George R.R. Martin: A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3) | Lara
Here is the third volume in George R.R. Martin's magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. Together, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.
Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, victim of the sorceress who holds him in her thrall. Young Robb still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. And as opposing forces manoeuver for the final showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost limits of civilization, accompanied by a horde of mythical Others—a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords...
“It all goes back and back," Tyrion thought, "to our mothers and fathers and theirs before them. We are puppets dancing on the strings of those who came before us, and one day our own children will take up our strings and dance in our steads.”
Guys GUYS! This was so great and now I’m constantly stuck between “I should have read this sooner” and “I want to keep reading but it takes me ages to finish one book” xd. But seriously, as much as I feel bad for watching the show before reading the books, I am still so happy for waiting (more like procrastinating xd) before starting ASoIaF because I don’t think I would appreciate pieces of art that these books are. This will probably be just a jumble of quotes and a lot of screeching so proceed at your own risk.
This was a 1200-page adventure which officially makes A Storm of Swords the longest book I’ve ever read, but also one of the best. It certainly gets to be the best one in the series so far because it is absolutely insane. I couldn’t get enough of this world; from Westeros to the Old Valyria, there is always more history, legends, maps, and details, but it almost never feels like enough. I am so fascinated and enchanted by the complexity and width of this medieval fantasy world that I don’t think any number of stories set in it will ever be too much.
Martin’s writing is just pure genius, it’s remarkable and utterly unbelievable how can a single mind come up with such a fascinating world and cover so many events in one book. The plot is throwing storylines from multiple different locations, different happenings, and character perspectives. There is so much going on, and yet it is intriguing and simple to follow. While the southern lands are engaged in the Battle of the Five Kings, men of the Night’s Watch are faced with way more than only a threat of the wildlings. And from the other side of the Narrow Sea, young Daenerys Targaryen is conquering the Slaver’s Bay and building her army. The plot is thickening, but things are nowhere near unraveling. Martin is creating something huge with a lot of arrangements, plot twists and foreshadowing and I’m dying to see what comes of it in the end.
It is one epic book, with so many stories to tell and so many lessons to teach. I love every battle, court schemes, and betrayals, historical fact or fascinating religion concept, but what just blows my mind every fucking time! are the plot twists. These books are the reason I am going to have trust issues - just in time I think something is finally going well and decide to take a breath and then it hits you -->the plot twist. You can’t escape it and you will never recover from it but you love it. *spoiler*
I especially liked the characters’ development this book has brought. It really went into depths of each narrative and made a big turn on every character. What especially delighted me is the number of kickass women just being the best and that there wasn’t Theon’s pov in this book because I hate him.
“Woman?” She chuckled. “Is that meant to insult me? I would return the slap, if I took you for a man.” Dany met his stare. “I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the Unburnt, Mother of Dragons, khaleesi to Drogo’s riders, and queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.”
Arya Stark
Arya is just the definition of my perfect female character. Her storyline continues the path of an outlaw who has to get on her own and escape from the whole lot that wants her dead and/or for ransom. She is fearless and determined to protects herself and return to her family, but still just a child and is to discover that things don’t go almost never as planned. I actually lived for the squad Arya-Gendry-Hot Pie and it was THE WORST when they got separated (but let’s be honest Arya and Gendry have to get together one day so…) It could already be seen in A Clash of Kings that her character has taken a slightly dark turn when she has taken her first life, but in ASoS Martin takes it to a new level. She is so deeply struck by grief and loss of her family and it really has an impact on her development. It broke my heart reading those chapter of her narrative after the Red wedding where she was described as dead inside and lost her will to live – just, how can such a lively spirit and amazing fighter get so low – from that point, she became something more ruthless and I loved her even more. Her story has just begun and I. am.here.for.it.
“It was the easiest thing in the world for Arya to step up behind him and stab him. “Is there gold hidden in the village?” she shouted as she drove the blade up through his back. “Is there silver? Gems?” She stabbed twice more. “Is there food? Where is Lord Beric?” She was on top of him by then, still stabbing. “Where did he go? How many men were with him? How many knights? How many bowmen? How many, how many, how many, how many, how many, how many? is there gold in the village?”
Jon Snow
I guess I started listing characters by favorites because Jon is the next who comes to mind. I’m not a basic bitch if I say that I am in love with the book Jon because he is the ultimate cinnamon bun uwu Jon’s narrative continues by describing events beyond the wall, as he has been ordered by Quorin to join the wildlings. Jon’s background and the way he was raised play the most important role in every aspect of his development – why he took the black, why he is so loyal and utterly headstrong and dedicated about respecting his vows. He was born as a bastard and treated as something less his whole life, and because of that he has a lesser value of his own life and is willing to do everything to protect others. He is just so pure and strong and it’s one of the main reasons why I hate Catelyn – because she hated him for no reason and withheld a motherly figure from child’s life just because she was jealous.
“You were wrong to love her, a voice whispered. You were wrong to leave her, a different voice insisted.”
Martin created an amazing and heartbreaking story while not even TRYING. Jon and Ygritte just own it with their love that can never survive because of the gap between their worlds. Although I knew what is going to happen the whole time it was still really emotional.
“You're mine," she whispered. "Mine, as I'm yours. And if we die, we die. All men must die, Jon Snow. But first, we'll live.”
Daenerys Targaryen
How could I ever get enough of such strong badass women! Dany keeps BELIEVING and keeps going forwards no matter what. She was born to rule and she means to do it the right way. After everything she went through; betrayals, death and loss, she still believes in herself and her cause. If she wants to conquer the western lands and take the Iron Throne, she’ll have to prove her value to the slave masters of Yunkai and Mereen. I feel like I could read about Dany’s conquests forever so our Mother of Dragons just needs to keep going!
Tyrion Lannister
Just as he thought he has it all, he managed to lose everything in one night. Or, it was taken from him to put it better. Tyrion has wits and has a good heart, but what can he do when he is surrounded by lions with heads of snakes his whole life? The importance of Tyrion's further development in this book lies precisely in his relationship with his family. He managed to keep things in some sort of cohabitation despite major differences and hate that radiates from his father and sister. But after a series of unfortunate events he realizes there is no place for him beside them. I really love him and am looking forward to seeing his storyline outside of King’s Landing.
“This is folly, Tyrion,' declared Lord Tywin. 'Speak to the matter at hand. You are not on trial for being a dwarf.
'That is where you err, my lord. I have been on trial for being a dwarf my entire life.”
Cersei Lannister
Evil queen, who is ready to do anything to get to the top? With schemes and ruthless ruling she overcomes everything that has been denied from her for being a woman and uses all means to protect her children. Part of me still hates her for playing a role in Starks’ deaths, but I just can’t help from admiring her. Cersei is really complex and I was so thrilled to see she gets a pov in the next book.
Jaime Lannister
Wooh so Jamie gets a full 180 degrees turn of his character. He was an asshole who loved his little brother and now he becomes less of an asshole every day that passes. Who thought, he just needed to lose his hand.
“Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are like to do next. Sometimes the best way to baffle them is to make moves that have no purpose, or even seem to work against you. Remember that, Sansa, when you come to play the game.”
“What . . . what game?”
“The only game. The game of thrones.”
THE ONLY GAME YES BRING IT ON
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