Official STORM OF SWORDS thread

[Phoenix Dark]

You know the drill





I'm around 230 pages in and so far OMG. The second book, CLASH OF KINGS, ended with more than a few cliff hangers, many of which have been cleared up early in STORM OF SWORDS. Overall this book just seems better focused than the others. Every POV is already exciting and most importantly, different; the previous books often featured POVs which were similar in terms of being strictly political/plot driven, with the action held off until the second half of the books. Now there's a nice balance of the political in-fighting I love and actual combat.

Thoughts so far (spoilers)

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-The new POVs are great. Samwell's first chapter was probably the best single chapter of the series so far imo, and really had me on the edge of my seat. Jaime's is also great. Like he's brother he's a rather complex character, especially the whole "Kingslayer" thing.
-Tyrion continues to be my favorite character. Everything he worked for in the second book essentially blew up in his face (literally lol), and now he's back to square one. Despite becoming "master of coin" I can't help but think he'll be betrayed again, especially now that he has lost most of his power. While Samwell's first POV was my favorite chapter, Tyrion's return to the council was almost as awesome.
-Catelyn wtf. Letting Jaime go was beyond stupid, and now the North is fucked. I can't possibly see how they'll come out on top, or even at the end of the book. Winterfell is destroyed, they have enemies to the front/back, they're losing allies (Robb and the Frey girl lol). Wow. The Lannisters are sitting pretty
-Arya is still  badass
-What's going to happen with Stannis omg. How he knew Davos was plotting to murder the red lady is beyond me; can't wait to find out. But either way, I don't see how he can withstand the Lannisters anymore. Unless he marries Dany or something 
-And speaking of Dany, how does she fit in. She has no beef with the north per se, and her aim throughout all the books has been on the Iron Throne. She could give the Lannisters hell, assuming she gets an army
-Jon omg. Mace Randor is fucking awesome

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[cubicle47b]

It's the best fantasy book I've read.

[BlueTsunami]

OH GOD PD, THIS BOOK WILL ROCK YA'

[Phoenix Dark]

I've got winter break next week so I'll be STORMING through this book

[Junpei the Tracer!]

What happened to that GIF with his head moving back and forth?

[Junpei the Tracer!]

Found it!

[Phoenix Dark]

This book is fuck awesome. I'm not half way through yet but damn things seem to already have reached an apex of awesome-ness.

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-DANY OMG: I thought some of her chapters were kinda boring initially but holy shit. Much of her time in this book had consisted of her trying to find an army, and then deciding whether to buy a slave army considering the Seven Kingdoms frown upon slavery. OMG she sacked the slave city in badass fashion; ripping the dude's face off with her whip, then having her dragon burn his head off=oh shit. So now she's got what, almost 9,000 Unsullied. I don't think that's enough to challenge the Lannisters, but we'll see. Actually I wonder if she could perhaps join forces with Stannis.

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-Jaime: Oh man, coooldblooded. What happens to him now, without his sword hand. In one of Tyrion's POVs his father was planning on giving a sword to Jaime once he returned; is he going to learn how to fight with his left hand now lol. I'm also very interested in finding out what's up with Lord Bolton; if his bastard son under his control, and if so is he planning on backstabbing the Starks? omg

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-Samwell: The shit just hit the fan. Mormont is dead, Sam is on the run, etc. Plus I loved the end to Samwell's second POV where Craster's wives warned Sam to go because "the sons" were coming. So awesome. Lord Mormont's final words about his son were rather touching lol; I wonder if his son will leave Dany to hold true to his father's dying wish..

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-Arya omg: The Hound is back! I figured it was him before it was revealed, and that POV chapter was breath taking. The duel between The Hound and the "Lord of Lightning"=omg. I actually like Sandor as a character; he's complex, and while he is definitely ugly there's something behind the armor that's somewhat admirable, perhaps heroic. Also I love how myth is implemented throughout the books. With the "Lord of Lightning" all the cryptic claims that he couldn't die really had me on the edge of my seat. Magic is so sparsely used that it often seems like the books aren't fantasy at all, but clearly something is happening here. How the fuck is this guy alive after being "killed" by Sandor in the duel? Can't wait to find out

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-Jon on the Wall: I can't wait to see how this works out. Is he going to be able to stay true to his Night Watch brothers or will he be forced to betray them? In the last chapter the wildlings reached the wall and climbed it...so now the fireworks should commence in the next one. Can't wait

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Tyrion/Sansa: I love how Sansa's life is like the complete opposite of all the romantic stories she filled her head with. I knew she wouldn't wind up married to the Tyrell heir, but I certainly didn't expect her to be married to Tyrion. Considering Mace Tyrell refused the Cersei marriage to his heir, I wonder if any friction between the two houses will commence. I had always figured the Tyrells had more in common with the Starks than the Lannisters anyway.

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[Phoenix Dark]

 :'( :'( :'(

omg I can't believe this

 :'( :'( :'(

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I had to go to Buffalo Wild Wings and eat my sorrow away (while watching some awesome UFC)

WTF MARTIN

The Frey betrayal was one of the most painful chapters I've ever read in a fantasy book. I'm SHOCKED, upset, sad, and utterly speechless. I totally didn't see that coming. But the thing that really made me mad is how extravagent and heartless it was carried out. When Ned died it was a bit jarring, but at the same time it was somewhat expected; as a prisoner I figured he'd be executed. But Robb's assassination was just disgusting to every detail (twisting the sword in his fucking heart, COME ON).

