“How much can a crown be worth, when a crow can dine upon a king?”

I had heard a plethora of mixed opinions regarding the structure, pacing, and other elements of this book in comparison to the previous installments. As a result, I approached it with a certain degree of wariness. However, to my pleasant surprise, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this entry. In fact, it has currently become my second favorite book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, right behind A Storm of Swords.
The first 20% of the book was truly excellent. It was perhaps the most engaging start I have experienced so far in the series. After that initial burst of excitement, the pace of the book did slow down somewhat. However, it managed to pick back up again in the latter half. On the whole, I did not encounter any major pacing issues with this book.
One aspect that did give me cause for concern was the lack of significant plot progression, particularly in the early stages. Some chapters seemed rather excessive and did not add anything of great relevance that could not have been conveyed in a more concise manner. Nevertheless, I still found myself enjoying most of the chapters. This was mainly because they followed certain characters that I had become deeply invested in, and also due to the vivid depiction of the consequences of their actions.
The main reason for my enjoyment of this book was its in-depth exploration of the consequences of the important events that took place in A Storm of Swords. These repercussions had a profound impact on the major character decisions and the formation and dissolution of alliances. The effects could be seen throughout the world as various characters took different courses of action.
The Lannister points of view were truly outstanding and my favorite parts of the book. In terms of both the interesting events that unfolded and the character progression, those sections were by far the best. The Alayne chapters had some fascinating political maneuvering, and the events in Braavos were also ones that I thoroughly enjoyed. However, I must admit that I found the Brienne chapters rather dull. Nothing particularly interesting happened until the very end, and I felt that those chapters could have been easily trimmed down.
There was also an increased focus on the Martells and the Ironborn in this book. Reading about the events outside of just the central locations was quite interesting. I particularly liked the latter Martell chapters, although I was initially rather lukewarm on the first few.
The atmospheric work in this book, especially when describing the various locations, was very well done. This was particularly noticeable at the Castle at the Vale, with its gloomy, empty halls, the constant backdrop of rain, and the overall sense of isolation. Braavos was also vividly described, a unique coastal city that was completely different from the other locations previously visited in Westeros.
Overall, this is a great book with some excellent characters and a very interesting exploration of the consequences of the previous book. However, it is somewhat hampered by some excessive and irrelevant chapters, as well as some rather odd pacing. The structure did not really bother me, as I was aware going in that it was a single book that had been divided to accommodate a large number of points of view and storylines.

Dear George,

How are you on this lovely May morning? I truly apologize for bothering you, but I feel a moral obligation to bring this issue to your attention. You are likely aware that there are legions of fans who devour your books and hold them in the highest regard. The quality of your works is indeed remarkable, and they offer great enjoyment. I urge you to do whatever is necessary to maintain that level of excellence.

However, it has come to the notice of many that the waiting period of three to four years between books seems rather excessive. Don't you agree?

More significantly, these long gaps have led to some rather concerning side effects. I have observed that some readers have developed severe mental complexes, which have manifested as personal hostility towards you. In fact, I have heard of several rather imaginative plots that fellow readers have concocted to compel you to finish the books. These range from house arrest to chaining you to your computer, and some even involve the use of cruel war instruments similar to those described in your novels. The things I have heard, such as "shoving a broadsword up his ass," are truly distressing. I'm sure you can imagine the rest.

While I don't believe that people would actually implement such extreme measures at present, I do notice that these mental complexes seem to be worsening over time. So, who can say what the future holds?

I simply thought you should be aware of this situation.

So, toodle pip, and I hope this letter has put you in the mood for writing. (Apparently, some people think that such things will.)

A sincere fan.

3/5 ★'s

Giving this a three-star rating is truly painful! The rest of the series has been absolutely stellar, but this particular installment was putting me to sleep.

Not much really happens in the entire first half of the book. It feels like a slog to get through. The only chapters that I would really look forward to throughout were Cersei's. Her storylines always manage to add an element of intrigue and drama. However, the random new perspectives that would pop up here and there always lacked something for me. They didn't seem to add much to the overall narrative and often felt disjointed.

I wasn't nearly as engrossed in this one as the others have made me. I truly just don't have much to say about it. It's not a terrible book by any means, but it definitely doesn't measure up to the high standards set by the rest of the series. However, I am extremely excited that the next book has all of the perspectives we missed in this one. Let's hope for a great ending to the series (so far)!

