Ritual First Reading Of The Gathering Storm

I have a ritual for reading The Wheel of Time books for the first time. It's in the same spirit as my ritual for uncorking a special bottle of wine: the entire experience is meant to be savored, carefully attended, and even held in reserve a bit, to sharpen the anticipation. After each phase, after each chapter, I like to pause to reflect on it. This blog post captures that experience, and will be updated as it unfolds.

This will contain spoilers for The Gathering Storm, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson!

Opening the Book

I've do this for all books, large and small: lay the closed book on its spine, fold down the front and back covers to be at right angles with the pages, and then fold down equal size stacks of pages until the book lies flat, open to the middle page.  It keeps the spine supple. Supposedly.

Scanning the Chapter Titles and Icons
The Wheel of Time chapter titles give tantalizing hints about the overall story, without really spoiling anything.  So do the chapter icons.  No Snakes and Foxes unfortunately, so Moiraine's rescue must come in Towers of Midnight.  Oh look! A new chapter icon!  It looks like broken webs, or shattered glass -- perhaps something to do with the Pattern unraveling under the Dark One's influence?  Cadsuane icons -- this is good, it means that her "discussions" with Semirhage will be featured.  I'm sure I've seen that mice icon -- maybe in New Spring?  Oh no, the blacksmith's puzzle... I thought we were done with that.   The Forsaken snake...    "A Conversation with the Dragon" -- I hope we'll get some disclosure from Lews Therin in that one.  "A Visit from Verin Sedai" -- with a Black Ajah icon! -- this one, I'm looking forward to the most.  "Reading the Commentary"... Maybe here's where Min puzzles out Herid Fel's philosophy books.

Prologue
In Knife of Dreams, we learned that Aram wasn't a Darkfriend, just a dupe of Masema.  Here, we learn that Masema wasn't a Darkfriend, just a dupe of someone claiming to be the Dragon Reborn.  Was Masema Demandred's "proxy?"  Or did Aran'gar's comment in Knife Of Dreams, that whoever was impersonating Sammael was playing her game indicate that she commanded Masema?

Chapter 1: Tears From Steel
There's a paragraph whose sole purpose is to end with the statement that Rand's habit of automatically reaching for his sword instead of the Power, now that he's missing a hand, would be the death of him.  Looks like foreshadowing to me.

Chapter 2: The Nature Of Pain
Egwene's campaign of passive resistance reminds me of another fictional campaign, but I can't for the life of me remember what.

Chapter 3: The Ways Of Honor
Clearly, the Wise Ones want Aviendha to learn how to challenge authority, how to become an authority. She even alludes to Elayne's thinking like a ruler.  I like how this chapter contrasts with the previous: Egwene endures punishment so as not to relinquish her authority while Aviendha endures punishment because she won't assert authority.

Chapter 4: Nightfall
Gawyn is at last realizing that everyone he cares about is on the other side.  One thing Brandon Sanderson has done that has helped is to not shy away from short chapters or point-of-view sections.  He's not padding the prose with extra description, and that is really helping The Gathering Storm move forward.

Chapter 5: A Tale Of Blood
I'm glad one of our three ta'veren is finally taking an interest in the swirling colors that let him see what the other two are doing.  Seems like a useful thing.  The Cadsuane/Semirhage confrontation is one of my most anticipated aspects of this book.  Cadsuane's meditations on her tactics are going to show us what kind of a woman she is... I'm looking forward to the clash of titanic wills.

Chapter 6: When Iron Melts
I guessed right -- the new "broken webs" chapter icon deals with the unraveling of The Pattern -- of reality.

Chapter 7: The Plan For Arad Doman
Rand dressed in black and red and browbeating his allies... Is this Brandon Sanderson playing with our attention to detail, or is Moridin's influence coming through in fashion sense and demeanor?

Chapter 8: Clean Shirts
The chapter title dismayed me -- more of Siuan stamping around, doing chores for Gareth Bryne.  But at last, we're moving past that.  You know the series is gearing up to conclude when characters at last begin disclosing information to each other.  And become honest with their feelings.

