Welcome to our comprehensive guide to The Wheel of Time Book 13: Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Whether you’re experiencing this penultimate volume for the first time, revisiting these critical moments before the Last Battle, or seeking the complete story beyond the television series, this hub provides everything you need to appreciate the thirteenth book in Jordan’s monumental epic.
Published in 2010, Towers of Midnight expands the scope again after The Gathering Storm’s intensity. Where the previous volume focused on Rand and Egwene’s transformations, this book catches up with Mat and Perrin, resolves long-running conflicts, and weaves the scattered threads of the Pattern into a cohesive whole.
The Dragon Reborn walks among nations, spreading hope instead of fear, while his childhood friends face their own defining trials. From the Tower of Ghenjei to Tel’aran’rhiod, from the Whitecloaks’ judgment to the White Tower’s purge, everything converges toward the Field of Merrilor. The Shining Walls is here to help you navigate this vast penultimate movement before Tarmon Gai’don.
About Towers of Midnight
Towers of Midnight weaves together storylines that have been building across the entire series. The book’s structure deliberately runs concurrent with much of The Gathering Storm, showing what was happening elsewhere while Rand descended into darkness and Egwene rose to leadership. This approach allows readers to witness how Rand’s transformation ripples outward, affecting everyone connected to him.
Perrin Aybara finally confronts the Whitecloaks and faces judgment for killings that occurred way back in The Eye of the World. His trial becomes something more than a legal proceeding—it’s an opportunity for reconciliation between old enemies who need each other for the battles ahead. Meanwhile, his internal struggle with his wolf nature reaches its crisis point in Tel’aran’rhiod, where Hopper teaches him lessons that will cost everything.
Mat Cauthon embarks on his most dangerous adventure: entering the Tower of Ghenjei to rescue Moiraine Damodred from the Aelfinn and Eelfinn. Accompanied by Thom Merrilin and Noal Charin, Mat confronts creatures that don’t play by the rules of the normal world. The mission tests his luck, his cleverness, and his willingness to sacrifice for others—and the price paid inside that steel tower reverberates through the remainder of the series.
Sanderson balances these major storylines with critical developments across the entire cast. Egwene purges the Black Ajah from the White Tower and faces Mesaana in Tel’aran’rhiod. Lan Mandragoran rides toward death at Tarwin’s Gap, gathering an army of believers along the way. Elayne vies for the Sun Throne. And through it all, the transformed Rand works to unite the nations, seeking support even as Egwene marshals opposition to his plan to break the remaining seals.
By the book’s conclusion, armies gather at the Field of Merrilor for a confrontation that will determine humanity’s approach to the Last Battle itself.
Towers of Midnight Synopsis
An effort has been made to keep this summary light, but it does contain significant spoilers for the book. Do not expand if you want to remain unsullied.
Spoiler Summary of Towers of Midnight
Rand al’Thor emerges from Dragonmount transformed, his very presence now bringing life to dying lands. He makes amends with those he’s wronged, brings order to chaotic Arad Doman, and obliterates a Trolloc army threatening Maradon. Yet his most controversial action comes in the White Tower, where he calmly announces his intention to break the remaining seals on the Dark One’s prison. Egwene, convinced this will lead to catastrophe, begins gathering support to stop him. They agree to meet at the Field of Merrilor to resolve the issue before Tarmon Gai’don.
Perrin leads his refugee army toward an encounter with the Whitecloaks, now commanded by Galad Damodred. Rather than fight, they agree to a trial with Morgase Trakand as judge. She finds Perrin guilty of killing Whitecloaks but rules it was combat between opposing forces rather than murder. Before Galad can sentence him, a Trolloc ambush forces the two armies to fight together. Perrin’s tactical skill and his destruction of a dreamspike trapping them in place saves both forces. Galad pledges the Whitecloaks to Perrin’s command, and Bornhald finally accepts that Perrin is no Darkfriend.
