Path of Daggers - WoT #8 [June 22, 2022]

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

This is a Buddy Read for The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan starting June 22, 2022.

[Nirkatze]

Thank you Niki!

[Choko]

Spot!

[Elizabeth]

Thanks Niki!


I'm a few chapters into this one. Interesting so far!

[Nirkatze]

I'm running pretty far behind Choko, but I'm going to start this coming week--just going to read Uncrowned (probably 1-2 days) and Watchmaker of Filigree street (probably another 1-2 days) and then start this baby. :) OMG SO HAPPY TO BE BACK IN WOT!

[Choko]

Same here, Nirkatze! I will pick this up next week as well:)))

[Nirkatze]

Yay for timing!

[Elizabeth]

I'll keep up with your comments. I started book 10 today

[Choko]

Elizabeth, you are doing so great! I hope you are enjoying it:)

[Elizabeth]

I am! Rand is still my least favorite. Right now I just want more Egwaine. I don't think I had a chapter from her perspective last book and only saw her briefly from the others.

[Nirkatze]

I'm running pretty far behind, but I totally started today! Finally!! Hoping to read This & the next back to back.

Prologue: (view spoiler)[The meeting of the Borderlands monarchs was pretty interesting. It left vague what their plans were for when they meet Rand--to oppose him, or swear to him? Knowing his ta'veren nature, I'm guessing it'll end up being the latter, regardless of their plans.

And it was funny seeing another female ruler's viewpoint on Saldea's queen! She seems a lot like her cousin. Almost explained Faile a bit. And did we already know that Faile was THIRD IN LINE for the throne?? Perrin has no clue... he's going to end up prince consort I swear.

Verin!! She's definitely up to something. Many somethings. I still love her. And I still think she's Black Ajah. Especially that bit about having to "keep Rand alive until it is time for him to die." What is the compulsion she's laying on all Elaida's sisters?

I wonder if a stones game has been made? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[It's the other big sa'angreal thingy!! The really really big one--the pair to the hand in Cairhein!!

Aaand it looks like we're two steps back again. When we last left Ebou Dar it was in the midst of a Seanchan attack. But now it looks like we're with Nynaeve & co before the attack. *sigh* I don't mind, I enjoy every bit of the chapter, but I also get the complaints of folk who say that there is little to no progress in these middle books. I do love when we get Aviendha's viewpoints though! (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

I HATE WINDOWS AND IT'S STUPID NOT WARNING ME WHEN IT IS GOING TO FRICKIN RESTART!!! GAAAAH!

I had things written! I don't remember them now! *cries*

Through Chapter ...5? 6? 7? Through first Perrin chapter. Ah, it's chapter 7.

(view spoiler)[I really like how the Seanchan, through the series, have been a sneaking threat that only our group have truly known about.

I was annoyed at Elayne for thinking that Mat wasn't in any trouble from the Forsaken. Doesn't she know he's ta'veren?

So, sorting the junk--I wonder if Elayne & co can sense angreal that would be meant for men? Moiraine gave the fat man angreal to Rand, but I assume she knew from records, not because she could sense it. I would worry about leaving behind useful things because they were meant for Saidin instead of Saidar.

The big BOOM from the unraveled traveling tear was very satisfying, right in the face of the Seanchan! Hah!

Mmm... I still feel like I enjoy Perrin's bits the least. His whole Faile situation is kinda annoying. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, a little deeper into chapter 7 and (view spoiler)[ quote: Angry blue eyes glared at him from a face surrounded by long red-gold curls, a face as regal as any queen's...

That's gotta be Morgase!!! Red hair, blue eyes, and "regal as any queen." Accompanied by a bony white haired woman with a sharp tongue...and she even says LINI!!! Morgase and Perrin have crossed paths! The young man riding up near must be Young...Talavad? Forgot his name. Three more would be the Inkeeper, bouncer, and his Cairhienen girlfriend, but I wonder if the former Whitecloak master of spies is still with them? (hide spoiler)]

Edit Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[Yup! Balwer's still with them! And Tallanvor's the guy's name. Definitely a lot of names to keep up with... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Nirkatze wrote: "I'm running pretty far behind, but I totally started today! Finally!! Hoping to read This & the next back to back.

