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Game of Thrones Monopoly Set. :P
I had some input into this. The Waterworks = The Drowned God was one of my ideas, though sadly the Drowned God turning out to be Cthulu wasn't.
Thats great.
Generally very positive (and slightly spoilery) but Pub Weekly advises some caution. Whilst the book has many more plot-important events than AFFC due to the presence of Jon, Tyrion and Dany it still has the same 'feel' as AFFC (I presume that means writing style). The review also indicates that the book has a huge climax (the Knot?) but that there's a lot of scene-setting for Book 6 (which of course is years away still) as well.
Not entirely sure how to take that. The review is generally good, and it sounds like there's lots more movement and important events than in AFFC, but there is also that note of caution. Hmm.
Spoilers do sound like stalling, wonder if there will be timeline jump of a decade or so years. And about Tyrion and Gerion.
It is a very poor review.
Many people expect for Dany to land in Dorne, that is too predictable, shouldn't she at least go to Asshai.
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I don't know, I've seen crazier theories, such as Rhaegar is Coldhands lol
It's only a month before the release, anyone want to bet on who will die?
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No. However:
** spoiler omitted **No. However:
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Glad I'm not the only one who thought that.
Do you think he'll join the Faith Militant after the corpses stop, he could be one of the reasonable among the fanatics
More likely he's retired
Does the faith of the Seven have any kind of prophecies?
The first (probably of three) 'Story So Far' pieces for those who don't want to reread the books before ADWD comes out.
The first section deals with the mythical pre-history of the series leading up to the Targaryen invasion. Part 2 will deal with the Targaryen dynasty and hopefully will get into the books themselves.
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There's nothing I remember about Robert doing anything with the body. Only real reference to the fight at all is his dreams about fighting him every night which he tells Ned on the way to Kings Landing in the first book.
Unless I have forgotten something crucial that Cersei dropped... Highly likely.
Rhaegar's dead. GRRM's been asked over the years to clarify things, and he mentioned that Rhaegar's body would have been burned on the Trident in keeping with Targaryen tradition. If Rhaegar were alive there is no logica reason for him to hide out for this long.
In addition, GRRM's had to clarify that yes, Eddard's dead as well. Some people even think that was a fake-out.
This one got a bit out of control and ended up being far more detailed than I planned. Unfortunately, it's unclear what parts of the backstory will be essential in ADWD and which are just fluff and flavour, so I had no choice but to put in everything and the kitchen sink in.
The good news is that brings up up to the books, so the next part will hopefully be able to summarise the existing books more concisely (though it may take two to do them justice).
Thanks, I didn't know about Volantis, and the Blackfyre rebellion is much clearer to me now. Was Oldtown always under Gardeners?
Volantis apparently plays a bigger role in the next book, so getting a leg-up on why it's so important is a good idea. It's the largest, oldest and most populous of the Free Cities, though also the most decadent and corrupt; Braavos is smaller, but much richer and much more militarily powerful.
Thanks, I didn't know about Volantis, and the Blackfyre rebellion is much clearer to me now. Was Oldtown always under Gardeners?
Oldtown has been ruled by House Hightower apparently since the First Men first came to Westeros. They ruled as Kings of Oldtown (I'm guessing it wasn't always called Oldtown though) for thousands of years before the Gardeners of Highgarden wiped out the various small petty-kings of the Reach and united the area as one nation. The Hightowers sweared fealty to the Gardeners and served as their vassals. When the Gardeners died off during the Targaryen invasion, the Hightowers simply sweared fealty to House Tyrell instead.
Yea, the Hightowers are interesting cause they are powerful yet not as ambitious as others. Only once when they tried to make one of them inherit the Night's Watch command.
Yup. The Hightowers are the most powerful vassal family in the Seven Kingdoms. By themselves they are richer and command larger armies then the Starks, Baratheons, Tullys and Martells , maybe the Arryns as well. If their ancestors had wanted, they could have carved their own kingdom out of the southern Reach and probably held it indefinitely. But they wanted the quiet life and were happy being vassals to Highgarden.
On the recap front:
In a way they act like maesters, they must hide/know something. I wonder about their history with the Daynes.
Daynes have been killing Oakhearts for a long time. I think it's the same with Hightowers. Possibly Gerold, Oswell and Arthur were allied, and the Hightowers know more about the Tower of Joy and Summerhall. Sam could find out.
WOOT! My copy of "A Dance With Dragons" was just sent on its way by Amazon Germany. Two weeks early!
WOOT! My copy of "A Dance With Dragons" was just sent on its way by Amazon Germany. Two weeks early!
