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A Storm of Swords

by: George R. R. Martin

This is the third installment of George R. R. Martin's magnificent series: A Song of Ice and Fire.  Chances are you've already heard of it.  George R. R. Martin has been in the lime-light of fantasy for a number of years now, winning numerous awards; this particular novel was nominated for the Hugo award.   Undoubtedly, this epic fantasy is his most famous work.  And with good reason . . .

A Storm of Swords continues to tell the story of war and its participants.  The whole premise of this novel, and it's two predecessors--A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings--is centered around the political intrigue of a land known as Westeros, which is currently in strife as many lords and QUOTE-UNQUOTE kings battle for the realm.  In what is nick-named the seven kingdoms, the land of Westeros is without one great king, though the family occupying its castle at King's Landing would argue differently.  Such is the plot of the story, in which everyone battles everyone else for their right to rule the seven kingdoms.  There are other problems however . . .

The land of Westeros is not only divided up into seven kingdoms with lords and rulers, but the very northern part is cut off by an enormous wall which spans from sea to sea, several hundred feet high.  This wall is controlled by a group known as the Night's Watch, who kneel to no particular king or kings and have no interests in the political struggles that affect Westeros.  Their only interest is to protect the entire realm of Westeros from the monsters (including reanimated corpses [but not in that cliched zombie way . . . at least, not yet] and hideous beasts [including giants and mammoths] and of course the people of the frozen north [including savage killers and toothless women]). 

There's also a land to the east consisting of free cities ruled by various tyrants.  It is here that the last heir of the overthrown king Aerys Targaryen resides with power.  There she builds an army and a vast following of peasants, gaining strength while waiting to head back to Westeros to claim her own right for the throne.  She has a trick up her sleeve . . . or rather a pet . . . or pets, for that matter.  Dragons.  Three dragons.  

In the long run, this book is far too in depth (like its predecessors) to go into very much detail.  And in fact, this is the largest book in the series (at least concerning the ones that have been published).  Roughly, in basic paperback format, the book consisted of 1100+ pages of pure enjoyment.  It's a long book, to be sure, but as it just continues the tale from the first two novels, in the end it's nothing more than just an additions to a great story.  A story, which like I said, is far too complicated to explain. 

It's easier to sum it up as a political intrigue involving a kings and knights and mythical creatures.  There's battles a plenty, as well as drama, and sex, and ultimately what you're dealt is a damn good story.  The story consists of several characters, with overarching plots, some of which criss-cross one another.  There isn't one central plot, other than that everyone is fighting everyone, nor is it easy to pinpoint a protagonist and an antagonist.  Sure, it's easy to spot who leans toward the side of good and who leans toward the side of evil, but ultimately all you're really left with is a mystery.  Who's going to win?!  But just when to start to calculate the chances of this character or that character, thinking that they'll ultimately be force to reckon with towards the end of the series, off goes their head!  And just when you think that this character over here is a horrible menace and a jerk and deserves death, you begin to sympathize with their plight until ultimately they redeem themselves through some act to which you (the reader) find a glimpse of hope in their evil caricature.

So in the end . . . there is no end.  Only another installment in the series.  The last book to be published, sadly, is the fourth novel in the series, A Feast For Crows.  George R. R. Martin has stated that he plans on writing seven novels in the series, but thus far only four have been published while he currently is working on the fifth and sixth one.  Although, it's been five years since his last novel was published in the series and fans are worried about whether or not the series will ever be completed.  With such a huge story consisting of so many characters and plots, it would be incredibly disappointment to have been dragged through the bloody mud of Westeros only to discover . . . nothing.  But I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Anywho . . . GOOD BOOK!  GOOD READ!