The story in the book is much more coherent, stronger, and more logical than what has been depicted in the serial. The main events are mostly the same, but it is these very minute yet precise details that showcase the value of George Martin's work.

The Game of Thrones series belongs to the fantasy genre. Zombies, dragons, and the like are not new things. So, what makes this series different?

In a light narrative style,

the breakdown of the black-and-white clichés of the characters and the vivid and fluid narrative style of the story... These are what have transformed George Martin's work from just a fantasy to a remarkable literary work in the field of literature.

The worst aspect of this book is truly how in every Sansa chapter, Littlefinger is constantly unable to make up his mind whether he desires to be Sansa's father or her boyfriend. It is extremely disgusting. Honestly, he should just be removed from the story.

His indecision and the inappropriate nature of his thoughts and actions towards Sansa create an uncomfortable and disturbing atmosphere. It makes one question the motives and character of Littlefinger.

Rather than adding depth or interest to the plot, his behavior towards Sansa detracts from the overall enjoyment of the book. It would be far better if he were not a part of Sansa's story at all.

Perhaps then, Sansa could have a more fulfilling and less complicated narrative arc without the constant presence of this sleazy and unlikable character.

Alayne Stone, you have truly captured my heart.

From the moment I met you, there was something about you that drew me in.

Your kind and gentle nature, your beautiful smile, and your intelligent eyes have all made me grow very fond of you.

I find myself thinking about you constantly, wondering what you're doing, how your day is going.

Every time I see you, my heart skips a beat.

I love spending time with you, listening to your stories, sharing my own.

You make me feel so special and wanted.

I hope that our connection continues to grow stronger with each passing day.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

Alayne Stone, you are truly a remarkable person, and I feel so lucky to have you in my life.

Behold: the Ugly Stepchild of A Song of Ice and Fire!

Behold: the Readers of A Feast for Crows: Angry, Sullen, Vengeful!

Silly readers. I'm not sure I've ever read such a collection of resentful reviews for one book. One reviewer just decided to repeat the same phrase over and over and over again (sorry Joel, had to say it). Another decided to note that "...kids are inherently boring. Kids aren’t clever..." Er, wtf?

Sigh. I suppose I can understand the backlash. Martin took a long-assed time to put this out into the world and then - WHAT THE HELL - reader favorites Tyrion & Jon Snow & Daenerys have dropped off of this book's radar. But I am also perplexed - despite the loss of these wonderful creations, this is an excellent and challenging novel. Come on readers, grow a pair!

Personally, I savored this book from beginning to end. The intricate plot, the propulsive narrative, the intelligent world-building, and most importantly the depth of characterization that were all hallmarks of prior volumes are still in place and undiminished in this installment. One of the things that is often overlooked about Martin is that he is a brilliant writer of quality prose. His descriptions are not just lavish, they are often quite beautiful. He has an expert grasp of language; the man knows how to create imagery that is by turns stark, subtly threatening, strangely enchanting, morbid, nostalgic, and ambiguous. The only reason the novel does not earn a top rating from me (but really, who cares anyway) is because of an unfortunately heavy reliance on repetition - mainly of key phrases and dream imagery. Still, this novel should stand tall as an excellent continuation of this amazing series.

First and foremost, A Feast for Crows is A Story of the Women of Westeros. Because this is set in a medieval land that has very little wish fulfillment in terms of rectifying gender imbalance, it is fated by its own nature to be an unsettling and unfufilling narrative.

CONSTANT SPOILERS FOLLOW

The Queen Regent. Cersei Lannister is this series' chief villain and so it was with much anticipation that I approached her POV chapters. They did not disappoint. Quite unlike the POV chapters from her formerly villainous twin Jaime, there is not much redemption coming Cersei's way. She's such a fuckin bitch, as the saying goes. She remains cold, grasping, machiavellian, murderous, and extremely petty. She is also incredibly entertaining: a villain in the Grand Old Style, full of swallowed rage and sweetly-uttered put-downs and viciously cruel schemes. She takes to drink and she lets a fellow viper into her bed (which also allows Martin to indulge in an enjoyably laugh out-loud lesbionic interlude). She makes a classic mistake in allowing fanatics to arm themselves. In the end, she literally outsmarts herself, and is the victim of her own foul trap. Best of all, she is going crazy! Her dreams haunt her, dreams of her death and the deaths of her children. Much of her villainous nature is explained by these dreams...what mother wouldn't stop at anything to protect her children? And so Cersei doesn't stop at anything.

