Day 18: Most Naive character

Not including kids like Bran/Rickon/Tommen and definitely dimwits like Lolly or Patchface

#1 Hands on Winner  -    Samwell Tarly

#2 Lady Brienne
#3 Shae  - Yes, i feel that she is naive rather than a grey character.
#4 Jon Connington - He may be the last in my list.

Definitely NOT Victarion Greyjoy or Theon.

Day 17: Most Annoying character

From ASOIAF:


1. Lady Taena Merryweather
2. The High Sparrow
3. Lancel Lannister
4. Shae
5. Darrion Naharis
6. Lysa Tully


Winner:  Daario, the douche

Day 16: Favorite Scene

I assume this is a visual scene and i am going with the TV series

The Contenders:

1.The intro scene of Lord Tywin. We get introduced to him in his battle encampment/tent, having a conversation with his son Jaime. The scene starts casually with Tywin sharpening a knife to skin a hunted stag - which is also an allegory to the Baratheon noble house (their house has a stag in the flag). We can see him casually removing the entrails while making a very serious conversation while Jaime is petulant. As he gets annoyed, he mouths the classic " Now, this is where you say something smart". The tone and the look he gives Jaime - Damn, he is the Lion of a Lannister. Immediately, i knew, this guy is going to be the greatest Villain in the series.

2.  Battle of Blackwater     The supremely confident Lord Stannis sets forth his fleet to Kings Landing and met by only a few ships. By the time, he realized the trap, the wildfire from the ships are set alight by Bronn and there it goes in green flames engulfing the whole fleet. Against all odds, they make a difficult landing in front of the Mud gate, only to be faced by Tyrion's army. King Joffery runs away a coward with the leadesrhip burden falling on Tryion's shoulder. He makes the "  Honorable men are knocking at our gates, lets go kill them" speech. Finally, the Lannister/Tyrell army decimates the remaining stannis force and ends the battle. The victorious Lord Tywin enters the King's Court seated, yes u read it right, seated on his War horse and breaks the news to Cersei.

3. The welcome party waiting for the arrival of  Prince Doran and its actual arrival. The intro of Prince Oberyn Martell, especially the walk towards an arrogant Lannister men touching a live flame , the subsequent skirmish, the arrival of Tyrion/Bronn and finally a private talk with Tyrion asking for Justice to his sister's death, ending with the classic line, " Tell your father, the Lannisters arent the only one who pays their debts".


4.  You are Just a baby and I am your champion scene Oberyn/Tyrion

5. Jon Snow/ Wight walker encounter. Jon decimating the Wight with his dragonglass.

Winner:

6.  Battle of the Bastards - Jon facing alone with his sword drawn, an entire Bolton cavalry charge.

Why I like Jaime better than Ned Stark...

Redditt

// A Lannister soldier stabs Ned through the leg, Ned takes a knee, and Jaime hovers over him. Then, Jaime punches his own soldier in the face, talks some shit, and leaves. 

This should sting for Ned (physically and emotionally) because when he was presented with the same opportunity at the Tower of Joy, he took the less honorable route and killed Arthur Dayne after he was stabbed from behind by Howland Reed.//

Well Said.   Where is the honor in killing Ser Arthur Dayne? (irrespective of  whatever hard the circumstance may have been at the time of ToJ)

What's your small council dream team?

Got this question from Redditt


 What's your small council dream team?

1) The King 

2) Hand of the King

3) The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard

4) The Master of Laws

5) The Master of Coin

6) The Master of Ships

7) The Master of Whispers

8) The Grand Maester

9) The High Septon

10) Two Small Council Advisors of Your Choosing

11) King's Justice

My Choice in current ASOIAF timeline:

1) The King - Jon Stargaryan

2) Hand of the King  - Lord Tyrion Lannister 

3) The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Ser Barristan Selmy with Jaime as one of KG

4) The Master of Laws  - Lord Stannis Baratheon

5) The Master of Coin - Lord Tywin Lannister

6) The Master of Ships - Asha Greyjoy or Lord Captain Victarion Greyjoy

7) The Master of Whispers - Lord Varys

8) The Grand Maester - GM Marwyn

9) The High Septon - Septon Maribald

10) Two Small Council Advisors of Your Choosing -  Lady Arianne Martell represnting Prince Doran (and NOT Prince Oberyn Martell) / Ser Jon Connington

11) King's Justice - Lord Randyll Tarly

Is there any group of seven fighters that could defeat Aerys II's Kingsguard?

Got this Q through reditt

Is there any group of seven fighters that could defeat Aerys II's Kingsguard? In case you forget, here's who was in it.

