Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan, Book Eight of the Wheel of Time series.
Introduction
Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan is the eighth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows four main plot arcs. Elayne, with the help of the Kin and the Sea Folk, seeks to use the Bowl of the Winds to stop the hot weather created by the Forsaken. Perrin and Faile seek to bring the Prophet back to Rand in Cairhein. Egwene seeks to bring her army to Tar Valon. Rand fights the Seanchan near Ebou Dar and talks with Min in Cairhein. When Rand fights the Seanchan, will they defeat him, or will he win across the Path of Daggers?
Summary – Prologue
The prologue has three point-of-view characters, and each point of view sets up a plot arc.
Queen Ethenielle of Kandor is the first viewpoint character in the prologue. She attends a meeting of the four leaders of the Borderland kingdoms. The other leaders are Queen Tenobia of Saldea, King Paitar of Arafel, and King Easar of Shienar. They want to meet the Dragon Reborn and decide if they want to follow him.
Verin Mathwin is the second viewpoint character. She finishes up the plot of the aftermath of what happened at the end of the last book at Dumai Wells.
Moridin of the Forsaken (Chosen by their reckoning) plots against Rand, the Dragon Reborn.
Summary–Groups of characters
Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan has four main plots.
Elayne, Aviendha, and Brigitte are in Ebou Dar. They plan to use the Bowl of the Winds to cancel the heat wave that the Forsaken has unleashed on the land. They have the Kin and the Sea Folk help them. The Seanchan invade Ebou Dar and compromise their escape.
Perrin brings the army Rand has given to him to Ghealdan looking for Masema, the Prophet of the Dragon. The army is made up of the Winged Guards of Mayene, Aiel, and the people of the Two Rivers. Rand wants Perrin to bring Masema back to him in Cairhein. Perrin tries to convince Masema to come with him and Faile has other ideas.
Egwene seeks to bring her army to siege and capture Tar Valon. Her army is in Murandy. She must negotiate with the nobles of Murandy, build up her army’s strength, and find a way through Andor to achieve her objective.
Rand prepares his army in Ilian to stop a potential Seanchan invasion from Ebou Dar. He fights the Seanchan and must live with the aftermath of the battle.
Summary–Best Plot Points
Three Plot Points stand out in Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan.
Chapter 6, Threads is the chapter where the Bowl of the Winds plotline resolves.
Chapter 23, Fog of War, Storm of Battle, and Chapter 24, A Time for Iron detail the battle between Rand’s army and the Seanchan. The multiple viewpoints in these chapters show the complications caused by the fog of war.
Chapter 26, The Extra Bit covers two initiatives of Elaida of the White Tower. First is the effort of a group of Aes Sedai to uncover the Black Ajah at the White Tower. Second is the group sent to defeat The Black Tower, the home of the Asha’man, men who can channel.
Recommendation
Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan has some brilliant scenes but misses conclusions to the plot arcs explored.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/140974.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.