
The Gathering Storm: Book Twelve of the Wheel of Time By Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan Book Review
Ever feel like a massive fantasy series is just spinning its wheels forever, with a huge cast of characters and a story that feels stuck in neutral? That’s exactly the place where The Wheel of Time was heading, until The Gathering Storm came along and changed everything.
So, what’s this book about? The Gathering Storm is the twelfth installment of The Wheel of Time, originally started by Robert Jordan and finished by Brandon Sanderson after Jordan passed away. It’s epic fantasy through and through, following the looming apocalypse called Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle between the hero Rand al’Thor and the Dark One. But don’t expect a light adventure, this book has all the heavy politics, magic, and sprawling worldbuilding you’d expect from a saga this massive. The tone is serious and intense, but much more focused and urgent than what came before.
What sets The Gathering Storm apart is how Brandon Sanderson takes over and breathes new life into a series that was, let’s be honest, a bit of a slog before this. Sanderson shifts the focus to character motivation and clear plot movement, making it feel like all the threads now pull toward a real story with real stakes. Egwene al’Vere’s journey becomes a highlight, and even previously dull characters like Perrin finally get meaningful development. Fans and readers praise how everything finally feels like it’s heading somewhere, that sense of urgency and clarity was missing for a long time.
Reader reactions often reflect this fresh wind in the sails. Many say Sanderson “did it” where Jordan sometimes got lost in endless world details and side plots that didn’t push the story forward. It’s refreshing to finally feel that the Last Battle isn’t just inevitable fluff, but something real and frightening. That said, some readers struggle with Rand’s storyline here, he becomes distant and emotionally closed off, which makes him a bit harder to connect with, though it’s a believable progression given his enormous burden.
From my perspective, The Gathering Storm is a fascinating mix of relief and tension. If you loved the world and camaraderie of earlier Wheel of Time books but felt frustrated with the pacing or character development, Sanderson’s touch is like a breath of fresh air. You’ll appreciate the tightened storylines, stronger character focus, and the growing momentum toward the series’ climax. On the flip side, if you’re not a fan of sprawling epics or complex character webs, or if you prefer fast-paced, straightforward plots, this might still feel a bit overwhelming.
So, chatting with you like a friend, I’d say if you’ve hung in through the earlier books or have a soft spot for deeply detailed fantasy worlds, The Gathering Storm is definitely worth picking up. It’s that moment when the story finally kicks into gear, and with Sanderson steering the ship, it’s exciting to see what comes next.
If that sounds like your kind of story, definitely check it out. And hey, let me know what you thought if you’ve read it too!