"A Song of Ice and Fire" is some of the best fantasy fiction I have ever read. The characters are so full of life and energy, and their motivations are so incredible gritty and realistic. There's cussing and sex and limbs getting cut off, and all that nasty stuff, all of which exist to advance the nature of the characters Martin is dealing with.
And the twists. . . Main characters that you've read about and loved for 2,000 pages will suddenly get capped off camera somewhere. . . whole kingdoms get flopped on their heads (realistically), and every single class from the king to the commoner is somehow tied into the experiences of the plight of the 7 Kingdoms.
Add in Ages of very intersting backstory and history, and a plethora of very distictive cultures, adn you have a very entertaining and well-realized world.
I highly recommend it. And BTW, if anyone knows the man himself, tell him to hurry up with the next volume. I'm going nuts.
"A Song of Ice and Fire" is some of the best fantasy fiction I have ever read. The characters are so full of life and energy, and their motivations are so incredible gritty and realistic. There's cussing and sex and limbs getting cut off, and all that nasty stuff, all of which exist to advance the nature of the characters Martin is dealing with.
And the twists. . . Main characters that you've read about and loved for 2,000 pages will suddenly get capped off camera somewhere. . . whole kingdoms get flopped on their heads (realistically), and every single class from the king to the commoner is somehow tied into the experiences of the plight of the 7 Kingdoms.
Add in Ages of very intersting backstory and history, and a plethora of very distictive cultures, adn you have a very entertaining and well-realized world.
I highly recommend it. And BTW, if anyone knows the man himself, tell him to hurry up with the next volume. I'm going nuts.
I agree, this is one great set of books and I can't wait until the next book comes out. You should check out his web site http://www.georgerrmartin.com/ for updates. Also Guadians of Order is putting out a game based on the books which hopefully will come out in May.
Thanks Sir K! I usually check out his site about once a month. I hope he's close.
Many of the chapters for Feast of Crows have been reprouduced in the "Samples" section. They change every so often. So far, I have read chapters for Arya, Danerys, Cersi, and The Prophet (Greyjoy).
There are also some very cool portraits of many of the characters somewhere. I forget the name of the site at the moment, but is something like www.amok.net.
Looking forward to Feast of Crows with feverish anticipation.
I have heard alot of great reviews so last week I bought "A Game of Thrones." I'm looking forward to a good read.
george wow.. he has their histories and his family tree work on the Freys.. wow.. i was impressed. made me think more about putting a lot of effort into character histories..
all and all a good series of books.. and the Unsullied.. it made me look up their real world equals in the Ottoman turks.. i was impressed
A Game of Thrones is easily the best fantasy novel I have read in the past several years. Martin's description, flow and vivid fantastical settings are unparalleled. I tried to skimp past this huge book because I have such a large selection from the library to pour through, but it kept drawing me in and forcing me to read. The story of Catelyn and the Horselords was the most involving plotline and what a great finish. The description of the battle with Tyrion and his father was straight out of the battle scenes of Braveheart. My only issue was it's slower pace and not enough fantastical elements. Does any of his other series include my requests?
Paul,
It gets better and better. I think the first novel is his weakest. This is because, IMO, he has to set up a large portion of the world at once, and so many of the Stark children are so young. I know alot of people who have trouble getting through the first 100 or so pages, claiming that it's dull and boring. I almost didn't make it myself. Once you get past that initla hump though. . . on man, it becomes fantastic. It's been a fun, downhill roller coaster ever since, and has never failed to captivate me.
One of the massive story arcs is about the slow return of the magic and mystery to the world, so you'll defiinitely see a higher frequency of that (the ending of the fourth book makes a REALLY bold statement on that fact that you never see coming).
My favorite it the series so far is the third book. Somehow, George wove together such a series of twists and moments that it almost felt like a Soap Opera for geeky young men.
Furthermore, as you read, you get to see the world from more perspectives besides the Starks, some quite surprising. . . Somehow, you actually relate to characters that you thought were completely unredeemable and evil in the first book. A tough feat to pull off.
Also, if you like Tyrion, just keep reading . . .
Thanks, Chris sounds good. I also meant Daenerys and the Horselords, not Catelyn. So many names...
A Feast for Crows had the most plot twists in my opinion, at least in the second half. The race after Dany will be absolutely amazing considering the parties involved. I don't think there will be another continent spanning war for a time, but the defenders of the faith are bound to be thorns in the sides of many factions. The coming slaughter at Riverrun will be classic.
