No better third time through

[catalyst2]

Just finished reading A Dance with Dragons for the third time. Sadly, my conclusion is that this book is indulgent - Martin needs an editor to reign him in. The book could have been half the size (i.e. lost about 750 pages) and not lost anything important. Indeed, it may well have gained something back - momentum. The more I read the book, the worse it got - and I think it is unlikely that I will buy #6.

Sad, really because I loved this series - #1 was wonderful and thrilling but the series has slowed and lost focus as it has gone on.