The Wheel of Time: A Crown of Swords

The seventh book of The Wheel of Time series gets its name from the Laurel Crown, A Crown of Swords, worn by the king of Illian. It really isn't a fitting name as the whole thing isn't even mentioned until the last chapter. And neither do the previous chapters really tell much about his attempt for the crown.

But thus finally, Rand executes his long-time plan and gates thirteen thousand men into Illian to take over the city and to kill one of the Forsaken, Sammael, who rules the realm.

The plan is a complete success of course, but Sammael's death doesn't seem that final -- he supposedly dies to the hungering fog of Shadar Logoth. We shall see about that.

One thing is certain, though, and that is how Rand holds a considerable part of the world in his grasp now, after claiming the Crown of Swords. As well as he should, as the Seanchan continue their campaign, and even assault and conquer Amador, the city wherein lied the heart of the Children of the Light.

Obviously, Tar Valon still bows to no one but their own Amyrlin Seat, although, Elaida isn't a very convincing leader. She is overly proud and even delusional, having a palace build for her; its heights to rival even the White Tower! Her Keeper has her own plans too, being a Darkfriend and all, and she seems to get a hold over Elaida.

I think the Tower will fall reasonably fast when Egwene, the true Amyrlin, and her Aes Sedai reach it with their constantly growing army.

Egwene has her own struggles as she has to fight for respect from the older Aes Sedai. The Aeil Wise Ones strike to the heart of her situation when she talks to them in Tel'aran'rhiod:

"Children all want to push spears, and they all want to be the clan chief, but eventually they realize that the clan chief seldom dances the spears himself. So they make a figure and set it on a rise."

--

"This is the clan chief who commands them to dance the spears from the hill where he can see the battle, but the children run where they will, and their clan chief is only a figure of sticks and rags."

Egwene's doing quite well, though, (apart from having an agent of the Shadow hidden right under her nose) as are her friends, Nynaeve and Elayne, who finally find the Bowl of the Winds, which is s'posed to be able to fix the weather the Dark One has corrupted. The ninth book is called Winter's Heart, so I suspect the unnatural heat will end when the story gets that far if not earlier. Nynaeve also gets rid of her block, becoming the strongest living Aes Sedai.

Speaking of strong Aes Sedai; Cadsuane, already a retired sister, appears in Caemlyn and marches right to Rand, angering him with her mocking manner. Other Aes Sedai think her legendary, and not only because of her very old age. Truly, she appears to be everything an Aes Sedai thrives to be and her allegiances seem to be with and only with the White Tower.

The book's glossary places her strength in Power below Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve but her knowledge is vast. She even knows about the voice inside Rand's head. Lews Therin disappears from Rand's head the moment she appears, even if Rand assures her Lews is real. Also, Min predicts Cadsuane will teach Rand and the Asha'man something they will not like. I wonder what that'll be.

Mat's Band of the Red Hand marches behind the rebelling Aes Sedai forces, but Mat is with Nynaeve and the others in Ebou Dar, to where the Seanchan attack at the end of book. Mat loses his consciousness in the turmoil, and is unable to flee.

I presume he will finally meet the Daughter of the Nine Moons in the next book, The Path of Daggers.