Okay, for those folks out that haven’t read this book three or four times already—or not at all—I’ll place this spoiler warning for you here.
This novel is an easier to digest epic continuation of the Wheel of Time series. After spending a decent amount of time showing us in the last book of Perrin’s triumphs, Jordan removes him from this book—except as veiled references to the Two Rivers area. Despite this, Fires of Heaven turns out to be a solid book, with—surprise, surprise—better development between characters and their role in the series. Though the parts I hated of earlier books does creep back in, the female characters seem to be further developed than the previous volumes.
Fires of Heaven continues the story arc started with the conclusion of Shadow Rising, having Rand learn lessons from his captive Forsaken ally. In following the rogue Aiel Couladin back across the Dragonwall, Rand confronts the machinations of two other Forsaken hoping to defeat or subjugate the Dragon Reborn.
Though Jordan shows us his experience in combat with a confusing battle royal for control of the city Cairhien, he doesn’t select a decent conclusion that resonates with the rest of the story. Instead, the reader is drug further along to another city—which includes the Tel’aran’rhiod—battle to finish the book with the removal of two Forsaken.
Jordan’s strengths in this novel, other then being a relatively short book, are the character developments that he presents. We see a change of roles between Rand and his Maiden companion, even Rand’s further understanding of Aiel culture. Roles change when Siuan rejoins the Tower in exile, as she must demur for the time being. Nynaeve shows her strengths in become a student rather than assuming she knows what is right with the rest of the group.
This novel is a great book for those already invested with the series, and the return of that investment is good—strengthening of the characters that we’ve come to respect, advancement of the series towards Tarmon Gai’don without becoming too cliché is present, though several of the characters are not fully displayed (like where in the world is Perrin) we still see some things that hint at conflicts to come.
A good book, unfortunately it is towards the middle of the series, where several may not have gotten to because of Jordan’s lengthy, roundabout way of getting there.
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