George R.R. Martin's superb and highly acclaimed epic fantasy A Song of Ice and Fire continues with the third in the series A Storm of Swords. There is passion here, and misery and charm, grandeur and squalor, tragedy, nobility and courage. Unabridged and split into two parts. The Seven Kingdoms are divided by revolt and blood feud, and winter approaches like an angry beast. Beyond the Northern borders, wildlings leave their villages to gather in the ice and stone wasteland of the Frostfangs. From there, the renegade Brother Mance Rayder will lead them South towards the Wall.
The men of the Night's Watch are ready for the coming of a great cold and the walking corpses that travel with it. But now they face a horde of wildlings twenty-thousand strong - hungry savage people steeped in the dark magic of the haunted wilderness - poised to invade the Kingdom of the North where Robb Stark wears his new-forged crown. But Robb's defences are ranged against attack from the South, the land of House Stark's enemies the Lannisters. His sisters are trapped there, dead or likely yet to die, at the whim of the Lannister boy-king Joffrey or his depraved mother Cersei, regent of the Iron Throne. Cersei's ambition is unfettered while the dwarf Tyrion Lannister fights for his life, a victim of treachery. And on the other side of the ocean, the last of the Targaryens rears the dragons she hatched from her husband's funeral pyre. Daenerys Stormborn will return to the land of her birth to avenge the murder of her father, the last Dragon King on the Iron Throne.
©2011 George R. R. Martin (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
"Colossal, staggering... Martin captures all the intoxicating complexity of the Wars of the Roses or Imperial Rome in his imaginary world... one of the greats of fantasy literature." (SFX)
"Fantasy literature has never shied away from grandeur, but the sheer-mind-boggling scope of this epic has sent other fantasy writers away shaking their heads... Its ambition: to construct the Twelve Caesars of fantasy fiction, with characters so venomous they could eat the Borgias." (The Guardian)
"What happened to A Feast for Crows?"
If you've listened to the previous two books then you'll enjoy this one just as much once you get used to Roy Dotrice's narration. But now I've finished it and want to go on to A Feast for Crows but there's still no sign of it in audible, so I can either read the book (I have little time to spare, which is why I listen to audio books while I'm doing other things) or hope audible gets its act together. Why have they put out book 5 and not book 4? Come on Audible at least give us an explanation or a time scale. Good communication with your customers is half the battle. Try adding a customer questions section to your website (one that you answer questions like this!).
"Still gripping!"
Still gripping and I can't wait for the next part but unfortunately you can't downlad it from audible and its not read by Roy Dotrice if you find it anywhere else. what a let down!
"Best book so far"
It does take time to get into the stories as there are so many characters, plot lines and background history. What really helped me to follow what is happening was a website called Tower of the Hand, which has summaries of each chapter and links to biographies of all the characters.
This is my favourite book of the series so far with great battles in the north and many betrayals . Great story telling with cliffhangers in most chapters. Expect to be gripped and shocked.
"Where is book 4?"
I have loved the first 3 volumes of this audio book series but like other reviewers am wondering where is book 4? I only discovered this book series on audible and so have not 'read' this series. It now looks as if I will have to get the 'paper' copy. Why produce book 5 before book 4?
I love Roy Dotrice's narration. He has a wonderful voice.
"No feast of crows"
I have found a feast of crows on the US site by a different narrator (Roy Dotrice was busy apparently) but don't understand why we can't get it in the uk!?!?
"where is the 4th book?"
like the poster above me, i am annoyed that audible have missed the 4th book and jumped straight to the 5th.
I have started the 5th book without releasing there was a 4th book, simply because it is missing from this site....
"Great Listen continued..."
I love this audio book - the story is great and so exciting! The narration really helps to build the atmosphere and make you keep listening. I really, really enjoyed this audio book and I couldn't turn it off!
The audio quality is also up to the usual high standard. I would recommend this book!
"Brilliant entertainment!"
Oh my goodness! So many twists and turns! I've listened to all the books from the start and I've enjoyed every minute. The detail is fantastic and the plot intricate and fascinating. The narration is also excellent, Roy Dotrice takes you to new lands effortlessly. Total escapism!
"The BEST installment so far!! Roy Dotrice Rules!!!"
If you are a fan of the Song Of Ice and Fire series then this is probably the best book. Everything happens and gets turned on its head in ways that you just don't see coming. Every chapter is a thrill and it definately leaves you hungry for A Feast For Crows! And for the naysayers: I think Roy Dotrice is a fab narator.I love his voices for the different charaters.Lets be honest, there are so many characters in this series, its very difficult for one person to come with different voices for each.I think Roy does a great job. If you haven't "read" this book you owe it to yourself to get a copy!!!
"Continuing The Journey"
I have been totally immersed in the terrible, brutal world that Martin continues to lead his readers/listeners through. No spoilers here but warning to anyone about to start this book: don't get too attached to any of the well rounded characters in this engrossing tale as you can't tell which of them will come out the other side. Well worth the credit!!