Chapter 44 - Jaime - Golden mediation

Martin is really throwing in some awesome stuff in the last 1/4 of this book.  We got an Arya chapter just recently and now there's a Jaime chapter, too.  Also, this chapter was good because it told us where we are in relation to A Feast for Crows.  Some time has passed since Jaime received Cersei's note pleading for him to save her.  Jaime has continued to ignore that note and is about to finish what he left King's Landing to do when the chapter begins.

I love that he has ignored the letter.  Cersei deserves what she gets.  At one point he wonders if she'll even be alive before he returns.  The casual nature of his thought is startling compared to the intense love and protective nature he had for her previously.  Her...indiscretions have sparked another change in Jaime and I like it.  When he interrupts Lord Bracken he has a conversation with his woman and, at one point, his thoughts drift to Myrcella.  He thinks about how he "will need to tell her too" and it is obvious that he plans to tell his children that they are not Baratheons but rather the offspring of his incestuous relationship with Cersei.  Prince Doran would not be happy to hear this though I doubt he has any intention of marrying his son to Myrcella and I would wager that he already knows that she is a pureblood Lannister.

His goal is simple...to agree to terms with Tytos Blackwood and have the castle under Lannister control before the day is done.  This is the last holdout of the Stark uprising and it's sad for me to see it fall.  It's just another reminder that Robb and Ned are long dead.  I just know that the Starks will rise again somehow since Arya, Bran, Rickon, and Sansa still live, but I don't think it will happen for some time still.

Once in the castle with Lord Blackwood Jaime offers the terms and Blackwood accepts them almost too eagerly.  I don't suspect a trap or a lie.  I think Blackwood is just accepting the reality of his situation.  I kind of respect that, but it was weird how he kept asking about how and when he'd have to kneel.  He was so focused on that.  Maybe it means nothing.  Jaime gets to see the massive heart tree within the castle and Blackwood tells him about how ravens cover the tree every single night and have been for thousands of years.  No one knows why.  Perhaps the ravens are connected to Ser Brynden and they return because of his connection to them through the tree.  I wouldn't be surprised if he can use them as his eyes as they travel across Westeros.  Jaime seals the agreement by taking Blackwood's son as a hostage.  The scene at the end where his son grins about being a hostage was kind of funny.  Jaime quickly grounds this boy's expectations and reminds him that the only thing keeping his head on his shoulders is his father's continued submission and loyalty.  I could hear the way Blackwood snarled the name "Kingslayer" when he said it.
The squabbling of the Blackwoods and the Brackens is ridiculous.  Even Blackwood's son sees it from the histories.  I could feel the boredom and annoyance that Jaime must have felt having to act as a mediator to these two men.

Martin finishes the chapter in typical "holy crap" fashion as Brienne of Tarth rides up to speak with Jaime.  He immediately notices her facial wound that she received from Biter.  She tells him that she has found Sansa and that he must come alone to save her from the Hound.  There's only one way I can react to that (and I must do so in the epic words of Admiral Ackbar)...

Chapter 43 - Tyrion - So close yet so far

So close yet so far was the only thing I could think as I read this chapter.  Tyrion has slowly been moving on his way towards Dany since the beginning of the book.  Each time he thinks he is on the straight path something else gets in the way.  The last chapter was apparently no exception.  It ended with the ship being completely disabled and a slaver ship heading directly towards them.  After the ship reached them it seems that the crew was all captured including Ser Jorah.  I thought that Jorah might have died, but instead he was just beaten within an inch of his life and branded.  I'm thinking he'd have preferred to die.

Tyrion and Penny are thankfully sold as a pair along with the pig and the dog and they are sold as freaks and performers.  In the world they are in now it's as equally good a chance that both would be forced to live as prostitutes or worse so being sold as performance slaves isn't so bad.  In fact, they are so popular that they bring in a ton of silver and are sold to a gigantically fat man in yellow.  For some reason, I can't help but picturing Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat here.  I'm not sure why...  Ser Jorah is saved by Tyrion and also sold to the fat man in yellow.  I don't know why Tyrion did what he did other than that he recognizes that Jorah may be useful to him when it comes time to escape.

What's crazy is that the camp they end up in is just outside the walls of Meereen.  Dany has married Hizdahr and peace has been made with the Yunkai'i so that they may continue their slaving.  It was heartbreaking to hear many of the slaves claim that Dany would never make peace with the slavers when that is exactly what she did.  But, she can't save everyone and that's the reality of the world.

After Tyrion and Penny perform for their new master, Tyrion plays cevasse with Brown Ben Plumm who betrayed Dany not so long ago.  I didn't realize that he was a Westerosi.  I guess that is part of why Dany was so hurt by his betrayal.  Tyrion recognizes the coldness in his eyes immediately.  He mentions how Ben's face smiles, but his eyes never do.  So was Brown Ben good at hiding this coldness when he was with Dany or did she just miss it?  There's no doubt that Tyrion is smarter than Dany and I'm sure he's much better at reading them.  I think Dany didn't see it.  That's why I think her marriage to Hizdahr and her relationship with Daario is so dangerous.  Also, she has even been warned of future betrayal and she's on the lookout for it because she talks about it in her point of view chapters, yet she never suspected Brown Ben Plumm of switching sides for coin.

At the end of the chapter we find out that Tyrion and Penny will be performing in front of many more people in the Great Pit of Daznak.  I assume this is one of the fighting pits that Hizdahr wishes to re-open.  Will Dany also be there to see their show?  If so, will Tyrion and Ser Jorah finally be able to reach her?  If so, I will find it funny that the only thing that saved Tyrion and Ser Jorah was Tyrion humbling himself enough to perform in Penny's show.

Chapter 42 - The Ghost in Winterfell - Who is knocking on the door?

There is a ghost in Winterfell, but it's not clear if the ghost is the voice Theon hears in the godswood or if it's the person who is killing Roose Bolton's men or if it's Theon himself.  Regardless, all three are possibilities.  When Theon is in the godswood begging for a man's death I am sure that it really is Bran who he hears and sees.  Bran is communicating through the trees just as Ser Brynden has taught him.  It's interesting that he can do that. I don't think Brynden can though we've never been told that.  Perhaps Bran has abilities because he is a Stark.

Someone is killing the men in Winterfell and they are good.  The first few look like accidents which I think was probably the idea.  The last is obviously not unless Yellow Dick somehow shoved his own member into his mouth and died and I highly doubt that.  I think the last one was intended to freak everyone out because the person on the inside knows that Stannis (or whoever is banging the drums) is near.  I also think that it's this singer and his lady friends.  They are much too interested in Theon and his story and then the scene at the end of the chapter makes it very clear that they are not what they seem.

If Stannis really is outside then I don't know how he did it, but I would rather Stannis take the castle and kill everyone then have Roose Bolton and his men win again.  Manderley will help Stannis as soon as it is safe and wise to do so, of course.  I imagine many of the other northern houses will turn against the Boltons as well.  I also suspect that Theon's love for the Starks is about to bring him back to who he was.  I think that is why this chapter has such an emphasis on Theon wanting to die as a man and not as Reek.

It was funny when Roose Bolton accused him of being the killer.  Could anyone ever suspect that Theon is physically capable of besting anyone at this point?  I think Roose Bolton is desperate and he knows his hold on these houses is tenuous at best.  I don't like him for the part he played in the Red Wedding.  I hope that he and his son get what's coming to them.  I especially hope that for Ramsey.

Chapter 41 - The Blind Girl - Now she can see

This book is just full of wonderful surprises.  Getting an Arya chapter is about one of the coolest things that could happen.  I was so happy when I read the title and immediately recognized who it would be.

So, Arya is still blind and since that was close to the end of A Feast for Crows it means we are getting close to the point where this books extends beyond that one.  This chapter just has me super excited for more.  What is even better is that Arya gets her eyesight back at the end of the chapter once she has proven that she can rely on her other senses as well as her eyes.  Arya is such a strong, amazing character.  I can't wait for her to get an opportunity to show off how tough and smart she really is.

I liked that Arya is warging inside of Nymeria despite the distance between them.  It's nice to know that Nymeria is alive still.  It seems that Arya's ability to warg is growing stronger just like Bran's though Bran knows what he's doing and controls it.  I know that Arya can if she wanted and she obviously used the cat to see who was attacking her.  She must understand it a bit.  I want to know why their powers are growing stronger.  There must be a need.

I'm not totally sure why her sight was returned to her.  It can't be as simple as her figuring out who was attacking her.  I have my suspicions that the old man knows what she can do and he was waiting for her to use the ability.  The things that go on here just feel too well orchestrated.  Regardless, Arya has eyes again and I can't wait to see what she does next.

Chapter 40 - Jon - The arrival of the grey girl

So Queen Selyse is as pleasant as Stannis.  They will make quite the pair ruling Westeros (if Stannis somehow ever sits the Iron Throne).  No wonder her men treat Jon with such contempt since she looks down on him as if he were a mouse.  I kind of chuckled when she said that they were moving into the Nightfort because Eastwatch wasn't safe and how Shireen would one day sit the Iron Throne.  If Shireen ever gets to be queen, that will be quite an event.  Even the way that the queen and her men react to Wun Wun the giant is ignorant and patronizing.  They are appalled at his very existence and refuse to listen to a thing that Jon says.  Part of me wishes her men would have started a fight just so the giant could have killed half of them.  Of course that would have caused major problems for Jon which is the only reason I'm glad it didn't happen.  I did notice that Shireen wasn't scared at all but rather amazed that she was seeing a giant.  She at least seems more open minded than her parents, but I just don't think she'll ever be strong enough to rule.

