A Memory of Light

A Memory of Light

Company type	Novel
Industry	Publishing
Founded	January 8, 2013 (2013-01-08)
Founder	Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Headquarters	United States
Products	Fantasy novel
Parent	Tor Books

A Memory of Light represents the fourteenth and concluding installment in the fantasy saga The Wheel of Time, authored by Americans Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, and published by Tor Books. Initially slated for release around March 2012, the publication was postponed, with the hardcover edition ultimately issued on January 8, 2013. The novel achieved the top position on several bestseller charts.

Initial intentions for the book's title

The title A Memory of Light was originally designated for a single volume that would encompass content now distributed among books 12, 13, and 14. At the time of Jordan's passing on September 16, 2007, due to cardiac amyloidosis; the manuscript remained unfinished. His widow, Harriet McDougal, along with publisher Tom Doherty, opted to release the work posthumously. To complete the series, Tor Books enlisted Brandon Sanderson.

Given the manuscript's extensive length, it was divided into three separate volumes rather than one comprehensive book. Initially, all three parts were intended to carry the A Memory of Light title with distinguishing subtitles; this plan was later revised. The installments were published as The Gathering Storm (October 27, 2009), Towers of Midnight (November 2, 2010), and finally A Memory of Light (January 8, 2013).

Synopsis

The prologue depicts preparations for Tarmon Gai'don by both the armies of the Westlands and the Shadow's forces. The Forsaken Demandred launches an assault on Caemlyn, deploying Trollocs to seize cannons developed by Matrim Cauthon, Queen Elayne Trakand, and Aludra. Talmanes Delovinde and the Band of the Red Hand mount a counteroffensive that successfully retrieves the artillery, though Caemlyn ultimately falls. Reinforcements arrive for the Light from around the globe, while the Shadow welcomes a new Forsaken: Mazrim Taim, who now assumes the title "M'Hael".

The Field of Merrilor

Rand al'Thor convenes a summit of all nations at the Field of Merrilor to forge unity against Tarmon Gai'don. Mat returns to Ebou Dar in search of Tuon, where he uncovers assassins dispatched by her general. At the Black Tower, Logain Ablar has disappeared, and Mazrim Taim forcibly converts Asha'man to serve the Shadow. Loyal Asha'man, led by Androl Genhald and supported by Aes Sedai envoy Pevara Tazanovni, rescue Logain, defeat Taim, and expel his Dreadlords. Rand introduces "The Dragon's Peace," a treaty aimed at establishing fixed borders and banning warfare; it also involves breaking the Dark One's prison seals—an act later endorsed after Moiraine Damodred persuades Egwene to undertake it herself. The Aiel, guided by visions from Aviendha, insist on acting as arbiters to enforce this treaty. When Elayne Trakand demands inclusion of the Seanchan, Rand consents and names Elayne commander-in-chief of his former forces.

The Conflict

Elayne dispatches troops across four campaigns: reclaiming Caemlyn with Andoran and Cairhienin soldiers; Egwene leads Aes Sedai reinforcements to Kandor; Lan Mandragoran along with Malkier defend Tarwin's Gap; Rand commands the Aiel against the Dark One. Each operation is led by a "Great Captain": Gareth Bryne at Kandor, Agelmar Jagad at Tarwin's Gap, Rodel Ituralde at Shayol Ghul, and Davram Bashere under Elayne’s command. The campaigns suffer setbacks as Graendal, now called Hessalam, Compels commanders into failure. Rand secures allegiance from the Seanchan by convincing Tuon that his role as Lews Therin’s reincarnation grants him superior authority; consequently, Seanchan forces join combat with Mat serving as a general. Armed solely with Moiraine, Nynaeve al'Meara, and Callandor, Rand confronts Dark One’s champion Moridin, an encounter interrupted when he connects directly with the Dark One. Meanwhile, Perrin Aybara ventures into Tel'aran'rhiod to shield Rand from Slayer attacks with assistance from Lanfear, but sustains injuries and withdraws. Rand and Egwene uncover that enemy agents have captured some seals imprisoning the Dark One. Elayne’s troops set Caemlyn ablaze as bait for Trollocs but are pursued by northern forces; Logain alongside loyal Asha'man come to their aid. Defenders rout at Tarwin’s Gap; in Kandor, Egwene’s Aes Sedai are outmaneuvered by Shara under Demandred. Recognizing Mat’s resistance to 'Compulsion' due to his foxhead medallion, Egwene appoints him as commander, enabling him to rally survivors at Merrilor.

