I've been active on Good Reads for several years now & finally figured (since all I have to do is push a button) to post my reviews here as well. I'm an eclectic reader so you might see anything from Home & Garden, romance, fantasy, classics, etc. I hope you enjoy!
** spoiler alert ** Okay George R.R. Martin, you sure pulled a fast one. I can't say it was amusing.
The next time you decide to do that "splitting the book in half" thing, for the sake of your readers sanity, would you please make the "meanwhile back on the wall" page a foreword instead of an epilogue??? I read and read and read, and read some more, until 3/4ths of the way thru the book I finally caught on that Tyrion had vanished in a poof of smoke from one of Daenery's equally absent dragons. The angst that could have been avoided! After the way Tyrion exited, did you not think that would be foremost on our minds?? Thank the Seven Gods I have 'A Dance with Dragons' handy, else I might have resorted to a Lord Robert tantrum & made something "fly." Deep breaths...
What I did enjoy ~ the epic unraveling of Cersei, the Queen Regent who finally out-maneuvered herself. It couldn't have been sweeter. All the plotting, conniving & scheming came ricocheting back just when it seemed like she'd pulled another coup. I still remember her (somewhat smugly) telling Lord Eddard, in the Godswood at King's Landing, "when you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die." It would seem her turn at the winner's table is up... About time, her reign has been tumultuous, fraught with casualties & deceptions. Next player please!
Anyone else think the Starks were born under a curse? Now Arya is blind???? Are you kidding me?? I didn't quite understand that ~ because she killed Dareon?? or because she wasn't able to give up her identity?? Can it please, please, please be temporary? Is that too much to ask? This family has been thru the wringer!
Oh and Lady Catelyn!! Another person I was dying to find out about after we were thrown that curve ball at the end of 'A Storm of Swords.' Yet again tho, so many words (approx 900 of them) between wondering how she survived, (??) if she really did, and another appearance by her. When she does finally show up, what the heck is she??? A kind of "wight??" The description of her when she and Brienne met again sounded hideous. I'm not fully satisfied with this development (maybe I should reread that part?) & I don't see how that whole band of outlaws & Lady Stoneheart can think Brienne broke her vows? They can hang as many Freys as they can get their hands on, I doubt I'll ever get over the 'Red Wedding,' but leave Brienne off that list! She is most undeserving of a noose around her neck.
Jamie has definitely experienced a character shift. I like him so much better since he learned the meaning of honor from Brienne. Great portions of the book, including the parts about him, Arya, Brienne & Samwell, just seemed like a lot of groundwork. Voyaging, riding around the countryside. learning little tidbits here and there, etc., etc. Will Book 5 be more of the same only with the characters missing in 'A Feast for Crows?' These books are so complex, it's probably a necessary process to get to the ultimate finale??
Then there was the whole new set of characters from Dorne that we were introduced to & I'm still trying to figure out how important their roles are in the story? Arianne with Ser Arys & Myrcella ~ mystifying why we went thru that whole mishap and for what?? How does it fit in the big picture? I confess I was still fixated on Tyrion & other loose ends from the last book when the sand snakes, Prince Doran, etc., came onto the scene. The breadth of characters in GoT's is nothing short of impressive (mind boggling actually), but as someone who struggles to keep them all straight, I find myself questioning the need for more & how invested I should get in them? So many people I've attached myself to in these books have perished and aside from some of the originals who will remain favorites, I'm having a hard time opening my heart to new ones...
The last thing I have to say ~ is there anything, I mean ~ throw me a crumb ~ to like about the Iron Islands or any of the Ironmen (aside from Lord Rodrik, the Reader?) I don't know if Theon warped me against them after his vile, little escapade at Winterfell but Euron Crow's Eye downright scares me. and Victarion isn't exactly ingratiating. I do find Asha somewhat interesting but otherwise, it would be okay with me if every single one of them were feasting in the Drowned Gods watery halls.
I hope those dragons can spew fire in a major way by the time the Iron Fleet makes its way to Daenery otherwise I'm more than a little nervous for her.
Why oh why do I get myself all wrapped up in these mega sagas?? Especially ones that have no resolution in sight because the books aren't even completely written yet??? Does George Martin himself know how it's all going to end? oohhh, the exquisite agony... It's already killing me thinking about starting book five because I know when I'm finished, I'm going to be left hanging! What's a girl to do? No choice, no doubt ~ read on! and leave myself twisting at the mercy of the formidable Mr. Martin. What I do know is the next "normal" book I read is going to seem tame & simplistic in comparison to the ones in this series!
p.s. I think I overlooked Maester Aemmon as a character until the end of his life but now I regret that since it seems he had major unexplored depths.... Also I have a feeling Sam's time at the Citadel is going to be very enlightening, looking forward to getting back there with him.
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