Rating: Summary: Lead on great sage Review: Ok, people have claimed this book to be dull, boring, and many other things. Frankly... I don't see how they got this far into the series. Jordan's world is highly complex and requires you to read the books carefully. I actually try to read them all at least twice to catch everything. The level of complexity is to the extreme. There are portions of the first book that have yet to be realized, showing the extent to which Jordan has gone to build this world for our enjoyment. The only flaw I have with this book is the fact that my favorite character is missing. I enjoy Mat, but we don't here anything from him since the wall falling on him at the end of the last book. I was kinda curious what happened to the boy. But still a good addition to the WOT series.
Rating: Summary: hmm.. could be better Review: I have re-read this book many times since it was first printed, and have yet to establish a concise plot within this book. Now the first book of the series had clear goals in mind: flee from the Dark One's minions and reach the Green Man. And in the second book, the plot involved the search for and recovery of the Horn of Valere. But the series has reached a complexity at which point even Mr. Jordan cannot bring together all the strands of characters in one book (note the absence of Mat). This book seems to me as though Mr. Jordan is trying to set up the audience for his final book; wrapping up all the loose ends until he will be able to conclude them satisfactorily in his final volume, much as a boxer might set up with a jab before a knockout punch. Hopefully the final volume or two will wrap up the series, concluding all the sideplots and both major and minor characters.
Rating: Summary: Awesome Review: I thoroughly enjoyed it! Can't wait for the next book to come out.
Rating: Summary: It Took a Second Reading Review: The first time I read Path of Daggers, I didn't like it too much. I saw it as necessary plot advancement and a waste of paper. But, being a die-hard fan of the Wheel of Time, and having yet to find one of the books I truly did not enjoy reading, I tried it again. The second time I read it, things seemed to jump out at me that I didn't remember from my first reading. Things that made me laugh, made me want to cry, and overall made it a wonderful book in my eyes. I would have given it five stars, but there's the pesky subject of the exclusion of Mat. Note to Mr. Jordan: When you've got an outrageously popular character, it's generally not the best idea to leave him out of a book that isn't as warmly welcomed by the readers as you'd have liked.So, in short, my advice is: if you didn't like it the first time, try it again. I had to do that with Crown of Swords, and now Path of Daggers, but both times proved quite worth it.
Rating: Summary: Incredible detail and complexity, incremental development Review: First off-- this book is not for the first-time WOT reader. If you're new to the series, start with his excellent lead-off, The Eye of the World, also available on Amazon.com. You'll probably be hooked, just like the millions of other happy (or hapless) readers. That said, what does this book offer those of us who've devoured the rest of the series up to this point? Well, more of the same, really. Much, much, much more. More characters, more character development, more subplots, more detail, more intrigue... Whether or not you like this book largely depends on how much more of this you can stomach. Some have called this the greatest fantasy series of all time; it certainly is the most ambitious. Jordan shares, even surpasses, Tolkien's ability to create a fully realized world. This sort of richness and thoughtful detail, which attracted me to the series to begin with, certainly continues in TPOD. Unfortunately for many, Jordan does not share Tolkien's sense of how stories might be divided up for easier reading. While the scope of the story was still relatively small, the frequent changes of venue and perspective were refreshing. They showcased his talent for setting different scenes and finding individual voices for his characters, an ability too-often lacking in the SF/F section. However, by the time there are dozens of main characters scattered over the map on story arcs that started three books back, things get a little convoluted. Instead of Tolkien, Jordan seems to be emulating Dickens. So, with all of these criticisms, why do I still give the book four stars? This is still epic fantasy at its best. If there were fewer characters, or fewer plots within plots, the scope would be sadly diminished. Taken together, the details create a convincing world. Most stories tell of just two or three major powers. Here--as in history--there are many, all pursuing their own ends. His character development is also the most subtle and convincing of any I have ever seen. The most obvious (but no less well-crafted) is Rand's rise to power and descent into insanity. But look for a moment at Perrin, Mat, Egwene, and others. Perrin has gone from a shy, retiring apprentice to a leader of men, without losing his quiet modesty. Mat has changed from a carefree prankster to a man aware of his responsibilities to those who look up to him, while maintaining his devil-may-care charm. Egwene has grown from an uppity teenager to someone you would actually believe could successfully navigate the treacherous waters of Aes Sedai plots, using the strength of character she developed in the other books. These characters are actually growing up. For someone like me, Jordan's logical approach to storytelling and copious foreshadowing and prophecies are a source of endless enjoyment, speculating on what future books will bring. Last but not least, this series is peoplewatching at its best. Jordan has often emphasized that the relationships between characters are the most fascinating aspects of writing this series. It shows. Even in this black-and-white, good-versus-evil world of fantasy, people have their differences. Some of the most interesting conflicts arise between people on the same side. Of course, all of that could be said about the series in general. TPOD in particular is a "building" book. There are few major story arcs resolved in it, and several more are introduced. Personally, I'd recommend having Winter's Heart on-hand before reading it, but to get the full flavor of the Wheel of Time series, definitely do not skip it.
