A Song of Ice & Fire Fans discussion
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A Feast for Crows
A Feast for Crows...so much harder to get into
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Tori
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Mar 21, 2012 10:03AM
I am about half way through this book and I have to say that I am really having a hard time finishing it. Just wondering if anyone had the same issue. I read the first three cover to cover really quickly and this one I read a bit and then loose interest. I think it's because all my favorite characters aren't in it. No Tyrion, and too much Cersei.
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I had this problem with books 3 and 4. Ultimately, they were each made worth it by the revelations they each held. For FfC, I found some storylines boring - like everything in Dorne and everything with Sam - but I REALLY enjoyed the insight into Jaime and Cersei. They're two of the most compelling characters of the series due to their relationship and I enjoyed watching things from their perspective and seeing just who they really are. With so many characters, no reader will like them all, but I'm finding that even the "boring" parts are ultimately made interesting because those paths lead to the enrichment of the whole.
I had a hard time reading the Sam chapters because I don't like the book Sam. The series Sam is so much better.
I think it was rather inevitable, seeing as Crows focuses on the 'lesser' characters, which I think is very important, as people tend to have their favourites, and this runs the risk of missing out on the fullness of the story by sidelining characters deemed 'unimportant'.To me every character has the surprise potential of being suddenly important, you never can tell with Martin, maybe Hodor saves the day or Patchface has some terrible secret? Only time will tell!
I considered Sam's chapters a treat kind of ones... I noticed Martin usually has one char that doesnt appear so often in a volume, yet is important, and he serves that char's chapters as a treat I guess :)Cersei was great, she was real hard to read and digest, but seeing her descent into madness and even adopting some bad habits of her dead husband (anybody noticed that she started drinking more and more?)... some even went as far as to compare her to Mad Aerys
and yea it is harder to get through but then we got Jaime and Brienne... and the weird but interesting Ironborn... the Dorne chapters were hard to digest, but I liked chapters with Areo :)
and some of the chars introduced here have great parts in ADWD
I sort of pitied Cersei a little at first, truth be told, I mean she had lost her husband (who she had killed so he was no loss), her eldest Son (who she was grooming into a sadistic little monster who deserved to be killed), and then her brother. Well she didn't 'lose' Jaime, just that they weren't in a 'you and me against the world' relationship with him any more.Her mistake was surrounding herself with yes men and yes boys al of whom turned out to be, and in most cases were clearly, completely and utterly useless. Take the new master of coin, whose primary function seemed to going for the world record in coughing ( not his fault poor Rosby) The thing is, her yes men were practically cretinous and more interested in celebrating their elevation than being canny leaders and advisors. But that was what she wanted, she didn't want advisors, she wanted to remove the obstacles making it easy for her to exercise her power. And she made the cardinal error of giving the Faith power. Now we know the church once it has power it makes hell for all those who oppose it and they only answer to the dubious deity or deities, so bang went that plan, the manipulatrix out manipulated and made to bear her shame on her skin. Yes it was coming, and yes it was deserved, but still, I felt sorry for her, why is that?
she thought she was more clever and smarter than everyone else... and got too much plots going for a single person to handle (we know only littlefinger can do that LOL)... she lost jaime cos he finally got his eyes open and beheld the monster she has become and instead turned his eye on brienne, i think... btw as for cersei, wait till her parts in ADWD, some of those are real brutaland then, AFFC provides a bit of clarification to why the next book is called A dance with dragons :P
Indeed they are,I loved ADWD, mostly because it focused on Tyrion and the 'major' characters, but I do like Brienne though, even if the whole butch girl idea got stale very quickly, but seeing as what we have to endure in the eternally incapable form of Sansa, it made for a nice change.I love reading Tyrion, Littlefinger and Varys, they keep me guessing:p
I liked Sansa as well, she is getting a "good" tutor in littlefinger and given time and her still enduring Stark sense of honor, I guess we can be up to some nice revenge from her side upon littlefinger... she might be a hidden badass all along ^^
I find that very, very hard to believe, but that said she has endured some horrific things, it's bound to leave a mark... somewhere... maybe:p
it has I think, she just refuses to give up hope despite everything, which is a good thing; plus her kinda maternal role to Robert... I think something is brewing inside her though, and Littlefinger might eventually find death at her hands I guess, wouldnt it be funny? since both Tully women died cos of him - catelyn cos of the war his lies have caused (ok ok stoneheart lol), and lysa, well, she didnt handle the flying too well ^^but I like all chars, maybe I'm weird, each character has something unique and something keeping me to read them with thrill :)
I just read FFC a second time and liked it much better than I did reading it the first time. I think that knowing the whole series and seeing how all the pieces fit together make reading FFC a lot more fun. Also, Victarion and Euron are really interesting characters. Victarion's battle scene was great, too.
