A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
Title: A Feast for Crows
Author: George R. R. Martin
Pages: 784
Genre: Fantasy
A Feast for Crows is the long awaited fourth book, in the Song of Ice and Fire epic fantasy series from author George R. R. Martin. The series is one of the best epic fantasy stories we’ve had in a while. Its wide renown has lead to this book opening at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list! This series is known to have made ardent fans of even those who normally don’t care much for epic fantasies – like me! The series’ appeal, in my opinion, lies in its coarse realism. If this is the first time you’re considering books of this series, I would recommend you start with book one – A Game of Thrones.
The series has been translated to twenty different languages and has sold more than seven million copies worldwide! Its mounting fame lead to HBO adapting it into a TV series called ‘Game of Thrones’ which premiered on the 17th of April. The series has even inspired several board games, role-playing games and a video game called ‘A Game of Thrones: Genesis.’
In keeping with the tone of the series, A Feast for Crows is also filled with Martin’s bountiful imagery and sharp dialogue. After centuries of war, blood shed and deception, the seven kingdoms vying for the Iron Throne have completely destroyed one another, forcing them to declare peace… at least temporarily! The death King Joffrey has left Cersei ruling King’s Landing, and Robb Stark’s tragic end has landed a shattering blow to the northern rebels. Robb’s siblings are scattered throughout the kingdom and there’s hardly anyone left to claim the Iron Throne.
From among the ashes of this long and savage war that eventually burned out, rise the survivors – rebels and outlaws, traitors and deserters, now fighting over the spoils of war. As these human crows gather together over the corpses and the ashes in the seven kingdoms, treacherous new plots and precarious new alliances are formed. Some familiar characters and other surprising characters are seen emerging from the past to continue their struggles. This is a time for acquiring the magic, the skills and the power needed to survive the menacing times ahead. Many enter the banquet but only a few will survive the feast – truly ‘A Feast for Crows.’
Excellent page! Thank you for the recommendations! They could be useful not just for any reader that’s fan of the genre but also to any fantasy writer. Yet, I guess there are a lot of books, stories with the usual, ordinary already characters like kings, knights, princesses, vampires, dwarves, wizards with sharp hats, etc? We can read about them in almost every book of the genre? There should be new, unseen and unknown characters, creatures in the stories. Creatures like weightless korks, glowing, living balls, night fruit, fish-keepers, Brown faces, Fiery men, etc I use in some of my works sound more interesting than the usual?
I know the most important in the fantasy genre are the wisdom, good plot and writing skills but some “fresh blood” of new characters would make the fantasy books better?
George R.R. Martin does a huge breakthrough with this greatly written, immediately engrossing, and incredibly intricate tale that keeps you hooked all the way through. Martin steps out on a limb as he writes a fantasy novel whose “good” characters are not invincible and sometimes bad things can and do happen. Most fantasy I’ve read involves the main characters in impossible situations that resolve themselves by dumb luck or the characters own super-human abilities. Martin goes above and beyond and writes a story that allows for inexperience in a characters fighting ability, both on the battle field and in the political arena. The protagonist does not always make the right decisions, and the good guy doesn’t always win.
The lines between good & evil are blurred as Martin uses his really impressive command of characters to present situations from different points of view. “Good” isn’t always good, and “Evil” isn’t always evil. Characters are given diverse personalities and therefore open up the possibility of role-reversal. It’s like these are real people making real decisions, and as in life, anything is possible.
If your looking for a story that follows a one-dimensional track and is easily predictable, this is not the story for you.. On the other hand, if you want a mature story that is filled with intricate characters and engrossing story lines that leave you guessing and begging for more, you’ve come to the right place. Hats off to this incredible author and the story that he has created.
Have a lovely day,
Fane
Wow- Fane that was super cool writing! I better watch out or you may be after my job! Thanks for the great insight into the book.