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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
This novel is only the first half of the third book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, and it shows. Throughout this book, I felt like a rubber band that was slowly being tightened, and tightened, and I'm still waiting for everything to kick off. This is not Martin's fault, exactly, but it is obvious that this is only half of a full book (despite it's length). That being said, I'm dreading reading part two. With all the tension that's been built up in Steel and Snow, Blood and Gold promises to change everything irrevocably.
We are introduced to two new viewpoints in Steel and Snow: Jaime Lannister and Samwell Tarly. With Jaime, the Kingslayer, we get to see a different side to him and, despite everything he has done in the previous two books, I actually found myself growing to like him. Sure, he was arrogant and horrifically rude to Brienne, but, despite that, I liked him. Damn it, Martin. That's a true mark of talent in an author. Samwell's viewpoint was a surprise, especially as it appeared quite a way into the book, but it was a necessary viewpoint. And I'm fond of Samwell, so I'm really glad we can keep track of him now.
I'm also starting to question my dislike of Melisandre, I want to slap Sansa (I hate that she's treating Tyrion like that, even though it's understandable. But I like Tyrion, damn it! A Song of Ice and Fire.
And where's Theon? ;A;
The thing that makes the books in A Song of Ice and Fire stand out is the exquisitely detailed worldbuilding. The banners, the sigils, the histories of the houses, the other cultures, the legends, the songs. I particularly was interested by Astapor, and the Unsullied. When it comes to worldbuilding, Martin is my idol. Sure, there's some people that say he goes into a bit too much detail when it comes to banners, and histories, and many names and minor characters, but I love every word of it. It feels like a real world and, unlike some books, that world does not revolve around the main characters. It lives around them, and people have their own motivations and goals, and it makes me so happy when I read it.
And don't get me started on the intricacies of the politics and intrigue. <3
I love the writing, as well. Martin definitely has a way with words, and some of the sentences just make me want to hug the book and absorb his talent. For example, that very last sentence. Hnngh. <3
The only thing that bothered me about this book was some of the magic. In essence, this is a very realistic and gritty sort of world, and sometimes the more supernatural elements seemed out of place. I could deal with dragons and Others; these seem to be part of the fabric of the world. The magic of the Lord of the Light, however, seems a step too far,especially in regards to Beric Dondarrion . Perhaps this is because the magic is attached to a religion in a world where, otherwise, the gods seem very distant. The Old Gods and the Seven don't do anything to help out the characters, or anything to suggest they might be more than the faith of men; R'hllor seems more than that, and I'm not sure I like it.
All in all, this is the book that seems to be the calm before the storm. Because of the fact it's only half of a book, and therefore feels slightly unsatisfying (plus my issue with R'hllor (which I hope will change)), this one loses a star from me. I'm very glad I have the next book in the series beside me to read, even though it seems as though I'm in for a very bumpy ride.
We are introduced to two new viewpoints in Steel and Snow: Jaime Lannister and Samwell Tarly. With Jaime, the Kingslayer, we get to see a different side to him and, despite everything he has done in the previous two books, I actually found myself growing to like him. Sure, he was arrogant and horrifically rude to Brienne, but, despite that, I liked him. Damn it, Martin. That's a true mark of talent in an author. Samwell's viewpoint was a surprise, especially as it appeared quite a way into the book, but it was a necessary viewpoint. And I'm fond of Samwell, so I'm really glad we can keep track of him now.
I'm also starting to question my dislike of Melisandre, I want to slap Sansa (
The thing that makes the books in A Song of Ice and Fire stand out is the exquisitely detailed worldbuilding. The banners, the sigils, the histories of the houses, the other cultures, the legends, the songs. I particularly was interested by Astapor, and the Unsullied. When it comes to worldbuilding, Martin is my idol. Sure, there's some people that say he goes into a bit too much detail when it comes to banners, and histories, and many names and minor characters, but I love every word of it. It feels like a real world and, unlike some books, that world does not revolve around the main characters. It lives around them, and people have their own motivations and goals, and it makes me so happy when I read it.
And don't get me started on the intricacies of the politics and intrigue. <3
I love the writing, as well. Martin definitely has a way with words, and some of the sentences just make me want to hug the book and absorb his talent. For example, that very last sentence. Hnngh. <3
The only thing that bothered me about this book was some of the magic. In essence, this is a very realistic and gritty sort of world, and sometimes the more supernatural elements seemed out of place. I could deal with dragons and Others; these seem to be part of the fabric of the world. The magic of the Lord of the Light, however, seems a step too far,
All in all, this is the book that seems to be the calm before the storm. Because of the fact it's only half of a book, and therefore feels slightly unsatisfying (plus my issue with R'hllor (which I hope will change)), this one loses a star from me. I'm very glad I have the next book in the series beside me to read, even though it seems as though I'm in for a very bumpy ride.
wow this book was amazing. I'm always surprised at how quickly I get through these books but I think that just proves how brilliant they are.
