[patrisha w.]

Anyone else read/or reading George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series, "A Song of Fire and Ice". I'm debating on diving into a reread of the series. I have read it once, best series I have ever read.

I have read it. It is excellent.

Patricia

 

[Guest]

I have also heard great things about this series. Since everyone here seems to like it so much, I might give it a read on my K2 when it comes it

Welllll..... "Like" is a pretty subjective word. Some love it. Some like it. Some endure it for the good stuff and want to shoot themselves partway through the series.

If you want a grand 5-to-8-part epic, you could do a lot worse. You could also find a lot more readable and interesting. Good guys die. A LOT. Martin continually uses 57 words where six would suffice. There is great plotting and story buried under metric tons of pointless detail. There is humor, but it is mostly as dry as Lucy's bones.

It is an amazing series. But those who claim it as the "greatest series ever" simply have not read enough books.

And, there's the fact that you'll be waiting at least another decade for the series to be finished.

 

[Kind]

And, there's the fact that you'll be waiting at least another decade for the series to be finished.

How many are there in the series?

 

[Guest]

How many are there in the series?

Four so far--another four to come.

 

[Arkhan]

I really, realy enjoy this serious - can't wait for the next 2 (or is it 3?) books. Another great series is Steven Erikison's Malazan series, unfortately, it is not kindlized yet, but at least he writes faster!

I actually have both of these sets in Hardback. So far I have only read the first Erikison book. I like these types of stories but they are not what I call my "casual" reading. Like someone else said it is kind of like good homework, though much more enjoyable. There are so many names and things going on in the story. If you don't pay real close attention you will get lost.

 

[TM]

Welllll..... "Like" is a pretty subjective word. Some love it. Some like it. Some endure it for the good stuff and want to shoot themselves partway through the series.

If you want a grand 5-to-8-part epic, you could do a lot worse. You could also find a lot more readable and interesting. Good guys die. A LOT. Martin continually uses 57 words where six would suffice. There is great plotting and story buried under metric tons of pointless detail. There is humor, but it is mostly as dry as Lucy's bones.

It is an amazing series. But those who claim it as the "greatest series ever" simply have not read enough books.

And, there's the fact that you'll be waiting at least another decade for the series to be finished.

or mayber they just have different tastes than yours... and a lot of what you dislike about it, is what others of us adore. But hey, that is why all sorts of books sell...

I actually have both of these sets in Hardback. So far I have only read the first Erikison book. I like these types of stories but they are not what I call my "casual" reading. Like someone else said it is kind of like good homework, though much more enjoyable. There are so many names and things going on in the story. If you don't pay real close attention you will get lost.

Finally, someone who has heard of the Erikson series! I really enjoy them... but as you said, they aren;t exactly casual reading ... but that is what i treasure about them. there are tons of good fantasy out their that is light reading, but not so many of the other style. And I like books that make ya think.

 

[Arkhan]

Finally, someone who has heard of the Erikson series! I really enjoy them... but as you said, they aren;t exactly casual reading ... but that is what i treasure about them. there are tons of good fantasy out their that is light reading, but not so many of the other style. And I like books that make ya think.

I have to admit that the covers really sold me on this one. I actually saw a cover in the store for The Bonehunters and the picture of the stage coach falling over was intriguing to me. Then I saw The Reapers Gale and started some research. After that I immediately went out and bought all 7 in harback and reserved the 8th. Gardens of the Moon was exciting when it wasn't confusing. I was already reading Terry Brooks at the time and I had to let one of them go. I still haven't finished Brooks first trilogy. I probably should have went with Erikson instead.

Back on topic, I just got all of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books last month. Haven't had a chance to start on them. I need to clear out the three I have open right now but honestly, my next choice for non-casual reading will probably be Erikson.

 

[TM]

I have to admit that the covers really sold me on this one. I actually saw a cover in the store for The Bonehunters and the picture of the stage coach falling over was intriguing to me. Then I saw The Reapers Gale and started some research. After that I immediately went out and bought all 7 in harback and reserved the 8th. Gardens of the Moon was exciting when it wasn't confusing. I was already reading Terry Brooks at the time and I had to let one of them go. I still haven't finished Brooks first trilogy. I probably should have went with Erikson instead.

