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__ceecee__'s Reviews (414)
I reserve my 5-star rating for when I reread this novel and when I fully comprehend it. Though when I read this as a requirement in high school, I was awed by how brilliantly Rizal wrote it, respected him at last and finally understood why he was our national hero, and I loved my mother tongue even more.
After reading [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1338613368s/8490112.jpg|13355552], I thought angel PNRs aren't that bad. And, really, Angelfall could be a [b:Days of Blood & Starlight|12812550|Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2)|Laini Taylor|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337964452s/12812550.jpg|17961723] companion book, or sequel, whichever you prefer. It was interesting to read about a post-apocalyptic world brought about by angels of all things, which I thought was a pretty cool fresh take on PNR.
Although the plot was quite familiar (the girl teams up with the boy to achieve different goals, meanwhile developing feelings for each other), and really not something I'm a fan of, it was still an enjoyable read. Another problem I had was Raffe's way of speaking. For an angel, I really wanted a little bit of finesse or formality in the way he speaks, instead he spoke like a regular teenager or 20s something guy. Seriously, though, Raffe? With a name like RAFFE (Good glob, my friend's dog's named Raffy), of course I would get that he was RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL. Had he been named RAFA, though, I would not have minded, because, come on:
*I am officially dreamcasting Rafael Nadal as Raffe*
Anyhoo I liked reading about ways in surviving a post apocalyptic world, which somehow involves the fortunate circumstance of a mother willing to enroll you in every self-defense class just in case of such emergencies. Seriously, I need martial arts classes. I LOVED THE TWINS, like it's a given that in every series redheaded and mischievous twins will always capture any reader's heart. What a cop out! Also, I like the weirdness of the ending, and how the author wasn't afraid to show a bit of gore.
*4 stars It features a kick-ass heroine, who, though not immune to luurrve, still knows what her priorities are; gore and weird experiments, demons, angels in 1920s gangsta getups, and diverse characters. An entertaining and worthy read.
NOW WHERE'S BOOK TWO?
Although the plot was quite familiar (the girl teams up with the boy to achieve different goals, meanwhile developing feelings for each other), and really not something I'm a fan of, it was still an enjoyable read. Another problem I had was Raffe's way of speaking. For an angel, I really wanted a little bit of finesse or formality in the way he speaks, instead he spoke like a regular teenager or 20s something guy. Seriously, though, Raffe? With a name like RAFFE (Good glob, my friend's dog's named Raffy), of course I would get that he was RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL. Had he been named RAFA, though, I would not have minded, because, come on:
*I am officially dreamcasting Rafael Nadal as Raffe*
Anyhoo I liked reading about ways in surviving a post apocalyptic world, which somehow involves the fortunate circumstance of a mother willing to enroll you in every self-defense class just in case of such emergencies. Seriously, I need martial arts classes. I LOVED THE TWINS, like it's a given that in every series redheaded and mischievous twins will always capture any reader's heart. What a cop out! Also, I like the weirdness of the ending, and how the author wasn't afraid to show a bit of gore.
*4 stars It features a kick-ass heroine, who, though not immune to luurrve, still knows what her priorities are; gore and weird experiments, demons, angels in 1920s gangsta getups, and diverse characters. An entertaining and worthy read.
NOW WHERE'S BOOK TWO?
It's actually hard for me to rate this. On one hand, Days of Blood and Starlight surpassed Smoke and Bone [to me], on the other hand, Laini Taylor kept ripping my heart out again and again, and I cannot like it. I cannot like getting to know a character, liking them, rooting for them, only to have Taylor kill them off.
Or do I?
Is this a friggin ASoIaF book? Because it seems like that. Letting me read all these POVs, and then killing them off. One time, all in a space of a chapter. It's amazing actually, how Laini Taylor did that. Introducing a character I really liked, only to find out he was just a plot device and I had to find out he dies. UUUGGGHHHHHHH.
And that ending.
All the time I was like.
But she did. Not cool, Taylor. NOT COOL. So now I'm pretty devastated. And hooked at the same time. What are you doing to me, Laini Taylor???
