Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #77705 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-02
• Released on: 2005-03-10
• Formats: Audiobook, CD, Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 29
• Binding: Audio CD

From Publishers Weekly
Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, continues his effort to unify the diverse people of a discordant world against the Dark One in this fifth tome of the Wheel of Time series (begun with The Eye of the World ). While the Aes Sedai, women who channel the One Power, and the Forsaken, ancient disciples of the Dark One, strive to bend him to their purposes, Rand leads the clans of the Aiel in a war of unification. Rand must try to master his powers as a man who can channel, while eluding the concomitant madness, as two groups of women attempt to come to his aid. His love, Elayne, Daughter-Heir of Andor, and Nynaeve, both Aes Sedai in training, join a circus to evade an angry sisterhood, and Siuan Sanche, former leader of the Aes Sedai now stripped of her powers, and two companions seek other rebels in an attempt to avert the final doom. Jordan deftly weaves details from previous books into this narrative and includes a glossary so that new readers can pick up the saga at this point. But all should beware: the few months covered here suggest it may be years and many more volumes before this series reaches its conclusion.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, leads his army of desert warriors toward a destined war against the forces of the Dark One. Elsewhere, while the Forsaken seed the land with their plots of corruption, a few stalwart individuals gather their strength for the coming battle. Jordan's epic saga of a world threatened by evil incarnate builds steadily as separate strands of a complex plot begin to come together. Fans of this richly detailed and vividly imagined series will not be disappointed.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
This is the fifth volume of a probable eight in Jordan's splendid Wheel of Time saga. The Last Battle is approaching rapidly, for the seals on the Dark One's prison are beginning to crumble and the Aes Sedai (the female adepts) are divided within their own ranks--entirely apart from the Black Ajah, who serve the Dark One (and learn that they are no match for his ancient servants, the Forsaken). Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, is somewhat closer to ruling the world, thanks to his various allies (including an army of the desert-dwelling Aiel). His comrade Mat Cauthon seems to be another reincarnated hero, while Nynaeve and Elayne, pursuing the Black Ajah, find themselves in company with Birgitte, another legend made flesh, complete with unerring silver arrows. A saga of this size inevitably has a middle several books long, in which everything is carried forward and little is actually resolved. With this caveat, Fires of Heaven upholds the very high standards of this major fantasy epic, with battle scenes, comic interludes, and character development all reaching perhaps the highest point in a work that has lacked for none of these. Roland Green

Customer Reviews

Amazing story.
I am rereading the series for the umpteenth time, in anticipation of reading "The Path of Daggers." I just finished TFOH. It seems each book in the series is better than its predecessor. Unlike Knight Michaels, who writes nearby, I found a lot of character growth in the book. And, I don't see what he means by his comment about "...murdering characters...."

In TFOH, we see a lot of Rand. He emerges as a complex person. He seems somehow to fully understand that almost everybody wants to kill him or to use him for their own purposes, whether or not it helps the cause. He's the only one who has a holistic view about the nature of the conflict. He hardens himself like iron, using and commanding whole nations against his own nature. And yet, three pretty girls can put him through agonies of uncertainty and self-doubting.

Prior to this book, we knew little about Elayne. Sure, she's a spoiled brat. She's also delightfully spunky and adventurous, and she too is learning how to deal with smart, energetic people like Thom Merrilin in a way that will help her become a ruler.

Nynaeve has a ton of conflicts gnawing at her - her relationship with Lan, her feelings about Aes Sedai and Moiraine, being challenged by Egwene, etc. The stable, quiet world in which she lived for 25 years has been replaced by a maelstrom of currents, and she's having a hard time coping. But, she's tough as nails and fierce as a tigress, and she's a heavyweight with the One Power. The scenes with her and Moghedien in the Royal Palace are absolutely riveting.

Mat continues his march to becoming my own favorite character. He would take the easy way out in every situation, but The Wheel won't let him. He is a reluctant hero at best. We see his powers growing in stages, and at each stage he surprises with his capability. Rand sees it too, and tests it and exploits it as he can. The scenes in the battle with the Shaido are gripping.

