[sohmer]

It was the fall of 1993 when my brother’s friend Dave came over to the house with a stack of books. Dave insisted that my brother read this series, that he would absolutely adore it.

For a few days I would walk by those books, just sitting there, untouched, unread before curiosity got the better of me. I picked up the first book, The Eye of The World by Robert Jordan and read the back cover. It didn’t appear that impressive, but something Dave had said kept ringing through my head: “It’s as immersive as Lord of the rings”.

Of course, at 15 years old, I scoffed at the idea. Similar to Lord of the Rings? My ass.

Still, I grabbed the book from the pile and headed to my room.

A short time later, when my parents worried that I was being far too quiet, they opened the door to find me wide eyed, curled around The Eye of the World with a kitten named Baby on my lap, fully enthralled of the Wheel of Time.

Thus began my love affair with the world that Robert Jordan had created.

Eye of the World was quickly followed by The Great Hunt, The Dragon Reborn, The Shadow Rising and The Fires of Heaven. 5 novels and 3200 pages later, I was caught up in the series, and anxiously awaiting the 6th book, Lord of Chaos, which was due out in late 94. I wasn’t a fan of the waiting thing, yet I had no choice.

When Lord of Chaos hit bookshelves, it dawned on me that hardcovers were rather expensive, and my job bussing tables at Jack Astor’s wasn’t making me the billionaire I had anticipated. I would have to wait a couple of weeks until the next payday before I could read Jordan’s latest. How I raged.

One day, as I returned home from the hell then known as ‘High School’, I noticed something new on my desk. There, waiting for me, was a fresh copy of Lord of Chaos. Inside, was an inscription from my mother, who had picked it up earlier that day.

While it may be rare for a 16 year old boy to show his mother affection, I can assure you that I somehow managed to show her how much it meant to be.

Years passed. I grew older. Balder.

Yet, as old as I got, some things never changed. Each and every time Jordan put out a new Wheel of Time book, my mother purchased it for me, wrote in it and handed it over with a smile on her face.

Robert Jordan passed away in 2007 and left behind a loving family, millions of fans and a tale left untold.
It was announced some time later, that Brandon Sanderson, an up and coming fantasy writer, would finish the series on Jordan’s behalf, at the request of his wife, Harriett.

The Gathering Storm, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, the 12th book in the Wheel of Time series, came out this week. My wife picked up a copy of it for me, and I had to explain why I was smiling so wide when she handed it over.

Last night, as I read the first few chapters with my sleeping wife and unborn child next to me, I was taken back to a time in 1993 when I lay in bed reading the story of Rand Al’Thor, way too late at night with a kitten on my lap.

Sometimes, it seems, a book is far more than just a book.

- Because I can.

Quote of the Day

“The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fade to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the third age by some, an Age yet to come, an age long pass, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning. “
-From The Wheel of Time

[Drakon]

Very well put. I was the same way with Piers Anthony's Xanth series for a while.

[DriveSafe]

I was the same way with the WoT series. Just told my wife the last book came out and she says "Buy IT". This means a lot to me since right now we cannot afford food and our bills now.

[Tythrax]

I cried when he died.

Took yesterday off just so I could l lose myself in his world once again.

[MorganOperandi]

I admit it: I teared up reading that.

It's always wonderful to me to hear someone speak so passionately about a story.

[Ayesuku]

Amen, sir.

I found Eye of the World when I was about 14, at a book fair in my high school. I read it, shared it with my friends (some who can read much faster than I) and continued the series. It has since been by far my favorite book series, and will likely always be.

It was horrible when Robert Jordan died. I remember reading his emails to his fans saying he'd had 75 years worth of writing still to do if he'd be given the chance. Unfortunately that chance was not afforded him, and the world has lost something great because of it. When his wife wrote to his fans regarding his death, she submitted a quote, originally from Jordan himself in regards to Rand, "He came like the wind, like the wind touched everything, and like the wind was gone."

I haven't read the newest book yet, though I have every intention of it, so don't you dare try to reveal plot points in your comics, Mr. Sohmer. Hah, I knew you'd have to have been a Wheel of Time junkie when I noticed Krunch's nifty little novel so blatantly resembled it.

[Chi]

I teared up a bit myself reading that. I picked up the series about the same time that Sohmer had. I remember spending weekends in my room reading the series and being frustrated every time I finished a book and waited a year or so for the next one. I can't wait until my son gets a few years older and I can hand the books to him.

Thanks for bringing back some great memories!

[electricraze]

I pre-ordered he Gathering Storm two weeks ago from Chapters.ca along with several other books that I wished to aquire.. I received an email yesterday stating tht my order was shipped. When I checked.. It was shipped in partial. No WoT book.. So to all you who have aquired the book we have long been waiting for. Lucky buggers and do enjoy. I know I will when I get it.. In about 2 weeks.

[Hackenwulf]

I started to read Robert Jordan fairly recently, and am now on Book 11: Knife of Dreams. Being just over halfway through the book, I was getting disappointed that i would have to wait a long time for the next book. Knowing the new one is out, I actually have something to look forward to!!

[Havoc09]

Quite an emotional post.

