Warning! MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD

This book was a mixed bag for me. Partly because the long wait probably made me hyper critical, and also because I think that one of my favorite characters is dead. And also because things I wanted to happen did and....you get my drift.

All in all, I was pissed, excited, disgusted all in turn so I guess GRRM did his job. I will say that at the beginning of the book I was wondering when things would start happening--be careful what you wished for cause I got a few things that went down hard.

Others are giving impressions of every aspect of the book and series. So I'll just talk about my favorite things--the characters.

Before I start, there was one bite on the tinfoil moment for me. WTH is up introducing another contender for the freaking Iron Throne?! It seemed a little late in the game for that, IMO, but I'll ride the wave to see what happens. Although he's described differently by the end of the book, his actions just have me seeing a politer Joffrey. *shrugs*

Jon, oh Jon, please don't be gone! At the end of that chapter, I literally jumped off the couch (narrowly missing the dog) yelling--causing the hubby to think we were being robbed or something. I'm still giving the 'heavy sigh' everytime I think about it. Hopefully there will be some major maester healing involved, but I'm only holding out faint hope.

After ignoring all the signs and advice, Dany finally remembered who the heck she is! Finally! I've been wanting to slap her since she settled in Mereen, because, man did she destroy a continent or what? Hopefully now that she's jumped on the back of a dragon and been thru the fire a 2nd time (literally)--she will straighten up and fly right. Hehehe

CERSEI finally got her just desserts! Happy dance! Fist pump moment extraordinaire. GRRM did some great prose there. He got the humiliation down absolutely perfectly, then used another character to illustrate how far-reaching that humility reached.

Tyrion. What can I say? He has to be one of the most memorable characters that I've ever read. It is impossible for me to dislike him at all and I desperately want him to have as much of a HEA as is possible. No matter what he does, he gets judged on his looks, not actions or motives--its just not fair. Anyway! I have NO idea whatsoever what to think about his storyline, I pretty much just watch the fishbowl and hope for the best for him.

Reek. Ugh. I hated his character. I kept trying to feel sorry for him. Frankly, I just can't connect with any of the ironborn. I just don't like them-good or bad. Asha should have sailed off into the sunset and Victarion seems to be as much of a nutjob as Reek without the torture.

Last but not least, my girl Arya. There is nothing I don't like about her. Frankly, at this point, GRRM could pluck her storyline out and make an entire series out of IMO. Sort of the anti-Night Angel night angel. My only worry about her character is that she's lost her wolf, but if anyone can come back from that, she can. She is a perfect candidate for the where she's going. Here's to the Many Faced God.

At the beginning I thought I was going to hate this book, looking back on it--it was thoroughly enjoyed. I'm hoping the next two won't take as long, but then again, if they do, that means I can enjoy them in my retirement years.

Last question. Will someone tell me what purpose Rickon served?

My Highlights:
Who are you, child?” “No one,” she replied.
Note: Arya is the shit.

Dany could feel the heat of him between her thighs. Her heart felt as if it were about to burst. Yes, she thought, yes, now, now, do it, do it, take me, take me, FLY!
Note: ABOUT TIME!

“Let me tell you what will happen,” Jon said. “The dead will rise again, in their hundreds and their thousands. They will rise as wights, with black hands and pale blue eyes, and they will come for us.” He pushed himself to his feet, the fingers of his sword hand opening and closing. “You have my leave to go.”
Note: Oh shit. Never thought of that.

what had become of Benjen Stark.
Note: Feeling stupid. Is coldhands Benjen?

Dany did not want to talk about the dragons.
Note: She has totally forgotten who and what she is


Soon comes the pale mare, and after her the others. Kraken and dark flame, lion and griffin, the sun’s son and the mummer’s dragon. Trust none of them. Remember the Undying. Beware the perfumed seneschal.”
Note: Freaking oracles

You can give them land and mercy, but the free folk choose their own kings, and it was Mance they chose, not you.
Note: Stannis never listens. It will be his death
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Not my favorite of the series but still good, I suppose. I am beyond bored by Dany & the Slavers and want her to go to Westeros or not but make a decision already!

I'm ready for some resolution and I'm not sure I want two more doorstop novels to get to it. I want to see how all the Stark children come back together and I hope I find out. Also - what was the point of even creating Rikkon stark when he is such an utter non-factor. Do we need him or his wolf? Where are they?

What's the deal with the half dead folk too? They seem important and yet nothing comes of them.


I found this one to be far more crude than some of the others. In particular I found a ridiculous overuse of the word "c--t". (I hate it so much I won't even type it!) In fact, at one point even one of the characters comments about the overuse! I get that sellswords are crass but enough already.


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I just realized this took me over a month to read. There are lots of things I enjoyed about this book and lots of things I really could have done without. my best friend can tell you there were parts of this book I wish I could skim. While the Character development was flawless as usual I just didn't enjoy this as much as I wanted to. ( )

I finished A Dance With Dragons. I'm finally done with the current Song of Ice and Fire books. As much as I want to resolve the cliffhangers, I won't mind waiting another four or five years for the next book.

I can't wait to tear into something else. With zombies or robots. Anything but Lannisters and Starks and Tyrells! Oh my!

And no more Greyjoys. I really hate Greyjoys. I can't believe that Martin managed to make Pirates boring. Somehow, he managed it. I want ALL of them to die die die NOW. Yes, even Asha. All of them. Theon out of pity.

Other than the Greyjoy chapters, I liked it.

Still digging on Jon Snow the most. What a muck-up he is. But he has a true bastard's heart and has not tried to be something he's not. I love him for it. The letter he received was chilling to the bone. As a fellow bastard, the way it was worded was quite effective.

Ramsay is on my list of "Pure, Unadulterated Evil" characters along with The Judge from Blood Meridian.

Still love Dany. My heart soared for her near the end. She is the blood of the dragon. ( )

Even knowing how it was going to go, I can’t believe we were left with that ending only to still not have another book to dive into. ☹️ ( )