Maybe my favourite book series! Intelligent dialogue dealing with consequences of even minor decisions. The hierarchy is criticised constantly, shown for being trivial, hypocritical and based almost entirely in violence and threats based on strength in numbers (implied and real).
I can't choose a favourite character or arc, but I really love ADWD for really elaborating on and setting up new goals for stories that had more or else finished their first act.
I also enjoy that while GRRM indulges in 'pure evil' characters such as Joffrey, The Mountain, Ramsay and Euron (Read that TWOW preview chapter- it's Godly!) he still establishes that most people commit horrific acts while being actual complex people in a shit system (Theon, Jamie, Stannis).
Main two characters also should be noted are a staunch abolitionist (Dany) and a man who sacrifices himself for refugees who he successfully migrated (Jon). Considering the ramifications they both faced for their decisions they both managed to be awesome, intelligent and compassionate, despite the consistently horrific implications and threats.
What are your favourite characters, arcs, worldbuilding or quotes? Any real life political figures you'd like to compare to ASOIAF characters?
Pretty cool that George is still getting better as a writer. People seem to like to complain that Feast and Dance have meandering, inconsequential stories therefore showing George has fallen off as a writer. They are not bad books, and his quality as a writer has not diminished. For me both had higher quality prose than the previous 3 books, and as you mentioned the Euron chapter is Godly and possibly the best thing he’s written in this series.
Adding all the detail to the world and then writing the backstory for Hedge Knight and the history books shows he is looking to add depth to the characters decisions
I wondered why he needed fake Aegon, but it makes sense after the TV show debacle