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Festin de cuervos / A Feast for Crows

Name: Festin de cuervos / A Feast for Crows
ISBN: 9780307951212

by Pond, Lily (editor), Marnie Purple (editor)

8.36 / 10 812K ratings

Language: Spanish
Published: 2012
Publisher: PRH Grupo Editorial
Pages: 869
ISBN: 9780307951212

The War of the Five Kings is over, but the land remains broken. In the capital, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister attempts to secure her hold on the Iron Throne, but her rule is poisoned by paranoia and surrounded by whispers of conspiracy. With the great armies fallen, the victors are left to pick over the bones of a ravaged kingdom, yet peace is nowhere to be found. From the sun-scorched sands of Dorne to the stormy shores of the Iron Islands, new players emerge from the shadows, each with their own claim, their own thirst for vengeance, and their own dark designs.

This is not a story of grand battles, but of the grim aftermath. It follows those left to navigate the ruins: a warrior knight on a seemingly hopeless quest, a lost daughter training in the art of death in a foreign city, and a queen-in-hiding learning the deadly game of politics. As survivors, outlaws, and renegades gather like crows over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots are formed and dangerous alliances are made. In the brutal quiet that follows the storm, the most dangerous threats are the ones no one sees coming.

Original edition

A Feast For Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4)

Originally published in 1990 English Yellow Silk

Other editions (51)

Listen to the summary Narrated summary

The War of the Five Kings has sputtered to a brutal, weary halt, leaving the Seven Kingdoms a ravaged landscape of ash and sorrow. The victors, the Lannisters, now find themselves perched precariously on the Iron Throne, ruling through the boy-king Tommen, yet their triumph feels hollow, their power fractured. Cersei Lannister, the Queen Regent, seizes the reins, her ambition boundless but her grip on reality tenuous. Surrounded by perceived enemies and genuine rivals, she spirals into paranoia, making rash decisions and alienating allies as she attempts to consolidate her hold, believing herself a shrewd player in the game of thrones, while inadvertently setting traps for her own downfall.

Her twin brother, Jaime, now without his sword hand and forever branded the Kingslayer, embarks on a different kind of quest. Sent to the Riverlands to restore order, he finds himself increasingly disenchanted with Cersei's erratic behavior and her desperate pleas. He seeks to reclaim a lost sense of honor, to keep the vows he still holds dear, even as the world around him crumbles into lawlessness and the ghosts of war linger in every burned village and broken keep. His journey is one of internal struggle, a slow awakening to the true nature of his family and the path he must forge for himself, away from the shadow of his sister.

Far from the intrigues of King's Landing, Brienne of Tarth, the Maid of Tarth, continues her solemn vow to Catelyn Stark. With Podrick Payne, Tyrion's former squire, by her side, she traverses the war-torn Riverlands, a land teeming with desperate men, broken soldiers, and the lingering threat of the Brotherhood Without Banners. Her search for Sansa Stark is relentless, a beacon of unwavering loyalty in a world devoid of it, leading her through encounters with both kindness and brutality, forcing her to confront the true cost of the conflict and the shattered lives left in its wake.

Meanwhile, Sansa Stark, hidden away in the mountainous Vale, lives under the guise of Alayne Stone, the supposed bastard daughter of Lord Petyr Baelish. Under Littlefinger's tutelage, she begins to shed her innocent skin, observing and learning the subtle, treacherous dance of court politics. She watches, she listens, and she begins to understand the true nature of power and manipulation, slowly becoming a player in her own right, her survival depending on her ability to adapt and deceive.

Across the Narrow Sea, in the Free City of Braavos, Arya Stark arrives at the House of Black and White, seeking refuge and training with the enigmatic Faceless Men. She strives to shed her identity, to become "no one," learning the ways of assassins and the secrets of death. Yet, the ghosts of her past, the names on her list, continue to haunt her, and the fierce wolf within struggles against the blank slate she is commanded to become. Her journey is one of transformation, a descent into a world of shadows and hidden faces, where identity is a mask and truth a weapon.

