A Memory of Light

Last updated

A Memory of Light
WoT14 AMemoryOfLight.jpg
First edition featuring Rand al'Thor holding Callandor
Author Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Cover artist Michael Whelan
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Series The Wheel of Time
Genre Fantasy
Publisher Tor Books, Orbit Books
Publication date
January 8, 2013 [1]
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback), audiobook, e-book
Pages909 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7653-2595-2
Preceded by Towers of Midnight  

A Memory of Light is the 14th and final book of the fantasy series The Wheel of Time , written by American authors Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, and published by Tor Books. Originally expected to have been published around March 2012, the book was delayed several times, and the hardcover edition was eventually released on January 8, 2013. [1] The book reached No. 1 on several bestsellers lists. [2] [3]

Contents

Original plans for the book title

The title A Memory of Light was previously intended to apply to a book containing the material in what are now books 12, 13 and 14. [4] The original book was incomplete at the time of Jordan's death on September 16, 2007, from cardiac amyloidosis; [5] his widow Harriet McDougal and publisher Tom Doherty chose to publish the book posthumously. Tor Books announced that Brandon Sanderson had been chosen to finish writing the book. [6]

The unfinished book was split into three volumes because it was believed a single volume would be too large to print. [7] Initially it was planned that all three would be titled A Memory of Light, with distinct subtitles; eventually this plan was dropped, and the three volumes were titled The Gathering Storm (published October 27, 2009), Towers of Midnight (published November 2, 2010), and A Memory of Light (published January 8, 2013). [4]

Plot summary

In the prologue, the armies of the Westlands assemble in preparation for Tarmon Gai'don , as do the forces of the Shadow. The Forsaken Demandred stages a raid on the city of Caemlyn, sending Trollocs to capture the cannons, developed jointly by Matrim Cauthon, Queen Elayne Trakand, and the Illuminator Aludra. Talmanes Delovinde and the Band of the Red Hand launch their own counter-attack and successfully exfiltrate the cannons out of the city, but Caemlyn is lost. [8] The Light is bolstered by people coming from all over the world to fight, sensing the end of all things, while the Shadow welcomes a new Forsaken: Mazrim Taim, now called "M'Hael".

The Field of Merrilor

Rand al'Thor prepares a meeting of all the nations on the Field of Merrilor, to persuade them to fight in Tarmon Gai'don. Mat returns to Ebou Dar to locate Tuon, only to find the city crawling with assassins sent by one of her generals. [9] At the Black Tower, Logain Ablar is missing and Mazrim Taim is forcibly "Turning" people to the Shadow. The Asha'man still loyal to Logain, led by Androl Genhald and aided by Aes Sedai ambassador Pevara Tazanovni rescue Logain, defeating Taim and driving his Dreadlords from the Tower. [10] Rand's "price" of allegiance—a treaty called "The Dragon's Peace", in which borders are fixed and war is outlawed—and his plan to shatter the remaining seals of the Dark One's prison, lead to widespread argument; the latter resolved only when Moiraine Damodred quotes from the Prophecies of the Dragon, and convinces Egwene to break the seals herself. The Aiel, persuaded by Aviendha's post-apocalyptic visions during Towers of Midnight, demand to be subject to the treaty, as arbiters of any dispute. When Elayne Trakand remarks that peace cannot be maintained if the Seanchan are exempt, Rand agrees to persuade their cooperation, and appoints Elayne commander-in-chief of the armies formerly under himself.

The War

Elayne dispatches her forces to four different campaigns, whereof Caemlyn is to be retaken by Andoran and Cairhienin troops; Egwene commands an army of Aes Sedai to reinforce Kandor, while Lan Mandragoran and the resurrected nation of Malkier hold Tarwin's Gap. Rand himself will lead the Aiel to face the Dark One. The four remaining "Great Captains" are attached to each campaign: Gareth Bryne in Kandor, Agelmar Jagad at Tarwin's Gap, Rodel Ituralde to Shayol Ghul, and Davram Bashere to serve Elayne directly. The campaigns turn to disaster when Graendal, now renamed Hessalam, Compels the commanders to err. Rand gains the support of the Seanchan by persuading Tuon in Ebou Dar that his authority, as the reincarnation of Lews Therin, supersedes hers. The Seanchan march to battle with Mat as one of their generals. Taking only Moiraine, Nynaeve al'Meara, and the sa'angrealCallandor, Rand confronts the Dark One's champion, Moridin; interrupted only when Rand makes contact with the Dark One. Meanwhile, Perrin Aybara enters Tel'aran'rhiod to protect Rand from Slayer. In this he is assisted by Lanfear; but wounded by Slayer and forced to retreat. Rand and Egwene learn that enemy agents have seized some of the Dark One's seals. Elayne's forces burn Caemlyn to force the Trollocs to pursue; but they are pursued also by a new force from the north, and saved by Logain and his loyal Asha'man. At Tarwin's Gap, the defenders are forced into a rout; while in Kandor, Egwene and the Aes Sedai are unexpectedly outflanked by the nation of Shara [ broken anchor ], under Demandred. Realizing that Mat's foxhead medallion makes him the only competent general immune to hostile 'Compulsion', Egwene gives him command of their forces, and Mat rallies the survivors at the Field of Merrilor.