After the queen and her men leave Jon grabs the banker from Bravos, Tycho, and Jon does something that is very smart but which will probably get him crap from the other Night's Watchmen.  He takes out loans that will enable the Watch to feed and arm the men who are going to be very important in the coming months.  He also acquires temporary use of the 3 ships belonging to Tycho so that he can protect the Wildlings from becoming wights.  I found it very interesting that the Iron Throne isn't paying off Robert's debts and is gaining the anger of the Iron Bank.  If Stannis makes it back from Winterfell and he is willing to work with them then he may have truly just gained an edge over the Lannisters.  And since we know of the trouble going down in King's Landing now is as good a time as any.

Of course, just as soon as there is some good news for Stannis we finally meet the mystery girl on the horse that Melisandre saw and we learn that the Karstarks really are going to betray Stannis for Roose Bolton.  Theon had mentioned that in a previous chapter and it sounds legit now.  How did Theon know this?  I guess he is much like a servant in that people talk in front of him as if he's not there.

Her name is Alys Karstark and her uncle (really cousin) is after her to take her back home.  I believe what she is saying about them wanting an heir through her and about how they are basically playing to take over the Karstark line.  Her uncle is making a good move, but she made it to Jon.  Now we see what he does.  He's not one to turn down a woman in need especially when that woman reminds him of Arya.

Chapter 39 - Daenerys - Decisions and Denial

Dany awakes to the dawn nearly arriving and Daario lying next to her.  She is only a few days away from her marriage to Hizdahr, but she is filled with dread.  She does not love Hizdahr and will wed him only to bring peace.  She feels something for Daario however.  I believe it is nothing more than lust, but it could be more.  Either way, it is foolish for Dany to be acting this way.  She is making one decision as a queen and yet the other as an immature girl.  Daario even dared to kiss her in open court.  He's nothing but a sellsword and a brute and he "loves" Dany because she is queen and beautiful.  I found it interesting that even Dany referred to Ser Barristan as "Ser Grandfather" in her thoughts.  She is letting Daario rub off on her more than she realizes.

Daario manages to convince Dany to hold court so that the Dornishmen in his group can present a gift to Dany. I loved that Daario was used like a fool here and how it made him angry.  He's not someone I trust and I think he's going to be trouble.  Granted, I think that Hizdahr is more than he seems and could be even worse trouble.

So, Dany meets the Dornishmen who reveal themselves.  Quentyn presents him as the prince of Dorne and reveals that Viserys was to marry Arianne.  This confirms for me that Doran did not know that Aegon was alive.  It is fitting that Aegon is headed to Dorne then.  A Targaryen will wed Arianne now, but it will not be Dany and Quentyn.  So Dany refuses him and does what she feels she must.  She is right that she must do what it takes to live long enough to reach Dorne.  I can't fault her for that thinking.

Afterwards, she lies with Daario and in the morning he storms out to raise hell.  I can't tell if he truly cares for her and is jealous or perhaps he's angry that he isn't getting what he wants.  I suspect he usually gets what he wants.

Dany wraps herself in her wedding attire and heads to the temple.  I couldn't help but wonder if there was a bit of symbolism in the fact that she was unable to ride her silver and instead had to be carried to the temple.  The silver was hers from her Khal and that was such a different life.  That Dany is gone.  The inability to ride her horse had such a finality to it.

So, she meets Hizdahr and they wed.  We see them as they emerge.  When we see Dany next will Hizdahr be what he has claimed to be?

Chapter 38 - The King's Prize - Dead in the snow

It was interesting to get a Theon chapter followed immediately by an Asha chapter.  Both of them have fallen quite far from where they started and from where they aimed to be.  It feels like Martin is trying to stress the importance of the Greyjoy siblings by doing this and I think the two of them will play a big role in the coming battle.

Asha is a hostage of Stannis as they travel to Winterfell.  Stannis wants to present her as a prize and as proof of his strength, but I don't get how that's going to work.  Asha even thinks the same thing.  How does capturing the daughter of the former king of the Iron Islands prove anything?  Euron is king.  Asha is kind of worthless in my opinion.  It feels like this is another one of Stannis' weird, illogical moves.

As the army travels, they are hit with a tremendous winter storm.  Is this the storm that Roose Bolton was saying slowed Stannis' army?  The men who follow R'hollor continually pray for deliverance but none comes.  There is constant discussion of offering a sacrifice to R'hollor to prove their faith and gain his protection.  Clearly they want to burn Asha, but that just seems silly to me.  How does burning her prove anything?  It seems like an empty gesture since it costs these men nothing and therefore proves nothing.  Melisandre practices a true faith and it's a faith that seems to bring results.  Perhaps the reason that their prayers have been unanswered is because their faith is false to begin with.  Perhaps their faith isn't strong enough to counter the power of the Old gods of the north.  That is one thing that Martin has never really touched on.  There are so many competing gods and faiths in this world.  You have the Seven, the old gods, R'hollor, and even more gods outside of Westeros.  Is one of them real?  Are all of them?  Perhaps they are all manifestations of the same god?

We see some interesting things about Stannis in this chapter.  We see just how averse he is to woman.  We already kind of knew that, but Asha points out just how bad it is.  Stannis can't stand to be around any women, even the She-bear.  The three Baratheon brothers were quite terrible at dealing with women it seems.  Robert was a womanizer, Stannis is incredibly awkward around them (and possibly even a bit scared of them), and Renly was gay.  We also see that Stannis still lives in his brothers shadow to the point where Robert's name angers him and ends any discussion.  I think this is part of why Stannis can't be a good king.  He keeps himself in that shadow.

By the end of the chapter, the food has vanished and men are dying every day.  They stop to camp in a tiny town.  When Asha wakes there is no movement or sound.  There is no annoucement to start marching.  Something is wrong.  We don't find out what it is, but I expect it's something that could put an end to this march once and for all.

Chapter 37 - Turncloak - Theon's love

The host at Winterfell sits and waits for Stannis to arrive.  Roose Bolton announces that Stannis' host has slowed to a crawl amidst cheers.  Roose seems to think that Stannis presents no threat and part of me agrees.  However, Lady Dustin offers a glimpse into the reality of the situation a bit later in the chapter.  Apparently, Ramsey has not done a good job of keeping Fakarya happy (and who can blame her?).  She weeps constantly and the men can hear it.  The Northmen fear Roose Bolton, but they loved the Starks.  Even in the world that Martin has built, love tends to win over fear and men will fight and die for the former long before the latter.  I think that Stannis may have a chance...if he ever gets to Winterfell.

In the meantime, Theon is left to hobble around the castle eating gruel and visiting old memories.  As the chapter begins, Theon is eating when he is approached by a washerwoman (i.e. whore) who has attached herself to a singer.  She promises to write a song about Theon and begs him for the story of how he took Winterfell.  Theon rejects her advances in case she is another one of Ramsey's tricks.  She very well could be.  What it is to be Theon Turncloak...to live in constant fear of his master and his games.  Perhaps there is more to this washerwoman however.  She was very intent on getting the secret of Theon's success.  Could she be working against the Boltons from the inside?

The chapter ends with Theon leading Lady Barbrey Dustin into the crypts beneath Winterfell.  This was a very, very interesting part as we learn some things about the Stark's history.  I loved when Lady Dustin told Theon that she hated the Starks for the same reason that he loved them.  She's right.  Theon loved the Starks.  Why he did what he did is still beyond me.  Theon could be one of the dumbest characters in the series.

We learn that Lady Dustin was, for all intents and purposes, in love with Brandon Stark and even gave him her virginity.  According to her Brandon Stark loved to fight and didn't even want to marry Catelyn.  That was interesting for a couple of reasons.  I believe that it was Brandon who severely wounded Littlefinger over Catelyn.  If he didn't even want her, then he did it for honor and possibly also because he wanted to hurt someone.  It seems that Brandon and Ned were as different as Robert and Stannis or as Jaime and Tyrion.  How would things have been different if Brandon had never died in King's Landing?  We also learn that Lady Dustin wants to feed Ned's bones to her dogs.  The way she snarls when she says it is a bit creepy as well.

They leave and as they do she tells Theon that he best keep all of this information to himself.  He replies "Hold my tongue or lose it."  She tells him that "Roose has trained you well."  That he has, but will Theon Turncloak keep to that when he has the opportunity to show his love for the Starks?  Love is stronger than fear.

Chapter 36 - Tyrion - Piggy riding

When this chapter began, I figured that Tyrion had to be dreaming.  There was no way that he would consent to riding a pig dressed as a knight and putting on a show just so that he could be laughed at.  I quickly realized that this was, in fact, reality and that Tyrion was doing something that he had refused so many times before.  He had even refused to do this same thing when Joffrey commanded it and could have executed him for his refusal.  The fact that Tyrion is willing to make a fool of himself now is very interesting and it lets us see even more of this softer side of his.  Of course, I don't think he did it totally for Penny.  I'm sure there was also a bit of self-protection going on in the hope that the crew would not fry him on a spit when things got bad.

Afterwards, he and Jorah return to their tiny room where they are almost kind to one another.  I think Ser Jorah is realizing that Tyrion isn't some evil, monstrous half-man who turns into a bat at night and flies around stalking children.  He's seeing that Tyrion can be kind and, dare I say, human.  Of course, that doesn't last as Tyrion and Jorah get onto the topic of Dany and Tyrion sorts out that Jorah is actually trying to win back her favor and then suggests that perhaps Ser Jorah should be more worried about losing his head once they reach her.  Ser Jorah replies with a nice hand to the face and thus ends the conversation and their short-lived friendship.

