Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Tor Books (1998), Edition: 1st, Hardcover, 604 pages
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML:For millions of fans around the globe, the wait is over. Sequel to the international blockbuster bestseller A Crown of Swords, The Path of Daggers continues one of history's greatest fictional journeys and the most extraordinary work of American fantasy ever published�The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and worldwide bestselling series�Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time. The phenomenal tale that is mesmerizing a generation of readers now continues in Book Eight. The Seanchan invasion force is in possession of Ebou Dar. Nynaeve, Elayne, and Aviendha head for Caemlyn and Elayne's rightful throne, but on the way they discover an enemy much worse than the Seanchan. In Illian, Rand vows to throw the Seanchan back as he did once before. But signs of madness are appearing among the Asha'man. In Ghealdan, Perrin faces the intrigues of Whitecloaks, Seanchan invaders, the scattered Shaido Aiel, and the Prophet himself. Perrin's beloved wife, Faile, may pay with her life, and Perrin himself may have to destroy his soul to save her. Meanwhile the rebel Aes Sedai under their young Amyrlin, Egwene al'Vere, face an army that intends to keep them away from the White Tower. But Egwene is determined to unseat the usurper Elaida and reunite the Aes Sedai. She does not yet understand the price that others�and she herself�will pay.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member mattries37315
The eighth installment of Robert Jordan's epic Wheel of Time series, The Path of Daggers, continues the numerous storylines that feature the main characters of the epic but doesn't have a story unto itself. The lack of a lone storyline contained wholy with it's pages makes The Path of Daggers a
While the transition from one storyline to another was well done, none of the storylines seemed to reach out and grab the read as being the most important. While Jordan's world building continues to be outstanding, the characteristics of some of his main characters or characters in general continue to frustrate though if one has read this far into the series you should have found a way to deal with it.
Finally, I will admit that due to outside factors that affected my reading schedule most likely had a direct affect on how I viewed this book. I found it a step down from the previous three installments (The Fires of Heaven, Lord of Chaos, and A Crown of Swords) and believe 3.5 stars is a fair grade.
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collection of various stories all of which feature the same theme: danger. Although this is an interest approach to contain his epic series, Jordan's decision results in the reader finding it hard get involved in the book.While the transition from one storyline to another was well done, none of the storylines seemed to reach out and grab the read as being the most important. While Jordan's world building continues to be outstanding, the characteristics of some of his main characters or characters in general continue to frustrate though if one has read this far into the series you should have found a way to deal with it.
Finally, I will admit that due to outside factors that affected my reading schedule most likely had a direct affect on how I viewed this book. I found it a step down from the previous three installments (The Fires of Heaven, Lord of Chaos, and A Crown of Swords) and believe 3.5 stars is a fair grade.
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LibraryThing member DWWilkin
Previously during one of the rereads before Gathering Storm, I cited that Jordan had Hubris. Well this book far more shows that Hubris then any prior book. What a disservice.
This is before Jordan showed any signs of his illness. So where does the blame lie for such a poor book. Where before we have
You have to crack a lot of shelves to get through to the meat and then it ends up being a whole lot of bother.
When you open this book, you note that it is smaller than the others of the series, and then you start reading and notice that type is not dense. By the end of the book you have paid full price for half a book.
You note this more as you read the plot lines Jordan has given us and start seeing a great deal of nothing. It is a travelogue of places we have yet to see. There is action eventually but still, much of what was told could have taken half the space, and some of the plot lines that should be here, are not.
The first fifty pages, after seven complete books, is a reverse of time. Mat experiences the Seachan landing in Ebou Dar, and we go back through it with the Aes Sedai who had already left in the seventh book.
Once again time is played with and Jordan does not care.
Speaking of Mat, well that is all we can do, he is not in this book, just as Perrin was missed before. Egwene, hardly worth a mention for the chapters that are devoted to her, even as we know a Forsaken is in her midst.
Rand, who is still the main protagonist, has a hundred or so pages of good, but with the time scale off, and the battle he tries to fight, maps are sorely needed. The little vignettes during this campaign, do not do justice what the entire campaign was to do.
