The first of three volumes completed by Brandon Sanderson from Robert Jordan's notes. Rand al'Thor has reached his darkest point - hardened, paranoid, and willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to prepare for the Last Battle. His arc in The Gathering Storm climaxes atop Dragonmount in a moment of profound personal crisis and renewal that many readers consider the emotional peak of the entire series. Simultaneously, Egwene's campaign to reunify the White Tower reaches its conclusion in a masterful display of political and personal courage. The Gathering Storm was praised for reinvigorating the series' momentum.