A Song of Ice and Fire IV: A Feast for Crows

The war in the Seven Kingdoms was suppressed. The consequences left a painful mark on all sides. Although devastated by the pain of the death of her first-born son, Cersei Lannister tries with all her might to retain power. Robb Stark's campaign ended brutally at the Blood Wedding. Stannis Baratheon is encamped at the Wall and, with the help of Supreme Commander Jon Snow, is trying to win over the princes of the North. On the Iron Islands, a new king is decided and a conquering campaign to the Western Lands is forged. And Dorne is divided – while some seek revenge for Prince Oberyn, others seek to maintain peace. Arya Stark is on Braavos. Fate has planned a completely unexpected path for her. Rumors about Tyrion and Daenerys are spreading faster and faster...

In Feast of Crows we meet new characters, which is a welcome change in a series where many main characters have disappeared. Probably the most interesting newcomer is Asha Greyjoy, the self-proclaimed daughter of a kraken who defies all the laws of tradition. Cersei Lannister bursts in all her evil splendor and, of course, impresses with steadfastness. The war may be officially over, but the fighting is still going on as the survivors fight for the remnants and desperately try to forge new alliances, refusing to accept defeat.

A Song of Ice and Fire is an exhaustive study of power, which each part of the series illuminates from a different angle. In The Feast of Crows, the fragility of the much-desired power is shown. No one is safe on the throne, and plots and frauds are on everyone's heels. The bloodthirsty struggle for power claimed many lives, no one was spared, so there is actually no real winner. None of them is on the victorious throne. Maybe only crows.