A Crown of Swords was published by Tor Books in 1996. In the aftermath of Dumai’s Wells, Rand pursues Sammael to the city of Illian and then into Shadar Logoth, the cursed city whose evil is distinct from and opposed to the Dark One’s power. Mat’s storyline introduces his future wife, Tuon (the Daughter of the Nine Moons, heir to the Seanchan Empire), though their relationship will not develop fully until later volumes.
The novel marks the beginning of what some readers call the series’ “middle-book problem” — the proliferation of storylines and the slowing of plot momentum that would characterize the next several volumes. Nevertheless, it contains some of the series’ most important developments.
The Slog Begins
Fans often identify volumes seven through ten as “the slog” — the section of the series where Jordan’s expanding cast and proliferating subplots slow narrative momentum. The criticism has merit: Jordan was world-building on a scale unprecedented in fantasy, and the cost was pace. But defenders note that the character development and political complexity of these volumes pay dividends in the series’ final arc.
Shadar Logoth
The cursed city of Shadar Logoth — whose evil (Mashadar, a mindless, consuming hatred) is distinct from and opposed to the Dark One’s Shadow — plays a crucial role in the series’ cosmology. The existence of a second evil, born not from the Dark One but from humanity’s own capacity for paranoid hatred, gives the series moral depth beyond simple good-versus-evil. This concept would become pivotal in the series’ climax.
Collecting A Crown of Swords
First edition (Tor Books, New York, 1996): Boards with dust jacket.
Approximate market values:
- Fine in dust jacket (first printing): $40–$100
- Signed first edition: $100–$250
Projected values (2026–2036): Modest appreciation. Mid-series volumes are less in demand than the opener or the Sanderson-completed finale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this where the series slows down? Opinions vary, but many readers identify this as the beginning of the pacing issues that characterize volumes seven through ten. The quality of the prose and world-building remains high; the plot movement slows.
Does Mat meet Tuon here? Not yet directly, though her character is introduced. Their relationship develops across several subsequent volumes.