In the aftermath of a colossal battle, new threats are emerging from every direction.
Tyrion Lannister, having killed his father, and wrongfully accused of killing his nephew, King Joffrey, has escaped from King’s Landing with a price on his head.
To the north lies the great Wall of ice and stone – a structure only as strong as those guarding it. Eddard Stark's bastard son Jon Snow has been elected 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. But Jon has enemies both inside and beyond the Wall.
And in the east Daenerys Targaryen struggles to hold a city built on dreams and dust.
Rating: 5 Stars
Positives: Wow there's an absolute curveball in this installment. And when I say it's a curveball that's a major understatement. Without ruining everything for you, my god is Young Griff's true identity a shocker. I mean there's been absolutely no hint of any of this in the previous books and then suddenly .... Well ladies and gentleman we now have a major new contender for the Iron Throne. I mean honestly I'm speechless. But this was definitely needed to spice things up. With the number of deaths we'd had lately it looked like the battle was all bit win for the Lannisters, only this might stick a bit of a spanner in the works. Anyway I should probably quit raving about this development otherwise I'm liable to ruin it for you.
Secondly it was really nice to get a viewpoint chapter from Melisandre. She's a very mysterious character, and I've really enjoyed watching her develop without revealing her secrets over the series. To finally be able to grasp the tiniest understanding of her background was a real treat.
However sweet as these things have been we can sense that things are escalating once more. Meereen is on the brink of war, and with Daenerys' impending marriage and her love affair with Daario could this situation only be inflamed further? Could we have a war for sweet Dany's hand? Or will it be for her head? And dear Jon Snow; he's an excellent Lord Commander who makes bold decisions and sticks to his guns, but could this be his downfall? We already see men complaining openly about nearly every decision he makes, and it's only so long before someone decides to stop our young man in his tracks.
Negatives: Okay this isn't really a criticism of the book, more of the author. Much as I love George R. R. Martin and I appreciate that a masterpiece takes time to write, don't leave a note in the previous installment released in 2005 saying you expect this book to be ready for release next year and then make us wait six years for it! Six years! When this book only follows a few characters whom we haven't seen since A Storm of Swords, it makes me wonder how long it will be before we meet characters like Samwell Tarly again.
Right rant over. Actual negatives of the book now. What the hell is going on in King's Landing? We haven't seen our dear capital city, the centre of our power plays for an entire book. Now I think thats a big opportunity thats been missed out on there but it might just be me. Plus I miss Jaime Lannister, there I said it okay? I miss the Lannister boy and fully throw in my lot with him now. I want to know if he'll play the gallant knight and go rushing to his sweet sister's aid, or if by burning her note he wasn't just protecting her but ignoring her plea for help as well.
There was another criticism that I had but I can't think what it was now. I got distracted by the thought of Jaime. Oh yes that was it. Maybe I'm just a faint hearted woman, but I really don't need to know exactly how Ramsay Snow treats his people. I don't care if he's been legitimised he'll always be a Snow to me. Seriously I don't need to know how he flays people, or how his first wife was left to starve so badly she ate her fingers. Sorry but no that just doesn't work for me.
Would I recommend this book? Of course. This still remains an excellent series and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
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