What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wheel of Time #prologue for 14
By Grace and Banners Fallen: Prologue to A Memory of Light
Since 1990, when Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time® burst on the world with its first book, The Eye of the World, readers have been anticipating the finale of this extraordinary saga, which has sold over forty million copies in over thirty languages.
The wait will soon be over. The fourteenth 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.
The wait will soon be over. The fourteenth 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.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
114 people are currently reading
6357 people want to read
About the author
Robert Jordan
669 books17.3k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting.
He described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and received communion more than once a week. He lived with his wife Harriet McDougal, who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books; she was also Jordan's editor) in a house built in 1797.
Responding to queries on the similarity of some of the concepts in his Wheel of Time books with Freemasonry concepts, Jordan admitted that he was a Freemason. However, "like his father and grandfather," he preferred not to advertise, possibly because of the negative propaganda against Freemasonry. In his own words, "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."
On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement that he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, and that with treatment, his median life expectancy was four years, though he said he intended to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intended to have a long and fully creative life.
He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early April 2006. Jordan was enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis.
Jordan died at approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT on September 16, 2007, and a funeral service was held for him on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston.
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting.
He described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and received communion more than once a week. He lived with his wife Harriet McDougal, who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books; she was also Jordan's editor) in a house built in 1797.
Responding to queries on the similarity of some of the concepts in his Wheel of Time books with Freemasonry concepts, Jordan admitted that he was a Freemason. However, "like his father and grandfather," he preferred not to advertise, possibly because of the negative propaganda against Freemasonry. In his own words, "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."
On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement that he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, and that with treatment, his median life expectancy was four years, though he said he intended to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intended to have a long and fully creative life.
He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early April 2006. Jordan was enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis.
Jordan died at approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT on September 16, 2007, and a funeral service was held for him on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 3, 2012
I felt it only fitting that my 100th title to read for the year, and the culmination of my year's reading goal (though it's only 3/4 of the way through the year), be the prologue to the book I have been waiting to read for over 15 years - A Memory of Light, the concluding volume to the Wheel of Time.
Judging by this prologue, it looks to be everything I have been hoping it will be.
Giving this title 5 stars is, of course, a given. All other book series I read are but second-rate, in the grand scheme of things. If I ever find a series I'll enjoy so much, which has impacted my life so much, I will be shocked. Though I would welcome such a discovery, I know with almost certainty that it will never again happen.
Here's to the final volume of the definitive fiction saga of our time - the ultimate fantasy saga - The Wheel of Time.
Thank you, Robert Jordan.
November 6, 2012
A perfect balance of a teaser and a refresher. Couldn't have asked for a better prologue. It was hard enough to wait for A Memory of Lights' release, but it's starting to look impossible! January just can't come soon enough!
June 24, 2024
Yet again useless completely useless. But I will say I will miss hating the prologues so fucking much It was fun very fun
September 19, 2012
yes i paid $2.99 for the prologue. you don't have to, so get over it already!!
October 16, 2023
I fell in love with this magical world Robert created many, many years ago. I have just finished rereading the entire series again. I am currently watching the TV series, whilst it is good it is not as good as the books.
If you haven't read this series you are truly missing out.
I have every book sitting on my bookshelf.
Brandon has done a fantastic job of carrying on Roberts work.
If you haven't read this series you are truly missing out.
I have every book sitting on my bookshelf.
Brandon has done a fantastic job of carrying on Roberts work.
October 8, 2012
I really like the wheel of time series and I like this as well. But it was for me too much of a tease and in some ways I wish i hadn't read it becuase now I have to wait until the release of the full book. Which is to far away.
October 31, 2023
They're smashing it!
I was holding my breath...
We're starting to see possible story line conclusions...
(Please note: this is my 2nd time reading series in full. I was a fan from '92!)
And he's finally given over over describing the clothes!
I was holding my breath...
We're starting to see possible story line conclusions...
(Please note: this is my 2nd time reading series in full. I was a fan from '92!)
And he's finally given over over describing the clothes!