1) Gerold Hightower, the White Bull (A good fighter, and strong)

2) Arthur Dayne, Sword of the Morning (Said to be one of the best fighters of all time)

3) Jonothor Darry (Don't know too much about him but he's talented)

4) Prince Lewyn Martell (Don't know too much about him, but he was skilled and got some good action at the Trident)

5) Barristan the Bold (one of the best swordsmen alive)

6) Oswell Whent (skilled enough to be at the ToJ)

7) Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer (One of the greatest fighters of his age, before hand cut)

Even members like Jonothor Darry that may be less skilled I think that fighters like Arthur Dayne, Barristan and Jaime are enough to carry the rest. So I challenge you to this; Seven fighters who are able to defeat Aerys' Kingsguard.

I like this answer particularly:

1. Ser Aemon the Dragonknight, to match Ser Arthur Dayne: legends fighting with magic swords!
2. Ser Criston Cole the Kingmaker, to match Ser Oswell "Westeros Batman" Whent. As I recall, Cole had beaten another who hailed from Harrenhal, hence this one.
3. Ser Gwayne Corbray, to match Ser Barristan Selmy. A Valyrian Steel sword plus skill to fight evenly with the King Who Bore the Sword, against Barristan the Bold.
4. Ser Duncan the Tall, to match Ser Gerold Hightower. It's the strength of the White Bull vs Dunk of Flea Bottom.
5. Ser Loras Tyrell, to match Jaime Lannister. A mirror match!
6. Ser Balon Swann, to match Prince Lewyn Martell. Marcher lord versus Dornishman.
7. Ser Ryam Redwyne, to match Ser Jonothor Darry. One of the legends of the past, against a notable, but not exceptional knight.

#1 Agree

#2 No idea

#3 Good Match

#4 Perfect Match

#5 Match 100% that u cant even predict the result

#6 Nope. Ser Balon is only so so good

#7 Ser Redwyne is better

Coming to my selection:

1. Lord Jon Snow against Ser Arthur Dayne - Stargaryan with Valyrian steel Sword has an edge

2.The Hound Vs Ser Oswell Whent

3. Robert Baratheon (link) Vs Ser  Barristan Selmy --- Brute Force wins.. Bobby B unstoppable

4. The Mountain Vs  Ser Gerold Hightower

5. Ser Bronn of Blackwater Vs Jaime Lannister .Bronn plays dirty and wins.

6. Prince Oberyn Martell Vs Prince Lewyn Martell ..The Red Viper has the poisons in his favor.

7. Lady Brienne Vs Ser Jonothor Darry..Brienne's Persistence will pay-off.

Bottomline:

 It may be 7 Vs 1 Arthur Dayne in the end.
The Current 7 will have a decisive win

Update: Damn, I would have added Victarion with his fuming hand but his strength is sea.
Garlan Tyrell can be susbstituted for Bronn, if it is chivalrous fight not no holds barred.

Day 15: Favorite Friendship

Contenders



Lord Stannis Baratheon/  -  Ser Davos -  Overzealous Manager /  Very Dedicated Employee

Lord Tyrion/  Ser Bronn    -  No pretensions. Alomst a bromance but both dont admit it.

Lord Jon Snow /Sam Tarly  - Brothers. Full stop.

Lord Beric Dondarrion/ Ser Thoros -     Undefinable.

King Robert/ Lord Eddard Stark     Two lost men, having one woman as common.

King Renly / Ser Loras       Lovers/Partners

Ser Jaime/ LAdy Brienne    Started as adversaries. became great friends and now in uncharted territories.

Arya / Ser Sandor Clegane         Master/Prodigal Discipline

Danerys / Ser Jorah              Only they think that as a friendship!!


Final Verdict:

Lord Tyrion/  Ser Bronn  

Ser Bronn has named his bastard son Tyrion in honor of his former employer, and in defiance against the queen of the seven kingdoms. There is every indication that they will meet in the near future.

 

Day 14: Best Ship/Pairing

The Contenders

I am ruling out actual friends.


Ser Jorah / Tyrion

Sansa/ Littlefinger

Lord Tywin/ Ser Jaime

Tyrion/Lord Varys

Reek/Ramsay




In the making:

Victarion/ R'hllor Priest

Day 13: Favorite Quote

 I am not going to give the usual fan favorites like "wear it as honor" or "fcuk the king" or  "Kill the boy and let the man be born " or the perennial favorite:
Bran - "Can a man still be brave when he's afraid?"

Ned - "That's the only time a man can be brave."

Ok..let me start with  Qyburn and Ser Jaime:

"There will be pain"

"I'll scream"

"It will be great pain"

"I'll scream very loudly"

Sansa: You're awful.

