Jaime Lannister

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A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire – Book 5) by George R.R. Martin

Posted by tjhapney on August 6, 2014
Posted in: Book Review, Fantasy. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments

GOT5Description:

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, Daenerys Targaryen rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way east—with new allies who may not be the ragtag band they seem. And in the frozen north, Jon Snow confronts creatures from beyond the Wall of ice and stone, and powerful foes from within the Night’s Watch. In a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics lead a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, to the greatest dance of all.

Review 4 of 5 Stars

With regard to writing ability alone, Mr. Martin weaves a good tale. However, as much as I was hoping for (and let’s not lie, kind of expecting) some plot resolution, it just didn’t happen. I’m invested in the series and if Book 6 ever comes out I’m sure I’ll read it. For the time being though I’m fairly frustrated. There is nothing wrong with writing a 1,000 page book if you have plenty to say, but a lot of this book really drug along. I don’t need to know the history of each shield on the wall, I don’t need to know the background of each person that has been knighted, etc. unless you plan on a battle at the end where all of the knights use the shields on the wall to somehow save us all from the Others.

I enjoy Mr. Martin’s characterizations and there were some parts of this book that I was really interested in. Dany seems to be floundering across the Narrow Sea, Tyrion is wandering around with another possible Targaryen heir (who would have thought so many had escaped), new and old characters seem to be taking three steps forward and two back. Some of the characters may die of old age before their stories are resolved.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed the bits about Arya’s continuing training at the House of Black and White. At least there is a little resolution there. I also really enjoyed what happened to Cersei, even though it wasn’t quite enough in my opinion – guess that makes me cold. It was also nice to see what was happening in Dorne as well since Myrcella was sent there quite some time ago and I was beginning to wonder what had happened to her. Hopefully there will be more to that plot line in Book 6. Books 4 and 5 are basically the same book  split in such a way as to make the storylines seem completely disjointed from one another, but I did manage to glean some satisfaction from small advances in certain plot lines. At the same time, other lines seem to be floundering.

This is as close as I’ll get to spoilers, but I am going to talk about some of the plot lines here. So avoid this section if you haven’t yet read the book. I’ll try to keep it mostly as a summary in case you feel obligated to forge ahead. Most of my favorites are still running around. Arya is growing up to be a most formidable young woman and I can’t wait to see where that leads her. As always, I find Tyrion incredibly interesting even when he is just off wandering around aimlessly with possible heirs to the throne. He’s just a witty, smart aleck and I love him as a character. Jaime Lannister seems to have had a bit of a change of heart with regard to some of his family, but was mostly off taking care of the Lannister family business of manipulating the other houses to do as his family thinks best, though after that he kind of disappears with a not so dead friend from the previous book.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Jon Snow.  I’ve heard rumors and it seems a weird time to be done with that line so I’m hoping that we’ll see him again in the next book. Daenerys’ plot line seemed to kind of flounder in this book. I’d really like to see if it moves forward and it would be fantastic if she quit telling people she was just a young girl with no idea about whatever topic they happen to be on. Those words don’t match her actions most of the time and though they may have originally been used to throw off her enemies, it now sounds pretty contrived as she stole 8,000 Unsullied warriors from Astapor previously and surely her enemies are starting to catch on.

Okay, so with the parts I do like and the parts that I was somewhat disappointed in, this book still comes in at 4 out of 5 stars. Martin is an excellent writer and even when he’s meandering around something interesting usually happens somewhere along the line. I now join the thousands of others that are waiting impatiently for Book 6. I can’t wait to see how this series is resolved, if it ever is. Fingers crossed 🙂

A Feast for Crows: A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones-Book Four) by George R.R. Martin

Posted by tjhapney on August 2, 2014
Posted in: Fantasy. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

GOT4Description:

It seems too good to be true. After centuries of bitter strife and fatal treachery, the seven powers dividing the land have decimated one another into an uneasy truce. Or so it appears. . . . With the death of the monstrous King Joffrey, Cersei is ruling as regent in King’s Landing. Robb Stark’s demise has broken the back of the Northern rebels, and his siblings are scattered throughout the kingdom like seeds on barren soil. Few legitimate claims to the once desperately sought Iron Throne still exist—or they are held in hands too weak or too distant to wield them effectively. The war, which raged out of control for so long, has burned itself out.

