A Storm of Swords

A Storm of Swords

By George RR Martin

This is the third book in the Game of Thrones series and… (anticipation building)… by far the best one yet!

At this point, I don’t want to give anything away, but I was absolutely blown away by this book! In order to not ruin things for those of you who are currently reading any of the first three, this review will have to remain somewhat vague so as to not blow any of the billion shocking moments and twists that happen along the way.

There were characters that I thought I hated and now I view in a whole new light. By constantly changing perspective, I was able to get an incredibly rounded view of all of the characters, except one, maybe, who is still pure evil. I love the way Martin will hint at something, and then reveal the details through someone else’s story, and then demonstrate the way news would travel and twist as it passed mouths and ears. And this change of perspective also creates global sympathy. A victory is devastating when I read it from one character’s view but a major triumph from another. A death is cold-blooded murder from one view and justice from the other. It constantly keeps your mind and heart on you their metaphorical toes.

The more I read, the better a writer I consider Martin. No wonder it takes years between books! He clearly cares so deeply for his characters, his world, his history, and the continuity of everything working together.

In this book, there are deaths that will completely shock you- a testament to Martin’s writing as I found myself feeling so sick with grief for fictional characters that I had to stop reading for the night. Characters evolve and grow. The weak become strong (in some of the most awesome, bad ass ways possible). The strong become weak.

I can’t even tell you how many times I would text my brother in shock, dismay, horror, or pure excitement about the development of the story.

Literally, I found myself on countless occasions gasping aloud, jaw dropped… not many books can produce a physical reaction from me but this one had me reacting like a puppet.

And the epilogue?!?! OH SHIT!!!!!