The Hound: I'm honest. It's the world that's awful.

 Big Bucket Wull:

"I want to live forever in a land where summer lasts a thousand years. I want a castle in the clouds where I can look down over the world. I want to be six-and-twenty again. When I was six-and-twenty I could fight all day and fuck all night. What men want does not matter.

- If it is Sandor Clegane that we encounter, what would have me do?

Pray hard, Jaime thought, and run. "Send him to join his beloved brother and be glad the gods made seven hells. One would never be enough to hold both of the Cleganes".

"Admit it imp, given a choice between fucking Lollys and fighting the mountain, you'd have your breeches down and cock up before a man could blink" -Bronn

i can’t even remember what she looked like. i only know she was the one thing i ever wanted, and someone took her away from me, and seven kingdoms couldn’t fill the hole she left behind." - King Robert Baratheon

There are old sellswords and bold sellswords, but no old bold sellswords." -Brown Ben Plumm

What could he have done, one man against so many?"

He could have tried, Brienne thought.”

"I crossed a thousand leagues to come to you, and lost the best part of me along the way. Don't tell me to leave." Ser  Jaime to Cersei

"Every man whose tasted my cooking has told me what a good whore I am.". Shae

"I dare more than you dream."  Prince Doran Martell

"When the sun has set, no candle can replace it" --Ser Loras.

"Those are brave men," he told Ser Balon in admiration. "Let's go kill them." -- Tyrion Lannister

They believe rubbing a dwarf's head brings good fortune" "

Tell them it's even better luck to suck a dwarf's cock"  -  Tyrion Lannister

"THERE'S A BEAST IN EVERY MAN, AND IT STIRS WHEN YOU A PUT A SWORD IN HIS HAND."  -  Ser Jorah Mormont

"A man agrees with god as a raindrop with the storm." -Damphair

 She would die as she had lived, with an ax in her hand and a laugh upon her lips. — Asha Greyjoy

The Lord of Light wants his enemies burnt. The Drowned God wants his enemies drowned. Why are all the gods such vicious cunts? Where is the god of tits and wine? - Tyrion Lannister 

Day 12: A scene that made you laugh

Contenders from both GoT and ASOIAF

Tyrion/Bronn

Victarion

Hands-down Winner:

“Tyrion Lannister could not have been more astonished if Aegon the Conqueror himself had burst into the room, riding on a dragon and juggling lemon pies.”

Day 11: A scene that made you cry

I have already posted some emotional scenes from ASOIAF here

Robb and Bran scene is the most heartbreaking scene.


Robb and Bran - 

Background
How can a tender 15 year old lad console his 8 year old younger brother who recently lost both his legs, when their father is languishing in prison, mom gone missing for months, 2 sisters whereabouts unknown, 1 brother gone to the frontier never to return and the last brother a 3 year old who cries daily for mommy..





The emotional passage
That night, after the plates had been cleared, Robb carried Bran up to bed himself. Grey Wind led the way, and Summer came close behind. His brother was strong for his age, and Bran was as light as a bundle of rags, but the stairs were steep and dark, and Robb was breathing hard by the time they reached the top. He put Bran into bed, covered him with blankets, and blew out the candle. For a time Robb sat beside him in the dark. Bran wanted to talk to him, but he did not know what to say. “We’ll find a horse for you, I promise,” Robb whispered at last. “Are they ever coming back?” Bran asked him. “Yes,” Robb said with such hope in his voice that Bran knew he was hearing his brother and not just Robb the Lord. “Mother will be home soon. Maybe we can ride out to meet her when she comes. Wouldn’t that surprise her, to see you ahorse?” Even in the dark room, Bran could feel his brother’s smile. “And afterward, we’ll ride north to see the Wall. We won’t even tell Jon we’re coming, we’ll just be there one day, you and me. It will be an adventure.” “An adventure,” Bran repeated wistfully. He heard his brother sob. The room was so dark he could not see the tears on Robb’s face, so he reached out and found his hand. Their fingers twined together.

Ser Arthur Dayne

Today,i saw this interesting article about Ser Arthur Dayne.



I totally agree with this idea.

Ned could have never defeated Ser Arthur Dayne.
Arthur is also a very honorable man..There is no way out of the ToJ with no future..
He might have planted the idea to Ned and convinced him.
Ned beheaded Ser Arthur...thats whyNed is always sad when he reminisces that incident or about Arthur.

My guess he told the truth to Ashara as well and drove her to suicide inadvertently..

But, as many of the fans believe that Septa Mordane is Ashara Dayne, i am conflicted..

