George R.R. Martin -'ASOIAF' series, fantasy for grown-ups

Vespa · 06-14-2010, 07:59 PM

I'm re-reading the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series in anticipation of the HBO series coming up in the future. I would have re-read them anyway due to the sometimes complex family trees going on and all the tidbits early on that create big waves in the later books.

I'm over halfway done with the first book, 'A Game Of Thrones'. Anybody else read this series? If so, what did you think?

AnemicOak · 06-14-2010, 09:55 PM

I love this series. I just wish we'd get the next book sometime soon I begin to wonder if it will be finished.

If you like this you might also consider Steven Erikson's Malazan series (also the Malazan books by Ian Cameron Esslemont).

Belfaborac · 06-14-2010, 09:56 PM

Great series, certainly one of the top SFF stories in several years in my opinion. I love the fact that there is no sentimentality as far as its designated heroes are concerned, since they die off like flies. Like you say; fantasy for grown-ups.

The considerable downside to it, however, is that Martin may never finish it, having contracted a severe case of writer's block.

Vespa · 06-14-2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

Great series, certainly one of the top SFF stories in several years in my opinion. I love the fact that there is no sentimentality as far as its designated heroes are concerned, since they die off like flies. Like you say; fantasy for grown-ups.

The considerable downside to it, however, is that Martin may never finish it, having contracted a severe case of writer's block.

Ya lots of fans down on him about the slow time to the next book. Maybe its his health. I mean, the guy obviously doesn't jog every day and probably doesn't mind his veggie intake. What's with his obsession with 'suckling pig'? Tyrion's favorite snack?

I do love the guy's writing. I remember reading A Song For Lya a very long time ago and didn't realize it was him until I read the Dreamsongs books.

My best guess is that he's tackling the last three books all at once. I assume he'll retire at some point, esp. if the HBO series goes well ($$$). I can't even imagine the outlines he builds for these books before he even writes. I picture a room dedicated in his house just for Westeros family trees written over every wall with small notes next to characters he will include or reference. I cut him some serious slack.

BenG · 06-15-2010, 12:12 AM

I decided in 1999 when 2 books were out that I would wait until he finished the series before I started reading them. I didn't realize I would have to wait this long.

shootingMaNs · 06-15-2010, 12:51 AM

I love that series, just re-read it a few months ago. I hope he finishes the next book sometime soon.

astra · 06-15-2010, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I begin to wonder if it will be finished.

This stops me to even start the series in the first place.

P.S. don't think it has anything to do with his health. He spends enormous amount of his time on other projects. That's what really pisses of his fans.

AnemicOak · 06-15-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

P.S. don't think it has anything to do with his health. He spends enormous amount of his time on other projects. That's what really pisses of his fans.

He does seem to travel and work on other things a lot. I can't really say why 'A Dance With Dragons' still isn't out, but I probably won't read any more of the series until/if/when it's done.

rahulm · 06-15-2010, 10:58 AM

I loved the series.

Early spoiler of Game of Thrones (you know about it if you are over half-way):

Spoiler:

The fourth book kinda drags on and a lot of my favorite characters were not in it, but Dance with Dragons will fix this since it'll be the same events and timeline but from the perspective of the others.

GlennD · 06-15-2010, 11:24 AM

Thank you for convincing me to wait to read it. I've already gone through a similar reading/waiting experience with the Wheel of Time, and have no desire to repeat it.

(Hopefully Martin will have wonderful health, unlike Robert Jordan)

rahulm · 06-15-2010, 11:39 AM

I also gave Wheel of Time a read.

I got to book 4 and I just couldn't handle it anymore. A Song of Ice and Fire is much, much better. The characters actually meant something to me and the story was going places.

cearbhallain · 06-16-2010, 12:20 PM

Even if he never finishes the story, what there is of it so far is so rich and delicious that it's worth reading (and re-reading). Sure, I'd like resolution, but how often in life do we really ever get that?

astra · 06-16-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cearbhallain

Sure, I'd like resolution, but how often in life do we really ever get that?

