Many women in the novel try to be strong, to varying degrees of success. Which women in the novel are admirable? How do they use their strengths to get ahead in a primarily patriarchal society? How does being female hinder the women in the novel in reaching their goals?

Consider the role of advisers in the novel. Each of the kings have official advisers or family members who frequently give them advise on how to win the war. Are these advisers valued? Why or why not? How do the kings treat them, and how often do they take their advice? Should the kings put more or less faith in the advice they receive? Why or why not?

Each of the claimants to the throne, Stannis Baratheon, Renly Baratheon, Robb Stark, and Balon Greyjoy, view the others as threats, but to differing degrees. How does...