Day 10: Stark or Targaryan

STARGARYAN


The one and only Bastard of Winterfell
Azor Ahai ....Bitches...

Day 9: Least Favorite Female Character

Hands-on winner:    Mad Queen Daenerys Targaryan bedding the way to the top


Honorable Mentions:  Cersei Lannister

Day 8: Least Favorite Male Character

Only ASOIAF (not GoT)

ASOIAF is full of rascals and villains with grey to blackinsh portrayal. Yet, all of them  are strongly etched characters that GRRM somehow make you sympathise with them.

sometimes, i hate characters that are not only evil but also,  f**king annoying.

Like,

Daario Naharis - He is a douchebag ...period. May he rot in the  as a hostage with the Yunkai.  Perfect example of guys who has that wasted false confidence and swag who never faced formidable foes in their life.  I expect Victarion to make mice meat out of him.

Freys - Every one of them..Cockroaches..As Lord Maderly said on looking at the murdered body of 8 year old Big Walder, "Good he is dead. Had he grown up, he would have become a Frey".

Khal Drago - Raper of Dothraki Sea. Idiot who hates Iron Chair and outwitted by a  dimwitted 13 year old. Good that he dead soon.

Vargo Hoat - Since he met a violent end, i stop thinking about him.

Ser Gregor Clegane - Ditto but with 1000 folds more painful...Thank u Prince Oberyn.

Qyburn - U have a special place in hell ready Dr. Qyburn. Cant wait for the gruesome technique the twisted minds of GRRM has conceived for u. Whatever it is, i promise i wont flinch when i read through the episode. May be, i will read it thrice to get that satisfaction.  A big Fuck You.

Ramsay - The most hated psychopath in the fandom. Sansa will make sure that you will pay for the crimes. IF there is going to be a eyeball-to-eyeball stand-off with Theon, AWESOME..

Contrary to general GoT TV viewers and "some" book readers, I like Little finger...I want his story arc to be more wide and one damn POV.     Samwell used to be very annoying but slowly his character has changed to less whining and better developed.

Winner:   Joffrey.

Everybody knows what he did.  My respect to Robert  upped 100 fold for beating the shit out of him after the cat episode.

Day 7: Favorite Episode

Fan Favorite: S3E09  Rains of Castamere

My Favorite: S5E09 Hardhomme


I have seen lots and lots of reaction videos for GoT episodes - especially the Red Wedding and Oberyn's death.

Hardhomme episode is so special to me because i have no idea what is going to happen and  thankfully it gave a breathtaking twist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPsyPp03KuU

There I was watching the Nightwatch fight their way against the Whiltewalkers/Wights..
Jon is thrashed by the baddie Whitewalker and certain to kill him ....
We see the whitewalker striking his blow with the ice lance/sword and Jon uses Dragonglass to meet the blow and STOPS it!!  IT did not shatter..I cried out aloud and Rama came running to see what happened.

NExt, he obliterrates the Whitwalker to smoke...I shouted MOTHERFUCKERRRRRR...


Thankfully, kids was asleepp..i was pumped up ,shivering and adrenalin rushing all over me..

Wish i had my camera setup just like other youtubers for this moment..

Day 6: Favorite Song

Fan Favorite: Rains of Castamere

My Favorite:  Bear and the maiden fair, especially the bawdy version.

Day 5: Favorite Moment

As usual, only ASOIAF (not GoT) moments.



Strong Contenders (not ranked, as all of them are show stoppers in their own right)

The usual suspects:

*  Ned's head rolling in the steps of Baelor's Sept.

* Tyrion's "I am bastard in the eyes of my father" trial speech

* Jon Snow's Shield Hall speech

* Tower of Joy

* Red Wedding

My favorites

* The freaks of Yurkhaz Zo Yunzak

* Blackfish Escape from Riverlands

* Arianne reveals Myrcella's crowning plot and precipitation of war

* Reveal of  Young Griff as fAegon Targaryan

* Defiance of Duskendale as narrated to Brienne

* The mutilation of Vargo Hoat (Karma is a bitch, BITCHHH)

* Brienne's fight with Shagwell, Pyg and Timeon and their death




* Jaime and Brienne in bathhouse -    Almost made it to the Top But.......


Hands on Winner:  TWOW preview chapter

With Queen Daenery's missing from Meeren and presumably captured by Dothrakis, Meeeren is left to defend by Barristan, the brave against the combined  Astapor/Yunkish/Second Sons mercenaries assault - Victarion makes a dramatic entry with his iron fleet from the opposite corner of the world looking to take Daenery's as wife for himself and not claim for his brother/King Euron...

