A Song of Ice & Fire Series (Game of Thrones spoilers) - Page 20

Dhamon22 · 06-07-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsYkOoOoO

A Feast for Crows is not as bad as people make it out to be. It's tonally much slower than the first three books, and it's really half of one book (since it occurs at the same time with A Dance with Dragons). Many people who started reading the books gave up at A Feast for Crows because the story slowed down a lot. However, if you have the patience to finish book 5, you will see that book 4 and 5 are setting up to something major coming up in book 6 and 7 (hopefully). It isn't immediately rewarding as a reader, but there are a lot of undercurrents between the lines. You don't have those SHOCK moments, for the world and characters vastly expand.

Exactly. Its slow, but for a reason. To build the world and develop these characters so they can get where they need to be for the end of the series. I still enjoy them alot even though they aren't as exciting as the first three. The last 200 pages or so of Dance gets back in that quality though IMO. I think the long wait in between them has alot to do with the backlash. When all is said and done I think they'll hold up well and won't stick out as much.

Originally Martin was going to do a '5 years later...' type of thing but instead books 4 and 5 bridge the gap. Its not 5 years but its supposed to let things settle down a bit to show the post war effects. The last two books should be amazing.

Boro · 06-09-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

And as for the hardcover editions, I believe books 1-4 are pretty hard to find for the most part. I only have book 5 in hardcover, and that thing is pretty sturdy, made in good quality. I believe there's a deluxe edition out there somewhere after the re-release, but they are also ridiculously expensive.

Alright cool. So no problems with smudging then?

PsYkOoOoO · 06-10-2012, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dhamon22

Exactly. Its slow, but for a reason. To build the world and develop these characters so they can get where they need to be for the end of the series. I still enjoy them alot even though they aren't as exciting as the first three. The last 200 pages or so of Dance gets back in that quality though IMO. I think the long wait in between them has alot to do with the backlash. When all is said and done I think they'll hold up well and won't stick out as much.

Originally Martin was going to do a '5 years later...' type of thing but instead books 4 and 5 bridge the gap. Its not 5 years but its supposed to let things settle down a bit to show the post war effects. The last two books should be amazing.

I think the quality of books 4 and 5 will only be solidified once the entire series is done. Perhaps when people review the series retrospectively, they will understand the pacing of those books. Or at least, that is what I am hoping for.

IanTheCool · 06-10-2012, 11:54 AM

They just don't really have much resolution at the end, where as books 1-3 did. I really think they could have used a couple more chapters at the end of Dance in the north and in meeren.

PsYkOoOoO · 06-11-2012, 12:48 AM

So my mother started reading A Song of Ice and Fire - in Chinese. I am a very proud son right now.

**JBond** · 06-11-2012, 01:22 AM

I got my mom to read them but she stopped after the third one. I told her if that one didn't do it for her, there's no point in continuing.

PsYkOoOoO · 06-11-2012, 09:02 PM

I do hope that all the names will not turn her off. I managed to find a Chinese version of A Wiki of Ice and Fire, so that might help.

**JBond** · 06-12-2012, 04:19 PM

Reading "A Dance with Dragons" now. And as I've said before, my memory is ****, especialy when it comes to books (I read the others over a year ago), so I'm going to ask questions along the way. Only answer as much as you think I need to know. No heavy speculation.

Should I put these in spoilers? Does anyone care if I don't?

1. I seem to recall Tyrion fleeing the country after the ending of the third book, but as the novel begins it seems like he's under captive. Did I forget something?

2. Can someone give me a brief summary of what we know of Coldhands so far (from book 3)? At least where he popped up and his motive?

Thanks.

IanTheCool · 06-12-2012, 05:59 PM

1. He's not captive. He's just onboard a ship full of people who don't want to take crap from him, and he knows it.

2. He showed up to help Gilly and Sam get back to the wall. Then Sam told Bran about him and Bran has been with him since. Motive is unclear, but she seems to be and undead who still has his own mind and will intact.

