Reader² book:A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4)

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A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4)

I wouldn't call myself a reader of books. I own many books, most of them technical and a good deal of them I have read from cover to cover. Those books that are not technical (either computers or photography) usually have something to do with studying of the Bible and African-American literature.

A very small section of that collection (what I can count on two hands) is devoted to fiction. Given my love for all things fantasy and science-fiction, you would think I would have buttloads of books from either of those sub-categories. Sadly, most of what is considered fantasy is crap and I could only recommend a certain number of sci-fi reads.

In my opinion, there is only room for two series within the realm of fantasy: JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire.

A Feast For Crows is the fourth book in the now seven book series of A Song of Ice and Fire. ASoIaF is really the story of a kingdom divided and a family divided. While the powers to be or perceived powers to be continue to sunder the lands, a family whom has faced incredible tragedies and separated from one another must find whatever strength they have left and survive however they can.

Unlike 99% of most fantasy which the character relies on something supernatural from the gods or from some item in order to do something heroic, the characters of ASoIaF only have themselves and what little alliances they may have and even those alliances will betray them at the most inopportune moment. What is truly great is that the characters are not either good/evil, day/night or black/white that you find so often in lesser works. These are characters who are mix of passionate, feeble, weak, unwise, strong, bloodthirsty, crazed, delusional, dumb, naive and cunning. They are unlike any characters you have ever met. This is not a story of one man or one group striving to do good and save the world. This is a story of the love between a brother and sister, son's hatred for his father, daughter's need for revenge, sister's striving to make it to the next day unscathed, ugly girl keeping her promises and a would-be queen doing all she can to bring peace back to her kingdom. They do it with their mind, body and soul. They are indeed human in every way and they make mistakes that cost lives, even their own.

The hardest thing about these books is introducing them to someone and having to wait until they catch up so you can talk about the books. But that is a curse that I can live with.

One rule of thumb, if you buy the first book, A Game of Thrones, be sure to pick up the second book, A Clash of Kings. When you finish the first book at 3AM in the morning, you will thank yourself that you had enough foresight to have the next book handy to dive right into it.

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