A Feast for Crows: A Song of Ice and Fire

by George R R Martin, 753 pages

The 4th book in A Song of Ice and Fire is quite different from the first 3 in the series. The narrative voices of some of the major characters are not included, and new characters are introduced. I miss some of my favorites, but there was enough continuity in the story to get me through it.

Martin claims this a just half of what was to be book 4, and that book 5 (A Dance With Dragons) is the other half. I wonder since there were so many years between the two stories publication dates. While it's not really filler, there is quite a bit of background and stories from the outer fringes of Westeros. So that gives it a kind of "Meanwhile, back at the ranch..." feeling.

That said, I did enjoy the book and the variety of settings. We still followed Jaime, Cersei and Brienne through different parts of Westeros. To me, Brienne emerges as more of a heroic character, and Jaime reveals new facets of his dark and complex character. Though I will say some of the scenes on the Iron Islands and in Dorne didn't engage me as much because I didn't know or didn't like some of the characters there. I am assuming they will play a larger role in later volumes.

So, all in all, it's worth reading to keep in touch with all the plot elements but I just didn't find it as engaging as the first three books.

The library recently acquired 2 volumes of The Art of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. This image of Jaime Lannister in his King's Guard armor is from the first volume.  The picture below is from the new cover for A Feast of Crows, so there is a lot of interest in creating art to go along with the stories. It sounds like a beautiful new illustrated edition.

A Personal Devil: A Magdalene la Batarde Mystery

by Roberta Gellis, 324 pages

I took an elevator ride with Roberta Gellis some years ago and asked her if she was finished with the Roselynde Chronicles, her historical romance series. She said she was, because the main characters were getting to an age where she would have to start killing them off! She said she was going to write some fantasy and dabble in a few other genres.

A month or so ago I came across the first title in her medieval mystery series, which was called A Mortal Bane. I just finished this title and intend to read all of the series.

I enjoyed the well-drawn sleuth characters of Magdalene and Sir Bellamy of Itchen. A medieval scholar, Ms Gellis creates an authentic world for her characters to move through. Ms Gellis has made an interesting choice for her protagonist, since Magdalene is the proprietess of a house of ill-repute. Ironically called The Old Priory Guesthouse, Magdalene's house fills a niche in 12th century London, a place where gentlemen can enjoy female company in complete privacy. I won't spoil the story by telling you why Magdalene's establishment is unique, but because it is so, the female characters in the novels have more freedom than most women of the day.

By turns intriguing, funny and thoughtful, the books in this series will satisfy readers in the historical mystery genre.