The ship has been sitting idle for several days at this point which was part of why Tyrion agreed to the show with Penny so when a wind begins to blow it is cause for celebration.  That is until they realize that it is a beast of a storm headed their way.  Tyrion realizes that the prophecy of the ship was very accurate but misinterpreted by himself.  The ship is not going to reach its destination because it is going to get destroyed.  Annnnnnd destroyed it is.  The storm rips the mast to pieces, kills many of the crew members along with the Red Priest, and leaves the ship barely able to stay afloat.  Tyrion is also wounded which is typical for him.  During the assault, Tyrion and Penny kiss though neither are interested in the other and it ends there.  That made me breathe a sigh of relief.  I want Tyrion to stay as Penny's big brother-esque protector.  I like him in that role.

At the end of the chapter, a ship appears in the distance and begins heading towards them.  At first you think that they may be saved until Ser Jorah points out what should be obvious...a ship out where they are is most likely a slaver's ship.  He draws his blade and prepares because they are about to fight.  I don't know that we'll get to see the battle.  I just hope Penny and her pets survive along with Tyrion.

Chapter 35 - Jon - The Night's Watch is a-changin'

Jon is sending Val out beyond the Wall to find Tormund Giantsbane.  At first, it doesn't seem to be very clear as to why he is seeking Tormund, but by the end of the chapter we know.  If anyone can navigate the area north of the wall and get to him to deliver Jon's message, it's Val.  She is a very confident, very strong woman and I doubt much can stand in her way.  What will happen if Stannis returns before Val does?  Stannis lets Jon get away with quite a bit, but will this push him past his limits?  Part of me wonders if Stannis is ever going to return.  You know, because he might die fighting the Boltons.

Afterwards, Jon is in his quarters when Bowen Marsh and a couple others appear to give him a hard time about it.  It turns out that they already know about Val being sent out and they also have quite a few other concerns such as who is going to become Jon's steward when Dolorous Edd is gone and who is going to train the new recruits.  Bowen Marsh is really beginning to irritate me.  The Night's Watch in general really feels like the United States government.  It's been around for a long time and it's really set in its ways.  It has a system that worked a long time ago, but don't try to modify it to fit the times!  That'd be terrible.  The Night's Watch is about to face the greatest enemy they have ever faced.  They are about the face the enemy that they are basically there to face and Marsh and the other men are concerned with titles and rank.  They don't care about skill or need.

Jon then tells them about a mass of Wildlings that are sheltered in a "haunted" area of the North called Hardhome.  Apparently, it's been haunted for 600 years.  I doubt that it's really haunted.  I think it's folklore and it's the Night's Watch men being superstitous and stuck-in-their-ways.  Marsh is way too happy to let all of the Wildlings die there.  Jon manages to point out that a few thousand dead Wildlings could easily become a few thousand wights ready to swarm the Wall and destroy them.  Yet, Marsh and the others still don't get it and leave angry.

I'm not sure what's going to happen at the Wall.  It seems that either Jon does nothing but the norm and the men are happy but the Others destroy them or Jon tries to prepare them and the men are unhappy and possibly ready to rebel.  Good times for Jon Snow.

Chapter 34 - The Watcher - The game of thrones is beginning again

The Mountain is dead...or so we're told by Ser Balon Swann and Cersei.  They have sent his skull in a little box to Dorne to offer vengeance for the murder of Elia and her two children.  The skull is big enough and the Mountain was quite unique, but we've seen that he is not the only creature out there of his size.  Beyond the Wall, giants are much more common.  Is it possible that this former maester in King's Landing had access to a giant's skull that he could pass off as Ser Gregor's?

During the feash, the Sand Snakes are not pleased with Prince Doran's willingess to offer fealty to King Tommen.  They think he is weak, but I'm beginning to realize that the Prince is possibly one of the best players of the game of thrones that we've seen.  It was nice to hear the phrase used again since there hasn't been as much of that type of intrigue since the first book.  It's returning now and it's going to get interesting very soon.  Doran has been waiting for years for this time to come.  I suspect that he has know of Aegon's survival since it occurred.

Tomorrow, they leave for the Water Gardens where Ser Balon is meet Princess Myrcella again and then take her back to her brother along with Doran's son Trystane.  I don't doubt Doran's sources for a second and I completely believe that Cersei cooked up a scheme to have Trystane murdered.  I can't even begin to imagine what would be her reasoning, but we've seen that Cersei is not the best at playing the game of thrones.  Hopefully Ser Balon will believe Myrcella's story about how she lost her ear.  I had completely forgotten that she had been injured in the fight.

So, Prince Doran has a better plan in mind and he will send two of the Sand Snakes to King's Landing to continue his plans.  Once they have left, he speaks to Arianne about the arrival of an army which must be Aegon's army.  He acts like he doesn't know that it's Aegon and not Dany, but I think he does know who it is.  Though he may be expecting Aegon to go to Dany and then return together, so that could be a surprise to him.  Regardless, he has no intention of submitting to the Iron Throne.  I liked that his story about the Water Gardens involved a Targaryen named Daenerys.  How fitting that a Daenerys taught him how to rule and that his hopes are partially based in the return of the new Daenerys.

One more thing...it was cool to get Hotah as a point of view!  He's so BA!

Chapter 33 - The Prince of Winterfell - The Prince returns to his biggest failure

Theon gets a new chapter title now as he is called the Prince of Winterfell a few times throughout.  I can't tell if it's supposed to a mocking title or if it's a throwback to the old Theon who used to dream of being one of Ned's sons.  Maybe it's supposed to be both.  Regardless, Theon is not even close to being a prince of anything except for maybe the prince of the dogs.

I had wondered if Roose Bolton had something big planned for Theon because of his claim to the Seastone Chair the way that I think Asha realized that she could use him.  However, it sounds like this was Theon's role and no more.  They are using him to "prove" that Fakarya is the real Arya.  It's a clever move by a clever man as anyone who might suspect that Jeyne isn't Arya will keep their mouth shut if someone like Theon vouches for her.  It's a pretty basic trick, but it's very effective.

As Theon leads the bride to her groom, he stares into her brown eyes.  These are eyes which prove that this girl is not Arya.  Perhaps Theon knew that Sansa was always out of his league, but Arya...she may have one day been his bride.  He wishes someone would realize that her eyes are wrong and would end this farce and perhaps even end his misery swiftly.  When Jeyne begged him to save her, it was almost heartbreaking because she's trapped and I don't think she deserves it at all.  Her names, as Theon recites, rhymes with pain and I think she's about to feel a lot of it.  As they walk, Theon looks around the godswood and the memories rush in.  He had so many good memories here.  I think his main issue is that he struggled with the desire to be one of the Starks, but he knew that he was really nothing more than a hostage.  In the end, he wanted to be remembered and he got everyone killed and himself captured.

Quickly, the wedding takes place and Theon wanders back to the castle.  He hears someone whisper his name in the mist.  Was it real or was it his imagination?  Could it have been Bran?  It really sucks to see Winterfell in the state it is in.  I remember when Ned was alive and the castle was whole.  I hope that Winterfell goes back into the hands of the Starks one day.

At the end of the wedding feast, Roose Bolton gives a speech and he announces that Stannis is on the way.  Theon thinks that Arnolf Karstark is going to turn on Stannis when Bolton commands.  Is that the truth?  If it is, then Stannis could find himself capture or dead before this coming battle is through.  Afterwards, Theon is summoned to take Fakarya to Ramsey's chambers.  Once he is there he is forced to strip her and more.  Ramsey is such a brutal, sadistic animal.  Every Theon chapter makes me wish he would meet his end soon, but I'm afraid it won't happen for a while.  He might survive for quite a bit a la Joffrey.

What is the most distressing about this chapter is that Theon has a few opportunities to kill Ramsey and he even contemplates doing so.  But, in the end, he submits just like a dog, just like Reek and he does his duty.  I think Theon is stronger now than he ever was before, but something needs to bring it out of him.

Chapter 32 - Daenerys - The sick and the lying and Dany

The Astapori are dying.  The Flux is spreading through them like wildfire.  I imagine that this is tearing Dany apart as she considers all of these people to be her children and she cannot do anything for him.  Even trying to separate the sick from the not sick is having no affect as the not sick quickly become sick.  She is out surveying the status of the people and delivering food.  She seems to think that she will be safe from the Flux since she can never remember getting sick and Viserys had told her that dragons are not affected by disease.  I wonder if there is something about the Targaryen's that protects them from disease?

As she travels through the camp, the people who can call out to her as their Mother and yell blessings to her.  It's almost scary how the people idolize her to the point that it almost feels like she is their god.  The power that she holds is truly amazing, but it has so much hardship for someone who cares as much as she does.  Now that Aegon is in the picture, part of me thinks that it would be better for him to deal with the pressures of being king and ruling Westeros.  Let Dany be his queen or remain a princess who can care for the people without those heavy burdens laying on her shoulders.

Eventually, Dany decides to stop and distribute the food.  She then decides to show the people that she cares by personally washing them much to the chagrin of some of her entourage.  She manages to guilt most of them to help her by separating the dead from the living to burn the bodies and by helping the living to wash in the water.  She could possibly be immune to sickness, but the others are not.  Will any of them catch the Flux?

