The Path of Daggers (The Wheel of Time #8) (Book 8) Review
Because of the abundance of negative and mediocre reviews here, I was weary when picking up this book, expecting the worst of the series. To my surprise, I actually found this one quite enjoyable, moreso than "Lord of Chaos" or "A Crown of Swords."
I decided to skip making a review of "A Crown of Swords" and go straight to this book, because . . . well, there wasn't really anything to say about ACoS. It was pretty much the same as LoC. In fact, if LoC hadn't been so doggone fat with description and pointless details, I think that it, Crown of Swords, and Path of Daggers could have been combined into two books, rather than three.
Robert Jordan's biggest flaw as a writer, I think, is that he doesn't know what to focus on. He has such an incredible story, world, and characters, yet he spends his time on the wrong things entirely. A lot more story, action, and character development could be packed in if the more mundane happenings and excess description was gotten rid of. Oftentimes, however, he tends to skip over details that I would dearly like to read about, such as Elayne's test to become Accepted, or her relationship with Rand, or Rand's interaction with his Asha'man, to name a few. It is tantalizing to think of what a glorious, 5-star series this could have been and remained if this one problem had been gotten rid of.
What I think is provoking so much negative feedback for these books, more than anything else, is the slow progress. I suffer a little less from this, since I started the series later than most readers and can read the books back to back, but when these books were being published, series' loyalists had to wait up to two or three years between books after Lord of Chaos was published, and little enough progress is made in each one.
But then, the Wheel of Time never has been a series for immediate action and gratification. These are slow-paced, character-driven books that were written to be satisfying in the long run, rather than in the immediate, and if you go in thirsting for action and excitement and nothing else, you might be disappointing. On the flipside, I've found that going back and reading the series over, after reading several books in, makes for a much richer experience than the first time.
The first time reading, most characters seem really minor, and get brushed aside easily and forgotten. After reading through several books and getting an idea of who the characters are and where they're going, I can really savor the storylines and character interaction, as well as the staggering complexity of the plot. I'd advise new readers of this series to do the same, read several books in, then go back and start a second time. It makes everything better.
Anyway, "Path of Daggers" benefited in no small manner from its slightly better focus. Elayne, my favorite character along with Rand, is more prominent in this book than any other character, which counts for quite a bit with me. I personally found Egwene's POV to the be the most boring, as it moves sluggishly and is too preoccupied with politics to be fully enjoyable. The plot itself takes place over the time frame of about one month.
All and all, it's a good book, though it could do with a lot less bitchy secondary characters(Cadsuane, Nynaeve, the Maidens) and with more Rand and Elayne. I'd also like to see more focus on the excellent and colorful magic system, the One Power. It deserves more of a forefront in the series and more frequent use than it is getting.
The Path of Daggers (The Wheel of Time #8) (Book 8) Feature
- ISBN13: 9780812550290
- Condition: New
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The Path of Daggers (The Wheel of Time #8) (Book 8) Overview
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.
The Path of Daggers (The Wheel of Time #8) (Book 8) Specifications
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, 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, much-better-paced Eye of the World. --Paul Hughes
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