Yes, he has dragon binding valyrian magic horn and fuck yes, 2 dragons are loose flying in the city ready to rain fire on anybody and everybody...


what more can you want..

Second Siege of Meeren

Most Emotional Situations

ASOIAF takes you through a very emotional ride. It has so many characters with different shades of grey to black, but in some way they all have a emotional connection to you.
There are so many instances that made me very emotional. The sufferings going through these characters feels very personal to me. The following are some incidents (not ranked) where i stopped reading - as i was fully overwhelmed to put down the book.

Prince Doran Martell - Yet here I sit, and they are gone.

“I was the oldest,” the prince said, “and yet I am the last. After Mors and Olyvar died in their cradles, I gave up hope of brothers. I was nine when Elia came, a squire in service at Salt Shore. When the raven arrived with word that my mother had been brought to bed a month too soon, I was old enough to understand that meant the child would not live. Even when Lord Gargalen told me that I had a sister, I assured him that she must shortly die. Yet she lived, by the Mother’s mercy. And a year later Oberyn arrived, squalling and kicking. I was a man grown when they were playing in these pools. Yet here I sit, and they are gone.”

Lord Beric Dondarrion - Are you my mother, Thoros? 

Upon getting resurrected 7 times by the priest Thoros of Myr after killed 7 times  and each time losing a part of his memory after coming alive..

“Can I dwell on what I scarce remember? I held a castle on the Marches once, and there was a woman I was pledged to marry, but I could not find that castle today, nor tell you the color of that woman's hair. Who knighted me, old friend? What were my favorite foods? It all fades. Sometimes I think I was born on the bloody grass in that grove of ash, with the taste of fire in my mouth and a hole in my chest. 
Are you my mother, Thoros?” 

Arya - Needle was Jon Snow's smile

"It's just a stupid sword," she said, aloud this time... ... but it wasn't. Needle was Robb and Bran and Rickon, her mother and her father, even Sansa. Needle was Winterfell's grey walls, and the laughter of its people. Needle was the summer snows, Old Nan's stories, the heart tree with its red leaves and scary face, the warm earthy smell of the glass gardens, the sound of the north wind rattling the shutters of her room. Needle was Jon Snow's smile. He used to mess my hair and call me "little sister," she remembered, and suddenly there were tears in her eyes.”

Robb and Bran - How can a 15 year old console his 8 year old brother who lost his legs, when the father is languishing in prison, mom missing, 2 sisters whereabouts unknown, 1 brother gone to the frontier never to return and the last brother a 3 year old who cries daily for mommy..

That night, after the plates had been cleared, Robb carried Bran up to bed himself. Grey Wind led the way, and Summer came close behind. His brother was strong for his age, and Bran was as light as a bundle of rags, but the stairs were steep and dark, and Robb was breathing hard by the time they reached the top. He put Bran into bed, covered him with blankets, and blew out the candle. For a time Robb sat beside him in the dark. Bran wanted to talk to him, but he did not know what to say. “We’ll find a horse for you, I promise,” Robb whispered at last. “Are they ever coming back?” Bran asked him. “Yes,” Robb said with such hope in his voice that Bran knew he was hearing his brother and not just Robb the Lord. “Mother will be home soon. Maybe we can ride out to meet her when she comes. Wouldn’t that surprise her, to see you ahorse?” Even in the dark room, Bran could feel his brother’s smile. “And afterward, we’ll ride north to see the Wall. We won’t even tell Jon we’re coming, we’ll just be there one day, you and me. It will be an adventure.” “An adventure,” Bran repeated wistfully. He heard his brother sob. The room was so dark he could not see the tears on Robb’s face, so he reached out and found his hand. Their fingers twined together.



Prince Doran Martell:
Until the mountain crushed my brother’s skull, no Dornishmen had died in this War of the Five Kings," the prince murmured softly, as Hotah pulled a blanket over him. “Tell me, Captain, is that my shame or my glory?




Theon Greyjoy - On Robb stark

And Robb. 


Robb who had been more a brother to Theon than any son born of Balon Greyjoy's loins. Murdered at the Red Wedding, butchered by the Freys. I should have been with him. Where was I? I should have died with him.

Ser Jaime Lannister - on the way to relieve the siege of Riverrun

I’ve lost a hand, a father, a son, a sister, and a lover, and soon enough I will lose a brother. And yet they keep telling me House Lannister has won this war.


Maester Aemon (Targaryan) to Jon Snow - sharing their similar situation


What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms ... or the memory of a brothers smile? Wind and words. Wind and words. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy

Day 4: Favorite House Motto

Contenders:

In addition to the cool House motto, i also decided to match if the house conform to its  motto in action.

