This was my first Martha Wells novel but it won’t be my last! Epic world building that while it’s complex, Wells delivers with ease. Well fleshed out characters that are likable and resilient and an epic sci-fi fantasy adventure.

I will say it took me a minute and several times picking this one up to get into it. It kind of starts off ready to run but I was confused and not vibing with it at first. Once I read the first few chapters, the story started to intrigue me. Definitely worth the read I think for Martha Wells fans.

This was a really nice read! I found that Wells has a particular ability to dive into world building and, if you are not familiar with the universe in which the story takes place, you discover the world bit by bit and piece by piece. I enjoyed the relationships between the characters, and also really enjoyed the fact we got a main character that isn't necessarily a teenager anymore, and I enjoyed watching her banter with her travelling companions and slowly learning more about her and her companions through their interactions. The only reason it is not a 5 star for me is because the pacing was just a bit too slow, and I found it a bit hard to keep my attention on the book and the plot the entire time!

I have wanted to enjoy Martha Wells book and have struggled with her full length ones. It is hard to put my finger on why this is, and it is probably personal taste more than anything. I would still recommend them to anyone interested. The writing is very well done. Her characters are unique and interesting. But somewhere along the way I am always waiting for something interesting to happen that takes too long to materialize.

Ahoy there matey! This standalone novel was originally published in 2000.  Tor Books has released a revised and updated version.  The story follows Maskelle, a high priestess in exile.  She is traveling incognito as a seer with an acting troupe back to her home city of Duvalpore.  On the way, she helps rescue exiled warrior Rian, who in thanks becomes her bodyguard.

There are many elements that I loved about this novel.  One is that the majority of characters are older.  It was lovely to have characters who have life experience and have failed but are generally good people.  Secondly, the background of these characters are revealed in bits and pieces as the novel progresses.  It does not get in the way of the plot but unfolds naturally.  It added a bit of mystery and delight with each revealed piece.  And, thirdly, I absolutely loved the world building.  The magic structure and way the city was laid out was fascinating.  It is complex and thought provoking.

Maskelle is a fabulous protagonist with a sense of humor.  Her snark helped liven the more serious moments.  I also ended up enjoying Rian and the acting troupe too.  The relationships developed were lovely to read about.  Even the light romance was wonderful (and I don't say that often) and had no angst.  The ending had me smiling.  I know this is a standalone but I honestly would read more set in this fascinating world.  Arrrr!

4.5 rounded up

I started my Martha Wells journey with All Systems Red and the finished off that series ranking it as one of my new favorites. I went in to Wheel of The Infinite with high expectations.
While Wheel of The Infinite was well written it is a completely different genre and also written at a completely different pace. High fantasy usually does tend to lean more towards a slow pace but it took me by surprise because I was used to her faster pace books.
The main characters are fascinating and I enjoyed their journey and the world building.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy.

I unfortunately did not read the original, so I won't be able to make a comparison in regard to that. Regarding the story itself, I enjoy how it still reads as early 2000s fiction, the prose is consistent with that time period and so is the way that the story is structured.

The Wheel of the Infinite is Martha Wells' fourth novel; for each she has discovered totally different but equally intriguing and exotic worlds. The Celestial Empire, with its great Temple City of Duvalpore, is in some ways the most fully realised. The first half of the book, Maskelle's journey with a troupe of actors and puppeteers through the jungle rains to Duvalpore, is a masterly evocation of all the senses. The rain, the heat, and the mud; the tension, the danger, and the fear; are palpable.

Maskelle was once the Voice of the Adversary, one of the most revered of the high priesthood of the Empire. Then she committed a great crime, and was dishonoured and exiled, but for some reason has been called back to Duvalpore by the Celestial One himself, and is travelling secretly in the company of the actors. By accident, she meets and rescues Rian, a master swordsman from a distant land, who is himself exiled, and who attaches himself to her as bodyguard. Though much younger, he becomes her lover.

