(...and doesn't) Hecatomb!

Blood and Gold is the second half of A Storm of Sword, the third book in the Song of Ice and Fire series (after A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings and Steel and Snow - the first part of A Storm of Swords, and before A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons, The Winds of Winter (forthcoming) and A Dream of Spring (forthcoming)).

In this volume, we follow Danaerys in the East, as she makes her way towards the Narrow Sea, looking for ships, conquering cities and building her army with the help of her dragons.

In Westeros, Arya Stark is still trying to go to Riverrun to join her mother, but it seems like everyone is set on putting stokes in her wheels! Meanwhile, Catelyn and Robb are on their way to the Twins, to make amends with the Freys by marrying Edmure Tully, Catelyn's brother, to Roslin, Robb's former betrothed. Will it be enough?

Jamie Lannister decides to save Brienne from Vargo Hoat and takes her with him to King's Landing, where Sansa and Tyrion are preparing for Joffrey's wedding to Maergery Tyrell. How will Queen Cersei react when she sees her beloved brother in this diminished state?

On Dragonstone, Davos the Onion Knight is trying to save Robert's bastard Edric Storm from Stannis and Melisandre's sacrificial impulses, whereas further North, Jon is coming back to the Wall to defend it against Mance Ryder's army of Wildlings.

Maybe the overlarge cast needed some trimming indeed, and I surely should have seen it coming, but I'm still a little shocked at how many central characters George RR Martin manages to kill off in half a volume! I'm not sure there's a causal link, but this installment might actually be the one I enjoyed the most, so far. More action and intrigue, and fewer chapters on military planning must have made the difference.

9/10