But what I mainly took away from her chapters were two important lessons that I learned, oh, years ago, probably in my various college Gender Studies classes. First: a woman in power within a patriarchal structure is a woman in constant battle with her peers. She will not receive the automatic respect granted to men; she will have to "earn it", whatever that even means. She will be constantly reminded that her job is actually to marry and to bear children, and that her position of authority is somehow unnatural, against the natural order of things. I despised Cersei, but I also despised those around her who did not give her the automatic respect a man would have in her position. I appreciate that Martin made this inequity crystal clear: he is against Cersei (of course he is - she's the villain) but he also gives the challenges she faces in her new position a rather timeless quality. Gender inequity is timeless.

And the second lesson: a woman who gains power within a patriarchal system by mirroring the gender essentialism that supports that system has, sadly, sublimated that structure as natural and right - and will therefore enact that chauvinism. Women's Studies 101, folks. Cersei does not "challenge gender imbalance" - she supports it. Her interior monologues are full of the same bullshit as any sexist dumbass. She despises "weakness" in men. She condemns "slutty" behavior while indulging in it herself. She uses classic chauvinistic tactics to bring down a rival and even-more-classic male brutality to destroy men and women alike. As I mentioned...she's a fuckin bitch! But her character is a fascinating one to contemplate.

The Sand Snakes and The Dorne Princess. I suppose the chapters set in Dorne could contribute to many readers' disengagement with this novel. Oh, whatever. I love Dorne! Dorne is the ugly stepchild of Westeros: matrilineal and distantly threatening, with a great big chip on its shoulder. But what a place it is: aggressive and volatile, sure, but also a land where women are automatically given the same respect as men, where a princess is the natural heir to the throne, where bastards are not automatically disrespected. The brief glimpses of the Sand Snakes, despite their inability to start the war they craved, were compelling in how differentiated they were in their various proposals to begin battle. And I also appreciated how fallible Arianne Martell turned out to be: a girl unused to schemes but still scheming away, a seductress who fell in love, a woman loyal to her friends and disinterested in cruelty, an heiress and misguided leader-to-be, one whose time in the limelight approaches.

Sansa/Alayne and Arya/Cat. Sometimes a girl has to literally convince herself that she is someone else, simply to survive. Sometimes a girl has to forget the parts of her that make her herself, in order to achieve her goals. Of course in one case, this is a girl who has lived her life as a pathos-ridden pawn. In the other case, we have a girl who is slowly losing her humanity as she becomes a kind of living weapon. Eh, so what? They both have my full support. Go Sansa & Arya, go! Survive this series, you can do it!

Catelyn/Stoneheart. And sometimes a woman fails. To accomplish her goals, to protect her loved ones, to save her children. I imagine that some women can get past this and can go on to define themselves anew. And other women cannot, or do not. They swallow their bitterness but do not forget: it becomes their fuel, their purpose for being. It can turn a heart to stone. And, um, it probably doesn't help having your throat slashed at your brother's wedding and then being revived as a monstrous quasi-zombie. And so Catelyn becomes a dread avenger, and not a pretty one. She is a killer without regard to reason or even justice, and she turns Dondarrion's Merry Men into a grim and bloodthirsty cabal. I never thought I'd see Thoros be so sad, so lost. I never thought Lemoncloak could be such an uncaring asshole. I never thought Catelyn would hang an innocent woman or a mere lad. Well, I suppose that's what can happen. So I know that Brienne survives, that's obvious. But if Podric Payne dies, I'm coming after you, George Martin!