In this book I was really interested to see how new chapters were from the pov from characters like Jamie Lannister and Samwell Tarley. I also found Robb, Jon Snow and Tyrion's chapters and situations really interesting to read!
oh how I love this series, looking forward to reading part 2 blood and gold..
In this book I was really interested to see how new chapters were from the pov from characters like Jamie Lannister and Samwell Tarley. I also found Robb, Jon Snow and Tyrion's chapters and situations really interesting to read!
oh how I love this series, looking forward to reading part 2 blood and gold..
Very good once again, and I loved getting to read from Jamie's perspective. However I will say reading these books is getting pretty exhausting because you have to keep track of A LOT of characters and locations, which is of course also what makes these books and this universe so special, but sadly also very tough to get through sometimes. I think I need a short break from this universe before continuing, but nevertheless I can't wait to continue with this series.
This book was very exciting but I'm not a sure what happened in this book and the one before it. That's a good thing though as the books flow on perfectly and I love to just finish it and keep reading. The adventure continues to be amazing and reading from the different perspectives help to make it easy to read for hours on end. I am in love with this amazing series.
good kinda getting tired of the female characters just repeating the same thing over and over..
"i am the blood of the dragon"
"my name is Brienne"
"you know nothing Jon Snow"
can he please just give them something else to say!!!!!
"i am the blood of the dragon"
"my name is Brienne"
"you know nothing Jon Snow"
can he please just give them something else to say!!!!!
lmaooo chett went to kill sam and ended up being the one to wet himself
omg i’m so excited sansa might wed ser loras
nooooo it’s actually willas
awh i feel so sorry for jon as he’s trying to come up with something to tell mance ryder about why he ‘deserted’ the night watch and he says ‘did you see where they put the bastard’ and mance goes ‘i think we had best fund you a new cloak’
omg did jorah just propose to dany i ship it already
eww i just searched up ser jorah and saw he’s quite old and now i’m kinda disgusted but i’m gonna tell myself he’s younger
arya is near jaime and brienne- they are at the same inn that brienne traded the gold for horses at
eeeeee arya has found harwin who used to look after her pony
who the hell is this jeyne westerling that robb has married
uh oh. tyrion is marrying sansa.
i guess it’s nice that tyrion said he won’t touch sansa until she wants him to but still the situation is horrendous
okay what the hell is this weird blood magic that stannis is doing i’m guessing he’s tryna kill balon robb and joffrey
awhhhh gendry is a knight with the brave companions
so at the end jon snow basically escaped the wildings and left ygritte behind but at least he’s not dead and he’s on his way back to castle black
definitely the slowestttt so far and kind of understandable bc it’s only the first half of a book technically but off pure enjoyment it would be 3 stars bc at times it was a real drag
omg i’m so excited sansa might wed ser loras
nooooo it’s actually willas
awh i feel so sorry for jon as he’s trying to come up with something to tell mance ryder about why he ‘deserted’ the night watch and he says ‘did you see where they put the bastard’ and mance goes ‘i think we had best fund you a new cloak’
omg did jorah just propose to dany i ship it already
eww i just searched up ser jorah and saw he’s quite old and now i’m kinda disgusted but i’m gonna tell myself he’s younger
arya is near jaime and brienne- they are at the same inn that brienne traded the gold for horses at
eeeeee arya has found harwin who used to look after her pony
who the hell is this jeyne westerling that robb has married
uh oh. tyrion is marrying sansa.
i guess it’s nice that tyrion said he won’t touch sansa until she wants him to but still the situation is horrendous
okay what the hell is this weird blood magic that stannis is doing i’m guessing he’s tryna kill balon robb and joffrey
awhhhh gendry is a knight with the brave companions
so at the end jon snow basically escaped the wildings and left ygritte behind but at least he’s not dead and he’s on his way back to castle black
definitely the slowestttt so far and kind of understandable bc it’s only the first half of a book technically but off pure enjoyment it would be 3 stars bc at times it was a real drag
A bit too much time following different people who are just trekking around the countryside and getting captured/escaping over and over eg Jamie and Arya (I know their stories are important to the plot but it can get quite repetitive. I can feel the excitement building and I'm ready to the heartbreak/chaos of the second half!