6/8/2018 - I firmly stand by my original 5-star rating. This is truly an amazing book and likely the best in the series.

9/14/2017 - In this third installment of A Song of Ice and Fire, A Storm of Swords almost seamlessly picks up where A Clash of Kings left off, with just a slight backtracking to describe a few events that were occurring simultaneously at the end of the previous book. Martin's choice of title for this part of the series is spot-on; there are epic tempests and an abundance of swords throughout the chapters.

Tyrion endeavors to win the love and respect he believes he is due from his family, only to learn that it can't, never did, and never will happen. Sansa continues to be Sansa, doing Sansa things, and I truly hope she matures in the next book as I'm nearly exhausted with her. Catelyn remains a horrible character, thinking and doing horrible things while being extremely judgmental of others. Littlefinger, however, is still the worst character in the book. Arya and The Hound team up and engage in some Bonnie and Clyde-like escapades. Needle!!!! Davos is still alive, keeping the reader informed about what Stannis and Melisandre are up to, which is typically no good. Bran is just plain weird. Dany has evolved into a brutal warrior queen, and her dragons are growing. She's likely going to set the entire planet ablaze soon. Jon Snow is still boring, brooding, and angsty, but perhaps marginally better than before since he had some action in this book. Samwell gets POV chapters in this book, but they weren't really necessary as there are already enough whiny, insecure characters. JAIME GETS POV CHAPTERS IN THIS BOOK, and a character I loathed from the start is growing on me in a big way. What was once a one-dimensional evil character is now showing that he is capable of integrity, honor, and compassion.

People die. There is a copious amount of blood and gore. The last 5 or 6 chapters were outstanding, filled with revelations, surprises, cliffhangers, gasps, hair-pulling, and teeth-gnashing (both by the characters and myself). It does lag a bit in the middle. Martin still writes with a strange combination of modern and archaic language. But this has been the best book in the series thus far and well deserving of the 5 stars I'm awarding it.

**"A Captivating Third Part of an Epic Tale"**

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"Kings fall like the leaves of the trees this autumn, and it seems that our little war wins itself on its own."

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I don't know if it's a storm of swords or a storm of intrigues, betrayals, and deceptions! But what is certain is that this part is the most astonishing, amazing, and captivating of all!


The war still rages between the five kings in the seven kingdoms. As we witnessed at the end of the second part: Stannis Baratheon's defeat in the Battle of the Blackwater, and the fall of Winterfell and some of the northern cities and castles into the hands of the Ironborn. New characters emerge in this part: the Free Folk and the King Beyond the Wall; Mance Rayder, the peoples of the cities of the slavers and the eunuchs: Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen. And some secondary characters become primary, and we witness the developments they face: like Jaime Lannister and Samwell Tarly. And more light is shed on other characters: like the Tyrells and the Martells, Sandor Clegane, the Brotherhood Without Banners, and some of the Night's Watch characters.


We also witness in this part the impact of the wars on the cities and the people, and how those villages, fields, farms, barns, and mills turned into ashes, ruins, and deserts where wolves and dogs prowl and crows circle above. How peaceful scenes of life turned into horror, destruction, and a haven for criminals and thieves! Yes, this is what wars leave behind: destruction, suffering, and crime, and those who lust for power forget the lives and souls of their peoples.


We also witness the fall of the five kings, and in the end, only Stannis Baratheon and Tommen, Joffrey's brother, remain on the Iron Throne. And Daenerys Targaryen and her three dragons are still on her journey to gather her army with which she will reclaim the throne of her fathers, which is drowning in blood. And in turn, she lives different kinds of wars in those distant cities. And we witness the strange movement of the Free Folk to invade the Wall, and the attempts of the Night's Watch brothers to repel them despite their small numbers, lack of supplies, and resources, and despite the intrigues that circulate among them as well, and their attempts to seek the help of the other kings to defend the Wall and the entire country, not only against the wildlings but against something much more dangerous! Against the winter that comes with the white walkers, and the dead who walk again!


