Melisandre looked into her fires and saw Jon go from a man to a wolf and then back to a man. Pretty sure that means he's warged into Ghost, will chill there until Melisandre either heals his wounds Victarion style or, if he's actually "dead," revives him Beric style and then Jon goes back into his body.
Also, Tormund and the Wildlings are going to fucking murder Bowen Marsh and the Night's Watch.
So, I finally finished the book. Long story. But that is also basically what I think about Jon. I don't know that he will die, but I imagine Melisandre will play a part in saving him either way. This is George Martin, so he certainly could be dead, but I don't see that, especially after like 3 other cliffhanger- they are dead! chapters already in the book.
And I don't even get how it makes sense to kill him. There are literally thousands of wildlings that are only being held in check by Jon, versus a few hundred Night's Watch. It is suicide, assuming the Wildlings don't just bail and ravage the North, which again, kind of defeats the purpose.
Also, why was Wun Wun turning the knight into goo? Obviously he had been attacked, so the Queen was in on the plan maybe, and had the guy was to start a diversion? Not a diversion I would volunteer for. Maybe that is how he got Val, agreeing to do it? I need to give it more thought.
The book caught a lot of flack for not being that interesting when it came out. I found Dany to be almost intolerable, but otherwise I really liked the book. But I also had months to simmer down my expectations. I was disappointed in Feast first run through, but came to like it my next time through. I liked this on my first read.
I liked Barristan, especially when he shed a bit of light on the history, and did some badass things that were difficult choices for him. Still too stuck in his old ways to effectively general the war, but it seems like he was breaking out of them toward the end. Also will probably have some help from Victarion. Potentially the Khalasar as well? I don't remember who Jhaqo is, I assume he doesn't like Dany, but the Dothraki seemed to piss their pants at the sight of the dragon. I assume the corpses are to spread pestilence, and not actually the hostages?
I was surprised that Quentyn turned out to be such a dumb ass. He should have taken more after his father.
Tyrion was a bit dull, and I kind of wished he would just get it over with at a certain point, and join up with Dany or something. Or at least get into the city. Still, he gave some culture to Essos and served as a necessary plot device.
I liked the Connington/Aegon twist. That seems like it could go places, especially if there is an eventually Dany/Aegon conflict. Interesting to see how it will play out with Dorne. Hopefully the take Higharden first. The Tyrells are shits.
I like that the Dragons are hard to deal with.
Victarion seems like a complete idiot, but I assume he will be nice and bring the horn to get the dragon's under control, probably dying in the process. Because he is dumb.
I assume Ramsay is full of shit about Stannis. I don't understand how Mors Umber was at Winterfell, and Tycho went there, and then found Stannis before the Boltons could if they were marching on him. Bolton's host split up to find "Arya" maybe? Bolton certainly could have heard of Stannis' shiny sword, and Mance was obviously suspicious when his women helped Theon escape. So lies salted with truth.
edit: Apparently it was Mors Umber, who is with Stannis? I confused him with Whoresbane. Which I also found confusing. Now I understand what happened. Could still be full of shit, or it could be something that happened offscreen, and they will just go back in time in the next book to show how things play out.
I don't know why they though Mance's capture would bring Jon running, though. Or why he felt the need to let them know that "Arya" had escaped. Unless he intended that to be his lure.
Wyman Manderly was stone cold. Shame about most of his chins.
Theon was fantastic. Asha was a complete waste.
Bran feels like a waste. I get he needs to get set up, but it seems it would take a while to grow into a tree. Also seems like a shitty fate. I guess I will see where it is going. Bloodraven is cool, but I think a lot of people called that. Or that Bloodraven would be Coldhands, I can't recall now.
I loved Arya's chapters, but again, the whole training aspect seems difficult to achieve unless he does a time gap or has events start to take longer. We are still only like 3 years in from book one, right?
Jaime was a waste, but I guess they need to set him up for something. I can't see how he wouldn't be dead, so I assume that means they were some distances from Stoneheard and something happens along the way.
Tyrells are still shits. Kevan Lannister seems pretty cool. I am not even sure his death was necessary. He was holding it together, but just barely. Obviously his death makes things even worse, but I imagine shit would have hit the fan pretty soon anyways, especially with no money, Ungregor, and all the other events swirling around.
Just some barely considered thoughts, will browse the thread tomorrow and see what others have thought about.
edit: Holy shit long post!
edit 2: Just stumbled upon the Frey pies theories. Wyman Manderly is stone coldier if true. I imagine that is one that won't ever be confirmed or denied.
