Books Review: A Feast for Crows (Spoiler Filled)

*Spoilers!*

Author:

George R. R. Martin

Publisher:

Voyager Books (UK), Bantam Spectra (US)

Review:

A Feast for Crows, isn’t one of Martin’s greatest books in A Song of Ice and Fire Series. It is actually one of the worst. I was disappointed with this book. I’m very sad to say that finishing this books was a task. The cover of the book says ” Insomnia Inflicting,” this statement is true in a way. I was up all night trying very hard to finish it, but I had this thought eating at me that- Why would Martin do this? Why would he publish this book without his major character?

The only good part in this book was the last few chapters. Where some fast paced action and some very surprising decisions are made, which potentially changes the main premise. For example, Cat i.e Arya, goes blind at the end. Cersei, finally gets Margery and her cousins in to custody. But she also gets what’s coming to her. She too has to answer for her crimes. The Last two Brienne chapters were very good too. Especially where, she meets Catelyn again and Catelyn asks her to choose. Either she kills Jamie or she gets hung. The cliffhanger (pun intended) of that was also very good. Jamie also makes a very smart decision of ignoring his sister. She sends him a letter asking him to help her, but after him being insulted and treated badly, he ignores her request. Sam is now stuck with the Archmaester. And finally my favorite house words come true. The Starks house words are ‘Winter is Coming!’ and finally it has come true.

Dance with Dragons also has a parallel story line, which features Dany and everyone who is interesting. Martin has split this story into two halves. That was a terrible idea. At the end of this story winter has finally arrived. If they had kept it as one book and merely split into two books like A Storm of Swords, then probably, this would have been better. And at the end of the second part, winter would have arrived and that would have made Winds of Winter a more fun book..

Final Verdict:

5/10

Game of Thrones Season 2 Finale Review

Game of Thrones Season 2 Episode 10 “Valar Morghulis”

Contains Spoilers!

Director:

Alan Taylor

Writer:

David Benioff & D. B. Weiss

Story:

Jaquen gives Arya a gift. Tyrion deals with the aftermath of the Battle at Blackwater Bay. Robb breaks his vow. Dany enters the house of the Undying Ones.

Review:

What a season finale?!?!?! It’s one of the best I’ve seen.

First of all Dany enters the house of the undying ones, where she finds her dragons and burns Pyat Pree. And Who dosen’t like seeing a Warlock being burned? The House of the Undying Ones looked marvelous and enigmatic. The scene where she sees the court of Kings Landing destroyed and covered with snow was beautiful. Her scene was the best of er parts in this episode. The reunion with Khal Drogo and Rheagar was awesome. The best part of that scene was when Khal Drogo said “Maybe I told the Great Stallion to go f**k himself and come back here to wait for you”. This scene reminds us of how much Dany has changed since Drogo had died and How much she loved him. She also shows that she does not bear traitors and locks Xaro and Doreah in to the empt vault. And then they steal all the gold and jewels from Qarth.

Arya, Hot Pie and Gendry finally escape from Harrenhal and Jaquen H’gar gives her he old coin and tells her to give this coin to any Bravossi sailor and say the words ‘Valar Morghulis’. And then he suddenly changes his face! He says Jaquen is dead. That was also an awesome scene. Jamie and Brienne’s scene in this episode was unexpected but awesome. They encounter northmen and Brienne beats the crap out of them.

Theon (second most despicable d-bag), gets what he deserves, a whack on the head after his speech was over. Even after that he was humiliated. His 20 soldiers carry him off and one of them pokes a spear through Maester Luwin. Bran, Rickon, Hordor and Osha see the burnt Winterfell and escape.While escaping they see Maester Luwin, dying. This was an emotional scene and it was brought out well. He, tells Osha to show him mercy and kil him quickly.

Stannis and Melisandre hav a very intense scene where first he tries to kill her and then she shows him the pictures in the flames. Tyrion’s scene was also awesome. He has a discussion with Pod, Lord Varys and later Shae, where she removes his bandages and sees his scar. He also cries, this  was only the second scene where Tyrion shows that he really loves Shae. Sansa is now no longer Joffery’s would be wife. And Little Finger offer to take her out of King’s Landing for the sake of her mother.