In Tel’aran’rhiod, Perrin battles Slayer repeatedly while Hopper teaches him to fully embrace both his human and wolf natures. When Slayer murders Hopper, Perrin’s grief and rage finally break down his resistance. He forges Mah’alleinir, a Power-wrought hammer that becomes his signature weapon, accepting that he is both man and wolf, blacksmith and warrior.
Mat confronts the gholam that has stalked him since Ebou Dar. Using Elayne’s copies of his foxhead medallion and his own tactical cunning, he lures the seemingly unstoppable creature through a gateway into a Skimming space where it will fall forever.
With that threat eliminated, Mat prepares for the most dangerous mission of his life: rescuing Moiraine from the Tower of Ghenjei. With Thom and Noal, he enters the steel tower and navigates its impossible passages, facing the Aelfinn and Eelfinn. The rescue succeeds but at terrible cost—Mat surrenders his left eye as the price, and Noal (actually Jain Farstrider) sacrifices himself so the others can escape. Mat and Thom emerge with Moiraine, who has been held captive since The Fires of Heaven, though significantly changed by her imprisonment.
Elayne works with Mat to produce dragons—devastating weapons engineered by Aludra, the Illuminator. After demonstrating their effectiveness, Elayne makes a bold political move, claiming the Sun Throne of Cairhien by offering stripped Andoran estates to Cairhienin nobles. When she arrives in Cairhien to take the throne, an assassination attempt nearly succeeds, but Birgitte discovers the poisoned needle hidden in the Sun Throne itself. Elayne claims Cairhien and prepares to march the combined forces of both nations to the Field of Merrilor.
Egwene consolidates her control of the White Tower by exposing and executing or exiling the entire Black Ajah network revealed in Verin’s book. When Mesaana attacks in Tel’aran’rhiod during a meeting of sisters, Egwene confronts her directly. Though Mesaana is more skilled in the World of Dreams, Egwene’s unshakable belief in herself as Amyrlin allows her to defeat the Forsaken, leaving Mesaana mindless.
Lan rides toward certain death at Tarwin’s Gap, refusing to lead men to die with him. But word spreads, and soldiers from across the Borderlands join his impossible ride. When he finally reaches Tarwin’s Gap, he leads not a lone suicide charge but an army of twelve thousand who have come to follow the Golden Crane.
As the book concludes, the forces of Light gather at the Field of Merrilor. Rand and Egwene face each other across a fundamental disagreement about how to fight the Last Battle. The seals—and the fate of the world—hang in the balance as the final volume approaches.
Towers of Midnight Characters You’ll Love (or Hate)
Towers of Midnight catches up with Mat and Perrin’s storylines while continuing Rand and Egwene’s journeys, bringing all the major threads into alignment for the final confrontation. Most of the key players readers have followed for twelve volumes remain at the center of events, but several figures who have appeared before now step into crucial roles.
Mat’s mission to rescue Moiraine takes him into the Tower of Ghenjei alongside longtime companions whose loyalty will be tested beyond anything they’ve faced before. Perrin’s confrontation with the Whitecloaks forces him to answer for actions taken all the way back in the first volume, while his training in Tel’aran’rhiod pushes him to finally accept both sides of his nature. The darkening situation at the Black Tower reveals that corruption has spread further than anyone suspected, and those still loyal to the Light find themselves trapped and outnumbered.
Supporting characters from across the series—Nynaeve, Lan, Gawyn, Aviendha, Elayne, Birgitte, and many others—continue their essential roles throughout. By the book’s conclusion, armies gather and old conflicts find resolution as everyone prepares for Tarmon Gai’don.
While Towers of Midnight primarily deepens the arcs of characters readers know well, a handful of voices, not previously mentioned in these guides, play vital supporting roles:
Perrin’s World
- Hopper — The wolf who has guided Perrin since their first meeting in the wilderness teaches him the deepest lessons about Tel’aran’rhiod and what it means to be both man and wolf. His dedication to Perrin’s education and survival defines their bond.
