The Path of Daggers

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

The best thing I can say about The Path of Daggers is that it is significantly shorter than the last few novels have been – only 700 pages (mass market paperback) compared to the 900-1100 page novels that have preceded it. There is much less of the repetitive backstory. I guess Mr. Jordan finally realized that new readers aren't jumping in at this point.

However, that's not to say that there are 700 pages of plot here, either. For again, most of the pages are devoted to minutia such as nearly every word spoken during one of Elayne's 3 hour long rides, every thought that Perrin has while walking around his camp, etc. Most of the significant action is squeezed into the last couple of chapters. The story is still interesting, but The Path of Daggers doesn't advance it far enough.

But what's annoying me most is that the female WOT characters are the cattiest bunch of women I've ever encountered. Supposedly the Aes Sedai are dignified, cool-headed, and calm, but yet we see them constant bickering, back-biting, squabbling, thinking about their positions relative to others, and worried about what everyone else is thinking. For such powerful women, they are continually showing their shock, getting into petty disagreements, trying to out-wit each other, widening their eyes, adjusting their shawls, and smoothing their skirts (apparently this is an indication of uneasiness, though I have never actually seen an uneasy woman smoothing her skirt). And why the heck are adult women SPANKING each other?!?

I find it irritating that women leaders are portrayed this way while the powerful men are portrayed as hard, reserved, and distinguished. I'm sure that Mr. Jordan meant for his female characters to seem strong, but they just come across as bitchy. I really can't figure out why they all take each other so seriously.
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The Path of Daggers certainly isn't the greatest of the books so far. But it does set up some very interesting story hooks and cliffhangers for the next book.

I feel like the Wheel of Time is sort of a mess. It begins with 3 ta'veren (special people twisting luck and chance in the pattern of time) leaving town, with two ladies who want to train to become Aes Sedai (female wizards). These 3 are constantly being harassed by dreams. And all of a sudden they aren't. The same goes for the Egwene. Dreams, dreams, dreams. Oh no. Not anymore. Nobody seems to want to learn from anyone. And normal conversations are out of the question.

That said. It's still a magnificent series, because of the epic world building, the multitude of characters, and the very well thought-out magic system.

Oh and this book finally has some dragons!