En storm af sværd (2000)

Not so much a review as random comments:

- It's simply impossible to out-guess Martin. The Red Wedding was so obviously going to happen that I was sure it wouldn't.
- Go Sam.
- I hate that I'm starting to like Jaime Lannister.

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I'm rereading this series ahead of the April 14th premiere of the final season.
The racism and sexism continues!
I lose most of my respect for Tyrion with this book. In the first book his character is repeatedly urging Jon to accept his bastardy, saying it can then never be used against him if he owns it. Yet he fails to take his own advice. He is so sensitive about being a dwarf it makes his character less believable. This isn't how owning your uniqueness works. Honestly I'm not surprised a straight, white, wealthy man like the author fails to be able to make this work. He has no personal experience with any of this. It might be hard being fat and maybe he was born poor but still there's no depth to Tyrion's pain. He's a fucking rich guy whining that the women he chooses for what they look like don't appreciate his looks🤦🏽‍♀️ At no point does he make any attempt to find a women who is also ostracized and love her for who she is. He's only interested in women he can purchase and control. He never loved Shae. He never even asks her anything about herself and he ignores her clear desire to be openly his concubine. Tyrion is a grown man who lacks the gumption to stand up to his own Daddy. He whines like he's the only person ever born who had parents and family that didn't like him. Get over yourself, you whiney bitch. After this book I much prefer Tyrion on the show. There's really no saving this jerk. Why didn't he court someone like Brienne? Another person ostracized and made fun of. But no, Tyrion only wants beautiful women who want him for his money. Then whines like he was done wrong. He plans to wed Shae to a knight but never discusses it with her or mentions it to her. He just makes it clear she'll only ever be his hidden paid lover. Why in the world would she not take Cersei and Tywin's offer to testify against him? He loved what she looked like not who she was. He murdered her out of spite and pettiness. She ain't owe him anything. He got what he paid for and more. For their time together she focused on him and didn't sleep with other men. He didn't ask for anything outside of that. A poor woman has to think of herself. Also the story with Tysha is just sick on every level. Even had she been a new sex worker who sold her 'maidenhead' to Jamie for Tyrion's 1st time, having her raped by Lannister bannerman was gross. It's not worse because she wasn't a new sex worker. It's not ok to gang rape sex workers. Also what kinda sick fuck watches his wife raped and then wants a turn as well. This whole storyline is gross, sexist, ableist and distasteful as fuck. Shudder.
So we get to meet actual Dornish folks. Who are described as dark Europeans or possibly POC. Not really clear in physical descriptions. Yet the focus on fighting and fucking makes me think the Dornish are POC more than spicy white.
The Red Wedding is still as powerful as a reread though not as shocking. As is the return of Catelyn in the epilogue. They never bring her back for the show which is really too bad.
Arya, Jon, Brienne, Sansa, Davos,Bran, the red lady/melisandre and Cersei are still characters I like in this book. I know that once Cersei become a POV character this will end. I hate how sexist her character is written. Sigh.
So Jon made his hard choice and winter is almost here! ( )

I honestly don't know what to say except I just really love this world and these people that George R.R. Martin has created! You never know what to expect, never know who might live or die. The mystery of it makes it so much more wonderful! I also enjoy hearing all of the different people's stories so I have a better grasp on everything going on. It's not a one-sided tale! The book may be long and daunting to many, but the story inside makes it feel much shorter! ( )

Love these books!! ( )

Love these books!! ( )