Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

8 reviews

mattiedancer's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Writing: 2⭐️/5 

**SPOILERS**

This is a shorter book than several of the previous and yet it felt like one of the most tedious so far. Several times throughout the novel, Jordan would have paragraph-long descriptions that read like Wikipedia entries. Beyond the tedious sections, Jordan also left out most – if not all – of the most action-packed sequences in favour of revisiting them via flashback. Several times we join characters after something exciting happens, and are told about it in the character’s head, instead of just being allowed to experience the story altogether. This drew out the reading significantly. I will also never forgive RJ for not letting me see Nynaeve and Lan’s wedding.

I also, personally, felt the reluctance to say the word, “Rape” in rape scenes was a pointed choice that I don’t agree with. Also, knowing that RJ intended the Mat rape scene to be a “humourous role-reversal” really takes any unintentional realism he may have woven into that scene feel gross, unnecessary, and lacking compassion.

Characters: 2.25⭐️/5

Every RJ novel I read, I complain about how the characters never remain consistent. And, here we are again. At multiple instances, Elayne and Nynaeve’s names could have switched and it wouldn’t have mattered. In fact, the only characters who really retain their own personalities are Rand, Mat, and Perrin – though even they fluctuate to some extent. 

The characters have such fantastic potential and yet they cannot seem to remain consistent long enough to meet that potential. And, though there are 2700 named characters throughout this series, several of the more minor characters feel so unimportant the only purpose they seem to serve is to make the plot more confusing and convoluted.

Plot: 3.0⭐️/5 

The plot could have been more interesting, but there was no reason for anything to take as long as it did. This book – to achieve the necessary plot – could have lost a solid 100-200 pages and been a stronger, more interesting read. Some parts were definitely interesting, so elements were definitely engaging, but overall it fell kind of flat, and I spent most of the time wishing I got to see the fight between Perrin and Rand instead of two paragraphs on what a longboat is. 

Who Should Read This Book? 

• Those who read book one to five of The Wheel of Time and are able to overlook some misogyny

Content Warnings? 

• Toxic relationships, blood, gore, abuse, domestic abuse, war, sexual assault, rape, toxic friendships, gaslighting, misogyny, sexism, death, murder, injury, injury detail, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, slavery, 

Post-Reading Rating:  3.0⭐️/5

This one really didn’t have that amazing moment at the end. It was just okay. 

Final Rating: 2.5⭐️/5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Murder, Slavery, Violence, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Gore, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Torture, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Domestic abuse, War, Sexual assault, Rape, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Self harm

lindsaybethlyons's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

missgarceau's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This felt like a chore and I am really upset about the TW’s in it. Definitely check warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, War, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, and Rape

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

foxwish's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery

Moderate: Death, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Physical abuse

mightyola's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Better than the previous book. Rand's storyline is still the least compelling.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery and Physical abuse

Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault

devlyn's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

ailaghast's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Torture

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Kidnapping

Minor: Grief, Gore, Body horror, and Sexual content

readandfindout's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

3.75

On first read (2015): 4 stars

2023 reread:

Overall rating: 3.75 stars

Style/writing: 3.5 stars
Themes: 3.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Rape, Death, and Sexual violence