Prologue: The meeting of the Borderlands monarchs was pretty interesting. It left..."

Just finished Ch. 1... Boy, I love the prickliness of the women in this series!!!! Tanobia's expectations of her prospective husband were hilarious:):):):)

I hear you, Nirkadze, about the one step foreword two steps back dance... But I am with you. I just love every moment of this series and I wont the world and the story to go on and on... So I don't mind the slow advance, but as you said, I understand why people have issues with the books at this point and their pacing...

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "I'm running pretty far behind, but I totally started today! Finally!! Hoping to read This & the next back to back.

Prologue: The meeting of the Borderlands monarchs was pretty int..."

I loved that list of husband requirements! And then I immediately started thinking of Faile's expectations of Perrin... and felt like her attitude made so much more sense...

[Nirkatze]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[Perrin thinks At least Berelain has a new maid... HAH! I bet that's no maid, it's Alliandre, taking her chance to escape the Dragonsworn to a position of strength while she can.

And two paragraphs later--yes! HAH!

I find it so interesting how Perrin can be so thorough in his thoughts--yet he takes all the little tidbits and adds 1 + 2 to get 1. At least when it comes to people, and their stories. Then again, he doesn't have the benefit of an omniscient narrator. He's so sure of Maighdin and his theory on her, and Balwer, etc.

Hah! So funny watching Perrin being distracted by Elyas' revelation on Saldeans while trying to spar with Alliandre. I think this might be the first meeting where we see Perrin's ta'veren nature at work. We've seen Rand tons, and Mat with his luck, but I can't actually think of another time when Perrin's presence pulled on events. Not even the Two Rivers stuff felt like it. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Through Chapter 18--Egwene (view spoiler)[I love being back with Egwene! I was totally thinking these chapters, that the way events are falling into place around her makes her seem like she could be ta'veren too, and thought it was cool when Talmanes (almost wrote Talanvor, darnit) brought it up! Hah! I love seeing her maneuver things into place... though I honestly have NO IDEA how that conversation with the two armies camped nearby were supposed to put the Hall in her pocket. A lot of the Aes Sedai rules and maneuvering goes over my head. I still don't get why whatever Siuan and Leane were accused of justified stilling, or why Moiraine and Siuan were so worried about it being discovered that they had secretly been seeking the Dragon Reborn, or why the sitters were in Egwene's pocket after she discovered they sent spies to the Tower. Everyone has bloody secrets! It makes me think of those stories where cheating is "not allowed" even though everyone cheats--so it's not the cheating that is frowned upon, but being so crass as to be discovered.

The little bit with Sheriam being accosted in her tent makes it sound a lot more like she's Black Ajah. I bet that was Aran'gar demanding more information. And I thought it interesting how Aran'gar had that little bit thinking of how she didn't think of herself as male anymore and wondered if she'd been as much a fool for a pretty face when she was. I find it very interesting that she still channels saidin, even with an identity shift. But again, even this little big is pretty ahead of time as far as gender identity in fiction goes. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I am only up to Ch. 7... Finished the whole Kin farm experience with the Sea Folk and our girls. The way the Sea Folk dealt with the Circle of linking was so abrupt, that I felt sorry for the rest of the women in the circle. They are quite rude to everyone who is not one of theirs, that makes me a bit pissed that our girls have to teach them their secrets now... I prefer the Kin Women much better!

The (view spoiler)[ unraveling of the weave and the way it blew in the Seanchan's faces was very gratifying! I hope those invaders don't get any Arat Domani from the Farm!!!

I am worried about the ugly kid and Mat... It has been a while since we have had any idea as to what is going on with them... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I finished this one today. Wow! That ending!!!

So this one was much more political and power maneuvering, but I totally loved it anyway.

(view spoiler)[ Elaine and her group of ladies - the Kin are just awesome! However, the death of the one sister, obviously committed by a dark friend in order to kill the Black Sister, and her twin's grief , was just horrible! I also feel for everyone in the group having to adjust the way they view everything in life. It is very sad when you discover that your idols are just flawed people...

