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

[Yanique, Thread Master]

This is a Buddy Read for A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin starting onMarch 19, 2025.


Happy Reading!

[Nirkatze]

Thank you!

Been a long journey!
1. A Game of Thrones (Sept 9 2023) [link]
2. A Clash of Kings (Nov 10 2023) [link]
3. A Storm of Swords (Aug 6 2024) [link]
4. A Feast for Crows (March 19 2025)
5. A Dance with Dragons (Sept 25, 2025) [link]

[Beena]

I've started this, those first 3 chapters before it gets into the character POVs seemed really pointless.

[Paula]

Beena wrote: "I've started this, those first 3 chapters before it gets into the character POVs seemed really pointless."

I liked the first chapters. Like they are not amazing but there are some question i had about them (view spoiler)[ Who was the man who killed Pate? I also liked how much Dany and her dragons are known, even if people think they are rummors.

I also wanted to know more of the greyjoys and the martells. I think the martells are very important later on, like the sand sisters, and i am excited to see more. Doran is so going to die by their hands. And i am interested in seeing Euron as Aeron fears him.

I also had to look at the POV in this book and the majority are Cerseis, Jaimes and Samwells. The rest are other characters with 2 or 3 chapters or even single chapters so i am curious if it will work for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Fair enough Paula! Tbh, I've forgotten most of what you've referenced there lol.

Yeah, I also thought the same about the POVs; I had a quick glance through the contents and thought that a lot of the ones that I enjoyed before were missing. Quite sad there's no Bran but happy we've still got Arya.

This has been veryyyy slow starting for me, I'm managing to read only a chapter at a time cos it's not too interesting at the moment... I've only read up to Arya.

[Paula]

Same, happy we got Arya and Jaime. I am intrigued by the Cersei chapters too.

I am also taking my time, there's no rush, dont worry. It's my first time reading this book (though I do know some things because of the show) so I am taking it slow too.

[Paula]

Until Cersei 3rd (view spoiler)[ Nice to see Asha greyjoy. I hope her rejecting him wont give her trouble.

The latest Cersei chapter was literally every time she talked with Jaime she insulted him either to his face or in her thoughts. I thought their relationship would be more equal but poor Jaime loves her and she clearly only uses him. She doesnt like that Jaime is growing now a beard and that he doesnt resemble her as much as the tyrell sibings do each other. Its like she only loves herself and wants that mirror. I bet if Jaime had been a woman she would have "love" her aswell.

Her chapters are the best. She is suspicious of everyone and is petty to everyone. Oleanna being there to put her in check is also a highlight. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Started as well. I think I read this one and Dance only once, so it's a much fuzzier reread than the others...

re: Pate--(view spoiler)[I'm pretty sure the person who killed Pate was a Faceless Man, but I can't think why, specifically... (hide spoiler)]

Through first Cersei... it's interesting... I still find her noxious, but I empathize more, especially with (view spoiler)[her thoughts about never having to be married off again. Tyrion did her a favor by killing their father, but she'll never see it that way... and the way she blindly ignores Shae in his bed... not her father, no, he would never take a whore to bed... She's so good at blinding herself to things she doesn't want to see, like Joff... But on the other hand, maybe she found Joffrey's violence to be a relief valve herself too, letting her lash out at the world which defines her as woman and expendable vicariously... (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Nirkatze, Pate (view spoiler)[ Interesting, makes sense. Didn't he got a key? Maybe knowledge of some magic or artifact of importance? (hide spoiler)]

Cersei (view spoiler)[ Yeah, her not wanting to be married is understandable. Agreed! She is an expert at not seeing things. I love her chapters, she is very interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

re: Pate--(view spoiler)[Yeah, I think so--the key, and that he takes care of the Ravens, makes Pate a good unobtrusive character to take over... lots of access. (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, I really appreciate how GRRM makes such a hated character interesting when we get her POV...

[Beena]

I'm at about 30%, though I haven't really had a whole lot to say tbh.

@Paula, re up to 3rd Cersei (view spoiler)[ Asha- Ha! I admit that rejection speech was pretty epic.- Side note: There's times like that when GRRM is really feminist and then times when he really gives me the ick- usually when he's describing women and it's something about their breasts or hips and it makes me wanna vom. So he's kinda up and down in that respect for me.

That's definitely the idea with Cersei: she loves herself the most and only "loved" Jaime because it was herself reflected back at her, albeit in male form.

I'm finding Brienne's POV interesting- how highly aware she is of her flaws and what people think of her.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Until Arya 2

(view spoiler)[ Arys was being like Criston Cole and he didnt even notice that he put Myrcella against Tommen. I feel for Arianna as her father likely want her other brother to inherit. I wonder why since Doran seemed pretty reasonable and in Dorne women being Queens is not outside the norm.

