A Storm of Swords is the third book in A Song of Ice and Fire, a series by George R. R. Martin. This book chronicles the events that take place in between the second and fourth seasons of the Game of Thrones TV show.
Like the previous two books, A Storm of Swords is broken up into several different chapters, each focusing on a different character. Some characters that receive significant focus in this book include Arya Stark, Catelyn Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, Robb Stark, Sansa Stark, Jon Snow, and Tyrion Lannister.
Many dramatic events take place in this book that leave readers with an overwhelming feeling of suspense and anticipation. Readers will have to wait until at least 2020 for the next book in the series due to George R. R. Martin’s busy schedule with his other novels and TV shows.
Daenerys and Jorah
As Daenerys sets off from Qarth, she does so without Jorah. He is left behind, and he swears to stay behind in order to keep an eye on thePyntoi and Vashnis, who now know of Dany’s dragons and desire them.
This is a pivotal point for their relationship. Jorah has always been protective of Daenerys, but now he is protecting her from something that is close to her. By staying behind, he shows how much his loyalty extends to her.
His actions also show his recognition of just how far away she is from him in terms of status and culture. He knows that she needs this time alone to grow as a person before returning to Westeros, so he lets her go without him.
Arya and The Hound
The second chapter follows the unlikely duo of Arya Stark and Sandor Clegane, a.k.a The Hound. Having escaped King’s Landing just in time, they find themselves on the road to northern territory, having to avoid capture at every turn.
Arya has assumed the guise of a peasant girl while The Hound has donned the armor of a Lannister soldier, making it easier to pass through checkpoints. However, they are still in danger as soldiers are checking all passing caravans and wagons.
Throughout their journey, we see glimpses of Arya’s personality come through as she slips into her “Waif” persona that she developed while training at the House of Black and White. She also displays her distrust for anyone who shows kindness towards her due to her past experiences with The Hound.
Finally reaching Sansa and Bran in Winterfell, it is revealed that it was Arya in disguise and not Waif! A happy reunion takes place between sisters as Bran declares that he is now Winterfell’s Warden.
Bran and Samwell
Two important characters in A Storm of Swords make their first appearances in this book: Samwell Tarly and Bran Stark.
Samwell is introduced as a new recruit to the Night’s Watch, hailing from Horn Hill. He comes from a noble family, and his father demands that he leave the Wall, but Samwell remains strong in his conviction and joins the Watch.
As we find out later, this is because he discovered something incredibly important while studying at the Citadel in Oldtown: he found a cure for Greyscale, the disease that killed Jorah Mormont’s wife.
Samwell is afraid that if he leaves the Night’s Watch, someone else will take his place and claim credit for discovering the cure. By staying at the Wall, he ensures that no one else gets it except him!
Bran Stark also begins to awaken his warg abilities during this book. We see him dream of his father Eddard Stark fleeing into hiding, only to be betrayed and killed by Lord Littlefinger at Felton Transitional Tower in King’s Landing.
Jon and Ramsay
Jon Snow has had a tense relationship with the Bolton family for most of the novels, and this doesn’t change in the TV show.
Somewhat simplified, in the novels Jon finds out about his true heritage as a Snow and that he’s married to a Wildling, so he leaves to join her.
In the TV show, this is what happens instead: Ramsay threatens Sansa with physical and sexual violence while holding her captive at Winterfell. She tells him she’s no longer afraid of him since he can’t hurt her any more, so he sends word to Jon that if he comes after him, it will be Sansa that pays the price.
This leads to one of the most heartbreaking scenes in season six: Sansa tells Jon she doesn’t know who she is anymore, but if he goes after Ramsay then she knows who he is, and it isn’t a good thing.
Cersei and Jamie
While the War of the Five Kings rages, there’s a quieter battle being fought in King’s Landing: the long-running war between queen mother Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime.
It’s a struggle that runs much deeper than who will rule the Seven Kingdoms. It’s about identity, morality, love, and whether either of those things can conquer hate.
Cersei has hated herself for years, ever since she was gang raped by Joffrey’s guards when he first came to the throne. She has channeled all that self-hatred into hatred of Tyrion and Jaime — and now it seems as though she is also hating her daughter-not just for stealing her place as heir to the throne, but also because she looks so much like Joffrey. (We know that isn’t true, but Cersei doesn’t.)
All this is bubbling up now while she sits in prison — ironically enough — accused of treason against Daenerys Targaryen (who actually did have a right to the Iron Throne).
Brienne and Podrick
Continuing with characters we love, let’s talk about Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne. These two have become fan favorites, and it is easy to see why: they are loyal, brave, and very different characters who complement each other well.
Brienne is a strong woman who fights for those she believes should not suffer injustice. She has an unwavering sense of right and wrong, which can sometimes get her in trouble.
Podrick is a young man who has to grow into his role as a squire and then as a knight. He learns what it means to be noble and how to be courageous through his adventures with Brienne.
These two have their own stories that continue in A Storm of Swords, Part 2: Blood and Gold (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3).
The Wall
The Wall is a huge fortification that separates the north of the realm from the south. It is made of ice and is hundreds of feet tall.
Only people who have been assigned to the Night’s Watch, an order that has stood for thousands of years, are allowed to live on the wall. Newcomers must live in a small cell and earn their place among the brothers of the Night’s Watch.
The Night’s Watch takes a vow of celibacy as well. This is so that all loyalties are to the watch and not to any family members outside of it. It also helps weed out potential enemies to the kingdom.
There have been instances where people have broken their vows, however.
Varys and Littlefinger
Along with the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryens, Varys and Littlefinger are among the most influential players in King’s Landing. As a eunuch and a master of coin, Varys has tremendous influence in the bureaucracy of the capital.
He also has many informers, having cultivated relationships with people in all levels of society over the course of his long tenure as master of coin.
Littlefinger is one of his earliest allies. He was originally a minor northern lord who moved to King’s Landing to make his fortune, but found himself scorned and sidelined by those from higher birth.
He struck up an unlikely friendship with Varys (who was born a slave in Essos) and became one of his most trusted lieutenants during Robert’s reign.
Leave a Reply