Hey, that's really kind of strange coming from a company as high profile as Amazon.
That, and I just can't understand how they set their prices among the European stores. If I understand correctly, you can pre-order the book at Amazon.de for EUR15,95 (Bantam edition). The same edition is at EUR24,72 at Amazon.fr, and it isn't even available for pre-order at Amazon.it.
Go figure…
Yes it seems Amazon made a mistake when the books came in from Bantam. It's been reported that someone "pressed the wrong button" which resulted in shipment process beginning when the book should have been held back. They have gotten in under control though in the meantime.
The differences in price are probably due to different VAT rates in the individual countries.
The differences in price are probably due to different VAT rates in the individual countries.
VAT for books in France is only at 5,5%, so there must be something else.
A map of the world of A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE.
Westeros, the Free Cities and Slaver's Bay are canon, some of the linking areas, Ibben, the Summer Isles and the Jade Sea region are speculative. Though I nicked the north-eastern coast of Essos from the TV title sequence where it shows the sea north-east of Vaes Dothrak, so that's vaguely canon, maybe.
A map of the world of A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE.
Westeros, the Free Cities and Slaver's Bay are canon, some of the linking areas, Ibben, the Summer Isles and the Jade Sea region are speculative. Though I nicked the north-eastern coast of Essos from the TV title sequence where it shows the sea north-east of Vaes Dothrak, so that's vaguely canon, maybe.
This is excellent! It may not be accurate, but it is very cool, and well put together.
Thought the Summer Isles were closer to Lys.
Valyria, Sothoryos and Ghiscar have the eastern Mediterranean look. I guess the inspiration for the Doom came from Thera.
Nice to see the Rhyone basin and Andalos.
What do these lines from Pentos to Norvos etc. mean? Tyrion's path? Ar Noy seems like ruins.
Thought the Summer Isles were closer to Lys.
Valyria, Sothoryos and Ghiscar have the eastern Mediterranean look. I guess the inspiration for the Doom came from Thera.
Nice to see the Rhyone basin and Andalos.
What do these lines from Pentos to Norvos etc. mean? Tyrion's path? Ar Noy seems like ruins.
The placement of the Summer Isles is almost completely random. We know they're south of Westeros and that's pretty much it.
As for Thera, I think you're right that that was the inspiration, as well as Pompeii (only if there were fourteen Vesuviuses - Vesuvii? - and they completely obliterated the Roman Empire, of course).
The line from Pentos to Norvos and onwards is one of the old Valyrian roads.
Very minor ADWD spoiler from a sample chapter released some time ago, talking about background worldbuilding info only:
The new ruins marked on the map are mostly the great Rhoynish cities destroyed 1,000 years ago in the war with Valyria which saw the Rhoynar flee to Dorne.
Okay, I am in the process of re-reading the first book and just came across something that sorta supports my, granted, slightly crazy theory.
After Ned falls from the horse in Kings Landing and is given milk of the poppy, he dreams of fighting not one but three members of the kingsguard in Dorne, which was where Rhaegar's "wife" was from. Reason, unknown. But, as he is dreaming, he recalls the conversation that they had, that he had looked for each of them, all three of them the best swordsmen, including Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, at the Trident and none of them were there. They were at this weird tower in Dorne, possibly protecting something that Lyanna wanted.
Crazy theory, again, but might it have been Rhaegar with Jon? I think I remember it being said somewhere in derision that it was the war for Lyanna's naughty bits... Maybe there was more to her and Rhaegar than GRRM has previously implied.
Two weeks until the next book comes out. Will have to go to drive to the store and buy it physically, i am afraid. *le sigh*
As for Thera, I think you're right that that was the inspiration, as well as Pompeii (only if there were fourteen Vesuviuses - Vesuvii? - and they completely obliterated the Roman Empire, of course).The line from Pentos to Norvos and onwards is one of the old Valyrian roads.
Hard to believe they could do that, even in our age. But, now I remember from Dreamsongs Martin said everything is bigger and better in fantasy. There's the Wall (Hadrian's), the Hightower (Alexandria), the Titan (Rhodes), the Great Pyramid (ziggurat?). I guess Volantis will have a great temple, or circus maximus, or colloseum. Tough Braavos should have the Pantheon.
Probably the Long Night was caused by eruptions, a volcanic winter, in the the Shadow Lands and Valyria.
Okay, I am in the process of re-reading the first book and just came across something that sorta supports my, granted, slightly crazy theory.
