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Robert Jordan's masterful Wheel of Time series takes a decidedly different turn in The Fires of Heaven, the fifth novel in his engrossing saga. Whereas the first four books of this series dealt with the growth and maturation of Jordan's three main characters - Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Rand al'Thor - The Fires of Heaven deals primarily with a more aware Rand, following his crusade now that he had fully accepted his destiny. Perrin does not even make a token appearance in this book, and Mat continues to serve a merely supporting role. Rand is at the center of everything, as his plan is slowly beginning to take shape. He must prepare himself for the Final Battle with the Dark One while readying a league of nations to stand behind him on that dreaded day.

Rand al'Thor had been acknowledged as the Dragon Reborn, the promised savior for those west of the Spine of the World. After journeying to the Aiel Waste, Rand has been accepted as the Aiel savior, He Who Comes With the Dawn. This hardened people, living in a drought-infested wasteland, comprise his army, and this people will he lead out of the Waste, westward to the Aryth Ocean. The world will know that he is the Dragon Reborn, by force if necessary, for he needs all the people of the world to be allied with him for the Final Battle. Only Rand's hand is forced, as a rebel band of Aiel, the Shaido, speed west ahead of him. Their mission: to destroy all that lay in their path, forcing Rand to lead his followers in desperate pursuit of these renegades.

Heading east from the Aryth Ocean, Nyneave and Elayne, Daughter-Heir of Andor, are fleeing the war-torn lands of Arad Doman and Tarabon. As these two are growing stronger and stronger in their Aes Sedai powers, they learn of a mysterious meeting of the White Tower-in-exile. It seems that while they were off in foreign lands, the ruling class of the Tower, home to all Aes Sedai, was ousted and a new regime installed. They may not know what future this foretells for the Tower itself, but they know that this ensures at least one more faction with its eyes on Rand al'Thor. They must reach this band of outcast Aes Sedai, all the while navigating the increasingly dangerous World of Dreams that they visit each night.

The Fires of Heaven continues the fast-paced action plainly evident in its predecessor, The Shadow Rising, adding all the intrigue as well. While we all witnessed Rand's maturation in prior novels, Jordan's fifth book serves to allow Mat Cauthon to evolve into the hero that had previously been only hinted at. Though he remains a supporting player to Rand, we watch as he grows in awareness and confidence, a reluctant hero fighting a battle which cannot be avoided. Rand carries the majority of the book, however, as he is no longer a confused shepherd with a strange ability. He is the Dragon Reborn, and he no longer runs from what awaits him - he actually seeks it out. The Fires of Heaven also affords us the opportunity to revisit some interesting plot threads - notably those involving the Children of the Light - that may have faded to the background in the preceding novel. It surely whetted this reader's appetite for more.

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(Reviewed 12/21/99.)