the one with that knight, right? :)I liked AFFC even the first time around, read it in two weeks heh, which is quite fast for me :P
I also am having a hard time with AFFC; I'm about half-way thru like Tori. I read the first 3 books after I saw the TV series GOT and read them furiously, though, I must admit, I had a VERY difficult time with ASOS and the red wedding. I don't know whether it's me or GRRM...but the gruesomeness of things either are getting worse or I'm getting softer. LOL! Anyway, I started AFFC and was so not interested in the new characters that I stopped after a few chapters and read other stuff. I needed a break. I went back to AFFC recently and find myself enjoying the new characters, BUT, what bothers me is that I'm so afraid GRRM will kill them off, (which he has done already) that I'm afraid to invest myself into them so I don't really enjoy reading, which is really pointless when you're reading a book. Then I start skipping chapters and read just the ones I enjoy and tell myself I'll go back later and read them. However, I do enjoy the Cersei chapters because I don't like her and enjoy her descent into madness. It is fun to be inside her head; Woolfie, that's why you probably care about her--to hear her thoughts makes you feel closer. But you have to remember what a snake she is. Her demise is the one thing that keeps me reading. But, I really do miss Tyrion and Dany.
Those are in A dance with dragons, which in big part runs parallel to AFFC :)Skipping chapters is a serious crime with a series like this IMO... AFFC was the book in the series I read the fastest :P
And killing off? Oh well, at least adds to the thrill that no one is sacred and untouchable :D
I skipped Sam's chapters in AFFC. I thought they were dull.
Out of all the books I read AFFC the fastest. I'm reading ADWD and for some reason struggling to get through it. I'm not sure what the problem is but hopefully I'll finish within the next few weeks.
Maybe I'll start reading ADWD alongside AFFC. In previous books, I started reading character chapters one after the other, skipping some in between, and then going back to read them in line. I don't really like the way GRRM sets them up. sometimes I want to keep reading about Arya for a while instead of changing to someone else. Anyone else feel this way?
Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I skipped Sam's chapters in AFFC. I thought they were dull."What!?
(view spoiler)
Yeah Crows was hard for me too. But, at least you get to hear about Arya & Sansa. (if ya like her) Thought Cersi's POV was cool. That woman's got some penis envy!
I enjoyed Sam's chapters a lot...I dont like your technique to be honest, as I feel the setup of POVs is at it should be... if you are reading just one char, then other char, it is all too easy to get some things damn confused, cos before you get to other char, you dont know a lot of stuff about some aspects of events that occured, and therefore you might not comprehend some things
martin often, upon a convergence of some chars, makes up an event, first shows it from one POV, where some info is missing, then you get the other POV and the event gets a wholly different flavour when you combine those looks together... it's like watching Atonement first watching one POV and then other, that way it would totally screw the perception of the movie... but watching it as it is, you get to see things from different perspectives in order to get fuller understanding before moving on...
remember the Battle of the Blackwater? if you I read it the way you described, I wouldnt understand half of what the hell was going on...
I personally like the way Martin sets things up, it's like a movie sequences... and in the aforementioned BotB he played it masterfully
but back to AFFC... again, the sequencing... I think this way he can achieve his deception better... the changing of the POV/scene allows for better deception... and sometimes this creates a confusion, as you cant always figure out who to trust and who not...
