Author: Robert Jordan | Narrator: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
Runtime: 30h 24m | Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Action
Reeling from the carnage of Dumai's Wells, Rand seeks to consolidate his rule over Cairhien and strike down the Forsaken Sammael in the fortified city of Illian.
In the direct aftermath of Dumai’s Wells, *A Crown of Swords* follows Rand al'Thor as he wrestles with the terrifying new reality of kneeling Aes Sedai and distrustful nobility. Refusing to allow the Forsaken Sammael to entrench his tyrannical power in the southern kingdom of Illian, Rand launches a daring military campaign while struggling to suppress the erratic voices in his own mind. Meanwhile, in the bustling coastal metropolis of Ebou Dar, Mat Cauthon, Nynaeve, and Elayne navigate treacherous palace politics and dangerous street duels as their search for the weather-altering Bowl of the Winds nears its perilous climax.
On audio, the contrasting story threads of *A Crown of Swords* shine brilliantly through the nuanced vocal performances of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. Kramer brings swaggering comedic charm to Mat’s colorful escapades in the court of Queen Tylin, while lending somber, lethal gravity to Rand’s apocalyptic confrontation with Sammael amidst the mist-shrouded ruins of Shadar Logoth. Reading excels at portraying the complex sisterhood dynamics of the Aes Sedai and the growing tension within the rebellious camp at Salidar. Featured prominently within our Epic Fantasy library, this production transforms intricate court intrigue and tactical maneuvering into an irresistible auditory pleasure.
Spanning over thirty hours of tightly paced drama, *A Crown of Swords* provides outstanding credit value for fantasy connoisseurs. Jordan excels at world-building the distinct cultural nuances of Altara and Illian, immersing the listener in vibrant festival streets, canal-side taverns, and shadowy royal bedchambers. A single credit grants you thirty hours of captivating voice acting, memorable character evolutions, and thrilling magical combat that keeps you thoroughly invested in Jordan’s vast universe.
The Wheel of Time Reading Order:\ • New Spring (Prequel – 12h 37m)\ • The Eye of the World (Book 1 – 29h 57m)\ • The Great Hunt (Book 2 – 26h 34m)\ • The Dragon Reborn (Book 3 – 26h 04m)\ • The Shadow Rising (Book 4 – 40h 57m)\ • The Fires of Heaven (Book 5 – 36h 27m)\ • Lord of Chaos (Book 6 – 41h 32m)\ • A Crown of Swords (Book 7 – 30h 24m)\ • The Path of Daggers (Book 8 – 23h 25m)\ • Winter's Heart (Book 9 – 24h 12m)\ • Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10 – 26h 04m)\ • Knife of Dreams (Book 11 – 32h 19m)\ • The Gathering Storm (Book 12 – 33h 03m)\ • Towers of Midnight (Book 13 – 38h 23m)\ • A Memory of Light (Book 14 – 41h 47m)
Michael Kramer and Kate Reading showcase marvelous character chemistry and vocal versatility throughout this thirty-hour recording. Kramer’s delivery of Mat Cauthon continues to be an absolute joy, infusing his exasperated inner monologues and rogue charm with immaculate comedic timing. Kate Reading’s authoritative portrayal of Elayne and Nynaeve brings dignity and warmth to their tense search for the Bowl of the Winds. With immaculate dynamic audio mastering and crisp diction that prevents lengthy royal titles from dragging, this audiobook is pure pleasure from start to finish.
*Note: Narrators may differ across regional releases and audiobook editions.