Knife of Dreams: Book Eleven of 'The Wheel of Time' (The Wheel of Time, Book 11)

by Robert Jordan

2006

Status

Available

Publication

Tor Fantasy (2006), Edition: 1st Printing, 880 pages

Description

Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML:The Wheel of Time turns, and Robert Jordan delivers the eleventh volume of his extraordinary masterwork of fantasyâ?¦ The dead are walking, men die impossible deaths, and it seems as though reality itself has become unstable: All are signs of the imminence of the Last Battle, when Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, confronts the Dark One as humanity's only hope. But Rand dare not fight until he possesses all the surviving seals on the Dark One's prison, and until he has dealt with the Seanchan, who threaten to overrun all nations this side of the Aryth Ocean. The winds of time have become a storm, and things that everyone believes are fixed in place forever are changing before their eyes. Not even the White Tower itself is any longer a place of safety. Now Rand, Perrin and Mat, Egwene and Elayne, Nynaeve and Lan, and even Loial, must ride those storm winds, or the Dark One will triumph. "Robert Jordan has come to dominate the world Tolkien began to reveal." â??The New York Time… (more)

Media reviews

Jordan has said that readers will be sweating by the end of the book, and he's probably right. Sweating or not, they'll also be dreading the long year or two before the 12th installment.

User reviews

LibraryThing member shawna
Since it had been many years since I had read some of the earlier books in this series, I decided I wanted to go back and reread each of them, in order, before beginning this book. I felt I'd enjoy it the most in that manner. Rereading helped remind me of many details I'd forgotten. In all honesty,
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I'm very impressed with Jordan's continuity. He must keep good notes... for if there are discontinuities, they certainly are not obvious.

During this reading, I was focusing on the details. There are many side- and sub-plots to this series. Jordan certainly has an effective way of moving from scene to scene in a manner that is effective, rather then jarring. (As compared to, say, Martin's Fire and Ice series. I'm not sure what quality of his writing it is that bugs me, but every change of scene there makes me feel like it's a whole new book.) Perhaps it's the way Jordan blends people from different groups into some of the same scenes, though various means, be it the dreams of the women, or the "colors" that have entered the latest books through the men. It's just a much more smooth transisition each time.

I'm enjoying the way that many lines are being tied, while others are continuing and even a few beginning. I'm going to hate to see the end of this book, and, honestly, I don't get the feeling at all that it's being "dragged on". I'm much more worried that as the end nears, too many lines will have unfinished or rushed endings... An abrupt, pasted-together final book, just to have an END, would be a disappointment after such a wonderful series.
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LibraryThing member mattries37315
Knife of Dreams, the eleventh installment of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series and the last he completed before his death, is a return to earlier in the series. Throughout Knife of Dreams, events that had been boiling around many primary protagonists for several books finally came to fruition.
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The Perrin-Faile-Shaido storyarc throughout the book led up to a combined assault upon the Shaido by Perrin's forced and the Seanchan in Malden. Elayne's quest for the Throne of Andor came to a successful conclusion, but a perilous one for her going forward especially after an attack by the Black Ajah. Mat's unusual courtship with Tuon came to a 'successful' conclusion, but not without battles not just martial. Finally, Rand and Egwene continued on their respective paths to leadership though Egwene found herself undermining the White Tower from within as an 'lowly' novice while Rand continued struggling with his internal demons as well as unruly nobles just before a brutal meeting with Semirhage.

While there were negatives, one being unnecessary padding early in the book, they were quickly forgotten as events in the book picked up. Of the last four books before Knife of Dreams, only Winter's Heart provided anything substantial (at least to me) while the others seemed mostly a collection of story lines with little happening. With Knife of Dreams, events seemed to be building and three words kept on appearing, more so further along in the book, the Last Battle. After finishing Knife of Dreams, it felt like the series had completed it's long 2nd Act and was gearing up for the 3rd and final Act.
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LibraryThing member davidleeking
Just trying to finish the series... then I'm DONE with this author!
LibraryThing member kayceel
This one is probably my least favorite of the series, but that may be due to my lack of familiarity with this one (this is only my second time reading Knife of Dreams, as opposed to the three, four, five, six times reading the others...).

Perrin saves Faile (just as she's about to escape, heh), Rand
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faces another Forsaken, Egwene, now a prisoner being held as a novice, steps up her work undermining Elaida's power in the White Tower, and Mat's relationship with Tuon intensifies. And 'stuff' is hitting the fan as the Dark One's touch in the world becomes more obvious, as food spoils, new growth refuses to sprout and the dead walk.
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LibraryThing member clong
At long last Jordan comes through with a book that recalls much of the magic of the first five books of the series. Not only do Rand and Mat and Perrin and Egwene and Elayne and Nynaeve all see their stories move forward, but several important plotlines that had been hanging (and in some cases just
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ignored) for book after book after book are finally resolved. After getting glimpses of Tuon’s character for the last few books, we learn quite a bit more about what has turned out to be one of the more intriguing characters in the series. And several annoying bad guys finally get their comeuppance.

