A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3) → Start Date: January 1st, 2018

[Alberto]

Join Kiki and I while we continue with this series!

[Alberto]

Reading plan:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Here are the chapters:
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/...

I made it out so we can finish it in a month :)

[Kikijanika]

Awesome! Thanks for making the plan. Can't wait to get started!

[Alberto]

Finished with Day 1.

Thoughts:

Wow, it feels weird and great to get back into this world! I haven't read anything off Game of Thrones since we read A Clash of Kings last year!

As for the book itself,

Prologue: (view spoiler)[ At the beginning, I was kind of disappointed with the prologue. I always felt that the prologue was a bit detached from the novel but set the pace in general, whereas I felt this would pick up shortly after. I guess I'll have to read Jon's chapter to find out. Reading about the three horns blew me away, though. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime - (view spoiler)[ Jaime and Brienne, interesting combination haha. I'm waiting to see what happens. Totally loved that he's not what he looked like before, sets a nice plot coming for him. (hide spoiler)]

Catelyn - (view spoiler)[ Hasn't her father been dying for like, three books now? (hide spoiler)]

Arya - (view spoiler)[ She must really miss Nymeria. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Yes! I haven't read this series after our last buddy read either! It's great to be back in this world. I just finished day 2.

I agree with you about the prologue. (view spoiler)[ It wasn't that interesting at first but the three horns were quite a thrill. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime - (view spoiler)[ I also like the pair that Jaime and Brienne make. It's fun reading about them. Can't wait to see where their road will take them. (hide spoiler)]

Arya and Sansa - (view spoiler)[ Both girls seem to be doing a bit better now. Arya escaped Harrenhall, at least and Sansa is more free of Joffrey than when she was engaged to him. I think she should accept what the Tyrells offer her and not turn Willas down because he's a cripple and is not Loras. (hide spoiler)]

Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ It makes me angry how his family is treating him. It's not like it's his fault he born a dwarf. I can understand Cercei wanting to protect her children but did she really think Tyrion would harm them? Well, Joffrey maybe but Tommen? (hide spoiler)]

Davos - (view spoiler)[ He's never been the most interesting character to me. I'm glad he was rescued, though. At least he's not evil like some other people. (hide spoiler)]

Katelyn - (view spoiler)[ Yes! He really has. I wonder if he will finally die in this one! (hide spoiler)]

Oh by the way, I can't seem to update my progress on the reading plan sheet.

[Alberto]

I did both Day 2 and 3! I want to get as much in before I start school and can't read as much!

Btw, I updated the link so you'll be able to edit now :), sorry about that!

Day 2:
Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ It's seriously infuriating that he gets treated the way he does because of his looks and what happened when he was born. His mother died during labour, it's not his fault. And yeah, right? He would never harm the children, they're his family. Maybe Joffrey, to get back at Cersei, but he would never kill him. (hide spoiler)]

Davos - (view spoiler)[ I like that he believes that faith kept him alive. He was never too important for me either. (hide spoiler)]

Sansa - (view spoiler)[ Darn, she's grown bolder! I can't believe she told the Tyrell girls that, even if Margaery was warm and inviting and her grandmother was scary! I hope that it doesn't backfire on her... Willas seems like her only way out of King's Landing. (hide spoiler)]

Day 3:

Jon - (view spoiler)[ Woah, we met Mance Rayder! He's not as legendary as I thought he was going to be, but a "king" that is with his people is better than the others, lol. (hide spoiler)]

Daenerys - (view spoiler)[ Ah, I missed her! The tales that are told during her chapter are amazing. Ser Jorah seems to be taking a bit of advantage of what the prophecy said, don't you think? I hope that he ends up meaning well instead of Daenerys eventually having to kill him. (hide spoiler)]

Bran - (view spoiler)[ I hope he doesn't end up stuck in his visions. Wonder who the three-eyed raven is, though. (hide spoiler)]

On Catelyn, (view spoiler)[ I also wonder if he'll finally die too! I mean, they kill King Renly, but not him? Really, George R.R. Martin? (hide spoiler)]

[Alberto]

Day 4:

Davos - (view spoiler)[ Still not interesting enough for me. I wonder if he'll get to kill Melissandre now that he's inside the castle, though. I'm sure she'll pop up a visit soon. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime - (view spoiler)[ DARN. I really liked this chapter. I think it's the best one so far because we get to see a little bit more of what being the "Kingslayer" really means for Jaime.

You had no right to judge me either, Stark.

In his dreams the dead came burning, gowned in swirling green flames. Jaime danced around them with a golden sword, but for every one he struck down two more arose to take his place.