Jon Snow is now no longer ‘crow’ but ‘The Man who killed Qhorin Halfhand’. Though, it was a short scene it was a good wrap up to the Jon story line. And lastly the Samwell scene , where they hear the 3 blasts and realize that the others (or White walkers) are coming. When I saw the White Walker, I was reminded of AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’ as most of them looked like that. And the ZOMBIE HORSE!!!! With the leader of The White Walkers with that wrinkly face.. That scene was the most beautiful . The Leader, I think, showed mercy to Sam, when it saw him and ignored him.

‘Valar Morghulis’ is and awesome wrap up to all the story lines in this awesome season. Sadly I have to wait 10 months for the next season!

Final Verdict:

9/10.

 

Game Of Thrones S02E05

Game of Throne Season 2 Episode 5 “The Ghost of Harrenhal”

*Spoiler Alert*

Story:

In Harrenhal, Arya Stark is promised help by the mysterious Jaqen H’ghar, one of the three caged prisoners during her trip to the Wall. Catelyn is forced to flee from Renly’s camp. Theon sails from Pyke prepared to prove that he is a true Ironborn. The Night’s Watch arrive at an ancient fortress called the Fist of the First Men, where they intend to make a stand.

Review:

The episode continues the Renly-Storyline. After the smoke-monster-birth cliffhanger of “Garden of Bones” , the story of the smaoke monster continues. And the best part is that the episode starts with the murder of Renly Baratheon and the escape of Brienne and Lady Catelyn. The episode is not as weird as the previous one. Sadly this is the 5th episode, this means that only 5 more episodes left to the season finale. And these first five were awesome.

Yet not sign of Robb Stark, he only has been referred to by Lord Stannis. Arya and Stannis make a good couple. The look on Stannis’ face when Arya said “Any one can be killed” was epic! She is then promised 3 kills by Jaqen H’ghar.  And for the first time in Season 2 Dany is happy. And  the scene where Drogon roasts his meat is also epic! But her happiness doesn’t last for long, when the Warlock- Pyat Pree shows her the magic trick, and Xaro proposes mariage to Dany. And then things get awkward between Dany and Ser Jorah.

My only problem with this episode was the Jon Snow part. It felt like it was put there just for the transition. But then, it also shows Jon Snow being taken by Halfhand. Tyrion is as usual the best.

The end was just awesome, when The Tickler is pushed off the roof and that puts a smile on Arya’s face.

Game of Thrones S02E04

Game of Thrones Season 2 Episode 4 “Garden of Bones”

The gate of Qarth "Best city there is and ever will be". The scene outside Qarth, Garden of Bones.

Cast:

New Arrivals:

Nicholas Blane as the Spice King

Nonso Anozie as Xaro Xhoan Daxos

Ian Hanmore as Pyat Pree

Eugene Simon as Ser Lancel Lannister

Andy Kellegher as Polliver

Story:

Catelyn tries to convince the Baratheon brothers to abandon their quarrel and unite against the Lannisters, while Sansa is chastised by Joffrey in revenge for her brother’s victories. Arya and Gendry are taken captives to the castle of Harrenhal. After her exhausting journey through the desert, Daenerys arrives at the gates of the prosperous city of Qarth.

Review:

And the newest entries to the titles are: Harrenhall and Qarth (Pronounced as Karth. This is for you Dany). Sadly we had to say goodbye to Dothrak for Dany no longer resides there.

This has to be one of the most weirdest episodes I have seen. This episode has some sadistic torture scenes. King Joffery, my favourite person to hate, has given me more reasons to do so. He had Sansa Stark stripped and beaten in front of the whole court. But thankfully, Tyrion comes to the rescue. And we, at last, get to see a sympathetic side to ‘The Hound’. Joffery is making it difficult for me to like him after the stunt he pulled with Sansa. And especially after what he did to his gifts

Tyrion is my favourite Lannister. And one of my favourite male characters in this wonderful series.  And after a long wait (of two weeks) Robb Stark, King O’ the North, returns with Grey Wind. The starks fight the Lannisters, but we see none of the battles. But who is the woman with the silent sisters.

And speaking of torture, what do you say about rats clawing through your chest. While Gendry is being tortured, who would have thought that Tywin Lannister would be the one to save him and Arya. Dany, finally reached Qarth, and we get to meet Xaro Xhoan Daxos who vouches for Dany..

Does Stannis know what he and Mellisandre have brought to the world and what mystical powers she has? The instant pregnancy and the birth of the smoke monster. The look on Davos’ face was epic!

The cliffhanger was just amazing. It left me craving for more.. 60 Minute episodes aren’t enough. But I don’t think I can wait a week for the next episode.. Its too far away…