I forgot about Pod! In the show he is much older so I forgot he was a child in the books and I didn't think he followed Brienne. And poor him, being abandoned by Tyrion.

I also liked Brienned being so very suspicious and also thinking a lot about Jaime. I want more interactions between them.

The game those knights played with Brienne is just cruel. And Tarly saying that it's her fault...

Jon exchanging the babies, that was cold and smart. I want his pov now.

Asha is the smart one, backing off the war since the North is to big to defend. Shame they all want her to marry. I really like her (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Beena (view spoiler)[ Asha is great! I dislike how he describes bodies of any gender, like he is very crude. But that also makes it very effective when describing torture or bad deeds.

I am also enjoying Brienned POV more and more. She is pretty capable and smart. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Through Arya 1 (view spoiler)[I love it when she tries to eat the priest of the Many-Faced God's worm, lol! (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Through 2nd Brienne--(view spoiler)[The shield! She gets repainted it to match Ser Duncan's! Forgot when that showed up.

I also feel so for Pod... one of the few people actually loyal to Tyrion, and has Tyrion even spared him a thought? I'm glad he's met up with Brienne... (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, 2 Brienne (view spoiler)[ oohh, I had no idea she took Ser Duncans sigil. Now I want to go to that chapter and reread that bit.

Poor Pod :( I hope Tyrion at least though of him a bit. Maybe in the next book. Or when he escaped, but I dont remember if he thought of him. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

re: Brienne--(view spoiler)[Ser Duncan's shield is a shooting star above a tree--and that's what Brienne remembers seeing in her father's armory. GRRM confirmed that she is his descendant. Hence her size. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Through 6th (I think?) Cersei, right before The Reaper (view spoiler)[Damn Cersei, you thought the Sparrows were bad before, and now you're giving them the right to bear arms?

What hurts so much in her chapters, is how she believes herself to be brilliant, but never thinks beyond the first step. All these "clever" plots she's making, they're mostly doomed to fail...

The same could be said for a lot of the plotlines... though no one is quite so convinced of their cleverness as Cersei. Except maybe Petyr, and we don't get his POV. This is definitely a middle book, where everything feels bleak... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Through 6th Brienne (view spoiler)[It's interesting seeing Jaime's chapters in parallel to Cersei's... I don't know whether it's that he's more dedicated to her than she is to him... I rather think she's more driven by anger at how her sex has defined her status, that she just uses everyone and everything and would be happy to see the world burn. I think the only beings she truly cares for are her children...

Brienne's chapter here is such a trove of theory material. The big black horse--Bastard, the Hound's horse. There is a brother at this abbey who is especially good at healing. The "Hound" raping and pillaging his way across the countryside doesn't sound like Sandor Clegane--as far as we know he's never been one to rape children. Sounds more like that nose-less rapist originally bound for the Wall...

Do you notice how the Brother says the Hound died, but doesn't say Sandor Clegane died? When Brienne asks "So, Sandor Clegane is dead?" he hesitates and says, "He is at rest."

I'm glad that Brienne at last has some solid information though--not that it will do her any good. Arya is long gone from here, and the trail to Sansa is so cold... I actually like that she's having such a hard time finding them. It gives a sense of how chaotic and large the world is. She doesn't really have a chance. It's a miracle she's found as much as she has. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Through Cat of the Canals (view spoiler)[I love Jaime's aunt. And I love that she told Tywin that Tyrion was his true son. She inherited the family brains too.

And now Arya's blind. Whee! (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Finished! This really feels like a middle book... it was fun while reading, but I can't point to any major shocking or moving scenes like I can in each of the first three... also, the overall feeling of the book is that everything is going to sh** for everyone all at once. Lots of fun little tidbits for theory-mongering, and some good character development--(view spoiler)[even though I didn't mention it at all, I really like Sansa's growth here. She's learning how to be a chameleon, manipulate, and analyze. And the insight into Cersei's mind is such a weird combination of frustration and comeuppance... I especially enjoy the prophecy that has driven so much of her life... I always thought the Valonqar would end up being Jaime. Then there's Dorne--I love the revelation that the princess was betrothed to Viserys--she really dodged the bullet there. Poor Myrcella though. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

You overtook us so quickly 😂

[Nirkatze]

30 hour audiobook is only 10 hours on 3x speed... ^^;

[Paula]

Eye reading is slower, and i couldn't do audio at thats speed, its impressive (and I am reading it even slowly, playing attention to everything since its my first time)

[Nirkatze]

I like doing that with first time reads when I can... harder to multi-task with eye-reading though... and I think this series is definitely worth the attention you're giving it!

