Towers of Midnight is a fantasy novel by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson . It is the sequel to the novel The Gathering Storm , and the 13th book in the Wheel of Time series.
71-510: (Redirected from Gathering Storm ) The Gathering Storm may refer to: Books [ edit ] The Gathering Storm (novel) , a fantasy novel by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson The Gathering Storm , the first volume of Sir Winston Churchill's The Second World War The Gathering Storm , a fantasy novel in the Crown of Stars series by Kate Elliott Resistance: The Gathering Storm ,
142-506: A disguise, in an attempt to impersonate one of the Forsaken. She questions Black Sister Chesmal, but she is exposed after the arrival of Chesmal's Black Sisters Eldrith and Temaile, as well as the secretary of House Caeren's head Sylvase. She uses Mat's ter'angreal and a copy of it she made to defeat them, but after a surprise appearance by her Darkfriend former guard Doilen Mellar, she loses both medallions to him. In desperation, she uses
213-460: A eulogy he had written for Jordan. McDougal later expanded on her reasons, saying, "I do think [he] has a natural feeling for the ethical and moral issues of life." Brandon Sanderson was devastated by the news of Jordan's death; he has been a fan of the series since he was 15 years old and he cites Jordan as an inspiration. He was known for the novel Elantris and the Mistborn series at
284-640: A hammer that Perrin names Mah'alleinir , "he who soars" in the Old Tongue. Meanwhile, Galad's Children are unaware that they are about to be ambushed by the Trolloc army intended for Perrin. Perrin's army attacks first, destroying the Trollocs and saving the Children. Galad sets a light sentence for Perrin's crimes: he must make financial restitution to the families of the two slain men and he must fight in
355-465: A performance of the final book in a two and a half hour session to his wife and cousin, Wilson W. Grooms, Jr. Grooms stated in a later blog post "he became the Gleeman and told the bones of it ALL to Harriet and me!" The book was not completed at the time of Jordan's death on September 16, 2007. His widow Harriet McDougal and his publisher, Tor Books president Tom Doherty made the decision to have
426-412: A rare disease, cardiac amyloidosis , he still intended to finish at least A Memory of Light , and thus the main story arc, if the "worse comes to worst." Later he made preparations in case he was not able to finish the book. "I'm getting out notes, so if the worst actually happens, someone could finish A Memory of Light and have it end the way I want it to end." Shortly before his death, Jordan made
497-622: A rescue of Egwene. They find her so exhausted that she cannot protest when they extract her against her orders. After awakening in the camp, she argues that they may have ruined her chances to gain credit in the Tower for the defeat of the Seanchan. Egwene begins to expose the Black Ajah among the rebels, requiring every sister to re-swear her allegiances. Fifty sisters are exposed and executed, while twenty are able to escape. Taking advantage of
568-611: A review of the audio book, AudioFile magazine were positive, saying the narrators bring "intensity and passion" to the series. The audio book was also a finalist in AudioFile ' s The Audies 2010 awards in the sci-fi and fantasy category. There are several themes based on current world events and issues such as torture . Co-author Brandon Sanderson, who was chosen to complete the book partially because of his “natural feeling” for ethical and moral issues, has admitted in an interview with Wired that these were on his mind but he
639-553: A scream in a dream of a woman he does not recognize. Her face is different but he knows she is Mierin Eronaile, also known as Lanfear . She begs him to help her escape from the torture but the wall falls away and she tumbles into darkness. Meanwhile, finally allowed to undertake the final test to becoming a Wise One , Aviendha journeys through the Aiel Waste , making her way to the ancient city of Rhuidean . During her trek,
710-429: A television film about Churchill, starring Richard Burton The Gathering Storm (2002 film) , a television film about Churchill, starring Albert Finney "The Gathering Storm", a BattleTech: The Animated Series episode " Chapter 4: The Gathering Storm ", an episode of The Book of Boba Fett "Gathering Storm" (advertisement) , 2009 video advertisement in opposition to same-sex marriage Topics referred to by
