The Gathering Storm, Book 12 of The Wheel of Time® saga, is the best fantasy novel of the year.  Considering Bitter Things came out the same year, this is really something for me to proclaim.*

This is no small feat – there are many terrific titles out there, but the fact that the author died while the book was in note-form only makes The Gathering Storm all the more astonishing. Brandon Sanderson, the New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan’s editor and wife, Harriet, to complete the series. The result is the first of three novels to make up the conclusion of the international bestselling fantasy phenomenon, which readers have been eagerly awaiting for 20 years.

The structure of the 766-page tome focuses on two primary stories: Rand, the central character, is going mad as he struggles to control his own power to channel magic while smoothing over deep divisions in the kingdoms sworn to him in his fight against the Dark One; the second story mirrors the first with Egwene's efforts to unite the White Tower and end the civil war amongst the Aes Sedai, the powerful witches who protect the land. Rand’s story might be the darkest of the entire series as, in his madness, he might slaughter people he loves. On the other hand, Egwene is confident and powerful, facing her antagonists with grace in a plot that culminates in one of the greatest action sequences in the series. 

Other characters from previous books take up fewer pages, such as Mat, a major character overall in the saga. His chapters provide both comic relief as well as plenty of tension, including one scene in a town possessed by nightfall that could be compared to Stephen King’s work at his best. 

Sanderson goes to great efforts to remind readers of former glories by referring to events and details from the first 5 books. After those, the series had begun to sag, hitting bottom by book 10. The strategy works, and should bring fans back in droves. The book’s conclusion is at once satisfying, and will make readers hungry for more.

The most remarkable thing about The Gathering Storm might be its hints of autobiography. Throughout, characters plan for the world after his or her death. Rand al’Thor is certain he is going to die during or after the Last Battle, which will ostensibly take place in book 15 – the 3^rd book of this concluding trilogy – and his thoughts and actions reflect this. But the most moving scene is much smaller, when a poisoned Aes Sedai provides Egwene with a book filled with secrets, notes and revelations she has gathered for years.  One can easily substitute the Aes Sedai for Robert Jordan, and Egwene for Brandon Sanderson. Although this world these gifted authors have built lives and breathes, these aspects make this fantasy novel something of a memoir.

And even if the book wasn’t as enjoyable as it is, that alone makes it moving and groundbreaking.

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* (I can weasle out of it by saying mine is erotic horror, not dark fantasy.)