Rating: Summary: Continues the downhill slide Review: Keep in mind that the all of the negative reviews below were written by people who were open-minded enough to make it through eight books. Attacking them for being shallow or unable to "understand" Jordan makes no sense. Mr. Jordan has some great ideas in this series, and the scope of the series really is unrivaled. But that is as much a function of sheer length, which takes no talent, as it is vision, which does take talent. Strengths are some great, fairly novel ideas and the ability _occasionally_ to write a truly superlative chapter or scene. Weaknesses are as stated below -- the creation of numerous subplots that are, at best, tangentially related to the main plot, the continued resurrection of supposedly dead characters, and a truly juvenile tone in male/female relationships. This particular installment is the worst offender. There is another massive "epic" fantasy currently in publication that I think is far superior and aimed a bit more at adults. George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, which begins with A Game of Thrones. Check out the reviews on Amazon.
Rating: Summary: Read for Fun, if you want insight go Elsewhere Review: Humm...Great Literature, a wonderous series that out ranks Tolkien, the best fantasy series in the whole history of great fantasy series. These are terms alot of people seem to apply to RJ's series. Not I. I read this series for one simple reason..I LOVE to read. I will admit I like Jordan's series, in fact these books are some of the best books I've ever read, and I thank Mister Jordan for them. But come on, none of these books are classic literature. They are what they are though..Fun to read. They perform the task they are meant to perform. That being an escape from reality, from our real lives that are quite frankly dull and boring. I don't read these books for mind blowing insights into the human mind and soul, I don't think of Robert Jordan as some kinda of Mage casing down a wonderous spell, I read these books for FUN! I read these books to forget my dull little Mississippi life, and so far they have done a good job. And to the complainers out there: if you find the series to long, wordy, boring, dull, tedious, have an extreme dislike of slow plot advancement, or simply don't like the fact that the women are brainless and the men are cowards, then don't read the series. Go read something else. There are many many great authors out there, and hold your breath for this one, but not all of them write fantasy. As for myself, I will continure to read this series for a few simple reasons: its fun, funny, the books are big (I love a big wordy discriptive book), and as with many other books I have read, I want to see what happens to the characters. I want to know whether Rand wins, dies, and also if he can cleanse saidin. I want to see Perrin do what ever he has to do. I want to see what what Matt will do next. I want to see what happens to all the characters. And also I just want to read about the last battle. PS- Its just a fantasy series..you don't have to buy the books..i mean the public library was built for a reason.
Rating: Summary: MAY THE LIGHT BE PRAISED! WOT WINS AGAIN! Review: Well, I just finished reading the latest available installment of the WOT series, "The Path of Daggers," and as per usual, I HAD CHILLS reading the last paragraph of the book. I read a lot of science fiction/fantasy and I can honestly say that no other author has ever had that affect of me so consistantly and powerfully over the course of every book in the series. Every book! Jordan's storytelling powers are nothing short of amazing! Now I know many of you have probably read reviews from malcontents who are ready to rip Jordan apart because they are becomming impatient with the pace of his story. I'll admit, he does have a tendency to become far too flowery in his descriptions of places and minor characters who may never develop very far in the story. Yes, I too often find myself skipping several pages of "the land was baren or dusty or muddy or hot or cold, and yada, yada, yada...skimming the book for the next line of dialogue or action that moves the plot forward or continues to develop the characters and their relationships. Yes, it can be frustrating wading through all the unnaturally long descriptions, but that is not the point. As the great bard once said, "the play's the thing." In the WOT series and continuing in "The Path of Daggers," Jordan offers a play or plot that is engrossing and utterly compelling. No, let me rephrase...a gripping, suspensful, and unrelenting plot that in no uncertain terms, forbids the reader to put the book down to go to work, have a social life, eat, sleep, or drink. Want more? How about characters that are so real you just know you could reach out and touch them if you only believed hard enough. Characters you can laugh with, cry with, and relate with in countless, meaningful, everyday ways. What's more, the relationships these characters share are powerful and moving, evoking an astonishingly strong emotive response on the part of the reader. And isn't that the point? This story touches me and moves me like nothing else I have ever read. I'm so caught-up in it that I can't wait to see what hapens next, and yet I dread the idea that with each new installment the series draws closer to a final conclusion. I pick-up a WOT book and I sit enraptured by what unfolds within. That is the mark of a great story and a masterful storyteller. If I have to skip the occasional page or three then that is simply the fare that must be paid to take a journey through Jordan's lush, rich, and vivid imagination. Anyway, who are Jordan's critics trying to kid? If they've made it this far, then thay are in it to stay...and so should you, gentle reader. Buy this book. Forget about minor nit-pickings and come back to Jordan's realm, the world of "The Wheel of Time," and set your feet on "The Path of Daggers."
Rating: Summary: Allusions Review: I really have to say that I have enjoyed this series immensly and that I can't wait to see how it will all unfold. The story line is great and I have to hope that this particular chapter will just lead up to an awesome WINTER'S HEART. As a Chrisitian and a firm believer in the Bible, it is funny to notice all the Biblical allusions. Just simple names like Ishmael, or to name of events or descriptions. Some are very noticable, like Satan/Shai'tan or the identical Father of Lies title given to the two. Or take Armageddon/Tarmon Gai'don. I guess, seeing as the Wheel of Time and the Bible are sweeping epics involving Prophesied saviours and the battle between good and evil Mr. Jordan would need to look at the "True Source" for some names and ideas.
Rating: Summary: Jordan Milks His Cash Cow Review: Okay, so I was a big fan of TWOT series in the beginning, but the books have hit a new low. Whatever respect I had for Robert Jordan as an author (and his first few books in the series were very, very good) is long gone. He keeps stretching out this series more and more, and less and less happens in each book, culminating in this *painful* read for the 8th installment. Needless to say I won't be buying any of the later volumes...
|