I just set down A Dance with Dragons, the latest in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin, last evening.

The fifth book in the series is not for newcomers. Start with Martin’s first novel in the series, A Game of Thrones, to get acquainted with the characters. Each tome is so complex (and quite frankly, long) that it would be impossible to catch up in the fifth book. If you have the patience, however, you will be rewarded with an engrossing story.

While Martin’s novels are decidedly classified in the fantasy genre, these books are not just enjoyable for an exclusively fantasy fan. The books have threads of political intrigue, affairs, and betrayals. They are what fantasy would be if fantasy was set as a soap opera. Indeed, maybe that is why the books have lend themselves so well to an HBO series.

Unlike a soap opera, however, Martin has a gift for crafting in-depth characters. Instead of telling his story from one point of view, each chapter in the 1,000 page novel takes on a different speaker. You learn to have your favorite characters and threads.

Martin also shatters fantasy conventions of good and evil and what a hero should look like. He’s not afraid of killing vital characters (I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t take a sick pleasure out of surprising the audience). This is not a story where you can get too attached to any one person. It’s not for the faint of heart, or the casual reader who wants to see a neat ending.

The latest book does not disappoint. Without giving too much away, it once again throws in a big surprise at the end (and whether or not that will stick is debatable). 

SPOILERS Ahead Do not read past this point if you have not finished the book.

For those familiar with the books, the story largely follows Bran, Jon, Tyrion and Danaerys. My main complaint with Bran’s storyline is that he is shown far too little. We are now in the fifth book of the series and we haven’t moved much closer to finding out what his deal is. I’m hoping that Martin isn’t merely hoarding all of this key information because he hasn’t sorted out yet where he’s planning on having it end.

It’s amazing to me to see just how poorly Jon fared as a commander. He has cut and dry ideas of right and wrong, and does not seem to understand that sometimes, especially in the viper pit that is Westeros, you have to consider what is best for survival over what is right. Just look at Ned, who had all the honor in the world, but no political tact. Jon should have done more to win over the hearts and minds of his own men rather then worrying so much about the wildlings.  My initial reaction to Jon being attacked by his own Crows was shock, but in retrospect, I think he may not be “properly dead” in the Martin sense. I’ve seen various threads on the interwebs saying that Jon will likely return in the form of Ghost. It would be so satisfying to see Jon meet up with wolf-Bran and become a tag-team force. However, if Tyrion and Danaerys are any indication, I’m not holding my breath on that one.

Speaking of Danaerys, she seems to have regressed as a character in this book. She is far too stagnant. I’m disappointed that she allowed others to influence her to the point where she believed that she needed to be married to solidify peace in Mereen. Quite frankly, what is she still even doing there? Despite her constant refrains of being ‘the blood of the dragon,’ she does not display passion as a leader. She thinks of her followers as her children, a rather naïve thought considering most of them would turn their cloaks at the first sight of trouble. I’m disappointed that we didn’t see her at least setting sail for Westeros by the end of the book.

Tyrion, meanwhile, appears to be stuck in Mereen for the time being as well. I’m wondering if he is not attracted to his friend Penny because she is a dwarf. I speculate on this because Tyrion has never been particularly selective about the women he shacks up with in the past and Penny seems to harbor a strong infatuation. Let’s hope that Shae has not ruined Tyrion on the prospect of true love. Aside from that plot, Martin sure managed to tease the audience throughout the book with a Danaerys and Tyrion interaction. I would have loved to see these two characters interact, if nothing else because Tyrion tends to be extremely pragmatic while Danaerys has a tendency to live in a dream world of dragon blood and countless suitors.

We also catch glimpses of Cersei and Arya in the books. Why can’t Martin kill off a character who I don’t like? Well, I supposed he did get rid of Joffery. Cersei and Arya’s plots did not move on dramatically. Cersei is now back and comfortable in King’s Landing, perhaps more subdued now after her time in prison. Arya, meanwhile, remains in the House of Black and White. She is a vicious fighter, and I hope that she leaves training early to go back home and put some of her new talents to use. I just want to see her meet up with one of her siblings, just one!

There are quite a few other side plots to this story and theories to expound on, but these are my initial impressions. I can’t stress enough that even with my problems with the books, that in no way changes the fact that Martin is a phenomenal storyteller. One of the true greats as far as fiction writers go.