The Last Battle

To lure Demandred into risking his resources, Mat stages a public quarrel with Tuon, and the Seanchan depart the field. Perrin continues pursuit of Slayer. At Shayol Ghul, Graendal opposes the Aiel. When Demandred challenges the absent Rand, Gawyn Trakand attacks him directly and is mortally wounded. Later, his elder half-brother Galad Damodred is severely wounded in the same effort; but wounds Demandred before retreat. Mat's command post is attacked directly by Sharan forces, and Siuan Sanche is killed in the defense. Gareth Bryne loses reason and dies soon after. Elayne is waylaid by several Darkfriend Guardsmen including Doilin Mellar, who arrange a duplicate of Elayne to be seen dead. Faile's contingent arrive at Merrilor, but are almost immediately betrayed. Faile seizes the Horn of Valere (capable of recruiting deceased heroes), which she gives to Olver.

Androl and Pevara track down M'Hael and steal the remaining seals on the Dark One's prison. Egwene then asks Leilwin Shipless to be her warder and attacks M'Hael. M'Hael uses balefire [ broken anchor ] to destroy a number of Aes Sedai. In the midst of her fight with M'Hael, Egwene creates a new weave, the "Flame of Tar Valon", capable of counteracting balefire, and sacrifices her own life to destroy M'Hael and his followers. Galad passes Mat's foxhead medallion to Lan, and Lan attacks Demandred, killing him in single combat by letting Demandred stab him, then decapitating the Forsaken while his blade is thus engaged. Olver sounds the Horn of Valere, summoning legendary heroes to rescue Elayne. Mat uses the Heroes and reinforcements from the Seanchan to sweep the field.

Shayol Ghul

Outside the Pattern, Shai'tan and Rand duel by constructing their visions of what reality could be after Tarmon Gai'don, and ultimately achieve stalemate on the premise that the Pattern is incomplete in case of either's defeat. Perrin kills Slayer at the Pit of Doom, and later kills Lanfear before she can kill Moiraine (later revealed by Brandon Sanderson to be a faked death by Lanfear) Mat kills Padan Fain with his own dagger. Olver and the resurrected heroes win the battle, while Aviendha mentally enslaves Graendal. Rand resumes his duel with Moridin, during which Rand, Moiraine, and Nynaeve take control of Moridin and use his power to create a huge weave of saidar, saidin, and True Power combined. Seeing this, Logain breaks open the Dark One's prison, and Rand uses the huge weave of three powers, first to capture the Dark One, and later to re-create his prison without flaw.

Epilogue

Bereft of the Dark One's influence, the Blight dissolves. Mat reunites with Tuon, who reveals that she is pregnant by him; whereas Perrin locates Faile buried under Trolloc corpses, but alive, and inherits the throne of Saldaea. King Alsalam of Arad Doman is revealed to be dead, and Ituralde succeeds him. Cadsuane Melaidhrin is elected the new Amyrlin Seat, while Moghedien is captured by a sul'dam. Thom and Moiraine, Lan and Nynaeve, wait attendance on Rand, who is slowly dying of his wounds. A funeral pyre is held; but it is revealed that Rand had exchanged psyches with Moridin, and is therefore alive in Moridin's body while Moridin, in Rand's body, is burned in the funeral pyre. No longer able to channel the One Power, Rand now has the ability to manipulate the Pattern directly, though it is unclear to what extent. He demonstrates this ability by lighting his pipe without the use of the One Power.

Publication delays

A Memory of Light was originally expected to be published around March 2012. [11] On December 21, 2011, Sanderson announced on Twitter that "A Memory of Light—the final book in The Wheel of Time—has been finished". [12] That same day, Sanderson also announced on Twitter that revisions would take "a good six months" and that the book would probably be released in autumn 2012. [13] Tor released the hardcover book on January 8, 2013, [1] although the e-book was not released until April 8, 2013. [14]

