A Crown of Swords (Wheel of Time, #7)

by Robert Jordan

book data

6,639 ratings, 3.70 average rating, 114 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		24%
4		33%
3		31%
2		8%
1		2%

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published

November 15th 1997 (first published 1998) by Tor Fantasy

binding

Paperback, 896 pages

isbn

0812550285 (isbn13: 9780812550283)

description

The seventh volume of Jordan's bestselling high fantasy series carries on the tradition of colossal, dauntingly complex storytelling established by th...more

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01/06/09

Terran rated it:

bookshelves: to-be-forcefully-thrown

Is there a rating below 1 star I can give?

I think this is about where I gave up on this bloody series. (And I only got this far because I was on a long road trip/camping trip, and I picked them up cheap at a used book store in Anchorage, IIRC.) But I have to admit that I can't tell them apart. I honestly have no idea what happened where after about book 1. Which is, in large part, why I gave up on this atrocious pile of overwritten, paid-by-the-word crap.

A friend of m...more

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09/04/08

Ron rated it:

(review of isbn 0312857675)

bookshelves: fantasy

The reader who has stuck with Jordan is either completely INTO his world, and angry that Jordan seems to have lost control of himself. I am among the latter.

I kept reading, hoping he would redeem himself. Sadly, he didn't. There's a message there for all of us. If something's worth doing, do it. Don't draw it out just for the fun (and profit) of drawing it out. I hope--but don't expect--his literary successors to tie this all together at the end.

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12/16/08

Afrayedknot33 rated it:

Very discriptive to the point where they are long winded. Very good storyline and new version of "magic". Honestly all these books could be about half the lenght and not lose the point of the story. If I put the books down for too long I'd have trouble remembering all the characters names and what exactly they were doing. (This is the same review for all the Wheel of Time books so don't waste tme reading my other ones)

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03/31/09

Kat at Fantasy Literature rated it:

My reviews of The Wheel of Time novels are getting just as repetitive as the actual books. There's really not much more to say. A Crown of Swords is another long slow installment in which there are too many detailed descriptions of clothing, references to spanking, concerns about bosoms, and people blushing. There are pages and pages which chronicle secondary characters' extensive internal thoughts. But what bugs me most, though, are the constant depictions of people and places as if they have a...more My reviews of The Wheel of Time novels are getting just as repetitive as the actual books. There's really not much more to say. A Crown of Swords is another long slow installment in which there are too many detailed descriptions of clothing, references to spanking, concerns about bosoms, and people blushing. There are pages and pages which chronicle secondary characters' extensive internal thoughts. But what bugs me most, though, are the constant depictions of people and places as if they have a corporate personality:

"Men strutted arrogantly along the streets with often ragged vests and no shirts, wearing great brass hoops in their ears and brass finger rings set with colored glass, one knife or sometimes two stuck behind their belts. Hands hovering near knives, they stared as though daring someone to give the wrong twist to a look. Others skulked from corner to corner, doorway to doorway with hooded eyes, imitating the slat-ribbed dogs that sometimes snarled from a dark alleyway barely wide enough for a man to squeeze into. Those men hunched over their knives and there was no way to tell which would run and which stab. By and large, the women made any of the men appear humble, parading in worn dresses and twice as much brass jewelry as the men. They carried knives too, of course, and their bold dark eyes sent ten sorts of challenge in every glance ... Children darted from every second door with chipped pottery cups of water, sent by their mothers in case the Wise Women wished a drink. Men with scarred faces and murder etched into their eyes stared openmouthed at seven Wise Women together, then bobbed jerky bows and inquired politely if they could be of assistance, was there anything that required carrying? Women, sometimes with as many scars and always eyes to make Tylin flinch, curtsied awkwardly and breathlessly asked whether they might supply directions, had anyone made a bother of themselves to bring so many Wise Women?"

If I found myself in this place, I'd think it was The Twilight Zone!

I will say, however, that someone must have told Mr Jordan to quit with the braid yanking, because Nynaeve seems to be attempting to stop the habit. Now, if we could just get all of those ladies to stop adjusting their clothes every time they feel any sort of negative emotion... and I'll be happy on the day that an Aes Sedai can walk down the street without making someone flinch, cringe, jump, squeak, drop something, or run away.

With all this detailed description, there's not much time for action. There are only a few significant plot developments. The most important one is an event which we've been waiting for for the last 3 books (at least) which finally occurs very quickly and anti-climatically in the last chapter of this book. But, if you've read this far into The Wheel of Time, that's no surprise, is it? And, if you've read this far, you feel like it's too late to stop now, don't you?