A Feast for Crows had the most plot twists in my opinion, at least in the second half. The race after Dany will be absolutely amazing considering the parties involved. I don't think there will be another continent spanning war for a time, but the defenders of the faith are bound to be thorns in the sides of many factions. The coming slaughter at Riverrun will be classic.
I think the 3rd book had more twists to it (I don't want to give anything away to those who haven't read it yet). I will admit the last few chapters of the 4th book were pretty sweet. Alot of cliffhangers (Cersi's bit especially).
Plus, Littlefinger is becoming my new favorite character.
Attention "A Song of Ice and Fire" fans! The old sample chapter from the forthcoming "A Dance of Dragons," has finally been replaced by a new one. You can find it here:
http://www.georgerrmartin.com/chapter.html
If you haven't started this series, or gave up on the first book before page 200, then shame. . . on. . . you! You're missing out on what is shaping up to be one of the best fantasy epics ever written. :)
If you haven't started this series, or gave up on the first book before page 200, then shame. . . on. . . you! You're missing out on what is shaping up to be one of the best fantasy epics ever written. :)
QFT
It is so very rare for me to pick up a book and simultaneously savor every page and loathe reading what comes next...George R. R. Martin is the Rat Bastard of fantasy writers.
Salvatore is close, but I seriously can't look at fantasy literature the same anymore. Martin has definitely placed himself in my Top Five category, and that list has a glacial movement rate.
QFT
If you haven't started this series, or gave up on the first book before page 200, then shame. . . on. . . you! You're missing out on what is shaping up to be one of the best fantasy epics ever written. :)
Can I get an AMEN!!
Daenaerys Stormborn, Arya Stark, Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister are my favorite characters so far. Haven't finished Storm of Swords yet and haven't read A Feast of Crows so far, so my list may change.
To continue the accolades:
This series will change your life. You will want everyone you know to read it. You will get withdrawls waiting for new books. You start getting paranoid when you read other books waiting for bad stuff to happen. And you find out just how fast you can read an 800 page book.
I like the series a lot, for many of the reasons given by others above, and I can't wait for the new book to come out so I can take it home and stay up all night to read it... but I do have a complaint with the series...
Spoilers!
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That being said, I got a little jaded with the story somewhere around the late pages of book II... even with the spoilers disclaimer, I'm not going to go into specifics, but is he planning on having any of the characters from the orginal book live through to the end?
You get a few deaths early on, including a really notable one at the end of the first book, but the death rate among his characters seems to be increasing exponentially with each book!
And as true as it is to the style and source material of his epic, it sucks royally when a character that he has made you care for, and who you thought was doing ok... all of sudden just gets wasted in a death scene that usually lacks any sort of heroic demise, just a grisly death in the name of political ambition or revenge.
Don't get me wrong, I like the series, and its a mark of good writing that I care and mourn for all these characters that get slain... but it gets to a point where you don't really want to "like" a character, because as soon as you do, someone is going to backstab them, or shoot them with a crossbow, or betray them to another faction, or kill them at a wedding or something...
Its a good tradeoff. If you have studied the Wars of the Roses, one of his inspirations, a lot of people don't make it. It is realistic that in a time of war and treachery people would die. Caring for these people enough is a good sign, but it also means you knwo he won't pull punches. And what goes around, comes around.
To be honest, one family gets the lion's share of the killing (no pun intended).
Many medievalists would confirm something about Martin's work: he has realistically captured the ravages of war and how they could devastate a realms.
Its a good tradeoff. If you have studied the Wars of the Roses, one of his inspirations, a lot of people don't make it. It is realistic that in a time of war and treachery people would die. Caring for these people enough is a good sign, but it also means you knwo he won't pull punches. And what goes around, comes around.
To be honest, one family gets the lion's share of the killing (no pun intended).
Many medievalists would confirm something about Martin's work: he has realistically captured the ravages of war and how they could devastate a realms.
Oh, I know he is being true to the source material (so to speak).
But the death toll! How many signifigant POV characters are still around from book 1 to book 4? Well, ok, thats not quite a fair question given how he divided up the characters among book 4 and book 5... but still, sometimes when I'm reading it, its hard to "like" the characters or get emotionally invested in them, because the average mortality rate seems to be around 3 chapters, lol
All that being said, I still like the series, and I'm still buying them...
