Rashid Al Naqbi Al Naqbi itibaren Dhondhi, Bihar, India
Although the book is 959 pages (1016 if you count the appendix), it felt like it went by quickly. It took me awhile to get into the book. I didn't remember where the last one left off. However, it picked up steam with each chapter. In typical George R.R. Martin fashion, there are plots within plots. Some lead to places while others lead to a dead ends. In addition, we have the customary death of characters. I've always admired the series for that. It separates itself from other cookie-cutter series where good always prevails. There are a few chapters told from the perspective of new characters. Rather than give a typical review, I'd like to give out some awards. The winner of the "Scene Stealer" award goes to....Arya Stark! Arya Stark - I can be wrong, but she only has two chapters in the book. I found myself being more interested in her story. She's in a distant country studying how to grant people with the gift of death. I'm curious to see how her character develops and what will become of her. The winner of the "I-Keep-a-Smart-Ass-Comment" award goes to...Tyrion Lannister Tyrion Lannister - I love this witty dwarf. He's always good for some smart ass comment. I catch myself looking forward to his chapters. By the way, his story in this book is quiet interesting. He has a hell of a journey. Sure, he may be the smallest character in the book, yet he's still alive. The winner of the "What-Ever-Happen-To-This-Character" award goes to...It's a tie between Davos Seaworth and Brandon Stark Davos Seaworth - We get a few chapters from Davos and then...Poof...Nothing else. Bran Stark - We're given multiple chapter from Bran, and then all of a sudden...Nothing. He's never heard from again. The recipient of the "Oh-Yeah-I-Forgot-About-This-Guy" award goes to... Victarion Greyjoys - I totally forgot about him and didn't remember what his mission was, but it came back to me. The winner of the "I-Secretly-Want-This-Character-To-Die-Next-But-I'm-To-Kind-To-Wish-Death-On-Someone" award goes too... Daenerys Targaryen - Reading her chapters took me back to detention. The story seemed to slow down to often. I found myself frustrated with her. I kept wanting someone to take her out, but it never happened. There's a couple more awards I could hand out, but I'm too lazy, lol.