Adwd First reactions (spoilers inside)

[Sleepless]

Finished it quite quickly, may have to re-read them all just to review.

Jon seems incredibly savvy whilst knuckle draggingly stupid at the same time. I dont believe he is dead, I think Melissandre is going to bring him back. The woman is just plain wrong interpreting 80% of her prophecies but there is no doubt she was trying to warn him. I am looking forward to watching Marsh and his conpirators burn.

Dany is just plain annoying. She is faffing about in Mer STILL, chaining up all her dragons because she gets upset by the death of a kid by one. She didnt even manage to chain that one up, so presumably its been flying around have kiddy snacks, but she isnt that bothered by that. She is too busy swooning after the first bad impression of captain codpiece, then deciding she'll be queen to save the people, then opening the pits, then wandering around the desert. And now she probably has another Khal. Oh goody, more Mer action.

Tyrion, him and Arya are my favourites and they progressed well. I wondered how he was going to present himself to a Targ queen without getting the chop and there we have it. Arya I feel cant lose who she is completely without making her pointless to the story so ill be interested to see that break from the faceless. Otherwise Victarion im not getting, surely the red priest is on the side of Dany, why is he helping him steal a dragon? Maybe theyll summon Dany with the horn instead! Aegon is meh, Stannis is still up to his eyeballs in snow im sure and bolton is going to get his very early in the next book.

Overall, good stuff.

 

[Koopa]

Sleepless, my thoughts on Arya losing herself to become a faceless men:

Whilst i believe she can become a faceless (wo)man, i don't think it's possible for Arya to ever completely lose her tracks becuase of her connection to Nymeria. As long as Nymeria lives so too does Arya of House Stark (and with that i mean her sense of self)

 

[xLORDSNOWx]

Two events in the book just stuck with me. There were others such as Young Griff in the beginning and Varys at the end, but these are the two that had me grasping for air.

1) My heart almost dropped and i would have never forgiven GRRM if he would have loosed those 3 Lions on Tyrion and Penny!

2) When Jon told Edd to fetch him the block and unsheathed LongClaw for Slynt!

 

[Trey Greyjoy]

I have no idea why - but I am so afraid for Penny I could barely stand to read a Tyrion chapter for fear of what would happen to her. I KNEW he would kill the pig and the dog
Why does GRRM do this to me! Lol. I know she's supposed to be a bit pathetic in her naivete but I cant help but feel for her.

For me, I liked the book overall but thought there were WAY too many characters traveling from one darn place to another. I know adding things like "beside the river there was a mysterious [ruin, figure, tree]" adds spice and is the hallmark of world-building, but it felt overdone to me in this book with so many people moving around. By the time he was describing Dany walking through the mud at the end I was thinking "oh just get there already".

Plus the long lists of names you had to read through every time 3 or more people got together felt a bit cumbersome. I dont need to know the eye and hair color of everyone in the room.

Was really disheartened by Jon's last chapter.

I REALLY liked the chapters in the north with Roose, Ramsay and Theon. I particularly loved the constant contrast between the Northmen and the Southrons.

Arya's point of view has been a favorite of mine from the beginning. I honestly believe you could pull all her chapters out, bind them and release them as a stand-alone novel.

 

[thaddeus6th]

I agree with much of that, Trey, and would add that Davos' meanderings in the North were also good. Theon's chapters were the best in the book, I think, which was a pleasant surprise as he's not been a favourite of mine before now.

 

[No One]

Was really disheartened by Jon's last chapter.

I don't think you were supposed to be jumping for joy

Agreed though that Theon's chapters were extremely good and really quite disturbing. Had he actually killed Bran and Rickon, I don't think there'd have been any margin for pity from me, but as it stands GRRM has done it again and turned my perspective on a character pretty much on its head.

