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starcrossedsongbird's review against another edition
Graphic: Death
tristesse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
“That's blood up there, child, smeared across the sky.”
“Our blood or theirs?”
“Was there ever a war where only one side bled?”
“I'm a creature of grief and dust and bitter longings. There is an empty place within me where my heart was once.”
“A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid.”
This is definitely one of my best reads in 2023. Attached above are the quotes that really stick with me throughout reading.
Such an excellent follow up from the first book, A Game of Thrones. When I first discovered that many like it less, I was discouraged, but I pushed through and came to a conclusion that I like it better. Does not mean that the previous book was bad in any way, but the conflict gets more exciting as it goes. I greatly admire George R.R. Martin's talents in creating this universe, regardless of what the others may say. AGoT's prologue was so hauntingly beautiful but ACoK did not disappoint either, both were so nicely done. And I'm here, again, to analyze some characters in the story:
I may tolerate Cersei's refusal to bear Robert's children, I completely understand her lack of love toward late King Robert. Yet enabling Joffrey's cruelty is another matter, she is well-aware of her son's malicious behavior and does almost nothing to stop it from happening. She also shamelessly tells Sansa to suck it up because she went through the same situation and survived it, what a horrible mother-in-law. What a terrifying woman. She truly depicts the typical mother who blames the world for destruction her child causes and I don't like that any bit.
As for Theon, disappointed would be an understatement. The betrayal doesn't taste so sweet now that it wraps a hand around your throat, eh, Prince of Winterfell? Make no mistake, I do hate Ramsay more (the most, actually), but I can't justify what Theon do to the Starks. Pity only goes so far, Theon.
And while I'm still dreading to go over Bran's chapters quickly, I love Hodor and wish no harm would come to him....
Out of all Catelyn's chapters so far, I find chapter 55 the most entertaining. Thanks to Jaime, his shared conversation with Catelyn rouses my curiosity to explore his character more in depth.
As for Tyrion, the most misunderstood Lannister, I still think of him as one of my favorite characters (beside Jon Snow). I wish Cersei, Tywin, and especially Joffrey will reap what they sow soon enough. He was a decent Hand of the King, clearly better than Cersei.
I love Samwell and I think the Hound is more decent than Joffrey.
Sansa, Arya, and Daenerys are getting more interesting. I'm the happiest that Sansa is spared from marrying Joffrey. I laugh at every ill wish she has for the King, it's very amusing. I knew her character development would be splendid and it's starting to show. She started as a lovely courteous girl who filled her head with stories of true knight and love so sweet until reality struck.
Jon and life beyond the Wall seems entertaining. Still unsure what to feel of Davos, but I'm really excited to pick up the third book. An epic fantasy, indeed.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
cas_voogt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
avazee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape and Slavery
Minor: Rape
hanhantap's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death and Slavery
leo_314's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Excrement, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
sav_22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Sexism, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abortion
atalea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Blood
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
girish0731's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, and Murder
dovahkiin_shea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, and Torture