ShavGu’s Reviews > A Storm of Swords > Status Update

Genuinely shocked at how the last chapters of this crazy book don't end in setpieces. Instead it's all rooted in reflection and conversation. That, and a surprisingly fitting reveal that recontextualizes the catalyst of this franchise. Overall it hammers home that this really is an epic.

The tendrils of destiny work in mysterious ways but some manipulators have a heavy hand in it. Though, maybe not control of it.

I have a few chapters left. So far, these closing chapters are executed with such buttery smoothness, it's insane how climactic the moments feel post-setpieces. Voting on new Wall leaders, proposals from Melisandre/Stannis, and a story that begins in the bowels of King's Landing and ends with the emptying of bowels.

Valar morghulis, valar dohaeris. And so the H'ghar coin comes to use. The Hound gives me a deeply profound sadness because he really encapsulates the desire to suffer for all he's done. I love that stuff.

Jaime's quieter chapter kinda stunned me with how fitting and satisfying his development ends up being. His attempts to reconcile being noble with being Kingslayer and Lannister is surprisingly really really deep.

Dany finds out it's lonely at the top and also that it lowkey hard to rule. Her plan to rule a city before she can rule a kingdom is the kinda self-doubt type mindset I understand deeply.

Dang the Shae + Mountain and the Viper chapter is just a masterclass. Incredible dialogue, silky smooth action, and fantastic tension. Learning the Martell+Lannister moms' backstories is fascinating, we all are just puppets to the fates our family names bind us to.

Being tired as shit and getting accused of abandoning your vows? Jon's living my average Monday morning Teams meeting...

You can either be a piece or a player. Littlefinger's got the bangers even in the book. Lysa is such an Indian aunty, mom of a useless son. Gotta love it.

This book is an absolute banger. Shifting from bonkers action to abstract whispers of prophecy to climactic massacres to shocking political maneuvering like a slinky.
This chapter got Tyrion getting absolutely hosed over his one biggest strength, his quick tongue. So epic. Such sharp character-based storytelling. With this and the epic Lost episode I watched, this was a Merry Christmas indeed.

Arya's disdain toward going to any relatives' at all is real.