A Dance with Dragons has a release date!

[lunixer]

Originally Posted by shootingMaNs

What's the point of having an ebook available as a pre-order? I mean, download times are what, 30 to 60 seconds? I can see doing this for a hardback, to make sure you get one(although in this case, there will probably be more than enough available). But unless there are only limited copies of the ebook available, pre-ordering seems to be a waste to me.

If the price drops between now and the release date you get the lower price.

[DiapDealer]

What's the point of having an ebook available as a pre-order? I mean, download times are what, 30 to 60 seconds? I can see doing this for a hardback, to make sure you get one(although in this case, there will probably be more than enough available). But unless there are only limited copies of the ebook available, pre-ordering seems to be a waste to me.

It obviously won't be the case for this particular title, but I tend to order books when I'm thinking of it. If I don't order them right then... I may forget about a lot of titles.

Plus there's nothing like that feeling when you pick up your eReader and there's a brand new book on it that you forgot entirely about ordering.

[astra]

Originally Posted by shootingMaNs

What's the point of having an ebook available as a pre-order? I mean, download times are what, 30 to 60 seconds? I can see doing this for a hardback, to make sure you get one(although in this case, there will probably be more than enough available). But unless there are only limited copies of the ebook available, pre-ordering seems to be a waste to me.

I guess it is the pre-order price guarantee thing.
Amazon prices fluctuate all the time. When a book is released you pay the lowest price that took place from the moment you pre-ordered it till the moment it became available for download/was sent to you.

P.S. if ebook prices do fluctuate like printed books'.

[ShooterMcGee]

Pre-order prices are usually good deals...my pre-order is 50% off plus my store discount plus free shipping. And this is one book I have to have hard copy.

[blu-]

Originally Posted by ShooterMcGee

Pre-order prices are usually good deals...my pre-order is 50% off plus my store discount plus free shipping. And this is one book I have to have hard copy.

Where?

[ShooterMcGee]

Originally Posted by blu-

Where?

Borders! I ordered it the other day.

[Over]

I'm torn up.

I've only read the first book of the series, but I enjoyed it very much. But because the author takes ages to release a book, I've decided to wait, so that I wouldn't have to re-read the books by the time the series reaches a conclusion.

Now, with the TV series set to premiére April 17th, I don't know if I should read the books before letting the TV series influence my vision of the characters and landscapes of Westeroos. I've read the first book a few years ago, so I'm a little bit vague about details now, but I know thta I envisioned things differently than presented in the tv series' trailers (which look great in their own merit, btw). And didn't like at all the actress they chose for Cercei.

What woud you do in my place?

[Grimm]

Originally Posted by astra

OK. I will take your word for it.
When the series are finished (if ever), I might give it a try.
Although, I am dubious about liking it. I guess I am a different type of a
The main characters of a story are very important for me. I grow to like them and I follow them, the world development is secondary. Killing off a protagonist in the middle of a story it is similar for a writer to stop writing a series because the author grew bored. Introducing new characters to replace the dead ones is like a new series in the old universe then. The previous series was unfinished with unsatisfactory ending.

The difference with Martin's series is there is NO ONE MAIN CHARACTER, it's always in flux so you see character development on a massive, almost overwhelming scale. It's amazing stuff to read. And yes, I actually put the books down with my jaw hanging open saying "He KILLED him off?!" No one is safe in his world, much like the real world. It's a refreshing change from the hero that always comes to the brink of death but always recovers.

[Grimm]

Originally Posted by GreenMonkey

YAY!!

Unlike some of the haters, I'd rather see it done right at his own pace, rather than hurried. I have had no problems waiting.

That said, I'm glad to see a date! I'm afraid too that he won't finish before he gets sick or dies or something. Wishing him the best of health, and hoping he can proceed a bit faster now. Maybe HBO's series will help him get finishing faster!

Try waiting for David Gerrold's War with the Chtorr series. The last one was published in 1993, and the next 3 books have been pending since.

Hey we're not haters but seriously (first printing, silver Iron Throne cover hardback owner here), this delay has been ridiculous.

My concern is that Martin is pretty old and REALLY overweight with two books still to be written, edited, etc...

[Grimm]

Originally Posted by Over

I'm torn up.

I've only read the first book of the series, but I enjoyed it very much. But because the author takes ages to release a book, I've decided to wait, so that I wouldn't have to re-read the books by the time the series reaches a conclusion.

Now, with the TV series set to premiére April 17th, I don't know if I should read the books before letting the TV series influence my vision of the characters and landscapes of Westeroos. I've read the first book a few years ago, so I'm a little bit vague about details now, but I know thta I envisioned things differently than presented in the tv series' trailers (which look great in their own merit, btw). And didn't like at all the actress they chose for Cercei.

What woud you do in my place?

I think you're taking it a bit too serious honestly. My suggestion? Read the books and just enjoy them.

[humpakistani]

it is one of the good news for me and i am very interested to see the game .

[astra]

Originally Posted by Grimm

It's a refreshing change from the hero that always comes to the brink of death but always recovers.

More reasons not to read the series.
I prefer that characters survive contrary to the real world. I loose people in the real world. I read fantasy to escape it...

[jrlewis]

I think Martin's series is a bit different from most precisely because it's about a whole world and a huge plot, rather than about a specific hero (even though he clearly loves Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister). So I encourage people to read the books as a reading experience instead of as a "tell me the complete story" experience.

It's the journey, not the destination with Martin.

[astra]

Originally Posted by jrlewis

It's the journey, not the destination with Martin.

Ah. Another point.
It is the destination No. 1 and the journey is No. 2/3/4...10? for me.



Thanks for sharing your experience.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by astra

It is the destination No. 1 and the journey is No. 2/3/4...10? for me.

You're missing out on a lot of good books/authors with those kind of priorities.

But hey, reading's always been a personal thing... so you gotta go with what works for you. I get that.

But it never hurts to stretch yourself a bit either -- and it's not like you'd be committing yourself to anything other than the cost of the first book. If it ain't your cup of tea... delete it and move on. You're obviously a bit intrigued or you wouldn't be following the thread.

So instead of telling us why you think you wouldn't like it... give it shot. Worst case scenario is; you're right back here telling us why you didn't like it. Except that then, you'll also have a pot to pi$$ in.