The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
jlkenneth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I also think my increased enjoyment of this book comes down to splitting my reading between audiobook and a physical read, which helped me get through the slower sections. That said, I have always enjoyed the sections that focus more on pivotal events in the lives of these characters than the more āepicā sequences, as those are usually where I have gripes with Jordanās execution and/or lack of explanation. All that meant this was a bit of a perfect, slower WoT book in my opinion.
All in all, this is the most excited Iāve been to dive into the next volume, and I think the shorter page count, wonderful character development, and political intrigue/set-up here really made the difference. Also, this was finally the point where we really get to see Mat shine and GOSH it was worth the wait. I can definitely see why heās a fan favorite.
This also puts me halfway through the series, which feels like a huge accomplishment!
Read on for my thoughts on the more controversial aspects of this book š
I do have some mixed feelings (as always) when it comes to the depiction of gender in this series. I think a real discussion of whether this series is sexist or flipping patriarchy on its head (seriously, itās hard to tell sometimes and thatās evidenced in the mixed reviews each book receives) requires a lot more nuance and time that a GR review allows - but it seems like this point in the series might be a polarizing when it comes to your take on that question. Initially, itās difficult to tell when Robert Jordan himself viewed men and women as inherently opposed, and that viewpoint came through in his work, or whether this is intended as a commentary on how the world is broken and flawed in his series as a result of the Breaking of the World and the Dark Oneās corruption of saidin. Iāve read some good arguments on both sides, and both seem to fall short in some ways. For me, A Crown of SwordsĀ was one of the points where the charactersā treatment of the opposite sex was most infuriating, AND it was also the point where I started to think it was definitely being done intentionally rather than just as an RJās unconscious bias.Ā
*light, non-specific spoilers below*
This book takes the prevailing views of gender in this world and introduces the issues of rape and sexual assault. Specifically, one of the male characters is repeatedly forced into nonconsensual sex against his will. The women in the story seem to take it as a big joke (he couldnāt possibly have been FORCED!? By a woman?!?), and it is constantly addressed as if the situation is humorous, but it seems pretty clear to me that the reader is meant to interpret this situation as rape. Yes, even when the characters refuse to see it that way. The victim in this sexual assault situation is constantly feeling embarrassed, out of his body, and like heās on the verge of tears or panic attacks, which should clue us in to the fact that this is a legitimate SA scenario and he doesnāt view it humorously.Ā
In my opinion, a lot of folks have difficulty separating the characters in these books with the author himself. Because the entire series is written in the first-person limited point-of-view, there is never an external narrator who tells us what to think - which I see as precisely the point of this series. In the 80s and 90s, fantasy had a tendency to be moralistic and simple, and the portrayal of gender roles was almost always extremely stereotypical (the works of David Eddings come to mind). Jordan flips things on their head with women in power and used to authority, while also keeping a lot of the stereotypes his audience would have been familiar with (i.e. women are incomprehensible, men think with their muscles, etc.). This book is the first time where Iām starting to see the commentary for which he intended this decision. If the genders were flipped in this sexual assault case, what weād be left with is a fairly realistic representation of how women are frequently treated in the wake of sexual abuse or rape. The victim explains what happens to one of the women near him, and he is told he shouldnāt have smiled at his abuser the way he did, and insinuates that he wanted it to happen the way it did.Ā
This sort of victim blaming is exactly what tends to happen to female victims of SA, and I think RJ was trying to challenge the views of his readers and build empathy for survivors. I donāt think itās Jordan who trivializes the issue, I think itās several of his female characters who do. This was his way of challenging a common scenario by inverting it, while still not making it the centerpiece of his work (because it is a side plot). I donāt think itās fair to write Robert Jordan off as a sexist because of this, though I do think the point is often belabored and he could have done this without so much repetition (it really does get tiring listening to these charactersā asides about the opposite sex). This section also read differently on this side of the me too movement, but itās easy to forget how often sexual assault was trivialized and victims were blamed at the time these books were written (even though that still happens).Ā
Okay, mini-essay done š
Moderate: War and Gore
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
missgarceau's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, War, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
diazona's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual assault, War, and Sexual harassment
iloponis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, War, and Murder
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Child death, Death, Animal death, War, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Misogyny, and Murder
jenna36's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
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.