Since 1990, when Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time burst on the world with its first book, The Eye of the World, fans have been anticipating the finale of this extraordinary saga, which has sold over 40 million copies in over 30 languages.
The wait will soon be over. The 14th and final volume, A Memory of Light, will be available in hardcover and audiobook on January 8, 2013.
However, you can read the prologue, “By Grace and Banners Fallen”, before the book’s official release date. The prologue will be available in both electronic text and digital audio formats in October 2012.
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.
©2012 Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson (P)2012 Macmillan
"Worth every penny (but no need for it any more)"
All I mean is that the prologue is included in the book - which is going to be released in about 2 hours - so if you're getting that, there's (probably) no reason to also get this. I happily paid $2 for this before the book was released because...I'm deeply invested in Jordan's story, LOVE what Sanderson has been doing with it, and truly enjoy listening to these two narrators who have been here since book 1. I am sooooo excited to start listening to the actual book tomorrow!!!!!
You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” ― C.S. Lewis
"I was there... I was back.. now I've left again"
Magical, I was transported into a stunning world that I had to return from after only 3 hrs. After that I was forced to leave.. reality broke in, i looked at the dishes piling up and groaned wishing for a hoard of trollocs to comin in......
"Ready To Hear The Rest"
It should be illegal to tease us this way. Come on with the main course already!!! I am not a fan of Brandon's writing but I have really enjoyed what he has done for this series. I am glad that Brandon and company care about the listeners of this series. They have kept the same narrators for the whole series. I think this is the most important aspect of audible books. Michael Kramer, and Kate Reading have done a very good job on these books.
"The beginning of the end."
A perfect table setting for the last supper.
They are the embodiment of these richly crafted and fascinating characters created by Robert Jordan.
Given that it was a Prologue, I'll let you venture a guess.
In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Mountains of Mist. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.
Unfortunately for all of the fans of the WoT, this is a beginning and an ending!
I'm64 years old and a retired design engineer. Rreading audio books since 1954...59 years. Strong interests are music and sf/fantasy, all of which I create myself and enjoy from others.
"No one should buy this book... warning!"
Sorry Audible (and Macmillan Audio) but no one should buy this book anymore. While it was wonderful to have this piece released early for us real Wheel Of Time enthusiasts, it no longer has any reason to exist. If I'm wrong, do not print this review... otherwise...
This book is just the prologue to A Memory Of Light and it is truly (completely and literally) included in the 14th book in the series by that title. Anyone who buys this book and also buys A Memory of Light would (and should) feel cheated. Now that the actual book *with* this prologue is published and released, I think audible.com and Macmillan aAudio should stop selling this item. If someone does not agree with thism please by all means tell me where I'm wrong. Why wouldn't anyone just buy t complete book whicincludes this one i it?Incidentally, to sneakily add to my review of A Memory
Of LIght... this will tell you a little about it. Most books have a plot. Usually, there is more than one theme or subplot and the book swithes cchapter by chapter or bit by bit amonst these. In A Memory Of Light there are dozens and dozens (and dozens!) of plot threads, and they are all masterfully wowen by Brandon Sanderson into a tpestry of such huge scope and brilliance... well, believe me, you will be flickering back and forth through so many cliff hanging descriptions non-stop... you will be thoroughly satisfied that everyspect of the Wheel Of Time seires was handled and concluded well The Wheel weaves where the wheel wills... and if you like fantasy and war performed at the highest state of the art, buy this book -- A Memory Of LIght that is... skip this Prologue book because you'll find it all word for word in the final release.Audible, if you feel this is not a fair thing to tell people, that is up to you, but somone at Macmillan and n your organization should put this "warning"/advisory *somewhere* fi the Prologue by itsel stays on sale. I think readers will appreciate saving the crdit or the price of this pre-release.
"What a tease! A sign of good things to come.!"
Top of my list. The Wheel of time is by far my all time favorite series of books. Can't wait for Memory of Light to finally be released. And I'll be sad when it's finally all over. Fans of the series already know this is the epitome of good narration by Kramer and Reading.
The meeting between the Forsaken in the Blight/Malkyrie? What is this place and who are the creatures they vaguely describe? The Soulless? Gholam? Something new?
Accents, inflections, and they help you to visualize the look of a character like Tuon or Bale Domane. I can just see them in my minds eye as if I'd met them and knew them well.
Of course, such a short one I listened to it at work in less than one shift, then went to Tor's website and read the first chapter.
I can't wait til january when the full book comes out, to see if any of my friends or my predictions are even close to the real ending.
"Un-necessary purchase"
I love how I can sync where I left off between my phone and tablet
This was part of the Wheel of Time Serier by Robert Jordan
In this prologue Telmonas was my favorite.
Telmonas continuing to fight knowing that his life would be short after being cut by the mudrals blade
it was a great preview for what was to come in the next book but I had already pre-ordered the full book (A Memory of light). I skipped over the prologue and got straight to the story for the book.
"Buy the Full Book Instead"
I was recommended this series by a friend about 2 years ago and I started listening to the audiobooks and was hooked. I listened to all 14 (prequel and 13 books) of them in preparation for this book's release and I'm really glad I did because I missed a lot the first time around. I just finished the last one today and I'm already disappointed that the series is done, I'm going to restart the last book from the beginning and listen to it again, back to back.
Matrim Cauthon
Just as good as the rest.
Yes
I thought there might be something extra than the book had in it's prologue, nope... I think it's word for word the exact same thing you get when you buy the full book, it was simply a preview for fans that was released prior to the books release. At least it was cheap.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan for 50 something years. Love it all from Asimov to Tolkein. Always looking for new and interesting authors.
"A Fantastic Preview"
Yes! I have already listened to this prologue twice and I have only had it 5 hours.
I have read and listened to this fabulous series since it came out and I really enjoy it. Makes the Song of Ice and Fire pale by comparison.
The characters are well developed, the plot arc is well planned and each book is a tale unto itself.
The Band of the Red Hand vs trollocs in Caemlyn
Too many to count
This being the Prologue the only thing missing is what will be the first paragraph of the first chapter of the Memory of Light.
Each of the books have begun with the a paragraph I will not use but still brings a grin, a tear and the expectancy of things great to follow.
I am going to re-read the entire series starting today so that I get the complete story in my memory before Memory of Light arrives.
RJ, great thanks for your vision and books. The world will miss you more than you ever had anticipated.
"The book might be worth it, from this prologue..."
...but this version of the audiobook, at least, turns me right off from listening as opposed to reading. The characters are well enough written, what I would expect from Brandon Sanderson (and honestly better than Jordan's exasperating caricatures), and the story is classic fantasy comfort food, but the narration is only bearable when Michael Kramer has a go at it. Kate Reading is terribly distracting with an upward lilt to almost every sentence, whether it be question or declaration or musing or anything. I will be specifically avoiding anything with her name on it in the future.
No from Robert Jordan, as his characters are thick-headed gender stereotypes and his pacing is mediocre at best. Yes from Brandon Sanderson, as he comes up with interesting stories and I like the people he puts in them.
Michael Kramer was fine, but in the case of the female parts being read by Kate Reading I would have taken literally anyone else with a feminine voice.
n/a
I very much appreciated Audible having this sample of the book and would like to see more such offered in the future.