781-636: A wandering Aiel named Nakomi visits her and asks to share her fire; after beginning an innocuous conversation, the mysterious woman muses to Aviendha about the fate of the Aiel, once their toh to the Dragon has been met. The question perplexes Aviendha, and worries her, as it seems the Aiel might lose purpose and meaning once the Last Battle was fought. After arriving in Rhuidean and passing the final trial of
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#1732786752619852-488: A week earlier than originally announced. Upon its release, it immediately rose to the No. 1 position on The New York Times hardcover fiction Best Seller list , making it the fifth consecutive Wheel of Time book to achieve this feat. The three books comprise what can be considered Jordan's final vision of the series. In the foreword, Sanderson states that they can be thought of as "the three volumes of A Memory of Light or as
923-476: Is 328,000 words long. The book debuted at #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list . On August 30, 2010, Tor Books, in conjunction with the release of Sanderson's 2010 novel, The Way of Kings , announced that Sanderson would hand out bumper stickers throughout his promotional book tour. Some of the bumper stickers contained a code which would unlock one page of the Towers of Midnight. Fans were able to guess
994-475: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages The Gathering Storm (novel) The Gathering Storm is a fantasy novel by American writers Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson , the twelfth book in the series The Wheel of Time . It was incomplete when Jordan died on September 16, 2007, from cardiac amyloidosis . His widow Harriet McDougal and his publisher Tom Doherty chose Sanderson to continue
1065-421: Is no longer with us is knowing when to write "The End" and cease the production of work in his world. It was abundantly clear to me that he wanted the series to be finished; if it had not been clear, I would never have undertaken this work." Harriet McDougal on continuing the series Under the pen name Robert Jordan, James Oliver Rigney, Jr. began writing the intended final book, A Memory of Light , before
1136-483: Is released. Egwene returns to her room to find Verin Mathwin , who announces that she is of the Black Ajah. Taking advantage of a loophole in the oath Verin had sworn that she could not betray them "until the hour of my death", she fatally poisons herself, allowing her to use her last hour to reveal everything she has learned to Egwene. Verin explains that although she was forced to swear to them or face death, she used
1207-904: Is ruling the black tower with an iron fist. Logain has been absent from the Black Tower for some time. Several of the Aes Sedai who have traveled to the tower originally sent by the leader of the Red Ajah have been given permission to bond some of the Soldiers and Dedicated; however, none have been bonded. The entirety of the Tower is guarded, entry and exit are strictly monitored, and the behavior of many Aes Sedai and Asha'man have changed significantly and disturbingly; some of Taim's most ardent detractors seem only to sing his praises, and behave as if in hollow imitation of themselves. Gateways fail upon construction, confining those within Tower grounds to
1278-399: Is what makes this book possible." Speaking to The Guardian , he stated that although some people wouldn't like the book, and any failures would be blamed on him, "I say that I win because I get to be part of this." Through February 2008 Sanderson reread the entire series, posting his impressions of each book on his blog. The reread lasted until March 2008, at which point he "began to grasp
1349-884: The Children of the Light , of whom Jaret Byar and Dain Bornhald accuse Perrin (correctly) of killing two of their colleagues. When Galad Damodred discovers his stepmother Morgase Trakand among the refugees, Galad and Perrin agree to a trial with Morgase as the judge under Andoran law. Perrin reveals his ability to speak with wolves and claims as his defense the fact that the two men killed his wolf friends; but Morgase judges Perrin guilty of "illegal killing" under an obscure law governing mercenaries. Perrin agrees to abide by Galad's ruling after Tarmon Gai'don ; but Galad does not immediately pronounce sentence. Faile Bashere and Berelain sur Paendrag agree that Berelain will publicly denounce
1420-579: The Amyrlin Seat: he intends to shatter the remaining seals on the Dark One's prison in order to erect a more permanent replacement. Unable to convince him of the dangers, she concedes to meet him in one month's time at the Fields of Merrilor at his request. Desperate to delay what she could only believe was the doom of the world, Egwene hastens a plan to unite the nations of the world in hopes of stopping