After Ned falls from the horse in Kings Landing and is given milk of the poppy, he dreams of fighting not one but three members of the kingsguard in Dorne, which was where Rhaegar's "wife" was from. Reason, unknown. But, as he is dreaming, he recalls the conversation that they had, that he had looked for each of them, all three of them the best swordsmen, including Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, at the Trident and none of them were there. They were at this weird tower in Dorne, possibly protecting something that Lyanna wanted.
Crazy theory, again, but might it have been Rhaegar with Jon? I think I remember it being said somewhere in derision that it was the war for Lyanna's naughty bits... Maybe there was more to her and Rhaegar than GRRM has previously implied.
Two weeks until the next book comes out. Will have to go to drive to the store and buy it physically, i am afraid. *le sigh*
Part 4 of the recap. Job done :)
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You'll catch it rereading, but yes there is someone alive who would know one way or the other.
Part 4 of the recap. Job done :)
I think you meant job WELL done. Thanks!
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My review of A DANCE WITH DRAGONS.
SPOILER RATING: Miniscule and vague to non-existent. Nothing of note is spoiled here at all, but the ultra-paranoid may want to hold off on reading it.
From the Wall to Slaver’s Bay, the world is blighted by war and chaos. In Westeros, the War of the Five Kings continues to rumble on, as Stannis Baratheon regroups his forces at Castle Black and prepares to march against the Boltons, with the northern houses divided between the two sides. In King’s Landing, intrigue seethes as two queens prepare to stand trial. In Dorne, long-gestating plans finally start to see fruition. In the Free Cities, an army of exiles and sellswords from Westeros gathers, breaking their contracts in the hope of finally seeing home and hope again. In Slaver’s Bay, a young girl must try to unite warring factions howling for her blood, unaware that her every command sends reverberations through the balance of trade and power in the world, and even dragons may not be enough to protect her…
A Dance with Dragons is the fifth novel in the Song of Ice and Fire series and probably the most eagerly-awaited epic fantasy novels in the recent history of the genre. It may be six years since A Feast for Crows was published, but it's eleven since A Storm of Swords came out and the last time we saw new material from Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen or Tyrion Lannister, the arguable central triptych of characters around whom the whole series rotates. The risk is high that Martin would deliver a novel that fails to meet expectations.
Fortunately, he succeeds in giving ASoIaF fans a book that is almost everything its predecessor wasn’t. Whilst Crows was tightly-focused and constrained in geographic setting, Dragons is huge, epic and sprawling. The novel covers events happening almost five thousand miles apart from one another, with a huge cast of characters, old and new. Where there are new characters, they are there to serve specific plot points and get the storyline really moving along, whilst some major existing characters are simply not featured where they have nothing to contribute to the storyline. Martin employs a fairly strict POV structure this time around: Dany, Jon and Tyrion (and, to a lesser extent, another character) get a significant number of chapters each but everyone else only gets a few. Once their work for the novel is done, they’re outta there, and other POVs only show up when needed. This gives the novel a busy, revolving-door feeling at times as characters come in, do what needs to be done, and then get out, and gives some individual storylines and chapters a rather concise, focused feel, despite this being a huge, long book. Certainly with these ’lesser’ POVs, there’s little to no time for filler, though with some of the bigger POVs there are rare moments when Martin dwells on a story point a bit too long or delivers bit of background information which, whilst intriguing, doesn’t really contribute much to the storyline at hand.
It’s a busy book with lots happening, possibly more than any other book in the series bar only A Storm of Swords (I took notes whilst reading, and by the end they amounted to a ludicrous 12 A4 pages in length). It’s also the most disparate, and the geographic sprawl would make it easy for Martin to lose control of either the timeline or the plot focus. He doesn’t do either, and by the end of the novel the timelines have been pretty much re-synched (with plenty of AFFC characters reappearing in the final few chapters to resolve their cliffhangers and keep everything moving). Thematically, the book is much concerned with the notion of deeds, not words (the term “Words are wind,” is oft-repeated, probably a little bit too much) and the notion that you can only know people by what they do, not what they say. Disease and pestilence also play a role, whilst for the military engagements Martin expands his influences to include Napoleon’s ill-fated march into Russia during the winter of 1812. These scenes are vivid enough to make you feel chilly even if you’re reading the book on the beach.
This series is known for its plot twists, sudden shocks and major character deaths, and Martin doesn’t stint here. Some twists are genuinely shocking (though a couple have some carefully-built-in get-out clauses), on the level of the Red Wedding or higher, though others are a bit more predictable, with the author having taken care to lay some groundwork in earlier novels. Other elements come out of nowhere: the resolution of a key, major backstory mystery from the very first novel (probably not the one you’re thinking of) is unexpected in both happening with two books still to go, and also in the amount of detail it gives. Another twist is bravely pulled off with almost solely the use of new characters and actually works, throwing almost all of the carefully-constructed fan theories out there for a loop (and it's done with the economy of chapters that A Feast for Crows was at times crying out for).
