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Originally Posted by afa

I'm very, very surprised by your evaluation, =X=. The first 3 books of the series are terrific, and the third is widely considered the best. Can I ask what was it about them you didn't like?

For me, I would say the first three would all get at least a 4 out of 5 stars. It's only the last two books that were disappointing. Although somewhat forgiveable, since they would probably be the equivalent of the 'middle part' of a trilogy.

And like all middle parts, it's got the difficult task of keeping the story interesting while still developing details to flesh out the plot.

In any case, I disagree with most of the opinions here. I would say A Song of Ice and Fire is a very good series. But considering how long Martin seems to take to write, it might be better to get a good idea about when he will actually wrap things up before delving into them.

So that I won't ruin the story I'll answer it in the spoiler

Spoiler:

It's the way he resolves climatic points in the book. I paints himself in a corner rather than the protagonists resolving the problem. He'll kill off the character. Or add some other twist that doesn't jive with the plot. An example is how the kings lost their crowns. Wow that was just horrible.

He's become too predictable, if there is hope, expect the worst and that is what always happens.

And he writes to write. There is a huge difference between writing to add a plot and writing to have a 1000page book.

At least when Robert Jordan did it it had detail an did develop the plot. Martin just seems to write.

This is all I surmised before I found out he took a 10yr break. When I found out he took that long I said "Oh yeah I can believe it his book as lost it's direction."

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Milk... it does an author (and publisher) good.

I, myself, love endings. So much so, that I think every book should have at least one.

You know R.A. Salvatore makes each one of his books self contained. So that each book has a mini-plot. He also makes all of his books trilogies so you have one main plot resolved in 3 books.

He has a 20 book series but you don't feel like shesh when is this guy going to finish you get closer with this author. BTW I never got past book 6(Those where his best two trilogies) After that he got into a rut.

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