This is a very different kind of fantasy than you would get from Martin or Erikson. In Jordan's world the good guys always win in the end, and the bad guys ultimately prove to be surprisingly incompetent. The prose still wanders at times. There is still plenty of the stereotyping characterization that some people find objectionable in Jordan’s writing. But the man shows that he hasn’t completely forgotten how to weave a story to a satisfying conclusion.

I would probably have given the book an overall rating of 7, but as it's soooo much better than recent books in the series, and I loved the superbly moving “Golden Crane” chapter, I'm going to give it a 8/10. I am left with some hope that Jordan will be able to bring the series to a reasonably satisfying conclusion, though it is hard to see how he will pull that off in only a single additional book.
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LibraryThing member rbtwinky
Better than what Jordan has been putting out of late, but it still felt a little off. A lot happened in this book for a change, but a good bit of it felt rushed through. There were really awesome parts, however, and some really interesting points of view. I loved Egwene's manipulations inside the
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Tower. Mat and Tuon were a joy, especially her point of view, where he was always referred to as "Toy." I also got a big kick out of Romanda's point-of-view chapter.
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LibraryThing member lorivaughn2005
I love these books...just wish they could finally wrap up!
LibraryThing member caldrik
I've been waiting for this book for a long time. Robert Jordan started his series a long time ago, and it started well. But somewhere around the fourth book it started to lag, nothing happened anymore, and none of the characters were likable. I hung right up to this book, hoping that some of the
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old wonder and excitement could be found again, and also because I feel compelled to finish any series I start.

And I wasn't disappointed. A lot of the lag was still in this book, but there were moments that were very, very good. Some of the more annoying characters did some wonderful things. I wouldn't say this was the best book in this series, but it is certainly much better than the previous, oh, six books.

I am very sad that Robert Jordan passed away before he could finish the series. Good luck to whomever is saddled with the task of wrapping the whole thing up.
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LibraryThing member hilarymclean6
Each installment of the Wheel of Time series is like getting acquainted with old friends. Jordan had a lot of loose threads that he was weaving in his personal tapestry. It is frightening to consider what a new author may do with his story. Hopefully there will be a satisfactory resolution for
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Rand, Perrin, Mat and the ladies.
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LibraryThing member DWWilkin
Almost there. Book 11, the last of the Jordan books. By now I believe Jordan knew he was sick.

In the reread before The Gathering Storm, and after 20 years, new perspective on the series has come to light. One that Jordan was dying as the final books were generated.

We also learn that as the series
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gets popular, Jordan can afford to hire assistants to work for him and try to keep track of all the elements. But that must have been a waste of money.

Still errors exist in the grammar. Then the errors of characters who have met previously running across one another, the fans did a much better job for free then the paid staff. The Hubris of Jordan, and the horrible description of battles in what is a series that is to culminate in a battle. By a man who went to the Citadel. Perhaps that claim is false. The teach military history at the Citadel, tough perhaps Jordan flunked all the medieval history elements which is where fantasy battles reside.

But why stick with a series for so many books. I have told how the author breaks the rule of Show don't Tell, by telling and telling and telling even more. We have POV errors though maybe not as bad as others. (Listen to the Audio Books where they try to keep each chapter by the sex of the first POV character. That becomes confusing, especially trying to hear when each of the readers tries to sound like Rand or another character from a different POV.)

The answer is that 1800 named characters make a rich story. The Travelogue and history fest of this prophecy coming to fruition, even where it does not make sense in so many places, is full and enrapts you in its depth.

Knife of Dreams does have too much Tell again. The chapters of each of the Protagonists (more than one, another rule broken) get started and pick up speed, and then switch across the world to the next... A few Arcs are tied up, but too many are left hanging.

The time frame again is too much is happening all at once, when before months were given to developing the growth of the characters. These are all still young people who are making decisions way beyond their years and experience.

