A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin

In the third book, Joffrey Baratheon was poisoned at his wedding feast and Tyrion Lannister was accused by his sister of the crime. The guest Oberyn Martell became Tyrion's champion but was killed by Gregor Clegane. Tyrion escapes with help of his brother Jaime. Tyrion however confronted and killed his father and Shae.

Brienne of Tarth searches for the Stark sisters to keep her promise to Catelyn and Jaime.

Arya Stark goes to Braavos because she has nowhere to go and she remembered the offer given to her previously.

Sansa Stark escapes King's Landing and pretends she's Petyr Baelish's daughter. During their stay at  the Eyrie, Littlefinger murdered Lysa Arryn. Now they both have to keep up the pretense of being father and daughter. 

Cersei Lannister thinks she's in control of the realm, but she's ran out of friends and allies and sees enemies everywhere she turns. Maybe Cersei's hold is finally slipping away especially now that Jaime is tired of taking part in her schemes.

Samwell Tarly has to go to Oldtown to keep Aemon Targaryen safe from Melisandre's plans and he has to train as the new maester for the Watch. He's scared of the trip however and of the consequences when his father finds out of Jon Snow's plans for him.

Seastone Chair or Iron Islands is empty. Balon Greyjoy's death left people undecided who should succeed him. The brothers Evron and Victarion and daughter Asha want the throne. To solve this and to gain the blessing of his god, Aeron calls a Kingsmoot.

Dorne wants to avenge Oberyn Martell but the Lord of Sunspear Doran Martell does not want any trouble with King's Landing. Plotters want to create trouble to start the war Doran does not want.

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A Feast for Crows tells the aftermath of the events in the previous three books of A Song of Ice and Fire series. The "crows," which are the survivors, are scavenging for scraps. Some of the characters affected by the wars are initiating change and some are just picking up where they left off. The stories are set mostly in King's Landing, Dorne, Braavos and the Iron Islands.

The book introduces several new characters and is told from different points-of-view. * The tone of the narrators is more like a preparation of big things to happen like those that culminated in book three, but is a close-up of just half of the story. In fact, I do not know what to make of the sudden change of pace and style in this fourth installation. The pace is slower. The characters are certainly more introspective than in the previous three books. It is a style I'm quite familiar with (and quite fond of) in other series I've read, but I do not know yet how will this affect the succeeding books in this series. 

There is more magic, less large-scale battles, and a sudden focus on the different religions and gods both old and new  and who seem to suddenly play  important roles. The prophecies and dreams, particularly those involving Cersei and Daenerys, seem to be more significant. Some people and traditions are introduced, adding more diversity to the world that was introduced to the reader.

I can't help but notice as well the gap between releases of each book in the series. It might not be such an issue (okay, it is if you've waited for years unlike me who started the series just recently) if not for the change in style and pace in this book. I think by now however, the readers who are already hooked with the series are willing to endure the wait to find out what will happen to their favorite character.

Rating: 8 out of 10

*

The Prophet (Aeron Greyjoy/Damphair)

The Captain of the Guards (Areo Hotah)

Cersei

Brienne

Samwell

Arya

Jaime

Sansa

The Kraken's Daughter (Asha Greyjoy)

The Soiled Knight (Ser Aerys Oakheart)

The Iron Captain (Victarion Greyjoy)

The Drowned Man (Aeron)

The Queenmaker (Arianne Martell)

Alayne (Sansa)

The Reaver (Victarion)

Cat of the Canals (Arya)

The Princess in the Tower (Arianne)