Rand killing all those people when he used Kalendor, was another tragic episode... No wonder everyone is afraid of him at this point. I didn't expect those boys to attack him in the end, and I don't believe at all that Taim didn't tell them to do it, but they were unhappy and took things in their hands. Please, those guys don't move a finger if he hasn't ordered them to do so... Shame for the kid who went completely mad while protecting Min. That is the second most emotional scene in the book for me...

Also, now the Ashaman are binding Aes Sedai to them, but it's not like the warder bond - they are slaves!!!!!!!! You know how I feel about slavery, compulsion and so on - I hate it with passion! And Logaine now has done it to two women so far... Not cool!!!

I wish Rand had killed Taim and his most loyal lackeys already!

The Seanchan are getting their buts handed to them by Rand, but they are still some scary dudes...

I hate Savannah and the Shido! The only good thing they are doing is breaking the Red Ajah dark friend lady. I love when those traitors get what they deserve!Now they have Fail and her possy, and you know Paren will go insane now.

Katsuane and the old Wise one have to teach Rand and some of the guys to laugh and cry again! I hope they manage it!

Siwan Sanche is in love and Egwene is finally starting to take control of the sisters! Yay! I am happy and a bit uneasy at the same time, about all those women wanting to become novices. This is going to be a tough adjustment for everyone...

The Aes Sedai in the Tower, who are looking for Dark friends are doing well and I want them to be successful!

I actually feel a bit bad for Elida , having to dance to her sitter's will... I know she deserves it, but they are both hurting the Tower, so it makes me feel that desperation about the long term damage to all Aes Sedai... (hide spoiler)]

Still absolutely loving the series! Let me know when you want to start the next book:)

[Nirkatze]

Interesting how all of the women who can channel--and men too, actually--have their own brand of arrogance. The Aes Sedai and Sea Folk have a lot in common--and I wouldn't mind seeing Sea Folk serve as apprentices to Wise Ones. The Wise One's arrogance doesn't bother me, but the other folks' does...

I wonder if Mat will even be in this book at all, or of we'll next see him in Winter's Heart? Although, I have to wonder--we know Mat's in the same place as Seanchan. Wouldn't it be cool if the next time we see him it'll be his encounter with the Daughter of the Nine Moons--who I think is Seanchan nobility, if not the Empress herself! I think he's have to be captured by the Seanchan for that to happen, and he's in a good spot for it.

Up to chapter 21 (view spoiler)[Rand sent Narishma on a secret mission, which he said almost killed him, and he came back with a cylindrical bundle. Pretty sure he just brought Rand callandor, the sword that is not a sword, recovered from the Stone of Tear.

SO MANY NAMES! WHYYYY!!! Whole lists of Tairen, Cairheinen, and Illianer nobles... not going to even try to remember these, or sort out who is supporting Rand, who is plotting, and who is a Darkfriend... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22 (view spoiler)[A random description and remembrance that struck me: Rand remembers when growing up, folk would call rain falling during sunshine "the Dark One beating Semirhage." Such a strange remembrance, especially now that we have met Semirhage (if only once, she's the most elusive of the Forsaken so far). Just such a random bit, but it really brought home how legends are walking now, or maybe nightmares.

And then Lews Therin replying with Nothing makes Semirhage weep. She gives tears to others, but she has none for herself. *shiver* just a great moment in a scene.

Hah! I love how Rand offers the safety of the Black Tower as an alternative to the women who are arguing against him bringing them with him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24, I think? (view spoiler)[The Seanchan mention the urge to bow before the Crystal Throne. I wonder if the Seanchan throne is a ter'angreal that has that compulsion? (hide spoiler)]

Only about a chapter to go now--should finish today, but I have to read How Long 'til Black Future Month? for local book club tomorrow (1/3 done now) and I want join the Gideon (or is it Harrow? Which one's first?) the Ninth BR that started two days ago, but I'll probably be up for starting Winter's Heart at the same time!

[Choko]

Great! I am all for it!

Those thoughts on Semirhage are truly profound by Rand... It is a very scary time to be alive, when creatures like that are awake and walk in the world...

The Black Tower scares me more and more, because it is out of Rand's control anymore. It belongs to Taim and he is one horrible dude! He really needs to die! I agree with Lews Therin...