Back in April I was reading the Sword of Truth series and a friend of mine asked me if I enjoyed sci-fi/fantasy books. My answer being a resounding yes, he recommended WoT to me. I immediately put down SoT and bought Eye of the World back in May of this year and powered through the series, finally finishing Knife of Dreams at the end of September. By far the best series I have ever read, even better than the Night's Dawn trilogy or Harry Turtledove's alternate U.S. history series. I had almost forgotten that this book was coming out. Thanks for reminding me. Guess I gotta run by BAM! on the way home from work and pick a copy up.

[Bluehonu]

I teared up, as well.
I had much the same experience when I discovered Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series. I was in middle school when I noticed a friend of mine reading one of the Harper Hall trilogy. I borrowed it, and was absolutely hooked. Since then, I've collected every book, short story, and companion text in the series. Her son has recently taken over most of the writing; and sadly, I fear we may suffer the loss of dear Ms. McCaffrey in the not-so-distant future.
I was working as an EMT when Dragonharper, by Anne and Todd McCaffrey, came out. Barely making enough for food and rent, I decided to wait...at least until the paperback was released. I had forgotten all about it when my boyfriend (now my husband) showed up one day, book in hand. He also bought Dragonheart for me when it was released.
On that note, I can't express how much it means to me that my husband is as much a book lover as I am.

[timedrake]

I'm glad i read this, i had given up hope to weather anyone would finish the books, now i find out there are three more coming!

This post has been edited by timedrake: 28 October 2009 - 11:58 AM

[JinglyJoe]

I never found the wheel of time as engaging as you. I have read as far as path of daggers and after about half way through it I remember thinking, 'what happened in the first half of the book' and then thinking 'what has really happened since book five'.

To be fair I loved the first few books and they kept me up all night but as soon as Rand found his destiny he just seems to complain and talk to himself, everyone has the same worries on every page and the characters didnt seem to progress at all.

I'd love to revist Jordan's world but it just seems like the characters were becoming stale.

I am really into George Martin's Game of Thrones at the moment and I strongly recomend it to anyone, whether you enjoyed WoT or didn't, its by far the most enjoyable read for fantasy fans.

But for Robert the world has lost a great writer and I'm happy for his family and fans that someone has carried on his legacy.

[srgonzo]

That was a great testament to a fantastic series. I didn't get to WoT until later on, but I devoured those books, and I've gone on a quest to re-read the series each time a new book has come out. Unfortunately, my copy of the Great Hunt is missing.

[ForgottenCode]

I love the Wheel of Time. I got into it when Fires of Heaven was the newest book, and I was a teenager. Since then, everytime a new book comes out, I reread the entire series in preparation. This year I listened to Book 6 and onwards as audiobooks and found a new perspective on the story (I would recommend the audiobooks, on CD anyways, they're very well done).

Also in preparation I read Bradon Sanderson's series Mistborn and enjoyed it. It's a different style, but all the same very good. Right now I'm about 300 pages in and while I can tell that it's not the same author, I'm greatly enjoying the book and can't wait for time so I can read more.

[DrRonDerryJr]

I was a sophmore in highschool when I picked up the Dragon Reborn at the library because the title intrigued me. After finishing the other library books I started the Dragon Reborn not realizing it was the third in the series. After 45 pages in I asked my grandmother if she would drive me back to the library to get the first 2 in the series. Instead of going to the library she drove me to the Waldenbooks to purchase all three. She also pre-ordered Shadow Rising for me while we were there. I finished Gathering Storm today with her 3 year old great grand-daughter and namesake on my lap watching cartoons as I rubbed her back.


No Spoilers here-

It's been an emotional day for me as well. Reading The Gathering Storm I could feel a 16 year journey(so far) coming to an end. It has me a little sad. I expected Sanderson to do "ok" with the last 3 books of the WOT series. I did not expect for this book to be written as well or better than the first three I read. Sanderson knocked it out of the park. Harriet could not have picked a better person to finish the series. He is Robert Jordan 2.0. That isn't a knock on Oliver Rigley. The Gathering Storm captured and expounded the laughter and excitement from the first three books that were missing in Path of Daggers, Winter's Heart and Crossroads of Twilight.

Now it's time to shift back into the shadows to lurk on the forums.

[Gaidin]

I bought the latest book yesterday, immediately after classes. I got it at roughly 5PM... and proceeded to sit in my car, too impatient to even drive home before reading it. 5 hours later I had completed it, and I have to say I am more than satisfied with Sanderson's continuation of Robert Jordans amazing world. It appears I won't have to hire ninja assassins after all. I have read the entire series 12 times, many 13, and I plan to read this latest book as many times before the next volume is released. After devouring this latest novel so rapidly, I'm a bit past impatient. Obsession may be a bit much for a book series... but Robert Jordans world is more than worthy, I think.

[inkgeorge]

Love the series. Absolutely love it. I just wish someone else had done the covers because they are sooooo terrible and misleading to how great the series is. I know the old quote of "Don't judge a book by its cover", but realistically, the cover is part of the book....almost the intro to the introduction...like when you first shake someone's hand. Darryl K. Sweet's covers are like a limp-fish handshake. Then you flip past that and Robert Jordan punches you in the throat for judging, and then you just don't know what to think anymore.

[MG Ellington]

This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for this post. My mom has always encouraged me to read.

Visit My Website

[Egan]

I haven't checked your site in quite some time and the WoT series longer still. I'll have to keep a lookout on both more often. Thanks for the post.

-Egan