The Gathering Storm

I finally got around to capping the Wheel of Time series. Book 12 (or book 1, by Brandon Sanderson) is an awesome ride. It invokes a sense of nostalgia of all that was, and a great reminder of all that I loved about the series. What's even more commendable is that throughout the book, there are well-placed hints, reminders, and recaps of things that had happened before. I think that's a great touch.

So did the tone change? Of course it did, but I don't think that's a bad thing. For one, the pacing finally shifted out of the first gear. I've read only some of Sanderson's novels, but those that I've read, I loved them. And it's the same here. I find myself enjoying the prose and the pacing. Gone are Jordan's long-winded (but I kinda liked them, mind you) descriptions of trivial things. Events and arcs are finally moving along their intended path and you can feel the tension that the Last Battle is really looming closer.

It's hard to summarise what happens in this book as there are so many plot lines. I would say that this book is primarily centered around Rand and Egwene, separately of course. We see Rand as he continues his downward spiral into a self-induced nightmare and he struggled to come to terms with being the person meant to be both the saviour and destroyer of the world. The conclusion of this arc was immensely satisfying, as you read and felt the horror of what he's becoming, and then, a revelation - to which I found myself completely in agreement. And probably like Rand, that it was so simple, so obvious, that it was really quite tragically sad and humorous at the same time that it took so long. Loved the wrap-up to that arc, in case it wasn't obvious yet.

Rand's teenage crush, Egwene, blossomed into the role that she was meant to be, taking hold of the reins of power, and really taking charge. Her chapters, especially the latter half of the book, were all completely impressive, both her as a character, as well as the events surrounding her. Some events just seemed so convenient, yet, this book is about the Wheel weaving as it wills, so yea, it's sort of a given! The biggest twist in the entire book, or possibly the entire series, also happens in one of Egwene's later chapters - and it was a huge reveal and plot twist - the sort that just gives you goosebumps as you go, “of course, it all makes sense now!”

Of course, we also see Perrin and Mat. Perrin's arc feels like it's in wrap-up mode after his rescue of Faile, as he disappears halfway through the book. I guess we'll have to see what's in store for him in the next book. Mat is also on his way to the next big plot arc, after his separation with Tuon (and the Seanchan has a big presence in this book too). Mat feels... different. I guess each of the characters have a slightly different feel to them, which is a given, since it's a different author, but Mat felt the most different - not a whole lot, but subtly noticeable. His internal monologue reads the same, yet he feels a little less roguish, less scoundrel-ly. Not sure how to describe it; it's just feels a little off from what I remembered.

But that's all I would mention. It's a great read and a very fitting continuation of the series. Attempting to summarise what happens is just doing a disservice to the story. I'm looking forward to reading the penultimate.