A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin

** spoiler alert ** What a crazy ride!! I felt semi-prepared for certain events like the Red Wedding and Joffrey's death since I have seen the show, but I didn't realize just how much was packed into this one book! So many things happened, I am not even sure what the climax was. I am taking a breather before book 4, but I am sure I won't be able to hold off for too long! There were so many cruel things that happened in this book, I am not sure where to even begin. The Red Wedding was just as horrible as I knew it would be, and no matter how prepared I was, it was still like a knife in the gut to read about what happened to poor Robb and Grey Wind...perhaps the worst thing of all to have occurred in this bloody series. We are reminded, as we were with the death of Ned in book 1, that no one is truly safe, and we never really know who the hero of this story is going to be. The flip side of that is we never truly know who our villains are either, and characters we hated in book one can come through and surprise us, like Jaime and the Hound. There is such an ambiguity to all of these characters, and I think that, above all, is what makes this magical and violent world so very real and human. As complex and amazing as the plot is, it is the characters that make the series truly incredible. Speaking of ambiguity, Tyrion's story continues to be tragic and dramatic in this book. What has that poor man not been subject to?! Despite his flaws, he continues to be one of my all time favorite characters, and I love his wit and compassion. He treats Sansa kindly, and I hope to see more of the two of them in the future, even just as friends. It was a shocker to hear about Tysha...I don't remember Jaime coming out with that revelation in the show! Even more heartbreaking. I also loved reading about his retribution towards his father and Shae (what does that say about me?!), and I thought it only fitting Tywin was killed on the toilet. He has been dealt a pretty crappy hand due to his appearance, and I can't help but wondering how things would have played out differently had he been born looking like Jaime. I definitely think he is smart enough to rule somewhere down the line...you never can know what will happen in this series, though! I loved seeing more of Davos in this book as well. He is another favorite character and a voice of reason in all the madness. I hope for happiness to come for him. I did miss the scenes between him and Shireen that were added to the show, however. She was one of my all time favorite characters, and I loved watching her teach him to read and sharing her love of books! I was sad we didn't get more of her in this book. Robb and Catelyn and Grey Wind...oh my heart! Catelyn did frustrate me at times, especially with her treatment of Jon, but she truly loved her children and the fate she got was less than she deserved. In the show she spoke of her regret of treating Jon so poorly, but she didn't in the book...I missed that as well. WHAT ON EARTH WAS THAT EPILOGUE ABOUT THOUGH!? That definitely didn't occur in the show, and I cannot wait to see how this new development pans out! Another character that is in the books but not the show is Jeyne...I am anxious to see what happens to her as well. I just have a bad feeling about her because of how she felt towards Grey Wind...those direwolves are special, and I definitely think it was foreshadowing he was not a fan of the Westerlings. I am nervous to continue reading and find out what she had up her sleeve...I hope she was not a pawn in the planning of the Red Wedding! Poor Sansa...I definitely feel more pity towards her than in the other books. She has been forced to grow up and deal with some very horrible things. She's not a spoiled little girl anymore, but she still doesn't have the gumption and steel Arya does. I am excited for her to come into her own... I think Littlefinger is one of the most underestimated and dangerous characters of all. Despite her own wickedness (and obnoxiousness!), how ruthless was the way he killed Lysa! Going through the moon door sure would be a horrid way to die. I also have the feeling we haven't seen the last of her whiny son... Arya, as always, is a favorite. What a spitfire! I wish she could have met Ygritte. I think they would have gotten along. I am SO excited to follow her on the next paths of her journey, and hope we get more chapters from her in the next book. She never grows old for me, and I often forget her age...another character forced to grow up too soon. Bran was a bit forgettable for me in this book. I am ready for something a bit more exciting to happen with the three eyed crow. Daenerys was also a bit boring for me in this book...except I do love the scene where she buys the unsullied and frees them. She is really very smart, and I am anxious to see what happens with her in the next book...the series is called A Song of Ice and Fire, so I know she will be the "Fire"! Jon Snow is once again a true hero and would make an incredible king. He is as honorable as his father, and he does the right thing ALWAYS, even when it is hard. I am glad he finally got a little romance, but how heartbreaking was Ygritte's death scene?! I LOVE Tormund, and am so excited he made an appearance. I can't wait for me from him! The Wildlings are some of my favorite characters, and I will never be able to think of them as villains. Mance is a great king in his own way, and I am so glad Jon went to live with them for a time. I know they will be important in fighting the White Walkers in the future. I am sure I am forgetting a TON, but that is what is sticking out to me at the moment. I love this crazy, heartbreaking, wild ride, and I cannot wait to pick up book 4! What am I going to do when I finish and there are still 2 books left to come out and a whole year until the last season of the show?!

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