Title: A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4) Author: George R. R. Martin Published by: Bantam Spectra Published on: 17 Oktober 2005 Pages: 1060
Needle was Robb and Bran and Rickon, her mother and her father, even Sansa. Needle was Winterfell's grey walls, and the laughter of its people. Needle was the summer snows, Old Nan's stories, the heart tree with its red leaves and scary face, the warm earthy smell of the glass gardens, the sound of the north wind rattling the shutters of her room. Needle was Jon Snow's smile.
--Arya II
After the awesomeness that is A Storm of Swords, GRRM gave his readers some sort of breather through A Feast for Crows. Wait scratch that, not only "some sort" but "heavy sort". See, though as important, especially with all the foreshadows and character development , in my opinion AFfC is the weakest book of the whole series thus far (we're still 2 books short *coughscoughs*). Apparently, back then, GRRM really lost himself in the writing and came up with a 1500++ page manuscript which wasn't even finished yet. His publisher then decided to divide said manuscript into 2 books, yet here's the catch: it's not based on plot sequence, but geographical sequence. In AFfC, we're roaming around King's Landing, Riverlands, Dorne, and the Iron Islands; while we only get to visit the North and Essos in A Dance with the Dragons.
This, in turn, affects the character POVs, as Jon, Dany, and Tyrion are in the North and Essos. Hence, in AFfC, we get to meet new POVs such as, Arianne Martell dan Victarion Greyjoy. Interesting, huh?
After Tywin's death, Cersei dubed herself the Queen Regent and basically took the throne in the name of his youngest son, Tommen. Despite being King, that sweet, innocent, and too pure for this cruel, cruel world boy could only do whatever his Mum said. He mostly spent his time signing and stamping letters, which he found fun. Oh! And don't forget his beloved cat, Ser Pounce.
This book is basically a Cersei shitstorm fiesta, loll. From revamping Tommen's council into basically a nest of Lannister loyalists to foolishly refusing to pay the crown's debt to arming the Faith Militant -- basically the equivalent of ISIS in Westeros. I mean, gurl. I'm all for women empowerment, but this is just plain idiotic.
Jaime's mission to recapture Riverrun is also an interesting plot, mostly because the siege basically failed. See, instead of the people of Riverrun being cut off of food supply and left starving, it was the ones doing the siege who were starving. Them being the Freys is just the cherry on top, LMAO. Meanwhile, Brienne was still on her quest looking for Sansa Stark, who currently assumed the identity of a bastard daughter named Alayne. Littlefinger still gives me the creep, btw.
We get a glimpse of Dorne through the eyes of Arianne Martell. Apparently, all these years, the Martells have been plotting for the return of Targaryens. Oberyn's death just spurred them to act faster, albeit Elia being against it (SEE D&D ELIA DIDN'T WANT REVENGE SMH).
With all these side characters who didn't really get their own chapters in the first three books, it might feel rather jarring for fans. So familiar POVs, such as Arya's, are very much welcomed. The coin given by Jaqen H'ghar, containing the phrase Valar Morghulis, led her to the House of Black and White in Braavos. She felt that this was the place where she could learn to find peace by executing those on her kill list. However, the organisation she's involved in, the Faceless Men, didn't believe in exacting revenge for personal vendetta. They were basically trained assassins. Sooo could Arya meet her goal with the Faceless Men? What would it cost her? And who was the Targaryen the Martells wish to bring back to the throne?
EGGLYSIS
Look, I'm just being fair when I said that AFfC is the weakest book thus far. The absence of so many prominent main characters feel a lot more glaring because, let's face it, the side characters aren't that interesting. Especially the Iron Islands chapters, dear God. How are these people so bloody stupid. Compared to them, Cersei suddenly seems like Einstein. I did enjoy Cersei's, Jaime's, Arya's, even Sansa Alayne's chapter, though! Oh, and Brienne's chapters, though could get dragged out, but have so many foreshadowings that would be important in the next book(s).
The plot feels unfinished. I think here is where GRRM paved the way for the ultimate climax in the end of the series, as it has that sort of first book feels to it. Or maybe it also has something to do with the fact that this is the first part of that 1500++ page manuscript. As soon as the story begins to get interesting, it ends. And I was left yelling, 'THAT'S IT? THAT'S BLOODY IT???'
I mean, come on GRRM! The plot only starts to go up by the 800-ish page, when GRRM and his publisher thought it would be best to end it there. Seven hells, mate. At least I was grateful I didn't have to wait 5-6 years for the next book.
...though I've been waiting for 11 years for The Winds of Winter now.
Overall, A Feast for Crows is...
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