Hell frens,

So it’s no secret I’ve been reading The Wheel of Time for the past year (has it really been that long already?). I ended up taking a break from the series for a bit. I wanted to spice things up and read other stuff.

What about you? What have you been up to? Reading too? Enjoying the weather?

Over here it’s been crazy hot, now it’s not, but I’m still recovering from the emotional damage of that heatwave. Sweaty, sticky and slightly stupid from the heat.

Anyway, while watching the world burn outside my window, I kept myself company with my dear fren Robert Jordan. And now that we had our well deserved break I came back to this book and I devoured it.

Any chance I had, I was reading. But it somehow felt fast and slow at the same time.

Last time (https://stacker.news/items/1406102) I complained about some characters feeling stagnant and I’m glad to say Jordan did a solid there. Things did move at times and delivered.

The Fires of Heaven really lives up to its name.

At times, though, it felt like I was getting a lot from many characters and plotlines… but when I stepped back, it didn’t always feel quite satisfying. I was expecting a bit more depth in certain areas, like the Aiel. By now I thought we’d get more cultural detail, something to really pull me in deeper. I know it’s a long series, but still a little more wouldn’t hurt.

That said, I love how stubbornness is still such a core trait in these characters. Jordan leans into it hard. It can be frustrating, even exhausting, but it works. They’re confused, lost, trying to save the world while still figuring themselves out, the usual, right?

It pushes the characters forward to embrace and accept that which they do not want to and the longer they deny it, the worse when they do confront it.

Nynaeve really stood out to me in this one. And Mat too, his arc was great (I mean, after spending a whole book basically unconscious, anything would be an upgrade, but still).

Rand, he’s not a kid anymore. I really like how his mind feels like it’s constantly under pressure, trying to hold onto sanity and clarity. That tension is great.

I also enjoyed very much the Forsaken here, chef’s kiss. I love their evilness and how Jordan sprinkles it and gives you just enough of them.

Jordan really knows how to weave characters into the story. Most of them matter, even if it’s not obvious at first, and they come back in meaningful ways later.

Now, what I didn’t like. Oh boy.

I spy with my little eye hints of a polyamorous situation. I’m not against that at all if it’s written organically and actually serves the story. But if it turns into “have your cake and eat it too” energy, that’s going to feel like a huge step back, especially considering how much growth certain characters have had.

Some of the dynamics could work. Others are going to need a lot of convincing. Especially one in particular, Jordan, you’ve got work to do there.

But also, can someone tell these characters it’s okay to just have a fling and move on? Not everything needs to be dramatic or eternal. Mat, at least, seems to understand that.

If this turns into a “will they, won’t they” high school drama situation that doesn’t add anything meaningful, I’m going to be very disappointed.

Another thing: I really hope character deaths don’t become cheap. Some deaths here felt really flat. Like they didn’t carry the weight they should have. It honestly took me out of the moment a bit.

Despite all, I really enjoyed the book.

And that ending was brutal and I couldn’t expect any less from Jordan. I just sat there stunned, like something had been taken from me. Of course I immediately jumped into the next one because I needed to know what happens next, but I figured I should get my thoughts down first.

So, have you read it? I know some of you have.

Anyway, take care, enjoy the weather, wear sunscreen, thank you and see you later, alligator. 🐊

PS ✉️ yes I’m in the works for a new blog entry, bear with me my frens. 🩷

https://stacker.news/items/1499785