Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan, Book Eleven of the Wheel of Time series.
Introduction
Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan is the eleventh book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows five main plot arcs. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, and Egwene. All five characters face hard choices and must grow so they can complete the challenges put before them. Will the forces of Light be cut down by the Knife of Dreams?
Summary – Prologue
The prologue has seven point-of-view characters, and each point of view sets up a plot arc.
Galad is a member of the White Cloaks who duels Eamon Valda for the command of the Children of the Light.
Rodel Ituralde is a general of Amon Domain who fights the Seanchan and sets up a trap for them.
Lady Suroth is Tuon’s subordinate who learns something from a Forsaken that will change the Seanchan situation.
Pevara is a White Tower Aes Sedai charged with discovering any Black Ajah hiding there.
Alvarin is a White Tower Aes Sedai that is working against the order.
Galina is an Aes Sedai enslaved by the Saido at Malden who is trying to escape with Faile’s help.
Egwene was captured by the White Tower Aes Sedai and has been reduced to an Accepted in the order. She has plans to help the rebel Aes Sedai who are sieging the city.
Summary–Groups of characters
Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan has five main plots.
Rand continues to pursue his truce with the Seanchan so they can both focus on defeating the forces of the Dark One rather than each other.
Mat’s group leaves the traveling circus headed to Murandy. He continues to court Tuon. He finds part of the Band of the Red Hand and attacks the Seanchan nearby.
Perrin”s forces attack the Shaido at Malden to free Faile and the other captives.
Elayne continues her siege of Caemlyn and worries about what the Borderland armies camped near the city will do.
Egwene’s rebel forces continue to siege Tar Valon. The White Tower has captured her, and she starts a rebellion from within the Tower.
Summary–Best Plot Points
Nine Chapters stand out in Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan. (There’s so many, It’s a great novel)
At the Garden is Chapter 3 where most of the Forsaken meet and vow to kill Perrin and Mat.
A Village in Shiota is Chapter 10 where the people in Mat’s caravan see ghosts. Thom gives Mat a letter from Moraine that changes everything.
A Hell in Maderin is Chapter 11 where Tuon wants Mat to take her to a rowdy bar. Interesting things happen there and after.
The Golden Crane is Chapter 20 which is split into three parts. The first part is about Rand but the rest is about Nynaeve and Lan. Nynaeve is great here.
Honey in the Tea is Chapter 24 where Egwene starts her war from within at the White Tower. This odd thing is that this is Egwene’s only viewpoint chapter in this novel, though she is features in a part of the prolouge. It’s a great chapter.
A Plain Wodden Box is Chapter 27 which is a split chapter though both section are great. First, Rand goes to a meeting with the Seanchan leader, but unexpected events occur. Then, Mat displays his awesomeness in commanding his army.
Outside the Gates is Chapter 30 where Perrin and Faile’s arc comes to a long simmering conclusion.
The House on Full Moon Street is Chapter 31 where Elayne finds out what Mellar has been up to and tries to do something about it, but faces unexpected consequences.
Prince of Ravens is Chapter 37 where Mat’s plans come to fruition.
Recommendation
Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan resolves several plot arcs that were set up in Winter’s Heart and Crossroads of Twilight. There are big endings with the Perrin, Mat, and Elayne arcs. Rand is still pursuing his truce with the Seanchan and Egwene pursues her siege of the White Tower from within. It’s great to see some of these plots completed. Robert Jordan must have seen the end to the series here. This was the last novel he completed before his untimely death. Brandon Sanderson took Jordan’s notes and some completed scenes to write the three novels that complete the Wheel of Time series. I see Knife of Dreams as a turning point to the endgame coming at the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75566796-knife-of-dreams
Review of Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan. Rand, Mat, Perrin, and Egwene get closer to their goals in this novel.
Winters Heart by Robert Jordan has some brilliant scenes but misses conclusions to the plot arcs explored
Review of Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan. When Rand fights the Seanchan, will they defeat him, or will he win across the Path of Daggers?
This is the link to my review of Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. When Rand forces the hand of one of the Forsaken, will the Forsaken defeat him or will he earn a Crown of Swords?
This is the link to my review of Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Book Six of the Wheel of Time. Chaos reigns in the Westlands. They push Rand to the edge of insanity. Will he survive the box?
This is the link to my review of Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan, Book Five of the Wheel of Time.
This is the link to my review of Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, Book Four of the Wheel of Time.
This is the link to my review of Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan, Book three of the Wheel of Time.
This is the link to my review of Great Hunt by Robert Jordan, Book two of the Wheel of Time.
This is the link to my review of Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, Book one of the Wheel of Time.