1491-610: The Dark One's favored servants known as the Forsaken . The Aes Sedai work with Rand to interrogate Semirhage , another Forsaken captured at the end of Knife of Dreams . After being freed by her allies, Semirhage is given a Domination Band , an item used to control male channelers, and locks it around Rand's neck. She and Black Ajah sister Elza Penfell use it to make him torture and attempt to kill his lover, Min Farshaw . Unable to channel, he reaches out and inexplicably accesses
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#17327867526191562-427: The Dragon's seeming madness. After dispelling a pair of powerful Darkfriends within his own ranks of Tairens, he Travels with Min Farshaw to the ruined port of Bandar Eban, which he had abandoned to starvation and decay. His demeanor and influence brightened, he quickly proceeds to set the city right on its feet, feeding the hungry and raising the downtrodden. He then heads north to the beleaguered fortress of Maradon,
1633-496: The Last Battle. Jaret Byar attempts to kill Perrin, but Byar is instead killed by Dain Bornhald, who no longer believed that Perrin killed his father Geofram due to the inability of Byar to give evidence in favor of the charge at the trial. Galad accepts Perrin's proposal to join Perrin's force and swears to remain under Perrin's command until the last battle is over. The Dark One 's hand, Shaidar Haran , blames Forsaken Graendal for
1704-533: The One Power to collapse the roof on him. She regains the original ter'angreal, but Mellar escapes with a copy. Mat and Talmanes lure the gholam into a trap; after battling the creature into a burning building, Mat wounds it with Elayne's copies of his own medallion, and forces it into a Skimming gateway wherein he corners and pushes into the endless void, dooming to fall forever. When Perrin and his group arrive, Morgase convinces Elayne to let Perrin administer
1775-467: The One Power. Unfortunately he is unable to help the nations of Kandor and Arafel which also are overwhelmed by Shadowspawn. He now prepares to parley with the forces of the nations gathered at the Fields of Merrilor, poised precipitously close to the Blight border, and the advent of Tarmon Gai'don . At the end of the book, while sleeping at the Fields of Merrilor, the night before the parley, Rand hears
1846-409: The Tower grounds, Hopper and Perrin fight Isam, and Isam kills Hopper, forever ending any chance of a rebirth for the wolf. Perrin destroys the dreamspike by dropping it into a nightmare that has taken the form of a volcano. Perrin escapes from Isam by returning to the real world. Perrin feels compelled to forge a war hammer, and Neald discovers a Talent for creating a Power-forged weapon, resulting in
1917-590: The True Power, a different power normally only granted by the Dark One, using it to free himself and kill Semirhage and Elza. After this, he resolves to make himself harder and emotionless. He banishes his adviser Cadsuane Melaidhrin for not securing the Domination Band, promising to kill her if he sees her face again. Rand meets with the Seanchan , a civilization that invaded the continent earlier in
1988-769: The Two Rivers under Andoran rule. Elayne uses the dragons, and a promise of estates in Andor for Cairhienin nobles, to convince the Cairhienen to make her queen of Cairhien , uniting the kingdoms of Andor and Cairhien. Mat, Thom Merrilin , and Noal enter the Tower of Ghenjei to rescue Moiraine Damodred , who has been thought dead since she fell through a ter'angreal portal while battling the Forsaken Lanfear. Guided by Mat's luck through an extra-dimensional labyrinth,
2059-417: The amount of material to cover, it was agreed by Jordan's wife, Tor Books and Brandon Sanderson to break the final book into three separate books. All three books are written by Sanderson with the aid of extensive notes left by the late Jordan. The title Towers of Midnight was proposed by Sanderson, replacing the working title of A Memory of Light: Shifting Winds . It was released on November 2, 2010 and
2130-485: The audiobooks for the series. The Gathering Storm , like the previous four books in the series, entered the top of The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover fiction for the week of November 6, 2009; it ended Dan Brown 's The Lost Symbol 's seven-week reign. It dropped to the fourth position after one week. The book sold well in the United Kingdom; BookScan records 13,017 sold copies in
