Re-read 2019

I know, I know.... this is the ugly stepchild of the whole series. I get it, I do.

Many of our beloved characters simply aren't featured much in this book.

Before we get our panties in a bunch, let's think about that for a second. If they weren't in the book, that means Mr. Martin couldn't kill them off!!! See? There is always an up side to everything.

To be completely fair, however, at this point Mr. Martin could write "Hodor" and "words are wind" 100,000 times on a piece of toilet paper and I would probably give that 5 ninja bunnehs as well. Because I am this cat (metaphorically speaking, of course).

There are two of my favorite people in this book. I ship that shit like FedEx.

And so, my dear Mr. Martin, once again you have earned unicorn rainbow farts and my complete continued addiction to your series.

5 Ninja-Bunnehs-Sitting-On-The-Wall

I feel like awarding this book 3 stars is rather unkind to my favorite author, George Martin. However, I'm attempting to distinguish the truly outstanding books in this series from the merely good ones.

The bottom line is that fans of the series endured an excruciatingly long wait for this installment. Consequently, once it finally emerged, it was nearly impossible to satisfy their expectations. This, combined with the facts that numerous spoiler chapters had been circulating online for years and that George halved his original manuscript to create this and the subsequent (as of now, published) volume, serves to undermine the significance of "A Feast For Crows" within the context of the entire series.

Nevertheless, as has been stated elsewhere, even a subpar George Martin is still superior to excellent drivel. Since I'm a completist, I was bound to love this book regardless. And indeed, I do. But for the more casual fan, this will undoubtedly seem like a lackluster effort, and I believe there's some merit to this perspective.

The writing in this book strikes me as inconsistent. So much time has elapsed in the real world that I sense George's writing style has actually evolved here. His characters start using terms that they never employed before in the preceding books (notably "nuncle" and "coz"). There's also an excessive amount of "not giving a groat." I pity the groat merchants in Westeros at this point. What on earth IS a groat anyway?

The engaging point of view structure of the previous books has been marred by an overabundance of "prologue" chapters that deviate from the structural norms George has already established. Enough with the prologues! We're under siege here! Just give us one and retain some of that captivating storytelling magic - we already know you're a master.

For fans, I think the Brienne chapters seem like a waste of time. Although Martin contends that there were stories that had to be told in "Feast" to avoid detracting from the overall narrative (and I can only assume he includes the 'Brienne' segments in that assertion). I'll withhold judgment for now and wait to see.

Moreover, the fact that only half of the POVs (points of view) are represented in "Feast" leaves many fans disappointed. Personally, I craved more of Tyrion, but he was conspicuously absent here.

I believe that once the remaining books are published, the reputation of this book may improve. But it's clearly well-seasoned asparagus compared to the filet mignon that is "A Storm of Swords."

The pace in this installment was indeed slower compared to that of book three. However, A Storm of Swords was simply insane! It was impossible to maintain such a breakneck speed, and I was actually glad that things took a bit of a slower turn.

Most people are already aware that books 4 and 5 are set concurrently. As a result, we only get to witness what's happening with some of the characters we've grown to either love or despise. I've heard numerous people complain that A Feast for Crows wasn't as great because it didn't feature some of the best characters. I understand that this is likely a matter of personal preference, but I thought the split was executed quite well. A few of my favorite characters are present in each book, and the story is told in a captivating manner, always keeping me interested.

The ending was truly excellent! There was a great deal of excitement, and I'm extremely eager to find out what occurs next. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait for book 6 to discover that. For now, I can look forward to seeing what Tyrion, Jon, and the others have been up to.

A Feast for Oh Nos…

Don't read this review unless you have read the first three books as you will obviously be spoiled about prior events!

“This will be history, alive...”
“I prefer my history dead. Dead history is writ in ink, the living sort in blood.”
“Do you want to die old and craven in your bed?”
“How else? Though not till I'm done reading.”

After Tyrion murders Tywin Lannister and flees the city, Cersei seizes power. Paranoid and seeing threats everywhere, she attempts to eliminate all perceived dangers, especially those from the Tyrell family. Margaery Tyrell marries her son, the child king Tommen. However, Cersei's extreme paranoia causes her to alienate those closest to her, such as Jaime and her uncle.

Jaime refuses to show the crowds a false image. He lets them see his stump, the reality of his crippled state. “But feel free to make up for my lack, Ser Kennos. Wave with both hands, and waggle your feet if it please you.”

Sansa Stark is in hiding in the Vale, protected by Little Finger Petyr. He has murdered his wife Lysa Arryn and named himself Protector of the Vale, entangling Sansa in his web of lies, manipulation, and deception.