[Beena]

I was away for a little while guys, but now back, so I've picked this up again.

Up to 2nd Arya (view spoiler)[ I do wonder what Arya hopes to get out of becoming a servant of death- I was willing her to get away from them and try and find another path to survive but she didn't. I do think she's too young to truly understand what she's getting herself into here.

I quite enjoyed Brienne's brutal takedown of the scum that took her and Jaime hostage. Really annoying tho, because she's discounted the Vale which is where Sansa has been all along!

Also, what an idiot that Arys was, dying for Ariane when he's meant to be protecting Myrcella. Stupidity at its best. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

re: 2nd Arya--(view spoiler)[Hm. I'm wondering now about the "too young to realize what she's getting into"--it's true she's young. What--10? 12? Young enough that she's probably only hit the age of even conceptualizing death... but she's also had a hell of a few years... seen a LOT of death, and even killed a few people herself... But the House of Black and White definitely has a lot more nuance to it that she doesn't get at this point...

Brienne's storyline makes me want to facepalm even though I enjoy it. But it's really interesting thinking about just how insane it would be, to try to find one or two people in a world without digital communication... and devolving into chaos...

Arys, another facepalm... lots of that this book... (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Beena, no worries, I have also paused a bit to finish a couple of books. (view spoiler)[ I think it's a mix of stubbornness that she can do whatever they tell her and The house of black and white being her last tie of westeros. (coin, jaquer hagar, harrenhall)

Martin is a master of annoying the reader with the almost meetings. It's quite the skill haha

Arianne manipulated Arys and he fell for it, hook, line and sinker. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, (view spoiler)[ I think Arya said she is almost 11.

And saying vague descriptions. How could she find anyone like that? And that's how it happened. She thought she was following the right people and look at where she got. And there is the matter with the look-alike Arya in the North that Tywin planted. That will led to confusion (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

re: look-alike--(view spoiler)[That's Jeyne Poole, right? I'm not sure if she's a look-alike, or just a fake... Actually, I don't think Brienne has ever seen either of the girls, has she? She came into the story under Renly's banner after Robert was dead--joined Catelyn afterwards--but they never met up with her family again... She's working off of a third-hand description from Catelyn... Would she even know the girls if she saw them? She'd not only need to find them, but to have them trust her and believe her... and she'd need to believe them... truly an impossible task... (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, look-alike (view spoiler)[ I don't know how much Jeyne resembles Arya so probably a fake. Exactly! Brienne has a vague description. The only good thing for her is that Sansa is said to resemble Cat a lot. But poor Arya doesn't resemble anyone in her family except her father and aunt so Brienne wouldn't know her for sure. Belive that Brienne is a good guy after all they had gone through... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

re: look-alike--(view spoiler)[Doesn't Arya also resemble Jon? But that's yet one more person Brienne wouldn't've met... she never met Eddard either... Damn. Brienne's really got the short end of the stick here...

On the other hand--damn, I don't remember when this is in the book, but she crosses paths with (view spoiler)[Gendry at some point and immediately calls him as a bastard of King Robert (hide spoiler)] so maybe she has a really good memory for faces/inherited traits? It'd be nice to see her succeed somehow, but she's way far away from everyone. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, look alike (view spoiler)[ yes, Arya resembled Jon too. But Brienne hasn't seen any of them, she also knows that Arya is not as pretty as Sansa, that she is younger that Sansa, and doesn't even remember if she has brown eyes (its grey). So pretty difficult with that description. (hide spoiler)]

I have just read that chapter (view spoiler)[ She actually thought Gendry resembles Renly. But then compared him to Robert and was sure. So yeah, she is pretty good with faces. I hope she suceeds and can say that she kept her promise to Jaime and Cat. Ohh, it has just occurred to me that if she does she could intercede between Cat and Jaime if they meet again. As Cat is Lady stoneheart and is vengeful, maybe Brienne could calm her by telling her that Jaime did fulfilled his promise (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, Brienne (view spoiler)[ That makes so much sense! I had no idea Ser Duncan was her descendant! I really want to read The knight of the seven kingdoms and watch the TV show (I think its releasing this year) (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, 6th Cersei (view spoiler)[Cersei is so stupid! Like literally everyone is thinking that the Sparrows with arms are bad news. Genna later even explains it in detail.

She thinks she is the new Tywin but Tyrion is the closest to that.

