Bantam A Dance with Dragons

The longest book from the novel so far. Absolutely amazing plots, new caracters, twisting turn of events. Its a pity that many might read the book and finish when is on the climax, and no one knows , not even George knows when The Winds of Winter will finally blow... Can't way for the next book...

"A song of ice and fire" sarà ricordata come la saga che ha cambiato lo stile del genere fantasy dopo i libri di Tolkien. Un mondo fantastico ma allo stesso tempo più "terreno", denso di sfaccettature umane e psicologiche, privo di cliché stereotipizzati, come il buono, il cattivo, ecc... Ogni personaggio ha le sue ragioni, la sua storia, può compiere gesti nobili e importanti ma anche machiavelliche cattiverie, con la contraddizione che è insita in ogni essere umano. E i personaggi non sono eterni. Muoiono. Anche quelli cui ci possiamo legare emotivamente, quelli che altrove arriverebbero alla fine del libro "e vissero felici e contenti". I primi 2/3 del libro viaggiano in parallelo col precedente (A Feast for Crows), ma analizzando gli altri personaggi lasciati temporaneamente da parte. Poi le storie si ricollegano. E come una partita a scacchi con lo schieramento dei pezzi, qui si prepara lo scenario per il sesto libro (ancora inedito) che - promette l'autore - inizierà subito con due grandiose battaglie. Il più corposo dei 5 libri, sottovalutato da alcuni che lo trovano "lento", secondo me è invece il cliffhanger giusto per alzare la tensione in attesa del sesto volume.

The book that thousands have been waiting years and years for, finally came out on July 12th. Early spoiler free reviews ramped up anticipation levels and talked of scenes reminiscent of a Storm of Swords. With such high expectations the initial feeling about A Dance with Dragons was one of disappointment and frustration. Did I feel this way? In short no... I am in the minority of people that really enjoyed the book. I can see what people are disgruntled about, there are after all loads of plot threads unresolved. Whilst this is the middle of the series and one might expect this, There is at least one event that several POV characters were all involved in where a suitable climax was needed. Like many other readers I also expected Dany to be in a certain place by the end of the book and to have interacted with certain characters and so was disappointed when she was not. However, both those points are solely down to my expectations. When the dust has settled and I actually reflect on the book and remembered how much I enjoyed it throughout, I realise how great Dance actually is. The writing is superb, contrary to the popular opinion, a lot actually happens. George takes us on a journey with his characters, throwing in the usual twists and subtle hints. Characters we previously despised we begin to sympathise with, characters we loved we learn are not as competent as we thought. The three characters we yearned for (Jon, Tyrion and Dany) all appear in abundance. These three characters are generally the most popular, the ones we can most identify with. Yet Martin cruelly exposes there weaknesses and demonstrates that when in a position of power there are fallible. Very intriguing stuff. Yet it is the other characters that steal the show. Theon's chapters are the best thing in the book, Davos and Asha are also very strong. Whilst Bran's had me feverish with excitement and Barristen beaming with respect. There are a few minor quibbles. Tyrion could have lost a chapter or two as could have Dany. Jaime appears in one brief chapter that really should have been saved for the next book. I think GRRM bowed to public demand to include this chapter just so we knew the fate of a certain character from Feast of Crows. One of the things I love about the series is that no matter how much I pay attention when reading, I always miss something. With Dance it was no exception. After going on the forums, I literally kicked myself at some of the things I did not pick up on. Still it is part of the fun of reading and so the endless wait and speculating begins again. Star Wars has always been my favourite world by a country mile. With A Dance with Dragons, the song of ice and fire saga is definitely catching it, if not over taking it.

The book needs no introduction or review. Although George Marting didn't write a book that people wanted him to write, the plot, the character journey are as good as they were in The storm of swords (my favourite book of all time). Given the groundwork, he has done in Feast and Dance it will be very difficult to write a poor Winds of Winter. I am patiently waiting for it to be published. Now, as usual, the packaging was not up to the mark. The corners of the hardcover were bent and there was a slight tear on the spine (which I have fixed by glueing a white paper). I didn't replace it because I wasn't expecting any better and I wasn't prepared for a protracted dance with the seller (who are no less formidable than a dragon). Amazon and many sellers are afflicted by the strange inability to realize that a 1.6 kg book can't be shipped without proper packaging. Finally, even though my experience with the shipping was less than ideal. I would recommend the hardcover edition wholeheartedly to any reader of A song of ice and fire.

Obviamente si has llegado hasta el 5º volumen de esta saga no lo puedes dejar pasar, a pesar de ser mas largo que el anterior me lo he leído en menos tiempo, te engancha desde los primeros capítulos, muy buena continuación, esta saga no pierde intensidad ni carisma con el paso de los libros, lo recomiendo, sobretodo si os pasa como a mi que no podéis esperar a la versión en castellano. Simply, an incredible book.