Back on topic, I just got all of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books last month. Haven't had a chance to start on them. I need to clear out the three I have open right now but honestly, my next choice for non-casual reading will probably be Erikson.

Actually, I think that Erikson is probably a better choice for your next serious read anyway (if for nothing else then there are a lot more of them out right now, and he is good at putting new ones out in a reasonable time frame). The world/story line in the two series are very different, yet there are strong similiarities in the overal feel of the series... both are gritty, no black and white, even good guys die (that is if ya can even figure out who is a good guy)...and they do share a somewaht similiar theme/worldview. They are my two favorite series for serious, make ya think, fantasy.

Just with Erikson, it is tempting to jump around... but you really do have to read them in order. And something that you make be confused about in one book, is usually explained books later. he is great at making connections in later books...

 

[Arkhan]

Just with Erikson, it is tempting to jump around... but you really do have to read them in order. And something that you make be confused about in one book, is usually explained books later. he is great at making connections in later books...

I just can't decide if I want to reread Gardens of the Moon. The overall story in the book I have. It is some of the interactions between characters I am not so sure about. Of course I am not sure that rereading is really going to clear any of those questions up. The good/evil thing definitely applies to him. I actually had to go back and read the first battle again because I wasn't sure who was really "good" or "bad". Then the whole "Doll" & different dimensions thing just left me thinking WTF!! Just thinking about it now makes me laugh because the story gets so bizarre in parts. He certainly thinks up things I haven't seen before. It's like Epic Fantasy in Wonderland.

I think Erikson would be better accepted if his transition was smooth taking you along with him yet that same complexity is what keeps you on your toes.

 

[TM]

I just can't decide if I want to reread Gardens of the Moon. The overall story in the book I have. It is some of the interactions between characters I am not so sure about. Of course I am not sure that rereading is really going to clear any of those questions up. The good/evil thing definitely applies to him. I actually had to go back and read the first battle again because I wasn't sure who was really "good" or "bad". Then the whole "Doll" & different dimensions thing just left me thinking WTF!! Just thinking about it now makes me laugh because the story gets so bizarre in parts. He certainly thinks up things I haven't seen before. It's like Epic Fantasy in Wonderland.

I think Erikson would be better accepted if his transition was smooth taking you along with him yet that same complexity is what keeps you on your toes.

LOL! You describe him well... and I can say that some of that will become clearer after your read future books, but then more will confuse you.

Re-reading is a must with his books, but I am not sure it will help you now. It is after reading more in the series that i went back and re-read... and saw things I didn't quite catch before.

I just really wish they would get this into kindle format (Reaper's Gale is, but in the dreaded topaz format)....

 

[mom133d (aka Liz)]

Four so far--another four to come.

At least GRRM doesn't suffer the Robert Jordan "disease" - spend half the book telling us what happened in the previous books. I don't want to read anymore "Wheel of Time" but I want to know what happens to the original characters!

 

[Arkhan]

At least GRRM doesn't suffer the Robert Jordan "disease" - spend half the book telling us what happened in the previous books. I don't want to read anymore "Wheel of Time" but I want to know what happens to the original characters!

I have been thinking about reading this series for years but I can't bring myself to do it. Yet.

 

[m4ttb4rr]

Hi, just joined, so am joining this discussion late:

My wife got me to read this series (and is making me read the Twilight series next... the two have absolutely nothing in common) and I'm very glad I have.  It's very authentic, very rich, and the characters grab you like few in (let me qualify this) fantasy fiction do.  As alluded to above, though, try not to get attached to any of them...

I loved (almost) every minute of it, am very frustrated with how long it's taking for the fifth book to come out -- books four and five take place in parallel, and the problem with that is that I'm going to have to wait many years to find out what happens after the fourth book, if you know what I mean -- and recommend the series without reservation.  But having said that, here are my concerns, most of which have been at least touched on already:

It's a lot of work.  I personally am not put off by Martin's verbosity, but it is a long, dense series, and you have to put up with characters you wish you didn't have to a lot. 

It is never. Going. To. Be. Finished.  At the rate it's taking the fifth book to be finished and to come out, anyway.