The Maid of Tarth. I saved one of my favorite characters of the series for last. I don't think Brienne is a lot of readers' favorite; I assume they find her constant integrity and her equally constant naivete, repetitiousness, and lack of imagination to be tedious. But that's not how I feel! I loved her from beginning to (probably not her) end. There is such genuine realism to her loyal, awkward, lovelorn character. She is a warrior woman, but this means nothing in male-dominated Westeros except constant and automatic disrespect. She is, I suppose, "physically unattractive" and is constantly reminded of that by nearly every person she meets. She is always Doing The Right Thing; that integrity causes her to be disrespected even more, and it often means nothing to the people around her. Well it means a lot to me! Her quest may have been aimless, but it was also useful in illustrating the true and awful tragedy of war: the lives lost, the tormented survivors, the bleak landscapes, the sense of a world turned dark and bloody and soulless - a world without meaning. Seeing such a brave person travel through this blighted landscape and continuously, stubbornly, mulishly trying to do good was hard to read - but it was also what I really needed in order to truly connect with this novel: a hero, tried and true. Her two fight scenes, vanquishing members of the appalling Brave Companions, were awesome. What a brave lady and what a unique addition to the fantasy genre's Hero Archetype. I love her. As I loved this book.

Now on to the next one!

I've made a significant decision regarding my reading plan. Instead of following the publication order, I've chosen to read the fourth book, A Feast for Crows, and the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons, chronologically. This approach offers a different perspective and allows for a more seamless flow of the story. By reading in chronological order, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the characters' development and the complex plotlines. It will be an exciting journey as I immerse myself in the world of Westeros once again. I'm looking forward to uncovering the hidden secrets and experiencing the thrilling adventures that await me in these two books.

My dad gave me the first four Game of Thrones books over two years ago.

I have been a die-hard fan of the TV show from its inception and adored both Season 2 and Season 3. However, my initial forays into reading the books were not overly successful.

I found the first two books to be engaging, but as I penned in my blog article, I struggled to truly classify it as literature. The third book, Storm of Swords, I regarded as a good read, and this one, Feast for Crows, I determined to be the best written thus far.

In the early books, Martin is overly concerned with plot development and consistency, to the detriment of character development. By Storm of Swords, we are plunged into full-scale civil war, and the brutality begins to peak (although it pales in comparison to Feast for Crows). More significantly, I felt that the chapters did a better job of delving into the minds of the characters.

In Feast for Crows, I relished the Brienne storyline, despite its heart-rending conclusion. I also delighted in the Arya one – as always! – and I'm furious with Amazon for not delivering Dance of Dragons because I'm eager to discover what befalls her next. I mean, is she really blind forever?

More specifically, I relished the rounding out and maturation of the Jaime character and how he is contrasted with the two Clegane brothers, especially with the malevolent Cersei. If there is one one-dimensional character here, Cersei always seems beyond redemption, and it was immensely satisfying at the end of Feast for Crows to witness her finally facing some consequences.

I should have been more elated about Joffrey's end, but I guess I was a bit befuddled by the plot line there and still reeling from the Red Wedding 400 pages earlier. I felt that the pace did slow at times, but this enabled Martin to provide us with so much more backstory on the Targaryens, which I always found incredibly captivating.

I also liked how we got to see Theon Greyjoy's psychotic family (I really do have a soft spot for his seemingly ill-fated sister and adored her bit at the queens moot!) even if the TV series did play up that arc far more than the book.

I previously mentioned brutality, and the scene with Biter, the descriptions of wartime horrors, the various rapes and murders did become a bit oppressive towards the end of Feast for Crows. It made me ponder whether medieval Europe was just as brutal, and I suppose that – setting aside wights, giants, mammoths, and of course dragons – it probably was this bad, particularly in the period between the fall of Rome and the crowning of Charlemagne.

I'm certainly fortunate to be alive now because I don't see how I would have survived for even 5 minutes in that world. That being said, I was in Mumbai a week ago and learned about the 26/11 terrorist attack on that city, which claimed the lives of 160 people and seriously injured 300 more, where three (!!) hotels were completely seized by cells of three or four terrorists with appalling violence.

I cannot fathom what it must have been like for the people living there during the 48 - 72 hours it took for the Indian government to move in and kill the terrorists (and 32 hostages as well!!), and thus was reminded that barbarity has not yet been eradicated. We are just more sophisticated now, but we are just as deadly as a species.

Oof, that got rather bleak there, but then Feast for Crows is the darkest book yet in Game of Thrones. I just wonder how far HBO and the directors will go in Season 4 because there are scenes here that were simply unfathomable. Only a few more weeks until we find out!

