A Storm of Swords 2: Blood and Gold (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3, Part 2 of 2)

Everytime I think I have found a comparable series my return to Westeros obliterates the notion.

Even though I know almost exactly what will happen I remain in shock and awe. All the big cards are dealt here, I mean the series could have ended with a few minor tweaks, and it would have been a masterpiece.

Generally considered the best book so far I find no grounds to argue with that, I just hope there's enough left to top it. That will be some achievement.

The divergence of the TV show to its own arcs becomes more pronounced at this point so we can be confident it will be better that that, exciting! I just need the self control to take the remaining books slowly!