Why read A Storm of Swords?

Book cover of A Storm of Swords

Book description

THE BOOK BEHIND THE THIRD SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES, AN ORIGINAL SERIES NOW ON HBO.

Here is the third volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked A Storm of Swords as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A.D. Solomon

Author

I consider A Storm of Swords one of the greatest epic fantasy works ever written and one of my ten favorites across any genre.

I love its masterful shifts in pacing, immense worldbuilding, and the way darker forces steadily rise alongside the political conflict. I suspected the Red Wedding was coming, but I still hated experiencing it, especially with so much of the story left to unfold.

I do not even mind how freely George moves characters and armies across the map because the results are so compelling. For me, the epilogue alone surpasses most full-length stories. The show omitted…

From A.D.'s list on A.D. Solomon’s favorite fantasy books to understand what makes great worldbuilding work.

C.M. Surowiec Jr.

Author

I love the way this novel portrays the relationship that can exist between humans and dragons. It is a beautiful friendship that is protective and loyal, but does not diminish their savage and vicious nature. Daenerys has raised them from hatchlings in the prior books, but in this book we start to see individual personalities developing, laying a foundation for what’s to come.

From C.M.'s list on The best fantasy novels that help you decide if dragons are good or evil.