I know "winter is coming," but this book, to be honest, felt more like a Spring clean.

A story as long as the epic A Song of Ice and Fire must have its down time, and much of A Feast for Crows is precisely that. George R.R. Martin ties up loose ends, sets up new story lines, and essentially engages in administrative-style organization in an attempt to keep his mammoth machine rolling. He does it admirably, yet it can't help but lack the pep, surprise, and all-around thrill of his previous three books.

In his defense, this book is only half a book. The one after it should have been its second half. The first half of books usually includes a lot of housekeeping. This definitely feels like a first half. It's a little dull. However, if you're already a Game of Thrones fan, I don't see how you could not enjoy this book. It features most of your favorite characters. Cersei is still the same old, lovable, bat-crazy bitch. Arya and Brienne have never wandered more aimlessly. Jaime is still phantom masturbating. Granted, Jon Snow has little to do or say (then again, it's best to keep your mouth shut when you know nothing), and Daenerys seems to have sprouted dragon wings and flown off. Even so, new characters are introduced who should add an entirely new layer of intrigue to the festivities.

The aforementioned housekeeping does drag on in the form of long council meetings and generally boring exposition. There are many scenes written just to keep the story moving forward. The action and excitement come in short spurts, and the one big reveal had unfortunately already been revealed to me. Even so, I marched through this book with determination, happily following along even through the slow parts.

As for my rating, those 3 stars are a very strong three stars. For my overall enjoyment level, it should be four. However, I gave the previous three books in the series four stars each, and since I didn't like this one quite as much as them, I had to show it somehow. And yet, I did enjoy this more than many other three-star books I've read.

* In an aside that I found humorous, at the end of A Feast for Crows, Martin explains how this was meant to be the first half of a much larger book, but that the book became so unwieldy it had to be broken up into two books. And now here's the part I found funny...Martin said he hoped for the next book after this one to be published in about a year. Hahahahah! It turned out to be more like six years before A Dance with Dragons would appear. A year indeed. I guffaw in your general direction, sir!

I have a hole where my heart should be, she thought, and nowhere else to go.

God, this book. George R.R Martin writes so beautifully. Beginning this, I did miss Tyrion's, Daenery's, and Jon's POVs. However, this book was still exceptional even without them.

Cersi, despite not liking her in the show, I actually grew to love her parts. Her writing to Jaime for help and then reading his response in turn had to be my favorite.

It was as if Martin had managed to breathe life into her character, making me see her in a whole new light.

The way he described her emotions and the turmoil within her was truly remarkable.

I found myself completely engrossed in her story, eager to see what would happen next.

This book has truly been a captivating read, and I can't wait to see where the story takes us next.

The War of the Five Kings was supposed to put an end to the chaos, but in this part, we see many events that suggest otherwise. The outlaws break the law and kill people, burn towns, and hang criminals. They also form alliances and betray each other, all in the pursuit of the Iron Throne and the rule of the Seven Kingdoms.

Many characters appear in this part: Brienne of Tarth in her search for Sansa Stark, Sersei becoming a major character with her goal of controlling the Seven Kingdoms. Arya Dornish, daughter of Doran Martell, where we see other aspects of Dorne that we didn't know before in the Game of Thrones. Also, the Greyjoy family: Asha, daughter of Balon, Euron Crow's Eye, Aeron of the Damphair, and Victarion, and one of them will become the king on the throne of the Greyjoys. We follow Jaime Lannister's story and learn the art of combat with his left hand, and we travel with Arya to Braavos and the House of Black and White, and with Sansa or Ellaria in the Vale and the Riverlands under the protection of Petyr Baelish, and with Samwell Tarly and Gilly on their journey across the sea to Oldtown. We see the changes that have taken place in the religious beliefs and the views of the High Sparrow or the High Septon. We also see how the talk of dragons increases in the distant cities. And the Dothraki and their food, the khalasar's feasts, are spread throughout the land.

In conclusion, this part is full of events and complications that grip the reader's attention and make us even more eager to read the fifth part, which will be released soon in its Arabic translation. George R. R. Martin is more than just a writer. I have no idea how he writes all those details and creates all those worlds and characters that fascinate the reader with their magic, depth, and excitement.