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kellygoesgeocaching's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book more than the last one as I got to catch up with my favourites again. I really hope he gets around to finishing the next one soon - I hate leaving series halfway through!
jeffs_300's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What an absolute tease! HA! Some awesome things happen in this book. Some great moments…. But no HUGE centerpieces. Those are all being led up to. Nearly every storyline in this book is being built up. None climax. The closest we get is The Winds of Winter “first look” at the end of the book. WHICH ISNT EVEN THIS BOOK. HA!
And let me tell ya, the show is SOO much different than the books at these points. And the books are SOO much better. What the hell was HBO cookin’ with GOT S5.
Looking back at the start of this book, so much, yet (somehow) so little happens. I feel that this book triples the depth of the world, while only advancing the story a few yards. Looking at each individual character, a good bit happens to them, but it’s not a lot. Not as much as you would think would happen in a thousand page tomb. With that in mind, no shot TWOW is gonna be less than 1,200 pgs. (even 1,500 honestly).
All that being said, these books are amazing. Everything is so exciting and interesting. Honestly. Compared to the other books of this series, perhaps a little less exciting than AFFC, ASOS, and maybe ACOK, but those are tough to match. I would go 4.125 if I could but oh well. That’s the main reason for the decrease in score here, but with everything ending in a cliffhanger in this book, I anticipate the next to be THE BEST. (…….. if it ever comes out…. 😶)
And let me tell ya, the show is SOO much different than the books at these points. And the books are SOO much better. What the hell was HBO cookin’ with GOT S5.
Looking back at the start of this book, so much, yet (somehow) so little happens. I feel that this book triples the depth of the world, while only advancing the story a few yards. Looking at each individual character, a good bit happens to them, but it’s not a lot. Not as much as you would think would happen in a thousand page tomb. With that in mind, no shot TWOW is gonna be less than 1,200 pgs. (even 1,500 honestly).
All that being said, these books are amazing. Everything is so exciting and interesting. Honestly. Compared to the other books of this series, perhaps a little less exciting than AFFC, ASOS, and maybe ACOK, but those are tough to match. I would go 4.125 if I could but oh well. That’s the main reason for the decrease in score here, but with everything ending in a cliffhanger in this book, I anticipate the next to be THE BEST. (…….. if it ever comes out…. 😶)
eris_648's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
torikate92's review against another edition
4.0
I got hooked on these books and gunna go binge the entire series now. Goodbye social life!
salgalruns's review against another edition
4.0
I am in love with this series, but HATE HATE HATE to see that it will now be forever and a day until the next installment comes out, and then forever and a day after that! Why is it that I decide to love a series that I can enjoy well into my retirement? Sigh.
In any case, Martin does what he does, in a VERY MUCH drawn out way by getting you hooked on a particular storyline and just when you've got all the characters right in your mind, he switches scenes. Gotta love it. I have to say, for the first time, I really got into the storyline of Daenerys. Yes, I know she's been in every book. Yes, I know she already has a following, but I haven't really loved her until this book and loved her I did! I can't wait for the next one, if only to read her part! I'm not sure if it's her that I love, or if it's the dragons, but hope that they all make major appearances in the books to come.
As for the other characters - still adore Tyrion. Who wouldn't, really? HE RIDES A PIG - who'd have ever thought up that storyline? His responses are the snappy humorous ones that are needed between all the cold and ice that's going on around the storylines. I looked forward to his chapters as they appeared to be so much more lighthearted, even with plotting and killing happening all around him.
Jon Snow, while a fan favorite, has never really held my interest. This book was more of the same. He is just making choices that no one likes and justifying them in his own head. Arrogant, in my opinion. I like Ghost, though, and would like him to connect with the other direwolves.
My one major concern with this book is that we get too many glimpses into minor characters. Not sure if it's foreshadowing for future books or not (and I guess no one knows that yet), but it is truly annoying when there are PAGES AND PAGES of characters in an appendix already. It's not the easiest to figure out, and by the time you do, some of them seem to already be killed off!
In any case, Martin does what he does, in a VERY MUCH drawn out way by getting you hooked on a particular storyline and just when you've got all the characters right in your mind, he switches scenes. Gotta love it. I have to say, for the first time, I really got into the storyline of Daenerys. Yes, I know she's been in every book. Yes, I know she already has a following, but I haven't really loved her until this book and loved her I did! I can't wait for the next one, if only to read her part! I'm not sure if it's her that I love, or if it's the dragons, but hope that they all make major appearances in the books to come.
As for the other characters - still adore Tyrion. Who wouldn't, really? HE RIDES A PIG - who'd have ever thought up that storyline? His responses are the snappy humorous ones that are needed between all the cold and ice that's going on around the storylines. I looked forward to his chapters as they appeared to be so much more lighthearted, even with plotting and killing happening all around him.
Jon Snow, while a fan favorite, has never really held my interest. This book was more of the same. He is just making choices that no one likes and justifying them in his own head. Arrogant, in my opinion. I like Ghost, though, and would like him to connect with the other direwolves.
My one major concern with this book is that we get too many glimpses into minor characters. Not sure if it's foreshadowing for future books or not (and I guess no one knows that yet), but it is truly annoying when there are PAGES AND PAGES of characters in an appendix already. It's not the easiest to figure out, and by the time you do, some of them seem to already be killed off!
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a bit disappointing. There wasn't a lot happening and a few of the storylines (i.e. Quentyn Martell) were downright unnecessary. I'm also getting tired of the extreme background detail. Nonetheless, these are still compelling characters and of course I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. After reading all 5 books back-to-back I feel a bit lost now that I'm at the end of this series.
cort_francis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
dnandrews797's review against another edition
4.0
This one was great. Finally Daenerys and Tyrion get close and closer to meeting. Daenerys’ troubles running her city were really the high point of the book for me in addition to a stannis’ quest to reclaim Winterfell. Cersei finally got what she deserves which was incredibly satisfying and softened the loss of Jon Snow well. A really excellent read, well paced and probably one of my favourites in the series. Hopefully Martin won’t drag his feet about getting the last two out.
crash369's review against another edition
4.0
Good read. Makes me hopeful for the end of the series.
wojevan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Fun follow up from book 4. Many plotlines are continued and paid off, with great character moments for some of my favorites (no spoilers).