Characterisation is particularly strong, and Martin seems to relish some descriptive passages. A detailed account of the Doom of Valyria – quite a few books overdue – is spine-crawling and disturbing, whilst another one of Martin’s trademark huge feasts may feel over-familiar right up until you realise what’s really going on, at which point a belly laugh is the only possible response.
A Dance with Dragons is a somewhat bleak book. Winter has fallen in all its fury and it really doesn’t seem possible for the war-ravaged Seven Kingdoms to survive, particularly in the North, with no harvest taken in and little to no supplies put to one side. Some characters are trapped in nightmarish situations whilst others have to be careful with every decision they make lest they trigger chaos and bloodshed. But there are moments of comedy and lightness, and the feeling that in the darkness there is still hope for these people and their world, if they can turn things around.
Towards the end, A Dance with Dragons picks up an irresistible momentum which brings us towards what looks like the biggest convergence and battle in the series to date. But, in a misstep that could have been fatal if not handled better, we never quite get to that climax, which seems to have been mostly delayed to the start of The Winds of Winter. Instead Martin breaks off the book on a series of titanic cliffhangers that dwarf anything seen previously, and only a few story threads find any sense of resolution. But, just as that sinks in and a small note of disappointment creeps into things, we then get a couple of concluding chapters featuring some of the most pivotal and startling moments in the series to date, and the real sense that whatever readers think A Song of Ice and Fire is about, or how it will end, Martin is not necessarily interested in doing the same thing. The ending is impressive, despite the cliffhangers, but brings in a little note of bitter sweetness: waiting a year for The Winds of Winter would be hard enough, but the fact that we know we’ll probably have a lot longer to wait is truly frustrating.
A Dance with Dragons (****½) solves a lot of the problems experienced in the previous book in the series and brings renewed energy and focus to getting this story towards the endgame. A series of cliffhangers, some over-used terms (though "Nuncle," only gets one airing, thankfully) and a feeling that Martin might be revisiting some plot elements a little too freely dent the book's achievements, but a series of emotionally intense and surprising final chapters restore the faith that Martin has regained control of the story. The novel will be published on 12 July in the UK and USA, but given how many bookstores have broken the embargo, you may get lucky before then.
Full disclosure: I am a moderator on the Westeros.org website, the creator and chief admin of the Game of Thrones Wiki and someone who is mentioned in the acknowledgements of the book. Whilst I have tried to have been as honest as possible in my review, you may want to bear those factors in mind.
That is the best news, my biggest hope is that there will be a lot of unexpected and shocking situations, on the level of ASOS.
I like cliffhangers, leaves you interested over the years, and nuncle is funny. It is five stars then. The Doom of Valyria explained, can't imagine how, another plus. Congrats for being in the book.
That is the best news, my biggest hope is that there will be a lot of unexpected and shocking situations, on the level of ASOS.
I like cliffhangers, leaves you interested over the years, and nuncle is funny. It is five stars then. The Doom of Valyria explained, can't imagine how, another plus. Congrats for being in the book.
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That's actually a tough question.
I think the info about Stannis marching against the Boltons is a spoiler.
Repeating sayings like ''Words are wind'', ''You know nothing'' is a great technique imo.
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I've seen someone say 3/4, that's would be a bit disappointing after such a wait, e.g. enough room just to resolve Brienne's cliffhanger and it's over.
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Maybe, but Stannis says is not the same as Stannis does, it happened before
words are wind
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As I said, you get your first AFFC POV chapter around one third of the way into the novel. You're definitely well past the end of AFFC around the two-thirds mark. The actual transition is roughly at the halfway mark, since we rejoin most of the AFFC POVs weeks or even months after the end of their storylines in AFFC.
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I liked a few chapters with Bran and Tormund, and stopped caring about the rest, so the wait not frustrating anymore.
I feel that ASoIaF has now become similar to the Wheel of Time. Someone else should rescue the series.
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Some twists are genuinely shocking (though a couple have some carefully-built-in get-out clauses), on the level of the Red Wedding or higher ...
A Dance with Dragons solves a lot of the problems experienced in the previous book in the series and brings renewed energy and focus to getting this story towards the endgame.
I'm interested which plots are that? And what problems it solves?
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Ok, now after a few days I feel ripped off. The editor should be fired, I wonder if he created the cliffhangers as well.