Oddly, I've never really disliked Melisandre (far too interesting a character) but again, once we see things from her POV, everything seems so justified and rational where before it seemed malicious and downright perverse.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

I just finished it last night, and as others have stated I'm not sure completely how I feel. I know overral my first impression is disappointment. I feel it could have benefited by some editing to make it a tighter story. And there were too many characters traveling...and most of them not making it to their destinations. My first reaction to Jon's last chapter was that he was dead. And even knowing there are ways to bring him back, I don't know that any of them are pleasing to me. I saw it coming, especially once he locked Ghost in his room, but it still tore my heart out.

 

[TK-421]

Dear Chronicles friends:

I just finished the book last night. I know, I'm a slow reader.

Before I catch my breath and dive into the details and discussions that I have been avoiding like the plague, I just wanted to say that GRRM has outdone himself with this book.

To bring us to this point with storylines that are still well intertwined and advancing is admirable to say the least. He resets the whole chess board with this one. I was shocked at some points, sad at others and laughed out loud at many. The dragons are all I hoped they would be even though they killed a character I saw alot of myself in when reading him. The pace of the book was perfect and the second half so engrossing, it was like reading ASOS all over again. He has set up and foreshadowed what will come in TWOW very, very well.

There are two POV's that I was a bit disappointed were left earlier in the book to dangled out there and that we have to wait to know much more. I am refering to Davos and Bran.

I felt like killing Jon was as big of a shock to me as was Ned in AGOT.

Anywho, ADWD rocks! Period!

 

[viZion]

Anywho, ADWD rocks! Period!

I almost feel like you're trolling here since you must know how most people felt about the book. I didn't hate it, but I had a lot of the exact opposite feelings as you did about this book, especially regarding Quentyn. Well, it's good that someone liked the book a lot!

 

[The Imp]

Dear Chronicles friends:

I just finished the book last night. I know, I'm a slow reader.

Before I catch my breath and dive into the details and discussions that I have been avoiding like the plague, I just wanted to say that GRRM has outdone himself with this book.

To bring us to this point with storylines that are still well intertwined and advancing is admirable to say the least. He resets the whole chess board with this one. I was shocked at some points, sad at others and laughed out loud at many. The dragons are all I hoped they would be even though they killed a character I saw alot of myself in when reading him. The pace of the book was perfect and the second half so engrossing, it was like reading ASOS all over again. He has set up and foreshadowed what will come in TWOW very, very well.

There are two POV's that I was a bit disappointed were left earlier in the book to dangled out there and that we have to wait to know much more. I am refering to Davos and Bran.

I felt like killing Jon was as big of a shock to me as was Ned in AGOT.

Anywho, ADWD rocks! Period!

Welcome back, We missed you. It's nice to get another perspective, particularly from someone who didn't zoom through the book. I've jusr re-read the prologue, and I was amazed at how much more i enjoyed it the second time around. I'm planning on a much sklower and careful re-read, which i suspect will leave me liking aDWD more than I initially did.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

Dear Chronicles friends:

I just finished the book last night. I know, I'm a slow reader.

Before I catch my breath and dive into the details and discussions that I have been avoiding like the plague, I just wanted to say that GRRM has outdone himself with this book.

To bring us to this point with storylines that are still well intertwined and advancing is admirable to say the least. He resets the whole chess board with this one. I was shocked at some points, sad at others and laughed out loud at many. The dragons are all I hoped they would be even though they killed a character I saw alot of myself in when reading him. The pace of the book was perfect and the second half so engrossing, it was like reading ASOS all over again. He has set up and foreshadowed what will come in TWOW very, very well.

There are two POV's that I was a bit disappointed were left earlier in the book to dangled out there and that we have to wait to know much more. I am refering to Davos and Bran.

I felt like killing Jon was as big of a shock to me as was Ned in AGOT.

Anywho, ADWD rocks! Period!

I think you are the first person here at Chrons to have that high of an opinion of the book. It's good to hear. My initial reaction was that it was so-so, but of course I'm still eagerly awaiting TWOW.

