Ever since HBO’s beloved “Game of Thrones” series ended three years ago, fans have been looking for a replacement. I suggest Amazon Prime’s “Wheel of Time” as a new candidate. The show is filled with intrigue and wonder and it is so easy to immerse yourself into the magical world of Andor.

The series takes the viewer through the journey of a young man from a humble background as he figures out he is the reincarnation of the Dragon Reborn, a mythical hero fated to save the world or completely destroy it in the process. 

However, what some viewers may not know about “The Wheel of Time,” is that it had a vast history well before the recent series was released. Originally the “The Wheel of Time” was a series of books that went by the same name, but had a vastly different story. 

Altogether, there are 19 books in the series, so turning this story into a live-action TV show was quite the undertaking. Despite this, Director Rafe Judkins succeeds in creating a compelling story with such an abundance of material. 

As a fan of “The Wheel of Time” book series, I approached the TV adaptation very skeptically, as I didn’t know if the series would live up to my expectations after reading the novels.

However, after finishing the first season, I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed.

With so little showtime and so much material to adapt, Judkins did an amazing job in selecting the most important parts of the novels to include in the series, while still maintaining the wonder and mystique that made the story special. 

The set designs were fantastically crafted. The city streets in the magic city of Tar Valon present a vibrant, beautiful world, but some of the best scenes take place in sprawling, eerie forests, lending to the series’ atmosphere of intrigue. 

All of the actors are very talented and very dedicated to their roles. Zoë Robins does a fantastic job portraying Nynaeve, a headstrong healer who is one of the most powerful characters in the series. Robins brings the character’s emotions and personality to life with her facial expressions and expressive voice.

However, it is a fast-paced story, with each episode seemingly starting in a different place, which can be quite jarring. 

While I enjoyed “The Wheel of Time,” there is still room for growth. One critique I had was that while the world and worldbuilding are given attention and detail, only a few characters are given much depth. This is not necessarily a fatal flaw; this is only the first season, so the show will likely settle into itself and zoom in on its main characters as it continues. 

All in all, I highly recommend watching “The Wheel of Time.” This show is immersive, creative, and innovative. This experience is one not to miss.