I think Martin gets what he wants out of his characters and kills them off after he is through with them. He wants to develop other fresh characters with new ideas so what better way to stop writing about them than killing them off? It is rather abrupt and seems brutal, but it also captures the spirit of assassination and the ruthlessness of the age.
He is the writer and he is entertaining so I can look past what he is doing. How tired would we be of an ongoing saga of a hero who never gets touched or harmed in a savage world of power and meatcleaving weapons? (A certain dusky skinned elf comes to mind). Bravo, I say on killing three birds with one stone.
Its a great series, but the down side with it is that it makes other novels a bit of a drag to read. After finishing A Feast For Crows, I started to read Marked for Death (Eberron) and it just feels.....meh. There are no really cool characters and the writing is pretty boring as well. So now its the hard wait for A Dance With Dragons.
Yeah, I just started this series this summer and am already halfway through book 3. (That's with taking time off after book 1 to finish Robin Hobb's Liveship series, which is also excellent, and nibbling at some more classic stuff, like Dumas and Scott). It's raw and graphic, a very different kind of read from Tolkien or even Robert Jordan, but I'm finding the books very compelling, and, as others have mentioned, find myself constantly empathizing with characters I had written off as irredemable bastards in earlier parts of the series. Definitely a cut above a lot of the stuff on the F/SF shelves, and worth a read. I imagine I'll be anxiously awaiting the next one by sometime this fall.
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Its a great series, but the down side with it is that it makes other novels a bit of a drag to read. After finishing A Feast For Crows, I started to read Marked for Death (Eberron) and it just feels.....meh. There are no really cool characters and the writing is pretty boring as well. So now its the hard wait for A Dance With Dragons.
This is very, very true...
I couldn't really enjoy every fantasy book i read after SOIAF. Authors I enjoyed for years like Feist or Williams all fell victim to the sheer genius of Martin. And whenever I borrow the books to a friend I always warn them: You'll never be able to enjoy a classic fantasy book again after you read this! Beware! I read other stuff like history books or modern literature, but no more fantasy. Whenever I pick up a fantasy book i want it to be as great as SOIAF and there's nothing around that comes even close...What I am really afraid of is the possibility that we won't see an end to these books. Martin is not among the youngest and he for sure doesn't really look healthy :) and regarding his slow writing... Arghhh, can't think this to the end. I remember Frank Herbert passing away and leaving Dune unfinished and I don't want something like this happen again...:(
I am quite amazed that no one has yet commented on who Jon Snow's real father is..heh..oops..spoilers..
After reading the whole series again prior to reading a feast for crows, I was struck how obvious the set-up was..its there in the first book if one just stands back objectively and reads (easier to do the 2nd time through).
One thing I like about Martin, he does reach out to his fans. I was very happy when he replied to an email I sent him.
He's in my top ten authors, not quiet up to Tolkien yet but definitely surged past Eddings, Fiest, Zahn and Erikson. Personally, I still prefer Turtledove over Martin cause Turtledove is a freaking writting machine, wheras Martin, is well, pacing himself.
I am quite amazed that no one has yet commented on who Jon Snow's real father is..heh..oops..spoilers..
After reading the whole series again prior to reading a feast for crows, I was struck how obvious the set-up was..its there in the first book if one just stands back objectively and reads (easier to do the 2nd time through).
One thing I like about Martin, he does reach out to his fans. I was very happy when he replied to an email I sent him.
He's in my top ten authors, not quiet up to Tolkien yet but definitely surged past Eddings, Fiest, Zahn and Erikson. Personally, I still prefer Turtledove over Martin cause Turtledove is a freaking writting machine, wheras Martin, is well, pacing himself.
I've been wondering about Jon Snow's father for some time now, I have my suspisions, but well that might be a spoiler, It seemed to be hinted at in Storm of Swords, though.
The next book needs to come out soon, I'm having serious withdrawls. My friends and family think I am insane that I drove to three different book stores with no air conditioning to find A Feast Of Crows, but I'm sure the rest of you know why.
There has been a lot of comment about how characters you used to hate becoming more likable, well, I've been finding that some characters I liked in the beginning I now can't stand, Martin is a character developement genius. I can't believe I ever really liked Robert Jordan.
Speculation is not a spoiler. To be honest, unless it has been written in a book, you can't spoil it.
However
SPOLIERS ALERT
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Still spoiling
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So yeah, isn't it obvious that Rhaegar Targaryen was Jon's father?