I've jusr re-read the prologue, and I was amazed at how much more i enjoyed it the second time around. I'm planning on a much sklower and careful re-read, which i suspect will leave me liking aDWD more than I initially did.

I felt the same way Imp when I reread the prologue. Unfortunately I have too many other books I want to read for the first time right now so an entire re-read isn't in the cards right now. But hopefully my opinion of the book will improve once I do.

 

[TK-421]

Thank you for the welcome back.

Like I said, I have been avoiding any thread on ADWD since July 12th and therefore did not know how others felt about it. I only know how I feel about it.

Yes, it is but a piece of an epic. Yes, there are many unsanswered threads and storylines. But, yes, I feel it did not fall short of the previous books not one bit.

Just a quick note on Dany and Quentyn and I sense there are some different feelings from mine among my Chronicles friends. I would say that I too was frustrated reading Dany but felt a tinge of hope at the end of the book. Things always have to get worse before they get better. As for Quent, he reminded me of myself so much, I had certain feelings I never expected to have when I read his POV. No, I am not a Dornish Prince (one could only wish) but...anyways...maybe I need to take this up with my therapist...

I'm pacing myself a bit right now and as I read slowly and deliberately slowly, like Victarion, I am gathering my strength to strike at the more in depth discussions on the various plots and characters that I will be joining late seeing as much discussion has already gone on. I esepcially look forward to reading and contributing to the threads on Griff, Young Griff, TPTWP, R+L=J, Tyrion, Varys, Theon and BFS to say the least.

 

[Needle]

Welcome back TK-421! I am a few chapters away from finishing my re-read and although I liked it initially I like it much better the second time through. My biggest complaints still stand though- None too pleased with Dany and the big 1 (to me) maybe you know- Jaime and Brienne-WTF? why mention them at all?

 

[Quick Ben]

Dear Chronicles friends:

I just finished the book last night. I know, I'm a slow reader.

Before I catch my breath and dive into the details and discussions that I have been avoiding like the plague, I just wanted to say that GRRM has outdone himself with this book.

To bring us to this point with storylines that are still well intertwined and advancing is admirable to say the least. He resets the whole chess board with this one. I was shocked at some points, sad at others and laughed out loud at many. The dragons are all I hoped they would be even though they killed a character I saw alot of myself in when reading him. The pace of the book was perfect and the second half so engrossing, it was like reading ASOS all over again. He has set up and foreshadowed what will come in TWOW very, very well.

There are two POV's that I was a bit disappointed were left earlier in the book to dangled out there and that we have to wait to know much more. I am refering to Davos and Bran.

I felt like killing Jon was as big of a shock to me as was Ned in AGOT.

Anywho, ADWD rocks! Period!

Surely this is a pisstake?

If not, more power to you!

 

[Mesanna]

I plan to re-read soon and I agree that it's probably a book that you'll enjoy better second time round (that was definitely the case with AFFC).

I understand the gripes about Dance but I'm not complaining just yet, because we're still in the "middle books" part of the series. We all thought AFFC would be the "middle book" and things would move forward with ADWD, but that hasn't really happened (excluding the last couple of hundred pages). I think we all expected big developments (especially after reading the reviews), but obviously GRRM is still shuffling his pieces around the board to get them where he wants as he moves towards the finale of the story. But folks are fed up because we made all these excuses when Feast came out and didn't think we'd be doing the same thing with Dance. I'm still withholding my judgement until the series is finished, because only then can you really judge a book's place in the overall story. (Though, if I'm still saying the same thing after Winds of Winter, my resolve may be tested somewhat!!) I feel confident though, because things have started to pick up at the end of ADWD and I truly believe the next book will be back to top form. OK, so I'm one of those annoyingly optimistic people, bite me!

 

[Eulalia]

TK, nice to see you.