House Baratheon - Ours is the Fury
The Baratheon Brothers Robert, Stannis and Renly perfectly fit to the rage in their motto. The restrained adamant violence of Stannis is no less ferocious than the brutal war hammer wielding Robert's fury against Prince Rhaegar. As Maester says, Robert is the true steel while Stannis is like Iron- brittle but he  breaks before he bend! Damn thats a best compliment ever....

House Crakehall - None so fierce
We dont see any fierce Crakehalls in ASOIAF. The closest who fir the motto is Ser Lyle Crakehall who accompanies Ser Jaime to the siege of riverrun. On the way, in Castle Darry he promises to help poor Lancel's wife (if u can call that relationship!!) Amerei Frey in getting rid of outlaws from her land after ending the riverrun siege. Looks like he is  more interested in Gatehouse Amy and  what lurks for strongboar is left open..

House Hornwood - Righteous in Wrath
Man..I am waiting for their wrath..Ramsay is the Lord of Hornwood now..but, northerners dont forget how he drove Lady Donella to suicide.. The Hornwood line is officially extinct except for the bastard Larence Snow. We dont know much about him but i pray GRRM gives him enough chance to wreak his vengeance on Ramsay..

House Mormont - Here We Stand
One of the coolest line said in the TV series..Viserys with the dragon eggs blocked by Ser Jorah..What a stand-off!!


House Tarly - First in Battle
I love Randyll Tarly. I wish GRRM writes more about him in TWOW. He is a no-nonsense guy. Strong  contender for the next hand.. Wielder of the valyrian steel sword "Heartsbane". Yes, he is the  only guy to defeat Robert Baratheon in the battlefied..and pardoned  by him after the war..Also, poor Samwell's father..

House Targaryan: Fire and Blood
283 years of Violence,War and Vengeance..Dance of the dragons..3 Blackfyre rebellions..Just when we thought, they are done and finished, we have 3 Targaryans ready to be unleashed in TWOW..
Dany,  Aegon and Jon. I want more fire and more blood...

House Martell : Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken


This house needs a separate Biiggggg post
A sample of why they are kickass..
Prince Doran Martell:
Until the mountain crushed my brother’s skull, no Dornishmen had died in this War of the Five Kings," the prince murmured softly, as Hotah pulled a blanket over him. “Tell me, Captain, is that my shame or my glory?

The Winner..Its a no brainer..



Honorable Mention:  Beneath the Gold,  the bitter steel  (The  Bastard Lord Aegor  Rivers of Golden Company)

ASOIAF

The character I first fell in love with:      The Bastard of Winterfell
The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Theon Greyjoy

The character everyone else loves that I don’t: Danerys

The character I love that everyone else hates: Victarion Greyjoy
The character I used to love but don’t any longer:  Tyrion (after he sold out to the Mad Queen)

The character I would totally smooch:   Melissandre

The character I’d want to be like:   Oberyn Martell  (When it comes to war I fight for Dorne, when it comes to love — I don't choose sides. Doesnt give a shit about anybodys opinion)

The character I’d slap:  Daenerys..Foolish girl. Brings Death and Destruction wherever she goes.

A pairing that I love: Jaime and Brienne
A pairing that I don’t:   Danerys and all her lovers.    Yuck.

Victarion

The Drowned God had not shaped Victarion Greyjoy to fight with words at kingsmoots, nor struggle against furtive sneaking foes in endless bogs. This was why he had been put on earth; to stand steel-clad with an axe red and dripping in his hand, dealing death with every blow.

—  A Feast For Crows

Minor Character - Ser Garan Tyrell - A Valiant deed unsung is no less valiant...

Ser Garlan Tyrell is one of the minor character that i am very interested in to have more screen time in the next TWOW.

Below,i am giving some impressive snippets which sheds some light on his badassery.

When we get introduced to him in ASOS, i did not notice him much. The first time i took note of him was when he advised Sansa on how great Tyrion is - even better than his own bro Ser Loras . I was taken aback, for i have not seen anybody respecting the imp for his strong personality at their first meeting especially...See below.


//

//

The last time we hear, the Tyrells are getting ready to defend their capital Highgarden against an iron born invasion under Euron..100% he is gonna clash with Euron head-to-head and i dunno whom to side with..Damn GRRM...

GRRM is great - I

When Arya is training with Syrio, one of the tasks he sets her to is chasing and catching cats.

"One by one Arya had chased them down and snatched them up and brought them proudly to Syrio Forel … all but this one, this one-eared black devil of a tomcat. "That's the real king of this castle right there," one of the gold cloaks had told her. "Older than sin and twice as mean. One time, the king was feasting the queen's father, and that black bastard hopped up on the table and snatched a roast quail right out of Lord Tywin's fingers. Robert laughed so hard he like to burst. You stay away from that one, child." - Arya III

While that does paint a funny picture for the reader, it doesn't make the cat relevant in and of itself, or does it?

