A song of Ice and fire discussion (spoilers incl A Dance with Dragons)

[redchild]

Spoiler

I DID NOT see it coming in regards to the assassination attempt on Jon. It did seem as though things might be turning around, but with the short-sightedness of the anti-wildling faction of the Night's Watch, and the slavers kidnapping wildlings in Hardhome, it doesn't seem as if Jon can do it himself. I'm still perplexed about Melisandre. Does she know what she's doing or what?

Theon was also quite a surprise. But his character is fleshed out even more this time and now there's a clearer picture of what motivated his treachery, which is kind of ironic, in hindsight.

Bran's storyline was short, but now that he has the abilities of a greenseer, anything can happen. I still wish I knew what happened to Osha and Rickon. And so far as we know, Jon, Bran, and Arya have warg abilities. Rickon probably is too though I don't know about Sansa. I also missed her POVs.

Whatever brief glimpse we got of Brienne and Jaime was not enough. I kind of wish George had stuck in Jaime's single chapter in AFFC, but I suppose he did it to coincide with Cersei's chapters in the time line. Cersei seems to have lost her fire in the end, though I think Varys is going to maneuver to put her back in power of some form. I don't think she will act according to his plans anymore, though. Sansa and Margaery are also still in the game.

And I can't believe Qyburn made a zombie
Victarion's got a rock for a brain.

Aegon's (or rather, Connington's) attempt on the throne is doomed, even with Varys helping him out. Both Targaryens were raised with the tenet that they are the rightful rulers of Westeros, though Aegon is the only one who seems to believe it. Aegon's drive is this belief drilled into him since childhood, fueled by his teenage impulsiveness and backed by people older and more dangerous who all have their own designs. I don't think he's given much thought to what he would do after he's taken the throne. I think Dany's still trying to find a reason why she should even attempt to take Westeros. I have a suspicion that she would do so in order to fight the Others. Dany's prophecy implies that she might travel East to Asshai and possibly from there to Westeros (and *gasp* prove that the world is round,) though she's still got unfinished business with Mereen. I hope siege could be settled well, because there is also the chance that it could simply be run to the ground, which would be the easy, cheap way to end it. Though Tyrion's encounter with the Widow in Volantis may be a hint at the slave rebellion spreading, even if Mereen is destroyed.

The thing I noticed in this book the most is how so many prophecies and predictions have turned out completely wrong or misguided. There are probably hundreds of priests of Rhollor who all think they've got Azor Ahai. Varys seems to believe Aegon is going to win the throne, though everyone knows that he won't be taken seriously unless he's got Dany's dragons.