The Path of Daggers
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The Path of Daggers (abbreviated as tPoD by fans) is the eighth book of The Wheel of Time fantasy series written by American author Robert Jordan. It was published by Tor Books and released on October 20, 1998. Upon its release, it immediately rose to the #1 position on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list, making it the first Wheel of Time book to reach the #1 position on that list. It remained on the list for the next two months.
The title of the book is a reference to a Seanchan saying: "On the heights, the paths are paved with daggers."
Plot summary
The Path of Daggers consists of a prologue and 31 chapters.
Elayne Trakand, Nynaeve al'Meara, Aviendha, and their coalition of channelers use the ter'angreal called the Bowl of the Winds to reverse the unnatural heat brought upon by the Dark One's manipulation of the climate and then escape a Seanchan invasion by Traveling to Andor, where Elayne claims the Lion Throne.
Perrin Aybara moves into Ghealdan to attempt to stop Masema Dagar, the self-proclaimed Prophet of the Dragon. At the end of the book, Faile Bashere is kidnapped by the Shaido Aiel.
Egwene al'Vere, Amyrlin Seat of the Aes Sedai rebels, finally manipulates the Aes Sedai into giving her more control, and the rebel Aes Sedai Travel to Tar Valon to lay siege to the White Tower.
Rand al'Thor, with Asha'man and Illianers, attempts to repel the Seanchan invasion in Altara. In the end, the Seanchan army and Rand's forces annihilate each other, leaving them in stalemate. Returning to Cairhien, Rand is attacked by traitorous Asha'man who attempt and fail to kill him.
Notes
One of the three primary protagonists, Mat Cauthon is absent from the book, due to injuries sustained at the end of the previous book, A Crown of Swords. Robert Jordan had earlier done the same for Perrin Aybara, who had been absent from Book 5, The Fires of Heaven.
External links
- Concise summaries of each chapter from http://www.dragonmount.com/
- More detailed summaries of each chapter
- Even more detailed summaries of each chapter from http://www.encyclopaedia-wot.org
- "An Adored Fantasy Series Now Hints at 1990's Angst" - article in The New York Times
- Review at http://www.flowerfire.com/
- Review at http://www.sfsite.com/
- ISBN 0312857691 (hardcover)
- ISBN 0812550293 (paperback)