June 15, 2025
Honestly the longest prologue of any book I have ever read, Sanderson really gives a detailed account of all the battled leading up to the finale. I was in the edge of my seat for the entire prologue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2012
The beginning of the end... Bittersweet.
September 21, 2012
im so biased that a coment would be pointless. best book ever. period
September 28, 2012
Ridiculously excited for the whole book. 3 months to wait!
October 3, 2012
We finally have an answer to the Taim / Demandred debate!
November 19, 2012
I'm excited. A fantastic start to a book I've been waiting for for years!
November 5, 2012
Can't wait for the last book!
January 21, 2013
Excellent ending to the BEST SERIES EVER
June 6, 2013
The start of a beautiful end.
January 6, 2013
So...incredibly...excited....
January 18, 2013
Love it!!
March 1, 2013
A great ending to a great series.
January 18, 2022
I am really excited, but also dreading the end of this series. I imagine a lot of characters won't make it, but they were still important to the story's pieces.
February 21, 2024
Best of the entire series.
February 9, 2019
When I was reading this book series everything was full of ups and down. When I started to read the book, it lead me to other and then to other. For the whole series I'll rate the complete book series as 4 stars. There are many thoughts about the whole series. It really is a good book fantasy fiction series.
The characters are definitely good and really well developed in the series and the plot is good. I found the book interesting and would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.
The characters are definitely good and really well developed in the series and the plot is good. I found the book interesting and would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.
September 5, 2025
Talmanes the man of the prologue plus all the humour.
November 27, 2012
The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. Now in the is age called the Third Age the Last Battle looms. Strife and despair abound, bonds are broken and plots are sown.
The Dragon Reborn waits to spring his plan and the world waits. Caemlyn is under attack, the dragons must be saved, the Band of the Red Hand must make another miracle but without Mat. Moridin summons the remains to appoint a new Chosen. Leilwin travels to Tar Valon to seeking Nynaeve. Aviendha meets with the Wise Ones to discuss her newest trip to Rhuidean and the visions it has revealed.
All throughout The Wheel weaves and January 2013 is much too far away.
The Dragon Reborn waits to spring his plan and the world waits. Caemlyn is under attack, the dragons must be saved, the Band of the Red Hand must make another miracle but without Mat. Moridin summons the remains to appoint a new Chosen. Leilwin travels to Tar Valon to seeking Nynaeve. Aviendha meets with the Wise Ones to discuss her newest trip to Rhuidean and the visions it has revealed.
All throughout The Wheel weaves and January 2013 is much too far away.
December 9, 2012
its the prlogue to the final book in a 14 book series, much excitment abounds amongst Jordan fans about AMOL and I am no exception so I had to read the prologue ahead of the actual book release next year.
It sets things up nicely with some thing you suspected being confirmed and a few surprises like Taim(no spoilers right).
This I think fires the starting gun on the rereading of books 1 to 13 ahead of the release of AMOL.
It sets things up nicely with some thing you suspected being confirmed and a few surprises like Taim(no spoilers right).
This I think fires the starting gun on the rereading of books 1 to 13 ahead of the release of AMOL.
September 24, 2012
The end approaches! Tarmon Gai'don thunders ever closer and the characters that we've known and loved for decades must finally confront the end of all thing...and the beginning.
I was surprised by how much was in this prologue-75 pages worth! I was immediately drawn back into the world of WoT and this did what it was supposed to do: whet my appetite for more!
I was surprised by how much was in this prologue-75 pages worth! I was immediately drawn back into the world of WoT and this did what it was supposed to do: whet my appetite for more!
September 21, 2012
Absolutely amazing treat that really whets the appitite of any wheel of time fan. Glimpses of Talmanes, Aviendha, the remaining forsaken, and the Black Tower. It left me more impatient than i believed possible for the rest of the book....
November 26, 2012
An early release prologue to the final book in the Wheel of Time saga, a delight for fans of the series, however holds almost nothing of value for people who are not eagerly anticipating A Memory of Light.
September 20, 2012
I just heard it came out today so clearly I had to immediately read it. It was really good all around, but it just makes me wish I had the rest of the book. Now I have to wait until January.
September 20, 2012
Want more....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews