Book Review: "A Storm of Swords" by George R. R. Martin

(A Song of Ice and Fire #3)
My Rating: 
Why? As far as fantasy books are concerned, Martin writes one of the largest, most in-depth casts of characters I've ever seen. It's really impressive.

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Plot Tease

Of five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne. Lord Stannis stands defeated, the victim of a sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. Young Robb Stark still rules the North, plotting against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage. 

Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, with the only three dragons still left in the world...But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost line of civilization. No one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords...

Full Book Review
If the last two fantasy books in this series were rife with drama and intrigue, A Storm of Swords compounds it all. Essentially, the entire kingdom is in utter turmoil at this point. No one has solid footing, and certainly there is no plain frontrunner for the position of king. All that said, Martin works his magic once again and there are some really fantastic plot points that come into play. 

Every character is at risk - no one is safe - and that really increases the dramatic tension and suspense. This book review is going to be a little different, because I'm only going to talk about one character: Jaime Lannister, quite possibly one of the biggest tools in the series.

Jaime Lannister began, we know, as a truly detestable character. At every turn he was prideful, arrogant and, well, there was the whole incest thing. Also, he doesn't seem to care too much about crippling small children and betraying the honor of the man he's sworn to protect. 

But this review exists to let you know: by the end of Storm of Swords he was in my favorite character shortlist. Rarely in fantasy books do you get to watch a villain genuinely transform over the course of the story. Of course, Martin does write a realistic character, as thus Jaime is never exactly perfect. However, he makes significant personal steps towards the side of 'Good'.

Initially Jaime continues his douchebag ways, having pithy conversations with Catelyn Stark and generally driving everyone up the wall. If you like a decent snarky character, Jaime will begin to grow on you right here. The dialogue is dark and sarcastic and wonderful, thank you Martin.

HUGE BOOK REVIEW SPOILER ALERT:

He escapes the Stark camp and runs for King's Landing, followed by Brienne. Their relationship is largely antagonistic with an underlying current of "Yeah, I'd kill for you", and it's great. Jaime's actual personality is finally displayed to you in a sympathetic way. In the course of their journey, Jaime loses his right hand.

WAIT A MINUTE. Jaime's entire worth to his family and the crown is his swordsmanship, you say! This is where the proverbial dam of Jaime's character development breaks. When he loses his hand, reputation, pride, usefulness, he is completely thrown and the blinders come off.  
/HUGE BOOK REVIEW SPOILER ALERT

We see him begin to realize exactly who his family members are, and the degradation of what they are doing. Of course, this doesn't happen overnight. As far as fantasy books are concerned, this is a ginormous book. Jaime has a lot of pages to evolve into his new self. When the day comes that he is fully for the Starks turned against his sister, it will be awesome. The bits of Jaime Lannister that were fierce and took no crap will be a very welcome force against Cersei.

Obviously I could go on for days about this. Tyrion and Jaime's relationship also evolves in a very interesting way towards the end, which I think you will enjoy, dear reader. A Storm of Swords is definitely worth picking up, if not for Jaime's conversion then for the incredible intrigue and plot. Every book by Martin takes it to the next level, and I can't wait to see where it ends.

Talk Back
Do you think Jaime will eventually fight for a "good" side? (Starks, Daenerys, etc.) Why or why not?
Do people like Jaime deserve a second chance from the others?

"Sometimes I think everyone is just pretending to be brave, and none of us really are. Maybe pretending is how you get brave. I don't know."

"'Brienne, the maid of Tarth. You are still a maiden, I hope?'

Her broad homely face turned red. 'Yes.'

'Oh good,' Jaime said. 'I only rescue maidens.'" - A Storm of Swords

Cost: New $8.22/Used $3.21 (Available on Kindle and Nook.)

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This book review is not sponsored in any way. All opinions are entirely my own.