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The Fires of Heaven (Wheel of Time #5)
In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Shadow Rising, Robert Jordan again plunges us into his extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world:
...Into the forbidden city of Rhuidean, where Rand al'Thor, now the Dragon Reborn, must conceal his present endeavor from all about him, even Egwene and Moiraine.
...Into the Amyrlin's study in the White...more
Hardcover, 704 pages
Published
October 15th 1993
by Tor Books
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For being such a long book (nearly 1000 pages in my trade paperback copy), amazingly little happens in The Fires of Heaven, and this is why so many readers have abandoned this otherwise interesting story. Approximately the first third of the novel contains so much recap and repetition that, if I'd had "my hair in a proper braid," I would have been yanking it as often as Nynaeve does.
The formula for the first 100 pages or so goes something like this: One or two lines of dial...more
The formula for the first 100 pages or so goes something like this: One or two lines of dial...more
At my gym, we treadmill drones watch several television screens. We used to have ESPN, but it's been cut in favor of another Faux ... I mean Fox ... News screen. There are also several CNNs. It's quite frustrating because neither CNN nor Fox reports the news.
It's all theater.
Both stations have an obvious formula to grind. Fox's spin will always involve a plot on the left to overtake and corrupt America, followed by an impotent but self-righteous two minutes hate session a...more
It's all theater.
Both stations have an obvious formula to grind. Fox's spin will always involve a plot on the left to overtake and corrupt America, followed by an impotent but self-righteous two minutes hate session a...more
I'm sorry, but by this point, if I had to read once more about "smoothed faced" ageless women (and insert many other repeated phrases of your choice here), I was going to lose my mind. I kept reading the books for the sake of completion, but by book 5, I was rapidly losing patience and interest. I think these books suffered from the syndrome of many long-running book (and TV) series--the lack of an overall cohesive plotline and the presence of far too many characters to keep active in ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I am determined to finish this series. This is quite a long book and at times is frustrating to get through, but I can say I've enjoyed the ride the whole time. It's not perfect. In fact, the more experience I have in writing, the more I want to change things. But I still enjoy it. I'm already emotionally involved, and that's what Jordan is doing. Every event takes so long to accomplish because he wants you to feel everything the character feels along the way. Yes, he overdoes it, but it'...more
What I like to call Volume 1 in the "Women Hating Men" trilogy. At almost no point in these three books did women interacting with men consist of anything beyond: insulting men, assaulting men, sniffing at men, or thinking about how stupid men are compared to all the omniscient women. I almost didn't finish this book because of all the negative energy towards men.
Lessons I learned from this trilogy.
1) It is always a man's fault. Always.
2) Women are alwa...more
Lessons I learned from this trilogy.
1) It is always a man's fault. Always.
2) Women are alwa...more
This book took me FOREVER to read!! At one point I stopped reading it for a few months because it was SOOO long and boring! Last book was longer but it was exciting and things were happening. In this book Nynaeve and Elayne get captured a few more times to put their count up and Egwene is horrible. THe worst thing was that Perrin wasn't in it. Perrin is cool! Perrin keeps the story alive, but hopefully he won't completely go blank except about Faile. Fortunately, though the whole middle (around ...more
It's funny, because if you read other's reviews of this book, you'll notice that folks start to split into two camps. They're either ridiculously addicted and love it, or they're getting frustrated. They don't want a 400 plus page book in a series that should have been a trilogy. They don't like the fact that Jordan is "getting all epic on your ass" in this continuing study of the adventures of our characters. They don't like the fact that there are 1239724897923489084 more books a...more
"The Fires of Heaven" by Robert Jordan is the fifth in the series.
