I'm an avid fantasy reader, but haven't gotten around to the Wheel of Time series myself. I've heard numerous praises of the Wheel of Time series, I would warn you however, that Robert Jordan passes away before he is able to finish it and a ghost writer takes over. I've heard that this isn't much of an issue as many of my friends who have read it seem to like the new writer just as much as, if not more than Robert Jordan. Just a heads up about the series. I'm a big fan of David Farland's Runelords and R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt and Highwayman Series, so I can recommend those, but please continue with Robert Jordan's. Again, I have ONLY heard good things about the series from friends and have long considered starting it myself.