I'm getting way ahead of myself, though.
Days of Blood and Starlight follows the events in [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1338613368s/8490112.jpg|13355552], when Akiva and Karou separate ways, to each save their people. And it's so refreshing to be able to read this book, which didn't focus on the romance of the two protagonists for once. Instead, I was treated to the romance of Karou's buddies Zuzana and her Mik. (YAY!) Is there a more adorable couple than Zuzana and Mik. I wanted to hug them and kill them at the same time for their cuteness, omg. I WANT MY MIK. WANT WANT WANT.
This book focused on the pains of war. Of Karou's internal conflicts to right what she believed she wronged, in the face of her grief. Of her struggle to stay true to what she thinks she needs to do. And also in Akiva's side - the struggle to change what is being done. To stop this accursed and stupid war. These two are saving their world from each end. Or at least, trying to. *ALL THE AWARDS TO LAINI TAYLOR FOR CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!*
*5 stars. I think it really does deserve 5 stars, despite that heart-ripping, twist-loaded, WTAF-inducing, frustrating ending.
I stayed up until 2AM to finish this thing, even though I just got off work 3 hours ago.
P.S. Dear [b:Dreams of Gods & Monsters|13618440|Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #3)|Laini Taylor|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368723378s/13618440.jpg|19221595],
Will you please come sooner? I'm dying here.
Or do I?
Is this a friggin ASoIaF book? Because it seems like that. Letting me read all these POVs, and then killing them off. One time, all in a space of a chapter. It's amazing actually, how Laini Taylor did that. Introducing a character I really liked, only to find out he was just a plot device and I had to find out he dies. UUUGGGHHHHHHH.
And that ending.
All the time I was like.
But she did. Not cool, Taylor. NOT COOL. So now I'm pretty devastated. And hooked at the same time. What are you doing to me, Laini Taylor???
I'm getting way ahead of myself, though.
Days of Blood and Starlight follows the events in [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1338613368s/8490112.jpg|13355552], when Akiva and Karou separate ways, to each save their people.
Spoiler
Inaccurate little synopsis I have there, because they really broke up in the end of Book 1.This book focused on the pains of war. Of Karou's internal conflicts to right what she believed she wronged, in the face of her grief. Of her struggle to stay true to what she thinks she needs to do. And also in Akiva's side - the struggle to change what is being done. To stop this accursed and stupid war. These two are saving their world from each end. Or at least, trying to. *ALL THE AWARDS TO LAINI TAYLOR FOR CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!*
*5 stars. I think it really does deserve 5 stars, despite that heart-ripping, twist-loaded, WTAF-inducing, frustrating ending.
Spoiler
HAZAELLLLLL!!! The worst death ever! Why Hazael? Why did anyone have to die? Ugh, I was half in love with Hazael, Laini! And you killed him! I died a thousand deaths!Spoiler
Ziri! What? A love triangle that's not really a love triangle? Ziriiiiii, let me hug you....Spoiler
Ugh, JAEL! Ugh, why couldn't Akiva have killed him too? UGGHHHHHSpoiler
For a moment there I really thought it was THE WHITE WOLF. Like WTAF. And then it wasn't. Twists upon twists upon twists. I died a thousand more deaths.Spoiler
THANK GOD, it wasn't Ten.Spoiler
Seraphim and Chimaera finally working together! Akiva and Karou, I know you're gonna get back together! Earth being invaded by angels! The plot thickens...I stayed up until 2AM to finish this thing, even though I just got off work 3 hours ago.
P.S. Dear [b:Dreams of Gods & Monsters|13618440|Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #3)|Laini Taylor|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368723378s/13618440.jpg|19221595],
Will you please come sooner? I'm dying here.
I can't believe I forgot about this book. Bad, Ceecee, baaaad.
**Gomenasai**
This book was a pleasant surprise. It is an unknown gem. Look at it, it doesn't even have a synopsis here in GR.* Luckily, I found an image of its back cover.
**The guy is named John Greene, so if I ever read this book again, I'll be thinking of a certain author. haha**
It only has 14 ratings, my poor baby. And only two reviews? I must remedy that!
