The Gathering Storm

by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson

Paperback, 1098 pages

Published June 11, 2010 by Tor.

ISBN:: 978-0-7653-4153-2
OCLC Number:: 666432956

(21 reviews)

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 …

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

15 editions

MironLiest reviewed The Gathering Storm by Brandon Sanderson (The Wheel of Time, #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 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!

Kevin Guertin reviewed The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan (The Wheel of time -- 12)

Finally, a page-turner!

5 stars

Absolutely the best book in the series so far. I think this is my first 5-star rating in the entire series. The characters are written so much better than Jordan ever did. This was a page-turner from beginning to end.

Fjordic reviewed The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, #12) by Brandon Sanderson (The Wheel of Time, #12)

Review of 'The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, #12)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Rereading the last few books I preparation for the ebook of A Memory of Light. This book is where it starts to get good again!

Zoran B. reviewed The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, #12) by Brandon Sanderson (The Wheel of Time, #12)

Review of 'The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, #12)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

After the passing of Robert Jordan I thought that no one can weave the pattern the way he could. I was wrong. Brendon Sanderson did a stellar job in this book.

To my opinion, first 3 books of the series were the best ones, then the pen-master Jordan started jamming more and more characters and events into the books and watered down the essence. Well, this book brought me back to the feeling I had when reading the first three. Sanderson is true to Jordan's characters, adopted the language, the plot and ideas seamlessly. Dare I say, he's pulled the miracle and made the book 12 more readable than the previous few. The apprentice have surpassed the master.

I Read Dots reviewed The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, #12) by Brandon Sanderson (The Wheel of Time, #12)

Review of 'The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time, #12)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I read most of Sanderson's other books so I could familiarize myself with his style before The Gathering Storm came out. I liked what I read very much, but i was still a bit nervous--after all, even though Jordan had left entensive notes, and his widow/editor would undoubtedly ensure the story was told the way he wanted it, there was still this question in my mind--would the twelfth installment of this fantastic epic live up to everything we hoped? I needn't have been disappointed; Sanderson did a wonderful job, and, although I didn't like the direction the book was taking at several points, by the end my whole body was covered in goose bumps, and all I could think was, "Blood and bloody ashes!"