CBRIII: Book#34: A Feast For Crows by George R.R. Martin

After the constant emotional beating of the last book, I was looking forward to a book others had told me was slower, less action-packed, and even a tad boring. I wouldn't agree with that assessment.

A Storm of Swords was brutal and unrelenting with killing and action and information. A Feast For Crows is softer, slower, and less bloody. But the information within is just as important and game-changing and what came before. It was also emotionally draining for me since the deplorable Cersei is now a chapter narrator, or as much narrator as Martin allows his characters to be.

I was almost afraid that I would come to understand and sympathize with Cersei in the same way I did with her twin, Jaime. Instead, I find myself understanding her quite well and loathing her more than I thought possible. Cersei is an abominable twunt, and even those actions she pretends are for her children are so clearly for herself. She is deluded, evil, power-hungry, and utterly ruthless. And it was interesting to see her true inner dialogues.

There are some surprises, though not as many as within the previous book. Petyr Baelish is conniving intriguing and I would quite enjoy reading a few chapters from his perspective. Sansa is changing, though I'm unsure as to whether it is for the better. I suppose it can't be any worse than the sot she was before. Arya is growing and learning things that I hope will serve her well in upcoming books. She is a spitfire and the most spirited and self-assured character in the books, besides Littlefinger.

Samwell Tarly continues to annoy me endlessly, though I now have some theories as to his role in the next book, thanks to a huge spoiler someone in my Facebook feed screamed in a status THREE DAYS before the release of Dragons. Anyway, Sam is prominently featured and Jon Snow is not, which is a disappointment. As is the lack of Daenerys, Tyrion, Stannis, and Davos, though I understand they may feature largely in the next book. Which I cannot get my hands on. Yet.

There is much good information within this book, if you are able to grasp it when presented. I had to use the appendix a few times to be sure I was correct in who I though characters really were. There are so many and the appendix is there for that reason, so use it. Another excellent installment from Martin. I only hope we don't have six years before Dragons has its follow-up.