To me, it's in the series' favor that no one is off limits, but yes, you will be upset several times if you slog your way through the first four books.  And something short of death happens to one of my favorite characters near the end of Crows, and as I said, it will be years till the sixth book is out and I can find out what happens to her.  So it's a bit frustrating.

The books devote chapter-length sections to selected characters' points of view.  Each of the first three were limited to a select half dozen, eight, nine (it's been a while) characters, the fourth had quite a few more.  But more than once during the series you will stop reading because you get to a chapter "about" a character you don't care about, or find yourself wanting to skip it.  The format serves the series well but challenges your patience at times. 

It is never. Going. To. Be. Finished.

If you start Game of Thrones I predict you will be engrossed enough to finish it and want to continue.  Just be aware of some of the pitfalls of the slow development of the last few books, the format and the capricious way Martin seems to dispose of some characters. 

 

[Bullymom]

Yep. Jim is right...


And I forgot that it had been left so that some

Well yes he is right , technically, : )

 

[AnnFrances]

I love the series and am re reading it. Another good series but is not fantasy is Dorthy Dunnet's Lymond series. Strong, dense and great writing.

 

[Neekeebee]

It is never. Going. To. Be. Finished.

Welcome to KindleBoards! Glad to have another Song of Ice and Fire reader!

Of the issues you mentioned, the one quoted is by far my #1 gripe. I don't know that it won't be finished, but it seems to be taking forever, doesn't it?

When I started reading it, I thought it was a triology, and #3 (A Storm of Swords) was about to be released, so I figured I would be done within a couple of months. Almost 7 years later, here I am, waiting for Book 5. (I guess that is the risk you take when you start an unfinished series.) When I was waiting for A Feast of Crows to come out, I was quite impatient, reading stuff online about it all the time. I'm still looking forward to Book 5, but somehow it's not quite the same.

N

 

[WilliamM]

yes..way too many characters to keep track of especially with the long wait between books

 

[chynared21]

yes..way too many characters to keep track of especially with the long wait between books

In a way I'm glad that I haven't started it yet I'm a bit impatient when it comes to a series. I like to catch up while others are waiting for the latest installment to be released.

 

[Shadowraven]

So this topic hasn't been replied to in awhile, but what the heck... I just finished Feast yesterday. My husband and I live 3 hours away from family and spend our driving time reading outloud. He drives, I read... works out because he can still understand the story when we do this and he doesn't read aloud very well. Me... I can't understand the story UNLESS I'm the one reading it (so no audio books here) and I read aloud very well (if I do say so myself ).

When I started reading it, I thought it was a triology, and #3 (A Storm of Swords) was about to be released, so I figured I would be done within a couple of months. Almost 7 years later, here I am, waiting for Book 5.

Oh my gosh! I did too!!! Glad to see I wasn't the only one who thought it was a trilogy, when I told my husband this he thought I was crazy (he was reading #2 at the time, I had finished #3 long before he picked up the books).

When I was reading GoT I got near the end, the "final" climactic scene in King's Landing and I literally THREW the book across the room in anger and sheer disbelief. I'd NEVER read a book that had such events happen involving main characters. I didn't think I would pick up the book again. I left it there but then couldn't resist it and rescued it from it's mangled position the next day.

The further the books go, the more I think Martin has useless verbosity as discussed here elsewhere. And when you're reading the book aloud... man, there's a LOT of crap that I could care less about. I think it's funny that people compare him to Tolkien and LOTR. I read the Hobbit and then couldn't finish LOTR #1 because I kept not caring about the endless descriptions of landscape. I never did finish Tolkien's series and after seeing the movies I have no intention of finishing. Martin's series though, while verbose, I just can't resist finding out about these characters. Joffrey is by far my most hated character, even more than Cersei. Jon and Dany were my absolute favorite characters, but I fear that Jon's current location is turning him into a not-so-good person. I'd say Dany and Arya are my fave now.

Years ago I participated in a book reading forum, and one of the threads was "who would you cast in SFI?" Seeing as how the series is coming to HBO (which if it's good that means it'll probably end up cancelled anyway similar to Deadwood and Carnivale), who would you cast?

 

[Forster]

I absolutely love this series........

.....but I am seriously getting impatient for the books to come out.  Way, way too much time in between volumes, so much time in fact that I'm starting to fear the possibility that Mr. Martin will end up pulling a Robert Jordan.