The Path of Daggers

infobox Book |
name = The Path of Daggers
orig title =
translator =


image_caption = Original cover of "The Path of Daggers", showing Rand al'Thor leading his forces into battle
author = Robert Jordan
cover_artist = Darrell K. Sweet
country = United States
language = English
series = The Wheel of Time
genre = Fantasy
publisher = Tor Books (U.S.) & Orbit (UK)
release_date = October 20 1998
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 604 pp (U.S. hardback edition) & 608 pp (UK hardback edition)
isbn = ISBN 0-312-85769-1 (U.S. hardback edition) & ISBN 1-85723-554-1 (UK hardback edition)
preceded_by = A Crown of Swords
followed_by = Winter's Heart

"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 on 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 in an 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 rebel Aes Sedai, finally manipulates her unruly followers into giving her more control, and they prepare to 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 are both defeated when Rand uses Callandor on the Seanchan army. By wielding Callandor alone, the sword makes him temporarily insane, causing much destruction to both armies, leaving them in a stalemate. Returning to Cairhien, Rand is attacked by traitorous Asha'man who attempts and fails to kill him.

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".

Release details

*1998, U.S., Tor Books (ISBN 0-312-85769-1), Pub date October 20 1998, hardcover (First edition)
*1998, UK, Orbit (ISBN 1-85723-554-1), Pub date October 29 1998, hardcover
*1999, UK, Orbit (ISBN 1-85723-569-X), Pub date September 2 1999, paperback
*1999, U.S., Tor Books (ISBN 0-8125-5029-3), Pub date December ?, 1999, paperback
*1999, U.S., Rebound by Sagebrush (ISBN 0-613-22158-3), Pub date December ?, 1999, hardcover (Library binding)

External links

* [http://www.dragonmount.com/Books/Path_of_Daggers/summary.aspx Concise summaries of each chapter from http://www.dragonmount.com/]
* [http://hem3.passagen.se/wotcomp/8_path.htm More detailed summaries of each chapter]
* [http://www.encyclopaedia-wot.org/books/tpod/index.html Even more detailed summaries of each chapter from http://www.encyclopaedia-wot.org]
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50816FD3E580C758EDDA90994D0494D81&incamp=archive:search "An Adored Fantasy Series Now Hints at 1990's Angst"] - article in "The New York Times"
* [http://www.flowerfire.com/seized/reviews/the_path_of_daggers_sara_lipowitz.html Review at http://www.flowerfire.com/]
* [http://www.sfsite.com/11a/path44.htm Review at http://www.sfsite.com/]