Grimdark Fantasy discussion

When A Game of Thrones was first published I read it and greatly enjoyed it. A couple years later, I picked up A Clash of Kings. I had apparently taken too long of a break as I couldn't finish it. The insanely large cast of characters was hard to recall after a couple year break.

That said, I love the TV show. Truly it is Grimdark as anything I've ever watched.

I intend to go back and read the books eventually, but at this point I don't want to muddle the several seasons of the show.

What are your thoughts? Have you read the books? Do you watch the show? Which is better in your opinion?

Neither.

Not that I'm not interested, but I've learned the hard lesson on series. Wait until they are completed or you are:
a) left hanging over and over
b) have to reread/rewatch in order to catch up with story

I prefer to wait until completed, even if that's 20 years from now.

Chris you bring up a good point. Taking just a couple years off between books one and two did me in. Maybe I should just wait til George finishes them up before I dive in again.

Chompa wrote: "Chris you bring up a good point. Taking just a couple years off between books one and two did me in. Maybe I should just wait til George finishes them up before I dive in again."

I learned the lesson many years ago with Terry Books second Shannara trilogy, The Scions of Shannara.

I read the first book.
Waited a year.
I had to reread the first book then read the second book.
Waited a year.
Reread first book AGAIN, reread second book and then read the third.


I decided after that to never again start a series if it was not complete. That's why I'm still waiting on Rothfuss before I start the Kingkiller Chronicles too.

Its been 2 years since I read a Dance With Dragons, and I keep forgetting some things, even important ones like (view spoiler)[ Jon Snow's apparent death... (hide spoiler)].

So, as much as i love reading as soon as the books come out, but the wait is kinda frustrating.

P.S.: THIS SPOILER IS SO BIG! DON'T READ IF YOU CARE ABOUT SPOILERS...

I read a different spoiler a friend had on Facebook a while back. Really disappoints me that I read it.

I have read the books. I haven't watched since episode 2 of the first season.

Brittany wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have read the books. I haven't watched since episode 2 of the first season."

Do you like the books better then?"

I would say the books are a 4.75 while the series is a 3.5, maybe a 4.

Brittany wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have read the books. I haven't watched since episode 2 of the first season."

After this discussion topic I picked back up my copy of the first book and started reading again. Do you just like the books better than the HBO series?"

Yes, but I can't put why into words. Just like them better.

Despite being up to date on the show and not the books, I'm pretty sure I've never had a book not be better than the movie. The one exception I can think of is The Hunt for Red October. I wasn't a fan of the book, but the movie was really solid.

I've read all the books and watch the tv show, I love them both! In fact, it's thanks to the tv show that I picked up the books and started reading again. Before that reading to me was something you did at school or for research. More and more I have to think of them as totally different stories, the deviations from the books have steadily increased over the course of the show. The producers also have a habit of "combining the experiences" of two different book characters in to one already established tv show one. Despite all my niggles I still love the show, and the highlight was watching my husbands reaction the the Red Wedding! Priceless.

I think my nephew has experienced the same sort of thing. After watching the show, he picked up and read the books. Luckily for him his mother (my sister) and I can load him up with lots of choices to read.

My nephew (college kid) apparently watched the Red Wedding and did a fury quit of the show for several months. Only went to the next episode when the new season was about to start.

I haven't done either yet. My ex used to watch the show and loved it but I didn't follow it. I bought him the books for a present and he left them with me. I cherish them but haven't read them yet. I do know I want to read the books BEFORE the show - if I watch it on screen, it's hard for me to get into the book, but if I love the book, it's easy for me to watch it on screen.

My understanding is the books and TV show continue to diverge the farther we go. I will be using the show's characters for my casting of the characters in the books when I get around to reading them.