A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4) by George R.R. Martin Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4)
Book Review: Jordanitis
Summary: 3 Stars
I am one of the patient few who have managed to wade through Robert Jordan's bloated bank raids in the hope that he might finally be able to tie things up before either he or I die of old age. Imagine my delight then at the irreverence and breakneck speed of the horrendously titled 'Song of Ice and Fire' series. So much fun, such a visceral imagination and so like early Wheel of Time that it was impossible to resist. In fact the similarities between the two are uncanny: breathtaking premise; check, beautifully imagined characters, social structure and landscape; check, increase in tempo and ambition in early sequels; check, grind to standstill after critcal acclaim followed by lazy and ponderous sequels; check.
This 700 page whopper (not for this genre maybe) furthers the plot line of only half of the characters about as much as three chapters of the previous books: how many times and in how many ways do we need to know that Cercei is a bitch, Jaime misunderstood, Tywin ruthless, Arya a bit of a scamp, Sansa a pretty princess and Brienne an ugly oaf with a heart of gold? I'm getting a bit old to read these books in public so I hope the next one rewards me for my bravery with a little less padding and lot more content!
Having said that, the man's a top storymaker and the book is surprisingly well written. Fans of the series will enjoy it but newcomers beware...
Book Review: A touch of Jordanitis?
Summary: 4 Stars
After having started strongly, it seems GRRM is falling into the same sort of self-indulgence that Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time has been showing for the last few books. He's even resorting to various Prophesies -- one about the Dragons, one about Cersei, and so on, and introducing more and more major players. Even though he's quite willing to kill off major characters, some of the departures of former major characters are done in a rather off-handed way, "off screen".Despite what he writes at the end of this volume, that he has published the whole story for half the characters, this does not feel like a whole story for any of the characters.
Book Review: The first dip in a great series - more filler than anything
Summary: 4 Stars
I believe this series to be one of the best I have ever read. I attended one of Martin's book signings in Manchester, England and am a big fan. However I found this particular book a little disappointing. There was no ICE and no FIRE - we read no more about the wights to the north or the dragons across the sea. I've read the arguments and apologies that George has made for this but I would much have prefered the other tack that he considered - i.e. jump the story forward five years and highlight the events during that time much more briefly. As stated in other reviews this book concentrates solely on the events in the southern parts of Westeros and therefore abandons (for the moment) some of the series' key characters. I for one missed them. But for all that it is still a good read and the last half dozen chapters were hard to put down.Book Review: Crappy solution
Summary: 3 Stars
when it comes to the way he split the book in half. I was sceptical when i read about it, and my suspicions came true. Of course, some parts of the book was really good. Sadly the progression in the story was kind of slow, and a lot of my favorite caracters is dealt a part in the Dance of Dragons. I only hope that the second part will be so good, that it will make the impression of the book as a whole that much better.The only fantasy writer who always delivers is Steven Erikson. And R. Scott Bakker shows signs of greatness. So if you like Martin, i would definetly recommend those two for you fantasy readers.
Book Review: It'll grow on you!!
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll be honest and say, intially, I was a little let down by this book, especially after the unbelievable standard by the previous novels in the series. A lot of chapters failed to offer much and added little to the main plots. Even though the final 150 pages-or-so pick up the pace, the book felt much slower than its predecessors .However, after realising where the book fits into the rest of the series, there are plusses to it. Personally, I think my expectations were too high after a Storm of Swords which was possibly one of best books I've ever read. There was always going to be an aftermath of the huge events from that book, and that is exactly what Feast for Crows is. It's obvious that events are moving in a new direction so Martin therefore has to lay down new foundations for the storylines to come. What is evident, whilst the pace is slow, is that the **** is going to hit the fan in the sixth and seventh book as all arcs converge.
In many ways, this book will probably serve as a filler to link the first half of the series to the second.