Afterwards, they return to the city and Dany bathes with Missandei.  Missandei makes a comment about hearing the Astapori scratching at the walls during the night.  They quickly quell her fears, but that worries me.  Is this just the imagination of a child or is something going on?  Afterwards, she discusses her impending marriage to Hizdahr.  She resists many of the rituals that they want her to follow and Hizdahr seems to be ok with that.  He is almost....too ok with it.  Why is he so ready to throw away these traditions except because he is ready to have the power of kingship given to him?  He happily tells her that he has secured peace with the Yunkai'i and the men of New Ghis as long as Dany leaves them to their slaving and as long she marries him.  This seems suspicious.

Before her dinner is over the Storm Crows (in other words Daario) return with news for her.  Daario reports to her with various pieces of information including the betrayal of the the Second Sons and Brown Ben Plumm.  Is this the truth or a lie of Daario's?  I like that Ser Barristan doesn't like Daario.  I don't like him either.  After everyone else leaves Daario kisses Dany and she returns the favor.  Ugh.  She is like putty in his hands.  This is bad.  I don't know why, but it's bad.

Chapter 31 - Jon Snow - A merry trip to ye ol' Godswood

Ahh...a relaxing trip to the Godswood is exactly the thing to release all that built up stress.  Watch the icicles grow.  Watch the snow fall.  Watch the birds fly.  Watch the undead or roaming wildings stab you in the eyeball.  Ahhh.
So, Jon is taking the new brothers-to-be out to the Godswood to say their woods the way he and Sam did.  That feels like such a long time ago.  It's only been a few years story-wise, but it feels like an eon.  His men try to talk him out of it because of the many threats out there.  I can see their point and I wouldn't want Jon to go.  I also get that this is something that must happen.  The Night's Watch can't hide from their enemies.  So, he takes the men and they do their business.

As they arrive, they encounter a rather pathetic group of Wildlings including a giant.  A battle almost takes place, but Jon talks them down.  Afterwards, Jon takes many of them back wtih him which creates many new mouths to feed.  The giant goes as well.  It'd be pretty cool if the giant were to eventually join the Night's Watch and take the black.  That'd be pretty awesome.

Once they have returned a letter arrives from Stannis discussing the marriage of Ramsey and Fakarya.  It also sounds like Asha was caught at the end of her chapter.  This has all the makings of a good trap and I have a feeling that Stannis is going to walk right into it.  I'm pretty sure that Roose Bolton outright said that he's holding the marriage at Winterfell in order to draw his enemies out.  I think the battle will happen closer to the end of this book.  If Stannis is smart and as good of a strategist as he used to be then he'll do the smart thing and take Winterfell quickly and wait for the Boltons.  It will also be interesting if Stannis manages to save Fakarya.  Then everyone will know that she is, in fact, fake.  It'll play into the Manderley plan to find Rickon quite nicely.

Stannis' hold on the throne will ultimately come down to this final.  It should be a good one.

Chapter 30 - Bran - The powers of Ser Brynden

Oh, man.  This was such a friggin' awesome chapter!  It's been a while since we had a Bran chapter so this one was a pleasant surprise.  It was so good.  I feel like it had the right amount of new information and teasing nuggets of future information.

First off, I must admit that I am a dumb head.  How could I not have realized that Melisandre's vision in the fire of the wooden face was referring to Ser Brynden?  Stupidity is my only excuse and it's not a good one.  So, I am convinced that's who she saw which means that the Wolf boy is definitely Bran.  That doesn't clear up any of my other questions about whether Bran is being led down the wrong path or not.  I still don't know whether Brynden is an enemy or whether he is just at odds with Melisandre and R'hollor.  That's one of the great things about Martin's books.  There are so many characters who aren't clearly good or evil because everyone has different realistic motivations.  Also, could the dark haired girl that Melisandre believes to be Arya really be Meera Reed?

I was also wrong to expect that Bran was going to fly on a dragon.  I thought that Brynden was hinting at that the last time they spoke, but now I think that he was really referring to Bran using his Warg powers more openly to control ravens.  Brynden, or Woody wood face as I may sometimes refer to him, is showing Bran how to use his abilities properly.  It also sounds like the Children of the Forest have built a little throne for Bran alongside Brynden which makes me think that Bran isn't ever leaving this place in a physical sense.  The only way I can see him leaving is if the Reeds "rescue" him, but does Bran want to be "rescued"?  These powers that Brynden has are quite incredible after all.  I also wonder who Brynden was before he became Woody wood face.  He's been there for a looooooooooong time.  If Bran continues along this path, he's going to end up just like Brynden.  I think that part of him wants to do it, but the other part of him is afraid because he's already becoming cut off from the others.

Bran is then given a taste of the power to see through time.  This part was awesome.  We see Ned again, which I loved.  I forgot how much I loved Ned's character and how much I miss him being around.  The scene with Ned was obviously after he brought Jon home as his son.  I wonder if we'll be learn about Jon's true parentage using Bran's time-vision?

Bran also sees a bunch of other people running through the Godswood.  He sees a girl who reminds him of Arya, but she's not.  That has to be Lyanna and Benjen.  He sees a bunch of other people in his visions, too, but I'll have to ponder those a bit more.  I be's intrigued.

Another cool thing about this chapter is that we get a good description of the Children of the Forest, too, with their three-fingered hands and big eyes and their weird ears.  We also learn that many of the Children of the Forest are inside of the roots of the Weirwood trees.  Is that how these trees are created?  Do they all have the Children intertwined in their roots?

So, now I can't wait for a future Bran chapter.  I don't know what's going to happen and I love it.

Chapter 29 - Tyrion - The softer side of the Imp

The last time that we saw Tyrion he was being dragged around town by Ser Jorah bound in chains and forced to sleep hanging from a hook in the wall.  He was also being attacked by a young, dwarf girl who blames him for the fact that her dwarf brother had his head not so gently removed and presented to Cersei.  Now, we find Tyrion in a slightly better situation.  He's on a ship headed to Dany and the dwarf girl, Penny, is also on board having decided not to kill him anymore.

I'm curious what's going to happen when he gets to Dany now.  When he was with Aegon and his crew, I figured they would vouch for him in the name of Illyrio.  She'd find out that he killed his father and is wanted for the murder of Joffrey as well.  I imagined that Dany would welcome him, not with open arms, but at least with some kind of trust.  Now, however, he is being brought as a prisoner of Ser Jorah who would love nothing more than to present him to be executed so that he could prove his loyalty to Dany.  Ser Jorah's making a good move by getting Tyrion to Dany, but I hope it's for a reason that Tyrion will also appreciate.  In any case he'll be there soon, which is awesome.

On the ship Tyrion has a few interactions with Penny, once she stops running out of the room in tears every time he enters.  I like that Tyrion doesn't intend to take advantage of her.  Tyrion is a twisted, little man, but he can be caring when the moment suits him.  It's the softer side we so seldom see of him.  We kind of saw it with Shae, but that was more of "Tyrion needs to be loved" kind of thing and this seems more like a "Tyrion wants to help someone" thing.

The differences between the two of them are quite interesting.  She's lived a life on the road putting on show after show while he has lived in luxury as a Lannister.  More than that, she's lived a life where she has encouraged people to laugh at her because of her dwarfism.  One thing we know about Tyrion is that he hates being laughed at.  I think the difference comes from their fathers.  Penny's taught her to accept her state and use it lightheartedly.  Tywin was sickened by the fact that he had a dwarf son.  Penny is also a bit naive where Tyrion is bitterly realistic.

At the end of the chapter, we get a few more prophetic visions from a Red Priest and one of them refers to something that has got to be the Crow's Eye who is headed to Dany.  We haven't heard much about him in a while.  I'm not looking forward to his arrival to be honest.

Lastly, I wonder if cyvasse will ever be developed as a real game and sold.  I think that'd be really cool.  Hearing the characters discuss it has me very intrigued.  Just something that popped into my head...

Chapter 28 - Reek - What's in store for Theon?

Theon is now sleeping with the dogs.  He's eating like a dog.  He probably even poops on the ground like a dog.  Yet, things are looking much better for him because he hasn't lost any body parts recently.  He's living the good life!

We see Ramsey Bolton return from a search for a couple of men and he returns without finding them.  It turns out that a certain couple of Freys have "gone missing" while traveleing with Wyman Manderley.  Of course, we all know that "gone missing" means "stabbed in the face with a sword and then thrown into a random river" or something like that.  I was really looking forward to Manderley disposing of these two guys, but I wanted to see it happen!  Dangit.  I especially wanted to see the one named Rhaegar get taken down a notch.  The more I watch Dany the more I come to respect her brother Rhaegar because I get the sense that she is just like him when he was alive.  So, having a Frey named after the prince just makes me mad.

So, Ramsey returns having failed to find the Freys and what else can he do but throw a magnificent feast?  He really has no choice here.  It's the only option if you're a demented, homicidal maniac like he is.  During this ridiculous feast, his father Roose arrives and puts a quick end to it.  I don't like Roose Bolton especially because he's the one who murdered Robb Stark, but I like his actions here.  He's a terrible man, but he's terrible in a Westeros-world type of a way where he does what he needs to do because he needs to do it to stay on top.  I'm sure he flays people, but I think he does it because it's effective and not because he likes to torture people.  Ramsey, on the other hand, is sick and twisted and cruel.  He flays people for the joy of watching them scream.  He's crazy and that's not good for anyone around him.

