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Mankind's days are numbered in Robert Jordan's Lord of Chaos, the sixth book in his sprawling Wheel of Time series. The characters we have grown to love over five previous books return to prepare for the coming of the Last Battle, at which point the Dragon Reborn, Rand al'Thor, will be forced to face the Dark One in a war to end all wars. With Lord of Chaos, Jordan brings the reader that much closer to this apocalyptic event. While the enthralling nature of the previous two offerings is not quite recaptured here, an exhilarating rescue sequence at the end of the novel provides one of the most exciting moments in the entire series.

Having just defeated the Foresaken Rahvin in Caemlyn, the capital of Andor, Rand al'Thor sees the breadth of his influence grow even larger. With Tear, Cairhien, and Andor in his pocket, Rand can finally turn his attention to the Aes Sedai, the female wielders of the One Power. Yet all is not as simple as it seems. Two factions of Aes Sedai - those collected in Tar Valon and a renegade group hiding in Altara - are vying for his attentions, though the motives of each are still shrouded. At the same time, rebellious groups in both Andor and Cairhien are plotting Rand's demise, seeking to gain their respective thrones for themselves.

In Salidar, a long-forgotten village in Altara, Nynaeve al'Maera and Elayne Trakand, the Daughter-Heir of Andor, have returned to their training. Yet they also come bearing fascinating new discoveries, some which were not even thought to be possible. Nynaeve may have even discovered how to heal stilling, the act of permanently cutting someone off from the One Power. Yet all changes in Salidar when the ruling sisters call Egwere al'Vere back from Cairhien. For in this age when it appears as though the Aes Sedai will never be whole again, dire circumstances force unusual choices...

Lord of Chaos continues the saga that was begun way back in The Eye of the World, and it delivers a conclusion that may just leave the reader gasping for breath. Lord of Chaos does appear to devote the majority of its pages to setting up future novels, though some rather significant events do transpire. With the disappearance (for good?) of a few integral characters in The Fires of Heaven, Rand floats without direction, seeking to align a people that fears his coming. One thing for certain can be said about Lord of Chaos - with an ending this thrilling, this stunning, each and every reader will be scrambling to continue Robert Jordan's magical journey.

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(Reviewed 1/8/00.)