Mr Martin, what was that?

That George RR Martin's "Ice and Fire" series is one of the best fantasy series of our time, must scarcely be discussed well. After just a few chapters of "Game of Thrones" I could hardly get enough of Westeros with all its captivating characters, locales and events, and I devoured the first four volumes in one go. When finally released the long-awaited fifth volume of the series, I was expecting another 900 pages of pure joy of reading - but I was sadly disappointed.

Those who hope in "Dance" in a big turning point, or at least to an exciting continuation of the plot lines, is in vain to look for it. In fact, the story is at the end of the book almost as far advanced as in the beginning, because it happens almost nothing. Instead captivate readers as in the usual manner with surprising twists and interesting storylines, Martin lets his characters in "Dance" 900 pages long disoriented err by Westeros until you finally have the feeling that the author himself does not know how the story actually to proceed. Tyrion travels constantly from A to B without ever arrive in B or to be able to realize its initial target, while Melissandre and Jon rotate on the wall in a circle. Even worse is the plotline Dany sitting statically in Meereen and despite their dangerous situation has nothing to do than to annoy the reader with pages of Anschmachtungen to Daario Naharis. That the node bursts in Meereen, one waits in vain the whole book, and even at the end, when the city is under siege and it actually Spitz is at your fingertips for Dany, comes no proper tension to.

The rest of the characters lurches equally meaningless through history. It can also Martin's new (and extremely annoying) habit change anything, suddenly in the chapter heading is no longer 'Asha' or 'Quentyn', but 'The Wayward Bride' and 'The Spurned Suitor' call to his characters. The sudden appearance of new POVs Jon Connington and Victarion Greyjoy contribute to the plot not much in, but act on the contrary rather contrived and pressed by the author with violence in the story. The only highlights are the chapters of Theon and Bran, but go against the majority uninteresting storylines these few bright spots plain below. Even Martin's style is in this book not so gloriously that he could still save a lot, on the contrary: The lengthy descriptions of food or clothes are sometime only to yawn. There are also a lot of violence and sex scenes that do not contribute to the plot, but exist solely to the Ekelfaktors will. This is disturbing and totally unnecessary.

Overall, therefore, is 'Dance' so therefore, as if Martin lust lost some of its series, or as if he had so much to do that he could give this book only half his attention. Hopefully he will in the next book, 'Winds of Winter', back to its old size back - it would be unfortunate if a book series that began so great, would now run into the sand.

Despite all of the above weaknesses you have finally nevertheless say: Although we are used to from George RR Martin more, "Dance" is still better than most of the books that are currently floating around on the Fantasy market. Therefore, three star in my opinion, the proper evaluation of this work.