So we get to the end and realize we paid full price for another transition book, even less fulfilling then before.
You have to read this to get further in the series, and because the series is good. But Jordan and his memory still should be chastised. If this was the first book in the series, the series would have died then.
This is before Jordan showed any signs of his illness. So where does the blame lie for such a poor book. Where before we have
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intricate plots ever more involved, here we have a whole bunch of peanuts.You have to crack a lot of shelves to get through to the meat and then it ends up being a whole lot of bother.
When you open this book, you note that it is smaller than the others of the series, and then you start reading and notice that type is not dense. By the end of the book you have paid full price for half a book.
You note this more as you read the plot lines Jordan has given us and start seeing a great deal of nothing. It is a travelogue of places we have yet to see. There is action eventually but still, much of what was told could have taken half the space, and some of the plot lines that should be here, are not.
The first fifty pages, after seven complete books, is a reverse of time. Mat experiences the Seachan landing in Ebou Dar, and we go back through it with the Aes Sedai who had already left in the seventh book.
Once again time is played with and Jordan does not care.
Speaking of Mat, well that is all we can do, he is not in this book, just as Perrin was missed before. Egwene, hardly worth a mention for the chapters that are devoted to her, even as we know a Forsaken is in her midst.
Rand, who is still the main protagonist, has a hundred or so pages of good, but with the time scale off, and the battle he tries to fight, maps are sorely needed. The little vignettes during this campaign, do not do justice what the entire campaign was to do.
So we get to the end and realize we paid full price for another transition book, even less fulfilling then before.
You have to read this to get further in the series, and because the series is good. But Jordan and his memory still should be chastised. If this was the first book in the series, the series would have died then.
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LibraryThing member Daedalus
At first I thoroughly enjoyed this series. It was decently-to-well written and its pace kept the overall story arch moving satisfactorily. No more. I refuse to buy any more Jordan novels. The writing has become dull and repetitious and the pace...well, the series is now on its 12th installment
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(including the Lucusesque release of a prequel) and it doesn't appear as if Jordan can wrap up a thought without giving 20 different perspectives on a given situation. Apparently it's all about da Benjamins now. Show Less
LibraryThing member FieryNight
So intriguing a series that I'm still reading after 8 books. I'm sure there's more and better things to come.
LibraryThing member redderik
book 8- I had to actually stop halfway through this and read another great series between chapters. The stories have nothing to do with eachother anymore so I'm not compelled to keep reading, only the previous 7 books keeps me coming back.
LibraryThing member jpsnow
The series was growing stale, but this one picked up some of the previous captivation of the earlier books.
LibraryThing member readafew
The Wheel of Time is an epic. The Path of Daggers is the 8th book in the series and it is not a good idea to read it without having read the earlier novels.
About all Rand does is go slap the Seanchan around a little. Matt doesn't show up at all. Elayne and Nynaeve work their way to Caemlyn and
This is a wide ranging Epic with a host of characters, showing a wonderful story. I like this series and I enjoy it but to be honest this one still doesn't have a whole lot going on, it's more of a set up for things to come.
About all Rand does is go slap the Seanchan around a little. Matt doesn't show up at all. Elayne and Nynaeve work their way to Caemlyn and
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Egwene is doing her best to get her army to the White Tower. The book is filled with lots of little hints and clues to things that have happened and things that are coming. All the main characters are spread though out Rand land and there are so many that they don't all fit into the book! This is a wide ranging Epic with a host of characters, showing a wonderful story. I like this series and I enjoy it but to be honest this one still doesn't have a whole lot going on, it's more of a set up for things to come.
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LibraryThing member Airycat
I've been bogged down with this book for a very long time. It seems like it's all description and very, very little action. I never got to anticipate the next books, because I still haven't finished this one.
LibraryThing member Stewartry
I don’t think I’ve put it into words before now, but it coalesced while reading Path of Daggers: My biggest problem with the Wheel of Time series? It’s not the braid-tuggings (though *really* now) or the characters’ bickering or even the fact that nothing at all seems to happen for almost
Spankings.
Seriously.
Not even kidding.