Petyr and Varys are the ones who think are the most clever. Varys less so since he had to run from King's landing beacue of tyrion. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, 6 Brienne (view spoiler)[ Agreed, Cersei only cares about her children and now even Jaime is someone she doesn't like.

There is also the big novice guy who trows dirt at their feet when he was digging graves. I think the hound is him. I also agree the raping doesn't sound like him.

Yes! I loved how the Brother never actually said "Sandor is dead". He distinguishes the man from the beast or reputation.

It also shows how much modern technology helps us communicate and find people. Another point of frustration but realistic is how the Starks don't know at any point who of them are alive because it's impossible for them to know. It also helps with the fake Arya. And in our world we can talk from half away the world like its nothing. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Aaaaaah! I love your comments Paula but I have to be careful about what I say because I know too much...

re: Ser Duncan--I'm also really excited for the TV show!! It'll be nice to see something in Westeros that's less back-stabby and more wholesome... even though it does have its violent parts...

re: Tywin's heir--there's a quote in there somewhere... I think it was Kevin talking to Cersei? (view spoiler)[Someone said that they told Tywin his true son was Tyrion... and he didn't take it well. I want to say it was uncle Kevin saying to Cersei, in the context that she wasn't as smart as she thought she was... That's one of the most painful things about her. All the drive. All the fire. All the arrogance. Not all the smarts or savvy.

You know, as much as Tyrion was quite sharp--part of it was that he was always insecure about himself, and so he rarely took anything for granted... And events STILL bit him in the ass. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

I probably know most of it as well, since I have seen the show. But I am glad you like my comments, I just love the series unfinished and all.

re: ser Duncan. And also mote faithful form what I have seen. Martin is quite pleased with the show and that's very rare.

re: Tywin. I have read the quote, and it was from Genna (the aunt) to Jaime (view spoiler)[ yeah, maybe Kevan also told that to Cersei but I don't quite remember it. Cersei could have been a great swordfighter. You don't have to be very smart for that, but have the fire that you have talked about.

Yeah, Tyrion was more cautious because ha was always the butt of the jokes. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Until Brienne 7

(view spoiler)[ It's so frustrating! Arya met Sam and if only she had said who she was he could have brought her to Oldtown and eventually to Jon. But of course she wouldn't say anything, she doesn't trust anyone at this point. At this point Sam only has to meet Sansa to know all the starks.

Dareon even names Lord Snow but Arya never wondered! I guess for her he was always Jon and maybe she considers him more of Stark than Sansa, so Snow doesn't register.

I did not expect Arya to kille Dareon! She behaved like Ned with the desserters but it was still surprising. And she was naive to think she wouldn't be punished. And drink something that was clearly suspicious prepared by poisoners...

I agree with Genna, that Tyrion is Tywins real son. But that must have hurt Jaime now that he blames Tyrion and has complicated feelings about him. I want his reaction now.

Cersei thinks the valonqar is Tyrion but I bet its Jaime. He doesn't like how Cersei is behaving now so I guess in the future it will be even worse.

Brienne met Gendry. And just like we were talking before she almost thinks Willow is Arya, and the only thing that makes her doubt is that she doesn't remember what color Aryas eyes were.

Arya freeing Jaquen and the other prisioners really had consequences. Look at Biter joining the goat and now biting and chewing Brienne. She deserves a break, be less honorable and go home.

Its also funny seeing differences from the TV show. Like this fight between Brienne and Biter was supposed to be in the show a Sandor and Brienne fight. And in here Sandor is living with the monks and is "dead" (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

re: Tywin quote--yeah, you're totally right, it was her! I can't keep facts straight in my head once my eyes are away from the page. (view spoiler)[And I feel like even Jaime is more cautious than Cersei--though he doesn't have the brilliance of Tyrion. I imagine his service to Aerys tempered him... (hide spoiler)]

re: Brienne 7--(view spoiler)[I totally don't remember what was show v. book at this point... but there are definitely times I watch the show and think "wait--wasn't that in there?" and it wasn't, and vice versa with the books.

I love how you point out the reasons Arya wouldn't've recognized Jon as "Lord Snow"--these near-misses are almost as frustrating as Brienne's total misses...

Definitely agree on the Valonqar. I really hope that ending is different from the show. I'd like to see Jaime truly condemn Cersei... and I feel like he's still conflicted, even to the point of exhaustion and not wanting to think of it, about Tyrion killing their father. They all had a love-hate relationship with him--but mostly hate. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

re:Tywin (view spoiler)[ Having the threat of becoming a human torch tends to make people more cautious haha (hide spoiler)]

re: Brienne (view spoiler)[ Yeah, same, the books and show are muddled to me too.

