Actually there are maps in the first book, just not on inside cover. Check the chapter index. The only problem with the hardback editions is you'll get carpal tunnel trying to read them. I'm on my third copy of the trade paperback, the binding failed on the first one, the second got misplaced during a house move.
I started through the series, well 6 weeks ago I started the 1st book. I have the “oversized” softback and absolutely love the size. BAM just ran a Buy 2, Get 1 for most of the series so picked up several of them. Wasn’t sure I was going to like the series but love it so far. Idk how I never read this series when I was younger.
I don't think that paperback is 'oversized' but it's actually a standard trade paperback and it's my preferred way to read almost everything! It's easy to hold and easy to read. I have a similar paperback version as yours except the center square in the middle of the cover has the same art as the original hardcover editions and there is a little note saying 'soon to be a tv show', its a really good compromise. (or in my case preferable!)
I think there are 2 versions of the trade paperbacks. The first is large sized with new art on the cover. The other version is a little smaller in size with the original art covers
The large cover paperback version is the best, if you’re ok with the cost, for the simple fact that they lay flat open. I just got the whole series. The covers are different than the one you have though, and unfortunately have an annoying circular icon on the cover mentioning it’s a “new TV series.”
I bought the 3 pack to read in my car on break from work, but the binding melted the first day. By the time I finished it was in 100 chunks. I bought the hardcovers and treated the paperbacks as disposable. I'm on book 6 right now after about a year.
I love The Wheel of Time series! I'd even go so far to say that it's better than Lord of the Rings, which is saying a lot. It does get a bit slow in the middle of the series (Books 8-10), but stick with it, it's well worth it. If you like the series, I'd highly recommend Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy. I'm almost done with the last book and it's so good!
How small the text was is the main reason i had to pass on the mass market i just couldn't do it for a whole series, which was sad cus i could have gotten the whole series mass market for like 90 bucks. I ended up getting the trade paperbacks cus the price of the hardcovers was just too much
Couldn't they just have released the new paperbacks with the cool classic cover?? I'm forcing myself to buy the hardcovers, eventhough I prefer paperbacks for reading. I hate the cover of the big paperback looks so corny, it makes it look like a romance novel. Why not just use the incredible classic cover for every version?
