The Path Of Daggers: Book 8 of the Wheel of Time: 8/12

Jordan, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0356503895 ISBN 13: 9780356503899

Publisher: Orbit, 2014

'Epic in every sense' - Sunday Times

The eighth novel in the Wheel of Time series - one of the most influential and popular fantasy epics ever published.

Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, has conquered the city of Illian, struck down Sammael the Forsaken and shattered the armies of the invading Seanchan. Nynaeve, Aviendha and Elayne have broken the Dark One's hold on the world's weather and are poised to retake the throne of Andor. And Egwene al'Vere, leader of the exiled Aes Sedai, marches her army towards the White Tower.

But Rand and the Asha'man that follow him are slowly being corrupted by the madness that comes to the male wielders of the One Power. If they cannot remove the Dark One's taint from the True Source then none will survive to fight the Last Battle against the Shadow.

And as Rand struggles to maintain his sanity the Seanchan launch their counter-strike.

'With the Wheel of Time, Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal' New York Times

'A fantasy phenomenon' SFX

The Wheel of Time
The Eye of the World
The Great Hunt
The Dragon Reborn
The Shadow Rising
The Fires of Heaven
Lord of Chaos
A Crown of Swords
The Path of Daggers
Winter's Heart
Crossroads of Twilight
Knife of Dreams
The Gathering Storm
Towers of Midnight
A Memory of Light

New Spring (prequel)

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

Review:

Epic in every sense (Sunday Times)

A fantasy phenomenon (SFX)

With the Wheel of Time, Jordan has come to dominate the world that Tolkien began to reveal (New York Times)