Let me start off by saying I love History, but History doesn't love me (I just barely passed my history classes). I can't say I'm a history buff, unless you count watching mostly History Channel shows a history buff. So yeah, the premise of the book piqued my interest.
I was thrust into Russian life, into a Russian court intrigue. And since it is based on historical facts, I liked to believe it was true.I grew to love this strange intelligent kid named Dmitri (and I grew to love that name too). I never thought I could like Russian culture, until I read Dmitri.
I loved the time travel, historical, cultural and suspense elements in this book, and there's even a dash of romance in there, I think. It's been such a long time since I read it, so I apologize for such minimal details.
It was a good read, indeed. And it needs more readers! So if you ever find it, grab it, and you might enjoy a trip to 16th century Russia.
**Gomenasai**
This book was a pleasant surprise. It is an unknown gem. Look at it, it doesn't even have a synopsis here in GR.* Luckily, I found an image of its back cover.
**The guy is named John Greene, so if I ever read this book again, I'll be thinking of a certain author. haha**
It only has 14 ratings, my poor baby. And only two reviews? I must remedy that!
Let me start off by saying I love History, but History doesn't love me (I just barely passed my history classes). I can't say I'm a history buff, unless you count watching mostly History Channel shows a history buff. So yeah, the premise of the book piqued my interest.
I was thrust into Russian life, into a Russian court intrigue. And since it is based on historical facts, I liked to believe it was true.I grew to love this strange intelligent kid named Dmitri (and I grew to love that name too). I never thought I could like Russian culture, until I read Dmitri.
I loved the time travel, historical, cultural and suspense elements in this book, and there's even a dash of romance in there, I think. It's been such a long time since I read it, so I apologize for such minimal details.
**There is something I can't forget, though. And this might be really helpful to you students out there**
You see John Greene was taking this exam along with a bunch of other students, but when the proctor called "Time's Up", he wasn't finished yet. By the time he got down from the auditorium, the proctor had already stacked the papers and won't receive his anymore.
John asked him,"Do you know who I am?"
The proctor wasn't impressed, and said "No."
John replied, "Good" then hastily inserted his paper between the stack, messed it up, then ran from the room.
**I never did use that trick, though...**
It was a good read, indeed. And it needs more readers! So if you ever find it, grab it, and you might enjoy a trip to 16th century Russia.
* Update: 1/10/13: Having been recently made a Goodreads librarian, I found it imperative to add a book description. :D
I was very happy to read Dany's and Tyrion's and Jon's POVs again, after their pronounced absence in [b:A Feast for Crows|13497|A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4)|George R.R. Martin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358261107s/13497.jpg|1019062]. I never thought it was possible but I fell even more in love with Jon Snow.
It was a more enjoyable read than its predecessor, mainly because of the main POV characters, and because I just didn't enjoy Cersei and the Ironborn ARC in AFFC. I didn't even like the Dorne arc so much, because they are just these passionate, aggressive Sand Snakes who are bent on revenge, and I just don't like that, y'know? I'm phlegmatic. The fact that they see Doran Martell as weak because he didn't outright seek revenge for the death of his sister Elia just doesn't appeal to me. Doran Martell is a schemer, and I count that as stronger than Oberyn Martell's way, which was to seek revenge upon Gregor Clegane, kill him, and die in the process. Sure, Oberyn was brave, but I really hate unnecessarily putting yourself in danger. Some people's least favorite Martell is Quentyn, who gets his own POV chapters in ADwD, but I personally prefer him above everyone other Dorne character, maybe because I can relate to him more. He's ordinary-looking, he just wants a quiet, peaceful life. But he's a prince and much is expected of him so he tries to do what's "right".
