Review: A Storm of Swords

Title: A Storm of Swords
Author: George R. R. Martin
Pages: 1216
Genre: Fantasy

Book three of the Song of Ice and Fire series, A Storm of Swords, is as much a novel in itself as much as it is a part of the series. In fact it is the longest book in the series till date. Author George R. R. Martin keeps the recaps in the novels to a minimum which means that it’ll be hard for you to understand the plots if you haven’t read the first two books.

Martin advances the story line in this book beyond the seven kingdoms. Jon Snow and the men of the Night Watch seem to spend quite a bit of time beyond the northern wall. The exiled Queen Daenerys Targaryen’s story from across the sea also moves along significantly in this one. The mistress of the only three dragons left in the fictional world makes her way to the blood soaked land with looming possibilities for the next book in the series.

Of the five challengers for the Iron Throne one of them winds up dead! It is rather surprising to see Martin let go of one of his main characters for the sake of the story. But of course, that’s what makes the tale so gripping – the gritty reality of it. If the main characters dint experience the same fate as many, many others in the epic war, it just would not be real, now would it?

The wars are fiercer than ever and the plots and counter plots ever fascinating. Joffrey Lannister sits on the Iron Throne ruling the seven kingdoms from the coveted throne while his rival Lord Stannis burns with disgrace and defeat. Robb Stark is still the ruler of the north and plots against the hated Lannisters even though one of his sisters is still a hostage at King’s Landing.

As the conflicting kingdoms make their move leading them to the final battle a multitude of barbarians from the outermost civilizations arrive with a throng of mystical creatures. The animated corpses of the paranormal army are relentless leaving the future of the land hanging and no one can find solace in this true Storm of Swords.