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macnsleaze's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mogie's review against another edition
5.0
Whoa,just...whoa. George R.R. Martin...you crazy!
Even though it is the longest so far in the series (1200+ pages!!!), this book is so fast paced that you'll breeze right through it. It has tons of action,it's nerve wracking, it's infuriating, heart wrenching,and beautifully written. Try as I might to slow my reading (I often felt the need to take a break to sometimes rest my emotions and speeding heart..sometimes to just stare into space in disbelief..often to try and find a subtle point I could have missed that might disperse the ominous cloud that hangs over every character with their impending dooms of death and misfortune), I could not put this book down.
The way Martin has formed his characters makes it near impossible(at least for me) to "pick a side" or choose one favorite character. There is no knowing where this story will go or who will even survive to the end. Just when you think a better situation is on it's way, just stop. You're wrong.
Even though it is the longest so far in the series (1200+ pages!!!), this book is so fast paced that you'll breeze right through it. It has tons of action,it's nerve wracking, it's infuriating, heart wrenching,and beautifully written. Try as I might to slow my reading (I often felt the need to take a break to sometimes rest my emotions and speeding heart..sometimes to just stare into space in disbelief..often to try and find a subtle point I could have missed that might disperse the ominous cloud that hangs over every character with their impending dooms of death and misfortune), I could not put this book down.
The way Martin has formed his characters makes it near impossible(at least for me) to "pick a side" or choose one favorite character. There is no knowing where this story will go or who will even survive to the end. Just when you think a better situation is on it's way, just stop. You're wrong.
allnee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
notcreativeusername's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-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? Yes
4.75
eli_mageofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jobustitch's review against another edition
4.0
The first half of the book really dragged for me, but once the weddings started taking place...WOW! I couldn't put it down. I LOVE JON SNOW AND SAM! I cannot get enough of those characters. The other characters are also developing nicely, except for Arya. She is really getting on my nerves. I am hoping she grows up a bit more in the next installment of this story. Great, fun read!
irfan3's review against another edition
5.0
Superb! In my opinion, this book is better than the first two. :D
More interesting passages, more point of view. And a constant balanced cliffhanger.
Before reading book 4, I'm going to watch the 3rd season of the TV Series first (Summer 2013).
More interesting passages, more point of view. And a constant balanced cliffhanger.
Before reading book 4, I'm going to watch the 3rd season of the TV Series first (Summer 2013).
rodreego's review against another edition
4.0
Liked it, but probably would've loved it if I hadn't get spoiled on the big twists and events on this book... Oh well
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
That ending! It left me as giddy with a mixture of glee and revulsion as it did the first time I read it, all those years ago. I can hardly wait to see how they handle it in season four on HBO. Some spoilers ahead.
My one criticism of this book is that it's so very repetitive and bloated with pointless detail at times. I ate this long, long book over a pretty short amount of time, yet I had to drag myself through some passages. I can tell Martin is fascinated by heraldry, but I can see no real reason to tell the reader, in great detail, about every last minor player's device. We got the thing about the dog's head the first time, and if we don't know about the maesters' chains by now, we're not paying attention and never will.
Other than that, this book is such a feat with flat out brilliant characterization. Martin juggles his vast cast and intricate plot lines with a skill any soap opera writer would envy. And that's exactly what this series is, one long, gloriously, deliciously macabre fantasy soap opera.
My favorite highlights from this book are the fracturing of the Lannisters, just when they seem to be emerging triumphant, and the saga of the Starks, who are proving to be harder to kill off than anyone expected. Plus, the revelation about what really happened to Jon Arryn is devastating, considering what his death set into motion. It proves just who is the scariest person in all of Westeros. Martin, I applaud your mastery.
This book ties up many threads and sets the stage for the new territory into which the saga is venturing. I can't wait to read the next book and am so glad I decided to reread the first three first.
My one criticism of this book is that it's so very repetitive and bloated with pointless detail at times. I ate this long, long book over a pretty short amount of time, yet I had to drag myself through some passages. I can tell Martin is fascinated by heraldry, but I can see no real reason to tell the reader, in great detail, about every last minor player's device. We got the thing about the dog's head the first time, and if we don't know about the maesters' chains by now, we're not paying attention and never will.
Other than that, this book is such a feat with flat out brilliant characterization. Martin juggles his vast cast and intricate plot lines with a skill any soap opera writer would envy. And that's exactly what this series is, one long, gloriously, deliciously macabre fantasy soap opera.
My favorite highlights from this book are the fracturing of the Lannisters, just when they seem to be emerging triumphant, and the saga of the Starks, who are proving to be harder to kill off than anyone expected. Plus, the revelation about what really happened to Jon Arryn is devastating, considering what his death set into motion. It proves just who is the scariest person in all of Westeros. Martin, I applaud your mastery.
This book ties up many threads and sets the stage for the new territory into which the saga is venturing. I can't wait to read the next book and am so glad I decided to reread the first three first.
broken_shady's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.75