The Black Tower’s Resistance
- Androl Genhald — A Dedicated with unusual talent for creating gateways despite his relatively weak strength in the Power. His ingenuity and loyalty to Logain make him central to the resistance against the darkness spreading through the Black Tower.
- Naeff — One of Rand’s Asha’man who becomes the first to be Healed of the madness caused by the taint, demonstrating that recovery may be possible for those who suffered before saidin was cleansed.
Lan’s Gathering Storm
- Bulen — Lan’s former retainer, who abandons comfortable safety to be the first to join the uncrowned king’s ride toward Tarwin’s Gap, beginning the gathering that transforms a suicide mission into an army.
Into the Tower of Ghenjei
- The Aelfinn and Eelfinn — The mysterious beings who inhabit the Tower of Ghenjei have their own rules, their own prices, and their own understanding of bargains. Those who enter their realm must navigate carefully, for these creatures play games with consequences that extend far beyond the tower itself.
Shadows Within the Tower
- Mesaana — One of the Forsaken who has hidden within the White Tower, pulling strings and spreading chaos. Her true identity has remained concealed, but confrontation becomes inevitable as Egwene consolidates her authority and hunts down all who serve the Shadow.
Signs and Portents
- Almen Bunt — A farmer whose dying apple trees suddenly burst into bloom and bear fruit when Rand walks past, providing the first visible sign that the Dragon Reborn has fundamentally changed and now brings life instead of decay.
- Nakomi — A mysterious Aiel woman who appears to Aviendha on her journey to Rhuidean, asking questions about the Aiel’s purpose and their toh to the Dragon Reborn, which plants troubling seeds of doubt about what comes after the Last Battle.
- Suffa — A damane in Seanchan captivity whose knowledge proves dangerous in the wrong hands. Her presence among the Seanchan carries implications that could reshape the balance of power across the continent.
Beyond Towers of Midnight: The Wheel of Time Companion
As Tarmon Gai’don approaches and the Pattern strains, The Wheel of Time Companion sheds light on every corner of Jordan’s creation. This complete encyclopedia captures the full scope of his achievement—every hero, villain, and nation that populates his legendary world.
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Why Towers of Midnight is Worth Reading
For First-Time Readers: This is where long-developing arcs reach their conclusions—Perrin finally confronts the Whitecloaks for events that occurred back in Book One, Mat enters the Tower of Ghenjei on a rescue mission many books in the making, and Lan’s impossible ride toward Tarwin’s Gap gathers an army of believers. Sanderson balances multiple climactic moments across the vast cast while maintaining momentum toward the Last Battle.
For Experienced Fantasy Fans: Towers of Midnight demonstrates the challenges and rewards of a sprawling epic fantasy series in its penultimate volume. The novel largely runs concurrently with The Gathering Storm. This structural choice allows Sanderson to give proper attention to storylines that deserve their own space rather than compressing them. The book pays off seeds planted across the entire series while setting every piece in position for the final confrontation.
For TV Series Viewers: With the Prime Video adaptation cancelled, Towers of Midnight contains spectacular sequences that will never reach the screen—the journey through the Tower of Ghenjei’s impossible passages, Perrin’s confrontation with Slayer in Tel’aran’rhiod, Egwene’s battle against Mesaana in the World of Dreams, and the gathering of twelve thousand Borderlanders behind Lan’s Golden Crane. These moments represent some of the series’ most imaginative and emotionally powerful scenes. Reading the novel provides the only way to experience how Jordan and Sanderson bring scattered threads together before the final volume, unless the SaveWoT campaign succeeds!
Where to Buy The Wheel of Time Book 13
Ready to experience the penultimate volume before the Last Battle? Here are trusted bookstores where you can find Towers of Midnight. We’ve included options for different regions so you can choose what’s most convenient for you.
Last update on 2026-09-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our affiliate disclosure has more details.
