return of the dragons
It's been several months since I finished reading A Song of Ice and Fire series and I'm finally getting around to writing my general thoughts on where the characters have ended up and some speculation on their future. Starting with the last book...
A Dance With Dragons
Poor Kevan Lannister. I really liked him. He was one of the few honorable men in Westeros. At the same time, I don't want the Lannisters in power and Kevan would have brought order to help them keep it.
Wow. Varys in support of the Targaryens! Love his loyalty being finally revealed. It's official: Varys is one of my favorite longtime council members. I was never sure if he could be trusted before but in many ways he is the most loyal of them all to the realm. I have mixed feelings about the Targaryens. Some are wretchedly evil (The Mad King, Viserys) and others are good (Rhaegar, Daenerys, Master Aemon) and the newly revealed Prince Aegon has yet to be seen. Madness and greatness based on the flip of a coin. Pycelle's loyalty to the Lannisters hurt the kingdom in many tragic ways. I'm glad he's dead. Littlefinger, you're next. I hope Queen Stoneheart finishes him off herself. Oh, the look on his face seeing Cat again!
Dany riding away to the wilderness on Drogon was so epic! I love their little adventure together at the end. It reminded me of old Dany from the early days of her in the desert. I think its helping to clear her head, regain focus on her goals and given her time to bond/train Drogon as much as a wild, flying, flaming beast can be tamed. I'm not worried about her and the Khalasar. I'm just waiting for Drogon to smoke 'em all. Oh! and I knew that witch was wrong about Dany never having children again! I never thought I'd be so happy for moonblood to appear.
JON SNOW! DAMN IT, YOU CAN NOT DIE! My only consolation is that his life has never really put on the line in a major cliffhanger. I've noticed that GRRM does this to alot of his favorite characters. (Tyrion, I'm looking at you.) Jon has been holding back his own desires for so long for the good of everyone else. With his favorite sister's life in peril and his family's honor dissed, I'm not surprised he broke. I love the free folk's reaction. Jon is their new king and he doesn't even realize it. I want to throttle the men of The Night's Watch for not standing up to Jon in the meeting. Literal back stabbing!!! [cries] WHY?!! He hasn't done it yet. I really hope he can be saved without Melisandre's help. She freaks me out, though less so after this book. Also, I don't want him to be brought back from the dead like Queen Stoneheart. Of the endings I'm worried about Jon the most. I'm a big Rhaegar + Lyanna = Jon supporter and I want him on the Iron Throne married to Daenarys.
Val, the wildling princess, is my new favorite character. I reread her sections several times. She feels like a modern woman. Feisty, independent, a warrior yet with a surprising maternal instinct. I love her growing affection for the "little monster". (She sings him to sleep!) What I find most interesting though is how respected she is amongst the free folk. Convincing leaders of clans to join with The Night's Watch because of her respect for Jon Snow. That blew me away. She is becoming a leader in her own right. I wonder if she and the giant would be able save Jon since he's is being attacked right outside her room and then be able unite the Night's Watch and the free folk while Jon is recovering.
Brienne is alive and got Jamie to run off with her! Sadly, this is not the end of the story. Brienne's unfortunate run-in with Queen Stoneheart has now tasked her with killing Jamie. Their story has become like Snow White and Huntsman! (Snow White = Jamie, Brienne = Huntsman) I don't think either of them realize they are in love with each other. They are both so damaged. But there is no way I can see Brienne going through with it. She will try but her heart would have to be as dead as Queen Stoneheart's to kill him. Plus I really hope they find Sansa... or Arya!
The girl with too many names is not blind anymore! I'm not worried about Arya staying herself. Through all her trials she has worn every mask required of her while still retaining her core. However, she is finally letting go of the blood thirsty anger and constant survival mode tactics which led to her kill with little provocation. Also, I'm encouraged by her Dances with (Dire)wolves dreams, especially so far from Westeros. Since Arya has been reunited with Needle, my top desired Arya reunion is with Nymeria, with Gendry a close second and Jon in third.
Bran joining the Children of the Forest and becoming the next Weirwood greenseer is bittersweet. His journey has been fascinating. Since Bran was getting lost being/controlling so many animals (and Hodor), he was not taking care of himself in the real world. With his limbs keeping Bran from living a normal life and his love of being a warg, I think becoming the tree is a good option for him. What I'm most interested in is whether he can communicate through the trees and animals to help people, especially those he loves, with his ability to see past, present and future. I thought he almost spoke through the Lord Commander's crow to Jon. I'm ready for the Reeds and Hodor to return to the southern lands but it might be smart to wait until winter is over. Also, I really want to meet the Reeds' father since he was a friend of Ned Stark and probably knows who is Jon's mother.
I decided I needed to post this before I actually wrote a novel about my reaction to the books. Definitely more to come. If there are characters I didn't talk about that you're interested in, ask me questions about them because I can only cover so many topics in one post.
Also, I bought Game of Thrones Season 1 on blu-ray but have been too busy to break it open. Can't wait to rewatch this weekend! [grin]
geeklee, let the fun begin!
previous asoiaf/game of thrones posts
Book 4 (A Feast for Crows) - almost threw the book across the room moment
Introduction Meme
A Game of Thrones - Book Read - Week 1 (July 1-8)
Game of Thrones 1x10 Review
A Dance With Dragons
Poor Kevan Lannister. I really liked him. He was one of the few honorable men in Westeros. At the same time, I don't want the Lannisters in power and Kevan would have brought order to help them keep it.
