A song of ice and fire. Book three, A storm of swords. Part one, Steel and snow

The Seven Kingdoms are engulfed in turmoil as three contenders vie for the throne. Robb Stark defends his kingdom against the Greyjoys, while Winterfell lies in ruins. Jon Snow faces an escalating threat beyond the Wall, and Daenerys Stormborn, with her dragons, continues to gain strength. This third volume in the series showcases a rich tapestry of magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure, solidifying its status as a modern fantasy masterpiece. Amidst the chaos, one contender is dead, another is in disfavor, yet the wars rage on with shifting alliances. Joffrey Lannister sits uneasily on the Iron Throne, while his rival, Lord Stannis, suffers defeat at the hands of a jealous sorceress. Young Robb Stark rules the North from Riverrun, plotting against the Lannisters, who hold his sister hostage in King's Landing. Meanwhile, Daenerys, the exiled queen, traverses a blood-soaked continent with her three remaining dragons. As forces clash for a decisive battle, an army of wildlings emerges, led by a horde of mythical Others—supernatural beings whose animated corpses pose an unstoppable threat. With the fate of the realm at stake, the Seven Kingdoms are on the brink of a cataclysmic storm of swords.