I have no will power!
I couldn’t resist. I needed to know what would happen to everyone in Westeros,
so I plunged myself back into the series with A Storm of Swords – Part 2: Blood and Gold (2000) moments after
finishing my review of Part 1.
It has been hard to write
about this book without revealing spoilers. Martin’s books are full of shocking
events, including the deaths of major characters. So if you haven’t read the
books and plan to, read no further… But
chances are you will know some of what happened already. As I write, season 3
of the Game of Thrones television
series has just ended and the Internet is alive with commentary about the
dramatic finale. So if you have seen the show or use social media, you know
about the Red Wedding.
The Red Wedding would
have come as a shock to television viewers but in the books there was such a
build up that it was evident that something
would happen at the marriage of Edmure Tully. Martin lead up to the event with
a deep sense of foreboding – the quick alternating chapters of Catelyn and
Arya, Robb leaving his wife behind and naming Jon as his heir, the strange behaviour
of Walder Frey and his family, the people who should have been but were not at
the wedding. It was clear that someone would die before the night was out, but
who and how was absolutely shocking. It was a devastating read which left me
reeling at the consequences.
Meanwhile in Kings
Landing, preparations are underway for the marriage of King Joffrey and
Margaery Tyrell. This wedding is not free of death either and the victim was
most deserving of a painful demise. Tyrion is arrested for murder and chooses
trial by battle for his defence. Jaime
Lannister arrives back in Kings Landing and into the arms of Queen Cersei. He
is appointed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Cersei is to be married off to a
Tyrell in order to secure an alliance.
Evil Lord Tywin continues to show a complete lack of empathy for his
children.
Littlefinger takes Sansa
to the Eyrie to her strange aunt Lysa. While free of the torments of the
Lannisters, Sansa soon finds that Lysa is threatened by her niece and seeks to
harms her. Littlefinger reveals his true self.
Jon, Ygritte and the
band of wildings climb the Wall and are heading for battle at Castle Black. Jon
flees to warn his brothers of the Night’s Watch. Jon leads the defence against
Mance Rayder’s army. But soon the Others are pushing South and threatening the
wall. Stannis Baratheon arrives with his forces determined to forge a new
kingdom in the north.
Meanwhile Daenerys has
freed the slaves of Astapor, Yunkai and Meereen but soon learns that she has
left behind a power vacuum in which dictators have taken over. She decides to
stay in Meereen and learn how to be Queen by caring for the people she has
freed.
I think it was wise
for Martin to split the book into two sections – even if I read them in rapid
succession – as it allowed for a pause in this dense epic novel. The second part was better than the first, as
this is where all the action was. This is my favourite in the series so far and
I look forward to A Feast for Crows (2005). But first… I definitely need to
read something other than George RR Martin!!!
My reviews of the previous instalments - A Game of Thrones (1996), A Clash of Kings (1999) and A Storm of Swords Part 1: Steel and Snow (2000) - are also available on this blog.