It just seems so unfair, though, that he's introduced in the fifth book and dies in the same book. I mean, what was the point? Berric Dondarrion's story and cause was much more significant, but we don't get to read his POV, and yet Quentyn gets his POV? Somebody explain this to me. Which is why I can't really believe he's dead, or else his chapters and his whole character altogether was relatively pointless.Considering that everyone thought Aegon (Rhaegar's son) was dead but is actually alive, I don't see how GRRM can find it difficult to "miraculously" bring back Quentyn. Okay, after much reading of metas, I am now convinced that this Aegon is an imposter. Poor Aegon, though, I really liked him, but maybe he really is doomed. Damn you GRRM! Still, why put Quentyn in there only to kill him off? His entire storyline could've been told through a few paragraphs of flashback.
But I digress. A Dance with Dragons does not live up to its name, interestingly enough. It suggests that Dany will have much to do with her dragons, that she can somehow tame them, so she can ride them so she can conquer Westeros. But, gods, there's really little development. Dany has started this war against Qarth and slave traders, and she's struggling to bring peace to Mereen because she thinks she owes it to these people who call her queen and mother. Which was understandable: how can she call herself queen when all she's left behind is destruction? She ruined all these commoners lives, and she feels guilty about that. So she's busy cultivating peace, while her dragons continue growing, and growing unruly. How she gone conquer Westeros if she can't tame her dragons?
So I think Dany was stuck on a rut there.
Even though I really love the developments on Jon's arc, and Theon's, I still think that ADwD was slow going. Considering that AFFC and ADwD is really just one book, well. It's hard to write sequels, I know. I still feel that AFFC and ADwD contain more fillers than things that actually help the storyline move forward. I mean, come on, they're almost 2000 pages long! And that's all we get?
But what do I know? All I care about is how much I enjoy reading it.
It was a more enjoyable read than its predecessor, mainly because of the main POV characters, and because I just didn't enjoy Cersei and the Ironborn ARC in AFFC. I didn't even like the Dorne arc so much, because they are just these passionate, aggressive Sand Snakes who are bent on revenge, and I just don't like that, y'know? I'm phlegmatic. The fact that they see Doran Martell as weak because he didn't outright seek revenge for the death of his sister Elia just doesn't appeal to me. Doran Martell is a schemer, and I count that as stronger than Oberyn Martell's way, which was to seek revenge upon Gregor Clegane, kill him, and die in the process. Sure, Oberyn was brave, but I really hate unnecessarily putting yourself in danger. Some people's least favorite Martell is Quentyn, who gets his own POV chapters in ADwD, but I personally prefer him above everyone other Dorne character, maybe because I can relate to him more. He's ordinary-looking, he just wants a quiet, peaceful life. But he's a prince and much is expected of him so he tries to do what's "right".
It just seems so unfair, though, that he's introduced in the fifth book and dies in the same book. I mean, what was the point? Berric Dondarrion's story and cause was much more significant, but we don't get to read his POV, and yet Quentyn gets his POV? Somebody explain this to me. Which is why I can't really believe he's dead, or else his chapters and his whole character altogether was relatively pointless.
But I digress. A Dance with Dragons does not live up to its name, interestingly enough. It suggests that Dany will have much to do with her dragons, that she can somehow tame them, so she can ride them so she can conquer Westeros. But, gods, there's really little development. Dany has started this war against Qarth and slave traders, and she's struggling to bring peace to Mereen because she thinks she owes it to these people who call her queen and mother. Which was understandable: how can she call herself queen when all she's left behind is destruction? She ruined all these commoners lives, and she feels guilty about that. So she's busy cultivating peace, while her dragons continue growing, and growing unruly. How she gone conquer Westeros if she can't tame her dragons?
So I think Dany was stuck on a rut there.
Even though I really love the developments on Jon's arc, and Theon's, I still think that ADwD was slow going. Considering that AFFC and ADwD is really just one book, well. It's hard to write sequels, I know. I still feel that AFFC and ADwD contain more fillers than things that actually help the storyline move forward. I mean, come on, they're almost 2000 pages long! And that's all we get?
But what do I know? All I care about is how much I enjoy reading it.
This is the YA Paranormal Romance which should set the bar. I think it truly deserves its popularity. However popular it may be, though, I only ever see one copy of it on bookstore's shelves while the Twilight series and The Mortal Instruments series take up much more space. *Frowny Face*
Granted, I haven't read much from this genre, but dang, if all YA PNRs were written this way, then I would invest a lot of my time reading them.
