Reviews

Miekkamyrsky by George R.R. Martin

pronkbaggins's review against another edition

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5.0

5.0/5.0

Five stars because it was entertaining to read and I'm looking forward to more. If a book keeps me hooked even after a series has been out, I feel like I have to give it five stars. I cannot believe I am saying that, but it actually is super entertaining to read. I like the format of a cohesive story between the eyes of different characters. It helps you see them inside and outside and flows well. I'm on to the next one so I can join the rest of the fans in their extremely long wait for the sixth book.

mylvar's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

labunnywtf's review against another edition

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4.0

BRING ON SEASON 4.

-----

Time runs short for me to finish this and book 4 before April.

* This whole "half a hundred" thing is driving me batshit. JUST SAY 50.

* This audio book's chapter style is different. The previous ones, each character was a chapter. This time, each disc is a chapter. This makes it much more difficult to skip people.

::pokes timeline:: Still John.

::pokes timeline again:: Still John.

::pokes::

::pokes::

::throws phone and turns Walking Dead back on::

* Was that epic battle between Jamie and Brien before their capture on the show? I don't remember that. It's pretty amazing in the book.

* I feel like the story told to Bran about the wolf at the dinner with the stag and the dragon prince was important, especially since J guy (I'll put his name in later when I remember) kept asking if Ned told Bran the story. But rewinding it to listen again just feels tedious.

3/5 - I'm not cut out for fantasy novels. I'm just not.

Aria is even more of a badass in the books than in the show. Fantastic.

The scene of Dany taking out the Unsullied traders is also even more badass in the book. Nice.

3/6 - The Hound cries after his battle with Dondarian (totally spelling that wrong), when he's caught on fire. That affected me more than I'd like to admit. Apparently childhood trauma is a soft spot for me, despite people being murdery.

3/11 - Poor John Snow. I guess now he'll really never know anything. Also, I am so ready to see that in Season 4.

3/16 - We're passed the point where John was interesting again. I've kind of stopped listening to this chapter, so I'm not entirely sure what's going on with this turtle they keep mentioning, but I'm very upset about what happens to it.

I might have more thoughts when this is finally done (7 hours left), if John's chapters haven't driven them out of my head.

Where the fuck is Dany?? We haven't had a Dany chapter in forever, BRING HER BACK.

3/18 -
SpoilerSHAE HOW COULD YOU?!?!?!?


3/19 - "Is there gold hidden in the village? How many knights? How many? How many? How many?"

YES YES YES YES YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

3/21 -
SpoilerIs it wrong that, during the final scene between Tyrion and Shae, I kept screaming at my car radio, "KILL HER. KILL HER, TYRION, KILL HER NOW. STAB HER. CUT HER THROAT. VIVISECT HER." ?

Doesn't feel wrong.


I was spoiled all to hell for this book. ALL TO HELL. I didn't mean to be, but I went hunting to understand the thing about
SpoilerJohn Snow being the prince who was promised or whatever
that I'd read accidentally, and got snoopy, and heeeeeeeeey, now I know that
SpoilerJoffrey and Tywin and Lysa and every freaking body
is going to die. I really stomped my feet in disgust with myself over this, it should be noted.

But much like being spoiled for stuff from the show, it didn't take away from anything. Though I would've liked the shock of finding each spoiler out on my own.

SpoilerTywin's death was fantastic. I love the moment Tyrion shoots him, and he's all, "Whaaaaaaa I can't believe you would do that! What, were you born in a born? You can't just go around shooting people." And dead dead dead YAY.

My heart pretty much ruptured in two when we found out that howeveryouspellhername, Tyrion's wife, wasn't actually a whore and that Tywin and Jamie were just ASSFACE FUCKERS. Even though I blame Jamie a lot less than Tywin, but he's still a fuckwit. I genuinely hope we find howeveryouspellhername in the future books.

Joffrey's death was good, but I would've liked it dragged out more. And intensely painful. Especially after the drawn out embarrassment of Tyrion at the wedding. I realize why it was done, to emphasize why people could easily believe Tyrion had killed him (not that anyone needed convincing, but...). I really enjoyed hearing about the 77 courses, too. I do like tiny details.

