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A review by ajreads22
A Storm of Swords 1: Steel and Snow by George R.R. Martin
4.0
NOTE: When reviewing these books, I will not allow my love of the show to influence the score; if the show is ever mentioned, it will not be for the purpose of comparison.
Due to 'A Storm of Swords' colossal size, the book is split into two parts in the UK: 'Steel and Snow', and 'Blood and Gold'. Because of this, I decided it was unfair to review this book as a complete experience and will instead review it in the same way I might answer the question "So how is it so far?", as I'm technically only halfway through the entire thing.
So, how is it so far?
Short answer: it's good. Really good, in fact. In terms of the overarching narrative, not a great deal of shocking things happen in part one - which isn't entirely surprising. Forgetting the fact that I know what happens in part two (and it's my favourite season of the show so I'm very excited to see how the book portrays these events), I could appreciate how Martin was assembling the individual cogs of the machine, getting characters to where they needed to be ready for the explosive moments of part two. The new viewpoints are fascinating - especially Jaime's (who knew that a murdering, traitorous, sister-f****r could become such a likeable character) - and Lady Olenna really is my favourite grandmother in any novel ever, she's fantastic. Of course, as with any ASOIAF novel, there are some viewpoints that aren't as exciting as the others, particularly Davos, but the others are so good that it's worth ploughing through the ones you don't like just to revel in the brilliance that are Tyrion's chapters, or Jaime's.
Overall, I really, really liked 'A Storm of Swords - Part One: Steel and Snow': it still has the same issues as the previous instalments with its sometimes excessive descriptions and some underwhelming viewpoints, but by taking the time to slowly establish the chess pieces ready to knock them all down in part two, 'Steel and Snow' has really made 'A Storm of Swords' look like it could be the strongest section of the series to date.
Due to 'A Storm of Swords' colossal size, the book is split into two parts in the UK: 'Steel and Snow', and 'Blood and Gold'. Because of this, I decided it was unfair to review this book as a complete experience and will instead review it in the same way I might answer the question "So how is it so far?", as I'm technically only halfway through the entire thing.
So, how is it so far?
Short answer: it's good. Really good, in fact. In terms of the overarching narrative, not a great deal of shocking things happen in part one - which isn't entirely surprising. Forgetting the fact that I know what happens in part two (and it's my favourite season of the show so I'm very excited to see how the book portrays these events), I could appreciate how Martin was assembling the individual cogs of the machine, getting characters to where they needed to be ready for the explosive moments of part two. The new viewpoints are fascinating - especially Jaime's (who knew that a murdering, traitorous, sister-f****r could become such a likeable character) - and Lady Olenna really is my favourite grandmother in any novel ever, she's fantastic. Of course, as with any ASOIAF novel, there are some viewpoints that aren't as exciting as the others, particularly Davos, but the others are so good that it's worth ploughing through the ones you don't like just to revel in the brilliance that are Tyrion's chapters, or Jaime's.
Overall, I really, really liked 'A Storm of Swords - Part One: Steel and Snow': it still has the same issues as the previous instalments with its sometimes excessive descriptions and some underwhelming viewpoints, but by taking the time to slowly establish the chess pieces ready to knock them all down in part two, 'Steel and Snow' has really made 'A Storm of Swords' look like it could be the strongest section of the series to date.