I'm listening to this on audiobook (no patience for the print versions) and I should mention that Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are amazing readers. After all this time, I suppose these characters are almost like family to them, and they've got the personalities down perfectly. Their voices and additions of droll humor really instill some much-needed life into these novels.
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01/21/09

Carrie rated it:

Read in February, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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02/12/09

Garrett rated it:

Read in February, 2009

I finished this one a while ago, but haven't got around to detaching myself enough to write a review. I'm still probably not ready, but I am not going to be able to get the next book in the series for quite some time, so I didn't want to forget everything that went on in here.

I find Rand more and more troublesome the more I read this series. I want to like him, but he's seeming more like a puppet. Similarly, I didn't like Elayne or Nynaeve too well this time either. Mat, now Mat I ca...more

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04/07/09

Alan rated it:

Ugh...this book is so...so...unnecessary. Yes, I believe that is the correct word. The Wheel of time is like top quality butter that has been smeared over too much bread. The overall plot is very good, but when you stretch it over such a long mass of pages, it just loses its magic. As you read, you keep telling yourself, "Something is going to happen on the next page. Just one more page and then, finally, something will happen. But nothing ever does. Oh, occasionally, Robert Jordan w...more

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03/18/09

Mary-Ann rated it:

Read in April, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Robert Jordan continues to weave a world that captures hearts and minds, in “A Crown of Swords” the Seventh book in his Epic Wheel of Time Series. By this time the reader is emotionally invested in not only the characters but the world. Events continue to progress in the natural, almost predictable yet still enthralling manner. It continues to hold the readers interest and inspire curiousity about the events that will unfold in the future. The ensemble cast continue to have seperating we...more Robert Jordan continues to weave a world that captures hearts and minds, in “A Crown of Swords” the Seventh book in his Epic Wheel of Time Series. By this time the reader is emotionally invested in not only the characters but the world. Events continue to progress in the natural, almost predictable yet still enthralling manner. It continues to hold the readers interest and inspire curiousity about the events that will unfold in the future. The ensemble cast continue to have seperating weaving storylines, connected together by other threads, in the complex pattern,.

Spoilers:

I really loved how the Prologue was a ‘Recap’ of the ending of Book Six. Except it was from other perspectives. I appreciated this for what it was designed to be, a refresher and more indepth exploration of the battle. Another instance of this is using the images that Moghedien see’s in the mind trap to remind us of our suspicions that Halima is the one that free’s her and refresh as well as fill in some of the details.

Also the more evident mentions of the “True Power”. It is explored more in depth than in the passing mentions that is gets in previous books. I have a feeling that Moridin and The True Power, will become more and more prominent. These growing glimpses are preparing us to see what Rand and the World will ultimately be up against in The Last Battle.

Elaynes adoption of some of the notions of Aeil Honor from Aviendha make me smile. The appeal of ji’e’toh ‘s strict and complex moral code not just to Elayne but to the younger nobles of Cairhien, emphasises their human need for structure and limits. As opposed to the Nobles normal “

The Discovery of the Kin only confirms what has been slowly revealed society by society, that there are hidden women that can channel everywhere. And, it leaves me more and more with the taste the tower is an antiquated , power hungry, moralistic institution. For all the talk , and horror over the tower breaking, I really think that it had to happen. Only in destruction , will a healthier, truer, better tower be able to rise like a Phoenix out of the Ashes.

One of the key scenes for me is Moghediens use of Balefire. I guess I got it on a tangential mental level before. But for some reason that description of the affects of the balefire really began to strike me and its implications. I guess I needed to be hit over the head with the concept before I truely “got” it.

There were so many things that had to happen, that did happen in this book. While I didn’t have the same “OMG” trembling feeling that I had at the end of book six, I still really enjoyed the read and found it a great continuation of the series.
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10/02/08

Jonathan rated it:

Read in November, 2008

This book is 896 pages long. There is 890 pages of NOTHING HAPPENING!
Sure the plot progresses a little, there is a final battle (with an ending that is almost an afterthought), and you get to spend quality time with a bunch of characters that you'd rather not read about.
It's not that I don't like the characters that this book is based around: largely the female characters in the series, but rather the story itself does not need, nor should be as long as this book really is. At ti...more

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06/12/08

Skip rated it:

bookshelves: 2008

Read in June, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

My goal for re-reading this series was to find the book that started the mad dash down hill. It was this one. The epilogue starts with the Shaido before the battle at Dumai's Wells--well before the occurrences at the end of the last novel. Throughout the book, we're following one character for a bit, but when the POV changes, we jump back chronologically to where we started. It still isn't as bad about it as some of the later novels, but this is most definitely where is all starts. I'm not ...more

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06/25/07

Nicole rated it:

Read in January, 2005

recommends it for: fantasy fiction lovers with stamina

I read the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan because both my husband and best friend had read them. The best friend highly encouraged me to read the books - my husband warned me off.

The warning is not because the books are bad. The first few, actually, are very good. Great character development, interesting universe for those who love fantasy novels.

