The Fires Of Heaven: Book 5 of the Wheel of Time (Now a major TV series)

Having rated all the previous books in the series 5 stars already, it’s not possible for me to go any higher. I will say this though, this is my favourite in the series so far. All the books have contributed to the lore, of course, and this one builds on it. A very brief and unfair review would be to say that this is a book about traveling. Rand Al Thor travels west with Egwene, Mat, Moraine, Lan, and the Aiel. Elaine travels with Nynaeve, Thom, and Julien. Siuan Sanche travels with Leane and Min. No Perrin in this book, unfortunately, but a bit more of Mat. Some good stuff there! The series has me so involved in these characters, that even the slowly diminishing influence of Moraine and Lan hasn’t upset me too much (so far). Once again, a five star book, in what has so far been a five star series. Slow at times, lengthy to an intimidating extent, but definitely worth it.

So now we're well into the series, each character has found their stride and have (mostly) accepted their fates. Rand has now found the army he needed and takes it across the Dragonwall to fight the Shaido. He has come a long way from the country boy we found in the Eye of the World. He is now a cold, but strong leader and the few insights into his thoughts we get are well done. We also have a new development with Lews Therin's thoughts drifting into his head making you wonder if he's going mad already. Mat really comes into his own in this volume, with his new memories of battle commanders, leading him to take control of a battle late in the book. Because of this, he begins to finally accept his being ta'veren. Also, Egwene is becoming a stronger character, as is evident by her shifting the balance of power between her and Nynaeve in Tel'aran'rhiod, planting the seeds for her future employment. As is becoming usual with these books, the storyline with Nynaeve and Elayne isn't all that interesting. For the most part, they hide in a circus headed by the brilliantly over the top Valan Luca. However, most of this is bogged down by details you don't really want or need to know, like the fact that Nynaeve doesn't get on with many of the other performers and gets into fights with them. The story picks up a little when Nynaeve meets up with Moghedian again, forcing Birgitte into major character status in a rather surprising way. It is while the women are in the circus that we get a very interesting look at the Prophet Masema, and how someone can take a simple belief (in this case that the Dragon Reborn will save the world) and use it to cause chaos. Something that happens all too often in our world. We also follow Min, Siuan and Leane on their way to join the rebel Aes Sedai. While there's not that much story here, you do get an insight into how manipulative Siuan really is. Min has virtually nothing to do though, almost a waste of a decent character. One of the downsides here, is that Perrin is not in the book. As one of the three main Ta'veren, it is odd to leave him out. I like Perrin, and felt more than a little disappointed by this. You can, though, see his effects on the Two Rivers during various scenes in Tel'aran'rhiod where evidence is clear of homes are being rebuilt after the Trolloc raids, along with new homes. The ending more than makes up for any other faults the book has. Unlike the other books, the ending seems to take up a good chunk. Almost 25%. It starts with the battle for Cairhien which feels climactic at the time, but once it is over, the real ending begins with a very surprising fight with Lanfear. The aftermath is handled well and you feel for the characters' loss. This makes the final battle with Rahvin seem like more. It is during this final battle, where Rand enters Tel'aran'rhiod in the flesh again, and meets Nynaeve. In my review of the Eye of the World, I mentioned how these two interacted. It's a shame there's not more scenes between them. The woman has known Rand since childhood and disciplined him when necessary, so for her to see him as the man he is today is very touching. Nynaeve can come across as a stuck up misandrist at times, but by reading these scenes, you get a feel that it's all a front. Or most of it anyway. So, all in all, this is a good addition, though it does show a few signs of decline.

The Wheel of Time saga is as addictive as ever, filling you with the urge to read what happens next. However some of the separate plotlines in this book feel too much like a male author trying to understand women, and the dialogue and narrative in the female-centred plotlines are dull and unnecessary. That said, the climax is as fast-paced as the previous books, with cliff-hangers that will make you want to go immediately to the next book. I'm still hooked, but this is the first book in the saga where I skimmed uninteresting and unnecessary dialogue and narrative.

Just a great read, delivered quickly.

As much as i have enjoyed the series up until this book, i cant really say that the standard of story telling has been flawless, until now. The fires of heaven really brings things up a notch, with fast paced storytelling, lots of exciting events, and overall not as many boring talking long winded chapters that i feel have plagued the series so far. Nynaeve and Elaynes characters get a lot of plot time, and there are some very good bits, esepcially the circus bit, although thom seems to be being underwritten and slightly boring, and julein the thief catcher even more so. Rands characters, along with egwene, aviendha, lan, moraine and everyone else who was in the waste get a lot of attention on them, as well as mat, although he really only shines in a couple of chapter. The forsaken become a bit more known to us as well, after rand captures asmodeon at the end of book 4 he is there throughout book 5 as his guide to all things forsaken. Lanfear and moghedien also turn up quite a bit. Unfortunately Perrin, and everyone else who was in the two rivers, have been missed out of this book completely. But then some things such as the whole whitecloak taking over the world thing which i found a bit boring has been mostly left out of it as well. Lets just say book 5 is all about the car'a'carn and the dragon reborn.

First of all, I am a fan of this series and was inspired to re-read the books. It is set in a post-technology post-apocalyptic feudal future, where thought magic exists. The story is told from many perspectives. Each book has it's share of action, and there is an overall arc of character creation and evolution. Each character and culture is written independently of each other, and their thoughts and feelings are frequently in conflict. There is a very small touch of science fiction, but this is very firmly a fantasy series. Whilst some might be cautious about how many books there are, I have sometimes got to the end of a series and wanted more. Well the Wheel of time has 'more' built right in from the start.

Hhe Fires of Heaven is another exciting chapter in the Wheel of Time saga. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Can’t understand why people say nothing happens in this book. Sure it’s slow going to begin with and of course you have to get past all the pathetic comments/sniffs and annoying insults dished out by the girls (Nyneave, Elyane and Egweyne ) who act like a bunch of 12 year olds in a playground!! If you can grit your teeth and bear with it then it does get better in the last few chapters. This is the third time I have read this series and although I have enjoyed the story the constant childishness of the girls has really annoyed me this time around. Maybe it’s because I’ve read better books???