ADWD was awesome in the way it brought the things a bit more together... and methinks a big convergence of powers draws near, compared to which the Battle of the Blackwater was but a pinch of a needle :)
Maggie wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I skipped Sam's chapters in AFFC. I thought they were dull."What!?
The fat kid finally gets some! Give him a break. ;)
Yea and he finally becomes a man, you know what I mean... one of funny things was how besides the other cool things about his chapters, there was this (view spoiler) which makes it a fun read as well :D
I only sjipped hios chapters in AFFC. I read some but then i skipped his in the middle and read the last chapter that was his. I like the actor who plays Sam in the series better than in the book. I like Sam overall he just doesn't do much.
not all chars are supposed to be action rammers lol... sam is pretty clumsy from the outside, but he has a damn clever head, and some of his insights and musings are worth it :)
I know but she is still dull. He shouldn't really be in the Night Watch but he had no choice in the matter. I don't mind being book smart but that really doesn't help him much when it comes to fighting. I mean I can hit off him and I have very little sword experience.
Action rammers? looooooooool!Sam's gonna be pretty important methinks in coming books.
yep... he has drunk some, ****ed some and killed some, and I bet he is going to find out something awfully big and disturbing in the archives of the citadel while being mentally chased by the faith for revealing their eeeeevil secrets methinks mwahaha :D
I also had trouble getting into the book. I stopped reading it for a while but when season 2 started, I picked it back up. I don't know why, but it was much easier to get into this time. I think the second half of the book is just better.
the pace is much slower, of course it is! how can ppl realistically expect this book to be such a murder fest like ASOS? in ASOS the war reached its climax, with tons of ppl dying, the land scorched, ppl fled or hid somewhere... thats why it is Feast for crows! because "carrion crows" come to reap the suffering and exploit the situation around cooling war... which means plots, plots and again plots... the pace is of course supposed to be slower, since along with ADWD it is supposed to be kind of a setup for the grand finale in form of last two books :P
Sam's chapters were the best part for me in AFFC. I felt like I had been waiting for ages for Sam to finally grow up and get a move on, and he did. I liked Cersei's chapters too, in AFFC and ADWD, because while I hate her as a person, watching her descent into madness is brilliant.
I can't stand Cersei! Her entitled bitchiness makes me want to chuck her out the moon door. It's to the point where I don't want to read her chapters anymore because she annoys me so much. But, since her chapters offer a lot of information and interesting scenes, I kind of have to force myself through it. On the other hand, I am actually really enjoying it so far! I wish we could see more of Sansa's perspective though.
I've finally moved on to DWD.... Thank you very much. But Im still having a trial getting through some of the chaepters. ( Personally I'd love to see Cerci throw herself off the highest tower! ) or as Kaitlyn suggested out the moon door..... Oh please oh please.......
Kaitlyn wrote: "I can't stand Cersei! Her entitled bitchiness makes me want to chuck her out the moon door. It's to the point where I don't want to read her chapters anymore because she annoys me so much. But, sin..."I am thinking that it would be nice to have a Littlefinger vs Cersei kind of clash, with one dying first and then the other dying as a consequence of the other's plot still in motion... both brutal deaths, I hope lol... could be of the sort like... Littlefinger raping Cersei brutally and all, her stabbing him a couple times, one of those Petyr grabbing the blade, grabbing her by the throat with his other hand... and then both stumbling out of the Moon Door, LOL, wouldnt that be nice :D
Ada-Lee wrote: "I've finally moved on to DWD.... Thank you very much. But Im still having a trial getting through some of the chaepters. ( Personally I'd love to see Cerci throw herself off the highest tower! ) o..."
omg ADWD... did you get to "Reek" chapters? those were the most disgusting pieces I have ever read... when I read the first Reek chapter I almost threw up the dinner I just ate back then LOL
Creepy.... I'll give you that yes!
disgusting too, the descriptions of flaying and... other neat things to do...
I just finished and will be starting Dance soon. I had a hard time with this book, too. It seems he threw in a filler to get us to bigger and better things! (I'm hoping)I did like the Sand Snake Sisters and Sam; but was left very confused as to where he may be taking all of this.
