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

Rating:
Summary: Get on with it, already!!!
Review: I have loved this series forever. (which is as long as Jordan has been writing it) Every character has an edge, they have depth, they do wierd things. The world is tremendously well developed and detailed and original, a difficult task in a field dominated by series filled with elves, dwares, wizards and other, TSR-like creatures. But, nothing is happening. The plot, which progressed steadily through the 1st 5 books, has slowed to a crawl - I think Jordan decided to extend the series partway through. The series is beginning to remind me of Gormanghast - beautifully crafted, interesting characters, but long with no real plot.

Rating:
Summary: Rape isn`t funny.....objections, anybody?
Review: I wrote a review criticizing this book several months ago, but after reading so many reviews in its favor I started to feel guilty. So I read the darned thing again. My conclusion: I was being NICE the first time! A flaw in the Pattern? Hah! How about a gash, a rip, a total mutilation! Even the stuff that seemed so amazing the first time, like Mat`s relationship with the 'girls' and the stunning opening scenes of the book, are totally drowned out by the awful stuff. And there`s plenty. No, I am not WHINING about the length of the series--even if I am so petty as to want to know the outcome of the Last Battle before I die--but length has to be justified by the quality of the content. While the earlier books weren`t perfect, they were beautiful, and I devoured them at the speed of light. I don`t even want to think about the money I threw away for this piece of junk. I needn`t get into the fact that the bulk of the descriptions were unnecessary and boring as heck--it`s been mentioned even by those who feel this book is God`s gift to planet Earth. But I can`t believe I used to think RJ wasn`t the type to stoop to soap opera scenes to impress the morons and sex-starved teenagers in the peanut gallery. The scene with Rand and Min was so forced, contrived, and downright dumb, it sounded like it was coming from a first-time author with marriage problems ('Oh Rand, I need WARM flesh'--spare us, please--I`ll watch The Bold and the Beautiful if I want to see corny romances enacted). They were so artificial, if you hit them with a piece of styrofoam they`d both fall over. Min, dazzled by Rand`s fabulous eyebrows, can`t stop thinking about him or making slutty remarks to him for two seconds--an instance where it becomes painfully obvious a man wrote this, a man with a case of wishful thinking. If only, oh if only women would do what they`re supposed to do--moon over men and make themselves available at every possible opportunity.....or so, I suppose, runs the male mentality, at least judging from this book. Robert Jordan can`t possibly expect anyone with intelligence to take the relationships seriously, not when the deepes expression of love is kisses stolen in corners. Notice there is seldom that good old-fashioned technique for developing relationships--anyone remember dialogue? As for the scenes with Tylin.....anyone who thinks that rape, just because it`s in the reverse, is funny, is a pervert. Period. I`m predicting (and I hope I`m wrong) that the same thing is going to happen again, only with Elayne and Rand with Aviendha holding the knife, and in that case I`ll probably end up quitting this series. The women in general have become shallow stereotypes, and while people seem to think they`re expressive of feminist views, actually it`s just the opposite. Women don`t sit around thinking about how unearthly beautiful their boyfriends are ( Guess what, guys? Most women don`t even care much about looks at all. If they did, the world wouldn`t be populated) and Rand with three women dangling on his shoulder is one of the most sexist plot devices ever encountered by this reviewer. Lastly, I was amused at the comments praising the GREAT PLOT, when I hadn`t even noticed, even after twice reading it, that there *was* a plot. In comparison to the other books, which had plots intricate as any tapestry, this thing is little more than a loose thread. And frayed at the edges for good measure.

Rating:
Summary: Loooooooved It!Best book yet
Review: I thought the book was excellently written.It left alot of Loose ends which only means I'll hafta buy the next one.Robert Jordan is taking his his precious time writing the next one, but that only means a longer, better book.I don't want the series to end soon, I just want the next book. For you people who don't like it, I guess it's just your misfortune to feel that way.Poor,poor people:)

Rating:
Summary: Give me more!
Review: The story captivate the mind and free the soul. What happen to Mat! Will the black tower topple the white? I eagerly await the next book.

Rating:
Summary: a hair short of being perfect...
Review: I have to say that the whole Wheel of Time series is excellent. I couldn't stop for a minute. There's always something happening, if it isn't action, it's mystery, or romance, or something. The only thing is that I was expecting an end to the story in this book, though it could go on forever. I can't wait til the next book comes out, but I'm also wating for the great battle to finally show up.

Rating:
Summary: The best fantasy I have ever read.
Review: This book is great. It provides just enough action to keep you hooked until the next chapter, and the next, and the next... I truly hope that this series never ends. The only thing I do not like is that they come out so slow! But, that does not diminish on the books great content. I would reccomend this book to any and all fantasy lovers, and anyone who does not like this book should have their heads examined. Keep them coming R.J!!!

Rating:
Summary: "Crossing the beams can be very bad!"
Review: I have enjoyed the entire series so far. Some of the negative comments on this entry in the other reviews are justified, but it says a lot that a "weak" book in this series rates an "8." Predictions: (1) Mat's fascination with fireworks combined with the military knowledge he acquired from the "fox" people, will result in firearms: (2) The rhyme associated with the child's game of foxes will be instrumental in the final victory; (3) A crossing of balefire beams in the final battle will "split" Rand from Lews Therin Telamon, Rand will live and LTT will not, fulfilling part of the prophecies of the dragon. I still want to see how it all happens.

Rating:
Summary: He writes to damn slow!!!!
Review: this book was great! Can't wait for book 8!! write faster!!

Rating:
Summary: When did long become a _bad_ thing?
Review: I just finished aCoS, and while it was good, it wasn't the best of the 7. My bigest problem is the lack of attention to Perrin, one of my favorite characters. Yes, it's a long book, and a long series, but why is this bad? Personally, it's one of my favorite parts. Though, it does remind one of a soap opera at times. The plot moves about twice a book, or once a week. Only with better actors. But, with remarks like "there are only two times a woman will tell the truth: when she wants something and when the sun rises at midnight," how can you go wrong?

Rating:
Summary: Great read, one of the best in the year
Review: A crown of Swords was an excellent book. Rand is still going insane for about the, what, 5th book. He is a really good writer and I enjoyed all of his other books, but I found that this book didn't really acomplish anything. Robert Jorden keeps on building on his characters than on the plot. I think what Mat, and the other Aes Sedai really interesting, but that is the only thing. Rand keeps building on his Black Men magic group for the whole book. I think that Jordan needs to put more of a story to his next book, and close it off. This book didn't stop. Rand gets healed then the book ends. What kind of ending is that. I have read Terry Goodkind and many other Fantasy books and I enjoyed them all. From day one I has read Robert Jordan faithfully, but his last book was dissapointing. I find that I am waiting for Terry Goodkind's next book to come out than Robert Jordan's. I don't know who I prefere because you can't compair two great writers. They are both different books, with different characters, with similiar abilities. Rand can use a sword and magic, while Richard can also use a sword and magic. Good against evil, facing things from the underworld. All Fantasy books coming out, are the same in one way or the other. You can't vary on something, that is difficult to change without going to Sci-Fi. Robert Jordan is still one of my favorite authors, and I am looking forward to his next book.