From the way Roose talks to Ramsey, I think that he misses his trueborn son and depsises Ramsey, but he doesn't have anyone left to follow him.  Ramsey is all that he has.  It was a little creepy the way he acknowledges that Ramsey will probably kill any children he has with his new wife but just accepts it.  Again, I think he realizes that Ramsey is what he has to work with.  I do like the way he handles Ramsey and how he verbally smacks him around.  I have a feeling that Ramsey is going to take a shot at Roose eventually.  Maybe Roose will have to kill him then.  One can only hope.

Roose then takes Theon with him when he leaves.  Ramsey threatens to take another finger when Theon gets back.  That sucks for Theon.  Ah well.  As Roose and Theon travel, we learn some interesting stuff about the Boltons.  Roose then presents Theon as Theon Greyjoy.  I wonder if he's going to use him as a way to secure the Ironmen to the North.  Theon, of course, wants no part of it.  He swears that his name is Reek and won't even accept clean clothes.  I think that we'll see a slight return of the old Theon by the time Roose is done with him.  Roose can have that effect.

Chapter 27 - Melisandre - She sees things in the flames

Sweet!  A new point of view and it's Melisandre.  It's awesome that we finally get to see things from her view because she's always been a black box.  She says and does things and we never know whether she's legit or not.  Well, we definitely learn that she is for real.  At the very least, she has real faith.  We see that she does have powers that are not mere parlor tricks and she really does believe in R'hollor.

I liked watching her as she examined the flames for visions.  It was interesting that her visions can be wrong because it is a skill that she has developed over time.  For instance, we know that the girl she sees can't be Arya, but she seems to believe it is.  It's easy to gloss over the fact that she sees a girl at all, which I think will turn out to be true.  We find out that Melisandre also believes that Stannis the true warrior of R'hollor.  I never knew whether she honestly believed it or if she was using Stannis for some other means.

When Jon arrived at the end, we finally receive the truth about "Rattleshirt" who turns out to be a disguised Mance Rayder.  That wasn't something I expected.  Again, we see the kind of deep power that Melisandre possesses.  It makes sense though because I could not believe that someone like Rattleshirt would come over to the same faith as Melisandre.  So now Mance is headed out to find this girl who Melisandre says is Arya.  Who will he find when he heads out?

The vision of the wooden face and the wolf boy was interesting as well.  Was the wooden face Coldhands?  The wolf boy is probably Bran.  What does that say about Bran and the company he is keeping?  Is Bran being misled by the enemy?  Or is just Melisandre's enemy?

Chapter 26 - Daenerys - A Pale Mare arrives

Meereen is slowly being strangled by Dany's enemies.  They have cut off trade to the city and sellswords roam the land spreading fear as they do so.  It really feels like a battle is on the way.  I can taste it.  It tastes like pudding pie though that might just be because I just ate pudding pie.  In all seriousness, I think that a showdown is going to occur between Dany and her enemies before the end of this book.  Something needs to happen though because Meereen can't survive like this forever.  It was especially telling that there were no petitioners begging Dany for favor when we have seen nothing but that in the last few chapters.  The Shavepate tells her that the people are afraid and that is why they do not come.  That is scary.

We also hear about the fall of Astapor in this chapter.  We had heard about it in detail in the Quentyn chapter so it was cool to hear it from another perspective here.  I assume that Quentyn and his fellow Westerosi are close to Dany now.  I can't wait until he gets to her.

At one point a dying man arrives on a pale mare which immediately reminds Dany of the prophesy she received.  There is no way that this is a coincidence.  Bad things are coming for Dany.  She says that she must hope for peace and, in a way, I completely agree.  But I am also fearful that Dany wants to save her people beyond what she is capable of doing.  A ruler must take care of her people, but she must also realize when she has no choice but to let some die for the good of many.  She seems to get this when the sick of Astapor arrive and she agrees to quarantine them due to the Flux.

I don't know if I agree with Ser Barristan's plan to take the battle to Dany's enemies.  She wants to wait inside the city, but that has its dangers, too.  In the end, she calls for Hizdahr zo Loraq and it is clear that she is planning to marry him.  I still don't like it, but maybe I just don't like Dany being tied to someone who is weaker than she is.

One thing that occurred to me was how much help the Golden Company could be if they made it to Dany.  They could turn this entire situation around, but they are headed to Westeros instead!  I do not envy the situation that Dany is in, but in a way she has brought it on herself.  I just hope she can get out of it.

Chapter 25 - Davos - Manderley's the man (derley)

This was a welcome, welcome chapter.  Davos is alive!  Yay!  I was worried that the next time we saw him he'd be slightly shorter and not be able to recite This Little Piggy.

At first, I was very confused as to why no one followed Manderley's orders.  I figured they either knew that the man liked to exaggerate and thus they decided to wait until he had calmed down or that someone else had intervened to save Davos from his fate.  Either way, it wasn't looking like Manderley was getting a lot of respect up in the joint.  It was awfully suspicious that Davos' lodgings and food were so good.  Once Manderley and Davos met things became much more clear and my respect for Manderley shot way up.

Basically, Manderley knows what he's doing and he does it well.  He's sneaky and smart.  He's actually quite different from the first view we get of him.  You figure he's some fat, lazy lord who can barely protect his people so he caves in to whoever threatens him.  In reality, he uses the belief that he is a fat, lazy lord like a shield to protect himself and his people much the way Tyrion uses his dwarfism.  I love that he pretends to submit to the Lannisters when he would never truly yield to someone who doesn't deserve it.  I really can't wait for him to kill the two Freys.  They so deserve it.

We then find out that Manderley plans to find Rickon (and Osha) and to return him to Winterfell as the true heir to the North.  He knows that Bran and Rickon are alive, but he must realize that Bran is unreachable.  It's a good plan and I'm looking forward to bringing Rickon back into the story.

I also liked that the Direwolves are much more than just protectors and companions of the Stark children.  They are also symbols of the Starks and prove that they are who they say they are.

Chapter 24 - Jon Snow - What does Melisandre want?

Jon is sending men out beyond the Wall after what seems like forever.  Interestingly enough, Alliser Thorne is one of these men.  Each of the men being sent must figure that this is a one way mission.  There are many scary enemies out in the forest and the Wildlings are the least scary of them all.  I suspect that none of these men will return to the Night's Watch alive though they might return as undead.  Melisandre seems to indicate that this is the case at the end of this chapter.  I don't think Jon is sending Thorne out in the hopes that he'll die.  He knows that Thorne is a good soldier and I doubt he wants any of his men to die even if he doesn't get along with them.

In the practice yard, Jon whoops up on some new recruits and then fights Rattleshirt.  What a cool name...Rattleshirt.  I could go with a name like that only different.  I would go by Jigglepants or something.  That's a good one.

So Jon fight Rattleshirt and holds his own for a bit before finally getting taken down.  In a real fight, Jon would have died here so it's good that it wasn't a real fight.  Rattleshirt is much more beastly than I originally pictured.  I guess it's a good thing that he's on their side...for now.  At one point, Jon makes a comment to Rattleshirt about Stannis burning the wrong man and Rattleshirt says that Stannis burned the man he had to burn.  Maybe I'm reading into that too much, but it almost seems that Jon is saying that Rattleshirt was really the King and Rattleshirt seemed to be agreeing.  Was that why Mance screamed the things he screamed when he was burning?

Afterwards, Jon learns about Fakarya marrying Ramsey Bolton and he's none too happy about it, but he can't do anything because he is part of the Night's Watch.  It's funny though because Jon could easily point out that, you know, Fakarya is fake if he ever sees her which you think he would eventually.  I guess the Bolton's either don't know that he's Lord Commander or they figure that his oath will prevent him from interfering.

At the end of the chapter, Jon speaks with Melisandre.  When he first sees her he thinks she is Ygritte.  Does that have a deeper meaning?  It might.  Could Ygritte have been more than she let on?  Part of me thinks that she was exactly who she said she was, but anything is possible.  I also miss Ygritte.  I liked her and Jon together.  It feels like so long ago that Jon was with the Wildlings.

Melisandre has seen things in her fire about Arya or someone who she thinks is Arya.  I think that Melisandre has power and that it's legitimate, but the person she is talking about can't be Arya because we know where Arya is.  So is she mistaken or is there more to what she is saying?  A few other interesting things happen here.  First, what is with Melisandre and Ghost?  Second, it seems like Melisandre wants Jon's hand, but how?  In bed?  Does she just want his loyalty?  How does she want Jon?  She offers to save Arya and I can't tell if she means this mystery girl on the horse or the real Arya.  I kind of think she means real Arya.  This should be interesting.

Chapter 23 - Daenerys - Be careful what you wish for

  The chapter starts with the arrival of the Green Grace who is apparently a priestess in Meereen.  I don't think we've ever been introduced to her before.  She arrives with her consort to dine with Dany.  She must be someone trustworthy or important for Dany to have a private dinner with her.  Dany typically doesn't put up with useless people.  At dinner, the Green Grace doesn't waste too much time before telling Dany that she needs to marry Hizdahr zo Loraq which would make Dany Mrs. zo Loraq?  Daenerys zo Loraq has a certain ring to it, but I still don't like it.  I kid about the name, of course, but not about whether it's a good idea.  The Green Grace believes that Dany needs him to bind the people to her, but I can only see a marriage like this as something that would weaken Dany.  I cannot see her taking this guy back to Westeros as a king if she were to be the one to be queen.  Plus, what will happen with Aegon if she were to marry before he gets there?  I'm also skeptical of the Green Grace's intentions as she really pushes the marriage.  What does she hope to gain?

Afterwards, Dany invites Hizdahr up for a conversation and to feel the marital waters.  I'm not sure what this guy's real deal is, but he is quite boring.  He may not even be into women based on the kiss he gave her and then his response.  It was almost sad.  Dany does have the problem that she wants to marry for love, I think (or at least lust) which is something that may not be possible.  She loved Khal Drogo and that may be the last time she truly loves.  Her relationship with Daario is also unnerving because it's the only time that we see "Schoolgirl Dany" where she practically giggles and loses control.  I don't trust or like Daario.  I was very glad when she summoned Daario and then sent him away as she realized that he's nothing more than a sellsword.  Are his words to her even true?  I doubt it.  Her memory of Daario exceeded the reality because she'd been building it up for the last few chapters.

Her talk with Ser Barristan was also interesting as he counsels her regarding her brother's marriage to Elia and her parent's marriage.  We know that Rhaegar loved Lyanna even if it's never officially been staged so it isn't really a surprise that the marriage to Elia was political.  If Dorne aligns itself with Dany or Aegon, then it had the proper effect since their strength is something that will help put the Targaryens back in power.

Chapter 22 - Tyrion - A King and a boy in one body

Yay!  Tyrion didn't die!  I figured he wouldn't or at least that he wouldn't die by drowning like that.  He wakes up after the ordeal and he can walk and move and all that important stuff.  Of course, since he touched a Stoneman, he runs the risk of catching Greyscale.  I'd guess that the water is nasty and probably carries the disease, too, but maybe not.  Regardless, that'd be pretty awful if he now caught Greyscale considering he's already a dwarf and is missing a nose.  Now, Tyrion gets to poke himself with a sharp blade in all of his extremities and hope that he feels pain.  It's like he's testing his blood sugar but using every finger and every toe and instead of a pin he's using an old dagger.

Afterwards, he has a nice sit down with Aegon, the heir to the Iron Throne.  I have so much trouble trusting Martin and the things he shows us.  Aegon reacts strangely to Tyrion mentioning the baby who was murdered by the Mountain.  I'd guess that Varys really did switch Aegon for some other child since that sounds like something he'd do, but there's still this lingering doubt in my head that this kid is the real deal.

Tyrion's advice to Aegon does make a lot of sense.  He is the true king, but he's also done nothing.  Dany has lived a life of hardship.  She's risen from nothing to the queen of Meereen.  She's proven that she's a Dragon.  Heck, she has 3 living dragons.  Aegon has done nothing.  Will Dany be willing to submit to Aegon's rule so easily?  I want to think that she would, but she's also very strong and she won't if he risks doing something to harm her "children" (which is to say every poor person in Meereen and the surrounding areas).  I also wonder if Tyrion's advice to have him raise his banners in Dorne was a trick or sound advice much the way Tyrion tricked him into holding his dragon in cyvasse.

I also noticed that Martin switches back to referring to Aegon as Young Griff when he loses the game of cyvasse and flies into a rage.  I assume Martin does this on purpose to highlight the differences between Aegon the royal son of Rhaegar and heir to the throne and Young Griff the naive, sheltered boy who grew up on a boat.  Is Aegon even capable of being the king that Westeros needs?

Later, Tyrion heads to shore with Selhorys to acquire information about Dany.  Turns out that she hasn't left Meereen as they were expecting her to.  This doesn't sound like good news for Griff.  On the way back, Tyrion manages to dirty himself and in the process he is captured.  I can only assume this is Ser Jorah who captures him.  I've been waiting for his return so he here is and he's going to take Tyrion to Dany as a prize.  Only Ser Jorah can capture someone and take him where he was already headed.

Chapter 21 - Jon Snow - An interesting offer

This chapter has Jon Snow and his men heading down the ruins of Moletown to speak with the Wildlings who have taken residence there.  As Jon calls, hundreds of them slowly emerge from the squalor of the tunnels beneath the town.  Apparently, Moletown doesn't look like much on the surface, but underneath it has tons of tunnels and other things and that's where the people are staying to protect themselves from the freezing cold.  I guess not dying is worse than living in cramped conditions with a bunch of dirty, smelly people for a bit, but still...that can't be fun.

Jon offers the people an opportunity to get more food and better living conditions by choosing to work for the Night's Watch.  Interestingly enough he does not require any of them to actually take the black though I guess they could still choose to do so if they wished.  It also makes sense since there are women and children who could take his offer and there have never been female Night's Watchmen.  I see his reasoning as they need people to work and these are people who are serving no purpose right now, but what will happen when a Wildling army comes calling again?  Will these same people bite the hand that feeds them or will they stay loyal to the Night's Watch?  Jon dodges the question because he fears the true answer, I think.

Also, we see that someone has managed to elude Jon's posted guards to carve faces into the trees.  Is this more important than the people simply bringing their gods south with them?  I don't know.  I guess we shall see.  It does make me wonder if this same person is going to cause trouble in the future.  If they can slip past the guards this easily, there isn't much to stop them from doing other things.

The Watch has changed in many ways since Jon Snow took command, but I don't think it could have stayed the same.  Not when Wildlings are walking amongst them and when the dead are coming back to life and attacking the living.

Chapter 20 – Reek – He plays Theon well

Theon, or rather Reek now, should relish the freedom he’s being given even if it is temporary.  Who knows the next time Ramsey will loosen his leash this much.  I think Ramsey broke him like a dog just for a purpose such as this.  He can now send him around as Theon Greyjoy as he needs but back with Ramsey he is just Reek (rhymes with weak).  Ramsey is a lot more dangerous than he might seem up front.  He’s smart and cruel and deadly.

When Theon leaves he is Reek, but it is interesting how quickly he falls back into his old ways and mannerisms as Theon.  I think that is an act though.  I think he’s totally broken and he is now Reek playing the role of Theon rather than Theon being Reek most of the time.  Theon Greyjoy is basically dead at this point.  It was really interesting to see how readily the Theon-memories try to rush back and how quickly Theon squashes them.

So Reek is sent as Theon to take back Moat Cailin from the Ironmen, but it doesn’t prove to be too difficult a task.  These Ironmen seem to be pretty weak and pathetic compared to the ones we’ve seen before.  Theon waltzes in and puts Ralf Kenning out of his misery (which seemed insanely terrible I might add).  Then, he manages to convince the men that they’d be much better off yielding and going home.  Of course, as I could have guessed, Ramsey doesn’t let any of them live and has them all murdered instead.  It was chilling when he asked Theon what he wanted as a reward and hinted at Theon asking to go home.  But, I think that Theon has become Reek well enough to read Ramsey’s tone and words and he smartly declines and asks only for some wine.  I think that if he had asked to go with the others, he’d have been granted his wish and killed alongside them.

Roose Bolton arrives at the end of the chapter and Ramsey is eager to show his success.  I liked seeing Theon/Reek’s memory of how he used to mock Roose when he was the ward of Ned Stark.  That was definitely something the old Theon would have done.  In a strange way, I think he’s actually stronger now even though it took a lot for him to get there.  If he survives all of this, he might actually make a good ruler.  The last thing that Roose Bolton does is present us with Fakarya and it’s nice to finally get an answer to the question of who she is.  Sure enough she is being played by Jeyne Poole, one of Sansa’s friends who we haven’t seen in so long.  Theon recognizes this immediately.  I can’t imagine others won’t except that maybe everyone who knew the real Arya is dead now.  Nevertheless, it stinks for Jeyne as she will have to deal with being Ramsey’s wife.

Chapter 19 - Davos - Will he become a peeled onion?

I didn't think Davos' plan to approach Lord Wyman directly was going to turn out very well and anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm always right.  Actually, that's not true, but I was kind of right here.  I was afraid that Davos would end up as a prisoner instead of as a guest.  It's actually a bit worse than I thought because Wyman is calling for Davos' head before he can eat his dinner.  I was really surprised by that to be honest.  Based on the description of Lord Wyman I didn't think there was anything that would prevent him from eating, but apparently this is the one thing.

So, Davos is scheduled for death because he angered Manderley and his Frey guests.  Everything Davos said was right on and true, but that's beside the point.  The real issue is that Lord Wyman is scared and fear is a very, very powerful motivator.  This is especially true when you're an old, fat man.  He fears the Lannisters as he should because they have his son.  His son's wife shows the same fear.  It manifests as righteous anger, but it's nothing more than fear.  I think that Lord Wyman is a man who knows his true duty and he wants to follow through with that duty, but he doesn't think he has a choice and thus he lies to himself and those around him.  His command to execute Davos was really to stop Davos from telling him things that he already knows.

This chapter did a great job at reminding me just how much I hate the Freys.  They are weasels and bullies who wouldn't know honor if it showed up on their doorstep with one fingerless hand and nothing but the truth.  Since that's exactly what happened, it looks like I'm right.  The Freys will get theirs eventually.  It might take a while just like it took 3 books for Joffrey to get assassinated, but it will happen.  The story that the one Frey tells about Robb changing into a wolf was ludicrous and the Frey knows it, but it's just crazy enough that people will believe it.  This is a world that's pretty free of magic, but it's medieval and the commonfolk and even of the rich are plain ol' dumb.  Interestingly enough his story wasn't totally without truth in the sense that the Stark children are capable of warging.  I imagine that Robb was able to do it, too.  But if Robb could have turned into a wolf he might actually be alive right now.

So now Davos is scheduled to lose his next body part.  Knowing Martin he could actually die here, but I don't think he will.  I think that this young woman Wylla will be his savior.  I want to know more about her, too, because something about her seems familiar.  It might just be that she reminds me of Lady Rohanne Weber from the 2nd Dunk and Egg story.

Chapter 18 - Tyrion - The Dragon lives

As Tyrion and company continue their trip towards Dany they now encounter a creepy fog that seems to stick to everything and muffle the world around them. The others insist that the fog is enchanted and not natural and as I read the chapter I became inclined to believe them. They pass by several ruins of once beautiful cities and I wonder if a similar fate awaits them and their plans.

As they arrive at the Bridge of Dream we are introduced to the Stone Men and we get more information on greyscale, the disease that afflicted Stannis' daughter. Apparently, it is so named because it slowly turns a person's extremities numb, grey, and cold, like stone. It would start in the extremities and work its way in until it did the same to a person's internal organs and caused death. It sounds like a fantastic way to go. There is a fear as they approach the bridge because they do not want to be attacked by these Stone Men. It is at this point that we are given our first (hopefully of several) big reveals of this book. Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen, grandson of the Mad King, and nephew of Daenerys, is frickin' alive! At least, we are told that he is alive and now going by the name of Young Griff. I've learned not to trust Martin completely though I suspect this is the real deal. Now I get why Young Griff was being tutored so heavily. I guess he won't be a lackey to Tyrion after all. Of course, this raises many other questions such as "how did Aegon escape death when Kings Landing was sacked and who was the baby who was presented to Tywin?" Varys is definitely involved here. I'm certain of that. It certainly paints the events of that day and of the last 20 years in a very different light.

If Varys was the one who switched the real Aegon with a fake Aegon to be killed, then he and Illyrio have been deeply involved in the protection of the true Targaryen king this entire time. While Varys served Robert and his "sons" he was secretly keeping the Targaryen king alive and preparing him to reign. Is that why Varys allowed the attempts on Dany's life? Because he knew that she is not the true heir to the throne after all? What does all of this mean in regards to how Varys and Illyrio handled Viserys and Dany for all of those years? Have they been keeping Dany as a backup or have they been guiding her to a secondary purpose? She is not the heir any longer, but she could be the queen still if she were to marry Aegon. That wouldn't be out of the question within the Targaryen family. It's just strange now that Dany isn't the queen as I've been rooting for her to take back Westeros for so long!
I'm now even more excited for this group to get to Dany. Before I just wanted to see Tyrion and Dany together, but now I want to see what happens when they introduce Dany to her long lost nephew. Will she be able to submit to him or will there be problems? I also want to know if Doran Martell knows about Aegon. He is his nephew as well so the Martells are now/still connected to the Targaryen in an even more serious way.

Chapter 17 - Jon - Stopping Stannis' stupidity

This chapter begins with Jon exploring the Night Watch's food stores within the tunnels under Castle Black called the wormways.  It was cool to see these tunnels because I don't think that they'd ever been revealed before.  I always wondered where the Watch kept all of their supplies.  I like that they use the freezing temperatures within the Wall itself to keep their supplies good.  Good use of an immovable object, guys!  It's not looking too promising for them as the have plenty of food for the Watch IF they didn't have thousands of new mouths to feed including many useless women and children (note that I don't think that women and children are all around worthless, but at the Wall they are).  Personally, I don't know that the lack of food is going to matter all that much because I suspect the Night's Watch in it's current form and mission may not be around long enough to need all of it.  We shall see.  Also, Dolorous Edd is awesome.  I love his character and I am excited that they cast him for season 2 of the show.

We see more of Stannis' plans in his mission to be the one and true king.  Is Stannis really this much of a fool?  It's not good that Davos is off on a mission because I think he used to be the one to help guide Stannis in a good direction.  Without Davos, Stannis has a bunch of the queen's men and Melisandre and I don't trust any of them.

Stannis gives Rattleshirt to Jon to serve the Watch, which I'm sure Jon is thrilled about.  He can't trust half of the current men and Stannis gives him someone that's untrustworthy times 1000.  Good job, Stannis.

So Stannis is going to attack the Dreadfort in the hopes of taking it while Ramsay Bolton is away.  I loved that Jon cuts Stannis off in the middle of his explanation to tell him that he's making a mistake.  I love it even more that Stannis allows it and has him explain.  I think that Stannis knows that Jon is a voice of reason and will tell him things he needs to hear since Davos isn't there to do it.  I'm confused by Stannis because he makes some bad decisions such as the plan to attack the Dreadfort yet he allows someone like Jon or Davos to speak their mind to him.  Jon holds his own with Stannis time and time again.  I loved that Stannis made a comment that many of the Nights Watch men say that Jon is half wildling and Jon outrights ignores the statement as if Stannis never said it.


Jon tells Stannis that his plan is foolish and gives him advice on where to find men to fight for him.  In return, Jon demands that the Wildlings be left to him.  What will happen if it comes out that Jon is giving military advice to Stannis?  He's not actually fighting for or with Stannis, but words can sometimes be more deadly than actions.  Obviously, Jon doesn't have much of a choice if he wants to do what he believes to right, but it's a deadly line he is walking.  In regards to Stannis and his plans, there is now a tiny, tiny glimmer of hope that he can woo these mountain men and bring them to his side.  As well, Jon's advice to attack Deepwood Motte is sound and has a very good chance of success.

Chapter 16 - Daenerys - Westeros must wait

In the course of a single chapter Dany goes from being the burdened queen to waking "as full of hope as she had been since first she came to Slaver's Bay" to being at war with a powerful group of enemies who were once allies.  Things are not getting any easier for the dragon.  This is a pretty normal theme for most of the characters in this series and particularly this book.  So far, each chapter has shown these characters in situations which are getting progressively tougher and tougher to handle.

Personally, I don't know that Dany can win in her current situation.  I think my opinion has changed as I have read her chapters because I feel like I was a bit more optimistic at the start of this book.  I also don't know where I stand in regard to her freed slaves.  Did she really put them in a better situation than they were in before?  I suppose freedom is always better than slavery and the former masters certainly deserved to be brought low, but I also understand where Xaro Xhoan Daxos is coming from.  Some of these slaves know nothing but servitude and they have become incredibly admired because of their situation.  These same slaves would have none of that otherwise.

Xaro Xhoan Daxos is slimey.  This is clear.  He offers Dany 13 ships to take her back to Westeros to reclaim her kingdom.  She is also offered these ships to take her away from the business of Daxos and the Thirteen.  I didn't trust him from the beginning of the chapter and I half expected him to make an attempt on Dany's life.  I think he was prodding her for information by asking about her Bloodriders and her dragons.  I also think he got more information than is safe for Dany.  I want to know how he knows about the Sons of the Harpy?  Is he involved more deeply than it seems?

Dany wakes in the morning full of hope and she seems to be ready to return to Westeros until she meets with her large group of advisers.  I kind of hoped this would begin her journey back to take the Iron Throne, but in reality she can't leave.  She freed these people and they are her responsibility now.  As the queen, she needs to finish the job.  I just fear that the cost to her will be too great and that she may not even succeed.

When she denies Daxos' request to head to Westeros he blatantly threatens her life and then declares war on her.  My first thought was "what is Tyrion getting himself into?"  Dany just made herself more enemies and they are possibly the most dangerous she has had to deal with.

Chapter 15 - Davos - A mealy apple for an Onion Knight

At one point in this chapter Davos feasts on an old, mealy apple.  It wasn't what Davos wanted or what he needed, but it was what he had so he ate it anyway.  Personally, I can't stand mealy apples, but I've never been in a situation where it was my only choice.  It was all Davos could eat so he made due.  Likewise, he is now in a difficult situation in White Harbor that seems to parallel his apple predicament.

He has been sent by Stannis to bring White Harbor over to their side.  When he left, he was a part of a massive fleet of ships owned by Sallador Saan and he would have arrived in White Harbor with all of the majesty and power befitting the Hand of the King.  However, things did not continue that way as we saw in the last Davos chapter.  Saan ditched Stannis and took his remaining ships south.  Davos was forced to continue alone.  Davos has never been the most charismatic character or the most attractive.  He doesn't look like a Hand of the King or even a noble.  Without the ships and the entrance, he's not all that impressive to other lords.

So Davos is now forced to eat a mealy apple both literally and figuratively as he must make do with what he has.  He must do something to prevent White Harbor from allying themselves with the Iron Throne and becoming enemies of Stannis.  As he gleans information from the commoners in White Harbor he learns things that do not make the situation any better.  The Iron Throne has a hostage in the form of Lord Wyman's son.  As well, Lord Wyman has been building war ships that fill his harbor and fill Davos with fear.  No one knows anything about Stannis or that he even exists or where he is.  The talk is of everyone except Stannis.  The people have no interest in him and Davos recognizes the issue there.  The situation reminds me of Stannis' response to the Wildlings and how he doesn't want their love but just their loyalty and swords.  He doesn't get that they all of those things are related and necessary in varying degrees.

Davos finally decides to present himself as the Hand of the King so that he can have an audience with Lord Manderly.  I'm not sure if this is the best choice or not, but it's direct and Davos is a very direct man these days.  I really do like Davos so I hope he isn't taken prisoner.  I really liked his thoughts when he was remembering how he was mocked by Lady Selyse's men.  He reminds himself that he is the Hand of the King and he's a better man than any of them.  I could hear the frustration in his voice as he said that to himself.  Davos isn't a proud man, but he knows that he is a better man than most of the Westeros lords.  But, will a good man be enough?

