A Song of Ice and Fire: Book 5
Nov. 2nd, 2011 01:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brigdhWhoa, I totally forgot to post the last section of my thoughts on this book!
Chapter 71 (Daenerys):
...I completely assumed something more interesting than "the dragon got me lost" was happening to her.
Interesting that apparently one can't control a dragon except with a magic horn. Dany's really going to need that one of Victarion's, I guess.
"You are the blood of the dragon, you can make a hat". Okay, that's hilarious.
Oh, Dany. Do not eat random berries you find. That is such a terrible idea. Even I know better than that, and I am not an outdoors person.
Hmmm, this "moon blood" is made such a big deal of... I wonder if it's supposed to symbolize that Dany is capable of bearing children? Either the magi lied, and she has been all along, or something magical to do with dragon flights has restored it to her.
Whoa, Khal Jhaqo. I don't know where this is going. Either Dany's going to end up in charge of a whole khalasar (or possibly *all* the Dothraki, not just one group), or she's going to be sold as a slave somewhere. I'm betting the first, but who knows.
Epilogue (Kevan Lannister):
Interesting that Aegon's claim to be the real Aegon seems to be considered seriously, even in King's Landing. I had assumed he was a fake, but maybe not.
"We do not even know if he's alive". I am really curious about this Robert Strong. I guess the obvious interpretation is that he's the Mountain, but does Qyburn really possess the ability to make zombies (or whatever he is)?
Kevan seems convinced that Cersei has actually reformed. I am not so sure.
Whoa, Pycelle dead! And Kevan! By Varys! I did not see that coming. I love creepy, in-control Varys. I adore this scene so much! The scary children, the long-laid plots coming together, the deliberately-sown discord... SO MUCH AWESOME.
General thoughts:
So, here are my predictions about the big plots.
I think Jon is actually dead, but he may be either a spirit in Ghost, or Melisandre will make him into a revived zombie-thing like Cat. But I will be pissed off if the next book starts with "Oh, whoops! Just injured, no worries, guys!" That seems like such a fake cliffhanger. I want there to be real consequences to the attack.
I think Stannis is still alive, but I'm not positive. Jeyne and Theon might have been sent off with the Iron Banker before Ramsay attacked, which would explain why he doesn't know where they are. It just seems strange that Melisandre wouldn't know that Stannis was dead, and that such a major plot development would happen off-screen.
Tyrion will take control of what's happening in the pyramid city (too lazy to look up the spelling!). I'm not sure if that will involve allying with Barristan or overthrowing him, though. This will set up Tyrion in a position to make the choice of opposing or helping Dany, whenever she finally makes it back. And for Tyrion, that will also be a choice of opposing or helping his family/homeland.
There's going to be a major plot involving getting the dragon horn from Victarion, and/or finding a different one for Dany. Tyrion may be involved here as well? He does seem to more about the history of dragons that any other character we've met.
I really don't know what to predict for Westeros. Obviously fighting between Cersei and Aegon, but I'm not sure who's going to be in power, or what it will turn out like.
I am super excited for more backstory on Varys and Illyrio. I love them. I want fic about them as teenagers running around being badass.
Jaime is probably also not dead, since I doubt that would happen offscreen, but I don't know what to expect there. Could he, Cat, and Brienne team up to take on the Lannisters? Seems unlikely. Did Brienne refuse to kill him at the last moment, and (try to) kill Cat instead? I'm really unsure about this plotline.
Bran is possibly ending up on the side of evil. I feel like it may not turn out to be as black and white as it looks, though it's hard to argue for the side of zombies. Also, the fact that I suspect he may have eaten Meera and Jojen doesn't look good.
Also super excited for the Sand Snakes in King's Landing! Perhaps we are coming up to an epic religion (with the poor sparrows and Tyene) vs science (with the maegisters and Sam) battle? Though would be very cool.
So many plotlines! And I feel like I've forgotten some. Martin's going to have to kill off some more characters if he's going to tie all this up in two more books.
Chapter 71 (Daenerys):
...I completely assumed something more interesting than "the dragon got me lost" was happening to her.
Interesting that apparently one can't control a dragon except with a magic horn. Dany's really going to need that one of Victarion's, I guess.
"You are the blood of the dragon, you can make a hat". Okay, that's hilarious.
Oh, Dany. Do not eat random berries you find. That is such a terrible idea. Even I know better than that, and I am not an outdoors person.
Hmmm, this "moon blood" is made such a big deal of... I wonder if it's supposed to symbolize that Dany is capable of bearing children? Either the magi lied, and she has been all along, or something magical to do with dragon flights has restored it to her.