Rand captures Cairein. He has the Aiel following him diligently, but association with the taint on saidin is having it's effect. He goes on to seemingly destroy Rahvin, another one of the Forsaken at Caemlyn. Morgase realizes that there is something wrong with Lord Gaebril and makes a run for it, to find her true allies. Mat has luck rooting for him and has thoughts of Manetheren battles from previous lives running throu...more
Rand captures Cairein. He has the Aiel following him diligently, but association with the taint on saidin is having it's effect. He goes on to seemingly destroy Rahvin, another one of the Forsaken at Caemlyn. Morgase realizes that there is something wrong with Lord Gaebril and makes a run for it, to find her true allies. Mat has luck rooting for him and has thoughts of Manetheren battles from previous lives running throu...more
The most enjoyable chapters in this book are the one's told from the perspective of Nyneave. She is so funny! I love her one-sided opinions. She is constantly on the lookout for Moghedien, expecting her to track her down and exact revenge for her defeat at Nyneave's hands in Tanchico. She and Elayne are traveling when they encounter Galad, the extremely handsome brother of Elayne. Galad is the ultimate "goody two shoes," striving to do what is right no matter the cost to himself or...more
The saga of Rand al'Thor's rise as the Dragon Reborn continues in another story of revelations, thickening plots, and dramatic landscapes in The Fires of Heaven. The most notable aspect of the novel is the absence of one of the three main characters, Perrin. As with its predecessor, The Shadow Rising, I have a hard time remembering exactly where the story starts off. They blur together after a time, the consequence of such a series.
Jordan continues the story with Rand leaving the Aiel ...more
Jordan continues the story with Rand leaving the Aiel ...more
The first book got me interested. The second book held my interest. The third book almost had me abandon the series but the fourth book brought me back. This, the fifth book in the series may have given me the wind to get through the rest of the series no matter how boring and long winded they may be. It is by far my favorite of the books to this point.
Unlike the previous books, fewer new characters are introduced to keep track of in this book. Also, by this point the world Jordan cr...more
Unlike the previous books, fewer new characters are introduced to keep track of in this book. Also, by this point the world Jordan cr...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
When you’ve spent 3500 five-hundred-word pages with an author, repetitive phrases get more than a little noticeable. I’ll confess to getting a little bored with Nynaeve’s braid-pulling, the Rand/Perrin/Mat unspoken assumption that each of the others relates better to women, and the number of cultures that dress more risqué than the Women’s Circle in the Two Rivers would ever stand for.
On the other hand, I’m constantly amazed at Jordan’s worldbuilding. He doesn’t miss a note—the chara...more
On the other hand, I’m constantly amazed at Jordan’s worldbuilding. He doesn’t miss a note—the chara...more
i'm of a couple of minds about this book.
first, no perrin. this made me sad and a little nervous. i like perrin, but perrin is now married to a woman i can't stand and want to push off a cliff, so i hope he's still the same sort of perrin he was before when he shows up again.
second, the women in these books need some serious therapy. i'm looking at you, nynaeve, elayne, egwene, siuan (i liked her better as the amyrlin seat - she didn't seem so shrill) and to an extent,...more
first, no perrin. this made me sad and a little nervous. i like perrin, but perrin is now married to a woman i can't stand and want to push off a cliff, so i hope he's still the same sort of perrin he was before when he shows up again.
second, the women in these books need some serious therapy. i'm looking at you, nynaeve, elayne, egwene, siuan (i liked her better as the amyrlin seat - she didn't seem so shrill) and to an extent,...more
Book 4 of the Wheel of Time started us on the path to almost independent storylines, and book 5 takes that concept and runs with it. There are half a dozen plots here, including three mostly separate stories being told in the same place. A ton of stuff happens in this book, and good thing, since it's one of the longest in the series. Nonetheless, this is where the things that make some people turn on the Wheel of Time started. People like to complain that "nothing ever happens" in the ...more
This review stands for the entire Wheel of Time series.
The Wheel of Time appears to be in good hands with Brandon Sanderson penning the last Book (in three parts) of Robert Jordan's epic.
Although I have been reading these books for as long as I have been reading Katherine Kerr's Deverry novels, and will be reading them at least until 2012 when the final book is due out, I have enjoyed them so much that I am willing to ignore the length of time it has taken. It must be almost ...more
The Wheel of Time appears to be in good hands with Brandon Sanderson penning the last Book (in three parts) of Robert Jordan's epic.
Although I have been reading these books for as long as I have been reading Katherine Kerr's Deverry novels, and will be reading them at least until 2012 when the final book is due out, I have enjoyed them so much that I am willing to ignore the length of time it has taken. It must be almost ...more
Ah, and this was the famous slow-down in Jordan's great Wheel of Time series. As the characters spread out and become involved in their own plots the story starts to drag some, and it is harder to pull it all together. I noticed this the first time around (years ago) when I read these, and so I was ready for it this time, and my plan worked.
