A Feast for Crows (Song of Ice and Fire #4)[March 19, 2025]

[Nirkatze]

re: 7th Brienne--(view spoiler)[Ugh, Biter biting was definitely the most disturbing scene so far... I did like the description of his "tongue" that turned out to be a sword through the back of his head though...

And I agree about Arya... when she drank that cup... definitely thought she should've been more cautious by now... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Paula wrote: "Finished! Here come my thoughts on everything. It's going to be long. I am talking about characters...."

Love your ending thoughts! You bring up a lot of points and questions that I feel still need to be answered...

As for Arya chapters, there's four in each book. I remember when they came out, that GRRM split her that way on purpose, as kind of binding sinew.

re: Ending notes--(view spoiler)[Brienne definitely has the worst cliffhanger--and one where the TV show gives no help, since it cut Lady Stoneheart whole. I remember trying to think what that word she shouted could possibly be... but on reread I think it must have been "Sword!" Poor Pod though... he can't die!!! and I agree, Gendry could definitely be helpful here. But will Lady Stoneheart even care? How much of Cat is left in her?

Cersei... I feel like she is intelligent but not wise? She also is too hasty and has no real sense of people. Her biggest handicap is that she thinks she is right--blinded by anger--and so doesn't consider any options except what she wants to think.... Definitely a fascinating character to watch and analyze! Like a wrecking ball.

Agree about Jaime--burning the letter was so good! And Sansa and marriages. I just hope her situation changes soon enough that she doesn't have to face more than a kiss from Littlefinger... though I guess we should all be thankful that her story in the book doesn't include Ramsay Bolton.

Really curious about your theories for the Horn and the Greyjoy plotline, as well as your questions about the Faceless Men in the Citadel. Why do they go anywhere? I can't imagine there'd be a specific request come to the House of Black and White that would take them all that way... (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, And probably those questions will be unanswered for a long while.

I am glad we get more Arya chapters. That way her cliffhanger is not as cliffhangery. Though it could end even worse next book.

re:Ending (view spoiler)[ True, the TV show skipped Stonehearts storyline. Why "sword" the word? That shouldn't help. Unless someone else speaks up I don't see things ending well for Brienne. Yeah, good question about Cat.

Cersei is definetely not wise. I agree, she is very hasty and doesn't really plan ahead if she isn't right. Contingencies of plan B's are not in her vocabulary. And her anger at being a woman and being left out off ruling is understandable. But even if she was a man she would be a bad choice. Even Jaime is better.

Sansa. So agree. I am happy Ramsay Bolton isn't with her. But that makes me think they adapted that from Jeyne Poole as she is the fake Arya. So poor her.

Yeah, so many questions. Greyjoys could harm Danys dragons, I am concerned about that. Maybe as Arya is with the House of black and white she could learn what they do and could be doing in westeros. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

re: Sword--(view spoiler)[Stoneheart gives Brienne a choice--will she choose the sword, and go track down Jaime and bring Stoneheart his head? or die, by the rope. Rope, or Sword. She refused to choose, so was given the rope. So she could have shouted "sword" to show she was agreeing to do what Stoneheart wanted in exchange for her & Pod's life. (hide spoiler)]

re: Sansa--(view spoiler)[As much as I hate Bolton--he was an excellent villain. And I almost like Sansa's story line in the TV show more... horrible things happen to her, but she comes out the other side so strong... she gets ALL her revenge, and becomes Lady of Winterfell... she goes through the worst of all the siblings in the TV show, but takes the most out of it too... in the books, her story is... more meandering. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, sword (view spoiler)[ Oh, yeah, forgot about that. But noo, I don't want her to hurt Jaime. (hide spoiler)]

Sansa (view spoiler)[ We will see Bolton next book, I am excited. Yeah, in the show she chooses her own path more and it led to a great pay off. I also think Arya suffered but got a good payoff and a chance to heal. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

re: Jaime!! (view spoiler)[If the story goes that route, it'll be interesting to see Brienne put in a similar situation as Jaime--he broke his vows to the King to save a City. Will she break her vows to save a man? (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, re:Jaime (view spoiler)[ Good point. And be both oathbreakers and help each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

So it's taken me 10 years but I've finally finished this lol. I've not got much to say really, only that (view spoiler)[ the whole dynamic between Brienne and Jaime was unexpected- being in each others thoughts and starting to develop a stronger bond and respect after their journey together. Quite ironic given what they both stand for/are known for, but also quite fitting. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

@Paula re end (view spoiler)[ I agree that Cersei's definitely not wise, I'm not sure about intelligence; she has some, but she doesn't think far enough ahead and it's all about her. She hasn't got the foresight to see the consequences of her actions and the impact it will have on her plans. She brought her imprisonment on herself having let the religious peeps re-establish their military orders. I'm so glad Jaime burned her message, at least he's taken the rose-tinted glasses off now and seen her for what she truly is.

Eurgh, Littlefinger kissing Sansa was grossing me the hell out. I was also interested to see his ultimate plan for Sansa and surprised that he would restore her to Winterfell, but obviously he plans to be the puppeteer and will try to get her under his control whilst she is with him. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Beena wrote: "So it's taken me 10 years but I've finally finished this lol. I've not got much to say really, only that [spoilers removed]"

Agreed, i really like their dynamic

[Paula]

Beena wrote: "@Paula re end I agree that Cersei's definitely not wise, I'm not sure about intelligence; she has some, but she doesn't think far enough ahead and it's all about her. She hasn't got the foresight ..."

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, Cersei's imprisonment is on her. She thought they would play nice and do as she says...

Littlefinger plans ahead so yeah, he will be the puppeeteer. Hopefully Sansa will be able to break free or puppeteer him in turn. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

I think the word I was looking for with Cersei was (view spoiler)[cunning? She has a kind of intelligence... but like y'all said, her shortsightedness keeps cutting her off at the knees...

Also agreeing on the Brienne/Jaime dynamic. I didn't even notice how much they're thinking about each other, but totally on point. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

So, now that we're all done--when are y'all thinking for #5?

[Paula]

I am a bit more free in August

[Beena]

Yeahh, I don't mind August or maybe September

[Nirkatze]

Sept is probably better for me--August tends to be tough, with school starting.

How about Sept 25?

[Paula]

Yeah, better September too. The date works for me.

[Beena]

Yeah sounds good to me.

[Nirkatze]

First post updated with links to next one!

[Paula]

Thanks!