Whoa, Khal Jhaqo. I don't know where this is going. Either Dany's going to end up in charge of a whole khalasar (or possibly *all* the Dothraki, not just one group), or she's going to be sold as a slave somewhere. I'm betting the first, but who knows.
Epilogue (Kevan Lannister):
Interesting that Aegon's claim to be the real Aegon seems to be considered seriously, even in King's Landing. I had assumed he was a fake, but maybe not.
"We do not even know if he's alive". I am really curious about this Robert Strong. I guess the obvious interpretation is that he's the Mountain, but does Qyburn really possess the ability to make zombies (or whatever he is)?
Kevan seems convinced that Cersei has actually reformed. I am not so sure.
Whoa, Pycelle dead! And Kevan! By Varys! I did not see that coming. I love creepy, in-control Varys. I adore this scene so much! The scary children, the long-laid plots coming together, the deliberately-sown discord... SO MUCH AWESOME.
General thoughts:
So, here are my predictions about the big plots.
I think Jon is actually dead, but he may be either a spirit in Ghost, or Melisandre will make him into a revived zombie-thing like Cat. But I will be pissed off if the next book starts with "Oh, whoops! Just injured, no worries, guys!" That seems like such a fake cliffhanger. I want there to be real consequences to the attack.
I think Stannis is still alive, but I'm not positive. Jeyne and Theon might have been sent off with the Iron Banker before Ramsay attacked, which would explain why he doesn't know where they are. It just seems strange that Melisandre wouldn't know that Stannis was dead, and that such a major plot development would happen off-screen.
Tyrion will take control of what's happening in the pyramid city (too lazy to look up the spelling!). I'm not sure if that will involve allying with Barristan or overthrowing him, though. This will set up Tyrion in a position to make the choice of opposing or helping Dany, whenever she finally makes it back. And for Tyrion, that will also be a choice of opposing or helping his family/homeland.
There's going to be a major plot involving getting the dragon horn from Victarion, and/or finding a different one for Dany. Tyrion may be involved here as well? He does seem to more about the history of dragons that any other character we've met.
I really don't know what to predict for Westeros. Obviously fighting between Cersei and Aegon, but I'm not sure who's going to be in power, or what it will turn out like.
I am super excited for more backstory on Varys and Illyrio. I love them. I want fic about them as teenagers running around being badass.
Jaime is probably also not dead, since I doubt that would happen offscreen, but I don't know what to expect there. Could he, Cat, and Brienne team up to take on the Lannisters? Seems unlikely. Did Brienne refuse to kill him at the last moment, and (try to) kill Cat instead? I'm really unsure about this plotline.
Bran is possibly ending up on the side of evil. I feel like it may not turn out to be as black and white as it looks, though it's hard to argue for the side of zombies. Also, the fact that I suspect he may have eaten Meera and Jojen doesn't look good.
Also super excited for the Sand Snakes in King's Landing! Perhaps we are coming up to an epic religion (with the poor sparrows and Tyene) vs science (with the maegisters and Sam) battle? Though would be very cool.
So many plotlines! And I feel like I've forgotten some. Martin's going to have to kill off some more characters if he's going to tie all this up in two more books.
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no subject
Date: 2011-11-02 06:19 pm (UTC)I will actually be kind of pissed if Jon managed to do what he did, only for his men to revolt and kill him.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-02 07:42 pm (UTC)At this point, I would be even more disappointed to see Jon zombified or Ghosted than I would be by a cheap cliffhanger: after all that set-up about him being the Prince that was Promised and leading the Watch and Arya trying to get to him, he just turns into a zombie or a wolf? No way!
I too think Stannis is alive. At least, it would be pretty poor storytelling if, after all that set-up, he dies ignominiously off-page.
Bran ate Meera and Jojen? WHAT? I didn't pick up on anything about that - details??
I really hope Dany rides in at the head of the khalasar, because I don't think I could take one more "dragged around as a slave all book" storyline.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-02 08:20 pm (UTC)I'm not sure Bran ate them! But they're both very nervous around the Children of the Forest, acting as though they feel threatened. Then they both disappear, Bran eats the magic paste that looks and tastes bloody, and Meera and Jojen don't show up for the rest of them book. They could just be off exploring the tunnels or something! But I suspect something terrible has happened to one or both of them.
That's what I'm hoping for Dany too, if just because, as you said, we've kind of already done the slave thing. I'm hoping Jhaqo recognizes her and decides to follow her/ally with her/something with her in a leadership role right away.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-02 08:23 pm (UTC)I am not an outdoors person.
You do archaeology. Professionally.
Bones...STAR FLEET *OPERATES* IN SPACE!