Criticism over e-book release

There was public backlash [15] against the publisher, Tor, for delaying the electronic release. [14] [16] Backlash included the review bombing of the title on Amazon and other book seller websites. [15] Brandon Sanderson stated that the decision was that of Robert Jordan's wife, Harriet, who was concerned that the book would not reach the top of the bestseller lists, as all the previous Wheel of Time books have done, if purchases were divided between e-book and hardcover. She felt that this would harm her husband's legacy; Sanderson claimed that she had originally pushed for a one-year delay. [17] Various end users threatened to download a pirated e-book unless the official e-book was available at launch. [15]

Harriet McDougal clarified her reasoning for the late e-book release of A Memory of Light in a March 18, 2013, interview with Tor publisher Tom Doherty. [18] McDougal, the widow of Robert Jordan, explained that "the brick‑and‑mortar bookstores were very good to Robert Jordan throughout his career. They are having a hard time now. This was a chance for Robert Jordan to give back to people who had been very good to him for 20 years. That was really the main reason for the windowing."

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Jordan</span> American fantasy writer

James Oliver Rigney Jr., better known by his pen name Robert Jordan, was an American author of epic fantasy. He is known best for his series The Wheel of Time which comprises 14 books and a prequel novel. He is one of several writers to have written original Conan the Barbarian novels; his are considered by fans to be some of the best of the non-Robert E. Howard efforts. Jordan also published historical fiction using the pseudonym Reagan O'Neal, a western as Jackson O'Reilly, and dance criticism as Chang Lung. Jordan claimed to have ghostwritten an "international thriller" that is still believed to have been written by someone else.

<i>The Wheel of Time</i> Series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan

The Wheel of Time is a series of high fantasy novels by American author Robert Jordan, with Brandon Sanderson as a co-author for the final three installments. Originally planned as a six-book series with the publication of The Eye of the World in 1990, The Wheel of Time came to span 14 volumes, in addition to a prequel novel and three companion books. Jordan died in 2007 while working on what was planned to be the twelfth and final volume in the series. He prepared extensive notes, which enabled fellow fantasy author Sanderson to complete the final book, which grew into three volumes: The Gathering Storm (2009), Towers of Midnight (2010), and A Memory of Light (2013).

<i>The Eye of the World</i> 1990 high fantasy novel by Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World is a high fantasy novel by American writer Robert Jordan, the first book of The Wheel of Time series. It was published by Tor Books and released on 15 January 1990. The original unabridged audiobook is read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. A later unabridged edition is read by Rosamund Pike. Upon first publication, The Eye of the World consisted of one prologue and 53 chapters, with an additional prologue authored upon re-release. The book was a critical and commercial success. Critics praised the tone, the themes, and the similarity to Lord of the Rings.

<i>The Great Hunt</i> 1990 novel by Robert Jordan

The Great Hunt is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, the second book of The Wheel of Time series. It was published by Tor Books and released on November 15, 1990. The Great Hunt consists of a prologue and 50 chapters. In 2004 The Great Hunt was re-released as two separate books, The Hunt Begins and New Threads in the Pattern.

<i>A Crown of Swords</i> 1996 novel by Robert Jordan

A Crown of Swords is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, the seventh book of The Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on May 15, 1996. A Crown of Swords consists of a prologue and 41 chapters.

<i>Winters Heart</i> 2000 novel by Robert Jordan

Winter's Heart is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, the ninth book of his series Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on November 7, 2000. Upon its release, it immediately rose to the #1 position on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list, making it the second Wheel of Time book to reach the #1 position on that list. It remained on the list for the next two months. Winter's Heart consists of a prologue and 35 chapters.

<i>The Dragon Reborn</i> 1991 novel by Robert Jordan

The Dragon Reborn is a fantasy novel by American writer Robert Jordan, the third in his series The Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on September 15, 1991. The unabridged audio book is read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. The Dragon Reborn consists of a prologue and 56 chapters.

<i>The Fires of Heaven</i> 1993 novel by Robert Jordan

The Fires of Heaven is a fantasy novel by American writer Robert Jordan, the fifth book in his series The Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on October 15, 1993.

<i>The Shadow Rising</i> 1992 novel by Robert Jordan

The Shadow Rising is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, the fourth book in his series The Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on September 15, 1992. The unabridged audio book is read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.

<i>Lord of Chaos</i> 1994 novel by Robert Jordan

Lord of Chaos is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, the sixth book of his series The Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on October 15, 1994, and was nominated for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 1995. Lord of Chaos consists of a prologue, 55 chapters, and an epilogue. It is the first book of the Wheel of Time to have an epilogue.

<i>Crossroads of Twilight</i> 2003 novel by Robert Jordan

Crossroads of Twilight is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, the tenth book of his The Wheel of Time series. It was published by Tor Books and released on January 7, 2003. Upon its release, it immediately rose to the #1 position on The New York Times best seller list for hardcover fiction, making it the third Wheel of Time book to reach the #1 position on that list. It remained on the list for the next three months.

