I finally finished reading the second book in George RR Martin's saga, A Song of Ice and Fire, and even though I felt the need to slow the reading down a bit, I really liked the way he worked the story.
Improving Plot
As we read, the story grows further and further apart from what's presented to us on the TV show, and my interest rises. New characters gain a significant voice, and the plot extends, taking on new shapes. You will get to know new places and people, and even have some past events finally explained in greater detail.
The story becomes more dense, and it could prove complicated at first (especially for those who don't even follow the TV series). Still, the amazing writing will help visualize the complex political intrigue, the crude bloodshed, as well as the mystic and magic that is rising throughout the whole realm.
No Easy Opponents, No Easy Choices
The book is deeply involving, mainly due to the characters that are so alive and complex, full of ambiguity and not the classic good vs evil dichotomy we've grown used to. In Westeros, most of the people do not fight for ideals but for power or even safety. There are no stupid opponents to facilitate anyone's life; the characters are clever and learn from their mistakes, increasing the intrigue on all fronts.
Reality Over Glamour
As in the Game of Thrones book, George RR Martin does not romanticize life and its events, making sure the atmosphere is full of dark and somber lighting, battles are not glamorous, and most of the scenes are raw and crude, just as they ought to be.
As a fantasy book, the author calls upon some mystical or magical elements, but he manages to do it in a way that the story doesn't lose credibility or its grasp on reality.
The story remains surprising, and the third book is already on my 'To Read' list as we speak.
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