(I haven’t written a review in forever, and my first one back is largely about spanking. *facepalm*)
Everyone in this series has trouble sitting down at some point. Paddled, strapped, slippered (I don’t know if I’ve ever heard that used as a verb before, but it computes), pinched or beaten with the Power, or just plain old-fashioned smacked on the “bottom” … everyone, or pretty damn near. I should do a study. I should count ‘em in the next book like I did the braid-pulls.
It’s unfortunate. It contributes to the weird farcical aspect that has so frustrated me about the writing – along with the bickering and braid-tugging and stereotypes, spanking could be said to slot into the lowest form of humor, and – even when it’s appalling – simply has a stupid humorous facet to it that won’t allow for it to be taken seriously. I wonder if Jordan was trying so hard to avoid Tolkien-esque high fantasy that he overcompensated, to the point that none of his characters maintain any dignity. (NONE.) Dragon Reborn or Amyrlin Seat or groom or scullery maid, it doesn’t matter – someone is bound to come along who will give you a smack (or twenty) on the bum. (
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entire big fat books. My other biggest problem is that it took almost a quarter of a century, two authors, at least two primary cover artists, and kept expanding from five to eight to ten to eleven to twelve to FOURTEEN books, and that after book – what, six? The font and margins got bigger and the number of pages got smaller. But nope. My biggest problem with the series can be summed up in one word.Spankings.
Seriously.
Not even kidding.
(I haven’t written a review in forever, and my first one back is largely about spanking. *facepalm*)
Everyone in this series has trouble sitting down at some point. Paddled, strapped, slippered (I don’t know if I’ve ever heard that used as a verb before, but it computes), pinched or beaten with the Power, or just plain old-fashioned smacked on the “bottom” … everyone, or pretty damn near. I should do a study. I should count ‘em in the next book like I did the braid-pulls.
It’s unfortunate. It contributes to the weird farcical aspect that has so frustrated me about the writing – along with the bickering and braid-tugging and stereotypes, spanking could be said to slot into the lowest form of humor, and – even when it’s appalling – simply has a stupid humorous facet to it that won’t allow for it to be taken seriously. I wonder if Jordan was trying so hard to avoid Tolkien-esque high fantasy that he overcompensated, to the point that none of his characters maintain any dignity. (NONE.) Dragon Reborn or Amyrlin Seat or groom or scullery maid, it doesn’t matter – someone is bound to come along who will give you a smack (or twenty) on the bum. (
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LibraryThing member slaveofOne
One of the lowest points in the Wheel of Time series. Just kick back, get something nice to eat or drink, and plough through.
LibraryThing member DWWilkin
Previously during one of the rereads before Gathering Storm, I cited that Jordan had Hubris. Well this book far more shows that Hubris then any prior book. What a disservice.
This is before Jordan showed any signs of his illness. So where does the blame lie for such a poor book. Where before we have
You have to crack a lot of shelves to get through to the meat and then it ends up being a whole lot of bother.
When you open this book, you note that it is smaller than the others of the series, and then you start reading and notice that type is not dense. By the end of the book you have paid full price for half a book.
You note this more as you read the plot lines Jordan has given us and start seeing a great deal of nothing. It is a travelogue of places we have yet to see. There is action eventually but still, much of what was told could have taken half the space, and some of the plot lines that should be here, are not.
The first fifty pages, after seven complete books, is a reverse of time. Mat experiences the Seachan landing in Ebou Dar, and we go back through it with the Aes Sedai who had already left in the seventh book.
Once again time is played with and Jordan does not care.
Speaking of Mat, well that is all we can do, he is not in this book, just as Perrin was missed before. Egwene, hardly worth a mention for the chapters that are devoted to her, even as we know a Forsaken is in her midst.
Rand, who is still the main protagonist, has a hundred or so pages of good, but with the time scale off, and the battle he tries to fight, maps are sorely needed. The little vignettes during this campaign, do not do justice what the entire campaign was to do.
So we get to the end and realize we paid full price for another transition book, even less fulfilling then before.
You have to read this to get further in the series, and because the series is good. But Jordan and his memory still should be chastised. If this was the first book in the series, the series would have died then.
