Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

8 reviews

mattiedancer's review against another edition

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

smargopittman's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking

gfmetz's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring tense slow-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Toxic relationship

espressoreader's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful tense medium-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

4.75

I loathe the Tylin.  Vile creature.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War

missgarceau's review against another edition

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

jenna36's review

adventurous inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Once again Jordan's worldbuilding and character development are fantastic. I heard this was the start of "the slog" but I actually thought the pacing and the pieces of the puzzle that came together in this book really kept me invested. Pretty much the last 200 or 300 pages of the book were absolutely phenomenal. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gore, Vomit, and War

There is a very uncomfortable relationship dynamic between an older woman and younger man, and it is not handled very well.

She has non-consensual sex with him and most of his female friends laugh it off.

it is not sexually explicit, but it is emotionally explicit, and could potentially be very triggering. A large chunk of one character's chapters focus on that for a while.

devlyn's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Stalking

hay_elfkin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark slow-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence