clash of kings/storm of swords
Aug. 31st, 2011 12:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Spoilers for about a quarter of the way through the third book
So, I freaking love this series. I love it so much more than Wheel of Time--and though it may be blasphemous to say, much more than LoTRs.
Clash of Kings was amazing. I have tried to make a policy of not being attached to ANYONE. (Including my favorite, Arya.) Because I know they can die at any moment. SO.
But I was sorry to see Renly die. Though I didn't see how else they would resolve the clash between brothers. I was extremely sad to not see Joffrey die. And Sansa's situation just fills me with apprehension. The Tyrell's have sort of taken her in and are offering her an out--if not an ideal one--but I keep waiting for things to get worse for her and then for her to die.
Loving the Jamie POVs in book three so far. Very curious to see how that will end up.
I'm on the chapter where Robb's just announced that he's married that girl and basically insulted the Frey's, trading a thousand knights for twelve. Whoops. Really disturbed that he's separated from Grey Wind. DO NOT BAIL ON YOUR DIREWOLF.
Dying to see how/if/when Catelyn and Robb find out that Bran and Rickon aren't dead. I want to know where their direwolves are. I want Arya to reunite with Nymeria. I want a great many things, probably none of which I will get. I was so excited because I thought the way we were told about Bran/Rickon being dead was odd, and so I was suspicious, and I WAS RIGHT.
I nearly wept with Arya when she reconnected with some Winterfellians.
Thus far there are only two things I'm not crazy about.
1. I hate the Bran/Wolf thing. I hated it with Perrin and skipped most of those chapters, and I'm now skimming through the wolf dreams of Bran. I don't know why that shit bores me so much, but it does.
2. I always find myself disappointed to return to Beyond the Wall with Jon Snow. When I'm reading those chapters, they're good--interesting. But I don't care about them very much and am almost always bummed.
My favorite plotlines are with Arya and Catelyn and Tyrion. (Argh, so worried for Shae. Can Tyrion not just have Tywin killed. Son of a bitch won't give Tyrion his lawful estate anyway. Fuck him.)
Also, as much as I don't get off on the sex scenes, I'm so glad they're there and there's none of this 'pillow friend' coy nonsense. Sometimes a cock should just be a cock. People have sex and its a powerful motivator for human behavior. Glad GRRM writes about it so matter of factly and that it's not just ramped up to be salacious.
Worried about Margaery Tyrell's fate. Hope the Tyrell's manage to control Joffrey so he doesn't hurt another girl. At least Margaery seems to have more sense than Sansa? From what we've seen? Less doe-eyed naivete?
I continue to be impressed with the writing. I am so curious about so many plots but they don't seem overwhelming or random. Everything seems well connected. I love that Arya ended up at that same inn where Jamie and Brienne were--I'd wondered if they were and THEY WERE.
MOAR DIREWOLVES PLSKTHX.
So, I freaking love this series. I love it so much more than Wheel of Time--and though it may be blasphemous to say, much more than LoTRs.
Clash of Kings was amazing. I have tried to make a policy of not being attached to ANYONE. (Including my favorite, Arya.) Because I know they can die at any moment. SO.
But I was sorry to see Renly die. Though I didn't see how else they would resolve the clash between brothers. I was extremely sad to not see Joffrey die. And Sansa's situation just fills me with apprehension. The Tyrell's have sort of taken her in and are offering her an out--if not an ideal one--but I keep waiting for things to get worse for her and then for her to die.
Loving the Jamie POVs in book three so far. Very curious to see how that will end up.
I'm on the chapter where Robb's just announced that he's married that girl and basically insulted the Frey's, trading a thousand knights for twelve. Whoops. Really disturbed that he's separated from Grey Wind. DO NOT BAIL ON YOUR DIREWOLF.
Dying to see how/if/when Catelyn and Robb find out that Bran and Rickon aren't dead. I want to know where their direwolves are. I want Arya to reunite with Nymeria. I want a great many things, probably none of which I will get. I was so excited because I thought the way we were told about Bran/Rickon being dead was odd, and so I was suspicious, and I WAS RIGHT.