These have got to be my favorite lines of the book so far.
(hide spoiler)]

Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ He does know he'll eventually get Shae killed if he continues to do this, right? Varys will eventually tell Lord Tywin.
(hide spoiler)]

[Alberto]

Day 5:

Arya - (view spoiler)[ Finally! They know who she is! At least now it's not just Gendry and Hot Pie. (hide spoiler)]

Catelyn - (view spoiler)[ I think Catelyn is suffering a typical medieval woman drama. She's starting to believe she's inferior and then when someone says she deos something right, she stars feeling better about herself. Might be because of all she's lost and what she believes she's lost, though. Robb might be a good guy, but I do think it was stupid for him to marry someone just because she "comforted" him. (hide spoiler)]

Jon - (view spoiler)[ Development between him and Ygritte is interesting. His hands are tied with Mance. Not the most interesting chapter in my opinion. (hide spoiler)]

[Alberto]

Day 6:

Sansa - (view spoiler)[ What do you think Cersei has between her hands? Margaery is either a really big fool for believing that Loras would be able to save her if she neeed it or very risky. If the Lannisters get Highgarden, I think they might win the war. (hide spoiler)]

Arya - (view spoiler)[ The Lord of Light comes again. I'm really interested to know where Arry will end up. (hide spoiler)]

Samwell - (view spoiler)[ YES, a new point of view character. His chapter was interesting. I like to think of it as the continuation to the prologue. It explained what happened and I'm glad that he was able to prove his worth in front of others. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

I've been working night shifts for the last three nights so I haven't made any progress. I'm hoping to catch up during the weekend!

[Alberto]

Day 7:
Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ Do you think he'll be married to Sansa? (hide spoiler)]

Catelyn - (view spoiler)[ It's pretty ironic that Jeyne, who comes from a house that would probably never rule, is asking Catelyn for advise on how to be a queen. At least Eddard's spirit lives on in Robb. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime - (view spoiler)[ Oh, my God! Jaime's arc has been one of the most interesting to me since we finally get to hear his thoughts. Will he be alright? Although he brought the attack upon himself by fighting with Brienne, I hope that he doesn't die. (hide spoiler)]

Day 8:
Arya - (view spoiler)[ No thoughts. (hide spoiler)]

Daenerys - (view spoiler)[ I think Dany's intentions are pure, but I don't think was her best chapter. (hide spoiler)]

Bran - (view spoiler)[ Why do you think Eddard never told Bran the story? Could've just forgotten to. (hide spoiler)]

Day 9:
Davos - (view spoiler)[ Interesting that it seems that Stannis's ideas that the Baratheon children are a product of incest have spread. The conversation between Davos and Melissandre was chilling. It was the first time I really enjoyed a Davos chapter. (hide spoiler)]

Jon - (view spoiler)[ Catching feelings for Ygritte, huh? Will he return to the Watch after he is done with the Wildlings? (hide spoiler)]

Daenerys - (view spoiler)[ Can't start this without saying: "DRACARYS!"
This chapter was amazing! It was so amazing of her to first have the Unsullied's control BEFORE slaying the former masters! Wow.
This chapter reminded me why I love Daenerys so much, even if she is conflicted with her feelings. (hide spoiler)]

Day 10:
Sansa - (view spoiler)[ I really do think that maybe Sansa could attach to Tyrion- She's always been the judgmental one, but I think Tyrion could be good for her. (hide spoiler)]

Arya - (view spoiler)[ Ouch, the depiction of the guy with the maggots was awful to think about. (hide spoiler)]

Jon - (view spoiler)[ No thoughts, really. Nice story about the Horn, but I think the romance between him and Ygritte is really blooming. (hide spoiler)]

[Alberto]

I think I'll get behind pretty soon since I start classes on Monday! Hope it doesn't happen though.

[Kikijanika]

I'm in the middle of day 5 now and I hope to still finish day 7 today :)

Days 3 and 4

I also missed Daenerys. (view spoiler)[ but I think Ser Jorah is getting bolder. He shouldn't assume he'll become Daenerys's king or something. (hide spoiler)]

Bran - (view spoiler)[ I still don't really understand how his dreams work but I really hope he doesn't get lost in them! (hide spoiler)]

Davos - (view spoiler)[ Somehow I doubt he will kill Melissandre. He may try but I have a feeling it's not going to be that easy to get rid of her. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime and Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ I like Jaime's chapters a lot, too. And I agree it's great to get to see a little more of him than what people say about him. Maybe he's not such a monster as people seem to think. And Tyrion most certainly should know he can't trust Varys. He's so clever when it comes to everything else but Shae. (hide spoiler)]