But better then several of the last, and the end may be in end sight... If left to Jordan, he was probably told to finish it at 12. With his death, stretching the 12th book into 3 books, so 14 books may be a sop to his memory. Just being content that it is nearly finished, and nearly complete means getting through this book, finally there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
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LibraryThing member nEtVolution
This was the last book of the a somewhat drawn out tale that at times lacked plot progression. However you can't help but be drawn in to the tale of the chosen one's rise from a small town boy into powerful force upon whose shoulders the hopes of humanity must rest.
LibraryThing member DrBrewhaha
The series continues in this book, the last written by Jordan himself. The story progresses faster in this book than in other but still has some Jordan-esque lag. All the major character have their storyline extended to one degree or the other. It will be interesting to see where Sanderson takes
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the rest of the series. Still a fun read in an exciting world.
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LibraryThing member slaveofOne
After getting bogged down for several books following Lord of Chaos, plotline and character development surged forward again in this so fast I was not prepared for it. It's been awhile since Jordan touched me emotionally, but he did it again in this one--easily a stand-out book in the series.
LibraryThing member jenreidreads
It's sad that Robert Jordan couldn't finish his epic series on his own, but I think this, the last one he wrote before passing, was one of the best. The ending had a lot of punch to it. Very excited to get to The Gathering Storm!
LibraryThing member Threlicus
This one was slow going for me, surprising in a Wheel of Time book. I felt like it used a lot of the minor characters whom I had lost track of in the long time it has been since I read the previous volume, and I think my enjoyment suffered as a result.
LibraryThing member mbg0312
Satisfying Robert Jordan fantasy. Finally, the series is coming to an end. I remember discovering these in high school, picking them up again from time to time over the next 15-20 years. Now the end is in sight, even if Robert Jordan didn't make it.
LibraryThing member bookczuk
A rescue, some weddings, battles, betrayal and fighting for a throne. A little something to keep everyone happy, despite the fact that it was the last book Robert Jordan completed before his death.

It occurred to me that the use of gateways is that world's equivalent of mobile phones...

On to The
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Gathering Storm and the introduction of Brandon Sanderson and Team Jordan into the mix.
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LibraryThing member chriskrycho
Love the end of this book. Lots of good stuff throughout. Not one of the very best in the series, but a good book.
LibraryThing member finalcut
I am inclined to say that I like book 11 as much as any other (if not more so) in the series. It was fantastically exciting, full of surprises (and not-surprises) interesting twists, and plenty of evidence the Tarmon Gai'don (the last battle between dark and light) is rapidly approaching. It is
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also strong evidence that the series is finally ending. The series will end with book 12 (sadly, not written by R.J. who passed away last year). I still can't wait for that to be released. My only major gripe about this installment, as always, is the cover art by Darryl K Sweet. I can't stand his manner of drawing people.
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LibraryThing member mossjon
Loial and Mat tied the knot (but not with each other). Perrin and Faile end their two book separation. Nine months can't come soon enough for Elayne (or me). Egwene and Eliada under the same roof but not speaking to each other. Nynaeve returned Lan to Malkier along the Borderland Scenic Byway.
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Someone please give Rand a hand!
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LibraryThing member glenline
Everything that makes this series great is present in this book. The poltical maneuvering rivals Machiavelli, the battles are exciting, the characters real, and plenty of surprises. In a sense Jordan tells small stories within the story line. Each story has its own merits making it difficult to
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evaluate the book as a whole. For instance, if you thought the story line was moving too slow (not in this book but true of the previous book), you would still want to read what happens in a Hell for someone unaquainted with one. As usual Jordan mixes in humor and a mix of human emotions that stir the heart and the imagination.
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LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
You know, I might be wrong. Knife of Dreams may be my least favorite. It's one of the two, for sure. Elayne, here, is mostly boring, and while Perrin's interminable detour wraps up (and is less crazymaking at the end than at the beginning, for sure) it's still not my favorite way to spend a book.
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Mat's is mostly kind of great, and there's probably something to be said that I can't honestly remember how Rand spends about five of these books.

Note: In general, I can't review this series with any objectivity. I've been reading it since I was eleven years old, and it's thoroughly embedded in my brain.
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LibraryThing member ritapt
2 plot lines come to an end. one was worth the wait. but not sure the other was. but this book was much better than the last one.
LibraryThing member sami7
Finally some action. The story picks up & ties several of the loose ends.
LibraryThing member utbw42
Took me a while to read this one...I would read some, put it down for a few months, read some more, etc. I was really glad to see that storylines that have been buzzing around for 5 or 6 books now are finally starting to come together with a sense of closure. Perrin finally finds Faile....Mat and
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Tuon establish their relationship and his place as a leader of the Seanchan...Rand starts kicking ass (finally), but at a price to be explored later. The point is, this was Jordan's last work before his death, and you can see here that he is starting to bring this monster saga to a close. I am looking forward to reading Brandon Sanderson's adaptation of the last 3 books based on Jordan's notes and recordings, but this one was a welcome move forward in a saga that has been mired for several volumes.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2005-10-11 (Tor Books)

Physical description

6.83 inches

ISBN

0812577566 / 9780812577563

Barcode

1603934
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