Ever since the Feast. I was so thirsty for some well deserved action. That book was devoid of any such events. I've written all about it on my A Feast For Crows review. This is not about that, this is about the Dance.
Mr Martin did mention earlier that Feast and Dance took a long while to complete because the earlier manuscripts of the books were huge and him and his editors were at their wits end to scale it down to make them a little more feasible to print. Hence he had partitioned them into geographical regions instead of chronologically. All events in Feast happen in the South and in Dorne. In Dance the events happen in the North and the Lands of First Men and Slaver's Bay. Hence you will see a lot of conflict and actual excitement as compared to the palace intrigues and vanity of Westeros.
And most importantly Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister are back. Hooyah.
Jon Snow since being chosen the Lord Commander has begun to realize how badly prepared the realm is against the real enemies. His empathy with the wildlings and Ned-Stark-ish honor is earning a lot of bad blood from the Crows. The Nights Watch has now become a sort of inn keeper to first Stannis and his Red Preistess, then the wildlings, then the people of Mole's Town. And he hardly has enough resources to feed the lot of them. The cold, the Others, and his hard rule is building up tension within his men. And what little friends he has he intends to disperse to other Castles along the Wall to man them as good as the Watch could against the Wights and Walkers.
The Imp after fleeing from the King's Landing for slaying his own father, now finds himself overflowing with guilt and in the undercarriage of strange ships. The Spider has arranged for his travel towards the Slavers Bay. Where he has advised Tyrion to team up with the Targaryen princess and help her win the Iron Throne. Tyrion as we know only does things his way, and finds himself in quite a messy situation. Albeit with the return of another favorite character. And introductions of many more characters that shed more light to the claim of the Targaryen heirs to the Throne and what came about to keep them alive long enough to try sitting on it.
There were many other POV chapters as well -
Daenerys finds herself stuck ruling a city where half the population hates her guts, while the other half is getting killed off ones the sun sets. She now also has amassed quite an array of counsels, many whose advise and prowess helps her keeping her rule. But the one thing that helped her so far is lost to her cause. The dragons. They grow faster and stronger and wilder than she had expected and cannot be controlled anymore.
Bran Stark, has now traveled farther north than any of his brother ever has. He has met the greenseer and is learning a lot about his role in the Wars, present and the ones yet to come. Jojen isn't too well though.
Davos Seaworth, is as trustworthy loyal to Stannis as ever but personally keeps losing anything that he holds dear. But his simple ideals and manner helps Stannis a lot in the end.
Reek, well. He is not doing too well. And by the looks of it, he is going to remain that way for a long time yet.
Asha wanted to be queen. The Ironborn thought otherwise.
Victarion Greyjoy, Balon's younger brother who is elected as the Iron King instead of her has taken all of the might of the Ironmen to the towards the West. He means to sit on the Iron Throne. There's a bad idea if there ever was one.
The Dorne, this is the kingdom that the Red Viper (he was so cool!) was loved and revered by all. His death by the hands of the Lannisters has angered many here. Most importantly the Sand Snakes, his bastard girls. They are all angry, and are plotting with their cousin, the daughter of Doran Martell, to tumble the Lannister's rule. Well. They try to.
Areo Hotah, he doesn't talk much or do much. Except sharpening his longaxe or cleaving heads of his enemies with them. But he listens all.
Barristan the Bold, he is also the same. He listens to all. But also is one of the most loyal and true adviser to the Mother of Dragons.
Jamie Lannister, is busy running along the Tully lands trying to bring it back to the Iron Throne's rule. He is a very smart guy. Not Tyrion smart. But a very good commander indeed. Pity his hand got chopped off, would've made a good ruler.
Cersei Lannister, the woman of Rock is pretty handful isn't she. She has finally got what she has always wanted. To be the one who calls the shots, and she is blowing it real bad. Everything that Tywin ever worked for and achieved, she has already destroyed in just a matter of months. And to come of it, her younger son sitting on the Throne is not even half as vile as Joff.
Varamyr Sixskins, a character introduced and killed off in the prologue itself. But presents a very interesting theory for the Jon Snow is alive theory.
This book has been a breeze. So many things were happening that the pages were just flying through. Loved this one. And even the backstory that were plugged into it has been enlightening and not tedious as in Feast. Already into Part 2. Excited!
Bran Stark, has now traveled farther north than any of his brother ever has. He has met the greenseer and is learning a lot about his role in the Wars, present and the ones yet to come. Jojen isn't too well though.
Davos Seaworth, is as trustworthy loyal to Stannis as ever but personally keeps losing anything that he holds dear. But his simple ideals and manner helps Stannis a lot in the end.
Reek, well. He is not doing too well. And by the looks of it, he is going to remain that way for a long time yet.
Asha wanted to be queen. The Ironborn thought otherwise.
Victarion Greyjoy, Balon's younger brother who is elected as the Iron King instead of her has taken all of the might of the Ironmen to the towards the West. He means to sit on the Iron Throne. There's a bad idea if there ever was one.
The Dorne, this is the kingdom that the Red Viper (he was so cool!) was loved and revered by all. His death by the hands of the Lannisters has angered many here. Most importantly the Sand Snakes, his bastard girls. They are all angry, and are plotting with their cousin, the daughter of Doran Martell, to tumble the Lannister's rule. Well. They try to.
Areo Hotah, he doesn't talk much or do much. Except sharpening his longaxe or cleaving heads of his enemies with them. But he listens all.
Barristan the Bold, he is also the same. He listens to all. But also is one of the most loyal and true adviser to the Mother of Dragons.
Jamie Lannister, is busy running along the Tully lands trying to bring it back to the Iron Throne's rule. He is a very smart guy. Not Tyrion smart. But a very good commander indeed. Pity his hand got chopped off, would've made a good ruler.
Cersei Lannister, the woman of Rock is pretty handful isn't she. She has finally got what she has always wanted. To be the one who calls the shots, and she is blowing it real bad. Everything that Tywin ever worked for and achieved, she has already destroyed in just a matter of months. And to come of it, her younger son sitting on the Throne is not even half as vile as Joff.
Varamyr Sixskins, a character introduced and killed off in the prologue itself. But presents a very interesting theory for the Jon Snow is alive theory.
This book has been a breeze. So many things were happening that the pages were just flying through. Loved this one. And even the backstory that were plugged into it has been enlightening and not tedious as in Feast. Already into Part 2. Excited!
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