The Fires of Heaven was published by Tor Books in 1993. Rand leads the Aiel westward to challenge the Forsaken Rahvin, who has seized the throne of Andor through compulsion. Mat Cauthon, carrying memories of ancient battles implanted by the Eelfinn, discovers that he is a tactical genius — a revelation that will make him one of the series’ most important military figures. Simultaneously, Nynaeve and Elayne travel with a circus, and Nynaeve confronts and defeats the Forsaken Moghedien in Tel’aran’rhiod (the World of Dreams).
The novel contains one of the series’ most shocking moments: Lanfear’s attack on Rand at the docks of Cairhien, driven by jealous rage over his relationship with other women. The scene’s resolution — involving a doorway ter’angreal — would have consequences extending through the remainder of the series.
Mat the General
Mat’s emergence as a military genius — commanding a rearguard action against the Shaido Aiel using tactics drawn from memories he did not earn — is one of Jordan’s most original character concepts. A rogue who detests responsibility but possesses, against his will, the tactical knowledge of history’s greatest generals. His battle sequences in this novel, written with the clarity of a military historian, established Jordan’s credentials as one of fantasy’s finest battle writers.
The Moiraine Sacrifice
The novel’s most emotionally devastating scene — Moiraine’s apparent death tackling Lanfear through the doorway ter’angreal — removes the series’ most important mentor figure and forces the remaining characters to navigate without her guidance. Jordan’s willingness to eliminate a major character demonstrated that the series had genuine stakes.
Collecting The Fires of Heaven
First edition (Tor Books, New York, 1993): Boards with dust jacket.
Approximate market values:
- Fine in dust jacket (first printing): $75–$200
- Signed first edition: $200–$500
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation as part of series collecting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Perrin appear in this book? No. This is the only Wheel of Time novel in which Perrin is entirely absent — a controversial decision among fans.
Is Moiraine really dead? Readers debated this for over a decade until the answer was revealed in later volumes.