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

Rating:
Summary: The series holds this one up.
Review: This book is the weak link of the series. It is still worth reading on it's own and a can't miss if your are trapped in the story of the Rand, Mat and Perrin. The book ends roughly. It is as if Mr. Jordan was responding to the readers impatience with the release of the sequel. Still, it has the captivation and entertainment value of the series as a whole. My greatest complaint is that the I started the series before it was completed and my uncomfortable fear is that it will be completed and the story will end. Don't miss it but don't be in a hurry, we've a while to wait for the finish

Rating:
Summary: Dissenter
Review: Right. The average rating & rave reviews given here for Crown of Swords is understandable considering that anyone not enamored with Robert Jordan's writing would surely have forsaken the series long ago.

Well, I'm the exception it seems. I can't stand Jordan's writing style: plastic characters who, with the possible exception of Nynaeve, haven't changed a hair since the first volume; unnatural dialogue; and completely unnecessary and overly-long descriptions of people, things, or scenery which have absolutely no bearing on the advancement or enhancement of the plot, but only serve to plump what could otherwise be a 400 page book. Let's face it, the action (and I'm not just talking about sword & sorcery scenes), is getting a bit thin as Jordan tries to come up with so much filler to stall the Final Battle that must eventually take place in the Final Volume. I can understand his wanting to stretch this out as long as possible to sell as many volumes as possible, but if he's just going to "recycle the plot" (to paraphrase another reviewer), then I think it's time to put this baby to bed.

Okay, that's my beef. On the other hand, I have to admit that Jordan has come up with some very good ideas, and has woven a rich and believably complex world. I can at least admire his work & effort to this point, even if I don't much approve of the execution. And for this genre, he has accomplished what few other writers could even conceive. Still, he ain't no Tolkein.

Yes, I am still reading the series, 7 volumes later, despite my pan of his writing ability. I don't recommend this book to people who believe in the traditional character development, realistic dialogue, conflict resolution, the end-of-a-book-is-the-end-of-a-book devices. I will recommend this book (& this series) for those who want to become immersed, without care or purpose (or thought), in a richly populated & complex fantasy world.

Rating:
Summary: This book-series has nothing to complain about!
Review: The wheel of time series has nothing to complain about! The series are complicated, yes, but for those with intelligence it is a very exciting series. This is the story of a farmer who becomes a king. And 100 other stories at the same time. I recommend that some of the losers that rate these books badly should start using their heads and see all the stories in this series!
(Mat rulez!)

Rating:
Summary: Love, Pain, Success, and Tragedy All in One!
Review: Having recently begun the series, I became enthralled in the writing style of Jordan. His eye for perfection and detail leave the myriad of other authors in the dust with his The Wheel of Time series. "A Crown of Swords" is the 7th in the expected 8 book series that draws the minds and the hearts of any experience or unexperienced reader. "A Crown of Swords" adds plot and intrigue to the already best-selling series. A must-read for anyone who has started the series, and a cliff-hanger to the next novel in the series...a very formidable way to continue readers in the series. 1-8-97 Dan Kissam ([e-mail] OR [e-mail])

Rating:
Summary: Jordan is a great storyteller
Review: This is one of the best stories I have read. I look forward to each of the series with great anticipation. To say there are some slow spots is not really a negative comment. To set the scenes and story it is necessary to spend time in descriptive text and is an essential part of the story. I have already reread some of the series and find it just as good the second time. Looking forward to the next books.. All I will say is HURRY!!

Rating:
Summary: The best fantasy series since Tolkien
Review: I waited a long time for this book, and when I finally got my hands on it, it proved to be worth waiting for. I can understand those who think that nothing happens, but personally I don't care. The world and characters of Jordan becomes more and more alive for each book he writes. CoS isn't best of the books i the series but I still think it's great

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book in an excellent series!
Review: I LOVE fantasy novels, as attributed by my library at my home. The problem today is that there is so much good fantasy being released the it is almost impossible to keep up with it, let alone purchase it all. With this in mind, I say that Robert Jordan's books are always worth not only reading but purchasing. I have bought his last 5 books in HARDCOVER, which I almost never do, because I wish to keep them for a long time. He is one of the best authors to come along in quite a while, and I am looking forward to the conclusion to this series

Rating:
Summary: DEFINITE LOW POINT IN THE JORDAN SERIES
Review: Although a detailed, intricate novel filled with a variety of characters, this one has one slight problem: NOTHING HAPPENS. I think the series needs get focused on what made it great: the main characters of Rand, Matt, and Perrin. Then, Jordan needs to conclude the series by getting back the vitality of the earlier books. Don't turn this series into a neverending Encyclopedia Brown mystery

Rating:
Summary: More great storytelling in a great series!
Review: Robert Jordan has proven himself to be a master storyteller. While the basic premise of good vs. evil is not new, he has created before our eyes, a truly believable world of characters and history. It is not easy to "stretch" a story over as many pages as have already been written in the Wheel of Time series, but after reading Jordan's work, the reader is left breathlessly waiting for more. As an avid sci-fi/fantasy reader for many years, I don't think I've come across as good as story, that is as well told as this one. I was one of those anxiously awaiting the release of Crown of Swords, and was disappointed when its release was delayed, but the actual reading more than made up for it. I only hope it won't take as long for Jordan to entertain us with the next chapter of this exciting saga

Rating:
Summary: Astonishing in scope ... Mr Jordan, please type faster.
Review: An epic novel in an epic series that shows no signs of a conclusion. Every time a story line gets tied up, 4 or 5 others break loose. I just hope the man lives long enough to finish the darned series. Waiting a year for each new installment is torture.