This is before Jordan showed any signs of his illness. So where does the blame lie for such a poor book. Where before we have
Show More
intricate plots ever more involved, here we have a whole bunch of peanuts.You have to crack a lot of shelves to get through to the meat and then it ends up being a whole lot of bother.
When you open this book, you note that it is smaller than the others of the series, and then you start reading and notice that type is not dense. By the end of the book you have paid full price for half a book.
You note this more as you read the plot lines Jordan has given us and start seeing a great deal of nothing. It is a travelogue of places we have yet to see. There is action eventually but still, much of what was told could have taken half the space, and some of the plot lines that should be here, are not.
The first fifty pages, after seven complete books, is a reverse of time. Mat experiences the Seachan landing in Ebou Dar, and we go back through it with the Aes Sedai who had already left in the seventh book.
Once again time is played with and Jordan does not care.
Speaking of Mat, well that is all we can do, he is not in this book, just as Perrin was missed before. Egwene, hardly worth a mention for the chapters that are devoted to her, even as we know a Forsaken is in her midst.
Rand, who is still the main protagonist, has a hundred or so pages of good, but with the time scale off, and the battle he tries to fight, maps are sorely needed. The little vignettes during this campaign, do not do justice what the entire campaign was to do.
So we get to the end and realize we paid full price for another transition book, even less fulfilling then before.
You have to read this to get further in the series, and because the series is good. But Jordan and his memory still should be chastised. If this was the first book in the series, the series would have died then.
Show Less
LibraryThing member h-mb
I can read Proust without considering the plot but, in fantasy, there must a little something in the plot category. The genre demands it. At the end of this one, I couldn't think of anything which had changed, moved ahead (or backward or sideward or anywhere). I am finished with Jordan.
LibraryThing member kayceel
Again, I love this series, but as I'm finishing on book and immediately starting another, I lose track of what's happening in which book (the books don't really resolve any conflicts - they're just one long, continuing story - which I love!!!)...
LibraryThing member bookczuk
Ii kind of feel like this book is the off ramp of the series. If you want to follow the highways and keep driving through the story, you have to occasionally exit off one highway to another. The on/off ramps aren't so exciting but they're entirely necessary to move the story along. Good thing I'm a
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fangirl. Show Less
LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
More Ebou Dar, more Cadsuane, more meh from me. Not my favorite novel. Not my very least favorite, but Dreaded Middle for sure.
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.
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.
LibraryThing member publiusdb
Not as good as previous books, but obviously moving the story forward. I still find The Wheel of Time enjoyable for the depth of plot, character, and world building. (does anyone world build like this?)
LibraryThing member subgirl
The Path of Daggers (The Wheel of Time, Book 8) by Robert Jordan (1998)
LibraryThing member darcy36
I really enjoyed it. It did drag a little at times, but was relieved by some great action scenes. Made some very significant strides in the plot, and ended with a real cliffhanger! On to Book 9!
LibraryThing member Jeyra
He's just dragging this series out now. I am growing irritated.
LibraryThing member High_Enginseer
Book 8, the first of the second half of Wheel of Time. This felt more like setting up for new plot lines than anything, with the typical middle filler that has been the norm since at least book 5. Fortunately the shorter length of the books has made this more bearable, but entire chapters spent on
Sorry Mat fans, he is only mentioned in passing a couple times. Despite leaving him with a cliffhanger at the end of book 7, he gets no POV chapters. Perrin doesn't get much either. Some maneuvering to deal with the prophet, and tying his story to Maighdin (wasn't hard to figure out who she is) and he only gets to meet the prophet face to face at the last chapter in a cliffhanger. While this is happening, another plot thread is started for him.
Rand's chapters are better as we get to watch the man who is supposed to save the world slip further into madness. While dealing the Seanchans' second invasion, his actions in battle cause his followers to question their faith in him. Strangely, despite Rand's growing paranoia, he still maintains a blind spot for Taim.