Petyr really gets under my skin and makes me shudder whenever he appears. Sansa is less whiny and self-absorbed in this book, and I truly hope she and Arya will meet again.

Arya arrives in the Free City of Braavos and becomes an acolyte of the House of Black and White, the home of the mysterious Many-Faced God. Here, she must learn that she is no longer Arya Stark. She is no one.

Daenerys is not in this book, but her presence is felt through rumors and speculation. It hints at the biggest war and bloodshed yet to come.

Jon and the Wall are also scarcely featured, but I'm certain we'll see more of him in the next book!

I think this book suffered from the need to move the characters into new positions. There were also too many deaths, which, paradoxically, sometimes lessened the tension or shock.

This is probably my least favorite of all the books, yet I would still rate it a high 3 stars!

Of course, there's a lot of blood, gore, hanging entrails, and chopped-off heads. And more mentions of sorcery!

Bookstagram

This was supposed to be part of the previous book.

Due to the volume that scares the readers, Martin divides the viewpoints of some of the heroes and allows himself the luxury to write this book for five years, without being much interested by the fans of the series, and obviously the result...

Anyway, "A Feast for Crows" is a rather good addition to the previous book - "A Storm of Swords" and explains a lot of what happened in it. Overall, it was pleasant for me to read.

Obviously, we won't be waiting for the sixth book of the series.

Kan yuhib al-qiraa, wa yudrik at-tareeqati allatee yusqut biha al-mar'uu suqootan fil kutub ahyana, ka'ann kull safhatin fajwatun tufadi ila 'alamin akhar...

He loved reading and could sense the way one might fall into books sometimes, as if each page was a chasm leading to another world...

But what if this chasm leads to Westeros!!, the fictional world of George R. R. Martin that still amazes me and enchants my mind with its details and secrets...

Adwa kan um sadika, al-ghuraba la tabali...

The mother of my friend was a light, the strangers don't matter...

Now, "A Storm of Swords" has subsided, leaving Westeros a devastated corpse fought over by hordes of strangers. This is a land where no head wearing a crown is safe, a land where its banners are woven with betrayals and deceptions. Now, you see it as a stage shining with the most absurd roles...

As you progress in reading, you will touch upon the poverty of the text for important characters who burned with a desire to reveal their secrets. You will wonder, where is Daenerys? Tyrion? Why did we read Jon Snow on the margin? Did George R. R. Martin deceive us? You will find him answering your questions in "A Dance with Dragons", as in this part, he chose to focus on the events of King's Landing and the undead Dothraki that the characters in the Seven Kingdoms must face, and the most important of them are:

Sersei:

Often, a beautiful face hides a heart full of sins.

We have become accustomed to the position of Sersei Lannister, but this part will lead us to the dark alleys of a guilty personality like hers, jealousy... envy... hatred... and the pent-up anger that fed on her disappointments and missed opportunities and those that were never given to her...

Until Sersei seemed to me like a pile of female envy walking on two feet.

Brienne:

There is nothing shameful in feeling fear, shame only comes from its deeds...

Under the knight's armor, and behind the wall of the huge body and the bloody face, Brienne of Tarth hides weakness and fear, and a shy heart that stands behind a shield of courage and commitment to honor. Honor has always been precious to Brienne, and her trait will put her life on the line between two choices, the most difficult of which is: either her life or Jaime's life...

Sansa:

If no one sees your plans, then no one can betray you...

And here we will see the beginning of the hardening and maturing of Sansa Stark's personality, the pampered girl who, under the tutelage of falsehood, began to be raised with deception and flattery, and lies that grew stronger and more determined with each passing day...

The Lady Stoneheart:

On the other side of the cave, a table is set on a ledge in the rock, and behind it sits a woman wearing gray and hiding her face with a cowl. In her hand is a crown that is a thin circle of bronze from which small iron swords protrude. The woman is running her fingers through it and feeling its sharpness as if she is testing it. Under the cowl, her eyes meet...

The Lady absent from the screen, I awaited her appearance with eager patience. I was flipping through the pages, hoping to catch a hint of her. How did she return? And how will she appear? Many questions were hidden for this book, but the hope of getting clear answers began to fade as the part approached its end. However, George R. R. Martin, with his inherent skill, managed in one chapter to satisfy my questions and raise others...

So, the world of ice and fire is like the sea, the more you drink from it, the thirstier you become.

Waiting for the dance on the fifth installment of "A Song of Ice and Fire"...

