Some links to criticisms of S5 of GOT.
http://gotgifsandmusings.tumblr.com/
http://theculturalvacuum.tumblr.com/post/120147926733/apologizing-for-porne-all-dornishmen-are-snakes
http://theculturalvacuum.tumblr.com/post/118243971649/apologizing-for-porne-fighting-and-fucking
http://www.therainbowhub.com/jeyne-poole-and-bad-storytelling-why-we-need-to-stop-making-excuses-for-gratuitous-rape-scenes/
http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mothers_Mercy/
The apologizing for Porne one is especially interesting in showing how the Dornish in the show are being played as stereotypes.

Finished A Dance with Dragons and The Winds of Winter excerpt on 12/9/2015. I can understand many of the problems with it. The Daenerys storyline really seemed to drag, so I understand the term the Meereenese knot. Her last chapter felt really boring, her walking along for ages. And unsurprisingly she's made things worse in Slaver's Bay. Astapor is now in ruins, and Yunkai is doing the best out of the three cities as they re-instituted their Masters. I found reading about the Yunkish army hilarious, with the Yellow Whale, the Pigeon and the Clanker Lords. Quentyn's storyline wasn't that exciting though, and ultimately doesn't seem to have played much of a part. However I will say it does show how out-of-touch Dany is and how she will have trouble returning to Westeros after the impact she has made in Essos. It will probably take many years for Slaver's Bay to recover. And her comments about Ned made her so unlikeable and further shows she doesn't understand the circumstances. Not that D&D got that.

The Northern storyline was the one I was most engaged in. I liked the Northern politics, and the way Stannis begins to earn the respect of the North, giving them an opportunity for vengeance. The Battle of Deepwood Motte was a great read, as Stannis drives the Ironborn out of the North and captures the Kraken's daughter. Stannis may have cursed Robb but as he pointed out to Davos they were committing treason, and he still wants to avenge their treacherous murder. And despite the series' obsession with showing his burning obsession, he comes across as far more reasonable in the books. He points out to the Queens' Men much of his army don't believe in R'hllor, and only burns men who have committed crimes anyway. Perhaps next book some Suns of Winter will burn.

Lord Manderly is like the Northern Doran Martell, a weak and compliant appearance, planning to get back at the House who murdered a relative and re-institute his liege Lords. And his revenge on those three unpleasant Freys... just like Titus Andronicus, though that trick is an old one, and is even in Herodotus' account of Cyrus' life. I like the way a quite minor character, Wex Pyke, suddenly turns up and plays an important part.

Theon becomes much more sympathetic, especially after what the monstrous Bastard of the Dreadfort (with a title like that u know they're evil) puts him through. The Wedding Night scene is even nastier then on TV. The plotting in Winterfell shows the weaknesses in the Bolton regime. It feels like an Agatha Christie book, a group of people who don't like each other in an isolated area, where murders keep happening.

