A Crown of Swords

"...for the land is one with the Dragon Reborn, and he one with the land."

A Crown of Swords

Original cover art by Darrell K. Sweet
eBook artwork by Mélanie Delon (Tor.com feature)
2nd print edition cover art by Tyler Jacobson

Overview

A Crown of Swords is the seventh book of The Wheel of Time series. It was first published by Tor Books and released on May 15, 1996. A Crown of Swords consists of a prologue and 41 chapters.

Synopsis

Dumai’s Well’s was a charnel house, but Rand has survived and returned to something almost as deadly. Everywhere sedition and treason has arisen in his absence. Thrones have been claimed, armies have been marshaled, and even the Aiel, the most loyal of his followers, waver in fear that Rand has been made a puppet.

Even as Rand battles to subdue rebellious nobles, his forces advance on Illian, stronghold of the Forsaken, Sammael. As the final confrontation looms, the voice in his head warns that Sammael was always at his military best when in defense. Dare he trust this voice? Is it not just the madness that all men who can channel are afflicted with, or could it possibly be the voice of the last Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon?

Elayne, Nynaeve, Aviendha and Birgitte draw nearer to the ter’angreal that could break the Dark One’s hold upon the weather, yet there is secret piled upon secret within Ebou Dar, and at each point the other Aes Sedai oppose them. Just what will they uncover before they reach their goal? And what dark forces shadow their steps?

Egwene has forced the Rebel Aes Sedai to march, but even so they fight over every step, and she worries as to whether she will be able to hold them together long enough to take Tar Valon and throw down the usurper, Elaida. Perhaps of greater concern, Moghedien has escaped, seemingly freed by a man who can channel.

Yet while the forces of the Light battle in the South, new figures have appeared in the Shadow’s councils. Who is this Watcher? What power does he wield amongst the Shadow? And what games does he play?

Full Book Summary | Chapter Recaps