Rating: Summary: Too Many Subplots Review: Robert Jordan has so many subplots going now in this series that he has little time to devote to any. In 500+ pages he only creeps forward a few days in the story. Almost no memorable events occur in any of the stories. The various plots almost seem unconnected except that they occur in the same background tapestry. Each book in the series has been slower and slower and this one really drags.
Rating: Summary: Everyone is schooling this book for no reason Review: The biggest complaint people have about this book seems to be that it is 8th in the series. So? I, for one, am tired of stories that wrap up tightly after 300 or so pages. That's boring. I want to reach the ending of the series as much as the next guy but what would people say if they would have gotten to the end of Path of Daggers and saw, "The End". RJ would be killed! He knows the ending, its just taking awhile to get there! He's not stupid! If he were purposefully adding on to the series to get money, where would you suggest he end it? Right after Faile is kidnapped? After Moiraine seemingly dies? After Rand is kidnapped in LOC? Quit whinning! It's a long series but its still good. I could see why people would complain about a 10+ fantasy series if it was written by Terry Goodkind or somesuch filth. Gee whiz! All I know is you better not read Stephen King's Darktower series. Do you know how long he keeps you wating between books?
Rating: Summary: Not as much action but.... Review: As at least one other reader has pointed out in their review this book is a bit of a setup book for the following books in the series. No earthshaking plot twists or anything like that are in this book, it carries on with the events that have been ongoing throughout the last few books. I must mention for background that the Eye of the world was one of the first fantasy books that I have ever read. I thought that it and the rest of the series (6 books at the time) were fantastic. I went on to read almost every multi-volume fantasy series that I know of (Brooks, Tolkien, you name it). While I found most to be good, I would still say that the Wheel of Time is the finest non-fiction series I have ever read, or ever expect to see. Everyone knows that Jordon has a slower pace, and greater eye for detail than most other authors do, but for myself I find it to be one of the most refreshing and interesting parts of his writing. So while this may not be as full of revelations as Eye of the World, or Dragon Reborn I found it to be a fine book.
Rating: Summary: Jordan's lost the old fastball Review: In the world of fantasy there is one series that towers above all others, that being The Lord of The Rings. I always keep searching for a series that will enchant me like LOTR did. The two Thomas Covenant trilogies were brilliant. I had the same hopes for the Wheel of Time series. The first three books were terrific, full of wonderful, vibrant characters and lands. The series has gone steadily downhill since then. Jordan seems to be just going through the motions with Path of Daggers. Nothing happens, just more moronic ramblings by Rand. It's frustrating when potential greatness goes awry. Jordan is slowly descending into hackneyed fantasy hell, along with Eddings, Goodkind and a host of other hacks. This motley bunch would cause a Nazgul to cower in fear. At least we still have George Martin to keep us enthralled with his marvelous A Song of Fire and Ice series.
Rating: Summary: In Defence of the Pattern Review: Well, I've read several bad reviews of this book, and I'd like to have my say. While events do slow down through the series, you have to bear in mind that this is /part/ of a series, and as such cannot be viewed completely separately. Robert Jordan writes with an addictive subtlety, the detail of the personal and political beliefs of the characters, both major and minor, are an integral part of the series.I am thoroughly sick of short glitz 'n' glamour action films, and the 'book of the film' which comes with each. I have found this series to be absolutely refeshing in it's depth and scope, and I confess to be, well, addicted to the detail and to the characterisations. If you're after a battle scene, a bit of not too complex politics and a love interest, you're in the wrong place. If you're not in it for the long-run, don't even bother. This is the history, and the history in the making of a /world/, with the added advantage we don't get in real life of being inside the characters heads, even those who seemingly only pass through. I disagree with those who have written that the author has lost his way - I see events building to a climax, with all the detail and confusion that life inevitably brings. The pattern is intricate, but I'm waiting, not too patiently, for the finished piece.
Rating: Summary: Ok, we're still going nowhere Review: Some people have called this series 'epic'. One even went so far as to say its comparable to the Count of Monte Christo, and hoped the series is still here 20 yrs later. Haha... very funny. The COunt is a blissful 400 pgs long, and even the great Anna Karenina is only 1000 or so pages. This series is now some 4000 pages long, and we are still stuck in book 1 with a few embellishments. That Jordan has a tendency to overwrite is an understatement. Our friends Rand and Co. are still the same idiotic farm hicks they were back in Eye of the World. It took half a book for Frodo to grow, up, unfortunately it seems Rand and Mat and Perrin need about another 10000 pages... keep it coming, Mr. Jordan. Our smooth-talking Aes Sedai are still using the same cliched phrases to describe and deride guys... and the expressions that they used in Books 1, 2, 3 are still being rehashed and given to us again. Apparently Mr. Jordan's imagination, like his world, runs in cycles. Well, suffice to say this book was more of an eye opener than Crown of Thorns, which isn't saying much. As for an end to the series... forget about it. I'm not asking for an end to the series because I'm an adrenaline-addicted Clancy maniac, but because the world is overwritten and overdone and becaus even the most loyal fans are screaming at Mr. Jordan to stop. This series is an epic alright- an epic bore and an epic disaster. The series had some promise to begin with- its all sqaundered in book after book that use the same cardboad characters and plotlines that never go anywhere? (hmmm how long did it take Jordan to finish up the march on Tal Valinor? and for all you readers out there who think big is good, and like it when Mr. Jordan forgets about a major plotline for thousands of pages, a plotline hanging forever has nothing exciting about it- its just monumentally stupid). Even if you're an avid fan, I would advise to stayaway. It's just a waste of time.
