[Vespa]

I find it odd to see a writer beaten up for not finishing a series. I haven't ran into that yet because I'm not as well read as most people on here. I used to read a lot of fantasy/sci-fi at my local library in dusty little Apple Valley California back in the 80's when I was a kid. It was a good little library for me back then and I got exposed to many great books.

I stopped at some point and went on with only school books and non-fiction but not too many years ago the yearning for more of those great stories I remembered persisted and I started searching the web for 'The Great Modern Fantasy Series' <booming echoey voice there>. What I found on top of my searches were G.R.R. Martin and Glen Cook. I'll save Mr. Cook for another topic some day.

So I bought the books and I read them and I was blown away by G.R.R.M. The character development was for a very short time a hindrance to me because I wasn't used to that level of detail. Very soon I was slavering for every bit of detail of the people and of the world. That alone is worth a re-read for me because I knew I was missing important details as I was whisked along with the big picture and not the little things.

In that I felt the series so far was a gem. Definitely worth a re-read. I feel so much satisfaction going back through this at a leisurely pace and soaking up the details.

With that, I'll be ready for the rest of the series and sometime I hope to get the next book. But until G.R.R.M. has passed from this world I think it's fine to enjoy what he's given us in this series alone and not be upset or even angry that he hasn't had a whip at his back making him churn out the next book. Good things come to those who wait.

I'm just thankful he wrote the first four books and will always be. They brought me back to seriously good fantasy writing.

If you're bored waiting for the latest in the series go get Hedge Knight and Sworn Sword for more in the same world of Westeros (back in time). Please read at least A Game Of Thrones before reading those.