[Alberto]

Day 11:
Jaime - (view spoiler)[ WOAH! Jaime got his hand cut off. I wonder if he'll just become like a guide to his father or something. I kind of liekd that he finally got to felt what Tyrion felt like all his life. (hide spoiler)]

Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ Crazy that Cersei was refused. Do you think that Silvertongue will die? (hide spoiler)]

Samwell - (view spoiler)[ How crazy to think that the Old Bear is dead.
This completely changes the game for Sam, though. He has to find Ser Jorah to fulfill the Bear's dying wishes. I hope he goes to Essos!
(hide spoiler)]

[Alberto]

On another note, have you liked Daenerys better in this book than in the last one?

My favourite chapter is from A Clash of Kings, when she meets with the Undying!

[Kikijanika]

Days 5-7


Arya and Sansa - (view spoiler)[ I was so glad that they finally found out who Arya was but really, she finally finds someone she thinks she can trust and ends up betrayed. How sad is that? Then again, I'm not sure these outlaws would harm her. They might just send her to Riverrun.

When it comes to Sansa I'm not sure what her best option would be. I guess she won't make it to Highgarden now. Seriously, I think Tyrion might make a good husband for her, at least he probably wouldn't mistreat her like Joffrey. I think the Tyrells must have some plans of their own as well. I don't think they would let Joffrey abuse Margaery. (hide spoiler)]

Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ Knowing Tyrion I'd think he'd find a way to avoid marriage with Sansa if he wanted to. But we'll see. Cercei I'd most certainly like to see married. I can just imagine how that would enrage her. (hide spoiler)]

Catelyn - (view spoiler)[ I also think she's getting more and more unsure of herself and her decisions, perhaps because so many things have gone wrong. Also her judgement might be clouded because of her fear for Sansa and Arya. And I also agree marrying Jeane was foolish of Rob. He seems to be losing all his allies one by one. (hide spoiler)]

Jon and Samwell - (view spoiler)[ I like following Jon's and Ygritte's relationship and it's also quite interesting to see how the wildlings really are. Otherwise there doesn't seem to be much happening. About Sam's chapter I liked seeing what happened after the prologue, too. In addition, it offered a perspective from among the Night's watch now when Jon is not there. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime - (view spoiler)[ His story is interesting indeed. I just hope he and Brienne would stop quarreling and worked together. They have the same goal after all, and they would probably make a good team. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

I remember the chapter with the undying and it was great. Not much has happened to Daenerys in this book yet so I'm excited to see how her character will evolve!

[Alberto]

Day 12:
Arya - (view spoiler)[ This was an interesting chapter, although I'm not sure if in the ending Dondarrion was really in hell or it was just before he died. (hide spoiler)]

Catelyn - (view spoiler)[ OH MY GOD. HOSTER HAS FINALLY DIED. Interesting that Edmure is going to marry a Frey to settle the deal, although I still think that it was really childish of Robb to not marry a Frey. (hide spoiler)]

Davos - (view spoiler)[ Well, well, well. Now that he's Hand of the king maybe he might get closer to fulfilling his vengeance. (hide spoiler)]

Have you ever thought what (view spoiler)[ a Melissandre POV would be like? (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

I just finished day 10 but I'm going to a seminar on a cruise ship and that'll take the whole day. I will have to write my thoughts later.

[Kikijanika]

Days 8-10

Daenerys - (view spoiler)[ I agree that the chapter she bought the unsullied was great. She'd seemed a bit lost for a while but she always bounces back with something like this. That makes her story so interesting to read. (hide spoiler)]

Arya and Sansa (view spoiler)[ Arya just seems to be getting farther and farther from Riverrun. Too bad, she was so close to finding her family. I think Sansa could be happy with Tyrion if they could live far away from the other Lannisters. At least she does see that Tyrion is different from the rest of them. (hide spoiler)]

Jon -(view spoiler)[ Jon and Ygritte seem to be doing good now but I think there's too much Stark pride in Jon to abandon the watch. On the other hand, if Ygritte got pregnant I don't know where his loyalties would lie then. And will the watch even have him back after all he's done? (hide spoiler)]

Bran - (view spoiler)[ I have a feeling that there was something in that story Ned didn't want Bran to know. (hide spoiler)]

Davos - (view spoiler)[ I wonder how long he will be kept in the dungeon. Melissandre clearly has a plan for him. Just wonder how it will play out. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Days 11-12

