The Path of Daggers: Book Eight of 'The Wheel of Time'

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.The Seanchan invasion force is in possession of Ebou Dar. Nynaeve, Elayne, and Aviendha head for Caemlyn and Elayne's rightful throne, but on the way they discover an enemy much worse than the Seanchan.In Illian, Rand vows to throw the Seanchan back as he did once before. But signs of madness are appearing among the Asha'man.In Ghealdan, Perrin faces the intrigues of Whitecloaks, Seanchan invaders, the scattered Shaido Aiel, and the Prophet himself. Perrin's beloved wife, Faile, may pay with her life, and Perrin himself may have to destroy his soul to save her.Meanwhile the rebel Aes Sedai under their young Amyrlin, Egwene al'Vere, face an army that intends to keep them away from the White Tower. But Egwene is determined to unseat the usurper Elaida and reunite the Aes Sedai. She does not yet understand the price that others--and she herself--will pay. From Publishers Weekly The eighth book of Jordan's bestselling The Wheel of Time saga (A Crown of Swords, etc.) opens with a renewed invasion by the Seanchans, a conquering race whose arsenal includes man-carrying flying reptiles and enslaved female magic-workers as well as powerful soldiers, many of whom have joined the Seanchans out of fear of the Dragon Reborn. The Dragon himself, Rand al'Thor, appears in only a small part of the narrative, but during that time he endures the ugly experience of seeing his magic kill his friends, heightening his fear that his destiny is to slay everyone he cares about. The first third of the book is a little slower paced than is usual for Jordan, emphasizing the growth of relationships, but the action picks up soon enough. More compact than some previous volumes in the saga, this one has the virtues readers have come to expect from the author: meticulous world-building; deft use of multiple viewpoints; highly original and intelligent systems of magic; an admirable wit; and a continuous awareness of the fate of the turnip farmer or peddler caught in the path of the heroes' armies. Unlike some authors of megasagas, Jordan chooses his words with care, creating people and events that have earned him an enormous readership. For sheer imagination and storytelling skill, if not quite for mythic resonance, The Wheel of Time now rivals Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Fantasy Prologue - Deceptive Appearances 3 Cpt. 1 - To Keep the Bargain 17 Cpt. 2 - Unweaving 27 Cpt. 3 - A Pleasant Ride 36 Cpt. 4 - A Quiet Place 42 Cpt. 5 - The Breaking Storm 49 Cpt. 6 - Threads 58 Cpt. 7 - A Goatpen 69 Cpt. 8 - A Simple Country Woman 77 Cpt. 9 - Tangles 89 Cpt. 10 - Changes 98 Cpt. 11 - Questions and an Oath 109 Cpt. 12 - New Alliances 117 Cpt. 13 - Floating Like Snow 127 Cpt. 14 - Message from the M'Hael 133 Cpt. 15 - Stronger than Written Law 140 Cpt. 16 - Unexpected Absences 148 Cpt. 17 - Out on the Ice 158 Cpt. 18 - A Peculiar Calling 165 Cpt. 19 - The Law 170 Cpt. 20 - Into Andor 179 Cpt. 21 - Answering the Summons 187 Cpt. 22 - Gathering Clouds 194 Cpt. 23 - Fog of War, Storm of Battle 201 Cpt. 24 - A Time For Iron 211 Cpt. 25 - An Unwelcome Return 226 Cpt. 26 - The Extra Bit 232 Cpt. 27 - The Bargain 241 Cpt. 28 - Crimsonthorn 252 Cpt. 29 - A Cup of Sleep 259 Cpt. 30 - Beginnings 267 Cpt. 31 - After 275 The Seanchan invasion force is in possession of Ebou Dar. Nynaeve, Elayne, and Aviendha head for Caemlyn and Elayne's rightful throne, but on the way they discover an enemy much worse than the Seanchan. In Illian, Rand vows to throw the Seanchan back as he did once before. But signs of madness are appearing among the Asha'man. In Ghealdan, Perrin faces the intrigues of Whitecloaks, Seanchan invaders, the scattered Shaido Aiel, and the Prophet himself. Perrin's beloved wife, Faile, may pay with her life, and Perrin himself may have to destroy his soul to save her. Meanwhile the rebel Aes Sedai under their young Amyrlin, Egwene al'Vere, face an army that intends to keep them away from the White Tower. But Egwene is determined to unseat the usurper Elaida and reunite the Aes Sedai. She does not yet understand the price that othersand she herselfwill pay. After Nynaeve and his friends conquer the Seanchan forces they travel to Caemyln to reclaim the throne, but on their way they encounter enemies more powerful than they imagined, and they may have to sacrifice their lives to save the world The eighth installment in The Wheel of Time series follows familiar characters as they fight the forever invading Seanchan and continue to try and make peace and love amongst themselves.