The Final Confrontation

To entice Demandred into committing his forces, Mat orchestrates a staged dispute with Tuon, leading the Seanchan to withdraw from the battlefield. Perrin gives chase to Slayer. At Shayol Ghul, Graendal stands against the Aiel. Demandred issues a challenge to the absent Rand; Gawyn Trakand intervenes but sustains fatal injuries. His half-brother Galad Damodred is gravely wounded yet manages to inflict a wound on Demandred before retreating. Sharan troops launch an assault on Mat's command center, resulting in the death of Siuan Sanche. Gareth Bryne loses his sanity and soon passes away. Elayne is ambushed by Darkfriend Guardsmen who stage her demise. Faile’s group reaches Merrilor but suffers betrayal; she then seizes the Horn of Valere and entrusts it to Olver.

Androl and Pevara succeed in stealing the remaining seals from M'Hael, which hold the Dark One's prison intact. Egwene requests Leilwin Shipless to become her warder and confronts M'Hael, who unleashes balefire, killing numerous Aes Sedai. In response, Egwene weaves the "Flame of Tar Valon," a new countermeasure against balefire, sacrificing herself to annihilate M'Hael and his followers. Galad entrusts Mat’s foxhead medallion to Lan, who kills Demandred in single combat by allowing himself to be stabbed before decapitating Demandred while his weapon is still engaged. Olver sounds the Horn of Valere, summoning legendary heroes who assist in rescuing Elayne. Mat commands these heroes alongside Seanchan reinforcements to secure victory on the battlefield.

Shayol Ghul

Outside the confines of the Pattern, Shai'tan and Rand engage in a duel through visions depicting various post-Tarmon Gai'don scenarios, reaching an impasse since the Pattern cannot be completed if either is defeated. Perrin slays Slayer at the Pit of Doom, then kills Lanfear before she can harm Moiraine (later revealed to have faked her death). Mat dispatches Padan Fain using his own dagger. Olver and the resurrected heroes claim victory; Aviendha mentally subjugates Graendal. Rand resumes his duel with Moridin; together with Moiraine and Nynaeve, they seize control of Moridin’s body to merge saidar, saidin, and True Power into a colossal weave. Logain breaches the Dark One's prison; Rand employs this weave first to imprison the Dark One again, then flawlessly reconstructs his prison.

Epilogue

With the Dark One’s influence eradicated, the Blight dissipates. Mat reunites with Tuon, who reveals she is expecting their child; Perrin discovers Faile alive beneath Trolloc corpses and assumes rulership of Saldaea. King Alsalam of Arad Doman has died; Ituralde succeeds him as king. Cadsuane Melaidhrin is chosen as Amyrlin Seat; Moghedien falls captive to a sul'dam. Thom, Moiraine, Lan, and Nynaeve attend Rand, who is dying from his wounds. A funeral pyre is lit, but Rand had swapped consciousness with Moridin—Rand survives within Moridin’s body as Moridin’s body burns. Unable to channel the One Power anymore, Rand now manipulates the Pattern directly, demonstrated when he lights his pipe without using channeling.

Publication delays

A Memory of Light was originally anticipated for release around March 2012. On December 21, 2011, Brandon Sanderson announced on Twitter that the manuscript was complete, with revisions expected to take approximately six months and a likely release in autumn 2012. Tor published the hardcover edition on January 8, 2013, followed by the e-book release on April 8, 2013.

Criticism over e-book release

Tor encountered considerable criticism due to postponing the e-book launch, which led to review bombing on platforms such as Amazon and others. Brandon Sanderson revealed that the decision to delay was made by Robert Jordan's widow, Harriet McDougal, who aimed to preserve the book's ability to achieve top positions on bestseller charts, similar to earlier works. She was concerned that simultaneous availability of e-books and hardcovers might weaken sales rankings and negatively impact Jordan’s legacy. Initially, McDougal proposed a one-year postponement. This decision prompted some fans to threaten piracy as a form of protest.

During an interview on March 18, 2013, with Tor publisher Tom Doherty, McDougal explained that the main motivation behind the delayed e-book release was to support physical bookstores, which had been loyal supporters of Jordan’s work over time. This approach was intended as a gesture of appreciation toward brick-and-mortar retailers facing increasing industry pressures.