A Deep Dive into A Dance with Dragons Book: Initial Reactions and In-depth Analysis

Remember when the Chicago Tribune declared A Song of Ice and Fire as “the only fantasy series I’d put on a level with J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. . . . It’s a fantasy series for hip, smart people, even those who don’t read fantasy.”?

Ugh, SHUT UP, CHICAGO TRIBUNE!

“a fantasy series for hip, smart people“… that kind of pretentious nonsense almost makes you want to ditch the whole thing. But let’s not let some bougie tagline ruin the anticipation for diving back into Westeros. Forget the hype; let’s talk about A Dance with Dragons itself.

Progress Notes: Chapter by Chapter Reactions to A Dance with Dragons

After being one of the few who genuinely appreciated A Feast for Crows, it’s still a massive relief to jump back into the perspectives of beloved characters like Tyrion, Jon Snow, and Daenerys in A Dance with Dragons book. While Arya, Brienne, and Jaime are missed, and Theon… well, poor, misguided Theon, his absence is also felt.
Immediately, Tyrion is steeped in self-pity and dwelling on the past. It’s understandable, considering he just offed his father and uncovered some truly nasty truths about his past loves. Moodiness aside, it’s compelling to see him grapple with the fallout.
Finally! The satisfying demise of Janos Slynt. And the manner of it? Perfection. Maybe it’s bloodthirsty, but that scene demanded a reread. The justice served is palpable and cathartic.
The creepy and utterly fascinating Three-Eyed Crow tree-man. Intriguing mystery. Who exactly is he? This adds a layer of ancient mystique that is classic Martin.
The return of everyone’s favorite pathetic anti-hero: Theon Greyjoy! Utterly transformed. If anyone has earned some serious torture, it’s Theon. Yet, there’s a strange hope for some kind of redemption, a flicker of the old Theon. A chuckle or two would be welcome amidst the grimness.
Let’s untangle Ramsay Snow’s backstory in A Dance with Dragons book: Bastard son of the chilling Roose Bolton… He befriends the necrophiliac Reek and together they indulge in rape and torture… After a typical session of depravity, Ramsay and Reek are ambushed; they swap clothes, Reek is killed (but everyone thinks it’s Ramsay)… the ‘new’ Reek enters Theon Turncloak’s service, manipulates him into faking Bran and Rickon’s deaths… only to betray Theon in classic evil fashion, seize Winterfell, and imprison Theon… Extensive torture ensues, transforming Theon into the new ‘Reek’… Ramsay parades Theon-Reek around and is set to marry fake-Arya to become Lord of Winterfell. Got it. Horrifically villainous, though Ramsay sometimes teeters on being two-dimensional. His father, Roose, remains the more subtly terrifying and compelling villain.
Xaro Xhoan Daxos reappears, just as passively fey and sinister as ever. A truly unique and queer character, adding an interesting flavor to Daenerys’ storyline.
The sequence with Tyrion on the Shy Maid in the ruins of Chroyane, battling the stone men: A beautifully written chapter, dripping with eerie atmosphere. A standout moment in A Dance with Dragons book so far.
Asha Greyjoy is back! Another excellent supporting character. Admirable grit, tenacity, and a healthy dose of Greyjoy wrong-headedness. And, naturally, she gets an over-the-top graphic sex scene. Martin does love to give the Greyjoys a dirty, degrading good time.
A very satisfying interaction between Davos and Wyman Manderly. Great to see the repercussions of the Red Wedding still rippling. Kill those Freys, kill them all! And a fascinating, if grim, task for steadfast Davos. Cannibals in Skagos? And what are Rickon, Shaggydog, and Osha doing there? They might just fit right in. Best of all… the return of Squire Wex! There’s an inexplicable attachment to minor characters like Wex and Podrick Payne – endearing little survivors in this brutal world. Will Pod return, or has Stoneheart truly lost it and killed a defenseless boy? Guess that’s for the next book in the series.
Melisandre gets a POV chapter. A surprise and a welcome one. She’s not a villain, just…intense. Trying to save the world, in her way. Insight into her red magic is fascinating, and a glimpse of a softer side – trying to comfort Davos, gain Jon Snow’s trust – adds depth. But the real bombshell: Mance Rayder didn’t die! That initial ‘death’ felt cheap for a major character, and it turns out it was minor villain Rattleshirt who bit the dust. Good riddance.
Daenerys’ chapters in A Dance with Dragons book are becoming a tad tiresome. Well-written and often moving, but… enough already. Time for action, less mooning over Daario Naharis.
Finally, a set-piece moment, and it belongs to Daenerys: the post-wedding pit fights chapter. Incredible. So much happening at once, subtle details, character nuances. And then the spectacular flight of Drogon and Daenerys. Wonderful. Almost makes up for the Meereen slog.
ASOIAF boasts a fine collection of “Men in the Autumn of Their Years” voices – nearly all fierce, honorable, proud, and just. Often, though, not the most thrilling. Barristan Selmy might be the new favorite. Not just a kindly badass, but we get a history lesson of Westeros pre-AGOT through his eyes. Fascinating. A Rhaegar POV would be amazing. A whole novel about Arthur Dayne, Sword of the Morning? Yes, please.
The sad, terrible end of young Quentyn Martell. Poor lad. A tragic misadventure of a life. He inherited his father’s integrity and aversion to needless violence, but none of his cunning.
An excellent epilogue. The final chapters of ASOIAF are always about reappearances, transformations, resurrections. Daenerys at the end of AGOT, fireproof with dragons. Bran alive from the ACOK vaults. Catelyn as Stoneheart at the end of ASOS. Jaqen H’ghar as Pate the Pigboy at the end of AFFC. And now Varys, returning from the shadows. Good news! Glad to see a glimpse of this favorite character, and meet his little birds. And two more major players added to the ASOIAF Death List, courtesy of Varys!

