Song of Ice and Fire reread: Book 4

[brigdh]

One thing I forgot to say about the previous book: I really dislike how the Shae storyline wraps up. It just seems so... simple, I guess. Like, wow, the whore was really in it for the money all along! And so Tyrion kills that lying bitch! Ugh. It seemed out of place, to me, compared with characterization that are usually much more complex and feel like real people. I wonder if the HBO series will go in a different direction with it; it seems like they've already begun characterizing Shae in a very different way than she was in the books, and I love what they're doing with her. She's much more interesting, more specific, than the generic "she likes singers and jewels!" that was basically her whole characterization in the books. The exchange between her and Tyrion: "What kind of accent is that?" / "Foreign." was hilarious.

Anyway, on to Feast for Crows: Is Davos really dead? I hope not, I like him. But what happened there: was there someone disguised as him? Or are people lying to Cersei.

I hope Brienne is also not dead. Is she going to agree to try to kill Jaime? That would be… interesting. I don't know. I like them both, it would be kind of cool if they continued to get along. Mostly I am sad that Cat didn't believe Brienne was really trying to find Sansa. I guess it makes sense, but since Brienne's arc seems to be all about getting to keep an oath, it sort of sucks that she keeps being prevented from doing so.

Speaking of Jaime, I am surprised that he didn't reply to Cersei's letter at the end. I get that he's become disillusioned with her, but that still seemed a bit over the top. Is he really just going to let her go to trial and be executed?

So, who was Margaery really sleeping with? Or was she not? I guess Pycelle could be lying, though I'm not sure why he would have. Is it Loras? This series doesn't have quite enough incest yet, so I'm going to say its Loras. But who was sleeping with her other cousins, then? Is this all just supposed to be about the "riding horses makes you lose your maidenhead" thing? Is it even possible to tell if someone is a virgin by examination, or is that just a weird fantasy novel thing?

Religion becoming more prominent in this book, particularly the Drowned God and the Seven Gods. And I guess then you have the Citadel of the Maesters standing against them (maybe?). I suppose something has to replace the kings, now that four of them have been killed off.

Ugh, Littlefinger is so creepy. Make up your mind, she cannot be both your daughter and your lover. And she shouldn't be either.

A lot of people are heading east to woo/find/bring back Dany. The next book should be interesting, as they all run into each other over in the East.

I think the main problem with this book is that a lot happens, but most of it doesn't matter. For instance: the Dorne chapters. I think most of the characters are awesome. Doran Martell, the Sand Snakes, Hotah- all seem really interesting. I always love desert settings, and what little we seem of the cultural differences in Dorne from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms is intriguing. Myrcella also has the potential to be great, and I love the idea of her being crowned and sparking a civil war. But all that really happens is that people talk about war, then don't start one. People plot, but the schemes go nowhere. It's just a lot of back and forth, without any ultimate consequences. The most interesting thing is the backstory reveal that Arianne and Viserys were betrothed. Same thing for Brienne's chapters: I like her, I like seeing what's going on in the Riverlands, but since we already know where Sansa and Arya are, and that neither one is in immediate danger, it's all a little pointless.

Mostly I don't have too much to say about this book. But I can't wait for the next one! I am now 14 on the waiting list.

Comments

I always love desert settings

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

The power of your understatement made me laugh with coffee in my mouth.

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

They're going to have to do something at least a little different, since the chain of hands with which he killed her has been replaced by a brooch. pinning somebody to death could take a while.