2201-508: The book completed posthumously, with McDougal saying, "I am sad to see the series end. But I would be far more distressed to leave it unfinished, incomplete and dangling forever." On December 11, 2007, four months after Jordan's death, it was announced that McDougal had chosen Brandon Sanderson to finish the final book in the series, although the decision itself had been made the preceding month. Sanderson had been chosen partly because McDougal had read and liked his novels, and partly because of
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2272-467: The book. Jordan originally intended to finish the series in a single volume titled A Memory of Light . However, when Sanderson began writing the book, it became clear that a single volume would be too large to print. The expected final book was split into three volumes: The Gathering Storm , Towers of Midnight , and A Memory of Light . The books would be published a year apart with the first volume, The Gathering Storm , published on October 27, 2009;
2343-573: The channeling women of the three cultures. However, rather than simply spying on the Hall as intended, Mesaana and the Black Ajah immediately attack, causing a battle to ensue, with the dreamspike moved by Perrin keeping Mesaana from escaping. Mesaana attempts to hold Egwene with an a'dam ; but Egwene's mastery of Tel'aran'rhiod enables her to break Mesaana's mind. Gawyn returns to Tar Valon to stop three Bloodknives from killing Egwene; whereupon Egwene awakens and bonds with Gawyn, whom she agrees to marry. On
2414-523: The codes without receiving a bumper sticker and unlocked an entire chapter (Chapter 8). The final code was placed in Venice, Italy. The codes were the chapter names of Towers of Midnight. This event was promoted by Tor at Brandon Sanderson's request, and was able to generate an unexpectedly high amount of involvement from the fan community. Moving through Ghealdan , Perrin Aybara and his followers encounter
2485-691: The crystal columns (a comprehensive history of the 'shame' of the Aiel, as seen through her ancestor's eyes), she attempts to learn more of the ter'angreal through which she had just passed by touching them. This inadvertently reveals to Aviendha what may be the future of the Aiel, where her own descendants begin a chain of events that would allow the Seanchan to overtake the wetlands, drive the Aiel into hiding, and systematically reduce them to pathetic scavengers, all knowledge of ji'e'toh abandoned, and finally driven to extinction. Faced with this crushing possibility, Aviendha leaves Rhuidean to find Rand, desperate for any chance to right this grim future. Mazrim Taim
2556-420: The daunting nature of this book," with so many plot lines that needed to be resolved. When writing the book Sanderson was assisted by Maria Simons, Jordan's assistant before his death and "right arm", and Alan Romanczuk, the series continuity manager, together known as "Team Jordan". Sanderson eventually dedicated the book to them, writing that "without [them] this book wouldn't have been possible." Sanderson
2627-573: The deaths of three Forsaken (Mesaana, Aran'gar , and Asmodean ), and begins to punish her. Mat Cauthon meets Andoran Queen Elayne Trakand in Caemlyn to discuss building "dragons" (artillery) to former Illuminator Aludra's specifications. They bargain over who gets to keep how many dragons, and Mat agrees to let Elayne borrow the foxhead ter'angreal he wears to block the One Power , so that she can make copies. Elayne uses an angreal to weave
2698-418: The device so that Perrin's Asha'man Jur Grady and Fager Neald cannot form gateways, enabling her to destroy his forces with an army of Trollocs. Perrin enters into the dream world to remove it, but is attacked by Isam in the process. Despite superior numbers due to the wolves helping him, Isam's mastery of the dream world enables him to easily kill several wolves. Not wanting anyone else to be hurt, Perrin takes
2769-473: The dreamspike and lures Isam away, despite his movement being limited by the device, eventually reaching Tar Valon , with Isam in pursuit. Egwene al'Vere plots to find the Forsaken Mesaana , while also dealing with a series of murders of Aes Sedai , but refuses to bond Gawyn Trakand as a Warder due to his disobedience; and when he confronts an intruder outside Egwene's chambers, it disrupts
