Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

13 reviews

david_vercauteren's review against another edition

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

3.75

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mattiedancer's review against another edition

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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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smargopittman's review against another edition

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adventurous dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No

2.5

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missgarceau's review against another edition

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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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iloponis's review against another edition

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

3.0

3 stars bc i kinda feel like not much happened but i still adore these characters. if nothing else at least this one was a good character study for rand
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nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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josiah17's review against another edition

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

1.0

Yikes, what an awful book. There were maybe 3 or 4 legitimately consequential and important chapters in this book. There were very few captivating moments. This was such a struggle to read, even though I oddly finished it quite quickly. This was ultimately a dreadfully boring and annoying book. Most of the characters interactions and plotlines are driving me insane. 

After a lackluster experience with Lord of Chaos, the Wheel of Time is becoming much more challenging to continue than I anticipated. I will of course continue because I know Sanderson does a phenomenal job with the final 3 books, and I still relatively enjoy my time in this world, but the slog is going to be rough to push through.
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katisreading's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The absolute ROLLER COASTER this book put me on…when I say there are major peaks and valleys in this installment of Wheel of Time, I mean it on multiple levels. Jordan once again postpones most of the action to right at the beginning and right at the end of the book. What else happens in the middle? Lots of discussion about clothes and cultures and architecture and squabbling. Nynaeve continues to annoy me, but we got soooo much Mat in this one, and I still love him to bits. There were some really sad and uncomfortable points in this book and I’m disappointed to hear that the fandom is split on how it’s portrayed in the books. BUT, the action, the twists, and the progression of all of the other storylines really made this an enjoyable book for me. All that to say…if a certain someone doesn’t come back after being squished by a wall, imma be mad. They deserve better than that! Also, Rand and his latest special someone made me squeal, love them together. 
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mightyola's review against another edition

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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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fionac326's review against another edition

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adventurous dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes

3.5

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