Here's the thing: Laini Taylor takes all these "elements" from YA PNR, and turns it into this astonishing, dark, word-gasmic fantasy novel. Though there were things I didn't like (the protagonists' utter physical beauty perfection and the insta-love which I thought over the top), the way Taylor writes overweighs all of that. Her humor was effective, the whimsicality alluring, and she used all these fancy words I never knew existed. I have never been more thankful for ColorDict in my life. But the big words weren't put there just to make a paragraph less boring. I'm telling you, this was really well-written.
There has been a lot of YA PNRs involving angels, and to tell the truth, I love that, ever since The Mortal Instruments Trilogy, but then I had to go and read Hush, Hush, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Daughter of Smoke and Bone has restored my love for angel/demon-lore.
*4.5 stars I contemplated giving this 4 stars. But it actually reminded me of the TMI series, what with the angels and all, and I gave [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309277410s/256683.jpg|2267189] (CoB) 5 stars. And that can't happen.
I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and CoB, but for different reasons. While CoB was a fun read, I think Smoke and Bone is so much better.
But I rate books according to my enjoyment of the book, and I've come a long way since CoB. Daughter of Smoke and Bone offers incredible world-building, storytelling and lovely prose. Although, I'm not really sold out with the passionate you-changed-my-life-I-really-love-you-we-were-meant-to-be kind of romance in this book.
Granted, I haven't read much from this genre
Spoiler
[thanks to Twilight and Hush, Hush]Here's the thing: Laini Taylor takes all these "elements" from YA PNR, and turns it into this astonishing, dark, word-gasmic fantasy novel. Though there were things I didn't like (the protagonists' utter physical beauty perfection and the insta-love which I thought over the top), the way Taylor writes overweighs all of that. Her humor was effective, the whimsicality alluring, and she used all these fancy words I never knew existed. I have never been more thankful for ColorDict in my life. But the big words weren't put there just to make a paragraph less boring. I'm telling you, this was really well-written.
There has been a lot of YA PNRs involving angels, and to tell the truth, I love that, ever since The Mortal Instruments Trilogy, but then I had to go and read Hush, Hush, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Daughter of Smoke and Bone has restored my love for angel/demon-lore.
*4.5 stars I contemplated giving this 4 stars. But it actually reminded me of the TMI series, what with the angels and all, and I gave [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309277410s/256683.jpg|2267189] (CoB) 5 stars. And that can't happen.
I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and CoB, but for different reasons. While CoB was a fun read, I think Smoke and Bone is so much better.
But I rate books according to my enjoyment of the book, and I've come a long way since CoB. Daughter of Smoke and Bone offers incredible world-building, storytelling and lovely prose. Although, I'm not really sold out with the passionate you-changed-my-life-I-really-love-you-we-were-meant-to-be kind of romance in this book.
"It is an important and popular fact that things are not what they seem.
I think a lot of what the book is, hinges on that. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy cleverly explores ideas which spring from the question, what if things are not what we think they are? What if the earth was really a computer, and that humans are not the most intelligent beings on earth, and that the mice we experiment on are really experimenting on us? "Hah!" the mice will exclaim. "The joke's on you!"
The Universe is such a vast and complex thing literally anything is possible.
This is one of the things I like about this book. The play on words is quite an adept way of presenting ideas, which, in an off-hand, random and joking manner actually convey a deeper thought.
Most of you have heard of or seen the film version of this. What do you mean, you haven't? It stars Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, and Alan Rickman's voice is in there, too! Watch it! I, for one, enjoyed the movie, and loved the supercomputer Deep Thought, even Marvin the Paranoid Android.
The novel might seem disjointed and simple at times, because it's trying to adapt the original radio series. At times I thought the jokes irresistibly funny, at times the jokes just went over my head. At times it reminded me of the Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie. I'll chalk it off as some sort of trademark British humor.