Lysa's death was intensely satisfying. I wish she'd taken the kid with her through the door. The only thing I knew was she catches Little Finger and Sansa kissing, and he shoves her off a cliff. That scene was bad. ass.


I reiterate my bitching that DANY IS IGNORED FOR MOST OF THIS. What the hell are they going to do with the show, other than make up a storyline for her? While I'm not opposed to this at all, I AM ANNOYED THAT SHE WAS SO IGNORED.

SpoilerI don't want to hate John Snow. I really don't. But he's so fucking boring. The wall is so boring. I don't care I don't care I don't care. The battle scenes were freaking fantastic, The death of Ygrette was awful, Stanus rolling up like, "Pfft, got this" was so good.


I realize the biggest part of this review is about the latter part of the book that will make up season 4. I think because I've already seen most of the action on the screen, reading it feels like rewatching the episodes, and while that works beautifully for scenes I like, scenes involving the boring bits (Hi John Snow) were just SO DRAGGING ON.

But I loved being a fresh reader for the latter part. Which tells me I might have enjoyed reading these pre-series.

Oh, one last thing.

SpoilerGHOST CATELYN ARE YOU KIDDING ME HOLY FUCKING SHIT SHE SOUNDS SO SCARY AND BAD ASS OMG I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS SHIT I CAN'T BREATHE.

I mean, it defies all logic, but I'm actually really excited for the next book to see where this goes. I presume it's similar to how thatguywhosenameicantremember used the god of light to bring him back to life six times.


Bring on Season 5 and book 4!!! (Later!) (I need a break!) (Shorter audiobooks!)

labunnywtf's review against another edition

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4.0

Some battles are won with swords and spears. Others with quills and ravens.

I feel confident when I say: Best book of the series. BEST. So full of action, no wonder it got split into two seasons.

What's going to be funny is when I get all of my notes into this review, go check my first review, and realize how boring I thought this was. I don't think I did, but you never know.

As with my re-review of Books 1 and 2, this is less a review and more a stream of conscience taken from bookmarks and notes. Please keep in mind that this is HIGHLY spoilerific, not only for this book, but for the entirety of all 5 books, plus all current seasons of the show.

Spoiler

Arya riding her horse under hanged men, and reaching up to get an apple from the same trees. Jesus, Arya.

Tywin talking about how happy Marcella is in Dorne, and how well she gets along with the royal family. The reference to the sand snakes. Dorne was SUCH A FUCKING WASTE on the show. Ughhhhhhh, hate.

King Baelor the Blessed locking his sisters away in The maiden Vault so that he wouldn't be tempted into carnal thoughts. Good grief.

Lady Olena is the fucking best. Done and done, nothing more need be said.

Loras: When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, yeah, Renley and he were definitely fucking. I see it now.

Tyrion telling Shay how dangerous King's Landing is, and her ignoring it completely and asking about jewels and going to feasts. I didn't hate her on first read, but DEAR GOD I HATE HER.

Everyone showing up at the same inn at different times. <3

Tormund is so awesome in this book. I can't tell if he's better in the show or the book. Such a great character.

The Night's Watch vs the Others. Sam's trek, when he was seriously dying. I really was heavily ignoring their parts on the first read, I don't remember any of this. It's pretty bad ass.

There's three or so references to "Tanzy" in here. We find out in the final chapter (pre-epilogue) what it meant, but I like the misdirection.

Lady Smallwood is another Lady Olena. Sassy broads get shit done.

Misandi is only 10. Sweet baby.

The Unsullied having to kill puppies. PUPPIES THAT WERE THEIR PETS. And then babies. And the coin for the slave owner. HATE HATE HATE. So glad his face got burned off.

Crasnies called Daeny the Beggar Queen. Big mistake. Huge.

I would like more Meera and Jojen stories. So much history in there. And by that I mean, them telling stories. Bran stories are still boring as fucking.

I realize that the book Tyrion is not as good looking as Peter Dinklage, but Sansa is SO HORRIBLE to Tyrion, and it pisses me off so much. She makes me hate her so.

"I have dreamed this dream before." - Jamie hearing what Tyrion did, and thinking of the wild fire and the mad king. Awesome. GOD, I cannot wait to see how GRRM wrote the sept explosion, and I REALLY can't wait for Jamie's reaction.

