We asked AI to name the best book in The Wheel of Time series, and its answer is about right

The Wheel of Time is an epic fantasy series written by Robert Jordan and finished by Brandon Sanderson following Jordan’s death in 2007. With Amazon in the middle of adapting the books into a TV show, it’s the perfect time to jump in. But which Wheel of Time book is the “best”?

There are 14 books in the series, not counting a prequel, so there’s a lot to sort through. Fans have debated which is the best of the bunch for years. But with the advent of generative AI, we no longer need to depend on the fleshy brains of human fans to settle these questions. To that end we asked ChatGPT to name the best Wheel of Time book. After qualifying that tastes can be subjective, here’s what it said:

"The Shadow Rising is widely praised for its intricate plot developments, character growth, and the expansion of the world-building. In this book, the story reaches a turning point as major events unfold, propelling the narrative forward and deepening the overall complexity of the series. It delves into various character arcs, explores new cultures and lands, and presents a significant advancement in the overarching storyline."

According to AI, The Shadow Rising is the best book in The Wheel of Time series

The Shadow Rising is the fourth book in the series, and it does indeed begin a new era for the story. Rand, Egwene and the rest of the kids introduced from the first book are no longer novices just adjusted to this wider world; they have enough experience to make moves on their own, and they do. Rand in particular takes charge of his destiny, heading to the Aiel Waste where he learns more about his forebears. We learn a ton about the Aiel in this book.

Perrin’s trip back to the Two Rivers is also a highlight. We can clearly see how much he’s grown since leaving the place. The Shadow Rising is a rip-roaring entry all around.

That said, opinions still differ as to which the “best” book in the series is. The first book — The Eye of the World — and the last — A Memory of Light — are also popular choices among fans.

The Wheel of Time TV show returns on Amazon Prime Video on September 1. It will adapt the second and third novels in the series: The Great Hunt and The Dragon Reborn. We probably won’t see much from The Shadow Rising until season 3.

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