George R. R. Martin is a true genius incarnate! I can't imagine what kind of ability this man has to create this entire world with its amazing details and describe the characters in a wonderful way. If you had judged them before, you might now feel very sympathetic towards them and understand their motives. The writing and descriptive style is extremely elegant and engaging, and you can never lose track of the events from the first part to the last line. And he has a wonderful ability to astonish the reader with unexpected twists and connect events from the past to what is happening today. Once you start reading the novel, you fall under its spell and can never escape it.


As for the translation, I would like to express my warm thanks and highest respects to the translator, Hisham Fahmy, for his extraordinary and heroic effort in translating such a work. His translation was of a very high level of professionalism, excellence, accuracy, and faithfulness. I can hardly say that I have read anything like it in my life. And I think that if the novel had been written originally in Arabic, it would not have come out with this much creativity.


I can only bow before the greatness of this extraordinary work of nature.




  

...

THAT ENDING. OH MY FREAKING GOD. It was truly mind-blowing. The twists and turns left me completely astonished.

AND SANSA. WITH THE LITTLEFINGER THING. Her story took an unexpected turn, and I can't wait to see where it leads.

AND DANAERYS. WITH...EVERYTHING. She is such a powerful and complex character, and her journey is always captivating.

AND TYRION. WITH THE SHAE THING. AND HIS FATHER. His actions and decisions have had a huge impact on the story, and I feel for him.

AND JON. WITH THE WALL. AND THE WILDLINGS. AND THE OTHERS. AND YGRITTE. His story is full of adventure and danger, and I'm on the edge of my seat.

AND BRAN. WITH...just kidding, no one cares about Bran. Well, maybe that's a bit harsh, but his storyline doesn't seem as exciting as the others.

AND CATELYN. WITH HER PROBLEMS, AS THEY ARE A-PLENTY. She has faced so many challenges, and it's interesting to see how she copes.

OH MY FREAKING GOD. This show is just amazing, and I can't wait for the next season.

There are several aspects of this book that make me inclined to give it only one star, while others push me to rate it closer to the opposite end of the spectrum. In the end, I give it just over three stars.

On the one-star end, the writing style is grating. Open to a random page and you'll find clichés like "green as the summer grass" and "caught between the hammer and the anvil." Open to any other page and you're likely to encounter similar trite expressions. The book could be shortened without sacrificing substance. Long lists of knights' names and heraldry might mean something to the author, but to the casual reader with no interest in memorizing the hierarchy of a fictional chivalric system, such lists only slow down the reading process as I skim past them. I suppose I should at least be glad that Martin seems to have finally learned the word "crenel" so that I no longer have to endure his repeated mentions of "the gap between the merlons."

Yet the writing style pales in comparison to the utter lack of subtlety and tact. What bothers me most about this book is Martin's repeated description of random murders and rapes, included, I assume, for their presumed shock value. While I can appreciate Martin's ability to evoke strong emotional responses like righteous anger, pity, and revulsion, I can't help but think that the overall view of humanity he projects is far too negative. Epic works need sorrow, but they also need joy. And "A Song of Ice and Fire" is far too long not to have some lasting joys. Any book of any worth carries a message. Martin's seems to be just "valar morghulis," which means "all men must die" in Ancient Valyrian, and hardly a message worth sending.

On the four- or possibly five-star end, Martin does a wonderful job of characterization by switching to a third-person limited focus on a new character with each chapter. Just when a character seems most demonized, Martin zooms in on that character to explain his history and motivation. The inherent flaw of this technique is that to humanize one character's actions, another character must be demonized. In the end, some characters like Gregor Clegane and the Mad King Aerys must be left demonized without the reader ever getting a glimpse of their human side.

Martin also creates several intriguing religions and passingly hints at a few philosophical quandaries. For example, he touches upon the idea that fire is warmth and light, yet it destroys to create these, thus provoking questions about the goodness or evilness of its nature.

Despite its flaws, the book makes me want to keep reading the series. I hope to see the characters, religions, and budding quandaries developed in greater depth in the next book. I hope, perhaps, that one of the characters may even come to the realization that although "all men must die," it is equally true that all men must live. The fire may burn out, but first it burns.