I enjoyed this book, and kept up with all of the detail by simply reading it quickly. Luckily I had an overseas business trip to go on, so aft...more
I enjoyed this book, and kept up with all of the detail by simply reading it quickly. Luckily I had an overseas business trip to go on, so aft...more
This took me way too long to read. Most of that was because of other things going on in my life. That said, I wish I had read this faster.
I was warned that the books start to get more political somewhere around the 5th or 6th. I must agree that the story takes on a different flavor as Jordan's normal way of telling you what the characters are thinking is now at risk of telling you how major events in the world are going to take place.
That said, The last 100 pages of th...more
I was warned that the books start to get more political somewhere around the 5th or 6th. I must agree that the story takes on a different flavor as Jordan's normal way of telling you what the characters are thinking is now at risk of telling you how major events in the world are going to take place.
That said, The last 100 pages of th...more
My usual feedback applies here, though I will say that the story is picking up like crazy with this series. At this point I'm just glossing over the annoying bits to get through the storyline faster, because I really just want to know what happens.
One thing that is grating on me more an more, though, is the ridiculously overblown interactions between male and female characters, and the hit-you-over-the-head stereotypes for both genders. I'm really sick of every male character being st...more
One thing that is grating on me more an more, though, is the ridiculously overblown interactions between male and female characters, and the hit-you-over-the-head stereotypes for both genders. I'm really sick of every male character being st...more
Angie Carter
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who are determined to make it to the end of the series
Shelves:
fantasy
Nobody can spoil a mediocre book with an epic ending quite like Robert Jordan can. Four Forsaken taken care of in just a few short chapters. I think that is the main reason why he was able to keep a fan base at all.
I am so sick of being inside Nynaeve's head. Yes, I get that her self-denials and men bashings are supposed to be funny, but it is way over done and is just plain obnoxious. I like Nynaeve more than most people do, but until she stops being a compulsive liar and control fr...more
I am so sick of being inside Nynaeve's head. Yes, I get that her self-denials and men bashings are supposed to be funny, but it is way over done and is just plain obnoxious. I like Nynaeve more than most people do, but until she stops being a compulsive liar and control fr...more
I have a more detailed review of my thoughts on this series in my review of "Lord of Chaos", but I felt that "The Fires of Heaven" was probably the slowest, least enjoyable book in this series. Which is to say, I still generally enjoyed it, but I felt it had a lot of weak points.
I realize that the interactions between the Aes Sedai and the Aiel and Rand are an integral part of the plot, but frankly I found myself getting bored and annoyed at all the hundreds of pa...more
I realize that the interactions between the Aes Sedai and the Aiel and Rand are an integral part of the plot, but frankly I found myself getting bored and annoyed at all the hundreds of pa...more
Working away from Perrin's point of view from the Fourth book, this one flows nicely.
Yes there are parts I was bored at, yes I wanted to throw the book. However, I kept reading it because the series is getting much better!
wow, even though nothing really happened in the first few books, I was surprised at how much sadness I experienced when a character was dismissed. Maybe I am more attached to the books than I thought. I didnt even like the character.
Kind of sad wh...more
Yes there are parts I was bored at, yes I wanted to throw the book. However, I kept reading it because the series is getting much better!
wow, even though nothing really happened in the first few books, I was surprised at how much sadness I experienced when a character was dismissed. Maybe I am more attached to the books than I thought. I didnt even like the character.
Kind of sad wh...more
The series so far is great!
It follows three separate stories being told at the same time. It can be slow in places but Robert Jorden impressively sets up lots of events for future chapters and books. During the middle of the book especially the last few chapters an enormous number of important events in the series take place, several new characters are also introduced and some well-known characters are apparently killed off.....
Theres definitely a political aspect to this book ...more
It follows three separate stories being told at the same time. It can be slow in places but Robert Jorden impressively sets up lots of events for future chapters and books. During the middle of the book especially the last few chapters an enormous number of important events in the series take place, several new characters are also introduced and some well-known characters are apparently killed off.....
