A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

This is the third volume in the Game of Thrones series.  Mayhem, war, and plot twists abound; several main characters meet their demise and others take unusual detours in their journeys.  This is a fascinating story, but Martin's method of telling the story from several viewpoints simultaneously is somewhat disruptive, as I would become engrossed in following one character only to be switched to another part of the country in the next chapter.  Overall, the villains are still winning, but other dark forces have risen in the north, and the wars are now not just between men, but with other undead enemies and demons as well.  1177 pages.