Reasons:
1. Rhaegar had Lyanna, and when Eddard turned up she was in her "bed of blood," which is a term for the birthing area. Lyanna had been with him for sometime. All of the circusmtantial evidence points to the possibility.
2. Eddard Stark was too damn honorable to have a bastard, face it.
3. Eddard forbid questions about Jon, saying he refused to talk about Jon's parentage in any way. Instead of saying, "I messed up." he never admitted personal involvement.
4. He came back from Robert's rebellion with Jon. When was he supposed to have had this child during that time?
5. There is some quote about "his is the song of ice and fire," so it can be Daenerys. And Snow would be Ice and fire.
Go look around at some fansites. There is some pretty convincing stuff that made me a believer.
5. There is some quote about "his is the song of ice and fire," so it can be Daenerys. And Snow would be Ice and fire.
Bingo..
That was the final nail in the coffin, but as I said all you have to do is step back while reading the first book and realize that Eddard Stark was to damn honourable to father a bastard and further, for his sister's sake and the Kingdom's sake was willing to piss off his new wife, so that the boy would not be killed by Robert's order..as would be the inevitable reaction by Robert to news that his bethrothed had lain with his arch enemy.
Concieveably, if Stark hadn't impunged his own honour by claiming Jon as a bastard, there may have been civil war between Stark and Robert..as Eddard made a promise to his sister to care for the boy and Robert would have wanted him dead.
So of course, with this in mind can we now guess who Jon will wind up marrying?
5. There is some quote about "his is the song of ice and fire," so it can be Daenerys. And Snow would be Ice and fire.
Bingo..
That was the final nail in the coffin, but as I said all you have to do is step back while reading the first book and realize that Eddard Stark was to damn honourable to father a bastard and further, for his sister's sake and the Kingdom's sake was willing to piss off his new wife, so that the boy would not be killed by Robert's order..as would be the inevitable reaction by Robert to news that his bethrothed had lain with his arch enemy.
Concieveably, if Stark hadn't impunged his own honour by claiming Jon as a bastard, there may have been civil war between Stark and Robert..as Eddard made a promise to his sister to care for the boy and Robert would have wanted him dead.
So of course, with this in mind can we now guess who Jon will wind up marrying?
My guess would be Dany, the family does have something for marrying brother to sister.
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Technically, in this scenario Daenerys would be Jon's aunt, as Rhaegar was her brother.
Bah, I like to think Jon is Eddard's. Never mind all the hints to the contrary; the thought of Ned being a rampaging badass before he settled down and married is kind of cool, and fits with some real people I know (solemn, wise, and honorable as adults; wild hellions when they were kids).
I like Arya the best, though. Oh, and if I ever get to be a player instead of a DM, I'm going to try to roll up Khal Drogo. How cool was that guy?
Arya is mighty cool for a little girl.
Drogo was a beast, I agree. He oculd be a great NPC.
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Drogo, along with all of the other main characters from AGoT, are fully statted in the d20 setting published by Sword & Sorcery. He's listed as a Raider 10 / Commander 3, both of which are also explained in the book. Strangely enough, there is a prestige class called Bloodrider, but they didn't give him any levels in it.
Also, thirteen levels might not seem like much, but the game is very low-power - the most levels they give anyone is sixteen (Tywin Lannister).
The books are being optioned as an ongoing series for HBO:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957532.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
Director of Sales
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The books are being optioned as an ongoing series for HBO:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957532.html?categoryid=14&cs=1
I read this, and if I may take a page from our friend Lilith...
*ahem*
*ahem*
Carry on...
In an ideal world, the crew responsible for Rome would make the SoIaF series. That said, this is one work that simply cannot be dramatised without the loss of most of what makes it special. Television series lose depth to gain momentum. It is depth that makes Martin's writing live as it does. Any screenplay would end up like a highlight reel.
I read this, and if I may take a page from our friend Lilith...
*ahem*
*ahem*
Carry on...
Oh yes indeed! :D
I have read the Hedge Knight. Pretty good stuff, mostly about jousting and knighthood, and of course, corrupt nobles and betrayal. A little bit of a prelude to the SOIAF series. They are released in comic book form as well, don't know the publisher. Have the Sworn Sword but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
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Director of Sales
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I have read the Hedge Knight. Pretty good stuff, mostly about jousting and knighthood, and of course, corrupt nobles and betrayal. A little bit of a prelude to the SOIAF series. They are released in comic book form as well, don't know the publisher. Have the Sworn Sword but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.