**JBond** · 06-12-2012, 06:58 PM

1. But in Pentos he's thinking about scaling a wall.

IanTheCool · 06-12-2012, 07:55 PM

Oh, right. I think he's just unsure whether or not to trust Illyrio. And Illyrio wants to keep him in so no one figures out that he is there.

**JBond** · 06-12-2012, 07:58 PM

OK, thanks.

PsYkOoOoO · 06-12-2012, 09:54 PM

Have you ever considered using sites like A Wiki of Ice and Fire? It really helped me remember stuff along the way.

IanTheCool · 06-13-2012, 06:31 PM

Why? He has us.

PsYkOoOoO · 06-13-2012, 08:08 PM

Because I don't trust that I remember everything, and I might end up consulting the website anyway.

**JBond** · 06-14-2012, 07:19 PM

First quarter report of "A Dance with Dragons":

I'm enjoying this so far. Which is a relief after the sludge that was A Feast for Crows. Maybe it's because these are the good characters and one's I know, maybe it's because I'm still on a high from season 2, but it just feels better and fresher.

I like what's going on with Dany and the trouble of adolecent dragons. The best part of the book so far is when all the people complaining about dead livestock are sent away (with reparations) but one guy is left with a dead child. That's going to be a hell of a scene on the show. I also like the idea of one of them, Drogon, going a bit rogue. I can see him being trouble in the future, I hope he expands on that as the series goes along.

Tyrion's story is a bit slow, but I still like the band of characters he's with. I just left off last night with the huge reveal of Young Griff being the infant Targaryan. I thought it might happen one day. Cool stuff. And the ALS monsters are kind of interesting.

Bran's story looks to be promising. And any scenes with warg stuff puts a smile on my face.

I'm still awaiting more on the reanimated Catelyn. That was a hell of a bomb to end the third book on, and I'd be surprised if she isn't in the book in some way. Not as a chapter heading of course, but you can't ignore a twist like that (Don't spoil it)

PsYkOoOoO · 06-14-2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBond

First quarter report of "A Dance with Dragons":

I'm enjoying this so far. Which is a relief after the sludge that was A Feast for Crows. Maybe it's because these are the good characters and one's I know, maybe it's because I'm still on a high from season 2, but it just feels better and fresher.

I like what's going on with Dany and the trouble of adolecent dragons. The best part of the book so far is when all the people complaining about dead livestock are sent away (with reparations) but one guy is left with a dead child. That's going to be a hell of a scene on the show. I also like the idea of one of them, Drogon, going a bit rogue. I can see him being trouble in the future, I hope he expands on that as the series goes along.

Tyrion's story is a bit slow, but I still like the band of characters he's with. I just left off last night with the huge reveal of Young Griff being the infant Targaryan. I thought it might happen one day. Cool stuff. And the ALS monsters are kind of interesting.

Bran's story looks to be promising. And any scenes with warg stuff puts a smile on my face.

I'm still awaiting more on the reanimated Catelyn. That was a hell of a bomb to end the third book on, and I'd be surprised if she isn't in the book in some way. Not as a chapter heading of course, but you can't ignore a twist like that (Don't spoil it)

That is good to hear, actually. Most of the complaints I've heard so far say that the book is too slow until the last 200 pages. Since you are enjoying even the first quarter of the book, you will have no problems at all! I look forward to reading your quarterly reviews.

IanTheCool · 06-14-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsYkOoOoO

Because I don't trust that I remember everything, and I might end up consulting the website anyway.

I just want to feel needed

IanTheCool · 06-14-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBond

First quarter report of "A Dance with Dragons":

I'm enjoying this so far. Which is a relief after the sludge that was A Feast for Crows. Maybe it's because these are the good characters and one's I know, maybe it's because I'm still on a high from season 2, but it just feels better and fresher.