Storm of Swords is truly a masterpiece that showcases master author Martin at his absolute best. The character development within this book is simply incredible. Each character is crafted with such depth and complexity that they seem to come alive on the pages. As the story unfolds, the plots take numerous twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat and completely in awe. It is impossible not to be drawn into the rich and immersive world that Martin has created. From the thrilling battles to the intricate political machinations, every aspect of the story is engaging and captivating. This book is truly a must-read for any fan of fantasy literature. I would毫不犹豫地 give it a perfect 10 out of 10 stars!

Man, oh man!

That was truly one humdinger of a story! Fantasy simply does not get any better than this, folks!

I have to give a huge thank you to GRRM for all those gut wrenching, truly fucking moments!

It's those intense and emotional scenes that really make the story come alive.

And let's not forget about Tyrion! He is such an amazing character.

His wit, his intelligence, and his ability to always find a way to survive in the most difficult of situations make him a fan favorite.

Long live Tyrion!

He is the heart and soul of this story, and I can't wait to see what adventures he has in store for us next.

Overall, this is one fantasy story that I will not soon forget.

It has everything you could ask for in a great story: action, adventure, romance, and drama.

GRRM has truly outdone himself with this one.

I have read this book 8 times.

Each time I pick it up, I am drawn into its captivating world.

The story, the characters, and the writing style all combine to make it an absolute delight.

Despite having read it so many times, it still manages to hold my attention and keep me engaged from start to finish.

It has become a part of my life, a source of inspiration and entertainment.

So, the answer to the question "Did it remain my favorite book?" is a resounding yes.

This book will always have a special place in my heart, and I will continue to cherish it for years to come.

It is truly a masterpiece that I would recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

To those who made it through Clash of Kings, welcome to the Promised Land. On at least five nights this December, I found myself regretting having to go to bed rather than continue reading. The great elements that emerged near the end of the second novel are now blossoming. Catelyn's sympathy and tale of assistance, Sansa's coming to terms with the reality of royalty, and Daenerys finally looking like she'll use her dragons and political power - all these are coming to fruition. And the worst is passed: no more cutting away from one character's life-or-death situation to another character's blowjob.

After its Prologue, Storm of Swords starts with significant strength. It begins Jaime Lannister's tale of captivity, Catelyn's desperate hunt for her daughters, and Tyrion's politicking around the boy-king.

Storm of Swords is a book of serious consequences, more so than Game of Thrones or Clash of Kings. Multiple main characters are irreparably maimed and at least one dies. Jon Snow's life beyond the wall ends, and he faces consequences from both the wild civilization and the one he came from. If Sansa isn't going to wed Joffrey, then she faces a life of backstabbing and some hazardous marital proposals. Two characters go on trial almost simultaneously, and both will live drastically different lives than before based on the verdicts, if they aren't executed.

Daenerys is the most provocative character. She was essentially a borderline-teen political slave, shoved into an arranged marriage with debatable consent, fell into Stockholm Syndrome for her husband, lost him to murder, and was poisoned so that she miscarried their baby. But she comes out of that horror to rule a nation. It would be easy to write her as another damaged woman trope, but not in this book. There are no attempts to psychoanalyze or fix her.

As you pass through this volume, the truth of the series becomes unavoidable. We're still waiting for the actual war to break out, but by the end of Book 3, it still isn't here yet. We're still watching petty men screw each other over with only hints of the ethereal in the background. Storm of Swords deserves razzing for not having one major battle chapter that warranted the title as a simile.

But by now you realize that whatever's coming isn't why we're here. We're waiting for an apocalyptic war, but we've read over three thousand pages of Fantasy life-building for the people who will eventually wind up in that war. In a way, Martin has more in common with Homer or Leo Tolstoy, being utterly preoccupied with the internal lives of players who see this conflict as just part of their existences. It's a means to an end, or a thing to avoid, or a thing to survive. It is not their conclusion or purpose. And in that way, The Song of Ice and Fire is the boldest response to Tolkien of all the post-Tolkien Fantasies I've read.

I stayed up until midnight on so many nights with it because I was interested to see if Jaime Lannister would grow as a human being when isolated with a woman other than his sister, or if Arya could escape her dire circumstances, and just where the ties between Tyrion and Sansa would lead. It is not about the clash of kings. It's about the kings, and everyone else, and is only worth the journey if you're interested in them. I certainly am.