Every year a ritual in the Temple City renews the world through the making of the image of the Wheel of the Infinite. The one hundred year ritual now underway is vastly more important than the usual yearly one, but a black storm has appeared in the image, and although it is repaired each day, each morning it reappears. The Celestial One fears that only Maskelle can discover the cause of the disturbance and save the world from destruction.

Maskelle is an attractive and acerbic character, and Rian makes an excellent foil. The use of the troupe of actors as a backdrop is an ingenious invention. An acting troupe was also used to advantage in the author's first book, The Element of Fire, but this time Wells has more fully exploited the potential. She seems to have left the door open to further adventures with Maskelle and Rian in this intriguing world; I look forward hopefully to meeting them again.

My first Martha Wells fantasy. The concept and world building were great, but the ending was confusing and felt out of place. I have since started reading Witch King and love that one!

A dynamic and sprawling fantasy world with inter dimensional connections and spiritual guardians lies in the hands of a jaded ex-priestess and a reluctant bodyguard. Martha Wells again creates a detailed world using a small space. I really liked our main characters, the detailed setting, and the complex magical system. This is a rerelease and is available again in all formats.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

I'm glad that this revised edition was released, as Wheel of the Infinite is a story well worth reading. Maskelle and Rian's journey together into a world full of magic, intrigue, and sneaky machinations goes by at a whirlwind pace, introducing readers to a fantastic setting while also giving it just enough time to appreciate the worldbuilding and character work that is happening on the page.

I was very impressed with this, and think it would make an excellent addition to any fantasy collection.

A solid high fantasy tale from a master of the genre, but as this a rerelease, that's not surprising. I enjoyed this book a lot.

I love Martha Wells’ stories and this book was no exception!

Wheel of the Infinite is a republished version of the book that follows outcasted monk Maskelle and on-the-run swordsman Rian as they embark on a quest to find out what is wrong with the Wheel of the Infinite, a magical ring created by Maskelle’s Order to protect the world. As more mysterious events happen around them, they find themselves in absolute peril with the fate of the world at stake.

This is a classic high fantasy novel with amazingly developed characters. It stands alone and the plot really measures up to the constraints of the book. I really loved the worldbuilding and the complex main characters that drive the plot. I’m a sucker for magical quests so I might be slightly biased about the plot.

That being said, I did wish the mutual attraction between Maskelle and Rian was explored more deeply. It felt more of a mention throughout the book which, for this romantasy lover, was hugely disappointing. Do not read this book expecting a lot of romance.

Some of the explanations of the worldbuilding were also slightly nebulous, even though it was captivating and interesting. The Wheel’s role in the story was somewhat vague which really affected my interpretation of how high the stakes really were.

Despite these flaws, there were a lot of wins for me (including a puppet troupe that is along for the ride) so I have to give this a 4/5. This isn’t my favorite Martha Wells fantasy but if you want to start somewhere accessible for high fantasy, this might be a good book to start with.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the e-ARC!

DNF @ 40%

This seems like a very solid fantasy story. However nothing of the characters or the story captured my attention. I thought it was better to put it down and try my look with another Wells book in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Maskelle is an outcast. After incorrectly deciphering a vision from the god known as the Adversary, Maskelle is now known as a traitor and a murderer. But being the Voice of the Adversary, the Empire is in need of her talent once again. Every year the Wheel of the Infinite is remade and it directly impacts the stability of the world. This year is the one hundredth year Rite and is the most important for stability over the next 100 years. To the empire’s grave misfortune, a dark cloud seems to return every night getting closer to the Rite and they can’t solve the mystery on their own. With the help of the exiled Voice of the adversary, Maskelle, and her unlikely companion, Rian, they unexpected duo is out to solve all of the world’s problems, if they can do it in time.

