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This is my second time reading A Crown of Swords, the seventh book in The Wheel of Time. I’m very excited for season 2 of The Wheel of Time show on Prime coming September 1st. Have you seen the trailer? The Wheel of Time Season 2 Official Trailer

About The Book 📚

Title: A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time #7)

Author: Robert Jordan

Publication Date: June 18, 2013

First published May 15, 1996

Publisher: Tor Books

Maps by Ellisa Mitchell

Genre: Science Fiction Fantasy

Pages: 704

Content Warnings: death, gore, murder, physical abuse, rape, slavery, torture, violence, war

PG-13 Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. May include profanity, violence, sexual situations, or drug use.

My Review

› A Crown of Swords begins in 1000 NE, immediately after the events in The Lord of Chaos.

“The Crown of Swords is the crown worn by the king of Illian. It was formerly known as the Laurel Crown but was renamed by the current king Rand al’Thor. It was renamed because it contains small swords hidden amongst the laurel leaves that prick his skull.” Source

Min had a viewing of the Crown of Swords in The Eye of the World:

“A sword that isn’t a sword, a golden crown of laurel leaves, a beggar’s staff, you pouring water on sand, a bloody hand and white-hot iron, three women standing over a funeral bier with you on it, black rock wet with blood, lightning around you, some striking at you, some coming out of you. You and I will meet again.”

› In the prologue, a heat wave caused by The Dark One is causing droughts affecting lives all over the world. Elaida receives a message from Galina:

“The ring has been placed in the bull’s nose. I expect a pleasant journey to market.”

› She learns that Elayne and Nynaeve have been seen in Ebou Dar and Egwene was chosen Amyrlin by the Aes Sedai “rebels”. Elaida orders Toveine, a red, to take fifty sisters and two hundred guards to the Black Tower. She also has a Foretelling:

“The White Tower will be whole again, except for remnants cast out and scorned, whole and stronger than ever. Rand al’ Thor will face the Amyrlin Seat and know her anger. The Black Tower will be rent in blood and fire, and sisters will walk its grounds.“

› Sevana, a Wise One, is acting as clan chief for the Shaido since Couladin’s death. She wants to marry Rand and she thinks she’ll be able to tell Rand what to do.

› Alviarin, an Aes Sedai, has met with some of the Forsaken: Ishamael, Lanfear, Graendal, Be’lal, and Mesaana. Masaana wants to know everything Elaida says. Alviarin thinks Mesaana disguises her face because she resides in the tower.

› Morgase is a prisoner of The Children of the Light. Galad, stepson to former Queen Morgase, is an officer for the Children of the Light.

› The Prophet, aka Masema was once a Shienaran soldier until he saw Rand fight Ishamael. He’s been traveling everywhere encouraging others to follow the Dragon. Rand is becoming concerned with stories about The Prophet and wants to know what are his true motivations.

› At the Dumai’s Wells battlefield Gawyn still believes his mother, Morgase, was killed by Rand and wants revenge but he promised Egwene he would not. Gawyn will do what Egwene wants because he’s in love with her.

› Chapter One begins on High Chasaline Day (Two days after the Dumai’s Wells battle).

“Today was High Chasaline, and back home in the Two Rivers there would be feasting all day and dancing all night; the Day of Reflection, when you were supposed to remember all the good things in your life and anyone who voiced a complaint could find a bucket of water upended over his head to wash away bad luck.”

“Think of the good on High Chasaline”. It’s hard to think of the good after Dumai’s Wells.

Maidens of the Spear, Two Rivers men, Mayeners, Cairhienin, Aes Sedai, Asha’man, and warders have joined Rand. Perrin is wary of having these many different groups trying to work together.

› “A barrel full of snakes, and the only way to find out which were vipers was to stick your hand in.” ~ Perrin thought.

› Many lost their lives during the battle. 19 Two Rivers men, 100 Mayeners, 151 Maidens of the Spear, even more Cairhienin, and “a thousand Aiel, buried standing upright, to face each sunrise”, and too many Shaido had died to bury them. Rand is distraught. He still doesn’t know about Perrin’s wolf abilities.

› Rand puts the Wise Ones in control of the Aes Sedai. He chooses Dashiva to stay with him and sends Taim and the other Asha’man back to the Black Tower. He returns to Cairhien to challenge Colavere. In Cairhien, Rand and his army return to rumours that he has joined the White Tower and he has Aes Sedai with him, which looks suspicious. Colavere has been crowned Queen and Faile is one of her attendants.

Perrin resents being ta’veren because it interferes with his need to protect Faile. His wolf-smelling abilities are fine-tuned. The Siswai’aman looked at the Maidens smelling of hunger and jealousy. Aes Sedai approached those who were stilled smelling live aversion and reluctance. Aram does not smell like anger when he suggests murder. Around Rand, Taim smelled like fury and anger. Alanna around Rand smelled of uncertainty. Selande smelled of jealousy towards Min. Perrin noticed Rand’s smell changing. From rage to determination.

› Lord Bryne’s army and the rebel Aes Sedai led by Egwene march to the White Tower. Logain has escaped and they have no idea of his plans. Marigan/Moghedien is still a prisoner wearing an a’dam necklace bonding her to the bracelet Egwene wears. Only Egwene, Siuan, and Leane know who Marigan really is.

› Elayne is choosing to hunt for the Bowl of the Winds before taking the throne to become Queen of Andor. She travels with Brigitte, Aviendha, Nynaeve, Mat, Thom, Juilin, and Olver. Mat promised Rand he would get Elayne to Caemlyn and promised Egwene to get Nynaeve and Aviendha to Ebou Dar. He has no idea why they are in Ebou Dar. There is a suspicious woman at the race track. Mat follows her to Carridin’s palace. Who is this woman? Will Elaida’s Foretelling come true? What is Alviarin’s plan? Has The Prophet lost his mind? What is Logain going to do? Will Morgase escape? Will they find The Bowl of the Winds? Will Elayne take the throne?

› This book feels bleak and important. There is lots of tension and worry about what’s to come.

› “There are no clear paths. Only pitfalls and tripwires and darkness.”

› Characters: 10
Elayne’s character development over the series has been incredible. She’s changed so much. Faile is growing on me.
› Atmosphere: 10
› Writing Style: 10
› Plot: 8
Edge of my seat at the end.
› Intrigue: 10
I read this book at about 117 pages per day which is the fastest pace during my re-read so far. I did not want to put it down.
› Logic: 7
Mat is sexually assaulted and raped at knife point, but he talks about it as being “chased”. He talks about trying not to weep and this person does not face any consequences for their actions. I really don’t like this being included in the story at all. What was the point?
› Enjoyment: 8
Average 9

My Rating ★★★★★

› Final Thoughts
• A Crown of Swords is an adventurous, dark, and mysterious novel with strong character and plot development. I’ve already re-read the next book in the series, The Path of Daggers, and will share a review soon.

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