Rating: Summary: More of the same ... Review: Unfortuanately for fans of the Wheel of Time series, Robert Jordan is still up to his money grubbing tricks. Here's another large book filled with loads of detail about everything except the action - well, if there was some action, I'm sure he'd write loads of detail on it as well. This book continues the story of our heros spread all over the face of the world. With so many sub-plots, the book can only spend 40 or 50 pages each. With such a skimpy amount of material, we again are ripped off and left frustrated with the lack of progress. Don't waste your time with this book or this series any more.
Rating: Summary: A Good Book ... but it may make you a manic depressant Review: I'm beinging to have serious doubts as to if Mr.Jordan will live long enough to end this series. It's kinda annoying me, because if I don't get to find out what happens, I'm gonna be mad. The Path of Daggers is possibly getting Jordan back on track with his writing, And it is most certainly worth buying. I almost didn't considering how horrible of a book the last one was, but when I actully read it, it was much better than I expected. However, the book is as bleak and depressing as ever ... I don't know if Rand's mad yet, but he's gonna drive me insane if his personality keeps on going like this ... he's angry, hateful, and hard ... he seems almost soulless sometimes, and he's constantly punishing himself mentaly for every woman who he blames himself for killing, or mabey letting die. Thing's arn't going well anywhere but with the Aes crew and Egwene, who finaly get to Tar Valon on the last two or three pages of the book. Also, Jordan has told us the amazingy predictable and obious (I figured it out just about as soon as our favorite false Dragon, tomboy, deposed Amrylin, and rather ... open ... woman reched Salidar) fact that Siaun is in love with Gareth Bryne, and finishes up with the bowl of the winds. Elyane and her crew are the subject of no more than five chapters, and mabey even less, and the same with Perrin and Faile. In a very unlikely situation, Nyneave loses her block, but that is never mentioned after than chapter even once. And of course, things are still very repetative and very slow. Jordan has drilled constantly into our head ever sense he began writing that women in this world are constantly annoyed with men, and he certainly didn't stop in this novel. You still get a feeling of dispair whenever you read about Rand, and his "love" for the women in his life seems more like a need for love often times. He doesn't see any of the women other than Min throughout the book, but does find out something bad about Callandor, and seems to be tempted to use the greatest Ter'angrel in the world, but it isn't expanded onm in more than one sentance. However, the plot is getting more and more focused, and the end hints that it will actully have a compleate point someday (*gasp*), and thats a good thing. I'm glad I bought it, it's not worth passing up, inless you happen to be taking anti-depressants, because this book will surley conuter-act that. P.S.: This book is best read when listenign to Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," esp. "Shine on You Crazy Dimond," it fits the mood of the book perfectly.
Rating: Summary: Keep the Faith Review: Well I'll admit the last 2 books were a little disappointing. I believe Robert Jordan will pull another trick up his sleeve in the next book. The next book will probably offer more characters as hinted in the previous books and a sinister plan from a mysterious evil man ressurrected by the Dark One in the pervious book. I could be wrong but i'm keeping the faith that the story will get better.
Rating: Summary: Still Good Review: People have been bashing the Wheel of Time incessantly lately, but I have to disagree. Path of Daggers is not the best book in the series, but it has its moments. For loyal fans, some of these moments are incredibly funny. I don't want to spoil anything. But, any wheel of time purist will be jolted when they read the end of a Time for Iron. What Rand does to the Seanchan... Alot of critiszim has been leveled against this book for just being here to make another couple million dollars for Robert Jordan, and I have to admit, it did do that. But, in Jordan's defence, this book is setting up Winter's Heart. If you read the prolouge of winter's heart(try www.geocities.com/elvenhighking/Snow for a free copy), you'll that things are going to be happeneing. And besides, if you're like me and everyone I've gotten to read the Wheel of Time, you've fallen in love with the characters, and you'll find yourself thinking about what Rand will do next at odd times, like in the middle of class. In eagerly await the next book.
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