Chapter 9: Leaving Malden
Perrin is depressed to be directionless.  This could very well be meta-commentary about a character who has ceased to fit cleanly into the larger story.  Perrin used to be my favorite: the Wolfbrother, the Scouring of the Shire, er, mobilizing of the Two Rivers, Slayer and the Tower of Ghenjei...  But then he got stuck trying to rescue his wife from Aiel for three whole books.  I realize that Jordan was providing echoes of the Hindu epic, The Ramayan, spinning yet more mythology into WoT history, but the whole thing seemed irrelevant to the greater tale.  This chapter, it seems that Perrin recognizes that fact, and is trying to find his way back into the plot.

Chapter 10: The Last of the Tabac
This Chapter was foreshadowed in the Knife Of Dreams prologue: "[Rodel Ituralde] always looked ahead, and always planned for every eventuality he could imagine, short of the Dragon Reborn himself suddenly appearing in front of him."  So much for the best-laid plans.

Chapter 11: The Death of Adrin
It seems that Aviendha's character arc in this book is figuring out how to go from being a soldier to a general.  Or more accurately, from a follower to a leader.  And the manner of her instruction is the Aiel manner for everything: emotional and physical humiliation and torture.  I'm guessing the Wise Ones want to see if she's break, or she stands up for herself and what's right.  Hopefully she's figure out her lesson before the next book.  The Bubbles of Evil are getting even more hazardous and intense.

Chapter 12: Unexpected Encounters
It seemed a little abrupt that the Tower Aes Sedai are now making veiled attempts to solicit Egwene's advice, but it's not a stretch to grand that time has elapsed and the seends Egwene has been planting are beginning to sprout.  I like how Egwene is starting to embody being "of all Ajahs, and of none" like a good Amyrlin should.  The best part of this chapter, though was the joining of Egwene's plot line to the Secret Inquisition.

Chapter 13: An Offer and a Departure

Though Gawyn's attitude towards Rand is explainable, it has been hard not to see him as an idiot, and it's nice to see him realize and articulate why he has been an idiot.  And to re-join the larger plot with a proper sense of direction.  Time to crawl over broken glass, Gawyn...

Chapter 14: A Box Opens
Cadsuane AND Sorilea tag-teaming Semirhage?  The first line of this chapter had me grinning.  It wasn't the explosive smack-down I'd hoped, but Sorilea did provide the key.  Much like any Aes Sedai, Semirhage's pride of position is her weakness.  And seeing how the Wise Ones dealt with their Aes Sedai "apprentices," Sorilea may know exactly how to break the Forsaken.  I'm baffled how they're going to use the sad bracelets, though... unless Cadsuane and Sorilea are going to use them to leash Rand -- for his own good?  Yikes.

Chapter 15: A Place to Begin
Whoah. Very cool.  Rand returns to the dream-room where Ishamael toyed with him way back in the first three books, and confronts him as an equal.  Moridin is the ultimate nihilist -- or the ultimate Buddhist, in a way.  After all, what he wants is essentially moksha for everyone.  Liberation from the Wheel.  When Rand says he wants to remove the Dark One's effect on the Wheel forever, Ishamael delivers the priceless line: "I doubt you can understand the magnitude of the stupidity in your statement."  I believe him, the Dark One is as essential to the functioning of the Wheel as entropy is to thermodynamics.  Many years ago, I posted on a WoT forum a realization I had, while patching a punctured car tire.  If you're going to seal a hole, you've got to clean out the hole first.  That's what Herid Fel was trying to say: the broken Seals must be removed before the Bore can be closed.  Min just confirmed my theory.  But how does Balefire fit into the picture?  Surely they can't make Balefire so powerful that it erases Mierin (who drilled the Bore in the first place) that far back in time.

Chapter 16: In the White Tower

Plot progress!  Again, Egwene's provoking Elaida into destroying her own credibility came a little fast, but in fairness, Elaida has been a blind, tantrum-throwing idiot ever since she siezed the Tower.  And now, she's finished. Now Egwene can deal with the Black Ajah, Mesaana and the impending Seanchan attack...

Chapter 17: Questions of Control
Yup, my guess in Chapter 14 was on-target, but it wasn't Sorilea who broke Semirhage, it was Cadsuane.  Now I'm eager to know what Semirhage will reveal.  Perrin, stop moping.  You're boring when you mope.  Everyone else has accepted their dharma, even Mat.  You're a lord, and you're resurrecting Manetheren.  Get over it, and go join an interesting plot line.

Chapter 18: A Message in Haste
Well, we're back to seeing Siuan carry around laundry, but at least we get some direct face-time with Sharina, and see what a great Aes Sedai she's going to make.

Chapter 19: Gambits
There's an interesting ambiguity about Tuon.  She's a just (and even metrics-driven) ruler, but her cultural background sees no problem with slavery, and she's an imperialist to her toes.  We finally get something out of Perrin's long-running plot thread: the Seanchan are beginning to understand that they could be allies with the Randlanders, and they finally believe that the Last Battle is nigh.

Chapter 20: On a Broken Road
Brandon Sanderson tells us, through Mat's mouth, that the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn will have to wait until next book.  Well, thanks for letting us know, or I might have been let down.

Chapter 21: Embers and Ash
Perrin can be infuriatingly slow. He decides he's going to do something cool -- like learn how to use the Wolf Dream -- and then he gets skittish and accomplishes nothing all chapter.  And he has to stew to "decide" to participate in The Last Battle, as though he thought a ta'veren has any choice.  At least his wife gets things done.

Chapter 22: The Last That Could Be Done
WOW.  My chin still hurts from my jaw hitting the floor.  The Rand/Semirhage scene is among the series' best, all the better for being (for me, anyway) completely unexpected.

Chapter 23: A Warp In the Air
The mind reels. From the rules of sha'ra, we knew something like this was coming, but the way it happened calls everything into question.  Is Elan Morin Tedronai/Ishamael/Moridin just a version of the Dragon who was turned?  And has he just become obsolete?  Just how corrupt has Rand become?

Chapter 24: A New Commitment
Gawyn has been nine kinds of fool, and richly deserved the upbraiding he got from Gareth Bryne. It was good to see him finally corrected on matters.  It looks like Shemerin is going to be the flashpoint that will re-ignite the rebel Aes Sedai's motivation.

Chapter 25: In Darkness
This chapter almost read like it was a response to the FAQ.  A major member of the Black Ajah is revealed, as are her motivations.  The banality of evil, indeed.

Chapter 26: A Crack in the Stone
Aviendha finally gets it! (My theory war right.)  Nice juxtaposition of Aviendha, who earns her place by not accepting imposed limits, and Shemerin, who earns her demotion by accepting it.  This book has a lot of women who either challenge or resign themselves to others' assessments and expectations.  Egwene, Aviendha and Siuan all became stronger by refusing to let others define them; Semirhage and Shemerin weakened by allowing it.

Chapter 27: The Tipsy Gelding
Mat and Thom fondly reminiscing about their times together in book 1?  That gets me where I live.  Because I can imagine myself in that conversation too.  Something's seriously creepy in Hinderstap, the way people fear the night and keep to the middle of the streets.  Maybe it's just the mention of Aridhol, but could Mashadar have escaped the destruction of Shadar Logoth?

Chapter 28: Night in Hinderstap
According to Thom, it was a "snag in the Pattern," but the undifferentiated mass of murderous arms sure did remind me of Mashadar.  Maybe this was how it started in Shadar Logoth, until the bodies just dissolved away and the curse became Mashadar.  Speaking of which, where is Padan Fain?  Isn't he supposed to be speading the Shadar Logoth taint?  Maybe he stopped here at some point, and was the cause of the curse.  Whatever the case, very creepy, and a fine return to some of the best elements of the early Wheel of Time books.

