A Feast For Crows is most assuredly not wanting. Some people are confusing their personal favorite characters as the central plot axis. ALL the characters contribute to the plot. It is ludicrous to compare Martin with Jordan. A Feast For Crows has significant plot developments, they just don't fit the mundane fantasy norm, and have a high degree of subtlety and intelligence. Essentially, this book establishes the various religious factions which do not share the same boundaries as the political alliances. This is something not usually depicted in fantasy to any degree of sophistication.

The characters are not the srory, they are a part of the story. I think some readers have their romantic notions as to who should be doing what. Martin is not catering to that thought. He is redefining the archetypes of fantasy to be reflective of historical and contemporary political and human realities.

I too missed some favourite characters. This did not detract, however, from enjoying the overall story and the complex interplay manifesting from the seeds planted in the first book. A great read.