by Nathan Rogers

Created on: August 05, 2008   Last Updated: March 21, 2012

The critically acclaimed, Best Seller listed, fantasy series, The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan is an incredible series of books currently 11 books in length with a 12th and final book planned. Overall the series has sold over 14 million copies in North America alone and over 30 million copies worldwide with the last 4 books having been #1 bestsellers.

On September 16, 2007 the world said a tearful goodbye to James Oliver Rigney Jr, otherwise known to readers as Robert Jordan. With his death, the series he is the most famous for, The Wheel of Time, seemed destined for a fate worse than death, being left incomplete.

Thankfully, he had the foresight to plan for the unthinkable. For several of his last weeks on earth RJ sat with a reporter friend and gave a complete outline for the 12th and final book in the series named 'A Memory of Light'. RJ had already kept extensive notes and had completed several of the chapters himself and had outlines for others whenever he was able while suffering from a rare blood disease, amyloidosis. Until only a few months before his passing, he kept much of the final plot a closely guarded secret not even revealing the details to his wife Harriet.

He came like the wind, like the wind touched everything, and like the wind was gone.

With his passing, the world was left to grieve the passing of a great author. His wife was left with grief and the daunting task of selecting an author to finish the series. On December 7, 2007 Harriet announced to the world that she had selected Brandon Sanderson as the author to finish the series. Harriet will act as the editor as she has on all 11 of the previous books in the series and has stated she will ensure that the final book is completed the way the Dragon himself intended.

"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."

Brandon Sanderson is a critically acclaimed author in his own right having published several well reviewed books with several more scheduled for release in the coming months. Brandon himself claims that without Robert Jordans influence on the industry, he may have never been published. Before getting started on the final book, Brandon went through and reread all 11 books in the series so far and made many notes and posted much of that as blog entries on his website. Per his post on 3/25/08 he has officially begun working on the manuscript for the final book.

According to Dragonmount.com the manuscript for 'A Memory of Light' is due to be completed in 2012. At that time it will be subjected to editing with a planned release of the book into stores and can be pre-ordered to be available upon release through Amazon.com. Brandon has also mentioned the possibility of other books related to the Wheel of Time series with RJ having left extensive notes covering two additional prequels and notes on several of the characters after the conclusion of the final book. The decision on his publishing those stories though still falls on Harriet.

"May you shelter in the palm of the Creator's hand, and may the last embrace of the mother welcome you home."

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