A Song of Ice & Fire Fans discussion

So, I just finished two pivotal chapters in SoS and I felt the need to create a topic thread to vent, ask a quick question and search in vain for some glimmer of hope.

First off, prior to George R. R. Martin, I wasn't much of a reader. My typical reading consists of news feeds regarding international, political and video games news. I'd occasionally pick up a work of non-fiction, and the only real author I cared for prior to this series was Stephen King. Even so, I've only read a dozen or two of his books. (Yes, yes, I know reading is fun... but it has been a long while since I have made the time or found an interest in books. Thankfully that desire has been rekindled.)

That is, until I found a little series on HBO called Game of Thrones. Like so many other people, I was drawn to the characters and the story, and the universe that was Westeros and Essos.

I had to read the books. If they were half as epic as the cable series, they had to be good.

Luckily, they were better. I've devoured my way through two novels and arrived at two-thirds of the way through Swords. (view spoiler)[Robb has been betrayed, Arya's head has met the unfriendly end of a battleaxe (surely it was with the dull end, I can only hope), and the Others and wildlings are poring over the Wall. I know George has a habit of killing off his protaganists, and I sorta saw this one coming a ways off (the Freys? Petty bastards at best, and without honor or loyalty to boot... surely the Lannisters would strike at some point or another.) But, still... the way Robb and his companions perished, like fish shot in a barrel... I am truly in a sense of despair. (hide spoiler)]

So now, my question: knowing that Martin pulls no punches (but specializes in the sucker-type)... does it get worse before it gets better?

I mean, I know Martin will lead me down the path and give me hope once again, only to pull me right back down once more, but I really see a (view spoiler)[zombie Tyrion Lannister army ruling the North, and a ruthless Dragonborn army scorching the South (hide spoiler)] if things keep going this way. I know I'm being (almost intentionally) naive, but did anyone else feel such despair at this point in the book?

Note: I tried to use spoiler tags where necessary, but the post is somewhat readable without it. Besides, if you haven't read this book, you can't really answer the question, so... yeah. Also, I'm new here, so HI! :)

Yes, i also felt such despair in a Storm of Swords and was shocked by what happened but just stick with it, it get's better, you will see.

Let's just say appearances can be deceiving, and the thrill is in being taken for that ride:)

I almost stopped reading the book after reading those chapters but had been told before hand that not all is as it seems in these books. Thankfully I continued on.

I think everyone has a WTF moment in SOS. It just a type of scene that you don't expect to come that early in a long series.

But there are thousands of pages written after that scene and lots of stuff happens to characters old and new. The series definitely remains just as addictive after SOS.

Matt wrote: "I think everyone has a WTF moment in SOS. It just a type of scene that you don't expect to come that early in a long series.

But there are thousands of pages written after that scene and lots of s..."

Yeah, I've already moved on to join up with Davos at Dragonstone and Jon at Castle Black, and the feelings of despair are slowly ebbing away.

@Woolfie: What a ride it is! :)

@James: Thanks for the advice, I've done the same and I'm chugging along at my former pace quite well.

This moment in the plot actually had me physically putting the book down and taking a break before continuing. It's been a long time since a book could do that, and I guess I wanted to share that with fellow Martin fans.

Hi Scott,

Just wanted to say I am happy that a TV series brought you back to reading. IMO, it's a much deeper and gratifying experience (with the right books, of course). And I still watch plenty of TV.

I know what you meant about putting the book down. I had the same thing, and that doesn't happen to me often (most recently with The Kite Runner).

As to GRRM, he's one of the best out there right now, but there are plenty other writers and series out there.

Dave wrote: "Hi Scott,

Just wanted to say I am happy that a TV series brought you back to reading. IMO, it's a much deeper and gratifying experience (with the right books, of course). And I still watch plenty ..."

Yes, in my spare time I have been perusing some of the other "What next after SOAIAF?" threads around the web and here... my girlfriend was given the first series in the Sword of Truth books by Terry Goodkind. I'm pretty sure that will be my next adventure after I lay my hands on a used copy of ADWD.

Scott wrote: "Dave wrote: "Hi Scott,

Just wanted to say I am happy that a TV series brought you back to reading. IMO, it's a much deeper and gratifying experience (with the right books, of course). And I still ..."

first 2 Terry goodkind are all right. they are nothing compared to what martin or jordan gave us really. i tried to pick up the 3rd and it was eh not so much. you should give patrick rothfuss a whirl it was surprisingly AMAZING!

B.evil, you're somewhat right about Goodkind, I quite enjoyed Wizard's First Rule, and the Sword of Truth series in general is quite good, although truth be told it didn't really suck me in the way ASOIAF has done, but it's something that's worth following to the end, in my opinion.

I'm going to have to reread The Name of the Windjust so I am not too out of it when I read The Wise Man's Fear

Although I, of course, love and am obsessed with the SOIAF series, I thought The Wise Man's Fear was a better book and more satisfying read. I couldn't put it down.

Scott wrote: "...my girlfriend was given the first series in the Sword of Truth books by Terry Goodkind. I'm pretty sure that will be my next adventure after I lay my hands on a used copy of ADWD. "
It has some good points, but overall I find the Sword of Truth series quite underwhelming. But tastes differ.
If you are looking for other recommendations, you could try the Assassins Trilogy by Robin Hobb. The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan starts with 4 very good books, before trailing off quite a bit, but still enjoyable.

I was just looking at the Song of Ice and Fire Wiki, and I noticed something I missed completely; Dondarion is actually dead! He gives his life to bring Catelyn back? Did anyone else notice this?

yup, he dead!

I should have guessed really, after Lem and that rabble known as the Brothers without Banners aka Ronins seemed to be taking their lead from a vengeful corpse, which I suppose wasn't so different from following their first undead leader.

Woolfie wrote: "I was just looking at the Song of Ice and Fire Wiki, and I noticed something I missed completely; Dondarion is actually dead! He gives his life to bring Catelyn back? Did anyone else notice this?"

Yes, I noticed that. He was tired of being undead.

Scott wrote: "So, I just finished two pivotal chapters in SoS and I felt the need to create a topic thread to vent, ask a quick question and search in vain for some glimmer of hope.

First off, prior to George R..."

there is no glimmer of hope. after 8 books you will not be disappointed, and hungry for the next; but without spoiling your enjoyment, the phenomena of ASOIAF is martin doesnt write his characters with preconceived purpose; they run amok, doing whatever they want to do, not what we think they should do. martin just opens a door and lets us watch; and it does not change; it just gets better the deeper you fall into the series.

James wrote: "I almost stopped reading the book after reading those chapters but had been told before hand that not all is as it seems in these books. Thankfully I continued on."

i'm honestly glad no one told me that. i love book series that make me stop and reflect (discworld, malazan, chronicles of amber, book of swords) over something real (not always negative (if you'd rather pause to laugh out loud (i will not lol (dang i just did. darn it))) go with discworld).

DISCWORLD!

Eh what're you on about Jax?:p

Stagmark said Discworld and I can't help myself when it comes to Discworld.

Ahh I see, a knee-jerk reaction, or in this instance keyboard-jerk:p

I can't wait to get the new Pratchett for xmas. it's torture...i could have read it already but I know my GF wants to give it as a gift. *sigh*