Often enough to keep me busy reading finished series and not waste time on whims of writers who start something then loose interest.

Belfaborac · 06-16-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cearbhallain

Sure, I'd like resolution, but how often in life do we really ever get that?

Almost always, I'd say. If that's not the case for you, then perhaps you're doing something wrong...?

cearbhallain · 06-17-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belfaborac

Almost always, I'd say. If that's not the case for you, then perhaps you're doing something wrong...?

Guess I fail at life, but I've found that things don't always get finished and conflicts we have with others don't always get resolved before someone dies. I could piss and moan about how unfair it all is, but I'd rather appreciate what I actually have, in this case a half-finished but excellent series of books.

One more thought: I'd rather have no ending, than one that sucks see Battlestar Galactica

06-14-2010, 07:59 PM	#1
Vespa Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 500 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: nook	George R.R. Martin -'ASOIAF' series, fantasy for grown-ups I'm re-reading the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series in anticipation of the HBO series coming up in the future. I would have re-read them anyway due to the sometimes complex family trees going on and all the tidbits early on that create big waves in the later books. I'm over halfway done with the first book, 'A Game Of Thrones'. Anybody else read this series? If so, what did you think?

06-14-2010, 09:55 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I love this series. I just wish we'd get the next book sometime soon I begin to wonder if it will be finished. If you like this you might also consider Steven Erikson's Malazan series (also the Malazan books by Ian Cameron Esslemont). Last edited by AnemicOak; 06-14-2010 at 09:59 PM. Reason: added Malazan info.

06-15-2010, 10:58 AM	#9
rahulm Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 22164 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: None	I loved the series. Early spoiler of Game of Thrones (you know about it if you are over half-way): Spoiler: When Bran was shoved off the tower by Jaime Lannister, my mind was blown. It was then I realized that Martin wasn't kidding around and I might actually see some interesting and non-cliched developments in the book. The fourth book kinda drags on and a lot of my favorite characters were not in it, but Dance with Dragons will fix this since it'll be the same events and timeline but from the perspective of the others.

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06-14-2010, 09:56 PM	#3
Belfaborac Wizard Posts: 1,498 Karma: 5199835 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norway Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-950	Great series, certainly one of the top SFF stories in several years in my opinion. I love the fact that there is no sentimentality as far as its designated heroes are concerned, since they die off like flies. Like you say; fantasy for grown-ups. The considerable downside to it, however, is that Martin may never finish it, having contracted a severe case of writer's block.

06-15-2010, 12:12 AM	#5
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	I decided in 1999 when 2 books were out that I would wait until he finished the series before I started reading them. I didn't realize I would have to wait this long.

06-15-2010, 12:51 AM	#6
shootingMaNs later... Posts: 199 Karma: 2832520 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Endicott, NY Device: Sony PRS-600, iRiver Story HD, Nook Color Kobo Libra H2O	I love that series, just re-read it a few months ago. I hope he finishes the next book sometime soon.

06-15-2010, 11:24 AM	#10
GlennD Wizard Posts: 2,101 Karma: 17249026 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Pacific NW Device: sony PRS350, iPhone, iPad	Thank you for convincing me to wait to read it. I've already gone through a similar reading/waiting experience with the Wheel of Time, and have no desire to repeat it. (Hopefully Martin will have wonderful health, unlike Robert Jordan)

06-15-2010, 11:39 AM	#11
rahulm Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 22164 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: None	I also gave Wheel of Time a read. I got to book 4 and I just couldn't handle it anymore. A Song of Ice and Fire is much, much better. The characters actually meant something to me and the story was going places.

06-16-2010, 12:20 PM	#12
cearbhallain Groupie Posts: 183 Karma: 1053258 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Vancouver Device: nook	Even if he never finishes the story, what there is of it so far is so rich and delicious that it's worth reading (and re-reading). Sure, I'd like resolution, but how often in life do we really ever get that?

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