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adarshvee's review against another edition
3.0
*Minor Spoilers ahead*
"A Feast For Crows" is a misleading title, as there is not much fodder for the crows here. The war of five kings is at its fag end, and there is an uneasy calm to the South of Westeros as it concentrates on rebuilding the ravaged settlements. Except for the ironmen, scattered bloody mummers and Beric Dondarion's troop of outlaws, there are not many swords out. "An age of wonder and terror will soon be upon us, an age for gods and heros", we are told earlier, and as we expectantly turn through nearly 800 pages of this novel, we realize that "in the game of thrones, even the humblest of pieces have wills of their own. Sometimes they refuse to make the moves you've planned for them". George R.R. Martin is a man of detail, and it is his attention to detail that sets him apart from other writers. It also lets him down at times. The Song of Ice and Fire is like a role player computer game, and some characters run out of things to do and end up in loops, repeating the same motions. We have seen it earlier with Bran and Sansa, and we see it now with Briene and Arya. At the end of the book, Martin writes a short, almost apologetic write-up explaining the absence of some of the most interesting characters. What we have as a result is a lot of episodic sub-plots, and POVs from a myriad, not-so-important characters, most of which do not move the larger story forward. We get to know Cersei as she becomes a megalomaniac, and we get to know Jamie, who becomes an unlikely hero. We also learn about a host of other random characters, and a numerous trivia. Why did Illyn Payne lose his tongue? What was Cersei's childhood like? Does Aemon have normal, humane feelings? What are the different harbours in Bravos? How many chains-links to a Maester?
Many of these sub-plots and tidbits are engrossing. Briene's quest through Cracklaw Point, for instance, takes us through a visually marvelous exploration. However when you already know that the object of her trip is not where she is looking for, the pay-off is underwhelming. Another such instance deals with a "Queenmaker", which is an engaging episode but ends up as a dud. Even when things happen, like at Kings Landing, it almost seems farcical with a touch of dark-humour (albeit without the requisite darkness). Which brings us to the thing about A Feast of Crows - without having read the subsequent books in the series, I would not belittle this part at this point of time. For all I know, it could be setting up things for a riveting climax. A calm before the storm. Or maybe, a calm before more calm. But then, how many pages more should I read before I get to find it out? Which brings us to the second thing about A Feast for Crows - did it have to be so damn long?
"A Feast For Crows" is a misleading title, as there is not much fodder for the crows here. The war of five kings is at its fag end, and there is an uneasy calm to the South of Westeros as it concentrates on rebuilding the ravaged settlements. Except for the ironmen, scattered bloody mummers and Beric Dondarion's troop of outlaws, there are not many swords out. "An age of wonder and terror will soon be upon us, an age for gods and heros", we are told earlier, and as we expectantly turn through nearly 800 pages of this novel, we realize that "in the game of thrones, even the humblest of pieces have wills of their own. Sometimes they refuse to make the moves you've planned for them". George R.R. Martin is a man of detail, and it is his attention to detail that sets him apart from other writers. It also lets him down at times. The Song of Ice and Fire is like a role player computer game, and some characters run out of things to do and end up in loops, repeating the same motions. We have seen it earlier with Bran and Sansa, and we see it now with Briene and Arya. At the end of the book, Martin writes a short, almost apologetic write-up explaining the absence of some of the most interesting characters. What we have as a result is a lot of episodic sub-plots, and POVs from a myriad, not-so-important characters, most of which do not move the larger story forward. We get to know Cersei as she becomes a megalomaniac, and we get to know Jamie, who becomes an unlikely hero. We also learn about a host of other random characters, and a numerous trivia. Why did Illyn Payne lose his tongue? What was Cersei's childhood like? Does Aemon have normal, humane feelings? What are the different harbours in Bravos? How many chains-links to a Maester?