Before this I couldn't really see how the Starks would be victorious in anything - now it seems like they're finished. His generals are dead now for the most part - there's no way Greatjon made it out alive. Catelyn is probably done; she's alive, but I don't see how she can mentally carry on. She's been one of the strongest characters in the entire series. After suffering Ned's death and seeing Robb destroyed before her eyes - not to mention her thinking the rest of her children are dead except Sansa - total mind fuck. I'm in PAIN too.

So now Winterfall passes on to Tyrion for the moment; no one knows Bran is alive. Many of the people who saw Robb decree Jon Snow as his successor are dead or in the battlefield, and even if Jon got the news would he leave the Night Watch? omg omg omg

The next POV is Arya's, and I don't even want to continue reading but I will. oh god. 

Once again Martin proves this isn't the typical run of the mill fantasy series. The eagles are not coming. Yet I had still hoped for something - Grey Wolf to jump out of nowhere and save Robb, or maybe the Greatjon pulling some epic feat of heroism. No.

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[Phoenix Dark]

I finished the book around 1AM. Cubicle was right: Storm of Swords is the best fantasy book I've ever read, bar none. The previous two books introduced a wide variety of characters, plots, themes, etc - and all these things come together in harmony here. Needless to say I was blown away, and the last 2 chapters (and the epilogue also, especially) made my jaw drop. Holy shit




Spoilers

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Tyrion: WOW. I had wondered if he would exact some type of revenge on Cersei but I would have never guessed he'd kill his father. Granted the man tormented Tyrion yes, but still...wow. Such a tragic set of events. Tyrion essentially saved King's Landing and did his best to help the common people yet in the end everyone betrayed him. Bronn, Shae, Littlefinger, everyone. So...now what? Is he done with revenge, or will he join with the Lannister's enemies and continue what he started? And where will he go. Dorne perhaps, I dunno.

Jon: Jon has slowly become one of my favorite characters. The entire book was a test by fire for him and he passed at every turn. From saving the Wall to doing the honorable thing by refusing Stannis' offer he proved that he was just as brave as Robb, and wiser. But with winter on the horizon tougher tasks await. The Wall may have defeated the wildings with the help of the king, but how will they defeat the Others? Damn

Samwell: Easily the best new POV imo. I love how his transformation wasn't particularly "magical" in the sense that he didn't suddenly become this brave warrior and protector. He simply stepped up to the challenge and earned his Night Watch position. Also I'm dying for more details on the Bran situation. WHO THE FUCK IS COLDHANDS. Benjin seems like too much of an obvious guess to me. And when will Bran return to the north to reclaim what's rightfully his? omg

Catelyn: The last 3 chapters of the book felt like 24 lol, especially the epilogue. I'm guessing Thoros brought her back to life...but why? And what role will she play next, with her family in ruins, her army scattered. The epilogue seemed to suggested the Greatjon was still alive, imprisoned in the Twins. Hm, I wonder if Catelyn, Beric, and his band of brothers could free Greatjon. ALSO I wonder if Catelyn will be able to feel that Bran is still alive...

Arya: Badass badass badass. Her final chapter ended soo awesome. The prospect of her training in Braavos makes me salivate.

Davos: Stannis mentioned Davos in present tense at the wall so clearly he survived after the Edric Storm thing. But in what condition? Is he ruling Dragonstone as the Hand of the King while Stannis is in the north, or is he being attacked by Florent and the other queen's men who probably stayed?

Lannisters/Jamie: I must say that I was a bit disappointed by Joffrey's death. I wanted something more extravagant, preferably not done during another wedding. Tommen seems like a likable character but we'll see. But I'm more interested in what happens to the family after Tywin's death. Tommen isn't old enough to rule, the Hand is dead...so who will rule in his place? Jamie? With his father dead I imagine he could officially marry Cersei and take command of the realm. Or will he continue to serve as leader of the kings guard. Honor or greed? Jon faced a similar choice and chose honor. How will Jamie choose?

Also with the prince of Dorne dead, what happens with the alliance? The Red Viper seemed to hint that they'd crown Joffery's sister, which would throw things to chaos. Damn I can't wait to see what happens. And also, what role to the Tyrells play in this. The revelation that the Lady of Thorns poisoned Joffery shocked me; I guessed it was Varys, or even Tywin. If the Lannisters go to war with Dorne I'd imagine the Tyrells will stay loyal, but who knows.

Sansa: OMG. The end was fucking awesome. As I've said before, I used to roll my eyes whenever her POVs came up, but that changed with the second book. When Littlefinger arranged for her to leave King's Landing I knew he wanted her for himself, but I didn't expect him to fucking kill Lysa lol. So now will he reveal who Sansa really is, and perhaps declare Winterfell as his? With Lysa dead I think he could get her forces to declare for the north; they wanted to help anyway. Could they...retake Riverrun and then deal with the Freys?

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[cubicle47b]

Now brace yourself for a 4th book that focuses on the state of Westeros through the eyes of minor characters.  And a long wait for the 5th book and possible death of the author through a pizza induced heart attack.

Storm of Swords was so fucking good, though.