I miss Dany, Tyrion, Jon and would like to know what is going on with Arya! I find Asha much more interesting now. Wonder how many of the "other houses" come into play in the remaining books???
I spent much of my time trying to absorb the history and prophecies-making since of all of them...still wondering where the next two books after "Dance" will take us! :(
Razmatus wrote: "disgusting too, the descriptions of flaying and... other neat things to do..."Did you ever see the flaying on "Buffy?" I think Willow was awesome. Reading is one thing, seeing it another!
And, hey, knights have always been into torture and their unique devices!
Kit wrote: "I just finished and will be starting Dance soon. I had a hard time with this book, too. It seems he threw in a filler to get us to bigger and better things! (I'm hoping)I did like the Sand Snak..."
not really a filler, together with ADWD they make up a huge setup for the grand finale IMO :P
Razmatus wrote: "Kit wrote: "I just finished and will be starting Dance soon. I had a hard time with this book, too. It seems he threw in a filler to get us to bigger and better things! (I'm hoping)I did like t..."
Finale IMO? Is there a site that has a preview of ending?
Guess you may already know of Game of Thrones info sites--Westeros, Winter is Coming, and Tower of the Hand? Westeros is a wealth of info of all sorts, and Tower has background info and book chapter summaries. Great resource. Careful...it's very easy to read beyond where you are and you'll spoil yourself. LOL
Kit wrote: "Razmatus wrote: "Kit wrote: "I just finished and will be starting Dance soon. I had a hard time with this book, too. It seems he threw in a filler to get us to bigger and better things! (I'm hopi..."not really... but since there are only two books left, those I guess will make up the grand finale :P
Elise wrote: "Guess you may already know of Game of Thrones info sites--Westeros, Winter is Coming, and Tower of the Hand? Westeros is a wealth of info of all sorts, and Tower has background info and book chapte..."Yes, I know what you mean. I have avoided most sites thru the first 4 books. But this last book has left me wondering??!!?! I'm getting ready to start Dance this weekend. Can't wait to see how it goes.
I started 'sneaking a peak' at some of the chapter summaries half-way thru Storm of Swords around the time of the Red Wedding. Having such awful things happening, I had to stop reading the book before I went to bed, and then it just got to be too much and I had to put it down for awhile. I found out about Joffrey's fate and eagerly went back to reading for that reason. It's strange with these books--I love them and hate them.
Elise wrote: "I started 'sneaking a peak' at some of the chapter summaries half-way thru Storm of Swords around the time of the Red Wedding. Having such awful things happening, I had to stop reading the book be..."haha joffrey had it coming :D
Maggie wrote: "Don't you guy remember Maggy the Frog's prophecy? LF isn't going to kill Cersi. [spoilers removed]"Yep! And by "her little brother" I really really don't think it means Tyrion!
Also everyone who doesn't like Cersei your mind might be changed in ADWD w o w.
Bailey wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Don't you guy remember Maggy the Frog's prophecy? LF isn't going to kill Cersi. [spoilers removed]"Yep! And by "her little brother" I really really don't think it means Tyrion!
A..."
Yep. Bailey I had the same idea. Doesn't have to be Tyrion. My mind wasn't changed in ADWD but, I hold a grudge. ;)
I'm more into ADWD than AFOC but still getting frustrated, seriously George lets get on with the damned story..... PLEASE?
Ada-Lee wrote: "I'm more into ADWD than AFOC but still getting frustrated, seriously George lets get on with the damned story..... PLEASE?"ASOS was supposed to be the culmination of the war between kings... so AFFC, and therefore also part of ADWD set in the same time frame, were supposed to be much slower, due to many participants somehow dying away lol... and after that, when ADWD moves past the time frame of AFFC, it starts kicking up a bit... I see AFFC/ADWD as a kind of setup before shit hits the fan in last two books :)
Maggie wrote: "Yep! And by "her little brother" I really really don't think it me..."Do you think Tommen and Myrcella are going to really die?? I'm torn between them dying and Varys hiding them away like he tried to do with the Aegon and Rhaenys.