The storyline at the Wall was good as well. Jon making terms with the Wildlings. Then helping Alys out and perhaps winning Thenn support. I find Alys a likeable character as I do her husband. The Thenns are much better Wildlings as they hold more respect for laws. Perhaps Sigorn becoming Lord of Karhold will lead to more understanding between the Northmen and Wildlings, allowing the Thenns to survive the Winter. Alys seems a foil to Dany and I find her much more likable.
That final moment with Jon is quite a shock, and much better done with the show. But I think Mel might bring him back. Mel comes across as quite sympathetic here, trying to help Jon, and showing that, even though she advocates brutal things like burnings, she is trying to do her duty like Stannis and Jon, and feels she is protecting the world. The Others certainly seem the greatest threat to Westeros so this does seem justified.
Tyrion's plot. Tyrion isn't as interesting, as he moves through Essos, and seems less sympathetic. Young Griff, who I shall refer to as Aegon, is not the most interesting of characters, despite Varys describing him as The Ace, well-suited to ruling. A6 may have Targ blood, but I'm not yet certain if he is really Aegon, considering Varys' talk about power. The theory he is a Blackfyre, perhaps descended from Bittersteel, has some weight. Or he could just be someone from Lys, where there are Valyrian features. He probably believes he is Aegon. Jon C is quite sympathetic though. He seems decent in trying to do his duty to his friend and place their son on the IT, even after their father banished him.
Bran's storyline. So Bloodraven is alive. I wonder whose side he is really on? He was a very sinister figure, even before he became a tree. It could go either way whether he wants to help or oppose the Others. It doesn't look like Bran will return south to the North, but I'm quite sure he'll see some interesting things through the trees.
Riverlands: Brienne seems to be luring Jaime into a trap. I think Pod and Hyle are hostages. I made a BWB theories page on the Wiki of Ice and Fire where I said I think the BWB are planning a major attack on the Freys, at Riverrun or the Twins. Maybe at Daven's wedding to a Frey.
The King's Landing plot. Well Cersei's power seems broken. The Tyrells come across as unpleasant and arrogant. Kevan seems a decent enough character, someone who could restore stability. But that was quite an ending. Varys murdering Kevan to spread more chaos and help Aegon invade.
Hosteen Frey. Needed something to break the ice. The preview chapter for TWOW was a nice touch. It seems Stannis has a plan to defeat the Freys. I favor the theory he'll lure Ser Stupid onto the ice, wrecking the Frey cavalry. I don't believe the Pink Letter. Either Stannis sent a false letter or Ramsay lied. Perhaps Stannis defeated the Freys, then disguised his troops as Freys and Karstarks to get into Winterfell, and told Ramsay Stannis was dead. Ramsay then sent a letter in which he exaggerated the details of the battle he had heard.
Like AFFC there isn't a feel of a big event happening, more things being set up. Deepwood Motte was a battle, but it seems relatively minor. The Battle of Winterfell is about to happen, hopefully not like that pathetic joke from the series, which feels like the definition of They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot, so the books version being better won't be saying much. Victarian is approaching Slaver's Bay, and the Battle of Meereen is about to start. The Golden Company is taking control of the Stormlands. The Crow's Eye is attacking the Reach. I look forward very much to The Winds of Winter.

Found poll on A Forum of Ice and Fire on favorite 100 characters.
http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/130472-favorite-asoiaf-characters-re-opened/?p=7067357
1-5 is here-http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/134275-peoples-choice-top-100-characters-complete-list/
Rest are here-http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/132025-peoples-choice-top-100-characters-6-100-revealed/
Glad to see my favorite character and rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and Ned come above Dany. Too bad the writers on the show love her too much and hate the Mannis. At some point I will put on a post in which I say why I like Stannis Baratheon the First of His Name, Rightful King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. And how D&D didn't do him justice.

Finished A Feast for Crows on the 18th and the Appendixes on the 19th. This is often considered the weakest and I can understand why. The other books had climatic moments, deaths of major characters. This doesn't. There is a feeling of incompleteness. I liked the Ironborn storyline, which feels like it is building up to be really important. Euron has set his Crows Eye (his sigil reminds me of Sauron, and in The World of Ice and Fire an Ironborn Priest called Sauron Salt-Tongue is mentioned) on the Iron Throne and plans to conquer all Westeros with dragons. It's delightful to see those incestuous lions and false flowers have another foe to deal with.

This book seems to show the fallout of the war, the realm, especially the Riverlands, is in chaos. As Rodrik Harlaw says, crows are now squabbling over the corpse of Westeros. I wonder if that title could also refer to the Crow's Eye, who is feasting on Westeros. Other crows are the Bloody Mummers. Their fights with Brienne were climatic, but in the grand scheme not particularly important. I am interested in knowing what Brienne will do next with the Brotherhood.

TBWB may have harsh methods, but they have the sympathy of much of the Riverlands as they hang Freys and other villains. Delighted the Blackfish got away and wonder if he will join TBWB or if he went to Greywater Watch, where Stark loyalists and Frey foes lurk. Perhaps he will attack Riverrun, now held by the Freys, or the Twins. It says a lot about Brynden Tully that he is well past the prime of his life, yet the Freys and Lannisters are really worried about him escaping. There is the groundwork for an attack on the Freys. Also, Tom O'Sevens of TBWB is in Riverrun and was left alone with Edmure, who convinced his uncle to yield. There is something going on there.

