Song of Ice and Fire

[mollyringwraith]

I promised I'd say something about George R. R. Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire" series. Perhaps now is not really the best time, since there are currently four books available, and I'm only one-third of the way through Book 3. So, if you wish to discuss, please keep it all spoiler-free, even regarding events of the first two books, since possibly

Comments

[ithildyn]

I did read the first seven or eight Wheel of Time books before giving up, so it's not like I didn't give him a chance.

Same here :) I just finally gave up.

[mollyringwraith]

I've heard people say they get good again around book 10 or 11 or something, but if it takes 3500 pages of not-so-good in between, I'm not in. :)

[ithildyn]

And at this point, I couldn't even remember most of what happened in the million words before.

[eloren]

In theory he's just got one left...I'll pick up from where I left off...Book 8? 9? I don't remember now...when it's *done*.

[celeloriel]

I couldn't even get through the first Robert Jordan book. Ugh.

I do like SoIaF, and you've put your finger on why: Martin doesn't pull his punches. We get to see absolutely devastating things happen to his characters, and IF (and it's a big if), they survive, there's even more reason to cheer for EVERYONE (which I do). There are so many reasons to hate Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion, and even more to cheer them on, and there are so many reasons to dislike Catelyn and so many reasons I still cheer her on.

Btw, Jodie Foster would be PERFECT for Catelyn.

[mollyringwraith]

Exactly--except for a few absolute villains, nearly all the characters have a few redeeming or sympathetic qualities. Even Cersei, and Jaime more as the books go along. And Tyrion I've liked from the beginning...it must be the sarcasm. :) As for Catelyn, I've always liked her too, except for her meanness toward Jon. But hey, complexity is good.

Foster might be getting a tiny bit old for the part, but then again, she tends to look ageless.

[eloren]

Having picked up book 4 the week it came out and quickly devouring it, I can promise you that things keep moving along, though half the characters are missing. He's said the next book will basically cover what's going on with everyone else in the same time frame covered by Crows.

He's refreshingly and disturbingly good - this ain't no Tolkein world where everyone either lives or was killed anonymously in an epic battle, but we didn't really care about them cause we didn't know their name anyway.

Emma Thompson might make a good Catelyn too, though I can't find any fault with Jodie there.
For someone lovely, slutty, blonde, and mean to play Cersei - Nicollette Sheridan

[autographedcat]

I admit I haven't read the books, but when I see:

lovely, slutty, blonde, and mean

the words "Hudson Leick come to mind. :)

[eloren]

I admit I haven't read the books

Two words for you! "You should!" You got me to pick up Bujold (for which I thank you!), you must now read Martin ;-)

[mollyringwraith]

Ah, good--I had heard "nothing happens" in book 4, so that explanation does help a bit.

Hmm, maybe Emma Thompson could be Lysa, her sister? Emma's good at being cowardly. :)

Hah, Nicolette Sheridan looks just right--much meaner than Charlize.

[jewelsong]

I only got through the first two "Wheel of Time" books before I gave up in disgust.

I have just finished Book 4 of the Fire and Ice series and it was *damn* good. He has slowed the scenes down a bit - mostly because it seems he wrote TWICE as much before realizing that it was too much to fit into one book...so he left some of the characters out and they will be in Book 5. Something about Dragons...

The kid who played Peter in Narnia might be good for Jon Snow...but I see you already have him listed for Robb.

[mollyringwraith]

Wheel of Time is highly Tolkien- and Arthurian-derivative, too. Got a bit annoying.

Think Jon is supposed to be darker rather than blonder, but hey, there's always hair dye. I'm just drawing a blank on actors under 18...other than the HP and Narnia flick actors, anyway.

[jewelsong]

Wheel of Time is highly Tolkien- and Arthurian-derivative, too. Got a bit annoying.

"Derivative?" Stolen outright, I'd say. *snort*

[blagden]

A Dance of Dragons.

[kathyh]

Supposedly it is based on the York v. Lancaster clashes, the War of the Roses. I know very little about that war, but considering the conflict is mainly between Starks and Lannisters in this book, I can already see a similarity.

There are some general similarities, but a *lot* of differences so it definitely doesn't feel as if he's writing historical fantasy in the way Guy Kay does.

No offense intended to his fans. I did read the first seven or eight Wheel of Time books before giving up, so it's not like I didn't give him a chance.

I only made it through the first chapter so I think you gave him more of a chance.

He does already have a tendency to strew a few too many characters into each scene, each with a name, giving readers the uncomfortable feeling that there might be a test on this later.Yes. I love the books but this would be my big criticism of them. The cast of characters is just too big, but they are all so fascinating that it's hard to know who I would wish to lose. I just hope he speeds up writing the books a little

[mollyringwraith]

The long wait at the end of a series is partly why I space the books out while I'm reading them. Don't want to get too addicted and then have my fix taken away. :D But yeah, we could use a glossary of names in alphabetical order, not just by the house they belong to.