Just going to unload all my spoiler talk now.

 

Jon Dead? Seems like an awful lot of time to invest in a character to just have him get stabbed in the back. But then again, seems to fit along with the Ned and Robb killings. Hard to believe but I'm leaning towards true. Martin seems to be a realist and in reality someone attempting to do what Jon did usually gets them killed. Look at how many reformers get assassinated.

Stannis Dead? I agree with Pep on this one.

Barristan Selmy, baddest dude in the books?Very cool chapter.

Aegon "Young Griff"- Lots of questions here. If Varys has been getting Westeros ready for him, why didnt we get an earlier mention?No reason to bring him out earlier, it fits the story much better with Varys being known for secrets, deception, etc. The storyline I like is him and Dany coming back and unleasing the dragons and 50 kinds of hell. So it's probably not going to happen.

Was Brown Ben Dany's treason for gold? I don't think we are there yet. Ben just didn't seem as integral to her life as the others.

 

Lots more but now I wanna focus on the things I thought were the best things in the book

Jon taking of Janos Slynt's head. Pay back for Ned Loved it.

The Bran chapters were not THAT bad this time around It is interesting, but they are still pretty hard to read. Speaking of this, where the hell is Rickon and what the hell is he up to?

The line "The North Remembers"

The way Arya killed the man. Took me 2 reads to figure out but I got it Pretty awesome assassination really. At least Arya is one Stark that Martin doesn't hate...yet.

 

Victarion was really awesome in this book

 

Remaining Mysteries

Danys 3 Dragons Riders I feel there is another curveball waiting to be thrown regarding this.

Jon's parentage Martin doesn't seem nearly concerned with divulging this as I am to finding out. :lol:

Danys 3 things- 3 fires you must light, 3 mounts you will ride, 3 treasons you will know

STILL no Benjen

Brienne's Word, didnt think we would get it here but she is alive

 

 

Okay I'm done for now :lol: Been building up a list and now I get to unleash it.

My quick and erratic thoughts on it.

I was kind of bummed we didn't have any Sam chapters from when he got to Oldtown. I am quite curious as to how things transpired, especially with the Maester that was into all the sorcery and dragonlore.

 

I agree with you about the Stannis thing as well. The whole Able- Mance thing I didnt catch onto til Jon read the letter from Ramsey.

 

My quick and erratic thoughts on it.

 

I read somewhere that we are going to get Rickon/Osha next book.

 

I have to post these Barristan Selmy lines just because how awesome they really are.

"You would break King Hizdahr's peace, old man?"

"I would shatter it."

and lets not forget

"Old man. I will eat your heart"

"Then come"

 

AND lets not forget he called out a dragon :lol:

Jon Dead? Not buying it. Whether that means he is just severely wounded, or that he is re-born, I expect Jon to be back in the next book.

 

Stannis Dead? Also not buying it. What happened at Winterfell is a mystery...Roose Bolton sent men out to attack Stannis, yet they never seemed to get there. And, the banker said they found Mors Umber waiting for the king and he gave them Theon and Jeyne. That seems to imply that Bolton and company left Winterfell, but they didn't attack Stannis. The letter seems to suggest that they uncovered Mance and his washerwomen, yet why couldn't they have found Theon and Jeyne just outside the walls before they left. I don't know what, but something isn't what it seems around the Winterfell plot.

 

Barristan Selmy, baddest dude in the books? I don't know about that, but I'm curious to see what he does in response to the Great Masters of Yunkai.

 

Aegon "Young Griff"- Lots of questions here. If Varys has been getting Westeros ready for him, why didnt we get an earlier mention? Valid question. Regardless, perhaps Varys and whoever else is working with him were just hedging their bets with muliple Targaryens. Since Daenerys has thrown a wrench in their plans by playing queen on the other side of the world, they're going to help the Targaryen that has actually set foot on Westeros.

 

Was Brown Ben Dany's treason for gold? I say no.

Arya is my favorite character. Loved the way she killed the man and, like you, I had to really think to figure it out.

 

Red Rahloo and the Other seem to become more prominent as the books progress. And, I felt like ADWD gave a strong suggestion that a couple of the Starks, Jon and Bran, were connected with the Other. Bran, being lead by Coldhands, protected by the Ravens, and finally meeting Bloodraven. And, on Jon's side, Melisandre keeps seeing Jon...perhaps that could have been foreshadowing his death. Then again, it could be foreshadowing Jon's connection with the other.

 

We've sort of been lead to believe that R'hllor is the "good" god and the Other is the "bad". What if that isn't the way it is?

 

Just a few initial thoughts. I might try to read the books again and look closer at some of this stuff.

 

Maybe Jon and Dany are on a collision course, fire and ice, R'hllor and the Other. Maybe Jon is some mix of fire (Targaryen) and ice (Stark) that can bring a balance between the two. Most likely, its something completely different.

 

Also, I assume Dany has the bloody flux. Hopefully, Martin doesn't kill her off as well.

 

Loved the book, but its really frustrating with all the mysteries and knowing it could be 5 years before we get the next installment.

Who all has read the book now? Just wondering what everyone thought of it.

I have no idea why but it really does seem to me that the series isn't as popular as it should be. I rarely run across anyone who has read it. I have had to convince two of my friends to read it, even then it was like pulling teeth. It really does grind my gears when I tell them its the best fantasy series I have ever read and they proceed to tell me nothing can match LoTR, or even HP, without even reading it. Anyone feel the same way? :lol:

Here is an excerpt from Winds of Winter, thought you guys might enjoy it http://georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html

This is a blast from the past, but I finally finished ADWD. I got into a little of the "tinfoil" theories tonight. A lot to think about. :lol2:

Welcome to wait

Goodness its been 3 years. I expect another 3 before the next one is out.

Goodness its been 3 years. I expect another 3 before the next one is out.

 

It's just now occurred to me that the show might be spoiling the book pretty soon. I'm hoping WoW is out in the spring, before the show starts up again.

Goodness its been 3 years. I expect another 3 before the next one is out.

 

If I have to wait another three years I'll blow my brains out.