I have put off reading this book for soooo long and I'm so mad at myself for letting the size intimidate me. I didn't think I was going to love the book, but I did. The plot is so carefully thought out and arranged to keep you in the dark throughout everything that's happening. Which is quite frustrating by the way. I seriously can't get enough of Arya, John, and Dany. I live for their chapters. The great thing about this book is that there's enough characters to love even if they're just mentioned and the Lannisters and Catelyn make you want to throw the damn book across the room, but whatever. This was just an excellent read and I can't wait to read the next book in the fall. 
 I will say that the beginning was a bit slow, but I didn't mind it because a bit of backstory is necessary here and there for a book like this. But about 100 pages in, I was completely engaged in the mystery Ned was involved in and the evolve whodunnit. I enjoyed reading from each of the characters point of view and getting into their head, especially Arya and John. Some moments with them did make me want to cry, oh wait I did cry. But all in all a fantastic fantasy story.