One thing I'll say about George R.R. Martin is that he's not afraid when it comes to killing off a main character (or two) & SOS is definitely no exception. In fact, where the last 2 books pruned a few people here & there SOS is wholesale annihilation. When you start reading SOS don't get too attached to anybody... chances are they'll be offed towards the end. Say good-bye to at least 9 main characters (that I remember), 1 limb & 1 wolf... although one of those characters does then get raised from the dead.

SOS is a truly absorbing read & with so many old characters gone I can't wait to see who will become principle characters in a Feast for Crows.