The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, Book 12) Review
The Gathering Storm is one of the best installments in the Wheel of Time series for a while. Now, with just about any other series, that would be saying a lot, but this series started two decades ago. Still it is saying a lot. Brandon Sanderson does a very good job in his first stab at Robert Jordan's long running epic series.
When I discovered that Brandon Sanderson would be writing the rest of the Wheel of Time, I looked into several of his other works, primarily by using my Kindle. It took a while for me to get through them, but as I was likely to be purchasing Memory of Light, I wanted to see what I might be getting into. I must say that I can see that The Gathering Storm was not primarily a Sanderson work, and that there is still a lot of Jordan in it. For that I am appreciative. I like Sanderson, but I wanted Wheel of Time to stay true to itself. As far as I can tell, it has.
The biggest problem with this series is the mind-boggling number of characters and storylines involved. So, in order to start winding down this series, some of those storylines had to be completed. In the prologue, one was concluded. Throughout the book, there were few divergences and for the most part, there were no completely new plots. The story seems to have moved forward a bit, even if it didn't go as far as I would have liked.
The primary protagonists in The Gathering Storm are Rand al'Thor and Egwene al'Vere. They are central to the plot, and the storylines that they are engaged in progressed well. Some of the minor characters; Siuan Sanche, Verin Mathwin, and Tuon also had plots that significantly made progress.
I was a bit disappointed with the Handling of Perrin Aybara, as he didn't seem as much himself as I had hoped. Matrim Cauthon had a lot of parts, but his story didn't seem to progress that much, although it looks as if he has been set up to be a primary character in the next book. Aviendha also appeared but lacked growth. Though she may have been set up to be important in the Towers of Midnight, at this point she looks to have no more a major part of that than either Elayne or Min.
Although Min and Nynaeve were present for a lot of the story, they really didn't grow much, which can also be said of Gawyn Trakand. Min was very much a ghost, there but not there. Nynaeve was more active, but didn't seem to have the impact that had earlier in the series. Gawyn was bland. He had dialogue and actions, but nothing that stands out. Both Lan Mandragoran and Elayne Trakand were mentioned, but we learn nothing new of either character, as they do not appear in the story, other than as aspects of the thoughts of others. I did not see anything about The Children of the Light or Galadedrid Damodred. Also, we learn very little of the mysterious manipulator behind the scenes, as we rarely see any of the antagonists, although there is a little tidbit here and there.
As stated, Rand is a primary protagonist. He has to struggle with his destiny, and his perception of his destiny. Most of the book has him trying to make himself into the weapon he needs to be to face the final battle, though there are aspects of another struggle, a struggle between his personalities, Lews Therin Telamon and Rand al'Thor, and perhaps the Dragon.
Egwene continues her struggles to unite the tower, and in doing so discovers the truth (of the Aiel) about herself. The characterization was not of the Egwene that I expected, but could easily be the result of her experiences, particularly toward the end of the previous book. There was interaction with Gawyn, but nothing was resolved in that relationship, other than them being brought back together.
Overall I enjoyed The Gathering Storm, and look forward to Towers of Midnight, whenever that will be released. If you like the Wheel of Time, this is a must read.
The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, Book 12) Feature
- ISBN13: 9780765302304
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, Book 12) Overview
Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.
The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan’s editor---his wife, Harriet McDougal---to complete the final book. The scope and size of the volume was such that it could not be contained in a single book, and so Tor proudly presents The Gathering Storm as the first of three novels that will make up A Memory of Light. This short sequence will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of the Wheel of Time, the preeminent fantasy epic of our era.
In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward---wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders---his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.
Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower---and possibly the world itself.
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
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