Simply put, books 4 and 5 were letdowns compared to the first three.  I enjoy GRRM's writing style and I love the world he has built, however it is my opinion that the layout of these two books were a bad decision that has negatively affected the overall plan and momentum of the series.

Both books basically cover the same timespan with the characters split between them.  A bad decision as far as story management goes.  I would recommend using one of the guides you can find online to read the two books together.

My next problem is the amount of new characters and storylines that were added.  Many of them (if not most) were just not entertaining and Im worried will prove to be unnecessary.  Yet our favorite characters stories were watered down and started moving at a snails pace (Dany, Jon, Tyrion), or were simply rarely visited (Bran) in what I assume to be a case of stalling.  Stalling for what? - I don't know but Im hoping (HOPING!!!) Winds will answer all of that for us.

Ultimately, my opinion is that these two books are where the story simply got away from GRRM.  He admitted he struggled with them and originally wanted to fast forward a few years.  Well, instead of fast forwarding, he expanded and slowed it down; and once Feast was published, he had no choice but to do that same thing with Dance.

I'm worried that IF the series is ever finished, we're going to look back at these two books and realize there was no reason for them to be as long and drawn out as they were.  It would not surprise me if he's having a hard time reigning everything back in with Winds.  He expanded so much in Feast and Dance but hes got to start reigning things in with Winds or completing the series will be a hopeless cause.

Recommendation:  Re-read books 4 and 5 together, at the same time.  Or even read them together the first time.  Guides can be found on the internet telling you which order to read the chapters in.
Simply put, books 4 and 5 were letdowns compared to the first three. I enjoy GRRM's writing style and I love the world he has built, however it is my opinion that the layout of these two books were a bad decision that has negatively affected the overall plan and momentum of the series. Both books basically cover the same timespan with the characters split between them. A bad decision as far as story management goes. I would recommend using one of the guides you can find online to read the two books together. My next problem is the amount of new characters and storylines that were added. Many of them (if not most) were just not entertaining and Im worried will prove to be unnecessary. Yet our favorite characters stories were watered down and started moving at a snails pace (Dany, Jon, Tyrion), or were simply rarely visited (Bran) in what I assume to be a case of stalling. Stalling for what? - I don't know but Im hoping (HOPING!!! ) Winds will answer all of that for us. Ultimately, my opinion is that these two books are where the story simply got away from GRRM. He admitted he struggled with them and originally wanted to fast forward a few years. Well, instead of fast forwarding, he expanded and slowed it down; and once Feast was published, he had no choice but to do that same thing with Dance. I'm worried that IF the series is ever finished, we're going to look back at these two books and realize there was no reason for them to be as long and drawn out as they were. It would not surprise me if he's having a hard time reigning everything back in with Winds. He expanded so much in Feast and Dance but hes got to start reigning things in with Winds or completing the series will be a hopeless cause. Recommendation:  Re-read books 4 and 5 together, at the same time. Or even read them together the first time. Guides can be found on the internet telling you which order to read the chapters in.