Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
HarperCollins Publishers (2011), Edition: Later Printing, Paperback, 688 pages
Description
The Seven Kingdoms are divided by revolt and blood feud, and winter approaches like an angry beast. Beyond the Northern borders, wildlings leave their villages to gather in the ice and stone wasteland of the Frostfangs. From there, the renegade Brother Mance Rayder will lead them South towards the Wall. Robb Stark wears his new-forged crown in the Kingdom of the North, but his defences are ranged against attack from the South, the land of House Stark's enemies the Lannisters. His sisters are trapped there, dead or likely yet to die, at the whim of the Lannister boy-king Joffrey or his depraved mother Cersei, regent of the Iron Throne. And Daenerys Stormborn will return to the land of her birth to avenge the murder of her father, the last Dragon King on the Iron Throne.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member soliloquies
The world building of this series continues to be on epic proportions, reading about Jon's time with the Wildlings made me realise that Martin has barely scratched the surface of his creation. There was also some nice character development, as there seemed to be a shift in Jaime's attitudes as he
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struggles to find a new identity for himself. Far better than the second book. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I do deeply want to enjoy this, so many of my friends adore this series, but I think it's too fractured, I don't want to care much for a lot of the characters because I know people die, and I think Brienne is a character who deserved better.
It took me a fair few pushes to get to about half-way and
Marriages happen, people die, people grow and change and I can see the puppeteers hand as he moves the pieces around. I can also see the idea of telling a story from several facets so you get a more rounded story, but at this stage I'd almost just like it to be one person's story, one view or maybe two. It's multilayered and complex and sometimes I find that more tedious than interesting. I get it, I know the why and the idea but the fractured story leaves me cold, it's not a storytelling style I enjoy that much.
Will I finish the series, probably, but there is no great urge in me to do so.
It took me a fair few pushes to get to about half-way and
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then I was finished in a few hours, so I'm not being pulled in by it, it's just not happening easily enough.Marriages happen, people die, people grow and change and I can see the puppeteers hand as he moves the pieces around. I can also see the idea of telling a story from several facets so you get a more rounded story, but at this stage I'd almost just like it to be one person's story, one view or maybe two. It's multilayered and complex and sometimes I find that more tedious than interesting. I get it, I know the why and the idea but the fractured story leaves me cold, it's not a storytelling style I enjoy that much.
Will I finish the series, probably, but there is no great urge in me to do so.
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
Yet more of the same, this time with added confusiona bout when anything has happened as George seems to have realised he needs chronology, but hasn't previously been keeping track. There are still no dates on any of the events. Its very odd reading about one characters events, and then in the next
The list of characters is pretty much the same as the last book which is easier to cope with as you know who they are now. Nobody is actually doing anything that interesting though, but there are a some signs that something might begin to happen in the next few books time. if you can still be bnothered to read that far. the only excitement is the rise of some actual magic, although no explanation is given as to why. Minor bugfbear alert - very poor section on caves. Completely fails to capture the experience of being underground, and at approx 10C it really isn't condusive to taking all your clothes off. The icefead water will be even colder and less frolic inducing!
I'd definetly prefer less characters and slightly more action. But as beofre the quality fo the writing for each individual chapter remains high, it's only the overal direction that is lacking.
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chapter having a nother character acting as if it hadn't happened wihout any explanation as to why. When in other instances there is almost instantaineous communication. The list of characters is pretty much the same as the last book which is easier to cope with as you know who they are now. Nobody is actually doing anything that interesting though, but there are a some signs that something might begin to happen in the next few books time. if you can still be bnothered to read that far. the only excitement is the rise of some actual magic, although no explanation is given as to why. Minor bugfbear alert - very poor section on caves. Completely fails to capture the experience of being underground, and at approx 10C it really isn't condusive to taking all your clothes off. The icefead water will be even colder and less frolic inducing!
I'd definetly prefer less characters and slightly more action. But as beofre the quality fo the writing for each individual chapter remains high, it's only the overal direction that is lacking.
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LibraryThing member dgbdgb
The story continues - and highly readable it is as well. Many changes in this book. Loved it.
LibraryThing member gmehn
Good, but you'll need to have read the first two. I like this, I really do, but it seems like it's sometimes getting a bit tendril-y. As in, too many threads. It can be hard to follow. When it's good, it's brilliant.
I'm afraid it may be going down that road of too many plot threads so itś going
I'm afraid it may be going down that road of too many plot threads so itś going
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to have to be a dozen books long. One can hope, though. Still and all, worth a read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Elliots89
The more you read of these sets of books the more you get sucked into its world, in this first part of the third installment, life is still difficult for all the characters with the added threat of the advancing north. The only criticism I would have of the book is there may be too many lesser
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characters, at times it can be confusing on who these numerous knights actually are and what they have done. Overall though a great continuation of the story! Show Less
LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley
A large cast of characters, this is a fantastic fantasy epic. I've grown attached to the character of Arya Stark and concerned for her safety. I rush through the other chapters until I get to hers so I can make sure she is okay! Can't wait until I get my hands on the next book.
LibraryThing member polarbear123
I am reading these in order, a little bit late to the party I realise. I have found this one to be the best so far with real pace and action. Don't understand why anyone is having problems with the chronology. Some characters don't seem to know that events have happened to other characters for one
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simple reason - they have not learned of the events as yet so they only know the previous state of affairs. Is that so hard to grasp? Come on people. Show Less
LibraryThing member clq
Yes! A Song of Ice and Fire is back! I liked the first half of this third book better than the second book. The story is more varied, and, after the relative predictability of the second book this goes back to throwing the reader off at every turn.
