Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Macmillan's Tor Fall 2009 catalogue reveals the TGS cover synopsis?



It seems we're looking forward to an Egwene and Rand centric boook, much as Linda and myself hoped. Very exciting news :)

This from MacMillan's website: (Thanks to Emma for the heads up)

A Memory of Light was partially finished by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan’s editor—his wife, Harriet McDougal—to complete the final book. The scope and size of the novel was such that it can not be contained in a single volume, and so Tor proudly presents A Memory of Light:
Gathering Clouds as the first in a short sequence of novels that will
complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of the Wheel of Time, the preeminent fantasy epic of our era.

In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward—wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders—his allies work in desperation to forestall the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.
Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower—and therefore the world itself.


Source: Tor Fall 2009 catalogue
The blub apparently appeared first in the JordanCon program

It is not confirmed to be the cover blurb - it is from a catalogue Macmillan put together to promote their upcomin fall releases - though it sounds likely it's close or describe the focus of the book more or less accurately. Brandon has apparently hinted/told people at JordanCon that the book had 'teasers' from the other two main story lines, so a few thinsg are likely missing from this blurb.

PS: If you look at the catalogue, you'll notice that it still shows the working title 'A Memory of Light - Gathering Clouds', not The Gathering Storm they later decided would be the final title. See Brandon's Blog, his entry on the book split, for more details on how the title ideas evolved.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

wooh!

Chris Moorhead said...

Gathering Clouds? Not sure how well this reflects what the actual blurb will say, though it seems a sound early model.

Dominic said...

The catalogue was apparently prepared before Salesforce told Tor their dual title plans wouldn't work for the bookstore chains computer, where all AMOL + subtitle would turn into AMOL, period.

The blurb is the same that was released (by Tor) in the JordanCon program. It may not be the final back cover text, but it's probably a fair survey of the TGS content - this is the "forthcoming releases' catalogue MacMillan sends/makes available for bookstores.

Dominic said...

I wasn't full clear: A Memory of Light - Gathering Clouds was the first title they considered, before AMOL got dropped and it became The Gathering Storm.

I cover this in the upcoming AMOL FAQ, though for this Brandon already explained it in his Blog.

Linda said...

Heh! And I wonder how much of that darkness in the Dragon Reborn's heart came from seeing the desolation after the Amayar's sadly misguided mass murder/suicide?

Dominic said...

:) I'm betting it has a lot to do with the two wounds and his bond to Moridin.

Rand was on a high in KOD but if his current plans start to go awry... the world not showing signs of becoming as one, moving people around having undesired consequences, hitting a wall with Tuon, learning about the Amayar and that his 'greatest deed' triggered the death of so many women and children (the list will overload... a whole people's worth of women!! LTT will go beserk)... how long before he starts shattering? I can't help but remember what Cadsuane warned him about concerning mighty trees in storms....

old salt said...

I'm wondering if the 'dark shadow in Rand's heart' has anything to do with a) the loss of his hand and b) possible continuing eyesight loss. He has already said that he'll have to learn the sword all over again and I am still rather uncertain that the fireball that Semi threw at him in KoD was all that simple. Do not forget that she was one of the greatest physicians of the AOL.