I am not sure if Martin has simply lost interest in this project, has become distracted, or simply been overwhelmed...Or if editors have helped or hindered him. Though, I think it is telling that one of his editors admits he's left a book's worth of material on the cutting room floor.

The book somehow manages to feel both too meandering and too rushed at the same time. And I can't help but feel that some of his experience in writing scripts for the HBO series has rubbed off on how he writes the books. In fact, I'm certain of it.

If so, we're all the poorer for it.

I can't imagine events being wrapped up in two books, given what he chose to spend so much time on in this one...and we'll have to wait ten years to find out.

Martin was probably a bit too cruelly gratuitous in his cliffhangers. Reading this book might be a much different experience as part of a completed series, but taken alone, is painful, and not as re-readable as the first 3 books.
I am not sure if Martin has simply lost interest in this project, has become distracted, or simply been overwhelmed... Or if editors have helped or hindered him. Though, I think it is telling that one of his editors admits he's left a book's worth of material on the cutting room floor. The book somehow manages to feel both too meandering and too rushed at the same time. And I can't help but feel that some of his experience in writing scripts for the HBO series has rubbed off on how he writes the books. In fact, I'm certain of it. If so, we're all the poorer for it. I can't imagine events being wrapped up in two books, given what he chose to spend so much time on in this one... and we'll have to wait ten years to find out. Martin was probably a bit too cruelly gratuitous in his cliffhangers. Reading this book might be a much different experience as part of a completed series, but taken alone, is painful, and not as re-readable as the first 3 books.