The Hound vs Dondarian, and crying for help after because he'd been burned. Kills me every time.

The narrator speaking SO quietly for Roose Bolton. Such a great effect. Roy Dotrice really is a fantastic narrator.

So many leeches in this damn book.

Jamie telling the story of the Mad King. So good. So so good.

The Laws of Hospitality are mentioned about 100 times in this book. A bit heavy handed.

Description of the Dornish men arriving at King's Landing. SUCH A WASTE. AGAIN.

The Dornish origin story is so heavy. I'm pissed at how little we got on the show.

Unsullied soldiers naming themselves after flowers. I can't.

Dario Naharris description. The first DH was so so hot. But I do wish we'd seen this colorful character.

Catelyn arguing with Rob about legitimizing Jon Snow. SHUT UP CATELYN.

I spent so much time worried about Mormont's raven. Totally forgot he ends up in the kettle at the end. I hated the Night's Watch chapters so much on first read.

Roose Bolton presenting Theon's little finger skin as a gift to Rob and Catelyn. What the everholy.

Now that I know The Rains of Castamere better, having the scene interspersed with the lyrics is FANTASTIC. So so good. Plus thinking about how loud the song is being played during the scene, with the drums.

Not Roose Bolton who kills Rob, which is fine. If you missed the description of the cloak being the flayed men, you'd never know it was his treachery until later in the book. Having him do it in the show was amazing, though.

Catelyn going batshit insane. Perfect set up for Lady Stoneheart (although see my other review re: my opinion that she was lady stoneheart well before now). But what happens when she sees her children again?

Sir Amory Lorch ripped apart by a bear at Harenhall. Tywin: "That ought to be sufficiently grizzly to appease even Oberyn Martell."

EXCELLENT PUN!

Stannis trying to bring a dragon about. What the hell. That battle knocked something loose in his head.

Jon finding Ygrette. Ugh, this scene is awful.

Slavers in Merine eating unborn puppies. UNBORN PUPPIES WHAT THE FUCK.

Bariston Selmy kicking the Titan's Bastard's ass. With a stick. Fucking bad ass.

Daeny finding out Jorah reported on her. HATE HATE HATE. So sad. Even if he was a TOTAL fuckwad about it.

Sewing grey wind's head onto Rob's body. Such a fucked up bit of business.

Did Joffrey sending the guy to kill Bran ever get resolved on the show? It took forever to find out in the books, and we had all well forgotten about it by then.

Sansa looking down on Ilaria Sand. Catelyn's daughter. AKA asshole. She deserved to end up a bastard at the aerie. Erie. However you spell it..

"If we start killing men at weddings, they'll be even more frightened of marriage than they are presently." - Lady Olena

Her guards, Left and Right. Hee hee.

The 77 courses. I could've listened to each one. Love shit like that.

Did I know Little Finger sent the dwarf performers? I need to rewatch the show, as well.

Blandissery. Beef broth, boiled wine sweetened with honey, almonds and chunks of capon. EW EW EW.

Joffrey's death could've been better, but god, it is satisfying.

Why did Tyrion pour out the wine in the goblet?

"in a better world, you might have been mine. My loyal, loving daughter." - EW YOU FUCKING CREEPER.

Arya finding out her mother's dead because Nymeria found the body. Fffffffffff.

Oberyn's story about the Lord of High Garden, and the canopy of scorpions.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH.

Cercei had come first into the world. - So jaime is her little brother. Mmmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmm.

Loras: "We had prayed together that night."



I would've liked to have seen Loras talking with Brienne about Renley's death. A lot.

Little Finger and Sansa discussing Tyrion's first wife. This shit could've been in the goddamn show.

Lysa Aaron: "How would you like to marry your cousin?"
I mean, what kind of sentence...

Janis Slint: "Do you think my skull was stuffed with cabbage?"
Jon: "I don't know what your skull is stuffed with, my lord."



Shay on the stand, sobbing. I hate her.

"You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children."

Oberyn's death SUCKS SO HARD. But such a good scene.

"The dragon has three heads. There are two men in the world who I can trust, if I can find them. I will not be alone then. We will be three against the world."



Fuck yeah, you will.

"Defending Ned Stark's daughter with Ned Stark's own steel." - Jamie giving Brienne Oathkeeper. Gaaaaaaah, I love them.

