Storm of Swords is the high mark for A Song of Ice and Fire. Rewarding through this middle chapter of the fantasy epic, you can really tell that Martin has hit his stride with the balance of action, exposition, and world building.

Characters that we have followed through out the first three books are given even more time to grow in front of us, and feel aged beyond their actual years l. Two examples I want to highlight are Sansa and Daenerys.

This book is where Sansa sheds her skin as a young girl, naive to what her actual position is and begins to politic her way around Kings Landing, even if for a time it seems she will be stuck married to Tyrion.

Daenerys on the other hand, who we forget is still a young girl because of the decisions she has made and leadership she has displayed, shows more of her younger side, especially when it comes to dealing with Jorah and who she keeps on her inner council.

My favorite of the new POVs is Jamie. His growth from pompous, spoiled Lannister to a defeated, insecure, but possibly more honorable knight is masterclass and something I will not forget.

I do think some characters like Arya and Davos take a step back in this book, more because the focus was not on them but events that happened around them and less about the actual writing of their chapters.

Also the Epilogue of this books is well done and where the books and the shows start to splinter. It is a introduction to a unique character that was not given their due in the show, which was less because of it.