I ran a record amount of mileage in 2020 and it was due in large part to The Wheel of Time. Ever since I started re-listening to this series on my runs, I can’t wait to lace up and immerse myself in this apocalyptic tale.

The Fires of Heaven is the fifth book in the series. The characters we have grown to know mature and develop in significant ways. Rand returns from the Waste a new man with a new perspective and hardened sense of mission. Egwene receives the unconventional sort of training that prepares her for what will come. Even Matt comes into his own—although not everyone will consider it a maturing.

Over in Salidar, the rebel tower gathers its influence and tries to tame Nynaeve and Elaine (which goes about as well as you might expect). The pieces are set in place for the political moves to come in the following book.

Of course, for those who know the series, this book contains the infamous battle between Moraine and Lanfear. This remains one of the most intense and gripping scenes in the entire series.

For his peace … was the peace … of the sword. And the Glory of the Light did shine upon him.

Jordan, Robert. The Fires of Heaven. TOR, 1993. The Wheel of Time 5.