The Hound's sword getting stuck halfway through Poliver's head. Then when he pulled it out, the top of his head came out. SO BIZARRE.

"Is there gold hidden in the village? Is there silver? Gems? Is there food? Where is Lord Baric? Where did he go? How many men were with him? How many knights? How many bowmen? How many how many how many how many how many how many? Is there gold in the village?"

Arya getting Needle back. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

The Hound sobbing about Sansa while dying.

"It was a debt I owed you." Jamie revealing the lie to Tyrion. Sigh.

"My giant of Lannister."
"That was the worst thing you could have said, sweetling."

"You shot me!" he said incredulously.



Samwell's espionage to get Jon elected Lord Commander. ADORE.

Dolorous Ed is my fave.



Okay, now going back to the first review and seeing if I changed my mind about anything/forgot anything.

Spoiler

* I feel like the story told to Bran about the wolf at the dinner with the stag and the dragon prince was important, especially since J guy (I'll put his name in later when I remember) kept asking if Ned told Bran the story. But rewinding it to listen again just feels tedious.

Yeah, I paid closer attention this time.

3/16 - We're passed the point where John was interesting again. I've kind of stopped listening to this chapter, so I'm not entirely sure what's going on with this turtle they keep mentioning, but I'm very upset about what happens to it.

I did not pay attention to this part. The battle was horrifically boring this time around, even though it was the only saving grace of Jon's chapters last time.

Tywin's death was fantastic. I love the moment Tyrion shoots him, and he's all, "Whaaaaaaa I can't believe you would do that! What, were you born in a born? You can't just go around shooting people." And dead dead dead YAY.

I wonder if anyone read this in my original review and wondered where the hell I got that from.


Nope, I agree with everything I said previously.

And HUGE shocker, just a few days after I finished this, book 4 was ready on Overdrive. So, I've already started it. Book 5 has three holds ahead of me, that will be a longer wait.

freudenbergj's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolute banger

stephconsolazio's review against another edition

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5.0

Definitely my favorite book I’ve read of A Song of Ice and Fire so far. Jaime’s POV chapters are so good and so interesting, he’s so genuine and you can tell how strong his internal battle with himself is.
Although I knew of Robb and Catelyn’s fate prior to starting this book, it still shocks me every time.

roboxa's review against another edition

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4.0

This has been my favorite book in the series so far. I've heard that a lot of people enjoy the second book more, which I understand, but this book was so full of surprises that I have to give the top spot to this one.

It's rare to catch me completely off guard. Even if I don't know exactly what is going to happen, I can normally guess that something in the general area of happens, but this book floored me multiple times. I actually spent a total of about 15 minutes staring into space completely stunned and unable to put words into sentence form. I feel that people walking by me (I read one of these surprises in a mall) thought I was slightly deranged.

In most books and even TV shows and movies, there is a kind of formula that is followed making the majority of the plot rather predictable. Sometimes this formula is broken and George R.R. Martin is one of those authors who has done just that. Even though I was warned to expect the unexpected when reading this series, I still found myself believing the certain things would happen based on this formula. So, when this book broke from this formula it was still a shock. And this is what makes me love this series.

I have also noticed that the issues I had been having with the first and second book are becoming less and less. The internal dialogue has been brought down to a minimum, and when it does happen it is not completely superfluous like the majority of it was before. His descriptions of food are still there, but now I can tell when they are coming and am able to gloss over them so I don't get bogged down with the sheer amount of food that I don't care about.

My only main issue with this book is that I still find Bran really boring. Not much happens with him in this book and I tend to find him whiny and rather annoying. It eventually came to a point in the book that when a Bran section came up and rolled my eyes. For me, he acted more as an irritating road block to the really exciting things that were going on with the far more interesting characters. I'm hoping that Bran's character fills out eventually, and that something happens with him other then him having dire wolf dreams.

Despite how much I loved this book, I couldn't give it a 5/5 for those couple of reasons that are still big enough issues to dock it a couple of points. However, this book is pretty amazing and for those who haven't gotten to this book yet, just be prepared to be surprised.

sunandstars_13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mmihaly's review against another edition

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5.0

The best one yet!

erwink54's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

5.0