Theres definitely a political aspect to this book ...more
The book that broke me. I retroactively gave every other entry in Jordan's series two stars because I honestly can't recall any deviation from the standard endless quest trope that plagues most fantasy stories that was major enough to make any one of The Wheel Of Time books stand out from the other. All I remember is sniffing, Trollocs, witches in scarves, arms crossed underneath bosoms, more Trollocs, and petulant protagonists who could do with a good bitch-slapping.
I do know the ...more
I do know the ...more
Why are all the women in this series stupid, vile and arrogant? Women reading this, hear me out.
Everytime they meddle with something, something bad happens, and it's up to the men to pull them out of it. The only two examples I could think of where this has not been the case occur when Nynaeve rescues Egwene from the Seanchan and Moiraine dies. Nynaeve is the absolute worst, although Egwene could give her a run for her money. Nynaeve's temper is ridiculous, and for all the scolding s...more
Everytime they meddle with something, something bad happens, and it's up to the men to pull them out of it. The only two examples I could think of where this has not been the case occur when Nynaeve rescues Egwene from the Seanchan and Moiraine dies. Nynaeve is the absolute worst, although Egwene could give her a run for her money. Nynaeve's temper is ridiculous, and for all the scolding s...more
As with the previous WoT novels re-reading this one was definitely enjoyable 17 years later. This is my third favorite of the first 6 novels after the first 2. Surprisingly there is very little here that is annoying. Jordan doesn't wander too far afield and sticks to the story line once things get moving.
I just bought TOWER OF MIDNIGHT so I need to get my reading pace going but I have about 48 books to read between this book and the newest and second to last. Surprisingly I am reall...more
I just bought TOWER OF MIDNIGHT so I need to get my reading pace going but I have about 48 books to read between this book and the newest and second to last. Surprisingly I am reall...more
Possibly my favourite Wheel of Time book. The character growth and interaction is excellent and no matter how many times I read the book through, it's always a great read that I can't put down.
The characters I love are given space to grow - the side of Moiraine that we only started to see in the fourth book is developed and for the first time we see that she is not just an Aes Sedai, but a real person with a history of her own. Lanfear turns up, and we learn more about Asmodean. Egwene g...more
The characters I love are given space to grow - the side of Moiraine that we only started to see in the fourth book is developed and for the first time we see that she is not just an Aes Sedai, but a real person with a history of her own. Lanfear turns up, and we learn more about Asmodean. Egwene g...more
The best book in the series since The Dragon Reborn. Rand is really coming to form now, showing his authority and power as a leader. There is a great mix of tense drama, some good character development... Nynaeve getting a grip on her temper, partially, bloody psycho woman... Moiraine starting to obey Rand and stop the whole manipulation game... And best of all... Siuan Sanche and her fall from power. There's so many great simultaneous stories running through this book that all work together won...more
Another great sequel in the Wheel of Time series.
Book 5 is usually the time that casual readers begin to fall away from the series. I guess I can understand...sort of.
The biggest thing to remember about this series is that there are 12 books. Book Five isn't even half way through. If you expect the entire series to wrap up cleanly at the end of each book (like a TV show), then you're going to be disappointed.
There is also a lot of side story in this book. Jord...more
Book 5 is usually the time that casual readers begin to fall away from the series. I guess I can understand...sort of.
The biggest thing to remember about this series is that there are 12 books. Book Five isn't even half way through. If you expect the entire series to wrap up cleanly at the end of each book (like a TV show), then you're going to be disappointed.
There is also a lot of side story in this book. Jord...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South African Boo...: Book 5: The Fires of Heaven | 4 | 32 | 19 hours, 2 min ago | |
| Do the characters ever evolve?? | 8 | 22 | Aug 31, 2011 06:33pm | |
| Why? | 2 | 87 | Mar 01, 2009 04:05pm |
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Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reily.
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded th...more
More about Robert Jordan...
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded th...more
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“I always say, if you must mount the gallows, give a jest to the crowd, a coin to the hangman, and make the drop with a smile on your lips.”
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“Waiting turns men into bears in a barn, and women into cats in a sack.”
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