I enjoyed every page of the Dance. I thought GRRM did a great job in sorting out the knots, repositioning everyone, evolving characters, setting up the end games, and still keeping me entertained and involved. However, it is not the climactic book, so is frustrating...

I think Quentin's main job was to release the dragons. It needed to be NOT Dany. It's not his fault that GRRM decided to have him get there to late and torch him before he could go any further! (a few blind spots and anxious to prove himself)

Will need to re-read. I'm confused on a lot of points especially what the heck all the mercenaries are up to. But I think that is a "reality" and there are historical roots to that little problem of loyalty and mercs and forcing populations to culture change. Dany didn't read enough, say, history of Afghanistan.

 

[TK-421]

I recall a recent interview with GRRM where he is asked about the evolution of the series and where he sees it going.

He said something like this:

At the beginning of AGOT, all the major characters (except Dany) are in one place, Winterfell. Even characters that had no business there. Then they all split apart and he drew a parallel to the Fellowship of the Ring. He then said that he is now moving them back so that are once again concentrated, not necessarily in one place but in fewer places until it culminates. He knows how it ends. He knows what happens to what character. The creative process of making that happen takes time and it can shift during the writing process. If you wanted to know only the end or are not interested in the descriptions of dress or places or food or characters, etc. then skip reading the books and buy the Cliff Notes.

I thought he summarized it nicely and gives us a sense of what he starts to do with ADWD and will do much more with TWOW.

 

[The Imp]

I recall a recent interview with GRRM where he is asked about the evolution of the series and where he sees it going.

He said something like this:

At the beginning of AGOT, all the major characters (except Dany) are in one place, Winterfell. Even characters that had no business there. Then they all split apart and he drew a parallel to the Fellowship of the Ring. He then said that he is now moving them back so that are once again concentrated, not necessarily in one place but in fewer places until it culminates. He knows how it ends. He knows what happens to what character. The creative process of making that happen takes time and it can shift during the writing process. If you wanted to know only the end or are not interested in the descriptions of dress or places or food or characters, etc. then skip reading the books and buy the Cliff Notes.

I thought he summarized it nicely and gives us a sense of what he starts to do with ADWD and will do much more with TWOW.

I'm pretty sure that was the Google interivew, posted here and on Not A blog

 

[juleska]

Dear Chronicles friends:

I just finished the book last night. I know, I'm a slow reader.

Before I catch my breath and dive into the details and discussions that I have been avoiding like the plague, I just wanted to say that GRRM has outdone himself with this book.

To bring us to this point with storylines that are still well intertwined and advancing is admirable to say the least. He resets the whole chess board with this one. I was shocked at some points, sad at others and laughed out loud at many. The dragons are all I hoped they would be even though they killed a character I saw alot of myself in when reading him. The pace of the book was perfect and the second half so engrossing, it was like reading ASOS all over again. He has set up and foreshadowed what will come in TWOW very, very well.

There are two POV's that I was a bit disappointed were left earlier in the book to dangled out there and that we have to wait to know much more. I am refering to Davos and Bran.

I felt like killing Jon was as big of a shock to me as was Ned in AGOT.

Anywho, ADWD rocks! Period!

I also just finished the book and this was largely my reaction as well. I have the added benefit of having just started the series in April this year, so I didn't have the long wait that left so many people disappointed. I thought ADWD was brilliant and progressed the storylines quite a lot.

 

[juleska]

Welcome back TK-421! I am a few chapters away from finishing my re-read and although I liked it initially I like it much better the second time through. My biggest complaints still stand though- None too pleased with Dany and the big 1 (to me) maybe you know- Jaime and Brienne-WTF? why mention them at all?

I think there were 2 reasons to mention it:

1) Show the readers that Brienne wasn't dead
2) Leave no doubt in Cersei's mind that Jamie was not going to come to her rescue

If Cersei was still holding out for Jamie to rescue her, I doubt she would've "confessed".