But as in the aftermath of any climactic struggle, it is not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters start to gather, picking over the bones of the dead and fighting for the spoils of the soon-to-be dead. Now in the Seven Kingdoms, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed, while surprising faces—some familiar, others only just appearing—are seen emerging from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges ahead.

It is a time when the wise and the ambitious, the deceitful and the strong will acquire the skills, the power, and the magic to survive the stark and terrible times that lie before them. It is a time for nobles and commoners, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and sages to come together and stake their fortunes . . . and their lives. For at a feast for crows, many are the guests—but only a few are the survivors.

Review 4 of 5 Stars

I really enjoyed the portions of the story about Arya Stark and Prince Oberyn’s daughters, but I have to say that a lot of this book wasn’t very interesting to me. I also found the portions about Sam’s voyage to be somewhat interesting. However, in the end, I find that I could care less what happens in the Iron Islands. I don’t care if Theon makes it home ever and though his sister talks a good line, she seems to do more talking about fighting than actually fighting battles.

Sansa’s life in the Eyrie pretending to be Littlefinger’s bastard daughter was interesting enough and seemed necessary for moving the plot ahead in the end. We all know Littlefinger has his hands in as many pies as possible and it was interesting to see how his grand scheme was moving along. I very much enjoyed the turning of the tables on Cersei after her most recent scheme against Margaery Tyrell failed and she ended up where she would have liked to have seen Margaery. I don’t want to spoil this with details, but it’s nice to see Cersei have to deal with being treated as she likes to treat others.

Brienne has a unique encounter with Lady Stoneheart. I’ll leave you to find this one out on your own as well since I was, at least, mildly surprised. Jaime is around, but aside from maneuvering some pieces for later in the story there wasn’t a lot going on with him.

This book was a little slower for me. I’m glad I read it after Book 5 had been published as Book 4 was missing too many of the characters I’ve become invested in. It was a good read, though. As usual, Martin is a good storyteller and the quality of his tale continues. I round up for any half stars, but this one would have come in around 3 1/2 since it was pretty slow. I’ve rounded up to 4 since I’m obviously continuing to read the series. I read Book 5 immediately after, which may have helped to alleviate some of the disjointed feeling readers in the past had due to the geographical split before Book 5 was published.  All in all this has been a really good series and I’ve enjoyed visiting Mr. Martin’s world.

A Storm of Swords (Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire – Book 3) by George R.R. Martin

Posted by tjhapney on July 24, 2014
Posted in: Fantasy. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

GOT3Description:

Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey, of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, the victim of the jealous sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. But young Robb, of House Stark, still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Robb plots against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage at King’s Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne. 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. . . .

But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost line of civilization. In their vanguard is 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. . .

Review: 4 of 5 Stars

I know I’m only up to reviewing Book 3, but I just finished Book 5 so I’ll do my best to keep things straight. There is a lot going on in Book 3 and an entire host of people die. I’ll leave out their names due to spoilers for those who have not yet read the series, but Martin once again managed to kill off a bunch of characters I liked (I’m not griping, just saying). I do like that some of the favorites die along the way. It seems more real to me that way.

There is lots of action and fighting to keep the action-adventure sorts entertained and plenty of intrigue to go around. Thus far, my four favorite characters remain: Arya Stark, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister.

Martin is pretty long-winded, but if you are the type that was able to make it through Tolkien without ripping your eyeballs out from too much description then you ought to do fine here. If you read Silmarillion without trouble then this will be a cake walk. This book comes in under the 1,000 page usual for Martin, but don’t worry. He’ll make up for it in Book 4.

I’m completely into the story and have really enjoyed it. It is a complex project overall and I think Martin does a great job with it. Sometimes, though, he spends a lot of time on people he just kills later and I’m not sure why he devotes so much time to them. Some of the deaths seem more like a convenience to keep things moving along sometimes more so than that they really add to the overall plot. However, I can’t say for sure as we’re still waiting to see how the whole thing works out and ends.

On the whole the series is a good read and I would suggest it if you like intrigue, sword fighting and dragons. There’s so much more, but if those things interest you then this just might be up your alley. Happy reading.