George R. R. Martin finally titled a part of his series in such a way that it's clear to you that heads will roll and innards will spill (which you already know, having reached the fourth book). Overall, it's not a bad part, although the flimsy counterforts that support the obese skeleton of the plot start to creak a little. I think that in "A Feast for Crows", Martin's eagerness to present the history of the Seven Kingdoms unfolding through the eyes of many different characters is already weighing on the reader, rather than the other way around, as is traditional - the story of one or two souls against the backdrop of the events happening around them. The grandiosity launches too abstract pipes, and we humans are emotional beings and we need what's happening to be conveyed to us by characters who are close to us and with whom we identify in some way. Sometimes because we yearn to be like them or because we measure the weaknesses that we hate in ourselves, but those that leave us indifferent are definitely not a winning strategy.

The pleasant surprise for me personally in this part was the development of the characters of Cersei and Jaime - the twins who came into the world together and reached the boundaries of love beyond the incestuous custom, taking quite different paths. Cersei is convincingly even more arrogant, powerful, and cunning. So, realizing that she has been a repulsive bitch all her life and suddenly turning into a good person is for other fantasies and Hollywood gods. Jaime, on the other hand, finds in himself a deeply buried honor - something that he obviously buried with the acquisition of his infamous nickname, and acts accordingly.

However, if the positive moments are excluded, the addition of new heroes rather confuses the reader and overly burdens the story, rather than contributing to the overall atmosphere. "The ice is cracking, honorable judges," one character from a completely different novel would say. You haven't seen everything yet.

**A Feast for Crows: (A Song of Ice and Fire #4, Part 1 of 2), George R.R. Martin**

A Feast for Crows is the fourth installment in the highly anticipated seven-novel epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, penned by the renowned American author, George R.R. Martin. First published on October 17, 2005, in the United Kingdom, this novel has captivated readers worldwide.

The War of the Five Kings is gradually drawing to a close. Stannis Baratheon has journeyed to the aid of the Wall, where Jon Snow has ascended to become the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Meanwhile, in King's Landing, King Tommen Baratheon, the eight-year-old brother of Joffrey, now rules under the watchful eye of his mother, Cersei Lannister. Brienne, the Maid of Tarth, is on a perilous mission to find Sansa Stark, with the reluctant assistance of Jaime Lannister. Sansa, for her part, is hiding in the Vale, protected by Petyr Baelish, who has committed a heinous act by murdering his wife Lysa Arryn and naming himself Protector of the Vale and guardian of the young Lord Robert Arryn.
This novel is told from the perspectives of twelve different characters, along with a prologue. Unlike the previous volumes, A Feast for Crows is teeming with minor characters, adding depth and complexity to the already rich tapestry of the story. The prologue sets the stage, followed by chapters focusing on characters such as Petyr Baelish, Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Samwell Tarly, and others. In addition, there are three perspectives from the Iron Islands and three from Dorne, further expanding the scope of the narrative.
Overall, A Feast for Crows is a masterful work of fiction that continues to enthrall readers with its intricate plot, vivid characters, and immersive world-building. It is a must-read for fans of the A Song of Ice and Fire series and lovers of epic fantasy in general.

Date of first reading: June 6, 2015
Title: A Feast for Crows, Part 1 of 2 (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4); Author: George R.R. Martin; Translator: Rouya Khadem Al-Raza; Publication details: Tehran, Vida, 2014, ISBN 9786002910790; 496 pages; Subject: Novels by American authors - 21st century
Title: A Feast for Crows, Part 2 of 2 (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4); Author: George R.R. Martin; Translator: Rouya Khadem Al-Raza; Publication details: Tehran, Vida, 2014, ISBN 9786002910806; 474 pages
Translation: (It was a cold and spiritless morning, and the sea was darker than the leaden sky. The first three men had bravely sacrificed their lives to the drowned god, but the fourth man had weak faith and kept flailing his arms and legs, trying to fill his lungs with air. Aeron was waist-deep in the water, and as the boy struggled to breathe, he took hold of his shoulders and held his head under the water. "Be brave," he said. "We came from the sea, and to the sea we shall return. Open your mouth and let the grace of the lord wash over you. Fill your lungs with water, so that you may die and be reborn. There is no use in fighting." Whether the boy could not hear him because his head was under water, or whether his faith had completely deserted him, he struggled and thrashed so much that Aeron had to call for help. Four men came to his aid and held the boy under the water. The priest prayed in a harsh voice from the depths of the sea: "O god who drowned for us, grant your servant Euron the grace to be reborn from the sea, as you were. Bless him with salt, with stone, and with steel." At last, the deed was done. No more air escaped from the boy's mouth, and the strength in his legs gave out. Euron, pale and cold and still, swam in the empty and dark sea.)
Date of transcription: February 2, 2021; November 20, 2021; A. Sharbiani

My complete review is published at Grimdark Magazine.

