The 4th in George RR Martin's "Song of Ice & Fire" was slightly disappointing to me because some characters that I've grown to love from the series, were not mentioned at all and there was barely enough being told about the tale of a few others.
It just so happens that book 4 seems to be centered only around Kings Landing, the Iron Islands and Dorne with a bit of the Eyrie interspersed inbetween. Completely ignoring the Wall and the Starks and Daenerys Targaryen. I missed my favourite characters who were either missing or barely mentioned - Arya, Asha, Jon, Rick, Bran. We know Bran is somewhere beyond the wall, but Rick has been missing for more than 2 books now and as an invested reader, I'm worried about him.
However, this book also brings out the brilliance of George Martin as a writer. H gives us multiple points of view of the smae situation and as a reader open to all lines of thought, I could empathise and agree with each persons point of view when hearing their perspective, even though their behavior/point of view seemed strange/illogical/questionable when viewed through another characters perspective previously.
Lady Catelyn in the only character that I still don't seem to have got a grasp on. In certain scenes she comes across as extremely mature, the only child Lord Hoster Tully must depend upon rather than Edmure or Lysa, a woman who gives sage advise to her son King Robb Stark and in the next instant she does something completely reckless. For eg when she captures Tyrion Lannister and takes him to the Eyrie in book 1. Her freeing of Jaime Lannister and some other actions can be ascribed to her grief and concern as a mother. But her hatred and distrust of Jon Snow, that she passes on to her Uncle - the Blackfish seems much more than just a woman's anger resentment/shame at her husband forcing her to raise his bastard son along with his trueborn children. I hope George Martin can give more insight into Catelyn Tulleys personality and motivations in later books.
After a lot of hinting and skirting around the edges of the topic, the prophecies that haunt Cersei are finally revealed.
The death of Lord Tywin Lannister and the escape of Tyrion Lannister starts disintegrating the strong bonds between the extended Lannister family. Will this bring about their downfall?
I did like the character development of Briennne in this book. The varying attitudes of men towards a maid who has taken up the sword gives a good insight into the cultural /social norms and behavior of Westeros.
The story is still engrossing and keeps hurtling forward. The only reason I haven't given this book a 4.5 is because I missed my favourite characters from the previous books.
Rating : 4 / 5
Also see my review of :
1. A Game of Thrones
2. A Clash of Kings
3. Storm of Swords (Steel & Snow, Blood & Gold)
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