Synopsis:
The war of the Five Kings heats up, with intrigue, conspiracy, regicide, betrayal, and black magic abounding.
Review:
First of all, I am outraged beyond belief that Random House couldn’t get Roy Dotrice to perform the audiobook version of fourth installment of this series. It’s breaking my heart that I can’t continue listening to his incomparable narration. His work is masterful, bringing all the intensity of the plot and subtlety of the characterizations to life. It’s really depressing to me.
A Storm of Swords is book three of a proposed 7-part series. As most fans know, it remains to be seen whether the series will be completed, which is a source of great stress. However, I’m all for George RR Martin taking as long as he needs to complete A Dance With Dragons (book 5). This second encounter with the series is proving to me how deeply layered his work is. He stints on nothing. If he needs time to get it right, so be it.
The emotional impact of the key sequences in the story–the Red Wedding in particular–are all the more heightened because I know they are coming and I can see how Martin is preparing the way for the devastation. I’m also able to track the characters so much more easily because the names are familiar to me.
I remember loving Sansa so much the first time through. This time, I’m loving Samwell Tarly in a big way. He’s such a great character, so brave despite his protestation of cravenness.
I’m re-reading A Storm of Swords at the moment and I’d forgotten just how good it is. I loved it when I first read it but, like you, I think I am getting even more from it from this reading. I can’t get over the sheer scale of George RR MArtin’s creation. The plot has so many moving parts that it’s no wonder it takes years to write each installment. I’m so glad A Dance With Dragons has a firm release date now. The waiting is finally over!