The plot is still running its course and I enjoyed this book more than the second, but here again my beef lies within the layers of details upon details. Once again armor and locations are described to an infinite degree that borders on boredom. On the flip side, when there is action, there is definitely some good old fashion action. Not to give any spoilers but during one fight scene involving Sandor Clegane as I was listening to the audiobook while driving. I literally said, "Oh sh*t" aloud. 
 As I mentioned in my review of A Clash of Kings, G.R.R.M. is persistent in his attempts to sway my feelings on characters he has created. Once again, I will reference The Kingslayer. I can tell he wants me to care for this character and begin to root for him, but I won't. I don't think I will ever be able to get past the idea that he tried to kill a child on purpose. The same goes for Sandor Clegane. 
 On another note, I still find it funny that it is constantly said over and over again that "winter is coming", and the only thing that has happened after nearly two years of story progression is a slight chill in the air. I'm no true genius when it comes to weather patterns, but when it is supposed to get cold, it gets cold over a period of a few weeks not a half a decade. This autumn in the books has lasted nearly three years already. So if this is the case , then then words on the lips of the men and women in these books should be more - "a long autumn is coming and then the winter will come." 
 Honestly, at this point I don't think I need to create another replica moment from A Storm of Swords like I did with A Clash of Kings. It goes without saying that G.R.R.M has again gone into alarming detail regarding every aspect of the book. If anyone is reading this review, that should be a little hint of how story writing should go. I gave the large swell of a detailed summary last time; there is no need to put the reader through it again. G.R.R.M should take note of that! 
 A Storm of Swords ends very well with a long list of happenings, which caused me to greatly look forward to the next book, A Feast for Crows. I have heard rumors that the fourth is by far the worst in the series, at this point I am 40% done listening to the audiobook while I have been busy painting my house. So far the only upset that I am encountering is that it seems very much Lord of the Rings with all the walking, riding, rowing, sailing and traveling to destinations. I do understand that traveling from one end of Westeros is supposed to take weeks, but I really don't want to experience it myself. I would rather just "get there" quickly. Every writer should have strong points, and I guess they come with weak ones as well. The story telling is good, and the action is usually never too sparse, but it is not a stretch of the imagination to say that Martin's vice is without a doubt way overboard when it comes to descriptions. His other vice is having other characters bite the dust too early for reasons unknown. Without giving too much away, there is another particular fight that involves Gregor Clegane, and something happens at the end that made me say, "REALLY.......REALLY.......that was just dumb and stupid!" It made absolutely no sense and it reminded me of an old 80's horror movie, where while watching it you are screaming at the main character "DON'T GO IN THERE, THE BAD GUY IS GOING TO GET YOU." And just to spite you or piss you off, the main character goes in and BAM, they're caught off guard, etc. 
 All in all, and this is beginning to be a growing trend with the Song of Ice and Fire series, but I give this one a solid 4 stars. It loses one star yet again for making me feel that there is a super awesome 700 page story between the 1,216 pages of this novel.