<i>The Path of Daggers</i> 1998 novel by Robert Jordan

The Path of Daggers is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, the eighth book of his series The Wheel of Time. It was published by Tor Books and released on October 20, 1998. Upon its release, it immediately rose to the #1 position on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list, making it the first Wheel of Time book to reach the #1 position on that list. It remained on the list for the next two months. This book is the shortest book in the main The Wheel of Time series, consisting of a prologue and 31 chapters.

<i>New Spring</i> 2004 novel by Robert Jordan

New Spring is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, a prequel in the Wheel of Time series. New Spring consists of 26 chapters and an epilogue.

<i>Knife of Dreams</i> 2005 novel by Robert Jordan

Knife of Dreams is a fantasy novel by American author Robert Jordan, the eleventh book in his series The Wheel of Time. It was the last book which Jordan wrote completely before his death in 2007, with Brandon Sanderson finishing the series afterwards based on Jordan's notes. It was published by Tor Books in the U.S. and Orbit in the UK and released on October 11, 2005. Upon its release, it immediately rose to the #1 position on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list, making it the fourth consecutive Wheel of Time book to reach the #1 position on that list. Knife of Dreams is 784-pages long, including a glossary. It has a prologue, 37 chapters, and an epilogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Sanderson</span> American fantasy and science fiction writer

Brandon Winn Sanderson is an American author of high fantasy and science fiction. He is best known for the Cosmere fictional universe, in which most of his fantasy novels, most notably the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive, are set. Outside of the Cosmere, he has written several young adult and juvenile series including The Reckoners, the Skyward series, and the Alcatraz series. He is also known for finishing Robert Jordan's high fantasy series The Wheel of Time. Sanderson has created several graphic novel fantasy series, including White Sand and Dark One.

The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game is a role-playing game based on The Wheel of Time, an epic fantasy series by American author Robert Jordan.

<i>The Gathering Storm</i> (novel) 2009 novel by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

The Gathering Storm is a fantasy novel by American writers Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, the twelfth book in the series The Wheel of Time. It was incomplete when Jordan died on September 16, 2007, from cardiac amyloidosis. His widow Harriet McDougal and his publisher Tom Doherty chose Sanderson to continue the book.

<i>Towers of Midnight</i> 2010 novel by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Towers of Midnight is a fantasy novel by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. It is the sequel to the novel The Gathering Storm, and the 13th book in the Wheel of Time series.

<i>The Wheel of Time</i> (TV series) 2021 American fantasy television series

The Wheel of Time is an American high fantasy television series developed by Rafe Judkins for Amazon Prime Video. The series is based on the book series of the same name by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sanderson, Brandon (February 16, 2012). "A MEMORY OF LIGHT Release Date". Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  2. "A Memory of Light jumps to top spot of U.S. bestseller list". Reuters. January 17, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  3. "A Memory of Light Debuts at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List". Tor.com. January 16, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Sanderson, Brandon (September 18, 2009). "Storm Leaders, Book 13 Title, The Gathering Storm, Prologue" . Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  5. Smith, Bruce (September 17, 2007). "Robert Jordan; Wrote 'Wheel of Time' Fantasy Novels". The Washington Post . Retrieved April 8, 2009.
  6. Wilcox, Brad (December 3, 2008). "Bringing Robert Jordan's 'Wheel of Time' to a close". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  7. Sanderson, Brandon (March 2009). "Splitting AMOL". Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2009.
  8. Denzel, Jason. "AMOL Prologue Now Available". Dragonmount. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  9. Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (September 2, 2012). "A Memory of Light: Chapter 11 (Excerpt) by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson". Tor.com. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  10. Jordan, Robert (December 29, 2012). "Exclusive First Read: 'A Memory Of Light,' By Robert Jordan And Brandon Sanderson". NPR. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  11. Sanderson, Brandon (July 31, 2009). "Another Long and Rambling Post on Future Books". Archived from the original on October 16, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  12. Tweet dated December 21, 2011
  13. Sanderson, Brandon. "Tweets Dec 19–21, 2011". brandonsanderson.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  14. 1 2 "A Memory of Light Ebook Release Date Confirmed". Tor.com. March 15, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 "A Memory of Light Gets One-Star Reviews Over eBook Delay - GalleyCat". Mediabistro.com. January 9, 2013. Archived from the original on April 28, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  16. Sadun, Erica (January 8, 2013). "iBook Lessons: Hardback-only Memory of Light release frustrates would-be epurchasers | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog". TUAW. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  17. "Brandon Sanderson Blog: It's finally out". Brandonsanderson.com. January 8, 2013. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  18. "Talking with Tom: A Conversation Between Tom Doherty and Harriet McDougal". March 18, 2013.