Complete Guide to Towers of Midnight
We’ve created dedicated resources to help you get the most out of Towers of Midnight, whether you’re looking for memorable moments, collectible editions, or the best way to enjoy the book in your favorite format.
- A Celebration of Awesome Quotes from Towers of Midnight: The most powerful and memorable lines from the penultimate volume, from Perrin’s acceptance of the wolf to Mat’s bargain in the Tower of Ghenjei and Lan’s gathering army.
- Complete Buying Guide: Find your perfect edition across all formats — paperback, hardcover, audiobook, and Kindle.
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The Wheel of Time Book 13 FAQ
Got questions about Towers of Midnight? Here’s a quick guide to the most common ones — from its publication details to its significance as the penultimate volume before the Last Battle.
Who wrote Towers of Midnight?
Towers of Midnight was written by Brandon Sanderson, utilizing extensive notes, outlines, and scenes left by Robert Jordan before he died in 2007. It is the thirteenth book in The Wheel of Time series and the second of three volumes completed by Sanderson with guidance from Jordan’s widow and editor, Harriet McDougal, amongst others.
When was Towers of Midnight first published?
Towers of Midnight was first published by Tor Books in the United States on November 2, 2010, and by Orbit in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2010. The prologue, titled Distinctions, was released as an e-book on September 21, 2010 — more than a month before the full novel was published.
How many chapters are in Towers of Midnight?
There are 57 chapters, plus a prologue titled Distinctions and an epilogue. Towers of Midnight contains 29 different point-of-view characters and continues the tradition of releasing the prologue early for eager fans.
How long is Towers of Midnight?
The novel contains approximately 326,000 words (325,997 according to A Wheel of Time Wiki). Most editions run between 850 and 1,000 pages, depending on the format and publisher. The US hardcover edition is 861 pages.
How long does it take to read Towers of Midnight?
Most readers spend between 22 and 27 hours finishing the book, depending on reading speed and familiarity with Jordan’s world. The audiobook narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading runs 38 hours and 17 minutes.
What age rating is Towers of Midnight?
While not officially rated, Towers of Midnight is generally recommended for readers aged 14 and up. It contains mature themes, violence, intense emotional content, and complex moral situations typical of the later books in the series.
Is Towers of Midnight part of a series?
Yes — it’s the thirteenth book in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, a fourteen-book epic (plus a prequel) that follows the Dragon Reborn and those bound to his fate. It is the penultimate volume before the series finale, A Memory of Light.
Do I need to read the earlier books before Towers of Midnight?
Absolutely. Towers of Midnight builds directly on events from the first twelve books and runs concurrently with The Gathering Storm. Starting here would leave you without crucial context for the characters, their relationships, the world’s political situations, and the ongoing conflicts. Begin with The Eye of the World for the complete experience.
What happens in Towers of Midnight (without spoilers)?
The story catches up with Mat and Perrin’s storylines while continuing other characters’ journeys toward the Last Battle. Perrin confronts the Whitecloaks for actions from the first book and battles in Tel’aran’rhiod. Mat enters the Tower of Ghenjei on a dangerous rescue mission. Egwene hunts for Mesaana within the White Tower. Lan rides toward Tarwin’s Gap, gathering an army along the way. Rand, transformed from his ordeal on Dragonmount, works to unite the nations but proposes a controversial plan that sets him at odds with Egwene.
Why is Towers of Midnight significant in the series?
Towers of Midnight serves as the penultimate volume before the Last Battle, bringing storylines into alignment and resolving conflicts that began in earlier books. It delivers major resolutions, including the gholam subplot and Tower of Ghenjei mission, and sets all the pieces in position for the series finale.
Why is Book 13 called Towers of Midnight?
