A Storm of Swords

Warfare continues as winter approaches the Seven Kingdoms. Robb Stark fights to hold together the Northern territories despite serious setbacks and Jamie Lannister has escaped from Riverrun to execute a trade for the Stark girls. Sansa finds her situation worsening, and Bran must decide to follow a path to safety or to a discovery of his true potential.

Every time I think I've got this series figured out, Martin throws me for a loop! Story lines that I thought were progressing in one direction suddenly diverge in a new direction, characters that were once beyond redemption surprise with a unexpected hidden side, and the twists get more dramatic as the novel progresses.

As the fighting intensifies, characters reveal themselves in fascinating ways. Catelyn becomes obsessed with reuniting what is left of her family, at the potential expense of her son Robb's crown. Robb must decide if he wants to continue fighting the Lannisters or see to the tragedy awaiting him at his home at Winterfell. Jon, traveling with the Wildlings beyond The Wall, sees what is truly approaching the Seven Kingdoms and must decide where his loyalties lie. Even Tyrion and Jamie must decide how loyal they are to their family - and how far they'll go to demonstrate that loyalty when called to do so.

Overall, this was the best yet in the series. As usual, the writing is superb, painting a picture of a land so believable you'd swear it wasn't fantasy you were reading, but a finely crafted political thriller...with dragons. The good guys don't always win and the bad guys don't always lose...and aren't always bad. The plot almost reads like a mystery, full of twists and turns, so much that it's difficult to know what to expect when you turn the page.

I'm trying to pace myself to not get too far ahead of the show, but after reading this installment, I might just have to move on to Book #4.