[Winters_Sorrow]

As regards the death's issue. As much as i would love to believe that the Hound is still alive, there is precedent for GRRM killing off 'major' characters (as we all know). I think the Hound is dead - he has too recogniseable a "face" to not be spotted otherwise.
Gregor & Davos - GRRM seems to want us to think that both of these are dead (and playing Devil's advocate for a moment, they could both be dead!). If Gregor is alive, would that make Qyburn a Red priest? So far they're the only ones apart from the Others who can sustain life past endurance. I can't think that Oberyn didn't use the most deadly poison he could when he fought Gregor.
As for Davos, he is a likeable, honest character so he could be dead too! Honest men die when the Game of Thrones is played!

For me, although I enjoyed the POVs and story in AFfC, I greatly felt the absence of Jon & Tyrion in this book. It was very good to see more of Dorne however and more of the riverlands & Eyrie.

One thing which fascinated me was the change which has begun with Sansa. She's starting to 'become' Alayne in her thoughts, which may not bode well for the Starks.

What does everyone else think about the rise of the Militant Orders of the Faith? I feel this will have major repercussions for the next few books. After all, they've already shown that they're more powerful than the Queen in her own capital city!