Jump to the review of Book 4, A Feast for Crows.

'Donde todo se fue a la mierda', the third book in the Song of Ice and Fire saga. Applause to Martin.

I knew the story from the series, but still the book is impressive and the epilogue, oh my gosh, that epilogue. I had been spoiled about it, but I could never have imagined it in this book. asdghjll

The complete review is available at Gracias a los Libros.

Martin's writing in this installment is truly masterful. He weaves a complex web of characters and storylines, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. The world he has created is so vivid and detailed that it feels like a real place.

The epilogue is a real game-changer, adding a new layer of mystery and intrigue to the story. It leaves the reader with many questions and eager for the next book in the series. Overall, 'Donde todo se fue a la mierda' is a must-read for fans of the Song of Ice and Fire saga and for anyone who loves a great fantasy novel.

A just one month has taken me to read its almost 1,200 pages (of course, while simultaneously doing other things). No word. Wow. With this book, you realize that the TV series is good, but...

In the end... let's go for the fourth one... ;-)

It's been an intense reading experience. The sheer volume of pages might seem daunting at first, but as I delved into the story, I became completely immersed. The details and depth that the author has put into this work are truly remarkable. It's not just a simple read; it's a journey through a rich and complex world.

Comparing it to the TV series, I can see both the similarities and differences. The TV series does a great job of bringing the story to life visually, but the book offers so much more in terms of character development and inner thoughts. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes look at the characters' minds and emotions.

Overall, I'm really enjoying this reading adventure, and I can't wait to see what the fourth book has in store for me. ;-)

The Beginning.

We were all gathered there, in that room filled with anticipation. The atmosphere was thick with excitement and a hint of nervousness. Everyone was waiting for something to happen, but no one knew exactly what it would be.

The Middle.

As the minutes ticked by, the tension continued to build. There were whispers and furtive glances among the crowd. Suddenly, a sound came from the corner of the room. It was soft at first, but then it grew louder and more insistent.

THAT ENDING.

And then, it happened. Something completely unexpected. People gasped and stared in shock. WHAT WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

No one could believe their eyes. It was a moment that would forever be etched in our memories. THAT ENDING.

A Storm of Selfish, Savvy, Stabby Souls!

My review is split up by the different characters and their arcs!

Tyrion thought he was victorious after a bloody battle. However, Cersei swept in, and now his hirelings have betrayed him. His friends have been scourged and shamed. Not to mention, he is rotting from an attempted assassination he is sure his sweet sister is behind. Tyrion’s dry wit, humour, and shrewd intelligence make this series maintain a lighter tone amidst such darkness and always keep me on my toes.

I can’t believe that GRRM managed to make me feel pity for Jamie. JAMIE LANNISTER. That is talent.

Joffrey and Margaery are set to marry on the first day of the new year, also the first day of the new century. The ceremony will herald the dawn of a new era. A new Lannister era where Sansa is merely a scared pawn. Sansa still frustrates me as a character, yet I loved the court Margaret brings with her, especially her Grandmother, the Queen of Thorns who seems to know more than anyone else dares say.

Arya is only ten years old, a skinny girl on a stolen horse with a dark forest ahead of her and men behind her who would gladly kill her. Arya is one of my favourite characters - a scrappy, brave girl against the world who would die for her friends. The only thing that makes me go ummm is her age. I just can’t believe any ten year old would be capable of what she does.

Bran was taken in by the wildlings - an oathbreaker and the killer of Qhorin Halfhand. But in his heart, he was still a man of the Night's Watch, doing the last duty laid on him.

Jon’s story is interesting as he sees the wildlings and their community and different way of life. You can’t help but like the people around him, yet Jon must constantly remind himself his loyalties lie beyond The Wall.

Daenerys is strengthening forces in the East as her three dragons, her treasured children, are growing and learning. Daenerys always suffers from being a girl. She constantly needs to prove herself. She is constantly seen as an object of beauty rather than admired for her absolute intellect, planning, and resilience which she proves over and over.

Overall, volume one of this huge tome is probably my favourite of all the books in Game of Thrones!!!

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