2840-454: The entire building with balefire , a magic that wipes the target from time. This horrifies Min and Nynaeve al'Meara and they turn to Cadsuane for help. Giving up on saving Arad Doman from the Seanchan and starvation, Rand returns to the city of Tear . Nynaeve, under the instruction of Cadsuane, locates Tam al'Thor , Rand's father, who meets with Rand in an attempt to break his emotional isolation. Rand becomes angry when he learns that Tam
2911-435: The final three books of The Wheel of Time. Both are correct." He also comments on the differing writing style, suggesting that it could be compared to different film directors directing the same script. The Gathering Storm consists of a prologue, 50 chapters, and an epilogue. The series' storyline has been leading up to the "Last Battle" (Tarmon Gai'don)—a fight between the forces of Light and Shadow. According to prophecy in
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2982-455: The first week of sale. Upon the release of the book, the reception was positive. It was agreed that, compared to other books in the series, the pace was faster. Many subplots were resolved, something Zack Handlen writing for The A.V. Club found satisfying, saying that the book had "a blessed willingness to tie up loose ends," something he felt Jordan had been unwilling to do. In a positive review, Seth Bracken of Deseret News explained that
3053-553: The folk hero Jain Farstrider , offers to stay behind and buy the others time to escape. Driven to a dead end, hope seems dead, until Mat realizes his ashandarei polearm is their key to safe passage from the Tower, rending the walls and earning their freedom. Safe outside, Moiraine awakes to reveal herself severely weakened in the One Power due to her capture (though in possession of a supremely powerful angreal ), and in love with Thom, who gladly reciprocates. As they share news of
3124-585: The futility of life bound to the Wheel, he uses the Choedan Kal to draw enough power to destroy the world. Lews Therin , a voice in Rand's head from his past life, suggests that by being reborn one has the opportunity to do things right. Agreeing, Rand turns the power of the Choedan Kal against itself, destroying it. Rand is finally able to laugh again. The second main plot thread follows Egwene al'Vere, leader of
3195-516: The main city of Saldaea, seized by countless Shadowspawn descended from the Blight. Though bravely fought by forces commanded by famed general Rodel Ituralde, the forces of Light are hopelessly overwhelmed, the city on the brink of destruction. Enraged by the plight of the men he had nearly consigned to death, Rand places himself at the forefront of the Shadow's assault, and repels the horde of tens of thousands single-handedly with an unimaginable amount of
3266-444: The more bland Wheel of Time titles." You may think of The Gathering Storm and its followers as the three volumes of A Memory of Light or as the final three books of The Wheel of Time . Both are correct Sanderson in the foreword to The Gathering Storm . Tor published several samples of The Gathering Storm leading up to its release. The first and second chapters were released for free on September 4 and 23. An e-book of
3337-506: The official novel of the PlayStation videogame Resistance: Fall of Man Video games [ edit ] Heroes of Might and Magic IV: The Gathering Storm , an expansion pack for the turn-based strategy game Civilization VI: Gathering Storm , a 2019 expansion pack for Civilization VI Starshatter: The Gathering Storm , a 2004 video game Film and television [ edit ] The Gathering Storm (1974 film) ,
3408-476: The pace is jarring but it also "creates a sense of urgency." Reviewers noted that Sanderson's style comes through in the novel. Handlen felt Sanderson's prose "lacks some of the descriptive punch" compared to Jordan's. Michael Mason-D'Croz writing for the Lincoln Journal Star went on to say Sanderson's "voice comes through in certain ways", describing the book as the "ultimate fan fiction." In
3479-525: The position to research the Ajah. She gives Egwene a journal detailing the group's structure and nearly every member before succumbing to the poison. When the Seanchan attack the White Tower, its fractured state prevents an effective defense. Many Aes Sedai are captured or killed until Egwene, leading a group of novices, succeeds in driving them off. Siuan Sanche , Gawyn Trakand , and Gareth Bryne mount
3550-466: The prologue, "What the Storm Means", was released for purchase on September 17, 2009. Before the release, the final titles of the last two books were also revealed to be Towers of Midnight and A Memory of Light for the 13th and 14th books respectively. Sanderson felt using the title A Memory of Light for the final book was "the best way to honor Mr. Jordan's wishes." The Gathering Storm