3.5 - 4 stars. I loved the ideas in this book, whether or not I agreed with them. I didn't really enjoy the writing style, but I did enjoy the thought behind it. If you've ever wondered about Life, the Universe, and Everything, you might want to check out The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. You might never look at the number 42 the same way again.
I've always been pretty confused as to what the difference of perch-phaetons, coaches and other carriages, and also men's and women's clothings. SO I'm glad I read this book. It's really more of a reference book - which is why it's a must-have for GH fans - and it wasn't as entertaining, reading this chronologically. (The book kind of gets boring as it goes along). Still it's very useful book to help certain Georgett Heyer fans to better visualize the book they're reading. A good education on what it was really like in Regency times, and even interesting history lessons on the Who's Who in Regency era (whom GH almost always mentions in her novels).
I enjoyed this novella as much as, or mayhaps* even more than, I enjoyed [b:The Hedge Knight|11970747|The Hedge Knight (Tales of Dunk and Egg, #1)|George R.R. Martin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1310018362s/11970747.jpg|24981100]. I am strongly convinced it's because no one I cared about died. This being medieval fantasy though, and being George RR Martin, someone had to die. *shrug*
Being a sworn sword is a tricky thing. You swear your loyalty to your lord, you want to protect the people who are under that lord. What if those two principles clash? How to result in peace without having to resort to war? The Sworn Sword tackles those dilemmas, and more. This novella also sheds even more light to the Blackfyre Rebellion, presenting quite legitimate reasons why some lords chose Daemon Blackfyre's side, and why some lords chose Daeron Targaryen's side. It's all very fascinating.
Just as with The Hedge Knight, this story was engaging from start to finish. I love how GRRM displayed the life of low lords at the time, the consequences of invasions and treason, and emphasized how it was really the poor folk who needlessly suffered in these squabbles between high lords. Once you are under some lord or knight and you are called to arms for them, what can one do? Trained or not, these common folk who are unused to wielding weapons, who make up most of a party's host, will be the unfortunate casualties of war. They won't be able to go home to kiss their wives or children, or even get married to their betrothed.
In the ways that Dunk and Egg saved the day, I have grown even fonder of them.
4 stars I liked how GRRM handled the issues at hand, his humor, and even the romance here was nicely handled. A must read for any ASOIAF fan.
If there's anything The Hedge Knight and The Sworn Sword taught me, is that GRRM knows how to make a satisfying ending that leans towards a happy ending. So this gives me hope regarding the ASOIAF series.
Oh, god, I really hope I don't eat my words.
Spoiler
I almost said the bad guy died, but, really, there's no labeling like that in GRRM's world. Longinch might've been unlikable but I'm pretty sure some hardcore fan can make up a sob story even for him. They did it with Ramsay.Being a sworn sword is a tricky thing. You swear your loyalty to your lord, you want to protect the people who are under that lord. What if those two principles clash? How to result in peace without having to resort to war? The Sworn Sword tackles those dilemmas, and more. This novella also sheds even more light to the Blackfyre Rebellion, presenting quite legitimate reasons why some lords chose Daemon Blackfyre's side, and why some lords chose Daeron Targaryen's side. It's all very fascinating.
Just as with The Hedge Knight, this story was engaging from start to finish. I love how GRRM displayed the life of low lords at the time, the consequences of invasions and treason, and emphasized how it was really the poor folk who needlessly suffered in these squabbles between high lords. Once you are under some lord or knight and you are called to arms for them, what can one do? Trained or not, these common folk who are unused to wielding weapons, who make up most of a party's host, will be the unfortunate casualties of war. They won't be able to go home to kiss their wives or children, or even get married to their betrothed.
In the ways that Dunk and Egg saved the day, I have grown even fonder of them.
4 stars I liked how GRRM handled the issues at hand, his humor, and even the romance here was nicely handled. A must read for any ASOIAF fan.
If there's anything The Hedge Knight and The Sworn Sword taught me, is that GRRM knows how to make a satisfying ending that leans towards a happy ending. So this gives me hope regarding the ASOIAF series.
Oh, god, I really hope I don't eat my words.
* "Mayhaps", pffffft.