A Dance With Dragons - A Recap
To begin, here is a brief summary of where every one of the series living point-of-view characters finds themselves following the conclusion of the last book. As Martin has revealed his intention to not introduce further such characters (apart from for prologues and epilogues, though I personally think he should add an Edmure Tully POV to finally give us a firsthand look at Casterly Rock), it is these individuals that will serve as our eyes for the events of the final two books of the series and interact with missing characters if and when they do appear within the narrative.
Aeron Greyjoy Having disagreed with the appointment of his brother Euron as King of the Iron Islands, Aeron, commonly known as Damphair, has vanished and is believed dead by some, though the fact that he is confirmed to be a POV character once again in the next book suggests otherwise.
Areo Hotah The captain of Prince Doran Martells guards in Dorne, Areos character seemingly exists only to give firsthand insight into Dorans activities, which involve rebelling against the Iron Throne to join forces with the Targaryens once more.
Arianne Martell Prince Dorans daughter, Arianne, has been released from captivity following her failed plan to crown Myrcella in order to meet with the man calling himself Aegon Targaryen in the Stormlands.
Arya Stark Having continued her training in the House Of Black And White in Braavos, Arya has killed her first target and earned an apprenticeship as a result.
Asha Greyjoy Having been taken captive by the forces of Stannis Baratheon, Asha has continued to live despite calls for her to be sacrificed to the Lord Of Light, and has been reunited with her brother Theon for the time being.
Barristan Selmy Left without his queen, Daenerys, in Meereen, Ser Barristan has allied himself with Grey Worm, Skahaz mo Kandaq and the Tattered Prince in an attempt to retake the city from Hizdahr zo Loraq and prepare it for battle with Yunkai.
Bran Stark Having finally reached his destination and met both the Three-Eyed Crow and the remaining Children Of The Forest, Bran has been furthering his learning of both greenseeing and skinchanging, learning how to see events of the past through weirwood trees.
Brienne Of Tarth After being seemingly hung by Lady Stoneheart and the remnants of the Brotherhood Without Banners for alleged treachery, Brienne has reunited with Jaime Lannister, ostensibly seeking his assistance to rescue Sansa Stark from Sandor Clegane.
Catelyn Stark Reanimated as Lady Stoneheart by the final actions of Beric Dondarrion, Catelyn has captured and seemingly hung Brienne Of Tarth and her companions for apparent loyalty to the Lannister cause as she and the men who remain loyal to her relentlessly hunt and kill Lannisters and Freys.
Cersei Lannister Having been imprisoned by the faith for her sins after arranging for the imprisonment of Margaery Tyrell, Cersei has been released and awaits trial by battle, and seems set to rule as regent once more following the deaths of Kevan Lannister and Grand Maester Pycelle at the hands of Varys.
Daenerys Targaryen Having left Meereen on the back of Drogon, one of her three dragons, Daenerys has been discovered far away by the khalasar of Khal Jhaqo, a former ko of her husband Drogo who she once swore vengeance against for his raping and killing of a slave girl.
Davos Seaworth Having been supposedly killed by Wyman Manderly to show his loyalty to the Iron Throne, Davos remains alive and has been tasked by the Northern lord, who remains loyal to the Starks and is willing to support Stannis Baratheon, to find Rickon Stark and return him to where he belongs.
Jaime Lannister Having undergone a period of redemption, Jaime has made good on his promise to Catelyn Stark to never raise arms against the Tullys again, negotiating a bloodless surrender of Riverrun before encountering Brienne of Tarth.
Jon Connington Having landed in Westeros with the man calling himself Aegon Targaryen, Jon Connington has retaken his ancestral home of Griffins Roost and continues to support his young charge.
Jon Snow Having threatened to violate the neutrality of the Nights Watch to oppose the Boltons, Lord Commander Jon Snow has been stabbed several times by his black brothers due to their discontent about his decisions.
Melisandre Remaining at the Wall after Stannis Baratheon has headed south to secure the Norths support, Melisandre has attempted to serve in an advisory role to Jon Snow only to be ignored on a number of occasions, despite having saved Mance Rayders life at the expense of Rattleshirts.
Samwell Tarly Having finally arrived in Oldtown following his long journey from the Wall, Sam seems set to begin his training to become a Maester.
Sansa Stark Having been snuck away from Kings Landing by Littlefinger, Sansa has become more adept at playing the Game of Thrones by being in his presence and is scheduled to be part of a plan to secure the support of both the Vale and the North for his cause through marriage to Harrold Hardyng, the heir to the Vale in the event of the sickly Robert Arryns death.
Theon Greyjoy Having been rescued from his tortured captivity at the hands of Ramsay Bolton by Mance Rayder, Theon, as well as Jeyne Poole, the stewards daughter forced to masquerade as Arya Stark, has found himself in the presence of Stannis Baratheon, who plans to execute him for his supposed killings of Bran and Rickon Stark.
Tyrion Lannister Having been captured in Essos by Jorah Mormont, Tyrion has arranged their membership in the Second Sons mercenary company, hoping to switch their support to the cause of Daenerys Targaryen.
Victarion Greyjoy Having been sent by Euron, the brother (and king) he despises, to court Daenerys Targaryen in his name, Victarion, who has begun to make offerings to the Lord of Light following his capture of Moqorro, has other plans on his mind as he and his fleet approach Slavers Bay. The series other three point of view characters, Eddard Stark, Arys Oakheart and Quentyn Martell, are deceased.