A Feast for Crows

A Feast for Crows
by George R.R. Martin
A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4
read: 2013

The first three novels of A Song of Ice and Fire move the plot forward continuously, but George R.R. Martin takes the series in a different direction for book four, A Feast for Crows. Several of the point-of-view characters from the first three novels don't appear here, and the story spreads out in scope to encompass some settings that had been largely ignored in the earlier books, notably the Iron Islands and Dorne.

We also see more detail on two elements that had been touched on in the previous books. One is religion. Arya takes refuge at a church of the Many-Faced God in Braavos, and the head there suggests that the Many-Faced God (death) is worshipped in all religions, for instance as the Stranger in the Faith of the Seven. We also get some insight into the Drowned God and the Storm God and the religion of the Iron Islanders. The leadership of the Faith of the Seven changes, and we see both Cersei and Brienne interacting with the new, more pious heads.

The role of the "common man" also comes to the forefront. The changes in the Seven are propped up by popular support, Doran Martell is very concerned with the popular reaction to his moves in Dorne, and Aeron Greyjoy calls a kingsmoot where the new King of the Iron Islands is elected by popular acclaim. "It is being common-born that is dangerous, when the great lords play their game of thrones," a character says at one point. By this, the fourth novel, the common folk are tired of being trampled on and less interested in who has the best "claim" to the throne than what is best for their well-being. It will be interesting to see if this populist movement continues in the remaining books.