Angel Dust on 19/7/2011 at 09:28
Would these books come highly recommended even to someone who doesn't read fantasy literature? What I've heard of the general tone and characterization of them has me quite interested but what is the writing like? Even though I've lately been reading a lot of, I guess you could say, art-wank literature, I'm not overly fussy; so long as it's not as turgid as Tolkien.
Scots Taffer on 19/7/2011 at 10:16
The writing is serviceable though 5 years between books has made me realise it's quite workmanlike in places and lacking in artistry except when talking about food or nipples. However the hero in these books is the plotting/intrigue/mystery and there are many likeable/rogueish/bastardly characters that you either want to see succeed/avoid certain death/die horribly - though the order those apply gets somewhat mixed around :D.
Stitch on 19/7/2011 at 14:30
Quote Posted by Scots Taffer
The writing is serviceable though 5 years between books has made me realise it's quite workmanlike in places and lacking in artistry except when talking about food or nipples.
Other things not lacking in artistry: the above comment :D
Stitch on 19/7/2011 at 14:31
also: give it to me straight, bud, is this monster worth a read
Kroakie on 20/7/2011 at 12:22
Yes.
D'Juhn Keep on 20/7/2011 at 20:13
It is, absolutely, though it is a bit frustrating in parts.
Where is everyone Hol?
They're dead Dave.
Who is?
Everybody Dave.
What Admiral Groleo?
Everybody's dead Dave.
What Stannis Baratheon?
Everybody's dead Dave.
What Jon Snow?
They're all dead, everybody's dead Dave.
Ser Kevan isn't, is he?
Everybody is dead Dave.
Not Jaime?
Gorden Bennet, yes Jaime, everybody, everybody's dead Dave.
Pycelle?
He's dead Dave, everybody's dead, everybody is dead Dave.
The book is a monster but still doesn't manage to get any particular character very far at all. Some of the Tyrion chapters in particular were unnecessary. Did he really have to get kidnapped 4 different times to reach Meereen and still do fuck all? Dany's chapters were meandering and boring. I could not care less if she opened the fucking fighting pits or not. Hilarious cameo from Quentyn Martell; has there been any point to this character at all? Unfortunately renders the badass "Fire and blood" line from aFfC pathetic. Nice Bloodraven reveal, didn't see that one coming and some cool ideas about the skinchangers. The prologue clearly seems to be setting Bran up to die and warg into Hodor or something. And the penultimate chapter, if not a complete fake-out, is pretty awesome. Stannis and Jon dead, the Boltons in total control of the north. Could there be any logic to it not being true? Bolton might just be trying to scare Jon/Selyse but he knew far too much for it not to be true, surely? But how, in that case, did Theon (and presumably Asha as she wasn't mentioned) get away? With the Braavosi? And what the hell is Davos going to do with Rickon when he rescues him from Skagos now? The epilogue was a bit unexpected and Varys' motivations remain a bit cloudy. If it was just peace and happiness for the realm he's after then Kevan would be as good as Aegon/Dany so the only logical answer is that he's aware/believes in the prophecy about them and is trying to help it along. I kind of wish GRRM had gone with the whole "5 years later" idea. I also don't see how the story can go but with nearly everyone in Westeros dying of famine.
One more thing, the Wall only extends from a river to the sea. What stops the wildlings/Others going around it?
Starrfall on 21/7/2011 at 02:50
Actually I'm not sure I'm buying Jon's death, and I'm dubious about Stannis and think we'll see more of Jaime. Martin's a sneaky bastard. Out of those three I think it's most likely that Stannis has bit it.
Other thoughts:
Dany smacking down Drogon was badass, and I'm glad the dragons are assholes instead of happy talking auto-friends. Who will ride the other two? Not Quentyn, clearly.
Aegon un-deading is interesting, and he is a horrendously likely candidate. Dany is obviously the boss though. I think this is based on something like her having purer blood, but I don't remember who her mother is so I'm not sure.
And to wrap up the dragon talk can we find two other riders and unleash some holy fire-hell so we can get the eff out of Slaver's Bay and back to Westeros godddd.
I can't decide if Cersei is going to be more sensible now or even more batshit but it's probably batshit.
On the whole, I found it better than Feast and think it lines things up nicely for the final two books
I do think he could stand to limit himself on the number of POVs he adds. And I'm going to be glad when it's the last book so he can't end with cliffhangers.
Dia on 21/7/2011 at 12:42
@Stitch: Yes.
I'm about halfway through Game of Thrones and liking it immensely. Imho, the novel fleshes out the characters wayyyy better than the TV series, which oft times left me scratching my head saying, 'Now who-tf is that again?'. I was relieved to discover (albeit in retrospect) that the HBO series seems to be sticking pretty close to the novel; so far.
Also: can't wait to see Stephen Dillane's portrayal of Stannis.
And: hoping that Cersei's little Monster King turns on her like a junkyard dog.
Karma's a bitch.
So's inbreeding.
Scots Taffer on 21/7/2011 at 12:57
Uh, Dia, he's read all of them save for the most recent one. Whilst we're talking about book vs TV, the TV show does a far better job of making Dany's story compelling than in the books - her POV chapters always were and, at the moment in the newest, remain a snoozefest.
Billy boy, the book is alternatingly really good and average/boring but I'm only five chapters in. The skin-shifter stuff in particular reads terribly. Let you know if it grows on me.
Dia on 21/7/2011 at 13:12
:o (Misread/speedread posts.)
Have to agree with you regarding Dany's character, though. So far the 1st book makes her seem rather one-dimensional.