3621-419: The rebel faction of Aes Sedai. After her capture by the White Tower in the previous book, Egwene works to undermine Elaida a'Roihan 's rule and mend the strife it is causing in the White Tower. She is initially granted freedom of the tower as novice, but after publicly denouncing Elaida, Elaida names her a follower of the Dark One, and orders her imprisonment. When Elaida fails to prove her accusation, Egwene
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#17327867526193692-526: The release of the previous book Knife of Dreams in 2005. Scheduled for publication by Tor Books in 2009, it was intended to conclude the series, which began in 1990 with The Eye of the World , originally intended as a series of four or five books. According to Forbes , Jordan had intended for it to be the final book "even if it reaches 2,000 pages." After Jordan fell fatally ill in December 2005 from
3763-416: The rumors that Perrin and Berelain were paramours during Faile's imprisonment; whereafter Berelain attaches herself to Galad. Nae'blis Moridin charges fellow Forsaken Graendal with killing Perrin; and he gives her a ter'angreal called a "dreamspike", one of two he possesses, that hinders both Traveling and movement in the real world, as well as the service of his minion Isam. Graendal orders Isam to plant
3834-435: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title The Gathering Storm . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Gathering_Storm&oldid=1245322026 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
3905-403: The second and third installments respectively. At the point the title A Memory of Light was dropped because book stores were worried it would be confusing, Sanderson decided the subtitle Gathering Clouds was "too generic, too basic" to be used as a title on its own. McDougal decided upon The Gathering Storm based on suggestions from Doherty. Sanderson states he considers the name to be "one of
3976-566: The series the primary protagonist Rand al'Thor , as the Dragon Reborn , will "fight the [battle]", and must be present for the forces of Light to have a chance at winning and stopping the being known as the Dark One , the primary antagonist , from escaping his prison. The Gathering Storm follows many plot threads but focuses on two characters, Rand al'Thor and Egwene al'Vere . While it follows al'Thor's attempts to unite and rally
4047-469: The series. Their leader Tuon rejects Rand's offer of a truce after sensing a dark aura that emanated from Rand after he channeled the True Power. Following the meeting, Tuon declares herself Empress and prepares a surprise attack against the White Tower. Graendal's hiding place is traced to a remote palace. Confirming her presence, Rand uses the Choedan Kal , a powerful magical artifact, to eliminate
4118-404: The split, Sanderson stated that without it he would have had to "railroad the story from climax to climax" and would sacrifice aspects even of major characters, eventually deciding that "The Wheel of Time deserved better." The first volume was originally intended to be titled A Memory of Light: Gathering Clouds . The other volumes had working subtitles of Shifting Winds and Tarmon Gai'don for
4189-506: The story and characters justice with a single volume, so a split was inevitable. The decision was made to split the final book into three separate volumes, rather than two, so that a reasonably sized and unfractured volume could be released at the promised November 2009 date. Sanderson has stated that had the book remained as a single volume, it would not have been able to be released before November 2011, and likely would have been so large (around 2,000 pages) that it would be unpublishable. On
4260-399: The story. While the stories of other main characters such as Perrin Aybara and Mat Cauthon are briefly touched upon, they have little bearing on the main plot line. Some main characters such as Elayne Trakand and Lan Mandragoran do not appear at all, but are referred to. As Rand's story begins, he is restoring order in the nation of Arad Doman while searching for Graendal , one of
4331-466: The three ward off the cunning Eelfinn with fire, music and the threat of iron weapons. Upon finding her, Mat strikes a bargain with the Eelfinn for safe passage outside, offering them 'half the light of the world'-his left eye plucked mercilessly from its socket. Though they begin to leave, the snake-like Aelfinn chase after them, Mat having left them out of the prior bargain. Noal, revealing himself as
