This one really builds on the first one. Enjoyable, but also more dreary. In hindsight, it feels like a bridge to get from book one to book three, which are both five star reads. But there were some interesting new developments. You meet Jojen and Meera. You see the house of the undying. You get some interesting glimpses of Cersei form Tyrion's point of view. Sansa continues her arc of maturing from her knight fairy tales. Robb wins some battles (by finding paths only a wolf could sniff out). Jon goes beyond the wall. Theon gets more insufferable with every chapter. You get the battle of Blackwater (where you're really not sure which side you're rooting for). Good book, but super excited for the next book.

This one really builds on the first one. Enjoyable, but also more dreary. In hindsight, it feels like a bridge to get from book one to book three, which are both five star reads. But there were some interesting new developments. You meet Jojen and Meera. You see the house of the undying. You get some interesting glimpses of Cersei form Tyrion's point of view. Sansa continues her arc of maturing from her knight fairy tales. Robb wins some battles (by finding paths only a wolf could sniff out). Jon goes beyond the wall. Theon gets more insufferable with every chapter. You get the battle of Blackwater (where you're really not sure which side you're rooting for). Good book, but super excited for the next book.