I like what's going on with Dany and the trouble of adolecent dragons. The best part of the book so far is when all the people complaining about dead livestock are sent away (with reparations) but one guy is left with a dead child. That's going to be a hell of a scene on the show. I also like the idea of one of them, Drogon, going a bit rogue. I can see him being trouble in the future, I hope he expands on that as the series goes along.

Tyrion's story is a bit slow, but I still like the band of characters he's with. I just left off last night with the huge reveal of Young Griff being the infant Targaryan. I thought it might happen one day. Cool stuff. And the ALS monsters are kind of interesting.

Bran's story looks to be promising. And any scenes with warg stuff puts a smile on my face.

I'm still awaiting more on the reanimated Catelyn. That was a hell of a bomb to end the third book on, and I'd be surprised if she isn't in the book in some way. Not as a chapter heading of course, but you can't ignore a twist like that (Don't spoil it)

Yeah, I loved that reveal.
What is ALS?

**JBond** · 06-14-2012, 09:01 PM

ALS is Lou Gehrig's disease, I was kidding (Everyone loves ALS jokes). I was refering to the stone monsters that slowly lose their bodies. Sounded a lot like ALS.

PsYkOoOoO · 06-14-2012, 09:06 PM

What do you think about the Greyjoy and the Martell stories so far?

**JBond** · 06-14-2012, 09:45 PM

Oh, riiiiight. I'm asuming Reek is Theon. That should be fun, too. Both him and the Martell guy have only had one chapter so far, so I dont have anything to say about them yet.

Dhamon22 · 06-15-2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsYkOoOoO

I think the quality of books 4 and 5 will only be solidified once the entire series is done. Perhaps when people review the series retrospectively, they will understand the pacing of those books. Or at least, that is what I am hoping for.

I agree completely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanTheCool

They just don't really have much resolution at the end, where as books 1-3 did. I really think they could have used a couple more chapters at the end of Dance in the north and in meeren.

Martin had a handful of chapters that got removed from the end of the book by the publisher because the book was too big. I think he planned on some resolution but instead he had to settle on opening the sixth book with a bang.

Dhamon22 · 06-15-2012, 05:14 PM

Looking forward to following your thoughts JBond.

FranklinTard · 06-16-2012, 11:15 AM

well... be careful in this thread jibbs... as i have posted in here more than once without spoiler tags, on my feelings about dance with dragons. thought i was the only one late to the party as it were.

just a heads up.

06-11-2012, 12:48 AM	#480
PsYkOoOoO Exceptionally Normal Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Singapore. Posts: 22,407	So my mother started reading A Song of Ice and Fire - in Chinese. I am a very proud son right now. __________________ W.

06-11-2012, 01:22 AM	#481
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,498	I got my mom to read them but she stopped after the third one. I told her if that one didn't do it for her, there's no point in continuing. __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

06-11-2012, 09:02 PM	#482
PsYkOoOoO Exceptionally Normal Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Singapore. Posts: 22,407	I do hope that all the names will not turn her off. I managed to find a Chinese version of A Wiki of Ice and Fire, so that might help. __________________ W.

06-12-2012, 04:19 PM	#483
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,498	Reading "A Dance with Dragons" now. And as I've said before, my memory is **, especialy when it comes to books (I read the others over a year ago), so I'm going to ask questions along the way. Only answer as much as you think I need to know. No heavy speculation. Should I put these in spoilers? Does anyone care if I don't? 1. I seem to recall Tyrion fleeing the country after the ending of the third book, but as the novel begins it seems like he's under captive. Did I forget something? 2. Can someone give me a brief summary of what we know of Coldhands so far (from book 3)? At least where he popped up and his motive? Thanks. __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013.** 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

06-12-2012, 06:58 PM	#485
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,498	1. But in Pentos he's thinking about scaling a wall. __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

06-10-2012, 11:54 AM	#479
IanTheCool Executive Lego Producer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 13,387	They just don't really have much resolution at the end, where as books 1-3 did. I really think they could have used a couple more chapters at the end of Dance in the north and in meeren.

