Gathering Storm
Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Reviewed by Gail Jamieson
Part 1 Book 12 of The Wheel of Time
At last Bandon Sanderson has been chosen to use the notes left by Robert
Jordan and to complete the last volume of The Wheel of Time. I am very
grateful that this magnificent saga will finally be finished. Sadly though
the last volume will be in three parts and the last one and a half have
still to be written.
Brandon Sanderson was chosen by Robert Jordan's widow Harriet McDougal
finish The Wheel of Time. Apparently Robert Jordan has written the very end
of the story and has left numerous notes, many of which were dictated in
the last weeks of his life. Sanderson says that he will not try to mimic
Jordan's writing style but I feel that the strength of the story is such
that you are drawn onto it and do not objectively notice that a different
author has taken over.
This novel continues the travails of Egwene al'Vere, the Amrylin seat of the
rebel Aes Sedai as she struggles to get the rest of the Aes Sedai to
acknowledge that Elaida no longer has the good of the White Tower as her
primary goal. Also her struggle with the rebels to see that she is going
about her task in the best possible way.
Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn has his own battle to contend with. He
knows that the final battle with Dark One approaches with increasing
rapidity. On the one hand he must deal with the Aiel who revere him and
the Aes Sedai who wish to control him. He also needs to make peace in the
land so that all can concentrate on the Final Battle and the Seanchan do
not want to work with him. He has his internal battle with Lews Therin to
contend with.
The other Ta'veren, Mat Cauthon and Perrin Aybara have their own problems
to deal with, no little complicated by the women with whom they have
entangled their lives.
We hear of Elaine who must take over as Queen and deal with her pregnancy
as well but we do not actually see her yet. We must also not forget Min who
lives at the side of Rand al'Thor and tries to do her best for him by
giving all her love. And the third of Rand's women, the Aiel Aviendha, who
must overcome her strife and realize the power she controls - her story is
here too.
And much more. I think that Brandon Sanderson has done an excellent job of
continuing the Wheel of Time saga. The storm is indeed gathering and all
are being drawn towards the Final Battle. Rand has changed and knows that
he must behave dispassionately if he is to be able to compete with the Dark
Lord, even if the prophesy says that he will die in the attempt.
I wait anxiously for the last two books to be completed.
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