Jaime and Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ Jaime and Brienne just don't seem to be able to make it to King's landing. I wonder what will become of him without his sword hand. Maybe Tyrion will end up having the Valyrian steel sword after all. Well, I seriously doubt that, though. (hide spoiler)]

Sam - (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Mormont's dead. That's a bad thing for the watch I'd think. I wonder where Sam will head now and where he will take Gilly. (hide spoiler)]

Arya - (view spoiler)[ It seems Arya won't get her revenge that easy. Anyway, I think the hound is not really evil but more like what his brother has made him into. It can't have been easy to survive a childhood with his brother. (hide spoiler)]

Katelyn - (view spoiler)[ Yes! Hoster's finally dead. Maybe Katelyn's story will take a turn in new direction now. And yes, it was childish of Rob to marry Jeyne. I doubt the old Frey has really forgiven him. I don't trust the Freys at all. (hide spoiler)]

Davos- (view spoiler)[ Hmm..hand of the king. I have a bad feeling about this. Stannis probably wouldn't harm Davos without a reason but still I think it's a questionable honor to serve as his hand. Him with his strict sense of honor and duty combined with Melissandre and her schemes, seems to me quite a pair to give counsel for. Anyway, I think Melissandre may not after power, like I first thought. She just might be looking at a bigger picture ang trying to prepare for the Others' attack.

It's funny you asked about her POV because I was just thinking it would be interesting to have chapters with her POV. Probably more interesting than Davos's chapters. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Days 13-14

Jaime - (view spoiler)[ It's interesting that Jaime and Brienne seem to be developing some sort of a friendship despite their prejudice toward each other. I'm glad Jamie went back for her and is even starting to use her name. They have been through a lot together so maybe they have learned to respect one another. (hide spoiler)]

Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ Looks like there'll be more trouble in King's landing. The dornishmen didn't seem especially benevolent and knowing Joffrey, Cercei and Tywin, somebody's likely to say something wrong. (hide spoiler)]

Arya - (view spoiler)[ It seems Lord Beric really can't die.
Or maybe after a few more deaths he might stay dead. Wonder if we get to see that happen. And Arya's with Sandor now. Everyone seems to want to take her somewhere, I wonder what Sandor's plan is.
Suddenly everyone's telling the same story about the Harrenhall tourney. Maybe Eddard did fall in love there and that's why he never spoke about it.
(hide spoiler)]

Bran and Jon - (view spoiler)[ Jon and Bran really came close to meeting each other. I wonder what would have happened if they had found Bran and his friends. It was good for Jon that summer happened to be around because now he can go back to castle black. We'll see if he'll come to regret his decision later. Also it seems Bran's gift is getting stronger or he's learning to use it better. If he could get into Hodor's mind he might soon get into others as well. I wonder if he could control the people whose minds he enters. At least he got Hodor to quiet down. (hide spoiler)]

Daenerys - (view spoiler)[ Ha! I Liked how she gave everyone different deadlines and then attacked all the same. I wonder if we'll see more of Daario Naharis in the furure. I'm not sure about his motives. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Days 15-16

Katelyn - (view spoiler)[ I think she has a tendency of letting her feelings affect her judgement. Like when she let Jaime go in order to have her girls back. I understand why she might have hard time trusting Jon after what Theon did but Jon is Ned's son, Theon is not. It's annoying she doesn't even give Jon a chance. It's not like it's his fault he is Ned's bastard.
About the Freys...they seemed to receive their guests well enough but I still don't trust them.
There's something amiss there. (hide spoiler)]

Samwell - (view spoiler)[ Weird what happened with the ravens. I wonder what that was about. (hide spoiler)]

Arya - (view spoiler)[ On her way to her mother again. I wonder why Sandor didn't tell her that in the first place. Wouldn't it have been easier? (hide spoiler)]

Jon - (view spoiler)[ He finally made it back to Castle Black. I'd like to know what became of Ygritte. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Days 17-19

I knew the (view spoiler)[ Freys were not to be trusted. I just saw this coming. It still feels weird to think there'll be no more Katelyn chapters 😁 And now there's one king less challenging Joffrey. The Starks are slowly dying out. It was a smart move from Tywin Lannister to use the Freys. I wonder if Jon will ever receive word that he's now king of the north.