06-12-2012, 05:59 PM	#484
IanTheCool Executive Lego Producer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 13,387	1. He's not captive. He's just onboard a ship full of people who don't want to take crap from him, and he knows it. 2. He showed up to help Gilly and Sam get back to the wall. Then Sam told Bran about him and Bran has been with him since. Motive is unclear, but she seems to be and undead who still has his own mind and will intact.

06-12-2012, 07:55 PM	#486
IanTheCool Executive Lego Producer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 13,387	Oh, right. I think he's just unsure whether or not to trust Illyrio. And Illyrio wants to keep him in so no one figures out that he is there.

06-12-2012, 07:58 PM	#487
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,498	OK, thanks. __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

06-12-2012, 09:54 PM	#488
PsYkOoOoO Exceptionally Normal Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Singapore. Posts: 22,407	Have you ever considered using sites like A Wiki of Ice and Fire? It really helped me remember stuff along the way. __________________ W.

06-13-2012, 06:31 PM	#489
IanTheCool Executive Lego Producer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 13,387	Why? He has us.

06-13-2012, 08:08 PM	#490
PsYkOoOoO Exceptionally Normal Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Singapore. Posts: 22,407	Because I don't trust that I remember everything, and I might end up consulting the website anyway. __________________ W.

06-14-2012, 07:19 PM	#491
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,498	First quarter report of "A Dance with Dragons": I'm enjoying this so far. Which is a relief after the sludge that was A Feast for Crows. Maybe it's because these are the good characters and one's I know, maybe it's because I'm still on a high from season 2, but it just feels better and fresher. I like what's going on with Dany and the trouble of adolecent dragons. The best part of the book so far is when all the people complaining about dead livestock are sent away (with reparations) but one guy is left with a dead child. That's going to be a hell of a scene on the show. I also like the idea of one of them, Drogon, going a bit rogue. I can see him being trouble in the future, I hope he expands on that as the series goes along. Tyrion's story is a bit slow, but I still like the band of characters he's with. I just left off last night with the huge reveal of Young Griff being the infant Targaryan. I thought it might happen one day. Cool stuff. And the ALS monsters are kind of interesting. Bran's story looks to be promising. And any scenes with warg stuff puts a smile on my face. I'm still awaiting more on the reanimated Catelyn. That was a hell of a bomb to end the third book on, and I'd be surprised if she isn't in the book in some way. Not as a chapter heading of course, but you can't ignore a twist like that (Don't spoil it) __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

06-14-2012, 09:01 PM	#495
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,498	ALS is Lou Gehrig's disease, I was kidding (Everyone loves ALS jokes). I was refering to the stone monsters that slowly lose their bodies. Sounded a lot like ALS. __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

06-14-2012, 09:06 PM	#496
PsYkOoOoO Exceptionally Normal Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Singapore. Posts: 22,407	What do you think about the Greyjoy and the Martell stories so far? __________________ W.

06-14-2012, 09:45 PM	#497
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,498	Oh, riiiiight. I'm asuming Reek is Theon. That should be fun, too. Both him and the Martell guy have only had one chapter so far, so I dont have anything to say about them yet. __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

06-15-2012, 05:14 PM	#499
Dhamon22 High Flying Bird Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 7,024	Looking forward to following your thoughts JBond. __________________ @theoriolereport The Redbox Report Podcast - http://theredboxreport.podbean.com @theredboxreport

06-16-2012, 11:15 AM	#500
FranklinTard Damn,ThatsAColdAssHonkey Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 15,725	well... be careful in this thread jibbs... as i have posted in here more than once without spoiler tags, on my feelings about dance with dragons. thought i was the only one late to the party as it were. just a heads up. __________________ Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed. -Herman Melville (1819 - 1891)