smokedragon

I finished A Storm Of Swords Monday.
It was all you had said, and more. Much, much more(you being the fans of this extraordinary series).
The epilogue was a jaw dropper. I never..., well, never mind

Suffice to say the book was a frikken massacre. I was totally enthralled, immersed in the tales of Jon, Tyrion, Arya, Jaime, Samwell,Bran, Dany, and the many, many other characters.
George R. R. Martin is an incredible writer. His trilogy captured my attention. Time flew when I was reading. To tell you the truth I was a bit wary about reading the books due to the length. But, as I began and got into the story, I realised that I was wishing they could be longer.

Now I have to wait until Fall 2002 to see what happens next.
When it arrives on the shelves, I will buy it. Full price. I will not wait. That, my friends, is a rare occassion. I usually wait until it comes out in paperback.

Thanks to all who recommended this series. I appreciate it.

SweetZombieJesus

I feel your pain. I bought the first one in paperback, finished it a week or so later, and immediately ordered both in hardcover from Amazon.Com. It's such a great series, and I don't even like fantasy stuff all that much. I wish he'd hurry up, though... the last few chapters in the third one were just brutal.

sexymama

Hey!! I just finished the three books just a couple of days ago. My fiance had bought the first one and before he was finished, I was bored so I started reading it while he was at work. I am totally hooked. As soon as I finished it, I had to go out and buy the next ones. I even stayed up until 5 am so I could finish each book within a day. I can't wait until the next one!!!!!!!! I am truly impressed with Martin although at times he seems a bit long-winded in the same way Robert Jordan is...

p1forest

As one of the 'ones' you mention that recommended this series, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I recommend this series to everyone I can, but the size of the books can be intimidating.

I know what you mean, I can't wait until the next book!

Here are some things that might help you pass the time until 2002 :

Here is a forum dedicated to his books. There are TONS of threads, so it will keep you occupied for quite a while. I usually consider myself a reader than notices quite a bit, but many of the threads made me realize how complicated Martin's stories are and how much I missed. Check out these forums, and I almost guarantee, they'll bring up tons of stuff you missed, and make you want to re-read the books. There are also excerpts from e-mails directly from Martin. You can hunt around and find George R.R. Martin's e-mail address there, and they say he personally replies to every e-mail he gets (although he may not give you an answer to a plot question). I'm sure this is one of the reasons the books is taking so long.

http://pub26.ezboard.com/basoiaf

Martin has recently released a book, co-authored with . I haven't read it yet, but it is probably worth a read. Judging by reviews, it isn't on par with A Song of Ice and Fire, though. Here's a link to Amazon's page, and you can read reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...564635-5340809

In the short-story collections "Legends," Martin has a short story called "Hedge Knight." I keep forgetting to read this. Apparently Martin's short story is excellent.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...564635-5340809

Sn0

The Hedge Knight is really a good short story. But it was way too short I need that epic sprawling story. I am in withdrawl I don't know if I can go much longer but hopefully American gods will tide me over for another couple of days. Ughhhhhhh the agony of waiting

smokedragon

If you head over to




http://pub26.ezboard.com/basoiaf

and check out the forum Brotherhood Without banners you will see info on George RR Martin's 4th book in the saga A song Of Ice And Fire called A Feast For Crows

It's in the thread called Saturday's reading-spoilers. Do Not Read if you do not want any info on any of the books if you haven't read them.

But, for fans of the series it has a summaries on two chapters that George himself read at the Worldcon in Philly.One is a POV of Cersei, and the other from Tyrion. Awesome stuff. Has me droolin' for the book.I hope the days go fast because this in ONE book that I'll gladly pay full price for.

p1forest

Thanks for the head's up! I hadn't checked that forum for a while...I forgot that those guys were going to party with Martin and get info on the new book.

I wonder when he changed the name? Last I heard, the (temporary?) name was supposed to be A Dance With Dragons.

