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jenmaysiereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Stylistically, Martin’s prose and tone remains the same however he is able to invigorate each character with a distinct voice that makes it clear who the narrative is following. It’s hard not to become invested in the characters Martin has crafted here: even those which are deliberately unlikable are fascinatingly complex, making you root for them in spite of yourself. For me, the stand-out characters are Daenerys, Jon, Catelyn, Tyrion and Sansa. Not only does this book give a fascinating insight into their characters and their motivations, it shows just how clever, funny, cruel and kind all three are — the depth of which is lacking when it comes to their on-screen counterpoints. Personally, I am a Sansa apologist — that little girl can do no wrong.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia, War, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Domestic abuse, Incest, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Classism, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Child death, Miscarriage, Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Murder, Torture, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
sucordera1's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual violence, Blood, War, Physical abuse, Animal death, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
elderlyemo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Listen - it's a good book, we know it is. You know what else it is? 800+ pages of dialogue.
I love these characters and I love this story, but the way it is written is such a slog sometimes that I found myself walking away from this book numerous times throughout a period of MONTHS just because I couldn't bring myself to sit down with the characters that weren't my favourite. I am a massive fan of the TV show (aren't we all) and I really enjoyed how similar the first season of the show is to this book, but that's where the problem was.
I didn't like Cat in the series. I didn't like her in the book. I didn't really enjoy Brans story line in the show, so guess what? You got it. I think it's different when you're watching a TV show and you don't have to put in as much time or effort to clear the parts of the plot that don't really interest you, but when you have to read so much dialogue from so many characters you don't care for, it makes for a very unpleasant experience.
I will say, I also didn't like Daenerys in the TV show but I LOVED her chapters in the book. Hopefully with the next book sitting high atop my TBR *gulp* I will continue to be surprised. Fantastic story, incredible characters - just not my favourite writing style.
Graphic: Death, Rape, Murder, Child death, Suicide, and War
saravsw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, War, Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Animal death
lucakocsis's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexism, Miscarriage, Rape, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death, Pedophilia, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Slavery, Body horror, Child abuse, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, War, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Torture, and Excrement
riverofstyx's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, War, Toxic relationship, Torture, Rape, Physical abuse, Incest, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death, Cursing, Sexual violence, Gore, Violence, Sexism, and Adult/minor relationship
johnnyboy836's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
The story is definitely not for the faint of heart, as many scenes personally made me feel squeamish and uncomfortable. The detail written in these scenes make you feel like you are witnessing them yourselves and you can sense the dread and hopelessness. There are also many moments where you feel hopeful and optimistic. Overall though, the feeling of dread is the most prominent.
I am planning to continue reading the series, and if the later books are as good as this one, I am excited to see where the world of A Song of Ice and Fire is headed.
Graphic: Torture, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, War, Animal death, Blood, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Incest, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, and Rape
maras_readings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Miscarriage, War, Pregnancy, and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Alcohol, Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Pedophilia
Minor: Ableism and Fatphobia
rafacolog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Murder, Violence, War, Blood, Incest, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Child abuse, and Animal death
stoneduvet's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Death, War, and Murder
Moderate: Incest and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship