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Though it's getting long and drawn-out I'm sticking with A Song of Ice and Fire because I love so many of the characters (mostly the original ones that GRRM hasn't killed off yet), but can't help wondering how and when it will come to a conclusion. A Dance with Dragons runs alongside the previous book exploring (mostly) a different set of characters, but there are some frustrating cliffhangers at the end, leaving some characters in an 'are-they-alive-or-dead?' scenario and, of course, no follow-on book in sight. We're moving steadily towards a confrontation between Targaryan and Lannister with a side order of Baratheon in the struggle, but if GRRM is going to tie it all up neatly I reckon it will take at least another two books.
Characters explored include Arya, Bran, Daenerys, Jon Snow (which is perhaps the most interesting story arc going on here as he continues his relationship with the Wildlings) Cersei, Tyrion (my favourite character because he's brain, not brawn), Theon (who might just be about to redeem himself) and his sister Asha. We also get some viewpoint from Davos Seaworth, who has not quite managed to capture my interest. There are new characters, such as Quentyn Martell, who is charged with finding and marrying Dany and bringing her dragons to Dorne, and a new Targaryan player about to make a bid for Westeros. (Trying to avoid major spoilers, here.)
So, A Dance With Dragons is more of the same. If you liked the previous books in the series, you'll like this one, too, but there's no way this is a stand-alone, so don't start here. As a few other people have mentioned in reviews, A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons are really two halves of one very long book since many of the story arcs parallel each other.
Bonus happening: at last someone gets to ride a dragon.
Characters explored include Arya, Bran, Daenerys, Jon Snow (which is perhaps the most interesting story arc going on here as he continues his relationship with the Wildlings) Cersei, Tyrion (my favourite character because he's brain, not brawn), Theon (who might just be about to redeem himself) and his sister Asha. We also get some viewpoint from Davos Seaworth, who has not quite managed to capture my interest. There are new characters, such as Quentyn Martell, who is charged with finding and marrying Dany and bringing her dragons to Dorne, and a new Targaryan player about to make a bid for Westeros. (Trying to avoid major spoilers, here.)
So, A Dance With Dragons is more of the same. If you liked the previous books in the series, you'll like this one, too, but there's no way this is a stand-alone, so don't start here. As a few other people have mentioned in reviews, A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons are really two halves of one very long book since many of the story arcs parallel each other.
Bonus happening: at last someone gets to ride a dragon.
