"Sleep is good and books are better."

My enjoyment of this book grows with each read. I rated it so low when I first read it because of all of the war planning and battles but when I reread it, I appreciated it so much and there was even more to appreciate this time around.

I think book 1 delivers better on relationships than book 2 does. Book 2 develops certain characters well and develops the overall plot, but it feels like the relationships take a bit of a backseat this time.

Favourite characters (book 2):

• Daenerys Targaryen 

• Cersei Lannister

• Catelyn Stark

• Davos Seaworth

• Stannis Baratheon

• Jon Snow

World building:

The incredible world building continues. The magic is more apparent, with Melisandre's introduction and the growing dragons, but overall still quite subtle. 

Atmosphere

As with AGoT, the majority of my favourite moments took place in the North. GRRM does atmosphere so well and some of the best examples are in his descriptions of The Wall and Winterfell. The description of the scale and natural features of Winterfell are brilliant. The Battle of the Blackwater was amazing! The descriptions are great and there are some differences between how it plays out in the book and in the show, and I wish the show had some of those scenes.

Cannot wait to revisit A Storm of Swords again!