An Astro-Freudian Analysis of A Dance with Dragons Characters

Astrology and Freudian psychology might seem like realms of fantasy to some, but let’s blend them for a fun character analysis of George R.R. Martin’s A Dance with Dragons book.

Born on September 20th, Martin is a Virgo.

THE ID

Photobucket

Virgo, often linked to “the Virgin,” is mistakenly seen as sexually repressed. In fact, as an earth sign, Virgo is sensual and fertile, a sexual sign. However, Virgo is also discerning, critical of vulgarity and selfish physicality. The Id’s pleasure principle must be kept in check.

Martin embodies the Id in Theon and Asha Greyjoy in A Dance with Dragons book. He grants them ambition, pride, physicality, and a taste for violence. Their sex scenes are graphic, pornographic even, with uncouth language and a focus on degrading and aggressive/submissive behavior. And then, Martin, the Virgo author, punishes them. Asha’s failed power grab in A Feast for Crows leads to public humiliation. In Dance, a brief, explicit scene with Qarl the Maid precedes her capture and imprisonment by Stannis Baratheon. Theon’s Id runs wild in A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings: boasting, warmongering, invading Winterfell, degrading sex, and the deaths of innocents. Virgoan justice is swift: by Dance with Dragons, Theon is broken, tortured, an empty shell. The Greyjoy Id is thoroughly chastened.

THE SUPEREGO

Photobucket

A classic Virgoan trait is altruism, living for “the greater good,” at home in the Superego, the conscience. This isn’t always positive. Unrestrained Virgoan altruism can be off-putting or lead to exploitation or being trapped by their own ideals.

Martin places his Superego in many characters, often to their detriment. Eddard Stark’s conscience led to his death. Catelyn Stark’s misguided Superego got her throat slit (then resurrected as pure Id, Lady Stoneheart). Barristan Selmy’s fate is uncertain. Davos Seaworth and Jon Snow are also guided by the Superego. Davos’ unwavering loyalty to Stannis drives him through danger and loss, even of his sons. Jon Snow’s code, rebuilding the Wall, saving Wildlings, despite prejudice, earns him knives in the dark. Will he survive A Dance with Dragons book? (Well, duh, probably).