A Feast for Crows is the fourth installment in George R.R. Martin’s epic grimdark series, A Song of Ice and Fire. It follows the excellent A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, and A Storm of Swords. While it may not reach the heights of its predecessors, there is still much to appreciate.

One of the drawbacks is the absence of several key characters from the first three books. Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow, and Tyrion Lannister are noticeably missing, especially Tyrion, who is one of the most compelling characters in the series.

Instead, the book gives point-of-view status to a group of side characters, some of whom aren't even named in their chapter headings. This can be frustrating for readers who are more interested in the main characters. However, the book does pick up pace later on and has a strong finish.

Cersei Lannister shines as a first-time point-of-view character. Martin delves deep into her twisted psyche, making her one of the most interesting characters in the book. The relationship between Cersei and Jaime is also explored, and their damaged bond adds another layer of complexity to the story.

Brienne of Tarth is another favorite. Her search for Sansa Stark leads to some exciting developments, especially when she encounters Lady Stoneheart. The Stark sisters, Sansa and Arya, also have their own storylines, with Sansa being rescued by Littlefinger and Arya traveling to Braavos.

Despite its flaws, A Feast for Crows is still a great read. The chapters devoted to Cersei, Jaime, and Brienne are outstanding, and the book does move the story forward for Sansa and Arya. If readers can overlook the distractions from the side characters, there is plenty to enjoy.

**Title: My Reading Experience and the Changing Weather**

On May 10, 2015, I completed the third part. Before that, there was the first and second.

On the night of May 10, 2014, I decided to start the fourth part. During my reading of the previous parts, the weather had been windy and cloudy for some days since spring festivals. It felt like a curse, like "the song of ice and fire" and the long winter in this strange world.

As for Alexandria, on the morning of May 11, 2015, there was a thunderstorm and lightning in its sky for the first time in this time, almost since ten years ago. And this was just after I wrote a comment that I decided to start the fourth part tomorrow, after I had planned to read it later in the fall, God willing.

Well, the long winter has come out of the novel and into our world.

:) Generally, I am happy for my love of this weather :)

Muhammad Arabi
Morning of May 11, 2015

This book is truly outstanding. I feel a profound sense of sadness for those who don't appreciate it simply because it lacks wildfire explosions or unexpected beheadings.

Admittedly, the Greyjoys chapters were a bit of a slog this time around, but the remainder of the plotlines are simply magnificent. They resonate deeply and draw the reader in.

The conclusion of this book serves as a reminder of the chaos and excitement that is即将爆发in Winds. And once again, I'm filled with distress knowing that we still don't have it.

By the way, a friendly reminder that the time gap since we last had a Sam chapter has reached 18 years this year. Come on, Georgie Boy, give us just a taste. The gap is now old enough to have a driver's licence, and I'm eager to learn more about Oldtown.

So, apparently, if one has written a successful series, for its 4th installment, it seems one can introduce about a quarter of the characters who are useless and somewhat annoying, and be unclear about several people's fates as if it means nothing at all.

Really? I say again, REALLY?

I love the way George R R Martin tells a story, but I have to call him out a bit on this one. Were there no editors involved in this book? For example, about 75 pages were based in Dorne regarding the Viper prince's daughters.

Watch this: "The Prince of Dorne said unfortunately I have moved all my brothers' daughters, fierce and sweet, tall and small, away from the kingdom to keep them safe from others and themselves." BOOM. Saved so many pages of people who don't matter, and now we go back to Jon, Arya, Sansa, or even Jaime.

This is why I'm not a writer because every book of mine would be the length of a pamphlet you'd find at the bank, and also my mind goes to trashy places. I don't want it to, but it just happens.

I think if he took the whole thing (4 and 5) and then had an editor go at it, we would have had one Hell of a 1000-page book. But wait, he even states at the end of this book that he was nowhere near finished. I say again, Really? Is George R R Martin Bart Simpson? I think George needs to employ some better time management techniques, doesn't he?

Also, Lemon Cakes. In The Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords, Sansa was starting to get hardcore. She was becoming stronger and smarter, and now we are back to the God damn lemon cakes. Arya would spit. Seven Hells.

I still love the series, and his writing is great. It just felt like he lost his way a bit, and I think we need to get a big spotlight and collectively say "Get the fuck over here." Here being nowhere near Dorne.