Later, when Ned is in the black cells, he gets a visit from Varys. They discuss multiple things, all pertaining to Ned's situation. Then Varys drops this tidbit:

"Rhaenys was a child too. Prince Rhaegar's daughter. A precious little thing, younger than your girls. She had a small black kitten she called Balerion, did you know? I always wondered what happened to him. Rhaenys liked to pretend he was the true Balerion, the Black Dread of old, but I imagine the Lannisters taught her the difference between a kitten and a dragon quick enough, the day they broke down her door." - Eddard XV

And then it hit me; the black cat that Arya is chasing is Balerion. The sack of King's Landing happened 15 years ago, when Balerion was a kitten, meaning he'd be "older than sin" if he were still alive. Also, I think the fact that the story GRRM decides to present to us about the black cat is about a time he disrespected Tywin further compounds this, since it was in fact Tywin who ordered the death of Rhaenys. Not only that, but Lannister soldiers have had a heavy presence in the Red Keep ever since, which would explain why he is "twice as mean".

What death in TWOW would make you throw your book?

1.Ser Davos
2. Lady Brienne
3. Ser Jaime
4.Theon..My sympathy for him deserves a full separate post later

I am 100% sure  Lords Stannis, Selmy, Tyrion, Doran,Victarion, Euron, Tyrells, Roose, AshaJon ( die and resurrect beyond recognition) die.

Ramsay 100% wont die but melt and disappear instead...
I will throw the book in joy if Mad Queen Daenerys meets a violent end. But, with GRRM's synpathy with her, it is never gonna happen..:-(

Day 3: Favorite House

The seven kingdoms of Westeros has each a powerful house. At one point or another, every one of them were vying for the attention of the Targaryans after Aegon I's conquest. GRRM has made sure that every POV character of any house idolise a hero of the same house and thereby tells their heroics to the reader.  Although, the ASOIAF is mostly the power struggle between the Lannisters and the Starks and every possibility of a future rejuvenated Targaryan into the mix, the remaining 5 houses are not just mere side actors. GRRM has spinned a compelling yarn about Arryns in Vol.2,  Greyjoys in Vol.3, Tyrells in Vol. 2 and 3,  Tulleys in Vol. 3,4 and Dorne in Vol.5..

In addition, lots of trans-Westeros houses is also  shown through Daenery's eyes like the Dothrakis. "Wannabe" houses like Frey, Bolton, Manderly, Wildlings (Yes, they too have tribes which is loosely houses) has some interesting characters too.  There are some small houses like Mormont, Reed, Greatjohn, Redwyne, Royce, Yronwood,Hightower, Griffin and Tarly which will play a crucial role in the oncoming storm.

GRRM  makes us love / utterly hate atleast one character in every house in Westeros which in turn will reflect on the reputation of the whole house to the reader.
My favorites are Brynden Blackfish for Tullys, Ser Loras for Tyrells, All the Greyjoys including and especially Theon ( he needs a separate Post),  Stannis for Baratheon, Ser Jorah for House  Mormont, Lord Randyll (Not Sam, LoL) for House Tarly and Jon Connington of House Connington of Griffin's Roost. But, every reader HATES the Freys and Boltons.

Readers consesus for Favotite is Starks or Lannisters or Targaryan. I can never comprehend why people like Daenery's.

But, my favorite house is Martells of Dorne. Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken for more than 200 years against the harsh Targaryan conquest attempts, Martells held thier own ALONE against dragons and Daerons. After repeated failures, the Targaryans realised the futility and Baelor I asked the Dornish Princess's hand for marriage to his cousin. Thus ended the enemity and Dorne was accepted as the  last of the 7 kingdoms. The current Prince, Doran, is a patient man plotting vengeance for 20 years for the death of his sister and Targaryan ally. The Dornish  are flamboyant and  promiscous, especially Martells are very open about it  like Oberyn and Arianna. And lastly, they have the rogue Gerold Dayne, the Darkstar - a direct descent to Ser Arthur Dayne of the "greatest knight of the seven kingdoms" fame. I find him very fascinating and i expect GRRM gives him a POV chapter in the coming 2 volumes.