The near misses are so frustrating! Everything is frustrating haha.

I didn't like Jaime's ending on the show, I almost even forgot about it. I also hope he condemns Cersei. Yeah, and also Tyrion admitted he killed Joff and as he was right about Cersei sleeping with other people then maybe he will belive that too. The Lannisters have such great dynamics between them. And I am glad we got to see them, but it's a shame that next book they will not appear (except Tyrion. There was a true sighting of Tyrion from the gnome hunters that went to cersei with the heads) (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

So true about the family dynamics--it makes for interesting trainwrecks...

[Beena]

Up to Cat of the Canals (view spoiler)[ Oh noooo, I hope Arya's blindness isn't permanent! It did make me chuckle that she killed Dareon; just doing her duty as a Stark lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

He definitely made his own karma there!

[Beena]

Indeed!

Up to 7th Brienne (view spoiler)[ Oh Christ, Biter was eating her face! Urghh, that was honestly one of the most disgusting scenes I've ever read! I hope she isn't too badly maimed. Ugh, why did GRRM do that to her?! (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Beena,7th Brienne (view spoiler)[ I agree, it was horrible. Poor Brienne (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

@Nirkatze, finished (view spoiler)[ I also liked Sansa, learning how Littlefinger manipulates everyone. Cersei is a blast. Yeah, the prophecy only made her more paranoid and is always trying to stay ahead. Yeah, same, Arianna was saved from marrying Viserys (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

@Paula re 7th Brienne (view spoiler)[ I know! I thought that about Arya too! I expected her to ask about Jon and what was happening at the wall, then she would've known. Unfortunately she had no way of knowing that Sam is actually trustworthy (despite being a bit more useless then usual in this book), and that he could've taken him with her, kept her safe, and notified Jon.

Honestly, I don't even remember Sam meeting any other Starks lol.

Yeah, I was surprised at Arya taking that drink too, she should've known better given her previous experiences. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

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

(view spoiler)[ Cersei. I read a review that said that she lacks both the intelligence of Tyrion and the emotional intelligence of Jaime (there was a time he knew how the tyrells would react so he told cersei what to do and he was right). I thought that was true, and more obvious on the lack of intelligence. Like when her plan to jail Margery failed bacuse Osney confessed, because obviously nobody goes to confess such sins happily. And her last attempt to manipulate Jaime. I was scared for Jaime there. And the prophecy said a younger queen but that could also mean Dany.

Taena. I saw some people say she was a margery mole but then why would she not tell her of cerseis plan? I think she was playing both sides to try to get any advantage and when Cersei sank she fled.

Jaime. I was so glad and surprised he burned the letter! I thought he would come for her. And also the snow and winter is coming moment, that was good. It truly was winter for every character, they all end up in such lows. And I was also glad he could keep his promise to Cat about not harming Tullys or Starks. When everyone sneers at his lack of honor he at least knows he has some.

Arya. I hope we get more of her chapters in Dance, I searched chapters years ago and I think she was the only person to have a POV in all the books. Her going blind is such a cliffhanger.

Sansa. She, like Arya, is not a Stark now and it's so sad to see. Also, Littlefinger is disgusting kissing her. And now Robert too. But with her marriage she could have winterfell, so that's good (not that I think the marriage will happen, marriages in westeros don't go as planned).

Brienne. The worst cliffhanger was hers. Like noo, I don't want Pod or her to die! (I bet poor Pod does). And I was very optimistic thinking she could convince Cat (more like Stoneheart, she is not Cat anymore) that Jaime tried to find her daughters. Like Gendry was there! He knows about Arya! If he told Stonehesrt then she would know that it's not Briennes fault and she could send Brienne there.

Greyjoys. I am interested to see where this goes. Victaron will try to get Dany but I don't think he will. And same with Dorne but I think they have more possibilities, at least they won't treat her as cattle. And that horn that controls dragons is concerning. Also, can someone sound the horn without dying? Maybe a Targaryen?

Dorne. I was on Ariannas side since her father didn't want her to be his heir. But I loved seeing how far ahead Doran played. And how Viserys death destroyed everything. I didn't see that coming.

Samwell. I am so confused why are the faceless men in the citadel. What secret does he plan to have? Or is just to hoard secrets and not a specific one? And another person who goes off to see Dany. She will be busy. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Beena, re 7th Brienne (view spoiler)[ It was so frustrating! Seeing Arya meet Sam and go their ways...And yeah, at this point Arya is suspicious of anyone, she would not trust Sam.

Sam met Bran near the wall. When Bran hid from Jon when he was with the wildlings.

At least we know Arya has some innocence left. (hide spoiler)]