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Overall Summary
A Feast for Crows (2005) is the fourth book in a fantasy series by George R.R. Martin, and it focuses on one group of characters while reserving other groups for later books.
The novel begins with a prologue in which a novice of the Citadel sells a master key to an alchemist. The alchemist pays him, and he runs away. Shortly afterward, however, he collapses on the ground.
In the previous book, Tywin Lannister was murdered by his son Tyrion. With Tywin gone, Queen Cersei is now in charge and has filled the Small Council with people who are loyal to her. At the Wall, Jon Snow is named Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and orders Samwell Tarly to escort Maester Aemon to Oldtown so that he can research how to defeat the Others. They leave on a ship heading for Braavos but hear about Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons; Aemon believes she will be able to fulfill an ancient prophecy that involves defeating those mysterious creatures. Shortly after ordering Samwell to make sure that all maesters align themselves with Daenerys, Maester Aemon dies peacefully in his sleep.
In the Game of Thrones, Podrick (Jamie Lannister’s former squire) encounters Brienne on her quest to rescue Sansa Stark. They meet the Elder Brother of a septry, who tells them Sandor Clegane spoke about Arya Stark fleeing toward the coast. Following this clue, Brienne and others are captured by Brotherhood with Banners. The Brotherhood brings Brienne to Lady Stoneheart (resurrected Catelyn Stark). Angry with Brienne, Catelyn orders them all hung. As the noose tightens around Brienne’s neck she screams out one word:
While Mace Tyrell leads his forces to Storm’s End, Cersei arranges for the High Septon to be assassinated. She does this so that she can elevate someone who will be loyal to her and help her maintain control of King’s Landing. However, when a new High Septon is appointed, he quickly gains support from the people because he offers them something they want: an army of religious warriors called the Faith Militant. He also makes a deal with Cersei: If she agrees to restore the ancient Faith Militant, then he’ll crown Tommen king immediately instead of waiting until after Joffrey’s funeral (as was originally planned).
Littlefinger defends his power in the Eyrie and is impressed by Sansa’s intelligence. Littlefinger suggests that she marry a distant cousin who would give her an army to fight Cersei, which intrigues Sansa.
Jamie Lannister leaves King’s Landing to help at the siege of Riverrun. Jamie brings the captive Edmure Tully with him and promises Brynden “Blackfish” Tully that he will not be harmed and the people of Riverrun will be protected if he surrenders. When Brynden refuses, Jamie declares that Edmure is the legitimate lord of Riverrun. Brynden escapes, but Emmon Frey takes Riverrun for his family anyway because they are allied with House Lannister through a marriage pact between Walder Frey and Tywin Lannister. Snow begins to fall as winter has finally arrived in Westeros after years of being delayed by an unusually long summer.
The Ironborn people are raiding the coast of the Reach, but Cersei refuses to send assistance because she wants Dragonstone taken first. When Loras Tyrell is injured in fighting at Dragonstone, his sister Margaery Tyrell complains about it and makes Cersei think that she’s not fit to be queen with Tommen; therefore, Cersei starts planning against her. She attempts to frame Margaery for adultery by having her arrested along with Margaery. The High Septon uses torture methods on both of them in order to get the truth out and he arrests them as well as using the Faith Militant group to enforce their orders. Kevan Lannister returns from Casterly Rock and takes charge of administering the kingdom while Jamie doesn’t respond back when Cersei asks him for help through ravens. Aurane Waters has taken possession over a newly-constructed royal fleet which causes chaos all around Westeros.
