Although his take on Matrim Cauthon in this book is often debated, Brandon Sanderson has said he learned a great deal as an author from the experience. What did you think of Mat in this book?
In The Gathering Storm, Rand is given a new, unidentified sword. This sword is the same as the sword that Harriet gave to Brandon when he began writing The Wheel of Time, and represents his cameo in the series.
The Gathering Storm is the first book that was written by Brandon Sanderson using Robert Jordan's notes. The book was published two years after Jordan's untimely passing.
We also learn more about Shaidar Haran, the Hand of the Dark, in this book. Fans often debate whether he is a very powerful Fade or the Dark One himself. What is your head canon?
A group of Sitters propose an alliance with the Black Tower for mutual defense against the Forsaken and the armies of the Dark. When you first read about this alliance, what did you think the implications would be?