I nearly wept with Arya when she reconnected with some Winterfellians.
Thus far there are only two things I'm not crazy about.
1. I hate the Bran/Wolf thing. I hated it with Perrin and skipped most of those chapters, and I'm now skimming through the wolf dreams of Bran. I don't know why that shit bores me so much, but it does.
2. I always find myself disappointed to return to Beyond the Wall with Jon Snow. When I'm reading those chapters, they're good--interesting. But I don't care about them very much and am almost always bummed.
My favorite plotlines are with Arya and Catelyn and Tyrion. (Argh, so worried for Shae. Can Tyrion not just have Tywin killed. Son of a bitch won't give Tyrion his lawful estate anyway. Fuck him.)
Also, as much as I don't get off on the sex scenes, I'm so glad they're there and there's none of this 'pillow friend' coy nonsense. Sometimes a cock should just be a cock. People have sex and its a powerful motivator for human behavior. Glad GRRM writes about it so matter of factly and that it's not just ramped up to be salacious.
Worried about Margaery Tyrell's fate. Hope the Tyrell's manage to control Joffrey so he doesn't hurt another girl. At least Margaery seems to have more sense than Sansa? From what we've seen? Less doe-eyed naivete?
I continue to be impressed with the writing. I am so curious about so many plots but they don't seem overwhelming or random. Everything seems well connected. I love that Arya ended up at that same inn where Jamie and Brienne were--I'd wondered if they were and THEY WERE.
MOAR DIREWOLVES PLSKTHX.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-31 09:00 pm (UTC)And I agree - HATE JOFFREY!! WHY is he alive and Renly isn't!? ARGH!
And the Bran/wolf thing bores me too. THough I love the Jon chapters and wait for them - the Catelyn ones bore me, and Anya used to annoy me, but she's getting better. LOVE the Tyrion and Jaime ones too!
I can't remember - have you gotten to Samwell having a chapter of his own!? That made me so happy!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-31 09:07 pm (UTC)DEATH TO JOFFREY!!
ALL CAPS TO SHOW EMOTION!!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-31 09:11 pm (UTC)YES!! HATRED OF JOFFREY NEEDS CAPS!!!!!!!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-31 09:14 pm (UTC)I would, however, like to see his dad be KILLED WITH FIRE. I still can't believe how horrible he was to poor Sam. I want to adopt Sam!! DONT KILL SAM, GRRM OKAY PLEASE???
KILL JOFFREY!!!!!!
Also, I would like to see Cersei die at the hands of Jamie. (Is that warped of me?)
Hearing how she basically manipulated him into being in the Kingsguard and giving up his birthright--god, that just sickened me!!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-31 10:13 pm (UTC)I KNOW!!!! MEAN SAM'S DAD!! Jeez!
HAH! No, that'd be the PERFECT way for her to die! She'd deserve to be killed at his hands. Despite his creepy sister-love, I like Jaime!
Or maybe if Sansa could do it, though that's rather unlikely!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-31 10:15 pm (UTC)And I know what you mean--despite everything, I still couldn't believe he killed NED!
Every time I like anyone, I say, "You're probably going to die soon!"
I like Jamie too--so weird, considering all of the bad things he does!!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-31 11:41 pm (UTC)anyway, although Bran's warging into Summer can be boring, you should pay attention to those passages (and when Arya "dreams" she's Nymeria) because it actually gives insight to events - you just have to read between the lines.
There's a bit coming up in aSoS where Arya "dreaming" she's Nymeria sees something that will knock you sideways for days.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-01 02:10 am (UTC)I'll try, but honestly I hate it so much I'm more likely to just enjoy reading a discussion about it afterward.
I generally read Arya pretty well, though I don't remember much about her dreaming as Nymeria yet. Vaguely! Do you remember where in the book that happens? Like, could I have missed it already??
no subject
Date: 2011-09-01 02:53 am (UTC)Oh no, you'll know.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-31 11:59 pm (UTC)Mark this post and we will revisit Discuss when the Time Comes.
no subject
Date: 2011-09-01 02:11 am (UTC)