I wanted to stay on this train and I really wanted to be into this series. But at this point, I realized that I was only interested in the Targaryen story, which was sparked by HOTD.
   While reading this book, I really had to force myself as a completionist. I truly love the Starks, but the way one of the main characters perished was very stupid, as he basically announced everything he did. Honor or not, it was clear what that place was and what awful people were around. Still, he is a legend. Overall, there are so many characters I do not care about, including Catelyn Stark. So my experience was to power through the POVs I hate to get to the few pages I was truly interested in. There are countless NPCs that are impossible to remember and numerous houses, and honestly, it just reads like dense historical fiction with very few fantasy elements and with some problematic themes that are not for everyone to stomach, specifically concerning women. I know that characters become more interesting and the world-building becomes clearer throughout the books, but if I need to force myself to get to that point, is it really worth it? For me, it is important to enjoy the full journey before the destination. Iykyk.
   So with this review, I conclude that G.R.R. Martin’s writing is just not for me. But I do appreciate his hard work and the extensive lore he created for his world.