The Gathering Storm (Hardcover)

From the Publisher: A first installment in a new arc in the The Wheel of Time series follows the efforts of Dragon Reborn Rand al'Thor to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances to prepare for battle against the Shadow, in a book planned by the late best-selling author before his death. One million first printing. $600,000 ad/promo.A first installment in a new arc in the The Wheel of Time series follows the efforts of Dragon Reborn Rand al'Thor to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances to prepare for battle against the Shadow, in a book planned by the late best-selling author before his death. One million first printing. $600,000 ad/promo.The final volume of The Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson was chosen by Jordan's editor - his wife, Harriet McDougal - to complete the final book. The scope and size of the volume was such that it could not be contained in a single book.|The Gathering storm is the first of three novels that will cover the outline left by Robert Jordan, chronicling Tarmon Gai'don and Rand al'Thor's final confrontation with the Dark One. This short sequence will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of The Wheel of Time.|In this epic novel, Robert Jordan's 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.