Review: A Feast for Crows - Winter did come

Like the previous books from the saga, A Feast for Crows holds your attention from the very beginning.

The story is filled with strong characters. It avoids the cliche of damsels in distress and perfect shinny armor knights coming to save them. The characters are not stereotyped, and you can feel their anger, their fears, their love. You care about them (or you hate them). In either way, they look alive.

Reading the Books vs. Watching The Show

No matter what you do, you cannot ignore the massively successful show produced by HBO. That brings a few issues.

After watching the show, you cannot undo the image of the characters in your head. At least, not easily.

I will always listen to the voice of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau whenever Jaime Lannister gives an order. The bitterness in Cersei’s remarks will always be Lena Headey’s. Yet, reading is different and, once more, better.

Richer in details and emotions, it makes a lot of difference to access the characters feelings and thoughts.

There are also a bigger number of characters in the books, with deeper connections amongst each other. Some characters weren’t mentioned in the show, or they were merely a name. Even when they belong to the main families in the story. In these pages, they have a personality. They gain life.

Story differences

The differences between the story in the books and the TV show are undeniable and impossible to ignore.

I was especially delighted by Brienne of Tarth. She is fascinating, more than in the show. Reading the book, we have way more information about her past, feelings, and thoughts. She is a powerful female character, and not only because she can fight. Brienne is resilient in every way.

Yet, the biggest difference between the books and the show is the fate of the young wolf’s widow, as well as his mother, Lady Catelyn. The pain changed the sweet Lady Stark, and she is now ruthless, even cruel sometimes. Perfect choice, unfortunately, ignored in the show.

The Winter is… Here

We get through most of the story reading (or listening) the characters saying that “Winter is coming.” Finally, it arrived, and it brings changes - both good and bad.

I loved Sam’s development and the fact that the Queen is starting to pay for what she’s done. On the other side, the iron men are becoming too powerful. The realm is falling apart. Yet, the worst of it all is that they are all fighting the wrong war!

Comments

Raising Voices - Why Alma's Mom Had the Right Reaction

In Netflix’s Raising Voices , there's a raw, emotionally charged moment when Alma confesses to her mom that something happened the night she disappeared — she was drunk, she had sex, and something didn’t feel right. It’s the kind of moment that many parents dread. But Alma’s mom handled it in a way that deserves attention. She didn’t panic. She didn’t judge. She didn’t lose control. Instead, she met her daughter halfway, which made all the difference. What Happened in the Scene? When Alma opened up to her mom, she wasn’t just confessing — she was testing the waters for safety. Could she trust her mom with the truth? Would she still be loved after saying something shameful, scary, or confusing? Her mom’s response wasn’t perfect — but it was real. She was concerned, but didn’t explode. She asked questions. She listened. She let the moment breathe. Why That Reaction Matters Technically, what Alma described can be considered sexual assault , given her level of intoxication. Bu...

Zero Day (Netflix): When Power, Fear, and Truth Collide

What happens when society’s most terrifying vulnerability—our digital infrastructure—suddenly collapses? Netflix ’s political thriller Zero Day dares to explore exactly that. Starring Robert De Niro as former U.S. President George Mullen, alongside Angela Bassett , Lizzy Caplan , Jesse Plemons , and Dan Stevens , this six-part miniseries blends conspiracy, paranoia, and deeply human drama into a story that feels both timely and unsettling. A Premise That Feels Too Possible The series kicks off with a catastrophic cyberattack that leaves the nation in chaos. It’s not just thrilling entertainment—it’s frighteningly plausible. Watching events spiral out of control, you can’t help but ask yourself: could this actually happen? Twists That Keep You Guessing From backroom deals to sudden betrayals, Zero Day is packed with sharp turns. You might think you know where it’s going, but the finale delivers a conclusion that’s both surprising and thought-provoking. Jesse Plemo...

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story - review

While I found the pacing of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story slow and, at times, even boring, the show shines in one particular area: its psychological depth. What kept me engaged wasn’t the storytelling rhythm, but the way it explored two very distinct and haunting personalities under the same roof. Two Sides of the Same Violence The series captures the sharp contrast between Lyle and Erik brilliantly. On one side, we see the volatile, angry, and violent brother—unpredictable but outwardly dominant, always ready to explode. On the other side, there is the insecure, fragile “mouse” of the family—timid, hesitant, almost paralyzed by fear. Yet, what makes Erik compelling is that under the right conditions, even he can lash out violently, especially when pulled into the orbit of his more aggressive brother. The dynamic between them feels like a nightmare recipe: one commanding, the other submissive, but both carrying destructive potential. The Many Shape...

All Forms of Art

Search This Blog