A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin

Book 5 in A Song of Fire and Ice is a bit of a mixed bag. I was largely disappointed with the previous novel because of how overwritten, long-winded, and lacking of true shocking moments that makes this series. Although A Dance with Dragons suffers from some of these issues as well, it’s not quite as severe as it was in the previous book. However, this novel definitely could use some serious editing.



There are parts that drag on endlessly with no seeming rhyme or reason. There are also some story lines that don’t seem terribly relevant. Among them is anything featuring the Greyjoys and the Iron Isles. I just didn’t care about this story line and feel that it doesn’t add anything to the story. The same is true with the emergence of Aegon Targaryen and Jon Connington. It just feels added on and not essential. There are already plenty of people vying for the throne. To add this one cheapens it.



It’s hard not to make a comparison between the novels and the HBO show. Early on in the series, I found the books to be superior, and now I think the show has surpassed it. An example of this is that I like the direction of the Tyrion Lannister character –my favorite—in the show as opposed to what he is doing in this novel. The same is true with the Arya and Sansa storylines. One of the great episodes in the past season of the show was the battle against the White Walkers at Hardhome, something that never occurs here. I also liked how the show portrayed Daenerys escaping from the fighting pit.



That’s not to say that there aren’t very good things about the novel. George R.R. Martin is a master of prose and is a skilled writer. There were some big moments in the novel such as Jon Snow’s fate and Cersei’s walk of shame. It’s just that I feel with some serious editing the novel could have been much better.