Holy CRAP!
This is the first I've heard of either of them. Now I know what I'm getting for Christmas!*
I just finished reading the 4th book, and I must say I really loved this series. I'm actually stealing tons of material for my game! But I'm kind of bummed out, thinking that it will be, like, 10 years or so before George manages to actually finish the whole series (based on the rate the existing books have come out). I'm dying to read the rest! Argghhh!
I just finished reading the 4th book, and I must say I really loved this series. I'm actually stealing tons of material for my game! But I'm kind of bummed out, thinking that it will be, like, 10 years or so before George manages to actually finish the whole series (based on the rate the existing books have come out). I'm dying to read the rest! Argghhh!
I share your pain.
This series is brilliant!
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What I am really afraid of is the possibility that we won't see an end to these books. Martin is not among the youngest and he for sure doesn't really look healthy :) and regarding his slow writing... Arghhh, can't think this to the end. I remember Frank Herbert passing away and leaving Dune unfinished and I don't want something like this happen again...:(
He only has 3 more to write according to an interview I saw. It will get finished. Optimism is key. The series WILL get finished.
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I agree that the series is great - I'd also recommend checking out the RPG from a few years back for those interested in low magic settings.
I'm also really psyched for the TV series - HBO has great production values on everything they do, and giving each book a season to play out should let them deal with everything that needs to be done.
I have to disagree with what a previous poster said about TV series/films never being able to match the source material, though. Though relatively rare, some films manage to eclipse the books on which they're based. The biggest example off the top of my head is Jaws, which is a much better film than it is a book. Same goes for Jurassic Park, I'd say.
Anyone want to engage in some fantasy casting for the AGoT series?
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2011 Top 16
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Regarding the TV series. If they make each ASOIAF books into one series, it may contain enough depth. But you are right, TV/movies can never be as good as books.
You do know GRRM was a TV screenwriter in the 80's... Beauty and the Beast being most notable (at least for me). Ron Pearlman rules!
I love Martin's books. I could barely put them down when I read them, probably the best fantasy I've read in years. His ability to write a combination of gritty realism alongside wondrous magic is breathtaking. I think the only thing so far (in four books!) that I wasn't thrilled with was Arya going off overseas--I thought in a way that one Westeros aristocrat orphan plotting revenge overseas was enough, but perhaps that's just because I felt so disappointed at Arya not finding her way to her relations after all. "A Feast for Crows" is such a dark book that I have to be honest and say I found it hard to like though I did still enjoy it.
As for casting--
I'd actually like to see Jude Law play Jaime Lannister--it would be interesting to see him play a complete jerk who slowly approaches redemption.
Same with Claire Danes for Cersei. Partly for her features but also she is a good actress and could I think make you love her and hate her at the same time.
A well directed Anthony Hopkins could do Lord Tywin.
Emma Thompson for Catelyn Stark
Kevin McKidd for Robb Stark
Charlie Cox for Jon Snow
As for casting--
Good game, this one. My brother and I used to entertain ourselves for hours speculating on the cast for a Nine Princes in Amber movie.
I'd actually like to see Jude Law play Jaime Lannister--it would be interesting to see him play a complete jerk who slowly approaches redemption.
Not sure he's got the range, honestly. But I'd pick him in a minute over Leonardo diCaprio, Matt Damon, or any of that ilk.
Same with Claire Danes for Cersei. Partly for her features but also she is a good actress and could I think make you love her and hate her at the same time.
I always feel like the character was written with a younger Glen Close in mind. With her a bit elderly for the role now, Claire Danes might not be a bad choice.
A well directed Anthony Hopkins could do Lord Tywin.
How about that guy who did Richard the Long-Shanks in "Braveheart"? And I'd like to see Tom Cruise try out for the role of Tyrion, just for fun.
Emma Thompson for Catelyn Stark
Absolutely perfect; there is no one better for her.
Charlie Cox for Jon Snow
Adrien Brody?
I love Adrien Brody, and just for the record I'd go for maybe HIM doing Tyrion--Tyrion deserves excellent acting. He has the range for sure. I'd like someone younger but with good ability to do Jon Snow for sure.
I sort of know what you mean about Cersei but she's supposed to actually not be that old--I get the impression she's maybe close to 30, and pampered enough to still be very sexy. Barring Danes what about Uma Thurman?
BTW if not for Jaime Lannister I thought Jude Law would also be good for Lord Renly Baratheon.