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.

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It is definitely a challenge to get back to epic/high fantasy fiction after a period of ten years. I began reading The Lies of Locke Lamora in January 2021 based on a few book recommendations by the fervent book lover @sharp_tack , but had trouble keeping track of the storyline and the “mannerisms” of the medieval era characters. I read the Google reviews and wanted to experience this storyline that garnered a 4.8 rating on Good Reads. Nevertheless, the second wave of covid came and then my sister’s typhoid illness. And then a close friend’s death due to covid. The surrounding world in mayhem was getting too stressful, negative and inhumane at times that it was getting difficult for me to not concentrate on the good things when I was not working. This book, this masterpiece of a book, came to my rescue during those troublesome days. The first 100 pages are difficult to get through as the author is gradually building the storyline but after that, you will be hooked to it. Talking about the story – there are so many stories about heists and thieves. But I doubt that there will be a story in which the thief is madly passionate about stealing and develops creative ways to hone his skills. I will not comment further on this book because hey, no spoilers!

But yes, because of this book, I can finally read complex fantasy stories again and get lost in the said world.

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My, oh my, Robert Jordan delivers again on the 7th book of the Wheel of Time series. I was expecting fireworks, in your face humour and twisted politics. What I did not expect were a host of feel good moments, over shadowed characters coming into their own, introduction of a no-nonsense Mc Gonagall like character…

The second book of the beloved Throne of Glass series was heart-wrenching, baffling and thrilling, to say the least! The Adarlan’s assassin comes into her true form in many a fight scenes and now we know, why she is feared all over the empire. The Crown Prince was just another chocolate boy in the first…

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The complexity of the characters is there but it doesn’t overwhelm the reader. So have you read it?

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The Adarlan’s assassin comes into her true form in many a fight scenes and now we know, why she is feared all over the empire.

The Crown Prince was just another chocolate boy in the first book but his character development in this book is phenomenal. He has certain interesting secrets and I am definitely not going to divulge them here.

The Captain of the Guard is not his usual brooding self but quite different – no spoilers!

A major character dies and Sarah has shown the sense of loss associated with death very well. A character snaps very badly – the humanness of that moment is appalling!

The love story develops very well here but sadness still pervades.

The history of other kingdoms in Erilea is elaborated – communities such as Crochan Witches, Ironteeth, Wendlyn and the Fae are talked about in fascinating details.

The world-building is denser here but not overwhelming. There are many humorous moments as well.

There are many jaw-breaking revelations towards the end, so keep yourself away from the last pages.

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“You trouble me so, Rand-al Thor. Light, sometimes I think that the Creator made you to trouble me.” And Rand-al Thor continues to trouble me! Our Dragon Reborn is getting annoyingly arrogant of his “dragon” and undefeated status and it looks like the power or the saidin is getting to him. Thank Robert Jordan for…

My, oh my, Robert Jordan delivers again on the 7th book of the Wheel of Time series. I was expecting fireworks, in your face humour and twisted politics. What I did not expect were a host of feel good moments, over shadowed characters coming into their own, introduction of a no-nonsense Mc Gonagall like character…

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Technically speaking, this book and the Tower of Dawn go hand-in-hand as the adventures of Chaol and Nesryn are elaborated in the latter. I decided to read the two together and here is a link on how you can read the chapters of these two books without stumbling upon any potential spoilers: https://throneofglass.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000003175117

The King of Adarlan learns to hone his magic and uses it for lethal purposes initially without anyone’s help.

A major secret that is a huge plot-twist is revealed about the Wing-Leader and this changes many dynamics! But the character development of Manon Blackbeak is phenomenal! Her maturity while guiding Aelin, her possessiveness towards Elide, her attitude towards Abraxos and her mischievous recklessness towards the King of Adarlan are refreshing to read!

Talking about the King of Adarlan, who was such a sweet cutie-pie and a cinnamon roll in the previous books (barring that raunchy flirting with Manon in the Oakwald forest) – he is trying to think more shrewdly and learns well from Rowan on how to strengthen his raw magic. He is tired of feeling useless and there are a few jaw-dropping moments where he is more vicious and alert in a fight than the Fae and demi-Fae around him. He even stands up to the recklessness and abusive behaviour of Aelin and begins stressing that he is a powerful King with raw magic.

“Phantom hands” are extensively used in combat and a few other things that are only meant for mature audience.

The Pirate Lord’s secret is revealed after a legend is talked about and oh my, this plot twist takes some time to get used to.

The storyline of Elide also gets interesting and I felt that this girl is a cunning survivor. Imagine Lorcan of all people calling this sweet innocent lass a “she-devil”! Talking about Lorcan, we get to see his softer side also and are assured that this supposedly stone-hearted Fae is not so stone-hearted at all!