Wow. Varys in support of the Targaryens! Love his loyalty being finally revealed. It's official: Varys is one of my favorite longtime council members. I was never sure if he could be trusted before but in many ways he is the most loyal of them all to the realm. I have mixed feelings about the Targaryens. Some are wretchedly evil (The Mad King, Viserys) and others are good (Rhaegar, Daenerys, Master Aemon) and the newly revealed Prince Aegon has yet to be seen. Madness and greatness based on the flip of a coin. Pycelle's loyalty to the Lannisters hurt the kingdom in many tragic ways. I'm glad he's dead. Littlefinger, you're next. I hope Queen Stoneheart finishes him off herself. Oh, the look on his face seeing Cat again!
Dany riding away to the wilderness on Drogon was so epic! I love their little adventure together at the end. It reminded me of old Dany from the early days of her in the desert. I think its helping to clear her head, regain focus on her goals and given her time to bond/train Drogon as much as a wild, flying, flaming beast can be tamed. I'm not worried about her and the Khalasar. I'm just waiting for Drogon to smoke 'em all. Oh! and I knew that witch was wrong about Dany never having children again! I never thought I'd be so happy for moonblood to appear.
JON SNOW! DAMN IT, YOU CAN NOT DIE! My only consolation is that his life has never really put on the line in a major cliffhanger. I've noticed that GRRM does this to alot of his favorite characters. (Tyrion, I'm looking at you.) Jon has been holding back his own desires for so long for the good of everyone else. With his favorite sister's life in peril and his family's honor dissed, I'm not surprised he broke. I love the free folk's reaction. Jon is their new king and he doesn't even realize it. I want to throttle the men of The Night's Watch for not standing up to Jon in the meeting. Literal back stabbing!!! [cries] WHY?!! He hasn't done it yet. I really hope he can be saved without Melisandre's help. She freaks me out, though less so after this book. Also, I don't want him to be brought back from the dead like Queen Stoneheart. Of the endings I'm worried about Jon the most. I'm a big Rhaegar + Lyanna = Jon supporter and I want him on the Iron Throne married to Daenarys.
Val, the wildling princess, is my new favorite character. I reread her sections several times. She feels like a modern woman. Feisty, independent, a warrior yet with a surprising maternal instinct. I love her growing affection for the "little monster". (She sings him to sleep!) What I find most interesting though is how respected she is amongst the free folk. Convincing leaders of clans to join with The Night's Watch because of her respect for Jon Snow. That blew me away. She is becoming a leader in her own right. I wonder if she and the giant would be able save Jon since he's is being attacked right outside her room and then be able unite the Night's Watch and the free folk while Jon is recovering.
Brienne is alive and got Jamie to run off with her! Sadly, this is not the end of the story. Brienne's unfortunate run-in with Queen Stoneheart has now tasked her with killing Jamie. Their story has become like Snow White and Huntsman! (Snow White = Jamie, Brienne = Huntsman) I don't think either of them realize they are in love with each other. They are both so damaged. But there is no way I can see Brienne going through with it. She will try but her heart would have to be as dead as Queen Stoneheart's to kill him. Plus I really hope they find Sansa... or Arya!
The girl with too many names is not blind anymore! I'm not worried about Arya staying herself. Through all her trials she has worn every mask required of her while still retaining her core. However, she is finally letting go of the blood thirsty anger and constant survival mode tactics which led to her kill with little provocation. Also, I'm encouraged by her Dances with (Dire)wolves dreams, especially so far from Westeros. Since Arya has been reunited with Needle, my top desired Arya reunion is with Nymeria, with Gendry a close second and Jon in third.
Bran joining the Children of the Forest and becoming the next Weirwood greenseer is bittersweet. His journey has been fascinating. Since Bran was getting lost being/controlling so many animals (and Hodor), he was not taking care of himself in the real world. With his limbs keeping Bran from living a normal life and his love of being a warg, I think becoming the tree is a good option for him. What I'm most interested in is whether he can communicate through the trees and animals to help people, especially those he loves, with his ability to see past, present and future. I thought he almost spoke through the Lord Commander's crow to Jon. I'm ready for the Reeds and Hodor to return to the southern lands but it might be smart to wait until winter is over. Also, I really want to meet the Reeds' father since he was a friend of Ned Stark and probably knows who is Jon's mother.
I decided I needed to post this before I actually wrote a novel about my reaction to the books. Definitely more to come. If there are characters I didn't talk about that you're interested in, ask me questions about them because I can only cover so many topics in one post.
Also, I bought Game of Thrones Season 1 on blu-ray but have been too busy to break it open. Can't wait to rewatch this weekend! [grin]
geeklee, let the fun begin!
previous asoiaf/game of thrones posts
Book 4 (A Feast for Crows) - almost threw the book across the room moment
Introduction Meme
A Game of Thrones - Book Read - Week 1 (July 1-8)
Game of Thrones 1x10 Review