THE EGO

Photobucket

The balanced Virgo reconciles Id and Superego. Avoiding overindulgence in pleasure, vengeance, or romanticism. Reigning in intellectual and altruistic displays. A positive Virgo is in control. The Ego, the reality principle, is hard to maintain. Martin centers this balance in Daenerys and Tyrion in A Dance with Dragons book.

Early Daenerys in A Game of Thrones balanced power and love desires. Her Id was present but tempered by Ego. By A Storm of Swords, her Superego rose, culminating in the destruction of the slave trade. In A Dance with Dragons book, Daenerys is Ego personified: staying in Meereen for the greater good, yet indulging her Id with Daario Naharis, both in balance.

Tyrion similarly balances Ego, Id (lust, vengeance), and Superego (doing the right thing): supporting Jon Snow, Bran’s saddle, helping allies, preparing King’s Landing, saving Aegon. This balance makes Tyrion real, perhaps Martin’s stand-in, embodying Virgoan traits: critical, analytical, calculating, sharp-tongued. As a Virgo myself, I recognize these wondrous traits, naturally.

Summary and Overall Thoughts on A Dance with Dragons

Overall, A Dance with Dragons book is another awesome, if flawed, entry in the series. Overlong, too many names, drawn-out ordeals. MARTIN’S EDITOR, ENOUGH WITH THE REPETITIVE PHRASES ALREADY! Wider canvas, diverse perspectives, but less distinct than the female-driven, bleak A Feast for Crows. Only one true set piece: Daenerys’ flight on Drogon.

Yet, loved it. Loved returning to missed POVs and enjoyed new ones. Theon/Reek chapters were morbidly compelling. Davos chapters (too few!) were great, especially with Wyman Manderly. As Kelly and Ryan noted in their reviews, Daenerys and Jon Snow’s chapters delve into the complexities of governance, admirable for fantasy. Martin continues his study of Identity, roles and guises – a theme throughout the series: Eddard, Sansa, Jon Snow, Maester Aemon, Bran/Bloodraven, Catelyn/Stoneheart, Arya/Faceless Men, Theon/Reek, Barristan/Whitebeard, Tyrion/two names, fake Hound, hidden Aegon, disguised Quentyn, Varys, Jeyne Poole/fake Arya, Mance Rayder, not-a-princess Val, switched babies, etc.

So, despite flaws, A Dance with Dragons book is loved, from intriguing Prologue to satisfying Epilogue.

An Unsettling Character: Patchface

Photobucket

Major Player (and Semi Major Player) DEATH LIST in A Dance with Dragons

Viserys Targaryen ✔Death by Khal Drogo’s Molten Gold
Robert Baratheon ✔ Death by Lannister Encouragement in engaging in Drunken Boaring
Eddard Stark ✔Death by Joffrey’s Order & Ilyn’s Axe
Khal Drogo ✔Death by Mirri’s Poison & Daenerys’ Pillow
Renly Baratheon ✔Death by Melisandre’s Shadowspawn
Jeor Mormont ✔Death by Black Brother Treachery
Robb Stark ✔Death by Frey & Bolton Treachery
Catelyn Stark aka Lady Stoneheart (in transit)Death by Frey & Bolton Treachery
Balon Greyjoy ✔Death by Bridge Misadventure (at the direction of Euron Croweye?)
Joffrey Baratheon ✔Death by Olenna Redwyne’s Poison & Littlefinger’s Evil Littlemind
Oberyn Martell ✔Death by Gregor Clegane’s Sword & Hands
Shae ✔Death by Tyrion’s Hands
Tywin Lannister ✔Death by Tyrion’s Crossbow
Lysa Arryn ✔Death by Littlefinger’s Push
Beric Dondarrion ✔Death, Sweet Death… At Long Last!
Arys Oakheart ✔Death by Areo Hotah’s Sword
Maester Aemon ✔Death by Pneumonia, at least i think that’s what it was
Gregor Clegane aka Robert Strong (in transit)Death by Oberyn’s Poisoned Blade
Janos Slynt ✔Death by Jon Snow’s Sword
Quentyn Martell ✔Death by Daenerys’ Dragon
Grand Maester Pycelle ✔Death by Varys’s Crossbow
Kevan Lannister ✔Death by Varys’s Crossbow