While midway through this book, I’m coming to hate Aelin – Sarah is trying too hard to show how she is such a powerful protagonist and blah blah. She is a 19 year old immature, abusive, arrogant and rash teenager who does not care much about the opinions of her closest allies. Manon is turning out to be a far better character with the right amount of sass, kindness and cruelty of course. But in the end, after a slew of plot twists, I realized that Aelin has good many reasons for doing what she does.

The Wolf-of-the-North shines again in this book and opens up more about what he feels and his past. Although in the ending, he just screws up. Big time!

Fenrys, another blood-sworn of Queen Maeve, is such a refreshing and hilarious character to read about! He is supposed to be a mischievous young Fae who is clever enough to try to work around the blood oath for decades. His Fae power is also interesting and helpful.

We also get to know Gavriel up close and it feels good to read about a sane person in this melee of crazy do-gooders!

And talking about trying too hard to show certain characters as over the top, now this exercise of part of SJM is getting monotonous. We know how mighty Rowan is, how angry he gets if someone looks in a different way at Aelin, how Aedion is “Wolf-incarnate”, and so on!

The forms of the shape shifter are getting breath taking! And these forms fit so well in the different combats and fights. Major respect for Lysandra!

A revelation about the earlier wars with Valg is revealed and how those events are now impacting the lives of our characters are elaborated.

The ending is sad but satisfactory. The unexpected happens, in good as well as bad ways. If you have read the novellas of 0th book, The Assassin’s Blade, you will be elated to read about many familiar characters coming back!

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The first few chapters are gradually building the plot and the characters, and the story line is not fast-paced but it is not slow paced either.

The fantasy elements are starkly different and Sarah J Maas does not reveal everything in the first go. She gradually builds up the thrill and lets the readers think/judge about who is the villain of the book. Needless to say, I was wrong about the miscreant of this book but the events leading up to the reveal of the villain were some of the most thrilling chapters!

Sarah concentrates on one kingdom at a time and reveals tit-bits about three other kingdoms – I consider this a good strategy while writing high fantasy because it will not overwhelm the readers but will keep them engrossed so that they are eager to know more!

The characters are multi-layered and show a willingness to grow or rather the author wants them to grow. The main character is quirky and bubbly and it is such a relief to read about her. My favourite character though is Chaol – a brooding Captain who is the owner of some witty one-liners in this book.

Since this is a young adult high fantasy, romance is to be expected but the love story is fluttery rather than cheesy.

The ending of the book is satisfactory and it brought an unexpected smile on my face.

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The third book of the Throne of Glass series is longer by hundred pages as compared to the previous books. It goes more deeply into the characters and introduces a few new ones. What I hated about this book is the lack of maps of Wendlyn and Doranelle. There is an adorable wyvern which loves…

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Technically speaking, this book and Empire of Storms go hand-in-hand as the events occurring on the northern continent are elaborated in the latter. I decided to read the two together and here is a link on how you can read the chapters of these two books without stumbling upon any potential spoilers: https://throneofglass.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000003175117

You can actually read about Lord Westfall smiling and joking, who could imagine the brooding hunk to be capable of this?

And humour, splitting humour! We know that Chaol is sarcastic many a times but humour?

The healer is actually able to get under the skin of Chaol which is an achievement in itself. For a person who does not talk much about his feelings unless goaded to death, the determined healer keeps pestering him now and then and he cannot help himself, of course.

And his guilt, my my, that killing guilt is revealed in his healing sessions. He feels guilty about every bad thing that has happened in the previous books and how this negative thinking is preventing him from healing and embracing life fully.

SJM has handled the disability and guilt of Chaol with sensitivity and care. It is so realistic to read that how one mishap after another can drive a person to irritation, guilt, negativity and expecting failure in every event.

The humour in this book is top notch – imagine a raging horse named butterfly and the satire woven around her temperament!

The world-building in this book is far better than the one in previous books – the Khaganate empire is elaborated very well and is inspired from the Mongolian empires.

Nesryn’s adventures are good to read about but somehow they seem monotonous.

The typical twists and political manoeuvres by Sarah are there in this book and they keep the reader interested to go forward.

There is a huge plot-twist-come-reveal about Queen Maeve and that explains many loopholes that eager readers might have caught in the previous books. Another revelation about healers can change the tide of the coming war.

The ruhkin – a special kind of huge combat birds are talked about and how they can counter the Ironteeth wyverns is touched upon.

Overall, this book is one of the most optimistic reads in the Throne of Glass series because when Chaol heals gradually, somehow, we too heal with him!

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