A Storm of Swords

Greetings, A Storm of Swords is the third book in the Song of Ice and Fire series which was published in the year 2000. It was divided into two different novels called Steel and Snow as well as Blood and Gold, due to its length. The series was written by George R.R. Martin and it has a very extensive lore, numerous historical events that are relevant to the plot and a great range of characters. This vast amount of characters can cause the story to become complicated but it generally has several main points of view that are seen from Jon Snow, Daenreys Targaryen, Arya Stark, Davos Seaworth, Tyrion Lannister as well as a few others. Most characters do not have chapters dedicated to them and serve as secondary or territory actors in the storyline or are only mentioned in passing.

The plot begins shortly after the second novel ended as war ravages the seven kingdoms of Westeros with several kings fighting for the iron throne. The main challenges to Joffrey Baratheon’s crown are Robb Stark of Winterfell, Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands and Stannis Baratheon. Additionally, Daenrys is building her own forces by freeing slaves known as the Unsullied and adding them to her army as she makes her way to the seven kingdoms. Her dragons are an additional tool in her arsenal that she uses to terrorize those that oppose her. A different threat comes from the northern regions that are separated from the kingdoms by the Wall which is protected by the Nights Watch, an army of criminals and vagabonds defending the civilized against the Wildlings. The self-proclaimed king of the Wildings, Mance Rider, threatens to break through the wall with his enormous army of savages, supernatural beings and trained fighting animals such as mammoths.

Balon Greyjoy is killed off at the beginning of Blood and Gold without any great details of how it happened. It is rumoured that he fell off a bridge during a storm but more sinister explanations are possible. Stannis, one of the kings, is informed by his priestess called Melisandre that she had seen in a vision that other competitors for the throne would also die as he was the rightful ruler of Westeros. In another storyline, Robb Stark had alienated the support of the Freys by marrying Jayne Westerling, and breaking his word to marry into the Frey Household. Cateyln, Robb’s mother, notes that it was a dangerous decision for her son to marry out of love instead of thinking strategically but she believes it is possible to re-secure the allegiance of the Freys via having her brother marry into the Frey family.

These novels are very difficult to summarize due to the great scope of the series and the many storylines that run through it. One of the aspects of a Song of Ice and Fire that I enjoy is the unscrupulous acts of betrayal and clever schemes that are devised by intriguing characters such as Tyrion or Little Finger. Another entertaining feature is that the reader can be taken by surprise at how quickly a character can be killed off in an unforeseen circumstance and it should be noted that death is a common occurrence in Westeros. While there are supernatural elements involved, they are barely touched upon and the narrative focuses on the wars between the different houses. I enjoyed these novels and look forward to the next instalment as well as eventually knowing who will end up on the iron throne.

Plot=9/10

Characters=8/10

Wording=9/10

Overall=9/10

Quote of the Day

I understand. You found paradise in America, you had a good trade, you made a good living. The police protected you and there were courts of law. You didn't need a friend like me. But, now you come to me, and you say: "Don Corleone, give me justice." But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you ask me to do murder for money.

Don Vito Corleone

The Godfather