LibraryThing member atreic
Again, I read these through back to back in a couldn't-put-them down way, but they have all merged!
LibraryThing member jerhogan
Bloodthirsty, Intelligent Historical Fantasy. Suffers a bit from the fact I've seen the TV series which obviously covers a lot of the same ground.
LibraryThing member bkmeredith
Bit of a slow pace. Good characters though
LibraryThing member sscarllet
Even though the writing isn't the best, I can't put the darned things down!
LibraryThing member john257hopper
This is the third book in the series, and so far I am liking each one somewhat less than its predecessor. This one treads too much water and not much of great significance takes place. Too many of the ongoing characters' chapters failed to hold my interest and I am feeling little sympathy for, or
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particular interest in, most of the characters, with the exception of Tyrion Lannister and, to a degree, Bran. In earlier novels, I liked Arya's storyline, but this has palled rather. In the absence of the more engaging features of the first and most of the second novels, the lengthy descriptions and lists of names become a little tiresome. All this said, I will probably continue the series, as the basic concept still intrigues me - though there is really no justification for splitting Book 3 into two separate novels (both of which are still nearly 600 pages long). Show Less
LibraryThing member Bruce_McNair
The war in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros continues. The Lannister’s grip on the Iron Throne seems to be increasing while that of the Starks and Stannis Baratheon seems to be dwindling. Jaime Lannister continues to be a focus for many of the characters, both friend and foe. Skirmishes continue in
In my opinion, this book does not reach the heights of the earlier books. The struggles seem to be endless and in some cases repetitive, for example Arya seems to be going around in circles from one captor to another. In many cases, the end of a chapter is left at a critical point that is only continued when the character’s viewpoint is resumed, which may be as much as 50 to 100 pages later. Despite the shortcomings, the descriptions of characters and settings is as strong as in the earlier books. Overall, I thought this book deserved 4 stars out of 5.
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the Riverlands where Arya Stark is in a desperate struggle to join members of her family. It appears to most that Bran and Rickon Stark have been murdered in the sack of Winterfell. Meanwhile, Jon Snow struggles on the other side of The Wall. And Daenerys Targaryen’s power is on the rise on the other side of the Narrow Sea.In my opinion, this book does not reach the heights of the earlier books. The struggles seem to be endless and in some cases repetitive, for example Arya seems to be going around in circles from one captor to another. In many cases, the end of a chapter is left at a critical point that is only continued when the character’s viewpoint is resumed, which may be as much as 50 to 100 pages later. Despite the shortcomings, the descriptions of characters and settings is as strong as in the earlier books. Overall, I thought this book deserved 4 stars out of 5.
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LibraryThing member PDCRead
Westeros is still in the grip of the War. Joffrey Baratheon holds the Iron Throne, but Robb Stark, Balon Greyjoy and Stannis Baratheon, jostle for their claim with blood and steel. Catelyn Stark has released Jaime Lannister as an exchange for her daughters, Sansa and Arya, who she still believes
In the North the Wildlings are marching on the wall, with a pitiful small force of Night's Watch to counteract them. With the wights also attacking them, they realise the odds are so far stacked against until they realise that there is a possible way to defeat these creatures of the night. In the east Daenerys Targaryen is trying to raising forces to retake the Iron throne, which she sees as her divine right. She encounters slave trading, and makes plans to release these people from they captors.
As the players in the game of thrones move their pieces, the stakes are raised higher and higher. In this world you win; or you die.
Martin has managed to continue this epic tale of the land of Westeros in the same vain as before. There is not so much action in this one, but you get a full realisation that he is setting the scenes for the next books as the characters develop and grow, rise and fall, win and die. He is not afraid to eliminate characters as you get to know them, and occasionally even like them. This world that he has created is tough and brutal, and I like that way that the underlying magic, adds a little zing to all that is happening.
But what makes this series so good is the political manoeuvring and intrigue that he has infused into this land. As alliances are forged and broken, loyalties are tested beyond all measure.
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are at King's Landing. Having been victorious until now, Robb Stark suffers setbacks, and learns that Winterfell has been taken, and his other brothers are now presumed dead.In the North the Wildlings are marching on the wall, with a pitiful small force of Night's Watch to counteract them. With the wights also attacking them, they realise the odds are so far stacked against until they realise that there is a possible way to defeat these creatures of the night. In the east Daenerys Targaryen is trying to raising forces to retake the Iron throne, which she sees as her divine right. She encounters slave trading, and makes plans to release these people from they captors.
As the players in the game of thrones move their pieces, the stakes are raised higher and higher. In this world you win; or you die.
Martin has managed to continue this epic tale of the land of Westeros in the same vain as before. There is not so much action in this one, but you get a full realisation that he is setting the scenes for the next books as the characters develop and grow, rise and fall, win and die. He is not afraid to eliminate characters as you get to know them, and occasionally even like them. This world that he has created is tough and brutal, and I like that way that the underlying magic, adds a little zing to all that is happening.
But what makes this series so good is the political manoeuvring and intrigue that he has infused into this land. As alliances are forged and broken, loyalties are tested beyond all measure.
Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2000
Physical description
688 p.; 5.12 inches
ISBN
0007447841 / 9780007447848