The Gathering Storm - 书狸狐哨

No cover — Robert Jordan: The Gathering Storm (Paperback, 2009, Orbit)

perfect paperback, 784 pages

Published Sept. 23, 2009 by Orbit.

ISBN:: 978-1-84149-241-4

(1 review)

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 …

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.

10 editions

MironLiest reviewed The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time, Book 12)

Brandon Sanderson takes over

4 stars

This is the first book where Brandon Sanderson took over from Robert Jordan after his death. I was originally expecting the style to be more polished and to the point, but Sanderson manages to copy Jordan's style flawlessly, including many distinguishing characteristics of the previous books. It reads like a creative journey: at first, Sanderson shyly imitates the style, then he seems to mock certain aspects of it, then he has made it his own. The last 150 pages or so are just marvelous, with many long-running threads being resolved and central figures at last preparing for their roles in the final battle.

Jordan had already claimed that one final volume would follow after his own final one, the 11th, but after reading his notes, Sanderson stated that he would not be able to fit everything into less than three books. One can't shake the feeling that this is already …

This is the first book where Brandon Sanderson took over from Robert Jordan after his death. I was originally expecting the style to be more polished and to the point, but Sanderson manages to copy Jordan's style flawlessly, including many distinguishing characteristics of the previous books. It reads like a creative journey: at first, Sanderson shyly imitates the style, then he seems to mock certain aspects of it, then he has made it his own. The last 150 pages or so are just marvelous, with many long-running threads being resolved and central figures at last preparing for their roles in the final battle.

Jordan had already claimed that one final volume would follow after his own final one, the 11th, but after reading his notes, Sanderson stated that he would not be able to fit everything into less than three books. One can't shake the feeling that this is already a very compressed form of what would have happened, with Sanderson doing his best to tie everything up for the final act while carefully transforming the characters into the necessary setup.

After a few books that had no apparent direction and the exciting but still aimless eleventh volume this is finally starting to work towards the grand finale, and I for one am certainly looking forward to the last two books!