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#17327867526194402-532: The time he was chosen. He did not want to imitate Jordan's style as he felt it would "turn into parody." In an interview with Sci Fi Wire , Sanderson stated it was a great honor to be given the chance to complete the series but conceded he was unable to fill Jordan's shoes. Some parts of the book were nearly finished by Jordan, while others have only a couple of paragraphs to describe a twenty-page scene, but he describes Jordan's notes as "amazing." He later elaborated that "the amount of material [Jordan] left behind
4473-524: The wards she had set against Mesaana. Gawyn, while visiting Elayne in Caemlyn, learns that the murders are the work of 'Bloodknives', the Seanchan 's assassins. Egwene arranges a meeting of the Hall of the Tower in Tel'aran'rhiod with the hidden agenda of drawing Mesaana into a trap while attending another secret meeting of Aes Sedai , Aiel Wise Ones , and Sea Folk Windfinders , to discuss cooperation among
4544-532: The weakened White Tower defenses following the Seanchan raid, the rebels prepare an immediate attack. Just before the attack is mounted, the Tower Aes Sedai announce that Elaida was captured in the Seanchan raid, and that they would have Egwene as their leader, the Amyrlin Seat . The rebels return and they begin rebuilding the Tower. "It seems to me that another part of doing honor to an author who
4615-492: The world with her, they prepare to find Rand before the Last Battle is begun. Fresh from his soul-saving epiphany on the slopes of Dragonmount, Rand al'Thor proceeds to the world to fight the Dark One 's touch, his positive demeanor righting the wrongs the Shadow had been allowed to perpetrate. Much to the surprise of all involved, he then embarks to the White Tower to deliver a stunning announcement to Egwene al'Vere ,
4686-412: The world's forces for the Last Battle, it also addresses his struggle with his sanity, caused by the corruption of his mind from the use of the male half of the One Power . The unification of the White Tower , the headquarters of the female users of the One Power known as Aes Sedai , is addressed from al'Vere's perspective, as well as the exposure of the Black Ajah, a secretive and opposing faction within
4757-471: Was not intentionally making a political allegory. Going on to say "fantasy is, at its very core, inherently representative." He also described laughter as a theme for the book, with the main character himself being unable to laugh, "We’ve got the terrible laughter and the full, joyful laughter, and poor Rand's silence in the middle." Towers of Midnight The novel is the second part of A Memory of Light , Robert Jordan's projected final book. Because of
4828-517: Was originally working to a target of 200,000 words, later 250,000 words and by April 2008 up to 400,000 words. By the end of October 2008 the 400,000 estimate was still in effect. Sanderson later estimated the final length of A Memory of Light to be at least 750,000 words. Information emerged on the Internet pertaining to the book, with a draft cover suggesting it was to be split into volumes. On March 30, 2009, Tor Books confirmed A Memory of Light
4899-488: Was released on October 27, 2009, with an initial print run of one million books. Sanderson supported the release with a 25 city book signing tour, with McDougal attending some events. The first event in the tour was a midnight release party in Provo, Utah with several hundred fans of the series attending. An unabridged audiobook was released, produced and read by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer , who have so far produced all
4970-463: Was sent by Cadsuane, nearly killing his father before fleeing in horror at what he had almost done. Rand Travels to the Seanchan-held city of Ebou Dar , intending to destroy their entire army, but he becomes reluctant to act after seeing how peaceful the city is. Nearly mad with rage and grief, he Travels to the top of Dragonmount , the location where he killed himself in a past life. Angry at
5041-403: Was to be split into three volumes, and that the first volume, The Gathering Storm , would be released on November 3, 2009. However, this date was later changed to October 27, 2009, a week earlier than planned. Although Jordan himself had promised only a single book, according to Sanderson neither Jordan's widow nor Doherty believed he could achieve this. Sanderson claimed that he could not do
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