I think i love Friday the 13th!

[tvor]

It's never really been a bad-luck day for me, historically, not that i really am superstitious in that way. (Other ways, yes!) Remember this photo, the one i sold last year? The cheque arrived today! :)))) 100 lovely dollars. I think i'll probably have to take it to the bank to cash it/deposit it, mainly because I'm pretty sure it's in US dollars

Comments

[steer]

The dropping of major characters thing is (supposedly) only for the books 4 and 5. He found those books had become too large and cumbersome and so dropped characters from each to make the story more manageable, concentrating on half the cast for each book. This is also why the books overlap in time and is supposedly also why it took so long.

I found it slightly frustrating (especially no Tyrion in book 4) but still loved the books. It is at the point where I find it very hard to hold everything in my head. So, I don't find too much sympathy with the Dornish characters who only came in by book 4 because I'm more impatient to know about the characters I care for more.

I do *like* his habit of killing of major characters though. The knowledge that he will actually kill of people that you thought were "the hero" means that if there's a cliff hanger it's a "real" cliff-hanger. Often when an author leaves a scene with some character unconscious after being attacked by a sword-weilding horde then you know that character is totally safe (although might feel rough when he wakes up).

[tvor]

The Dornish bits were confusing. Maybe there's a point but i can't fathom it. And the things he's had happening to Arya are also very isolated. I keep thinking she's going to end up being the last one standing. Bran is going to end up the same way as the old one he's been talking to, (without spoilers) I can see that coming. Rickon has disappeared altogether and we've not see Sam for a good while either. He's going to come out stronger, I'm sure. What about Sansa?

The overlapping in time thing was ok, i didn't mind that so much and you're certainly right about cumbersome! I'm glad i didn't have to wait 6 years though, to get to the next installment. I just hope it won't be 6 year to the next one although i won't mind a break of a year or two or three!

[steer]

The Dornish are clearly politically vital to the King's Landing situation so how that resolves will have important impacts but their relative military weakness mean they have to strike from concealment and can't move openly (hence all the metaphors about vipers and the obsession with intrigue and poison). I did like the way how a whole plotline about questers, prophecies and bloodlines, resolved itself (rather horribly) in fire (trying to avoid spoilers) rather than becoming another "prince saves the day" story.

I like the Arya plotline moving from the very old fantasty trope of "oh, she's a feisty little girl who loves fighting like the boys" and seemingly taking it far too far (again tryin to avoid spoilers for other readers).
Presumably Sam will reading his books for a while (again avoiding spoilers).
Perhaps you are right about Bran -- it had not occurred to me...
Sansa is clearly being manoevered by LittleFinger who is so astute but I can't see where that will end.

My favourite characters are Jaime, Brienne, Tyrion and Littlefinger -- I've not really any idea how it will work out for any of them.

[tvor]

Pretty much my favourites too and Arya. Agree about Sansa. The Arya plot line does seem incomprehensible at the moment and i'm sure it will mean something in the end.

I think with me, i'm not used to reading big sweeping complex epics like this and i don't always "get" all the subtexts like the political maneouvering.

[steer]

I had to read it through twice to "get it" better.