My final verdict:  House Martell of Dorne

Day 2: Favorite Female Character

                           From the outset,i am stating very clearly that the fan favorites Daenerys Targaryen and Arya Stark never impressed me. Both were introduced to the readers as kids, first orphaned and then forced into very unfortunate circumstances but surviving against all odds and unimaginable trials and tribulations in a foreign land. Although their storyline is very interesting, since we can see the exotic cultures through their eyes, yet, GRRM gives too much supporting loyal protectors to them. From this it is very clear that they cant stand on their own until they come into full adulthood.

 Especially for Daenerys, there is the addition factor of mental instability which deteriorates as the tale proceeds.  There is every indication that she is going to become insane in the near future like her father and she is already very capricious.

GRRM is not very clear about where he is leading poor Arya's storyline, but to me, it is going nowhere. Perhaps, she will become an assassin, thirsting for the revenge of all members in her Hitlist  -which she recites every night before going to sleep.

Bottomline:  Both are out of contention from the outset.

The strong contenders (in no particular order):  Sansa Stark, Arianne Martell, Melissandre, Brienne of Tarth and Asha Greyjoy.

Let me start with Sansa. She was a silly girl in the first 2 volumes. But, her captivity under Cersei transformed her a lot from a compassionate timid girl into a  vengeance seeking cynical princess. Further under Littlefingers' tutelage she is developing her political scheming skills to be a main player in the game of thrones. I expect the day she making a coup de etat on her master which  will be a major turning point in TWOW.

Melissandre was introduced as an evil sorceress and i strongly believed it initially. Until, we reached her POV chapter.That chapter changed everything. It became very clear that she is grey, trying her best to believe her own lie that Stannis is the Azor Ahai.  She becomes more likeable when her interaction with Jon Snow was very sympathetic and especially i started actually liking her when she saves Ser Davos's son, from sending him as Stannis' squire in his unsuccessful Winterfell expedition. We know what happened to Stannis's squire in that wintery night,  I feel that she will end up as Nissa Nissa and Jon Snow as the TPTWP, with Longclaw tempered in her breasts. 100% she will die, sacrificing herself for the greater cause. Until then, she is a contender.

Asha Greyjoy is actually tomboyish, literally fearless and match up to any man. She is intelligent and has a very strategic vision for her fellowmen. She is not a war hawk but a pacifist who believe in "speak softly, but carry a big stick". Her promise of getting land in Seagard for Ironmen to settle peacefully in mainland Westeros, forfeiting Piracy and reaving speaks a lot about her, instead of the promise of plunder/slaughter by her father and uncles. One thing i didnt like in her is that she constantly harassed Theon Greyjoy, her brother, during his return to Iron Islands. She was a catalyst in the downfall of Theon, as he had to measure up against her in their father Baylon Greyjoy's eye and hence started the ill fated Winterfell raid with  enough men to capture it by surprise but too few men  enough to hold.  But, she stands up bravely against two heavyweights at the Kingsmoot for the leadership and both of them are considered the best in Planetos (forget Westeros) -  (1) Lord Euron Greyjoy - who reaved, raped and pillaged all the way to Asshai and back (2) Lord Captain Victarion Greyjoy - Fearless sea faring captain and General rolled into one. Currently, taking a suicide mission to capture/bind a mighty dragon, with a fleet traversing to the opposite end of the world. Yes, he also defeated Tywin Lannister's fleet right in Lannisport taking personal command.

Asha stood up against both at the Kingsmoot and earning respect from Aeron Damphair  and me for this.

Arianne Martell..You dont rebel against your father, who happens to be the Prince of Dorne. Yes, Dorne..The kingdom of fierce warriors which was Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken by the mighty Targaryans with their Dragon fleets. She is depicted as an exotic beauty who is not hesitant in using her sexuality to get what she wants ( Aerys Oakheart episode). She is very imaginative in her plotting - abducting Princess Myrcella to precipitate a crisis with the Lannisters to an eventual war for avenging Oberyn Martell's death. I cant wait to see her match the palace intrigues of Cersei in TWOW.

And Last comes Lady Brienne. She earns so much sympathy from the readers as well as all the good characters she meet. She is very naive, naive to the point of not realising King Renly is gay, yet pining for him. Physically, she matches any warrior and to my knowledge she bested worse beasts like Vargo Hoth, Biter, real bear and almost defeated Ser Jaime. She believes in chivalry and  her faithfulness to duty and honor makes her the perfect Knight and thereby winning my heart.
Ser Jaime trusts  her and gives her the ultimate compliment - his heart and his personal Valyrian Sword "Oathkeeper". Gwendoline Christy was perfectly cast for this role, "Brienne, the beauty". I can say so much about her which will be as a separate bigggggg post in the near future. 

My final verdict:   Lady (Ser?) Brienne by a long shot,  followed by Asha Greyjoy leading by a hair's breadth from Arianne Martell.