Many of these sub-plots and tidbits are engrossing. Briene's quest through Cracklaw Point, for instance, takes us through a visually marvelous exploration. However when you already know that the object of her trip is not where she is looking for, the pay-off is underwhelming. Another such instance deals with a "Queenmaker", which is an engaging episode but ends up as a dud. Even when things happen, like at Kings Landing, it almost seems farcical with a touch of dark-humour (albeit without the requisite darkness). Which brings us to the thing about A Feast of Crows - without having read the subsequent books in the series, I would not belittle this part at this point of time. For all I know, it could be setting up things for a riveting climax. A calm before the storm. Or maybe, a calm before more calm. But then, how many pages more should I read before I get to find it out? Which brings us to the second thing about A Feast for Crows - did it have to be so damn long?
sedeara's review against another edition
4.0
Am I becoming desensitized to these books, or was this one really not as brutal as the ones that came before it? At any rate, I found this one to be less "hard" to read because of the sheer harshness of Martin's world. Although many of the standard characters did not make an appearance -- most notably Daenarys and Tyrion (didn't miss him) -- I did not find the book to be lacking because of it. I had been looking forward to this book since the beginning because I knew it was the first to have "Cersei" chapters, and while I can't say I particularly LIKE her without seeming like a bad person, I DO like reading about her. There were plenty of other characters in this one that I liked reading about, too -- in fact, between Cersei's chapters, Asha's, and Brienne's, I thought of this volume as "A Song of Ice and Fire: The Strong Women Edition." (Not to mention )
Despite the strong woman thread, though, there are times while reading this series that it is just so obviously written with a male worldview. Like the way that Martin must describe every woman's nipples who bares her breast, although we never learn what the dudes' nipples look like, or the particular variances between one cock and another. And the fact that he always addresses desire from a male lens -- we never get a deep look into a female or gay male experience of desire. And there are some things that just don't ring true to me as a female reader, such as that Cersei would "eat" Robert's semen to "kill" his sperm/potential offspring. Newsflash: no woman who finds a man as sexually repulsive as Cersei found Robert is going to willingly ingest his semen, especially when his sperm are going to be just as dead soaking into the bedsheets. Sorry, Martin, I'm sure those scenes were fun for you to write, but no. (Reading this alongside of [b:Lord of Chaos|35231|Lord of Chaos (Wheel of Time, #6)|Robert Jordan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440954553s/35231.jpg|827903] reminded me that I REALLY need to sample some epic fantasy written by women, like [b:Kushiel's Dart|153008|Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1)|Jacqueline Carey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328168291s/153008.jpg|2990010]. But then I'll have THREE epic fantasy series on the go, argh!)
Martin's writing does remain solid, of course, although there were a few verbal "tics" that bothered me in this volume. Like, why are we now naming chapters/characters by descriptors rather than by the characters' ACTUAL names? (i.e.: The Soiled Knight, The Queenmaker, etc.) And why is everyone suddenly using the phrases "much and more" and "little and less"? I swear those phrases were not spattered all over the previous three books, and at first I thought it was just a regional saying, but suddenly all the characters were using it, regardless of where they were from. And it was annoying, redundant, and pretentious. Kind of, "Oooh, look at me, I can make my writing sound all archaic!"
It was also a little strange to have characters in this volume that only got a single chapter. It's easy to just forget their storylines ever existed, although I assume they will be important later on?
Still, I think this series grows on me more with each installment, and I love that it is so character-driven and totally immersive -- the fact that George RR Martin is most likely a dirty old man and that the audio versions are totally obnoxious notwithstanding.
Spoiler
the short subplot about putting Myrcella on the throne and the undead return of Lady Catelyn.Despite the strong woman thread, though, there are times while reading this series that it is just so obviously written with a male worldview. Like the way that Martin must describe every woman's nipples who bares her breast, although we never learn what the dudes' nipples look like, or the particular variances between one cock and another. And the fact that he always addresses desire from a male lens -- we never get a deep look into a female or gay male experience of desire. And there are some things that just don't ring true to me as a female reader, such as that Cersei would "eat" Robert's semen to "kill" his sperm/potential offspring. Newsflash: no woman who finds a man as sexually repulsive as Cersei found Robert is going to willingly ingest his semen, especially when his sperm are going to be just as dead soaking into the bedsheets. Sorry, Martin, I'm sure those scenes were fun for you to write, but no. (Reading this alongside of [b:Lord of Chaos|35231|Lord of Chaos (Wheel of Time, #6)|Robert Jordan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440954553s/35231.jpg|827903] reminded me that I REALLY need to sample some epic fantasy written by women, like [b:Kushiel's Dart|153008|Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1)|Jacqueline Carey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328168291s/153008.jpg|2990010]. But then I'll have THREE epic fantasy series on the go, argh!)