Also good to see trouble for the Lannisters and those treacherous Tyrells. Cersei shows herself a terrible ruler, ruining her own cause, filling her Small Council with people she thinks she can control rather then those who are competent, while thinking she will show herself greater then her father. Love her uncle Kevan telling her she is a terrible mother and ruler. She can't even abide a little bit of satire, as shown by the puppet show. I have heard Varys may have been behind this. It is quite sinister not knowing where he is, considering how well he knows the passages in the Red Keep. Sending people of to Qyburn is not endearing people to Cersei.

Then there is Cersei dealing with the faith, getting rid of a huge debt, but creating a bigger problem.The two Queens, Cersei and Margaery, are now imprisoned. I have a liking for the High Sparrow/Septon, as he seems to be somebody who genuinely wants to do good rather then use dubious means to gain power. Selling the crown and jewels for money for the poor demonstrates this. Delightful to see him outwit Cersei. I love how after she gets imprisoned Aurane Waters leaves with the ships she spent a fortune building. Then there is the matter of the prophecy with the Valonqar. Suspect it will come true but there will be a twist. Jaime was born after Cersei, so is her little brother, however the prophecy describes them using their hands to strangle her. It might refer to a little brother, who is not Cersei's, or it could be a gender-neutral term that means little sibling. Cersei has upset a lot of younger siblings. The Starks, Baratheons, Daenerys hates the family...

Aemon has died, but it is very interesting what he says about Azor Ahai. I don't think Daenerys will be AA, as it is too neat for ASOIAF. Delightful irony in Sam meeting another of the Starks, though this time not knowing it. Very interesting in how Arya is losing her identity, taking so many names. Killing Dareon shows how far she has come, especially in how she refers to Arya killing him.

However the attack on Dragonstone is an example of this book having the feeling of exciting things happening off-page. There is a feel we have been left out, like when Davos' death is described. I know ADWD will fill these in, but it still feels unsatisfying. Will Loras die in the next book, or were rumors of his demise greatly exaggerated, to trick Cersei? The book seems to be building up to exciting events, Victarion is sent East for the "rightful Queen" (according to her), Stoneheart continues her vengeance and the Blackfish is lurking in the Riverlands. It doesn't really have a climatic ending, ending with Marwyn preparing to go to Essos to help Daenerys and the reveal that a Faceless Man is hiding in the Citadel.

Overall, I get why this is not well-rated among the books. Still, enjoyable and I look forward to reading ADWD.

On the 28th finished Steel and Snow. On the 4th finished A Storm of Swords. Great writing. Better then the first 2 in my opinion. POV chapters from Jaime, showing his character, the beginning of the deconstruction of Daenerys' plans, the Red and Purple Weddings, the deaths of three Kings. Hope Balon dies soon in GOT and we see Euron. As for series, have just finished Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. Quite a disturbing ending, but better then the Sept scene between Jaime and Cersei, as it felt more in character.

Finished A Clash of Kings 5 days ago, on the 4th. Another great read. I liked the way the book started up by showing Stannis' court on Dragonstone, Stannis being an important but absent character in the first book. Davos' POV chapters were not the most interesting. I found Daenerys' scenes in the House of the Undying very interesting. Might this foreshadow later? Personally I do not think she is the Prince that is Promised or Azor Ahai, as that would be too obvious. Though the Dragon has three heads. Might it be three people? Might the Prince and AA be different people? Still thinking of Jon Snow being Ned's sister-son and son of Rhaegar. Reading this, though I like Tyrion, I have to question his morality in supporting Joffrey, a monster born of incest. Liked the scene where Joff cuts himself on the Iron Throne and one of Stannis' men says this shows the Iron Throne has rejected him and he is not the true King. I will begin A Storm of Swords after my exams.

Yesterday finished the first book of A Song of Ice and Fire, A Game of Thrones, on my Kindle. Really good. Goes into more detail about characters. Interestingly enough, Stannis was the one who began the investigation into Robert's children and without the private scenes Renly comes across as much nastier. Also I am now thinking of the theory that Jon Snow is not Ned's son but his sister-son, and their father is Rhaegar Targaryen.