This was an interesting book! Like all of Wells’ other fantasies, we are just DUMPED into the world and expected to swim. If you can wade through the confusion, after a while, it does start to make sense! I love the characters and the quick wit throughout the story. Wells does a beautiful job at building a very interesting world and magic system. I would certainly re-read this in the future as it would likely give me a new insight every time I read it. Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4/5!

This standalone is a great way to get a quick dose of epic fantasy. It has high stakes, an interesting concept, and fun characters.

Thanks to Tor for providing an advanced digital copy through NetGalley for me to review!

Martha Wells is at her strongest when she’s writing willfully stubborn and powerful female main characters. The Wheel of the Infinite is a detailed adventure into a world where the natural and the spiritual world are closely entwined. Wells always does a fantastic job creating worlds with depth and detail that makes them feel properly lived in. The different cultures that interact with each other, the religious ceremonies and conflicting political machinations, all combine together into a setting that pairs well with the strong characters that fill them. At a time when the fantasy genre is filled with young characters and often subpar world building, this story gives us middle/late aged characters with just as much agency and drama as any younger character with the addition of life experience and a special brand of bone tiredness from their life experiences.

A rerelease of a classic from Martha Wells. It's a body guard romance with an older FMC coded as a fantasy novel, and that hits the mood just right. Maskelle is a powerful woman with a fierce reputation: she's killed her last three husbands, but only because they deserved it. She returns to the center of the Celestial Empire with her bodyguard Rian to discover that there is something wrong with the Wheel of the Infinite, which ensures harmony across the empire.

Martha Wells's standalone fantasies impress me. Her worldbuilding scope is unrivaled, with thoroughly mapped out political landscapes and cultural systems. I'm glad that her older fantasy novels are getting rereleased for a new audience, because they are truly magnificent stories that have the structural integrity of classic fantasy with characters and plots that have aged well in the last 25 years.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the Advanced Reader Copy of the updated edition of Wheel of the Infinite. I'm so glad this book is getting an update and re-release! As with all of Martha Wells books, it is populated by characters who feel both real and otherworldly at once and the prose, pace, and plot are all top notch. I love the main character, Maskelle, flaws and all and the world building in this one is elite! Every place felt embodied and I could envision so clearly places and things I have never seen. At times funny, somber, and thoughtful, Wheel of the Infinite deserves a place on all fantasy lovers' shelves. That's the magic of Martha Wells and why she'll always be one of my favorite authors!

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of Wheel of the Infinite by Martha Wells in exchange for an honest review.

Disgraced religious figure Maskelle, the Voice of the Adversary, has been living in exile for years. After a false vision, she was driven to commit murder and treason before being cut off from her deity and cast out of her community. But now she's been summoned back to the city to participate in the Hundred Year Rites. Traveling with a roving band of theatrical performers (and a cursed puppet), she saves fellow exile Rian from brigands. He starts following her around and acting as her bodyguard/lover. (Just imprinted on her like a baby duck, albeit a baby duck with extensive combat training and a hankering for older women.)

But of course, when they arrive at their destination, it's clear that something is very, very wrong with the Hundred Year Rites. One priest is dead, another seriously ill, and the central piece of the Rite is marred by a mysterious, ominous blot. Threats loom everywhere, both from Maskelle's history and from present day machinations. And just as they start putting the pieces together of who is behind it all, A Great Big Thing happens, threatening to end the world as they know it.

It's a great story told by a master storyteller. Wells knows how to weave action with worldbuilding so the pace never drops for long. Every detail is important; seemingly trivial matters will arise later. The worldbuilding is detailed and meticulous; the city feels as much a character as the Maskelle, Rian, and the motley band of traveling players. Maskelle is a dangerous, fully-realized, middle-aged woman who's made mistakes but fights on anyway. Rian could have used a little more development; he does have a personality and backstory, but just a bit more would have been nice.

Strongly recommended for readers who enjoy detailed fantasy but don't necessarily need a 20 book series to enjoy the story.