Martin's writing does remain solid, of course, although there were a few verbal "tics" that bothered me in this volume. Like, why are we now naming chapters/characters by descriptors rather than by the characters' ACTUAL names? (i.e.: The Soiled Knight, The Queenmaker, etc.) And why is everyone suddenly using the phrases "much and more" and "little and less"? I swear those phrases were not spattered all over the previous three books, and at first I thought it was just a regional saying, but suddenly all the characters were using it, regardless of where they were from. And it was annoying, redundant, and pretentious. Kind of, "Oooh, look at me, I can make my writing sound all archaic!"
It was also a little strange to have characters in this volume that only got a single chapter. It's easy to just forget their storylines ever existed, although I assume they will be important later on?
Still, I think this series grows on me more with each installment, and I love that it is so character-driven and totally immersive -- the fact that George RR Martin is most likely a dirty old man and that the audio versions are totally obnoxious notwithstanding.
lindseydahling's review against another edition
5.0
I’m aware I’m in the minority when I say this was my favorite book of the series, BUT JUST HEAR ME OUT.
Things I liked:
1. You get to hang out at King’s Landing A LOT.
Cersei Lannister is despicable and I love her with all my heart. I send the Lannisters my love (and they send it back because they don’t want it).
2. Daenerys isn’t in it.
I’m aware I’m also in the minority in enjoying her absence, BUT COME ON. Lady has three dragons and STILL no idea how to cross the ocean and take back “her” throne. The Baratheons called—your dad was a real dick and therefore your family’s throne privileges got taken away. Once you torture people for fun, you kind of don’t get to sit with us anymore.
Also, you freed a bunch of slaves and just CANNOT BELIEVE they’re now starving because NO ONE WILL HIRE THEM. WOW. Plot. Twist. Didn’t see that one coming.
Also, you can tell me all the live-long day that you’re a queen and a great leader and deserve everyone’s adoration. Well, actions speak louder than words, Dany. You can’t figure out how to cross an ocean with three FLYING dragons. Homegirl Cersei might be cruel, but at least when she says she’s going to blow something up, SHE FUCKING FOLLOWS THROUGH. As you’ll see in this book.
3. Jaime’s Gryffindor side really shows.
He’s still in love with his Slytherin sister, but you see he’s really not a total villain.
4. Brienne is a badass Gryffindor who I could follow around all day.
Not in a creepy way.
5. Jon Snow isn’t in it.
HEAR ME OUT. JON SNOW IS GREAT. HE IS A LOVELY HUMAN AND SHOULD ACTUALLY BE SITTING ON THE IRON THRONE. I just don’t find him very interesting to read because he’s vanilla AF.
6. Asha Greyjoy.
Girl power.
7. Sam has more of a purpose than just being Jon’s Hufflepuff sidekick.
He’s such a cinnamon roll.
8. Arya is a queen.
I’d put her on the throne just to watch her get revenge on anyone who even looks at her wrong.
9. No Bran.
Call me when you’re ready to progress the plot.
10. SANSAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
You get to watch her blossom into something other than a prim and proper lady. I still haven’t forgiven her for the direwolf thing in the first book, but this did help our relationship.
Things I didn’t care for:
1. No Ravenclaw Tyrion.
The Lannisters are such a well-rounded bunch.
2. Daenerys wasn’t killed off by a pride of lions.
Spoiler alert.
Things I liked:
1. You get to hang out at King’s Landing A LOT.
Cersei Lannister is despicable and I love her with all my heart. I send the Lannisters my love (and they send it back because they don’t want it).
2. Daenerys isn’t in it.
I’m aware I’m also in the minority in enjoying her absence, BUT COME ON. Lady has three dragons and STILL no idea how to cross the ocean and take back “her” throne. The Baratheons called—your dad was a real dick and therefore your family’s throne privileges got taken away. Once you torture people for fun, you kind of don’t get to sit with us anymore.
Also, you freed a bunch of slaves and just CANNOT BELIEVE they’re now starving because NO ONE WILL HIRE THEM. WOW. Plot. Twist. Didn’t see that one coming.
Also, you can tell me all the live-long day that you’re a queen and a great leader and deserve everyone’s adoration. Well, actions speak louder than words, Dany. You can’t figure out how to cross an ocean with three FLYING dragons. Homegirl Cersei might be cruel, but at least when she says she’s going to blow something up, SHE FUCKING FOLLOWS THROUGH. As you’ll see in this book.
