The Path of Daggers (Wheel of Time)

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Robert Jordan

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Pages: 661 (Paperback)

ISBN: 185723569X

Pub: Orbit

Pub date: 1999-09-02

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 14932

Editorial Review:

Robert Jordan's bestselling Wheel of Time epic is one of the most popular fantasy series of all time for a reason. Jordan's world is rich and complex, and he's assembled an endearing and involving core of characters while mapping out an ambitious and engaging story arc.
But with the previous book Crown of Swords and now with Path of Daggers, the series is in a bit of a holding pattern. Path continues the halting gait of the current plot line: Rand is still on the brink of losing it, all the while juggling the political machinations around him and again taking to the field against the Seanchan. The rest of the Two Rivers kids and company don't seem to be moving much faster. Egwene continues to slowly consolidate her hold as the "true" Amyrlin (finally getting closer to Tar Valon and the inevitable confrontation with Elaida), and Nynaeve and Elayne keep on wandering toward the Lion Throne--again on the run from the Seanchan. Mat Cauthon is barely mentioned and fellow ta'veren Perrin keeps busy with politics in Ghealdan. The ending does provide promise, though, that Book Nine might match the pace and passion of the previous books.

If you're already hooked,you could sooner overcome a Weave of Compulsion than avoid picking up a copy of Path of Daggers. But if you're new to the series, start at the beginning with the engrossing and much better paced Eye of the World. --Paul Hughes

Reader Reviews:

There's no pleasing some people (0/2 people found this helpful)

What amazes me more each time I read a new review for these books is how dead set against the later 5 books some readers seem to be. Robert Jordan has never made a secret of the fact that he keeps many threads running simultaneously. One of his great skills is developing consequences of his character's actions. Too many writers describe world shattering events then carry on as if little has happened. Jordan's magic comes from the ripples in 'the pattern' created by his three main characters.

I want to see multiple threads and more importantly see them interract - Matt and Thom, Aviendha and Elayne, Rand and Cadsuane. The 'Lace of Ages' would be pretty damn boring if there were only 3 threads as suggested by some reviewers. The last four books have contained grand events described convincingly. If you don't like politics, if you don't like hidden agenda's and intrigue, if you don't like descriptions of fantastic cultures and spiraling madness then don't read Jordan. The first seven books set the stakes and the latter books deal with the game play. Too many people like the excitement of the first few moves in a game of stones then grow tired when the board loses it's 'neat and tidy' appearance.

I suggest those reviewers that complain endlessly about descriptions (and expect each chapter to end with one of the forsaken dead) put down these books and pick up a Harry Potter instead. (A great book but lacking the tremendous depth and intrigue of the Wheel of Time). It's like hearing people complain about a climb up Everest by saying it was too cold and the view was better from base camp!

Disappointment, thy name is The Path of Daggers (5/6 people found this helpful)

What has happened to this series?! The first 6 books were great, setting higher standards for the genre. So without a doubt this has to be the biggest disappointment EVER of the series. It takes 5 chapters to get to a farm and get up a hill!!! Whenever an action scene materialises (which is rare), its always about weaving the flows of the one power or something thats completely irrelevant about someones clothing or how that asha'man was looking at me funny. And what is the constant obsession with Perrin and Faile's feelings towards each other? The progress in this book is non-existent. Instead of actually interesting stuff we're given dull feelings, details about clothing and the mind numbingly boring shaido! WE GET IT ALREADY, THEY HAVE NO HONOUR! Only buy this book if you want to complete this series.

Praise (7/9 people found this helpful)

Before embarking on the Wheel of Time, i read a few reviews here and otherwise of the 9 books. Of them all this got the harshest responses. While agree that ACoS wasn't on a par with the highly regarded EotW - LoC, I found PoD fast paced and interesting, with some cracking scenes. (I wont say what for risk of spoilers...) All in all, don't let other ppl sway you if you've come this far...

Robert Jordan does it again - Fantasy Genius (4/5 people found this helpful)

I must disagree with all those who say this book isn't good. I found myself racing through it as I raced through the others, and every single piece of storyline made me want more! Yes, it was a slower pace than the others, but still jam-packed with action. Rand seems to be going more and more insane, and I can't help but feel sorry for him. This book had a lot to make you think about, which made it heavier going that the others, but it was worth every hour that I spent on it. The only thing I missed was Mat, but I look forward to his return! Congratulations, Robert Jordan, on yet another piece of genius.

sucks big time (3/7 people found this helpful)

this entire book could be summarized in about 100 pages. the story isn't going anywhere and i don't even want to count the pages devoted to the ponderings of perrin about his beard. RJ claims to be a writer, well write something good and don't drag the story just to get more money

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