A Game of Thrones

[Theoban]

After seeing all of you go on about how good the A Song of Fire and Ice series is, I finally overcame my suspicions and bought it, although it has one of the truly bad book covers I have ever seen.

I've just finished it and I can't believe how good it was! Almost as good as WOT, in my opinion.

Going to buy the rest today. Hopefully finish them by the end of the week.

This upsets me as I was determined not to read them, as the title of the series reminds me of a crappy atari game called "Fire and Ice". Most distressing.

Also, by the way, has anyone else read the new Asterix book? too self referential by far and you can tell the Goscinny is dead.

[Dominyo]

You wouldn't buy a book only because the title reminded you of a crappy atari game? :rolleyes:

[Mann]

Seems reasonable.

[Aragorn]

The cover isn't bad.

[Berk]

Except for book 1, anything is better than Sweeny.

[The Tourist]

Wow Asterix was brilliant! I loved that show. Obelix was one cool...erm...Frenchman. Or were they Belgian?
Anyways, this A Song of Fire and Ice series? How many books are there in it? I think I will try looking for it too.

[Aragorn]

3. And don't get off topic that way.

[Cypher]

Whats all this about A Song of Fire and Ice, I coulda sworn it was A Song of Ice and Fire...............

[The Tourist]

You say Tomayto I say Tomahto.

[Hazz]

Theoban, if you liked the first book, you'll love the next two, especially Storm Of Swords (the third, which seems everyones favourite). I'm a big fan of the series myself. I absolutely love Martin's dark, grim, realistic style. His character are believable, and actually grow and change during the series. Most of them are grey instead of black or white. They have both good and bad traits, which makes things so much more interesting. A character you might have disliked or considered a villian, can turn out to be not so bad, and even likable. And characters that you thought of as good, you might start to hate.

He is also a master of playing with your emotions. He has no qualms about killing off major players, which takes away the readers safety blanket. You actual feel REAL suspense when your favourite character is put in a bad situation, because you know that Martin is playing for keeps. When you think the story is going one way, he'll pull the rug right out from underneath you. Its almost impossible to predict. However, when you go back and re-read the series, you realize that he had given clues and forshadowed what was to happen. The twists don't come from nowhere.

Magic is kept to a minimum, which forces characters to rely on their wits or brawn, which is a nice change of pace in Fantasy. There aren't any Uber characters who can roast entire armies with a flick of their wrist. They actually need to use their brains to keep alive, which can be tough in his unforgiving world.

Martin is also great at creeping the reader out. The End of book 3 was one of the creapiest things I've ever read, period. (And I like to read horror). I think Martin has written horror in the past, and it shows.

[Gina]

His books are really good especially the first three but the last one is completely not worth spending money on.

If you can borrow it or read it in B & N store I highly suggest it. I actually bought the hardcover and have regretted it ever since.

[wisp]

Your points are well noted. Martin is the author of the Wild Cards series of novels, his take on the world of superheroes. You should try those as well.
Has anyone heard anything about A Feast of Crows, the next novel in the Song of Ice and Fire series?

[Aragorn]

Go down a bit in the topic list, find one by me entitled "Feast for Crows Synopsis", or something to that effect.