Just finished reading aDwD after starting the series after the 2nd season of the TV show ended. I am blown away at the moment about what just happened at the end. Below are my thoughts and comments, spoilers below:
Dany's story kind of limped along and while what happened in Meereen ended with a bang, her overall story is still lingering. I can't believe what happened to Jon, I dont blame the guys of the nights watch, but I so badly wanted him to bring an army of wildlings down on Ramsay and maybe that will still happen... Varys and Migister Ilrryio play a huge role in the background of what is going on. I found that to be the most intriguing about the book. The deep underlyings of "the game of thrones". I found the show is showing this a lot and the books only just got to this. Selmy is a beast and I hope we get more of his POVs in the next book. I do wonder who will give us POVs from beyond the wall, Tormund? Mellisandre? I also wonder if the battle outside of winterfell actually happened. I totally get that Ramsay got Mance (disguised as the singer and the spearwives helped theon and jeyne escape) but did Mance tell Ramsay that Stannis had lightbringer and maybe he is bluffing that he won the battle? I hope Stannis is still alive with his army and the two ironborn. Also Davos' few POVs showed that Manderly is on the side of Stannis so I don't know.