Jennifer Liang, Director of Wheel of Time programing for Dragon*Con, Special Projects Manager for Dragonmount.com and the Chair of JordanCon, the only Wheel of Time fan convention, has written a short review of the upcoming Wheel of Time novel, THE GATHERING STORM.

Like Jason Denzel, I was given the opportunity to read The Gathering Storm prior to its release in October. With less than two weeks to go before the official release, I’ve decided to share a few of my impressions.

My first thought when I picked up my copy was “What do I tell Brandon if this sucks?” Luckily, I never needed to come up with an answer to that question. The Gathering Storm is a very, very good book. I hesitate to compare it to the others in the series, because I’m terrible at being objective regarding WoT books. I mean, I like these books enough to dress up like the characters on weekends. I am hardly objective about anything regarding this series. But, I do think this will be considered a strong entry to the series.

Things happen in this book. I know there is a concern among fans that this will feel like part of a book because of the decision to split the material Jordan intended to include in A Memory of Light. But so much happened in this book that I felt completely satisfied as a reader. Key events that have been foreshadowed since the first book of the series finally come to fruition. Some things happen almost exactly the way you might predict they do. Others happen in a completely surprising way. There was more than one reveal that made my jaw drop. Like Jason, I was surprised by how dark Rand’s arc became at points. And several things are set up for the next book. I think anyone who thinks they know exactly how the events of the next few books will play out will be surprised. Pleasantly so, I hope.

The difference in writing styles between Jordan and Sanderson was not jarring to me. Some passages feel more like Brandon, others feel more like Jordan. But, I found myself so caught up in the story and the characters that I didn’t care who wrote what. Brandon has achieved his goal of adapting his style to suit the story. The descriptions are lush and evocative. The attention to detail matches what we’ve come to expect when reading a Wheel of Time novel, without being a parody of Jordan’s style or mannerisms. I also found that this book triggered many emotions. I laughed out loud at several passages, and another had me yelling out loud in shock (much to the consternation of my husband, who was disrupted by my outburst). There was at least one point where I yelled “Stop being such a tool, [NameofCharacter]!” at the book.

While I think everyone will agree, we’d much rather have this story finished by the one who began it, Brandon has written an excellent and engaging novel that is a worthy addition to the series. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

Hi All,

I think we’ve finally got our website cleaned up after the hacker attack last month. Please let us know if you encounter any suspicious scripts on this site though. We’d hate to have google block us again.

JordanCon 2009 (“Rand alCon”) was a success by any measure we use. Over 250 fans were in attendance. Our charity events raised $3150 for the Mayo Clinic’s Amyldosis research fund.

Anyways, we’ve taken the liberty of collecting links to photos, reviews and videos of this year’s convention. Hopefully this will be enough to tide you over until April 23, 2010.

Muerandah’s Opening Ceremony Gallery

Roswenthe’s Gallery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24742913@N02/

Gai’shan Wrangler Tiffany’s Gallery

http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/Loraine05/JordanCon2009/

Amy Romanczuk’s Gallery (Alan’s Wife)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookczuk/sets/72157617107997432/

Jason Denzel’s Gallery
http://picasaweb.google.com/jwdenzel/JordanCon2009#

Leigh Butler’s JordanCon Report of DOOM

http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=23875

Richard Fife’s Recap of JordanCon (AKA: Adventures at Rand Al’Con)
http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=24065

Review by Gaijinside.com

http://www.gaijinside.com/con-review-jordancon-2009-keeps-the-wheels-turning/

Kiley’s Recap on WAKEUPNAPTOWN

http://wakeupnaptown.com/2009/04/the-final-jordanconfession-why-we-pine-for-april-2010/

Recap of The Gathering Storm Prologue, posted by Ben T-Gaidin.
http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,42449.msg1116907.html#msg1116907

Video of The Lost Boys Performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnkOP7u_HCU

Complete Listing of Video Recorded by Portalstones.com
http://www.portalstones.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=554&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I know there’s a ton more photos on Facebook, but I don’t know how to link to those here. If you know of any other galleries, links, or other media, please let me know. JordanCon@ageoflegends.net

I will see you all April 23, 2010 for the SeanCon Invasion.

-Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

I always love when I find, or get directed to media coverage of JordanCon. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

First up is a column on WAKEUP NAPTOWN, a lifestyle/entertainment type blog that seems focused on Indianapolis. One of their columnists is writing about her preparations for this year’s JordanCon. The first article in the series is here.

Second, we got a brief nod from the awesomely named “Sword and Laser” podcast. S&L is a fantasy/sci fi book club. They do the aforementioned podcast, as well as host forums and other nifty discussion tools. It looks like a cool site.

And finally, my husband/ partner in crime is now co host of the “Dragon in Georgia” podcast. This podcast focuses mainly on DragonCon, but given that Steve is also staff for the WoT track at DragonCon, JordanCon comes up in their conversation. So check it out.

As we get closer and closer to JordanCon, I find it harder and harder to muster up the time to sit and write of those professional sounding releases I usually do. It probably doesn’t matter.

Anyways, I sent out the JordanCon progress report this weekend via email. Yes, I’m aware that a progress report really out to be released six months before a convention and not three weeks before. Work with me. I’m new at this. It’s pretty much a summary of what you can expect to see and do at JordanCon. You can download the PDF here.

The link to the schedule in that is incorrect. You should be able to access it by going here. There’s still a few things that need to be fleshed out, but you should be able to get an idea of what’s going to happen when.

I’ll see everyone real soon!

–Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

Please note that preregistration for JordanCon 2009 will close this weekend. Membership for all three days is priced at $60 per person. This includes admission to all panels, discussions, workshops and performances. Guests this year will include Harriet McDougal, Wilson Grooms, Brandon Sanderson, Tom Doherty, the Dabel Brothers, Jendayi Bellydance, Big City Burlesque and The Lost Boys.

Please note that while there will be on site registration for JordanCon, we are unable to accept credit card payments at the convention.

JordanCon was featured in two media outlets this weekend. The first is a profile on “Convention Fans Today“, a blog that follows genre conventions around the country and the people who attend them. There’s nothing new in there if you’ve been following the updates here, but it’s nice to see us mention somewhere that isn’t Wheel of Time specific. The author of that blog will have a post up for reviews of the convention after we’re done, so if you have something to say afterwards, that’s another place you can do it.

The second is an interview with myself and my partner in crime, Jimmy on the 4th Age Podcast hosted by Dragonmount.com. This is also pretty packed with information, and I imagine there’s stuff in there you don’t know already. I can think of at least one thing I mention here that I haven’t posted anywhere.

Please pass the word along about JordanCon. Pre registration closes in a week.

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

Even though there is still plenty of space in our expanded room block at the Embassy Suites, I’ve gone ahead and contracted with an overflow hotel. Hopefully this will make it possible for everyone to attend JordanCon that wants to.

Our overflow hotel for 2009 is the fabulous Hyatt Place at Northpoint. This hotel is less than a mile from the Embassy Suites and will be running a complimentary shuttle for convention members all weekend. Rooms start at $79 a night. We’ll have a link for booking online up later this week, but if you just can’t wait, you can call 888-492-8847 and ask for the JordanCon rate.

See you in April!

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

Earlier this week, we received reports that our room block at the Embassy Suites had sold out. We’re happy to report that the Embassy Suites was able to add additional rooms to our block. So if you haven’t made your reservation yet, I highly advise that you do so immediately, before they run out again. You can get more information regarding reservations HERE.

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

As we count down the days to our first JordanCon (59, as I write this), I want to put out a little reminder for everyone coming to get their arrangements finalized as soon as possible.

First, have you pre-registered? Not only does pre-registered help the convention by allowing us to accurately plan ahead for the weekend, it also helps you out. Pre-registration will hopefully mean a shorter line for you (I say hopefully, because this is my first rodeo, and I can’t promise I know what I’m doing yet. But it’s a pet peeve of mine to pre-reg for a con, and then stand in a three hour line while the “at the door” people sail past me and get to enjoy the con.), and it also enters you into a drawing to own something from Robert Jordan’s personal collection of blades. The Jordan estate is keeping the exact item a surprise, but I am assured that it will be sharp and it will fit in a suitcase if you need to fly it home. Preregistration is currently $60. (A steal if you look at some other cons. Why oh why, couldn’t I have been a Twilight fan?). You can find details on pre-registration here.

Second, you need a place to stay. Crazily enough, most of the people currently pre-registered aren’t from Atlanta. In fact, there’s a rather significant minority of you from Europe. You all can’t be planning on commuting every day from Paris, so you’ll need a hotel room. Our host hotel, the Alpharetta Embassy Suites , has given us a block of suites starting at $114 a night. Yes, that’s right. I said suites. Your room also includes a cooked to order breakfast each morning and complimentary drinks at the nightly “Manager’s Reception”. You can get more information about booking a room and the neighborhood around JordanCon here.

While you’re here, you’ll need something to do. If our guest list doesn’t tempt you (Harriet, Wilson, Brandon and Tom Doherty) maybe you’ll be interested in seeing the performances by The Lost Boys, Jendayi Bellydance or Big City Burlesque. Though come to think of it, why are you at a convention called “JordanCon” if that guest list doesn’t make your socks go up and down? We’re also going to be doing a crazy amount of panels, contests, workshops and games. We’re still working on the ever elusive schedule grid, but we did put up a list of highlights a few weeks back. I’m particularly excited by the Sanderson writing workshops and the Cairhienin Ball. And if you’ve never played Darkfriend Hunt, well, you’re in for a surprise. And probably a brutal murder or three. Don’t worry, they killed Brandon Sanderson at DragonCon last year and still seems alright. Mostly.

Be sure to set aside a little time and money for shopping in our Dealers Hall. Remember, the Dealers Hall is a source of revenue to the convention, so we’d sort of like these guys to be happy and come back with friends in 2010. I know I always budget a few dollars for the Dealers Hall for any convention I go to. Our Dealers this year include:

Big City Burlesque
Bargain Basement Books
Dabel Brothers Productions
Heron Marked Scissors
The Lost Boys
Yoakum Books

I am almost certainly forgetting something here. If I haven’t answered your question, feel free to browse the forums or drop me an email at jordancon@ageoflegends.net.

See you in April!

Jennifer Liang
JordanCon Chair

Due to the unanticipated demand for space in our program book, we’re extending the deadline to reserve your space. Hopefully this will accommodate everyone who is interested.

From now until the end of the month, you can reserve a “business card” sized ad in our program for $25. This is 2.5″ x 3.8″ of space that will be seen by hundreds of Wheel of Time fans, as well as Harriet, Brandon and a host of other notables.

What kinds of things can you put in your ad?

-Businesses
-Websites
-Other conventions or events
-Shout outs to friends
-Thank yous to Brandon
-Condolences to the Rigneys
-Anything else you like, within the bounds of good taste.

For more information, please see our information page.