Chapter 29: Into Bandar Eban
So Rand hasn't gone completely evil. Yet.   Responding to demands with silence and challenges with questions sounds like good tactics for anyone, even those not sharing headspace with Moridin.  It seems that Rand's ta'veren effects are becoming more destructive, now that he's touched the Dark One.

Chapter 30: Old Advice
Gareth Bryne has some pretty deep thoughts about choosing a side, and whom you entrust to decide how to use the deadly power you bring to the table.  Otherwise, it seems Gawyn is treading plot-water until he can rescue Egwene during the Seanchan strike.

Chapter 31: A Promise to Lews Therin
Back in the first book, Rand al'Thor learned never to trust a skinny innkeeper.  Let's see if that still applies.  For the first time, we're seeing Cadsuane ruffled -- an indication of how dangerous Rand is getting.  Rumors seem to support that Rand's ta'veren effects have become unbalanced and dark.  It didn't occur to me that the theft of Cadsuane's Domination Collar and the access key could have been part of a plot to separate her from Rand.  Could Shaidar Haran be acting directly?

Chapter 32: Rivers of Shadow
New kinds of "ghosts" -- these ones look more like the heroes summoned by the Horn.  There are some chapters when Nynaeve shines.  "The Golden Crane" in Knife Of Dreams was one.  This is another.  It's high time someone realized that maybe they could gain Rand's trust by trying to help him.

Chapter 33: A Conversation with the Dragon
Rand, in all his dark ruthlessness, sounds logical and sane.  The dialog brings up Tam al'Thor -- I wonder if Tam could reach his son.

Chapter 34: Legends
Sanderson seems to be having a lot of fun with Mat, making his antics comedic in ways he hasn't been before.  With all the darkness surrounding Rand now, this may not be a bad idea, though it's the most striking stylistic transition I've seen.  Verin's back.  Yay!

Chapter 35: A Halo of Blackness
Tuon is strong enough to shake ta'veren influence?  Impressive. Most impressive.  But Rand is at his most menacing yet.  And it seems that his blurred vision from Semirhage's fireball wasn't the fulfillment of his bandaged-eyes prophecy -- Rand will be blinded.  And he will weep over his own grave -- to live he must die?  And maybe, just maybe, the Seanchan version of the Prophecies aren't corrupted, and Rand will kneel before Tuon before this is all over.

Chapter 36: The Death Of Tuon
At last, someone -- appropriately, Mat the Trickster -- is onto Verin's game.  And she doesn't seem to mind.  Wasn't there some detail in a past book about Verin's father being some sort of lucky trickster like Mat?  "I figured you...you know, saidared it."  Sanderson is having fun writing Mat.  Another secret, prophetic, sealed note.  Tuon is dead -- long live Fortuona!


Chapter 37: A Force of Light
Again... WOW.  Rand is hard and dark and more ruthless than ever before.  And it's hard to argue with his logic.  That's two Forsaken balefired out of existence.  I hope, by joining Cadsuane's plot, Nynaeve won't abandon her tactics of looking after Rand's well-being.  At least Min is looking out for him.  What do Cadsuane and Sorelia have planned?  To reunite Rand with the people he once cared about, to help Rand remember himself?

Chapter 38: News in Tel'aran'rhiod
Egwene's need had her seeing the Tuatha'an camps... to remind her not to lose sight of the world beyond the Tower, or for more specific reasons?  "By the way, that dress you are wearing is green."  I sense some big revelations when I turn the page...


Chapter 39: A Visit From Verin Sedai
I bet Verin Mathwin and Severus Snape would have had a lot to discuss.  My theories (and the theories of many) about her are confirmed, but the manner of delivering the revelation was great.  I'd love to read the story of her life.  Now I want to re-read every chapter in the series with Verin in it.

Chapter 40: The Tower Shakes
This is what I like about Sanderson's Wheel of Time: he's pounding out the long-awaited fulfillment of Prophecy quickly.  Egwene's "heroic poses" were a little overdone, but this is where she will show the Tower her leadership.  I wonder if Mesaana will rear her head before or after the battle...

Chapter 41: A Fount of Power
It's good to see at least a few other Tower Aes Sedai can be cool-headed and competent in the face of an attack.  Another of Min's viewings checked off.  And a Dream of Gawyn, presumably.  Elaida, like Galina, gets her just desserts.  Battle's over -- no Mesaana yet?

Chapter 42: Before the Stone of Tear
Rand's failure in Arad Doman seems to represent the failure that comes from trying to act alone.  After all, common cause with the Seanchan isn't Rand's victory -- it'll be Mat's.  Waitaminute... Rand is taking his armies WHERE?  That's... sooner than expected.

Chapter 43: Sealed to the Flame
Egwene's having a little PTSD, and understandably so.  I'm glad that Egwene and Gawyn's fated relationship is on hold.  She has shot way past him in maturity and gravitas; I don't see how Gawyn can close the gap. Hey, aren't there still four Bloodknives hiding out in the Tower, waiting to do murder?

Chapter 44: Scents Unknown
Verin said that  Rand has some misconceptions about the nature of his fight with the Dark One, but someone had better tell him that.  The Borderlanders' behavior is mysterious.  Maybe Demandred is among them.  Or maybe that's just insane-Rand paranoia.  Poor, poor Hurin.  So much has changed since The Great Hunt.  Yup -- Rand has gone off the deep end.  Who are the people with Perrin vital to helping Rand remember himself?  The Two Rivers folk.  Who in particular?  Oh, Light.  Tam.  It almost makes me want to skip ahead in the book.  Almost.

Chapter 45: The Tower Stands
I don't remember who arranged the delegation to the Black Tower, containing Nisao, Myrelle, Faolain and Theodrin.  I guess they will be part of the "Black Tower rent in blood and fire" Foretelling fulfillment.

Chapter 46: To Be Forged Again
Egwene al'Vere: Change We Can Believe In.

Chapter 47: The One He Lost
I'm glad that Hurin had some effect on Rand -- it was sad to see Rand so cold towards him.  Did Cadsuane have something to do with the Borderlanders putting him forward?  Lews Therin disapproves of the Choeden Kal.  Maybe the "flaw" in Callandor was put there for a reason -- to make Rand rely on others.  Okay, I'll admit it.  I nearly cried during the scene with Tam.  And for a moment, I really thought he would do it.  Wow.

Chapter 48: Reading the Commentary
"He shall hold a blade of light in his hands, and the three shall be one."  Does that mean Callandor and the two women linked to him, or it mean the integration of the three men in his head -- Rand, Lews Therin and Moridin?  A viewing of Nynaeve, pieta-like -- with Rand in the Christ role?  I wonder if this is how Rand will "die and live again" -- with Callandor, liked to Alivia who would "help him die" and Nynaeve, who would not rest until she had "Healed someone three days dead."  I wonder if the black knife Min sees over Beldeine's head will mean an encounter with a Seanchan Bloodknife.

Chapter 49: Just Another Man
Rand's last tour of the world before deciding to destroy it.  I'm glad that Tam got to him, even a little bit, but Rand is filled with so much darkness now, I honestly don't know how this book is going to conclude.

Chapter 50: Veins of Gold
Tam's question to Rand in Chapter 47 paralleled Bryne's question to Gawyn: who do you go to battle?  And Rand's answer wasn't good enough.  This is the first time he's had the chance to stop and think, here, poised to destroy the world, on the brink of Moridin-like nihilism.  Is that what Ishamael/Moridin is?  A Dragon who gave into despair, and just wanted moksha?  Rand's realization, his new attitude towards reincarnation, is positively Hindu!  Wow.  Witht he exception of a little detail like the Last Battle, the series could end here.  I wasn't expecting Rand's "dark arc" to come to a conclusion so quickly.  But I like it.  With all the bleakness, this was needed.

Epilogue: Bathed in Light
Mesaana remains unresolved and unrevealed, though there are suspicious candidates.  A bit of text alludes to the title of the last book in the series: A Memory of Light.