3. Jaime’s Gryffindor side really shows.
He’s still in love with his Slytherin sister, but you see he’s really not a total villain.
4. Brienne is a badass Gryffindor who I could follow around all day.
Not in a creepy way.
5. Jon Snow isn’t in it.
HEAR ME OUT. JON SNOW IS GREAT. HE IS A LOVELY HUMAN AND SHOULD ACTUALLY BE SITTING ON THE IRON THRONE. I just don’t find him very interesting to read because he’s vanilla AF.
6. Asha Greyjoy.
Girl power.
7. Sam has more of a purpose than just being Jon’s Hufflepuff sidekick.
He’s such a cinnamon roll.
8. Arya is a queen.
I’d put her on the throne just to watch her get revenge on anyone who even looks at her wrong.
9. No Bran.
Call me when you’re ready to progress the plot.
10. SANSAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
You get to watch her blossom into something other than a prim and proper lady. I still haven’t forgiven her for the direwolf thing in the first book, but this did help our relationship.
Things I didn’t care for:
1. No Ravenclaw Tyrion.
The Lannisters are such a well-rounded bunch.
2. Daenerys wasn’t killed off by a pride of lions.
Spoiler alert.
badschnoodles's review against another edition
5.0
Love how all the little threads are pulling together...
lauraslibrarycard's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to the audiobook and was surprised by a switch of the narrator. I think John Lee did a fine job but it took awhile to get used to the change, and I felt that he did not have quite the variety of different voices. In particular I thought most of his female voices sounded practically indistinguishable.
This book was a slower pace than #3, which was to be expected but still mildly disappointing. There was less action and driving plot in this volume, and this did lead to my mind wandering occasionally.
Also was bummed to find some of my favorite characters' POV not represented, but Martin declares that the next book will have those chapters.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but in some ways the story seems to be spreading thin--the main characters are spread farther geographically and most seem to be going off in their own directions with their own plots. I hope that each character still has a purpose and payoff. It will be cool to see how Martin starts to bring the storylines together and perhaps interweaves them.
This book was a slower pace than #3, which was to be expected but still mildly disappointing. There was less action and driving plot in this volume, and this did lead to my mind wandering occasionally.
Also was bummed to find some of my favorite characters' POV not represented, but Martin declares that the next book will have those chapters.
Overall, I enjoyed this book but in some ways the story seems to be spreading thin--the main characters are spread farther geographically and most seem to be going off in their own directions with their own plots. I hope that each character still has a purpose and payoff. It will be cool to see how Martin starts to bring the storylines together and perhaps interweaves them.
futant462's review against another edition
4.0
Ugh. I have no idea what to rate this. 2/3 of it was dull and over-descriptive with minimal plot movement. Definitely the weakest of the series so far. I have no problem with the way GRRM split up books 4&5 or the characters left out, I just felt that the plot/word ratio, especially in the first half, was waaaay too low.
That said, the last 1/3 or so was great, and I'm really excited to jump into ADWD. I could go anywhere from 2 to 4 stars on this book, going with 4 due to the momentum of the series more or less.
That said, the last 1/3 or so was great, and I'm really excited to jump into ADWD. I could go anywhere from 2 to 4 stars on this book, going with 4 due to the momentum of the series more or less.
domskeac's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really enjoyed this one! This is the first book that had significant parts not featured in the show that I found myself wishing would have been included. I enjoyed the outer parts of the realm, and the writing choice of sticking with certain characters over a consistent timeline across the series for a whole book was bold.
Enjoyed reading and finished about an hour before the last GoT premiere started. Now let’s see if I can finish the series before the show ends! 🙏
Enjoyed reading and finished about an hour before the last GoT premiere started. Now let’s see if I can finish the series before the show ends! 🙏
checkedoutbooks's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. I really enjoyed all of Martins book to this point but this one was boring beyond belief. 90% of it was random political stuff that I didn't really care about from the viewpoints of characters I didn't really care about. The other 10% was pretty ok but not to the point of a 34hr audiobook didn't feel like wasted time.
dej118's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed it because I love most of the characters in this book but I didn't feel like it had as much of a clear stopping point as the others (maybe because it's split?). Still, great read.
baguette_boi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0