A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3) in A Song of Ice & Fire Fans

Jul 12, 2011 Otis Chandler rated it it was amazing

Shelves: epic, fantasy

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Mar 27, 2011 Alex Telander rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2011

The A Song of Ice and Fire series was originally intended as a trilogy, but as George R. R. Martin became fully imbrued with his epic fantasy series, the trilogy became four books, then five, and has finally (hopefully) stopped at seven. As for the lengths of the books, these have also continued to grow, with the hardcover of A Game of Thrones reaching 704 pages, followed by A Clash of Kings at 768 pages. A Storm of Swords is Martin’s longest effort to date, reaching a whopping 992 pages. While The A Song of Ice and Fire series was originally intended as a trilogy, but as George R. R. Martin became fully imbrued with his epic fantasy series, the trilogy became four books, then five, and has finally (hopefully) stopped at seven. As for the lengths of the books, these have also continued to grow, with the hardcover of A Game of Thrones reaching 704 pages, followed by A Clash of Kings at 768 pages. A Storm of Swords is Martin’s longest effort to date, reaching a whopping 992 pages. While this manuscript could’ve certainly used editing, with some character tangents going on for too long, hooked fans at this point are firm believers of the adage “the longer the better.” Plus, can you really call it “epic fantasy” if it’s not over seven hundred pages long?

To the north Jon Snow has infiltrated the wildings, looking to get close to Mance Rayder, the king-beyond-the-wall, and find out when they plan to attack the Night’s Watch, but he will find his loyalties challenged as he must fight and decide where his allegiances lie. Then there is the storyline of Bran, one of the Stark children, who is traveling to the north to find his brother. Theon Greyjoy now controls Winterfell through lies, deception and competing against his more popular sister for the love and support of his father, King Balon Greyjoy. Meanwhile, Arya Stark continues to get pulled back and forth from bad character to worse character, but because of her smarts and cunning she is able to scrape through alive. Jaime Lannister is let go to travel back to King’s Landing under the protection of Brienne of Tarth with the hope that the Lannisters will free Sansa Stark.

As for the war, things are not going well, but then that really depends on whose side you’re on. Robb Stark continues to win battles but make little headway in the war, but after falling for a girl who looks after him when he is wounded and marries her, he must meet with the Freys to soothe their relations. His uncle, Edmure Tully, will wed one of the Frey daughters and all will be well, it is hoped. Robb’s mother, Catelyn, doesn’t trust Lord Walder Frey, as she travels with her son, grieving over the loss of her father. But the Tully’s have something fiendish in store for them. Meanwhile in King’s Landing Joffrey rules in his cruel, childish way, while his uncle Tyrion, the dwarf, continues to fight with his sister, Joffrey’s mother, Cersei; then their father, Lord Tywin, arrives to upset the balance and organize things in his own way.

Far to the east, Daenerys Targaryen returns to Pentos by sea in search of an army. She finds one in the Unsullied, a slave army, but she must give over one of her dragons for the thousands of slaves. Daenerys has a plan and soon has her army which she immediately frees from slavery, making them unstoppable soldiers who will never defy an order. As she travels across the land, looking to grow her army and power and create peace among these peoples, she discovers two of her closes retinue are traitors and must decide what she will do with them.

A Storm of Swords is Martin at his best, as the events and actions that have been building in the previous books are brought to a harsh fruition, and the author continues to reveal what makes his series so unique. Some character storylines go on for too long and could use some heavy editing to shorten them down, or perhaps have been cut entirely as little seems to happen, while others are simply riveting, even when involving two character viewpoints covering the same event. At the end, just as with the first two books, readers will be left impatiently wanting more.

Originally written on April 10, 2011 ©Alex C. Telander.

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Jan 29, 2011 Christina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

If you haven't been reading this series you should be! Absolutely one of the best fantasy series I have read in a long time. I am ashamed that it took me as long as it did to pick up. George R.R. Martin has a true gift of being one of those authors that you just don't see that curve ball until it is already passing you by. This book is no exception. My jaw hit the floor when I read the last paragraph. Highly, highly recommended. ...more

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Jul 24, 2008 Kimmay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, martin-george-r-r, favorites

OMG, practically the whole way through this book, I just couldn't wait to find out what would happen next and at the same time the closer I got to the end the more I was thinking CRAP the book is going to end! NO!!!

At almost a thousand pages long and the third book in the series, you have plenty of time to get attached to characters... making it all the more devastating when George Martin decides to traumatise you by killing them. Lol The absolute BEST part is that George is such a good writer OMG, practically the whole way through this book, I just couldn't wait to find out what would happen next and at the same time the closer I got to the end the more I was thinking CRAP the book is going to end! NO!!!

At almost a thousand pages long and the third book in the series, you have plenty of time to get attached to characters... making it all the more devastating when George Martin decides to traumatise you by killing them. Lol The absolute BEST part is that George is such a good writer that half the time you just don't see it coming and then BAM!! It hits you and you are like what the hell??? OMG I can't believe that just happened and then you lose even MORE sleep reading just on more chap[ter and you find that 5 chapters later you are STILL reading thinking the same dang thing... just one more chapter I have to see what will happen next. Lol I loved this book... it caught me by surprise more than once... several times I thought HOLY CRAP!! I can't believe THAT just happened...

I love that his characters are so grey, not black & white, good guy bad guy only, they are grey... I mean one minute you hate Jamie & the Hound.... The next minute you are rooting for them... The only one I truly despise is Cersei & Lord Tywin & Joffrey. The rest of the characters are pretty lovable even when you hate them.. if That makes sense YOU have probably read this book. Lol

I really love the complexity of this series. I love that I have in my mind that I need to read the whole series over again and I haven't even FINISHED it yet, not many books make me feel that way... in fact I can only think of a few..(Kushiel's Dart being one that comes to mind, The Vorkosigan Saga is another.)

I have to say that I really have liked the Hound for a while now, & I liked Tyrion from the very first book, but it really wasn't until this book that I liked Jaime & Daenerys. I fell in love with them in this book.

I have a Feast of Crows already & plan on going right into that... and I already have in my head that I NEED the next book in my HOUSE before I get halfway through A Feast of Crows. Lol

I really love George Martin's writing & all his books that I have read have swept me away and are worth every penny & every minute of time spent reading them. :O)

It has been sweet watching the HBO series A Game of Thrones as it has helped me viualize some of the characters better. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch the HBO series, for fear it would ruin what I had in my mind, but SO FAR the HBO series has done a nice job with the characters & following the book & characterisaton, so I am pleased I decided to watch it.

I can't wait to dig into the next book.... :O)

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Jan 11, 2011 Christy rated it it was amazing

There's no way I could give this book any less than 5 stars. I only wish I could give it more. I am so deeply involved with these characters, this book created actual anxiety for me at certain points. I was texting my brother (who recommended the series to me) at random times of the day to curse him for sending me down this painful road but also to thank him for introducing me to some amazing characters who now seem like old friends. ...more

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Nov 10, 2009 Joe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, listened-to-audio-book, swearing, read-multiple-times

By far the best book of the three. George must have gotten some feedback that the first two books moved a little too slowly and he needed to do some things to move the plot along. This book certainly did that - no shortage of high-impact events here! Definitely not a disappointment. I only hope I won't have to wait too long before the release of book 5 after I finish book 4... I'll have to move a couple books up in my rotation to make sure I'm not waiting too long but I'm definitely hooked! ...more

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