A Crown of Swords
The White Tower burns with civil war as the Shadow tightens its grip on the world.
A Crown of Swords marks a turning point where the fragile peace following the Dragon Peace begins to crumble under paranoia and political treachery. Picking up immediately after The Path of Daggers, this volume shifts focus from open warfare to a tense game of chess across three fronts, where trust is as scarce as clean water and the Shadow waits for the Dragon Reborn to break.
- Author
- Robert Jordan
- Series Position
- Book 7
- Publication Year
- 1996
- Key Protagonists
- Rand al'Thor, Egwene al'Vere, Mat Cauthon, Elayne Trakand
- Primary Conflict
- White Tower Civil War & Trolloc Invasions
- Narrative Focus
- Political maneuvering and military strategy
Lore & Background
The Dragon Reborn's grip on the world slips as the Taint gnaws at his mind, leaving him isolated amidst allies he can no longer fully trust. While the White Tower tears itself apart in civil war and the Seanchan tighten their vice around Ebou Dar, the Shadow drives Trolloc armies through the Borderlands, exploiting every fracture to ensure the Last Battle ends before it truly begins.
In Their Own Story
In Andor, Rand al'Thor fights a lethal game of wits against the Darkfriend Rahvin disguised as Queen Elayne's lover, forcing him to wield the One Power with precision that teeters on madness. In Ebou Dar, Mat Cauthon navigates a labyrinth of assassins and Seanchan damane, trading his freedom for survival while bonding with Tuon, the Daughter of the Nine Moons. Meanwhile in Salidar, Egwene al'Vere must unite fractured Aes Sedai factions against Elaida's loyalists, culminating in a desperate rescue mission that will decide the future of the Tower itself.
Reader's Guide
The narrative splits into three primary threads that eventually converge toward the climax. In the Westlands, Rand al'Thor travels to Caemlyn to secure an alliance with Queen Elayne and Lord Gaebril (the Darkfriend Rahvin). He discovers a massive plot against him but is forced to make a brutal choice to save his allies, ultimately killing Rahvin and taking control of Caemlyn, though at the cost of his own sanity and the loss of Min's presence for a time.
Meanwhile, Mat Cauthon arrives in Ebou Dar with Tuon, the Daughter of the Nine Moons. They are pursued by the Seanchan damane and Aes Sedai alike. Mat must navigate a complex web of assassination attempts and political maneuvering to secure Tuon's safety while trying to escape the city. His journey involves retrieving an ancient ter'angreal and forming a bond with Tuon, which complicates his desire for freedom.
In Salidar, Egwene al'Vere struggles to maintain unity among the rebel Aes Sedai while Elaida's forces threaten them from Tar Valon. The rebels launch a daring rescue mission to free captured sisters, leading to a massive battle that results in significant losses but also strengthens their resolve. The book concludes with the unification of the rebel and loyalist factions under Egwene's leadership, setting the stage for a united front against the Shadow.
Did You Know?
- This is the first book where the Aes Sedai civil war reaches its military peak with the Battle of Dumai's Wells.
- The character of Min Farshaw plays a crucial role in Rand's emotional survival, providing him with visions that guide his critical decisions.
- Mat Cauthon begins to fully embrace his leadership capabilities and cunning during his time in Ebou Dar, marking a major character evolution.
- The book introduces the concept of the 'Crown of Swords' as a symbol of Rand's growing authority over the nations of the Westlands.