Catching Up
So it's about time we caught up with events in Clash of Kings, don't you think? I've read through the chapter where Tyrion disposes of Janos Slynt. Clearly Cersei is not going to tolerate this indefinitely. I anticipate a counter-move or two on her part.
Robb is holding together his warhost with difficulty. I anticipate trouble within his own ranks. He is, after all, like Joffrey, a boy king. Many of these men will not necessarily remain loyal through thick and thin. I suspect deep trouble for Robb ahead.
Arya is headed home, but she's definitely not going to make it there. The confrontation between the gold-cloaks and Yoren was really cool. Interesting that this gang of ne'er-do-wells banded together against the gold-cloaks. But they're not out of the woods yet either. I don't anticipate Arya getting through this challenge unscathed. And I don't see her cooling her heals in Winterfell either. I'm really curious to see what will happen in her next chapter, which happens to be coming right up!
Just south of Robert Jordan
Go to
Literature-Map.com and type in George R. R. Martin. Find Martin on an author-map. Pretty cool.
The Maesters
I like the maesters. I like that there is a profession dedicated to wisdom and learning that has high respect from the power hungry and the just, the high-born and the low-born. I may be leaving something out, but I think so far the Westerosi people seem to hold the position of maester in unbesmirched esteem. (Possibly the exception being Stannis' treatment of Cressen, and that was under the influence of a conniving priestess.)
They are not apolitical, like the Night's Watch(which, for their troubles of remaining neutral have little respect from anyone, and are mostly laughed at). They do conspire with kings and with power, but in such a way, so far, that is practical and not self-aggrandizing. Whatever the nature of the ruler, it seems the maester attached to him serves to apply doses of rationality and reality, untainted by the lust for fame, power and riches. The jury is still out on Maester Pycelle, as he shared in the betrayal of Ned Stark. But I don't know that he was unjustified- his loyalty was at stake, he acted on what he knew(I think), and so far it has not been shown that personal profit or outright cruelty were at the root of his motives.
In my estimation so far, the maesters serve as, not neutral but objective and rational players in the game of thrones and the clash of kings. They are frank about the stupidity or sense of those they advise, a valuable credit to have attached to their office. They are one of few people who can critique power(again, notwithstanding Cressen's demise) and get away unscathed.
My question is, will meet any bad maesters? Is there somewhere a cruel, conniving, selfish man with the collar? Or is the office relatively free of these?
LibraryThing
The 15 most popular authors in
LibraryThing:
J. K. Rowling
Terry Pratchett
Stephen King
Neil Gaiman
C. S. Lewis
William Shakespeare
Anne McCaffrey
Isaac Asimov
Jane Austen
Orson Scott Card
Douglas Adams
Robert a. Heinlein
Anne Rice
Mercedes Lackey
Kurt Vonnegut
Interesting, isn't it, that 14 out of 15 have written at least some fantasy fiction, and maybe 11 of those are noted for writing primarily fantasy fiction. Incidentally, Martin is #72.
Stannis et al.
I've delayed getting started on "Clash" for various reasons (there are other books to be read, you know). But now I've read the prologue and see also that the next chapter is Arya's. Yup, I'm excited.
The prologue displays Martin's typical story-telling genius. The portrait of Maester Cressen is intimate (as are all Martin's characterizations) and sad. Generally speaking, the maesters seem to represent scholarly wisdom and philosophy in Martin's world. In the prologue this is set against the "priestly" function of Malisandre, which seems more potent and mysterious. Lots of fantasists have made use of the sinister priestess trope, and to tell you the truth I've never really liked it. I'm will ing to give Martin the benefit of the doubt, though. Even Malisandre's name connotes evil, and she seems to function somewhat like the sorceress-like woman who "danced with the shadows" near the end of the first book. Perhaps the "shadows" are the real story here..
Lady Selyse is yet another power-lusting woman manipulating her husband. I was a little disappointed with Martin here, because this is another stock female character. Still, the interwoven backstories of Ser Davos, Stannis, and Cressen are brilliantly uncovered here. I've been expecting to discover that Stannis has some sort of ace-up-his-sleeve that would really shake things up, but it's not clear how Malisandre provides that advantage. If indeed she does wield power and place it at the disposal of Stannis, it will not ultimately be for his sake. He is but a pawn in some larger game, I suspect.
Predictions, continued
Robb: Right now, Robb is in a pretty good position. I don't think his comfort will last long. I would almost say that opposition will come from within, if not for the rousing show of support that AGOT ended with. But anything is possible. Robb will need to use Jaime Lannister as a bargaining tool to get Sansa, and as far as he knows Arya, back. He may come to a point of treaty with the Lannisters over this, although the issue of his fealty will cause continued struggle. He will face opposition from Renly and Stannis as well. He will make mistakes of passion and of inexperience. His alliance will at least threaten to break up because of this. He seems like one who could be marked for death, if not in
Clash.
Bran: Bran presents a problem-- his position makes him not eligible for many scenarios that one might surmise. His youth prevents him from command or influence, at least directly(although is he is the sitting lord of Winterfell.) His crippled condition prevents him from much physical contribution to the plot. His position at Winterfell seems rather quiet, being to far south for the problems of the Wall, and to far north for the problems of the war. Could this be a opportunity for Martin to really delve into the person of Bran in a way that doesn't drive the plot forward? He is a master of this, although he simultaneously makes every chapter count, if sometimes not until the very end. In other words, there is never a chapter that is
strictly character sketch. The other thing to note is that his killer failed the first time, and he is still capable of recalling his secret and damaging the Lannisters. With a green boy in command and all the veterans dead or with Robb, Winterfell is relatively undefended, especially from the type of covert action that once tried to take Bran's life. I'll go with this thread. There is a more serious attempt, not only to kill Bran, but undermine the very existence of Winterfell, and Bran must become a problem solver, or lose what little he has left.
