Title: A Feast for Crows
Author: George R.R. Martin
First published October 17, 2005
1061 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780553582024 (ISBN10: 055358202X)
Rating: 4.15
Overview
In A Dance with Dragons, the fate of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance as Daenerys Targaryen’s army marches towards Westeros. Meanwhile, in A Feast for Crows, the Lannisters cling desperately to their power on the Iron Throne, but new conflicts arise in the aftermath of the War of the Five Kings.
The Martells seek revenge for their fallen prince, while the Starks of Winterfell fight to reclaim their home. Euron Greyjoy, a notorious pirate, returns to the Iron Isles with plans to take the throne for himself.
And in the far north, where the Others threaten to invade the Seven Kingdoms, Jon Snow faces his greatest challenge yet. Against a backdrop of political intrigue, magic, and betrayal, the coldest hearts will prevail in this epic tale of power and survival.
About the Author
George Raymond Richard “R.R.” Martin was born on September 20, 1948 in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father, Raymond Collins Martin, was a longshoreman and his mother, Margaret Brady Martin, raised George and his two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.
From a young age, Martin had a passion for writing and storytelling. He would sell monster stories to the kids in his neighborhood, with dramatic readings included.
Later, in high school, he became an avid comic book fan and began writing fiction for amateur fan magazines.
Martin’s writing career officially began at age 21 when he sold his first professional piece to Galaxy magazine, which was published in February 1971. He went on to attend Northwestern University, where he received a B.S. in Journalism and an M.S. in Journalism, both with high honors.
After graduation, Martin became a conscientious objector and did alternative service from 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He taught journalism at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978 and wrote part-time throughout the 1970s.
In 1975, Martin married Gale Burnick, but they divorced in 1979 with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979 and was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.
In 1986, Martin moved to Hollywood and landed a job as a story editor at CBS Television. He worked his way up to become a Producer for a TV show and even wrote a pilot for Columbia Pictures Television.
Today, Martin resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America and the Writers’ Guild of America, West.
Editoral Review
George R.R. Martin’s A Feast for Crows, published in 2005, is the fourth installment in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. Martin, a veteran author in the science fiction and fantasy genre, has crafted a complex world full of political intrigue, battles for power, and conflicts between families and nations.
A Feast for Crows continues the saga of the Seven Kingdoms, as Martin delves deeper into the web of secrets and lies that define this universe. The novel takes place in the aftermath of the war of the five kings, which shattered the stability of the realm and left it ripe for further upheaval.
The book focuses on the fallout from these events and explores the power struggles among the remaining players. The setting is vividly described, from the castles and cities to the rural landscapes and far-flung regions.
The characters are diverse and multi-faceted, each with their own motivations and ambitions. At the center of the story are several key players, such as Cersei Lannister, the scheming queen regent, who finds herself increasingly isolated and paranoid; Brienne of Tarth, a warrior on a mission to find Sansa Stark; and Samwell Tarly, a nerdy maester-in-training who is tasked with sorting through the history of the Night’s Watch.
There are also new characters introduced, such as the Ironborn woman Asha Greyjoy, who tries to claim her own throne; and the Dornish prince Doran Martell, who plots his revenge against those who wronged his family. Martin’s writing is exemplary, as he weaves together complex plot strands into a cohesive whole.
His descriptions are lush and evocative, bringing the world of Westeros to life in all its gritty, brutal glory. The pacing is slow, but this allows the characters to develop at a natural pace, and the tension builds to a satisfying climax.
Martin is a masterful storyteller, and his skill shows in the subtle ways he creates tension and conflict. However, while the book is undoubtedly well-crafted, it is not without its flaws.
One issue is the absence of key characters from the previous novels, such as Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. The focus on certain characters may leave some readers feeling disconnected from the story.
Additionally, A Feast for Crows is part of a much larger series, and the complex mythology and history can be daunting to those not familiar with the previous books. In conclusion, A Feast for Crows is a stunning achievement in the fantasy genre.
Martin has created a rich and detailed world full of complex characters and intricate power dynamics. The writing is masterful, and the story is engaging and suspenseful.
Although it may not be accessible to newcomers to the series, fans of epic fantasy will find much to enjoy here. The Washington Post gives A Feast for Crows an exceptional rating, as this is a book that goes beyond the typical boundaries of its genre and offers a compelling reading experience.