The consequences of Elaida's blundering are coming out, especially her miscalculation of the Black Tower. The rebels began to make their move at the end, but its been obvious the White Tower hasn't had unity for some time. Egwene's chapters deal with the intrigue in the rebel camp. Her political acumen is impressive for someone so inexperienced. Though, it helps that her opponents underestimate her and work against each other.
The other girls are also setting up new plot threads. The scenes at the beginning using the Bowl were fun to read, though I felt they should have done that at the end of book 7. These chapters do have a frustrating element: grown women who have high positions in their societies tend to act like cliquish teenagers. At least it causes observers to question just how omnipotent the Aes Sedai really are.
In short: A solid start, a strong finish, and a mostly dull middle. The dull middle is more bearable since the book is short, but you can't help but notice the story buckling under its own weight.
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trudging through snow bog down the narrative. The beginning and ending chapters once again redeem the slow middle. Mixed in are some POV chapters of various antagonists which were another highlight.Sorry Mat fans, he is only mentioned in passing a couple times. Despite leaving him with a cliffhanger at the end of book 7, he gets no POV chapters. Perrin doesn't get much either. Some maneuvering to deal with the prophet, and tying his story to Maighdin (wasn't hard to figure out who she is) and he only gets to meet the prophet face to face at the last chapter in a cliffhanger. While this is happening, another plot thread is started for him.
Rand's chapters are better as we get to watch the man who is supposed to save the world slip further into madness. While dealing the Seanchans' second invasion, his actions in battle cause his followers to question their faith in him. Strangely, despite Rand's growing paranoia, he still maintains a blind spot for Taim.
The consequences of Elaida's blundering are coming out, especially her miscalculation of the Black Tower. The rebels began to make their move at the end, but its been obvious the White Tower hasn't had unity for some time. Egwene's chapters deal with the intrigue in the rebel camp. Her political acumen is impressive for someone so inexperienced. Though, it helps that her opponents underestimate her and work against each other.
The other girls are also setting up new plot threads. The scenes at the beginning using the Bowl were fun to read, though I felt they should have done that at the end of book 7. These chapters do have a frustrating element: grown women who have high positions in their societies tend to act like cliquish teenagers. At least it causes observers to question just how omnipotent the Aes Sedai really are.
In short: A solid start, a strong finish, and a mostly dull middle. The dull middle is more bearable since the book is short, but you can't help but notice the story buckling under its own weight.
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LibraryThing member malexmave
This book started out a bit weaker than the others, but picked up a lot over the course of the book. The ending came a bit unexpected, and I am happy that I will not have to wait another year for the next book, but can just start on the next audiobook right away.
I stand by my assessment that this
I stand by my assessment that this
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is not the best fantasy series I have ever read, but the quality still makes it well worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member harpua
As others have mentioned, these middle novels are really dragging for me. In fact, they are taking a long time to move through. The story is worth it, but the constant over description of seemingly meaningless events is tiresome. I powered through this, and I was able to get away with skimming
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through many chapters (filling in any blanks with some detailed summaries online) and moving on to book 9. Show Less
LibraryThing member mirikayla
Rating the series as a whole, because I can't remember them individually without reading them again. Originally read the early ones in 2007, then the whole series in 2009.
LibraryThing member Karlstar
In this 8th installment of the Wheel of Time the story finally begins to advance again - starts to, which is an improvement, though really not a radical advancement. I had a chance to read this again recently and it is one of the better books in the series. While there are still many plot lines,
Complex, sophisticated, inventive and really a masterpiece of fantasy.
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mysterious people who may or may not be Forsaken; so many White Tower sisters, rebel sisters, Windfinders and Aiel elders, Lord of this and that country its hard to keep track, especially with so many similar names. However the complexity is worth it and the story is finally starting to move towards the great conclusion, even if it is 5 5 books away! Complex, sophisticated, inventive and really a masterpiece of fantasy.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
Despite all the annoyances I have mentioned in my reviews of previous books in the series still being present, I liked this 8th book a bit more. This one has no big battle but I felt that all the various plotlines (except for Mat) were present and fit well together.
Original publication date
1998-10-20 (Tor Books)
Physical description
604 p.; 9.5 inches
ISBN
0312857691 / 9780312857691