The Fires Of Heaven by Robert Jordan

In this fifth novel of the series, the various characters have split into different groups, as they all work toward a common end.  Rand, the Dragon Reborn, has come into his own as a leader and now has an army who is devoted to him and will follow him unquestionably.  He takes them to fight the Shaido and recapture the city of Cairhien.  He also knows he must next take on and defeat The Forsaken, who have banded together to thwart his plans and deliver him to the Evil One.

Rand still has some of his original supporters with him.  Mat is around although he wants to leave but the memories he is experiencing which aren't his seem to be keeping him around.  He rises in military rank, much to his own surprise.  Egwene and Moraine are also in Rand's camp although he isn't often sure of what they are doing or their purposes.  In addition, Rand is forming a romantic relationship with Aviendah, his female bodyguard.

In Tor Valen, things are not well in the Crystal Tower.  The Amyrlin, Siuan, has been deposed by a group of Black Ajah sisters and has even been silenced, shorn of her ability to channel the Power.  Siuan, Leane who was her right-hand assistant and Min are on a journey to find and join a group of Aes Sedai who are determined to fight the Black Ajah faction who are currently in power.

Nynaeve and Elayne are also journeying.  They join a traveling circus to hide in from their enemies.  They are pursued by various groups, the religious group who is so sure they are right that they use their military might to subdue others, the Prophet who has come to power and 'knows' that he is the true voice of Rand's desires, and Elayne's brother who she feels is blind to the big picture and who causes havoc by following what he thinks is the right way.  Elayne's mother, the Queen of her country, has fallen under the spell of a man who is revealed to be one of the Forsaken.

The book ends with the battle to retake Cairhein and with a surprise twist involving a major character.  Readers will be taken aback and will hurriedly start the next novel in the series to resolve the questions raised in this one.  This book is recommended for fantasy readers.