With the sixth massive volume weighing in at over 800 pages, Robert Jordan proves ambitions still lofty advancing his masterful “The Wheel of Time” book. “A Crown of Swords” quickens pace shoveling mounds of mesmerizing magical systems and razor-sharp political machinations expertly upon the fabled world stage entertaining legions of fantasy fans since 1990. In this post we do a book review The Wheel Of Time Book 6 A Crown Of Swords.
Jordan rewards literate readers equipped mentally picturing his intricate universe bustling now with 2,500 named characters, 500 distinct storylines, seven primary protagonists, infinite imaginative magics plus an enormous ensemble support cast. Those craving intelligent escapism sink blissfully into Jordan’s bold brainchild until real life dulls terribly in comparison!
“Crown” picks up plot pieces left dangling from previous tome allowing key characters chance further cementing their epic destinies. Series juggernauts Rand al’Thor, Egwene Al’Vere and Elayne Trakand drive events exponentially as burgeoning powers demand rivals destroying their tenuous scaffolded truce. Black sisters, rebel Aes Sedai factions and invading armies raise tensions while manipulative peddlers and desperate rulers pull strings alternatively seeking selfish advantages or global preservations dangerously.
Jordan excels orchestrating geo-political chaos across his immense fantasyscape world teetering fatefully upon actions by young heroes navigating ancestor prophecies and breached dark forces long-dormant yet still threatening civilization’s fragile fate. Their next moves determine if mankind perseveres against swelling tsunamis of unleashed evil washing realms or merely survived another battle awaiting the prophesied final War showdown inevitably ahead.
Evolving Magical Mayhem Across Plots
Beyond ongoing drama embroiling Rand’s linked ta’veren trio, Jordan dedicates serious segments developing magical modes allowing audiences opportunities witnessing fictional witchery at work. Egwene studies vigorously under stern tutelage ordered unlocking dormant channeling talents towards claiming Aes Sedai shawls by series end. Literal cliffs keep her focused failing while safely testing fledgling Talents manipulating Weather and subduing another woman against freewill alarmingly. We sense the poor farmgirl losing innocence necessary becoming influential Amyrlin commanding respect across continents one day.
The author reveals fascinating “Old Tongue” linguistics muddled through translating influential Prophecies of the Dragon from fragmented ancient texts. Glimpses into Aes Sedai forbidden weaves spice up encounters as balefire beams obliterating existence and warping reality itself fleetingly employed by those corrupted craving unbridled power. Tel’aran’rhiod fantasyscape adventures increase struggling heroes tapped into ethereal dreamworld channels touching live minds temporarily through unconsciousness oddly.
Mythos surrounding heroic legends from the Breaking Era also expanded greatly quenching reader curiosity towards how exactly male Aes Sedai saviors “Broke” the planet reshaping continents insanely before sacrificing sanity combatting Shaitan’s toxic touch tragically. Their tainted souls still haunt the Gap driving men who glimpse their gloomy ghosts peering out from mountain passes straight insane!
Betrayals And Twists Spice Up The Series
While lavish universe building mesmerizes diehards, newcomers may find themselves overwhelmed by extensive terminology and enormous dramatis personæ navigating themed chapters covering distinct plotlines chronologically. Patience pays off piecing minutiae together across novels eventually achieving sufficient command over esoteric concepts like Prophesies, angreal talismans, ace killers disguised as peddlers wielding flickering daggers, rogue Ashaman channelers going mad morbidly, etc which Jordan references heavily presuming readership recall everything clearly.
Thankfully the author peppers latest sequel with spicy betrayals and orchestrated ambushes keeping cliffhanger chapter endings compelling plus emotional moments landed resonantly. Clever sleight-of-hand surprises still Jordan’s strengths making fans swerve unpredictably through cunning hairpin turns. Who expected morally-grey “good guy” Mazrim Taim subverting protagonists deviously by recruiting male channelers against Rand secretly? What sinister motives drive invading Seanchan warlords employing exotic captive channelers offensively? Our heads still spinning from 600 pages later!
Is It New Reader Friendly At Book #6?
Addressing potential new series readers here – I strongly advise beginning chronologically from “The Eye Of The World” Volume 1 due experiencing Robert Jordan’s imaginative genius manifesting brilliantly introducing main heroes as backwater farmfolk unfamiliar with pending magical destinies awaiting them. Tasting humble origins allows us appreciating profound transformations Rand, Perrin, Mat and Egwene undergo when tapped eventually as global puppet-master ta’veren forces by Fate’s weaving wheel inexplicably.
Skipping straight into later novels risks overlooking intrinsically Jordan’s measured worldbuilding process establishing wondrous towers of intricate magic systems and geo-political frameworks essential comprehending overarching stakes layered deeply. Vast vocabularies and forgotten histories abound leaving fresh readers continually scratching heads frustratingly which delays dopamine hits admiring Jordan’s multi-tiered mastery satisfactorily.
So in summary – Should newcomers sample Book 6 skipping first five novels impatiently? I suggest absolutely NOT! But what threshold should curious fantasy fans enter Jordan’s immersive universe ideally before quitting commences? Safest recommendation remains alluring gateway portal towards Eye of The World’s Overture letting Wheel of Time’s formidable volumes hook readers irresistibly for the long satisfying haul! Adventure awaits. I hope this review of The Wheel Of Time Book 6 A Crown Of Swords helped you.