As far as the general relations between men and women - hey, that's pretty much on target. That's why that other book about Mars and Venus was an all-time best seller. Let me introduce you to my half-dozen sisters-in-law sometime. They make Aes Sedai look like Brownies. They even sniff at stupid men just as do Jordan's women; and we men employ that same look that Thom and Juilin use when being put upon by Nynaeve or any others.

Anyway, by the time this book is ended, all sorts of momentous and exciting things have happened. It's a delightful and essential building block in this epic series. Finally, keep in mind two things. First, only about two years have passed since Rand and gang, who except for Nynaeve were all teenagers, were routed out of the Two Rivers at the start of the series. The character changes they show seem reasonable to me.

Second, those who suppose that Jordan is dragging this out to extort more money out of us: think a minute. Think about placing yourself behind a typewriter 8 to 12 hours a day, day in and day out, for YEARS on end. Think about devoting your life to pleasing all sorts of unappreciative people - for however long it takes to finish the stories. I'll be happy to pay $25 or whatever pittance he asks each year or two for as long as it takes to resolve this great story.

Pace slows, but still good
This is the 5th book in the Wheel of Time series. As with the other books of the series, I will rate and review the book on its own merits and not be influenced by any shortcomings of other books.
First off is whether or not this book qualifies as a stand alone book. It has a clear cut beginning (Rand trying to decide what to do next after the events of the previous book). This storyline culminates in the events of Caemlyn, thus giving it a clear cut ending. I thus feel that this book is a stand alone book though much would not make sense to someone who hasn't read the previous books. There also still some unresolved threads making future books necessary as might be expected.

What I liked:
*Rand's growing strength in the power and finally growing confidence.
*Resolution of a couple of problems (even though new ones arise)
*Battles against the Forsaken, some long overdue
*Further Intrigue
*Mat's emerging skills as a tactician as well as more comedy at his expense.
*Birgitte
*Moiraine
*Lanfear
*The most argued about mystery in the whole Wheel of Time series!

What I didn't like:
*The pace slows down, particularly during the Elayne, Nynaeve, Birgitte quest. Even though some important events happen during this quest, it is still a tough read in those parts particularly when re-reading the book. I don't mind a slower pace as long as the information in it is relevant and leads to something climatic. A little more brevity in some parts would have been better. As one other reviewer alluded to, by this time in the series, we have firm pictures of the main characters in our minds and don't need a reintroduction to them or at least not THAT detailed of one.
*The complete absence of Perrin! Of the many main characters, Perrin is one of the "big three". Those three should NEVER be excluded!

In Summary:
Despite the slower pace in some parts, this book still had a lot of enjoyable moments with an exciting and emotional ending. The slow parts were still relevant and in the least gave the reader a feeling for the arduous journey that some of the characters were on. As for Perrin being absent, I must admit that I'm glad that RJ didn't throw in some filler just to include him so maybe that's not so bad after all. The slow pace and occasional over description, though was enough for me to take away one star (It was still enjoyable enough to make me feel pain in doing that, though).

A willing hostage of a wonderful series
The fifth book of the Wheel of Time Series, compells you to read on like those before it. Despite suffering from the same ailment as book 4 (The Shadow Rising), that is too much detail, The Fires of Heaven finally gives Moiraine a place in your heart, finally unwraps any built up dislike, and truly lets you see her as a real woman.

The Forsaken (or Chosen as they call themselves) play an even larger role in this episode, revealing not only how much Rand has matured but also how far he has to go.

The lack of any presence of Perrin only assures me that he has a larger role in future novels in this series, and the few brief glimpses of Emond's Field in Tel'aran'rhiod give you a glimpse and expectation of what's to come.

I regret that I feel at times "Where is this going? When does the end come?", all I need do is remind myself of the struggles of the people in the World that Jordan has so intricately constructed. The characters come alive as never before. Like real poeple, the depths of their personalities vary, but all are worth considering. If nothing else I can honestly say that when reading this and other books in the wheel of time, I do not read words on a page, but rather gaze about me and see the amazing and fantastic events unfold around me. I am always by the end of every installment, more than willing to read the next if only to visit with those who seem friends near and dear to me.