I feel bad for Arya because she came so close to finding her family. At least the hound probably prevented her from running to her own death. (hide spoiler)]

And when it comes to (view spoiler)[ deaths...Ygritte dead, too. I wonder if Jon would have killed her if it had come to that. I have no doubt Ygritte would have killed Jon but I'm not sure Jon would have been able to kill her. (hide spoiler)]

I have a feeling Stannis (view spoiler)[ will give Edric Storm to Melissandre. (hide spoiler)]

Bran's chapter was (view spoiler)[ interesting. Didn't expect him to cross paths with Sam. I wonder if Coldhands is the three eyed crow or some messenger of his. The black gate was a bit creepy. (hide spoiler)]

I didn't recognize (view spoiler)[ Barristan Selmy! Mormont I suspected of selling information at some point but I don't think he's done that for a while. I think he's on Daenerys's side now. Can't wait to see where she will send them. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Days 20-21

Well, Margaery really seems to be (view spoiler)[ unlucky with her marriages. I'm glad Joffrey is dead. I've been waiting for him to die for some time. He was annoying and, maybe Rob was childish when he married Jeyne, but Joffrey was a real brat. Too bad the blame fell on Tyrion. At least Sansa got free but I'm not sure she's headed for a better future than the one she'd have had with Tyrion. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime (view spoiler)[ finally made it back to King's landing. Somehow it never occurred to me that he would miss Joffrey if he dies..as a nephew yes but I never thought that it would be his son who dies. In truth, he seemed to care more about Cersei, maybe because he could never publicly claim Joffrey. (hide spoiler)]

I wonder which letter (view spoiler)[Davos showed for Stannis. The one about the wildlings? But how would that save him? (hide spoiler)]

So now Jon's (view spoiler)[ in charge of the wall. Maybe not the greatest time to be in charge, though. We'll see how he'll manage. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Day 22

Arya - (view spoiler)[ she does not really seem to have a place to go anymore. Maybe the wall would be a good option. (hide spoiler)]

Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ His trial is more a joke than a real trial. There's no way he can prove his innocense. Perhaps he'll demand the trial by combat now that Oberyn has offered to be his champion. It surprised me to see how little Bron seemed to care what happens to him, though. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime - (view spoiler)[ I liked the way he took charge of the king's guard. I keep forgetting Tywin disowned him. Never expected that...he was always all about Jaime. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Days 23-25

Sansa - (view spoiler)[ Poor Sansa...she can't seem to get a husband to her liking. Robert's a spoiled brat. Tyrion was much better. (hide spoiler)]

Jon - (view spoiler)[Ser Alliser is back. Not a good thing for Jon, especially with Janos in command. I still don't know why Ser Alliser hates Jon so much. Good for the watch that Stannis decided to aswer their call for help. I wonder if he had some other motive for riding so far north, though. (hide spoiler)]

Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ Really...why would Shae speak against Tyrion? It seems Tyrion's as good as dead now but I doubt he'll actually die. (hide spoiler)]

Daenerys - (view spoiler)[ I think it was a wise decision to stay in Meereen. She has no experience of ruling a kingdom so she probably has a lot to learn. It was a tough choice she made sending Jorah away but I suspect he'll be back. (hide spoiler)]

Jaime - (view spoiler)[ I like it he sent Brienne to find Sansa. Nice to see he's trying to do what's right. (hide spoiler)]

Arya - (view spoiler)[ That was cruel of Arya to leave Sandor dying like that. He had helped her after all. But going through what Arya has at such young age certainly leaves some marks. Anyway, now she's completely alone again. At least she had Jaqen's coin to grant her passage on that ship. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Days 26-27

Jon and Sam - (view spoiler)[ I don't think Jon will leave the night's watch, especially if he's elected as lord commander as Sam seems to plan. (hide spoiler)]

Tyrion - (view spoiler)[ I knew he wouldn't die but I didn't think he'd have the guts to kill his father. I'm not sure if it's a good thing though, because who will rule now on Tommen's behalf? Cercei alone? I hope not. I'm glad Jaime let Tyrion out. At least one member of his family seems to care about him. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

Days 28-29

Jon - (view spoiler)[ Jon is lord commander! There's no way he will leave castle black now. Wonder what Stannis will make of that. (hide spoiler)]

Sansa - (view spoiler)[ Littlefinger really is a dangerous man. I wonder if there's anyone he's truly loyal to. It was obvious Lysa was not in her full senses but I wonder what her death will now mean for Sansa. (hide spoiler)]

Epilogue - (view spoiler)[ What?! Katelyn's not gone? Is she like lord Beric now? I didn't see that coming at all! I fear for the Freys now! (hide spoiler)]

Wow..I'm really done with this. I liked this book alot..just like I did the other two books. Somehow they don't get boring even though they're long. I wonder when I'll have time to read the next one ☺