The warning is because these books never, ever, ever are going to end. Ever.

There are so far 12 books (in...more

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02/14/09

Foomy rated it:

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03/22/09

Emily Diehl rated it:

Read in March, 2009

Ok, there appear to be new characters every ten pages. Half the time I didnt have a clue as to what was going on. However, if you stick to the main characters you should find the book enjoyable.

Rand and Sammuel face off in this book. Nynaeve is finally able to approach her lost love.

Rand discusses his bond with Min, Elayne, and Aviendha. Perrin is still my favorite character.

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06/10/08

Brian rated it:

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in December, 1997

I enjoyed this book much more so than I did Lord of Chaos which came before it. This one was a much quicker read, seemed a lot more focused, and dispensed with a lot of the tedium that Jordan feels the need to stick in his books (the constant men trying to figure out women and vice versa got old in the first book and it is continuous throughout).

The action was more frequent, with much less "travel" time. Some characters you come to admire more (after loathing in previous ...more

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04/11/09

Jonas rated it:

Read in January, 1999

Okay this series is big. It's unfinished. Mr. Jordan has passed away. I've been reading this series over the course of a decade. Another author has taken on the task of finishing the last book. I don't want to write my review yet. I'm going to re-read this series. Starting sometime soon. I'll review it as I go.

It is one of the best out there.

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08/24/07

Little Mike rated it:

Read in January, 2008

The series is really beginning to drag on at this point. There is a reason why The Wheel of Time is viewed as both the best and the worst fantasy series of all time and that is one of the reasons it is the worst. The first few books spanned an entire year of the characters' lives. This book spanned a week maybe at best? I'm not even sure. Not only that, but Jordan has added way too many characters for the average reader to keep up with. Still some good storytelling, but can be long-winded as wel...more

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06/24/09

Al Gritten rated it:

This series started powerfully, but he has taken the idea of a series much too literally. I wonder if he will ever conclude this series or if he will just keep writing as long as people keep buying and reading htem. Mr. Jordan, its time to conclude this series of books - move on!!

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01/27/09

Alesha rated it:

Read in January, 2009

I enjoyed this book. The middle books of this series are slowing a little, but I'm still excited to read the next ones, so I guess that's a good thing. I did like that Nynaeve and Lan finally got married in this book too. Man, was that a long time coming or what...

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05/11/09

Ken McGuire rated it:

(review of isbn 0312857675)

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in June, 2009

OK, we are to the dreaded later books of the Wheel of Time. I still remember being frustrated when I read it the first time because the tale seemed to be farther from ending than it had been at the end of Lord of Chaos.

Evil has not been predictable. New Forsaken. True Power is now obvious to us. But Jordan has forshaddowed much of it and by introducing these into the story he keeps it more interesting.

Ebou Dar - what a crazy world. Also, what a fun way to reverse the...more

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02/28/09

Espresso rated it:

Read in February, 2009

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polls

What is the best book ever? v2.5

The twilight series

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

1 vote, 50.0%

As I said I luv this series(the wheel of time). My favorite character is not Nynaeve or Perrin or Moraine or Loial or even Rand (the main character) or Egwene but Mat and it's NOT because he's sort of like me.I recommend this.

The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, Book 1)

The Dragon Reborn, (The Wheel of Time 3)

The Shadow Rising (Wheel of Time, Book 4)

The Fires of Heaven (Wheel of Time, Book 5)

A Crown of Swords (Wheel of Time, Book 7)

The Path of Daggers (Wheel of Time, Book 8)

Knife of Dreams (The Wheel of Time Book 11)

Crossroads of Twilight (The Wheel of Time, Book 10)

1 vote, 50.0%

I have only read the first book-The Wayfarer Redemption and the part of the fourth book-Sinner. There are six books in all but I couldn't get all the pictures.
ZOMG DO NOT READ THE 4TH BOOK I DO NOT KNOW IF THE OTHER BOOKS ARE BAD BUT DO NOT READ SINNER OMDG SARA DOUGLAS (THE AUTHOR) MUST HAVE BEEN I LOVE AND MUST HAVE BEEN CRAZY ABOUT HIM B/C THE BOOK IS SO FULL OF LOVE AND *this message has not been approved* AND *this message has not been approved* AND *this message has not been approved* AND *this message has not been approved* OMDG I'M NOT JOKING I THREW UP A LITTLE BIT THE FIRST TIME *this message has not been approved* WAS MENTIONED AND I SKIPPED IT AND THE SECOND TIME *this message has not been approved* I SKIPPED IT ALSO BUT THE THIRD TIME I WAS LIKE OMDG AND I SHUT IT I'M NOT KIDDING AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME THEN OMDG IF YOU EMAIL ME ABOUT THIS I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A VIRUS I KNOW HOW AND I'M NOT JOKING