A Dance with Dragons

I can see why this book is so hard to rate. I was happy to be following some of my favourite characters again (ie: Jon Snow & Tyrion), but on the other hand, their stories don't really go anywhere. A lot happens, but not anything that propels the story as whole any further than it was back in book 4. I was really interested in where Bran's story was headed, but then it suddenly seemed to cut off and we are still left wondering how he is connected to things happening in the North. I feel like this book is on the same level as A Clash of Kings, where most of it is spent setting everyone up in position for bigger things to come and we won't see the outcome until the next couple of books. I always felt like A Clash of Kings was a series of events that didn't go anywhere, but the payoff was in A Storm of Swords. Not having A Clash of Kings type setup would have made A Storm of Swords much weaker on its own. I think A Dance with Dragons is the same, where everyone seems to be lining up in place for events to come, but we won't see the payoff until Winds of Winter. Best part of this book was probably the end where winter is finally officially heralded and Martin punches us in the gut with yet another death that makes you want to just chuck the book altogether. Overall I still enjoyed much of it and look forward to seeing the payoff in the next couple of books.

I have to admit I feel a bit deflated after finishing this book. I think this is one of the best fantasy series possibly ever, and while I am sure I will choose to finish the series, the longer this novel went on the more I had the feeling that there is no way this series can end in a way that won't leave me feeling unsatisfied. I don't necessarily need a “happily-ever-after” type ending, but the feeling that the characters were given their due - that the story came to the resolution that was inevitable - that the ending fit the rest of the tale - these are the things I need. Martin just has SO much going on, and things are heading in such a tragic direction, that I'm having a hard time forseeing how it can possibly feel complete or satisfying in the few novels left to the series.

That said, this was, as usual, an excellent and engrossing read. Getting lost in Westeros is still one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon, and if you are a fantasy lover who hasn't jumped into this world, it's time to start.