And with the turn of a page some of the characters I’d grown most fond of were murdered. I’m still speechless and I honestly didn’t think he could (or would) do it again, but what was I thinking? And then, 200 pages later HE DOES IT AGAIN! What?!? I mean resetting your cast of characters is old hat, but wow. I’m not sure how many more times this can occur before I lose patience. I almost want to make a list of all the characters that were alive at the beginning of a book and then cross them off as they die to try and see an overall picture.
This is a 4,161 page series (Kindle version as of now with two, maybe three, to come) set in an at war pre-technology era of royalty, knights, magic and dragons, of course characters will die, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. I will say the final chapter of the novel was somewhat more rewarding than what happened 400 or so pages before, but the epilogue was somewhat disturbing! Where is Martin taking the series!?!?
Now on to my review/summary/observation (I still don’t know what to call these posts). THERE ARE SPOILERS to this book and the previous books in this post. Although they might not be specific you may be able to deduce things if you’ve read or plan on reading the series. At over 1200 pages, this book is DEFINITELY part of the Tea & Books Reading Challenge (and brings the two books that are just shy of 700 pages into the challenge) and also part of the Mount TBR Reading Challenge.
If there is one quote that sums up this series so far, it is this:
“It all goes back and back, Tyrion thought, to our mothers and fathers and theirs before them. We are puppets dancing on the strings of those who came before us, and one day our own children will take up our strings and dance on in our steads.” (969)
At the beginning of this novel there were five kings (and an exiled queen). At the end of this novel there are two kings (and the same exiled queen) and the potential for however many more kings to arise, only one king of which remained from the beginning of the novel. I was heart-broken at the murders of the Wolf King and his mother, glad (if somewhat shocked) at the death of the Golden King, and left somewhat puzzled by the death of the Sea King.
As for the rest of the novel – WHOA! I loved learning more about the Night’s Watch and the land beyond the wall’s wildlings. It added a broader perspective to the world and an older perspective. It is also probably the most intriguing part of the world so far, a 700 foot tall wall made of blocks of ice. Just imagining it is difficult and Martin does a great job describing the sheer awe and wonderment seeing it for the first time causes. I was also glad to get back to Jon’s perspective and to learn more about Sam the Slayer 😀
I’m also glad to see Sansa (maybe) growing a backbone, Jaime (maybe) growing a conscience, the Lannisters (maybe) falling apart, and Theon (maybe) receiving justice. As you can tell there are still a lot of unanswered questions and a lot of room to grow. The things I’m most intrigued about in the next novel are what in the world Arya is planning on doing (SHE LEFT Westeros?!), what the Dornish will bring to the series, and what in the hell Melisandre and the god Rho’llor are planning.
I’m finally starting to understand what Rob over at Loose Logic mentioned about Martin’s ability to restrain himself in some instances, specifically magic. I mean there are hints and legends in the first book, stirrings and brief appearances in the second book, and more than enough to make you believe in book three. But what is left unsaid is that much more powerful. What will everyone be able to do and what will happen on its own in the future.
I planned on reading a book outside of the series, but having finished the novel with such a whoa reaction I immediately had to move into A Feast for Crows. And I am slightly concerned, I would say the crows have feasted throughout the series so to call this novel A Feast for Crows really spins my mind into overload.
Recommendation: IF you can get over the fact that this is a 1200+ page book – you should definitely read it. There are definitely times, where everyone has to think ‘good grief – get on with it’, but the novel brings back the action and adventure of A Game of Thrones while keeping the courtly politics, subterfuge and intrigue of A Clash of Kings.
Opening Line: “The day was grey and bitter cold, and the dogs would not take the scent.”
Closing Line: “Merrett Frey opened his mouth to plead, but the noose choked off his words. His feet left the ground, the rope cutting deep into the soft flesh beneath his chin. Up into the air he jerked, kicking and twisting, up and up and up.” (Whited out.)
Wow, you’re burning through these. I’m trying to hold off on A Dance with Dragons until the softcover comes out in the summer, and you’re making it very difficult!
This was a great one. Martin really keeps you on your toes, and not just with the deaths. He has a gift for character development, in that there are characters you start out hating that you may gradually begin to see in another light. Jaime really takes a turn in this book, and it didn’t feel forced or insincere to me.
Definitely one of my favourite series.
I CAN’T STOP READING THEM!!!! (Seriously – it’s detrimental to my health. I was up until 12:45 last night because I couldn’t put it down.)
I know exactly what you mean about the development. I’ve not wanted to really like Jaime or Tyrion, but over the past two novels they’ve become human and I despise Martin for that, but can really appreciate his skill. (Same thing with Sansa – I don’t want to like her.
I got lucky and got quite a few Amazon gift cards for my birthday and Christmas and I got them all on the Kindle for relatively cheap – thus the burning through them.
I haven’t decided whether or not I’m going to read this series (sometime in the future), but my husband is reading them, and this is the book he’s on now. I’m itching for him to finish so I can read your review (and others) to him to see how his opinion of it varies (if at all). I know he’s been super cranky about all of the characters who keep getting killed off. Haha!
It’s crazy how many have been killed off! Some I’m glad about others have been beyond tragic. You’ll have to get him to share his thoughts, I’ve just convinced one of my friends to read them and I’m looking forward to having someone to discuss them with.
I’ll definitely have him comment on this when he’s done. He’ll be happy to have someone to discuss it with, too.
You really should read the series! It’s fantastic 🙂
I LOVE this series! I do feel that A Dance with Dragons (#5) was the slowest of them all so far, but it also runs concurrently with A Feast for Crows, so keep that in mind when you come up to it.
This is your first post I’ve read, so I haven’t looked back at others regarding ASoIaF so I don’t know if you’re aware of the TV show, but season 2 starts April 1…it is mentioned that some parts of book 3 will be included in season 2.
Enjoy!!
Thanks for the comment!
I am aware of the TV show and that’s one of the things that spurred me into reading it sooner rather than later. They’ve been on my to-read list for quite some time, but seeing everyone reading them and wanting to see the show steadily pushed them up. I haven’t seen it yet, as I was afraid there might be spoilers for the other books (like you’ve pointed out in season 2), so hopefully I’ll finish them off and then check out the show!
You should be Okay to watch the new season (after watching season 1 of course!). Since you’ve finished the 3rd book, I don’t think you’ll have any spoilers in Season 2, if you do decide to watch when it comes out 🙂
It IS tough when you like a character and they get the ax (literally!). I couldn’t believe it with Ned in the first book…at that point I said, no one is safe!!!
And I’ve liked Tyrion almost from the beginning (and I didn’t feel bad about it), but Jaime IS a character that has grown on me, and frankly, I’m OK with that now. haha
Also – Hello from South Boston! (I work in the Industrial Park but live out in Somerville.) I saw one of your posts mentioned heading over to MIT Coop on your lunchbreak.
Very nice! I grew up in East Boston. Small world. haha
Book 11. I’ve been meaning to read this series and I’m seriously behind!
Haahaa well there are only 5 books so far in the series and you’re probably better if you wait! There was a ridiculous wait between books three and four and then another really long wait between four and five. There’s a tentative date of next year for book six, but I’ll believe that when it happens. I started book five (A Dance of Dragons) this weekend.