The title has multiple layers of meaning. Literally, the Towers of Midnight are a fortress complex of thirteen towers in the Seanchan city of Imfaral—fitting for the thirteenth book. Egwene dreams of thirteen black towers rising and falling, representing the thirteen Forsaken. The title also reflects the book’s focus on various towers: the Black Tower’s corruption, the White Tower’s consolidation, the Tower of Ghenjei rescue, and even the Seven Towers of Malkier connected to Lan’s storyline. The epilogue references “Midnight Towers” in a dark prophecy related to Perrin and the wolves. Essentially, “midnight” suggests darkness and the Shadow’s influence across multiple centers of power.
Does the Prime Video adaptation cover Towers of Midnight?
No. The Prime Video series was cancelled in May 2025 and will not continue beyond Season 3, meaning the events of Towers of Midnight will not be adapted for television. This makes reading the novel the only way to experience these pivotal moments before the Last Battle.
Who is on the cover of Towers of Midnight?
The original cover art by Darrell K. Sweet depicts Mat Cauthon, Thom Merrilin, and Noal Charin standing before the Tower of Ghenjei in a forest. Mat holds his ashandarei while Thom marks the Snakes and Foxes symbol on the tower’s metallic surface—the scene that allows them entry to the Aelfinn and Eelfinn’s lair.
Before and After Towers of Midnight
Towers of Midnight is the thirteenth volume in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. To get the complete experience of the story, it’s best to read the series in order:
- The Eye of the World (Book 1)
- The Great Hunt (Book 2)
- The Dragon Reborn (Book 3)
- The Shadow Rising (Book 4)
- The Fires of Heaven (Book 5)
- Lord of Chaos (Book 6)
- A Crown of Swords (Book 7)
- The Path of Daggers (Book 8)
- Winter’s Heart (Book 9)
- Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10)
- Knife of Dreams (Book 11)
- The Gathering Storm (Book 12)
- Towers of Midnight (Book 13)
- A Memory of Light (Book 14)
From here, the story concludes with A Memory of Light, the fourteenth and final volume, completing Jordan’s epic fourteen-book saga. The prequel novel, New Spring, can be read after the main series. Reading in publication order allows you to experience Jordan’s intricate narrative threads as they converge toward Tarmon Gai’don.
About the Authors of Towers of Midnight
By the time Towers of Midnight reached readers in 2010, the collaboration between Brandon Sanderson and Team Jordan had found its rhythm. Where The Gathering Storm represented Sanderson’s first attempt to honor Robert Jordan’s legacy, this second volume demonstrated growing confidence in managing the series’ sprawling scope while maintaining Jordan’s distinctive voice.
Sanderson faced a unique challenge with this book. The material Jordan left behind required splitting into three volumes rather than one, and the narrative structure of Towers of Midnight meant catching up with characters whose timelines had fallen behind during The Gathering Storm’s focused approach. This demanded careful coordination with Jordan’s notes to ensure events aligned properly across storylines.
Working with Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, and Maria Simons, Sanderson continued drawing from Jordan’s extensive materials while adding his own structural clarity to sequences that existed only in outline form. The Tower of Ghenjei scenes, for instance, required building upon Jordan’s specific instructions about rules and consequences while crafting the moment-to-moment tension of Mat’s journey through that impossible place.
The result sees both authors’ strengths working in concert. Jordan’s intricate worldbuilding and character relationships remain the foundation, while Sanderson’s ability to orchestrate multiple climactic moments across a vast cast brings resolution to threads that began books earlier. Towers of Midnight demonstrates how collaborative storytelling can honor an author’s vision while moving confidently toward the conclusion he planned but couldn’t write himself.
Discuss Towers of Midnight (The Wheel of Time Book 13)
What did you think of The Wheel of Time Book 13: Towers of Midnight? Which epic confrontation resonated most with you—Perrin and Slayer, Mat and the gholam, Mat and the Aelfinn/Eelfinn, or Egwene and Mesaana? Does the penultimate volume successfully position all the pieces for the Last Battle? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If you’re ready to continue the journey to the final volume or need to add Towers of Midnight to your collection, you can purchase the paperback on Amazon*. The saga concludes with A Memory of Light, the fourteenth volume, where all threads converge for Tarmon Gai’don.
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