The stakes are even higher and the spectacle on another level (Picture: Prime Video)

Almost two years have passed since The Wheel of Time season 1 premiered, and it has been an agonising wait for more episodes after the death-defying cliffhangers in the finale.

Finally, season 2 is on the brink of release on Prime Video – and we can say in our review without a shadow of a doubt that this series is a stellar example of fantasy at its most spectacular.

The talented ensemble cast returns, with producer Rosamund Pike leading the pack as Aes Sedai legend Moiraine, who has seemingly been disconnected from the One Power that allows her to channel magic.

The trailer provided a glimpse into the journeys of the young friends who embarked on a perilous journey with Moiraine in the first season, including the Dragon Reborn Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), who was presumed dead after facing off with the Dark One (Fares Fares).

Egwene (Madeleine Madden) and Nynaeve (Zoë Robins) are taking vastly different approaches to their training to become Aes Sedai at the White Tower, while Perrin (Marcus Rutherford) is on a suspenseful, unpredictable mission of his own with a group of sword-wielding comrades.

Meanwhile, Mat – whose whereabouts is a mystery to the majority of the characters – has returned, with Dónal Finn replacing season one star Barney Harris in the role and filling his predecessor’s shoes effortlessly.

Dónal Finn joins the cast as Mat and takes on the role effortlessly (Credits: Jan Thijs/Prime Video)

Zoë delivers a standout performance as Nynaece (Picture: Jan Thijs/Prime Video)

The first important thing to note is that while this series can be thoroughly enjoyed by those who haven’t read the original books by Robert Jordan, this show is truly a love letter to his absorbing writing.

There is an exceedingly large amount of fantastical dialogue to wrap your head around if watching The Wheel of Time is your first introduction into this world.

However, the drama cleverly reels its audience back in by smartly reminding them of what’s happened before and introducing new characters without it feeling forced or contrived.

There are plenty of standout scene-stealers to rave about, from Kate Fleetwood showing absolutely no mercy as Liandrin, an Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah, to Lan (Daniel Henney) airing his frustration over frosty, devastating developments in his story.

Lan and Moiraine struggle to adjust to their new relationship after their bond is broken in the events of the season one finale (Picture: Courtesy of Prime Video)

Nonetheless, our top shoutout has to go to the magnificent Zoë, whose character Nynaeve is still coming to come to terms with the destiny that may await her now that she has discovered the true extent of her power.

Nynaeve will make you feel as though you’ve had your heart ripped out of your chest with her visceral performance in the first four episodes (given we’ve seen four out of the eight episodes coming in season two).

The Wheel of Time season 2 premieres on Friday September 1 on Prime Video.

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The stakes are even higher and the spectacle on another level.