THE GATHERING STORM (The Wheel of Time #12) by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Aaaaand we’re back with the best of the series so far. As someone else described somewhere on the internet, it’s a constant tying up of loose ends at a break neck pace, and it’s so satisfying. We’ve made it through the rough parts and emerged to a worthy reward.

As Sanderson mentions in his forward, this is really part one of a three part finish. You can immediately feel the shift from the last five or so books — big events no longer alluded to and foreshadowed, but on the doorstep. It’s a funny way to put it, but it finally feels like the author actually wants this series to end. Like there’s just no time for fluff and filler anymore. It’s refreshing.

There’s also noticeably less cheesy and cliché or repetitive character habits from before. I don’t know for sure if the higher quality can be attributed more to Sanderson or just the proximity to the finish, but it’s clear on the page — this is more enjoyable. Respect to Jordan for getting all the pieces in place. Making it through the middle slog makes you want to look back with rose-colored glasses at the highlights. I just wish it hadn’t been as slow as it was for so long.

Since this is like one huge 3000 page final, I plan to read these three back-to-back to stay immersed and focused. As ready as I am to be done, I’m starting to wish it would never end.