In the distant Iron Islands, the death of King Balon Greyjoy sparks a fierce succession crisis. A King's Moot is called, a raucous assembly where various claimants vie for the Salt Throne. Among them are Balon's brothers, the devout Aeron "Damphair" Greyjoy and the cunning, ruthless Euron "Crow's Eye," recently returned from his voyages with tales of dark magic and grand ambitions. Euron's promises of conquest and dragons sway the Ironborn, ushering in a new, terrifying era of reaving and a renewed threat to Westeros.

And in the sun-baked lands of Dorne, the Martells seethe with quiet fury over the death of Prince Oberyn. Prince Doran Martell, outwardly patient and cautious, harbors deep-seated plans for vengeance against the Lannisters. His fiery daughter, Arianne Martell, impatient with her father's slow game, plots to crown Myrcella Baratheon queen of Westeros, hoping to ignite a new war and challenge Tommen's claim. Her bold, ill-fated scheme exposes the simmering resentments and dangerous ambitions that lie beneath Dorne's tranquil surface.

Meanwhile, Samwell Tarly, sent from the Wall by Jon Snow, embarks on a difficult voyage to Oldtown with Maester Aemon and Gilly. His journey is fraught with peril, a desperate race against time as Aemon's health fails. Along the way, he grapples with his vows, his fears, and the heavy burden of responsibility, carrying secrets and prophecies that could change the fate of the realm.

What other readers say

Liked

Many readers praise the book for its continued intricate world-building and the author's descriptive prose, which remains vivid and often beautiful. This installment is particularly noted for its deep character development, especially for Cersei Lannister, whose descent into paranoia and megalomania is explored with superb psychological detail, making her a compelling, if unlikable, villain. Jaime Lannister also undergoes significant evolution, moving from a formerly villainous figure towards a more complex and even redemptive role, tying up various loose ends. Other returning characters like Brienne of Tarth are lauded for their genuine realism and integrity, with her journey providing a heroic anchor amidst a war-torn landscape. The book also expands the series' scope by introducing new regions and cultures, such as the Iron Islands and Dorne, stimulating readers who enjoy a broader understanding of the world. It is also highlighted for its focus on the women of Westeros, exploring the challenges of gender imbalance and power within its patriarchal society.

Disliked

However, the book is widely considered the weakest in the series by many, primarily due to the author's decision to divide the story geographically. This meant that several beloved main characters, including Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow, and Daenerys Targaryen, are noticeably absent, leaving many readers disappointed and unfulfilled regarding unresolved cliffhangers from the previous volume. The new or lesser-known viewpoint characters introduced often fail to captivate, with their storylines sometimes described as uninteresting, aimless, or repetitive, leading to a perceived lack of significant plot progression. Critics also point to a slower pace, a reduction in the signature "epic" moments, battles, and shocking twists that defined earlier books. Some reviews also note a decline in writing quality, citing repetitive dialogue, awkward phrasing, and a sudden, inconsistent use of new colloquialisms. The long wait time for the book's publication, coupled with its perceived shortcomings and the promise of further delays for the next installment, significantly impacted reader reception.

In short

Overall, A Feast for Crows elicits a highly polarized response, though most acknowledge it falls short of the high standards set by its predecessors. While some readers found it a challenging but rewarding read that offered a darker, more brooding exploration of a post-war world and its characters, others found it largely boring and a significant letdown. It is often seen as a transitional volume, serving to expand the world and develop secondary plots and characters in preparation for future events, rather than delivering immediate satisfaction or major advancements in the central narrative. Despite its flaws, many long-time fans still appreciate the author's unique storytelling and intricate character work, finding enough redeeming qualities to continue their journey through the series. This book would appeal most to readers who prioritize deep character studies, enjoy extensive world-building, and are patient with a slower pace, especially those who appreciate delving into the consequences of war and political maneuvering rather than constant action.

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