A Crown of Swords, The Wheel of Time #7
Dumai's Wells happened. And Rand al'Thor is going to be difficult from here on in. Which is why he'll need minders more than ever. Cadsuane and Sorilea come up with a plan.
I don't know why they created new art for the trade paperback here instead of keeping the much-vaunted ebook art as with the rest of the series (minus 'Path of Daggers'), but I'm going to assume its because fans hate Nynaeve. Which seems unfair. This was the single most important piece of her character arc.
The new cover has the back of Cadsuane's head confronting a ridiculously posed Rand and the Asha'man (nee Pips) in a scene....that doesn't exist?
'A Crown of Swords' has Rand reeling from his rough treatment in the last novel and dealing with two very different, but subdued groups of Aes Sedai. Verin, Alanna, et. al. of the Rebels have sworn fealty to him. Unheard of. Impossible! And he is also keeping the White Tower Group as prisoners in charge of Aiel Wise Ones. Unheard of. Impossible! I have to admire his restraint, actually.
Perrin and Faile, along with Loial, Min, and Berlaine are among those ensnared in the plotting of Carhien.
Mat continues south, but is pointed in a differenet direction, and a rendezvous with Egwene, now Amyrlin, and Elayne, Nynaeve. Aviendha, and Birgitte. Siuan and Leane and Logain have been Healed by Nynaeve and can touch the Power again.
The big takeaway from 'Crown' was Ebou Dar. I loved the hunt for the Bowl of the Winds and the other discoveries there. It was the first new location in awhile that I was excited to explore. Jordan's thumbnail sketches of different cultures may be on the shallow side, but for whatever reason it clicked here.
I realize I'd forgotten to mention the Morgase plot thread in the last review. I'll forget about it here, too. Oh, the Asha'man too. With all the over-sharing from other plot-lines I'd have liked to hear more from them as well, but it takes until 'Winter's Heart' to get a good peek at life in the Black Tower.
A much more satisfying book for me, but I can understand why many fans dislike it. Especially when looking at what's coming up next.
The Wheel of Time
Next: 'The Path of Daggers'
Previous: 'Lord of Chaos'
