest of the ensemble cast works hard to elevate the material, and the showrunners deserve credit for attempting to streamline an incredibly dense series into a television format. The narrative pacing has its highs and lows, occasionally feeling rushed or disjointed, especially for those unfamiliar with the books. Still, fans of the series will appreciate the nods to the original lore and the attempts to stay true to the themes of balance, destiny, and the cyclical nature of time. With strong female leads, diverse representation, and a deep mythology, The Wheel of Time has a lot going for it, but it also struggles under the weight of its own expectations. If the central performance had been more engaging, it could have elevated the entire production to a different level. Instead, the series sometimes feels like it's spinning in place, trying to find its emotional core. Despite this, there's still potential for growth, especially if the character development sharpens in future seasons. As it stands, The Wheel of Time is a visually rich and thematically ambitious adaptation that is held back by uneven acting and some awkward narrative choices-but with a few key changes, it could still become one of the greats in modern fantasy television.

Great fun And engagement for the whole family! Should DEFINITELY be renewed for continued seasons! Even with the delayed release, it gives time to catch up, the anticipation of the release is totally worth it! Please keep developing this series!!! During the extended breaks and writers strike, we have enjoyed rewatching the show, also give the opportunity to pick up in missed clues from the first watch. Every show created from a book or book series has some variation, we have really enjoyed watching this unveil itself. Even if you have already read the full book series, I like to appreciate each entity as an individual work, you should not be disappointed.

Loved the books although a bit drawn out but not happy with the series. The characters are far removed from their personalities. The actors are not up to the roles excluding Pike. The story line has been changed considerably but the show relies too much on the sets and costumes. Also in an effort to create a diverse cast the isolated villages have a mixed race group. How can this be. The standard is well below thoes such as Game of Thrones even eith a similar budget.

Series 1 was just good enough to carry me to series 2, encouraged by the higher audience rating on Prime. I would score it a 6.

Series 2 is very much better, meriting an 8 or better.

Both series display very high production values. The fantasy world is superbly presented, with different cultures carefully delineated. Rosamund Pike carries dignity and power that is the key driving force of the drama. Daniel Henney, who I have not seen before, is very effective too.

The younger characters are not always as convincing, although some do grow into their roles as series 2 progresses. Also, Natasha O'Keeffe adds real bite in series 2.

The other key difference between the series is probably the way everything comes together to culminate in an epic battle in series 2, whereas the conclusion to series 1 spreads the characters into different battles.

Series 2 has left me keen to see more!