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A review by mattyvreads
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Definitely my favorite so far of the series. It is a well plotted story, and there are numerous successful elements: the world building, the characters, their relationships, the big plot twists. I am glad that I stuck with this series.
In terms of plot, this book is much more interesting than the last, in my opinion. On the crazy shit scale, this book is about a 7/10. If I hadn’t watched the show first, I would have been open-mouthed and wide-eyed the whole time.
On a smaller scale, I love learning details about each character’s history. How each character’s worldview shapes their justification of war, or alternatively, desire for peace. Or even who slept with who or caused some great insult. It’s all very interesting.
I still struggle with this series, sometimes, though. The sexualization of children is incredibly graphic and those moments are often written in first person. Deeply unpleasant and incredibly uncomfortable. For those who defend the author’s sexualization of children — fuck off. Why? Isn’t there another way to adequately convey exploitation or abuse without having the reader engage with it in first person, in such an explicit way? It’s graphic and unnecessary, and pretty disgusting. I think the readers are smart enough to understand the plot with or without those graphic depictions.
I also think some parts of this book are coded a little racist. Hm…
Annnnywayyyy…… in terms of content, I think the good outweighed the bad parts of this book. I probably will read the next one.
In terms of plot, this book is much more interesting than the last, in my opinion. On the crazy shit scale, this book is about a 7/10. If I hadn’t watched the show first, I would have been open-mouthed and wide-eyed the whole time.
On a smaller scale, I love learning details about each character’s history. How each character’s worldview shapes their justification of war, or alternatively, desire for peace. Or even who slept with who or caused some great insult. It’s all very interesting.
I still struggle with this series, sometimes, though. The sexualization of children is incredibly graphic and those moments are often written in first person. Deeply unpleasant and incredibly uncomfortable. For those who defend the author’s sexualization of children — fuck off. Why? Isn’t there another way to adequately convey exploitation or abuse without having the reader engage with it in first person, in such an explicit way? It’s graphic and unnecessary, and pretty disgusting. I think the readers are smart enough to understand the plot with or without those graphic depictions.
I also think some parts of this book are coded a little racist. Hm…
Annnnywayyyy…… in terms of content, I think the good outweighed the bad parts of this book. I probably will read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and War