Chapter 14 - Tyrion - Lucky turtles

Tyrion is continuing on his path to Dany.  I hope he makes it there soon though I am enjoying these new characters such as Duck, Griff, Young Griff, and Lemore.  I wonder if we'll see Young Griff throughout the series.  He seems to be an up-and-coming type of character.  He's young, learned, and proficient with a blade.  His age could very easily make him a suitable underling for Tyrion to take under his dwarfish wing.

Tyrion is such a dirty, dirty imp which always makes me laugh.  It's so interesting that he was, at one point, planning to become a septon which is a holy profession.  Now, he is quite far from holy and has zero interest in anything to do with the Westeros gods.

As they travel, Tyrion has been given the task of putting all that he knows of dragon lore to paper.  He's like a walking, drinking dragon encyclopedia.  Dany will have much use for someone like him.  I imagine it will be a happy task for Tyrion when he finally sets his eyes on the only living dragons.  Based on how busy Dany is, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tyrion become closer to her dragons than she as he could very well be training them himself.

At the end of this chapter, Tyrion and the others spy a gigantic turtle; a turtle larger even than their boat.  That has got to be freaky.  I know I wouldn't want to see something like that.  Apparently, the turtle is the "old man of the river" and is a sign of blessing.  Whether that is true we will have to wait and see.

Tyrion ends with this thought in regards to seeing the turtle: "And why not?", Tyrion grinned, "Gods and wonders always appear, to attend the birth of kings."  I'm puzzled by the meaning of that thought.  I may just need to re-read the chapter to pick up the meaning however.

Chapter 13 - Bran - Well, that was not what I was expecting

I'm really loving the Bran chapters in this book.  This one was full of the awesome.  For one, we get a scene that made me hold my breath as I read it.  Then, we finally get to meet the Three-Eyed Crow, who is a different type of crow than I was expecting.  From what I gathered from the chapter, he was a crow in the sense that he was a member of the Night's Watch.  Now, he is a rotting body on some kind of throne with Weirwood roots growing through his body.  I like it.  It surprised me and I just want to know more about him.  How did he get here?  Where did he get his powers that let him watch the Starks and communicate through dreams?  Was Bran the only Stark that this Crow ever talked to?

The scene before this one was awesome and exciting and it'll make for some great TV once the HBO series makes it to this point.  Even the pages of my book felt a little cold as I followed Bran and the others up the snowy hill across the unbroken snow.  The fact that the snow was unbroken was eerie.  I didn't know that wights don't leave footprints in the snow.  Then, as the wights rose as if appearing out of thin air, I think I even got goosebumps.  The chaos of the scene was frightening and I wasn't sure who was going to make it out alive.  Knowing Martin, I wouldn't have been surprised if Meera or Jojen was taken by the dead men.  I wouldn't have put it past Martin to kill Hodor here.  (That would have been great for Bran)  But, everyone makes it through alive and into the cave and we meet our first Child of the Forest.

I assume that Coldhands survived, but he cannot follow Bran and the others into the cave so we don't see him again.  We once again see that whatever magic blocks the wights also blocks him which reinforces the connection between him and them.  As well, we get confirmation that Coldhands was killed by the Others from the Child of the Forest.  Again, it's what we figured, but it's nice to read it.

If the first scene had me holding my breath, the final one had me doing the opposite.  The exchange between Bran and the Crow was so good that I couldn't express my reaction in any way other than with a single "whoa".  Bran can't be fixed.  He will remain broken and he will not walk.  But he will fly.  Now, he just needs a dragon.




Also, I keep thinking Dany, Jon, Bran, and Tyrion are all going to end up together which leads to this picture in my head of the "Targaryen Super Friends" or something made up of the four of them.  They'd be like a Westeros superhero squad.  I already have their names, too.  There'd be The Dragon Queen, their leader, with her incredible beauty, resistance to fire, and the ability to tame dragons! Next would be Warg-Boy with his half-sidekick/half-weapon Hodor and his deadly wolf Summer!  Then there's The Imp with his amazing intellect, mismatched eyes, and his ability to find even the best hidden whorehouses!  Finally, there's Lord Commander wielding his Valyrian blade and followed by his albino wolf, Ghost!

Chapter 12 - Reek - Oh, poor, poor Theon (not really)

This surely is the book of surprise character appearances!  We got a Davos chapter earlier and now we get a Theon chapter!  How far poor, pathetic Theon has fallen.  He had such high hopes.  He was going to rule Winterfell for his father.  He was going to impress all of the Ironborn with his mad skillz.  Apparently, he was hoping to marry Sansa one day and have Ned as a father-in-law (I would have never guessed that before).  Now, Theon isn't even Theon.  He's Reek (rhymes with meek, weak, and bleak coincidentally).

So, he's missing a bunch of fingers and toes, which he catalogs at some point.  He's missing teeth, too.  His body is disgustingly thin except for his swollen, empty stomach.  I'm surprised he still has both eyes.  I keep picturing Alfie Allen with all of these characteristics now since I've watched the HBO series.  I wonder if Alfie has read this book and sees where his character is headed.  No more women of the night for Alfie-Theon!

He's almost lost his mind at this point.  He can't remember his name, fake or real, and he's not even sure if he's grown into an old man.  When he looks at his hands and they look old, he starts to think that the boys could be the sons of the boys he remembers from before.  Wow...that's called craaaaaaaaazy.  You almost feel sorry for Theon.  He's losing his mind.  He's been brutally tortured for, by the sound of it, the fun of Ramsey Bolton.  Flaying sounds absolutely awful and ridiculously painful.  So, I felt bad for the guy and then I remembered the crap he pulled in Winterfell and how he screwed Robb over and then faked the death of Bran and Rickon.  The guy is a tool and he's not even a smart one about it.  Much like Joffrey, he's getting what he deserves though I'd have preferred Joffrey to have gotten flayed and Theon to have been poisened.  I dislike Joffrey a heck of a lot more than I dislike Theon for some reason.

So, Ramsey has Theon brought up to him during a meal.  The responses from the other people eating are hilarious.  The one guy sitting with Ramsey is insulted that Ramsey would bring someone who smells as bad as Theon up to the room while he's eating.  The guy doesn't even blink an eye at the fact that he's been tortured and imprisoned.  He's worried that he's lost his appetite for his cherry danish.  Priorities!

I wonder what Ramsey has planned for Theon.  I think that he has broken Theon for some carefully planned purpose.  He could have offed him at any point before now.  He could have also physically damaged him a lot worse than he has.  Theon is going to serve him in some way and I'm guessing it's going to suck for Theon.  At least he'll get some fresh air now and he won't smell like vomit.

Ramsey Bolton's plan might be related to the fake Arya (or Fakarya should I say) being brought to marry him.  We know that Arya is far away, but no one else does and so the Lannisters are still parading Fakarya around and are going to use her to secure Winterfell now that Sansa is missing and Tyrion is a fugitive.  Maybe Theon is going to be used to corroborate that the girl is the real Arya Stark.  We know that he'll say (and eat) anything now.

Poor, poor Theon.  Things are not looking too bright for your future!

Chapter 11 - Daenerys - The queen is fearful

Things aren't getting any better for Dany and her rule.  The Sons of the Harpy group that is terrorizing her Unsullied and her city are getting bolder and bolder.  How much longer before they come after her?  I imagine they won't get close enough to harm her, but I bet they could get close enough to scare her.  She's already scared.  She admits as much when she hears of how her men were murdered.

Her decision to question the wineseller and his daughters shocked me a bit.  Actually, I should say that how she authorized them to be questioned is what shocked me.  There was no evidence that this man was involved in the murder of Dany's soldiers.  In fact, I'd wager that he had nothing to do with it.  The group that is committing these attacks seems to be much too smart to make a mistake like that.  I don't think they'd entrust the deed to the man who could be connected directly to the crime.  Yet, Dany orders the man to be questioned using what I assume is torture.  On top of that, she authorizes for his daughters to be used as leverage to force the man to provide information, information that he may not even have.  Dany initially orders the man to be questioned without torture and then changes her mind when her temper flares.  This is a dangerous thing to begin happening to her.  It reminds me a bit of her brother Viserys and perhaps her father the Mad King.  Did her father's madness begin slowly as his temper flared easier and easier and as he began to make harsh or even cruel decisions?  Perhaps or perhaps Dany is simply doing what needs to be done.

The scene in the pool is also a bit disconcerting as well.  Is Dany losing it?  Was Quaithe really there whether mentally or physically?  Or was Dany imagining the entire conversation?  Clearly no one else could hear or see her, but that doesn't mean she wasn't real.  Quaithe's foretelling is, of course very interesting.  I'm not sure who the pale mare is or who the dark flame represents.  The Kraken is probably Victarion Greyjoy.  The lion is Tyrion.  The griffin, again, I'm not sure.  The sun's son has to be Quentyn.  The mummer's dragon is also a mystery to me.  I had to look up the Undying reference because it's been a while since I read aCoK.  It'd be awesome if some of the stuff from that vision played into things that happen in this book.  Quaithe tells her to trust no one, but can she really survive as queen if she doesn't?  Can she take back Westeros?

I really liked hearing Ser Barristan's story about his escape from Westeros.  Joffrey was such a little punk.  Hearing about all of that makes me even happier that he is gone.

Lastly, we see Dany's dragons chained below the city where they can't go all Mike Tyson on any more children.  Well, we see two of them.  The other one, the scariest one, is still roaming free.  Could Dany eventually be betrayed by one of her dragons?  She keeps assuming she'll be betrayed by other humans, but her dragons are kind of like her children.  Couldn't one of them technically betray her?