Catelyn: Finally, the lady of Winterfell. I fear this may be another who will not survive the series. Yes, I think Catelyn and Robb are potential crow-food. Tyrion does not forget his grudge and sends vengeance calling. She has a daring last stand on a cliff, perhaps in the Vale of Arryn, and bravely takes down many of the enemy as she plummets to her death. But not before she has helped Robb wreak considerable destruction on Lord Tywin and Joffrey.
Hee hee, some of these are pretty simplistic, I know, and probably nowhere near the truth.
Okay, I accept the challenge. With the understanding that all these predictions are probably going to be blown out of the water (after all , everyone keeps saying these books are full of surprises), here goes:
Arya I don't know who Yoren is working for but I think he can be trusted (more or less). Arya is destined for great things, but not in the company of her brothers. She becomes a guerilla leader, harrassing the Lannisters from behind their lines. She's a survivor. When the Stark fortunes are at their lowest ebb, she will be the source of hope.
Robb A likeable kid, trying to be a man, this looks like a setup for disappointment. Although AGOT ended with Robb in a militarily strong position, some new surprise is going to mess this all up big time. Something from an entirely new and unforeseen direction. Perhaps having to do with Stannis!
Daenerys Who knows? This character is the most unpredictable. With her dragons accompanying her she will win the allegiance of the heretofore women-despising Dothraki. But a Pandora's box has been opened, and she will have to contend with dark forces before turning her attention to her ultimate goal, which is to lead an invasion of Westeros.
Jon Something is going to happen to him which will separate him once and for all from the Black Brothers, who will be overwhelmed by the coming of Winter and its associated supernatural terrors. Jon becomes the defacto leader of a handful of survivors. I think we're going to be greatly surprised by what Jon discovers about Mance Rayder and about Benjen. Jon will find Benjen of course, but dying. His last words will send Jon on a mission that will put him right in the center of events to the south.
Bran Bran is destined to greatness also, but not as a warrior. He will pursue the life of a maester, and will gain great knowledge, which will be crucial when it comes to face the Others.
The long and the short of it is this: something really weird is going on in the north, and something else really weird is going on across the sea, and these two weirdnesses, forces of the supernatural, are inevitably moving toward the center, which is where the Starks and Lannisters are facing off. That little conflict will soon seem narrow and petty in the face of the cataclysm that is to come.
Predictions
In keeping with the advice I give third graders-- always make predictions! So here are my predictions for our beloved(or not) characters for
A Clash of Kings and beyond:
Arya: Given her penchant for exploration, curiosity, mystery, going solo, and getting away at the last moment, I think I can generalize a few things for her. She will get away from King's Landing.(Ok, so I read the first chapter of
Clash already.) She will return to Winterfell, or perhaps join Robb and Catelyn. Vowing to stay out of trouble, she will unintentionally stumble upon some mystery or truth that is crucial to....something. Maybe Robb's cause. She will play a major part in bringing to light this important information, though perhaps going unnoticed and unbelieved for a time. Maybe it will involve books. Or skittering around in a castle basement. Anyway, she will probably have hunters and would-be killers or kidnappers on her heels, and it will be a race against the clock.
Daenerys: (This could be most interesting to see if I'm anywhere near the truth.) Dany is the last Targaryen, believing in her right to the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. She has three baby dragons, where dragons were thought to have been dead for centuries. Aegon the Conqueror had three dragons. Aegon was the
first Targaryen. Will Dany name her pets Vhagar, Meraxes, and Balerion(I love those names)? Will she style herself conqueror and wreak fire across the hosts of Westeros? Dany also has a band of straggler Dothraki at her beck and call. She is able to win their affection, and wily enough to use them to her advantage. This will be the beginning of an army she raises to cross the sea and confront the "kings," if not in this book. What the heck, I'll get specific. By the end
Clash she will have a vast army at her back and be preparing to sail for her native land.
Sansa: Seven hells, have you learned your lesson yet, girl? Sansa will remain a prisoner of the boy king and sink into deeper and deeper misery. We may even see a barely stymied wedding, a la
Princess Bride. Or we may just see a wedding, plain and simple. Ooh, I know. Arya will have a nagging conscience and find it in her to go and rescue her sister against all odds. Or maybe she'll just end up drowning herself in a river.
Tyrion: Tyrion will take the king in hand, and the council, and his sister. Perhaps all of King's Landing. He will do everything his lord father wanted and more. And he will come out smelling remarkably like a rose. He will discover the truth abou Jon Arryn, and his knife, and there will be retribution. He will attempt a rescue of Jaime, but if it succeeds, there will be a great cost to House Lannister. Perhaps their hold on the throne.
Jon: I have believed, since Jon took the black, that his story would somehow wind back around and intertwine with Robb's and the other kids'. This sweep of the land north of the wall will prove Jon a true hero, moreso than already, and his duty with the watch will take him, at some point, to a position of help to Robb and the Starks. I am convinced, whatever the Old Bear says, the Watch, the Wall, and their concerns of the coming winter are not independent from the war, the throne, and the Starks. Perhaps this is where Arya will end up, given her love for Jon. Finally, Jon will find and liberate Benjen Stark, a prisoner of Mance Rayder.
I will have to continue this later, but this is shaping up to be pretty fun. I haven't predicted anyone's death yet, I suppose I shouldn't leave out that possibility!