BTW, here's link. It may be kind of hard finding it:

http://pub26.ezboard.com/fasoiaffrm4...picID=72.topic

Hannibal

How is this series to those who know? I am on the (6th?) book of the Wheel of Time series...Lord of Chaos and kind of getting bored with it. Anyway I've heard this series is excellent. Anyone?

p1forest

I can't say enough good things about this series. I get anyone I can to read it, and every single person has thanked me. I've been reading fantasy for probably over 20 years, all kinds of stuff. I'd have to say that for me, Martin's series is my favorite.

It's extremely well-written and intelligent, unlike some 'popular' fantasy out there. Martin has a good sense of symbolism and foreshadowing. Martin is willing to kill off almost ANY character, creating a sense of tension unlike any other book I've read. Usually, when a character is put into a dangerous situation, I KNOW he/she will somehow get out of it, but NOT with Martin's books. There were actually a couple of instances in which I was surprised someone DIDN'T die! I also like how most of the 'good guys/bad guys' are NOT always clear cut. Most of the characters are more 'gray,' like real life. Ugh, I could go on and on, just READ IT! Jordans' first few books are very good, but he's kind of dragging the series on too much. I consider Martins A Song of Ice and Fire series a step above that.

The only thing is if you're looking for comedic fantasy, this isn't for you. This is serious stuff.

MrKen

I'll second what P1forest stated.

I'd say Martin is better than Jordan, but about the same in terms of entertainment and quality (but totally different in tone) as Goodkind.

Hannibal

Excellent, I'm giving up on Jordan for a while. I'll be starting this series asap..thanks.

p1forest

Hannibal, just to let you know, I believe I've heard people generally consider the 1st book excellent, the second book a little bit of a disappointment (compared to the first), and the third to be the best.

Myself, I found the second book to be excellent also; I'm not sure what people didn't like about the second book. I thought the writing and plot were up to par. In fact, I think I like it better than the first, because the story-line expanded the Martin's world. Perhaps because certain things happen...won't say more, or I'll give away surprises.

smokedragon

I've never figured why some didn't like the second book, either.
It's an incredible series.One of the best, if not THE best ever.
By the way, if you like sorcery in your fantasy series then try to get Gardens Of The Moon, by Steven Erikson. His series has been compared to The Song Of Ice And Fire series, but, it is very different. Lot's of magic.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy it(I'm almost finished with it, actually).I mean, it's a great book. It's just not comparable to Martin's work.

MrKen

Well, my girlfriend never made it through the second book, and she really liked the first one. She kept saying the second one just dragged on, with too much time between connected storylines.

Could have been just her reading style. She doesn't sit and read 100 pages or more at a time. I read the whole second book in one sitting, so I have no idea what she's talking about.

Hannibal

Just want to thank everyone for the recommendation. I just finished "A Storm of Swords" Hodor!!!! This is the most adult, serious fantasy I've read and are now my favorite set of books. I can't wait for the next installment. FYI the first three books will be issued in trade paperback versions this year. Got a couple books for XMAS, Tim Power's "The Anubis Gates" and "Last Call" Anyone read these?

p1forest

Glad to hear it; I get anyone I can to read this series. If you haven't already, check out the forum listed above; I consider myself a pretty intelligent reader, but there are tons and tons of things I missed in the books (symbolism, foreshadowing, character motivations, etc.) that are explained and discussed here. Plus, people sometimes post e-mails from Martin himself posts in the forum, giving further insight.

I started reading Tim Powers' "The Anubis Gates" once quite a while ago, when I was probably 10-13. I remember finding it pretty boring, and quickly put it aside. Obviously, my reading preferences have 'matured' a bit, so perhaps it'd be worth reading now, although I don't know if I still have the book

JeTmAn

Well, I just finished the second book. What a great series! It is quite unpredictable, though not completely......it seems that whenever main characters that we are invested in are killed, we get some kind of warning. For instance, I KNEW that I like the fact that the explicit sex/violence etc. are not gratuitous and generally only serve to advance the story. Though I would question whether we really need to see a 13-year old girl have sex with an adult man.

Anyways, so you say the third book is coming out in paperback soon? When is it? I'd like to read it, don't want to pay for the hardback.

-JeTmAn

NZ_DVD_Freak

Im halfway through the first book of this series. I started based on reccomendations here. Im enjoying it a lot.

The third book is out paperback isn't it? Its spilt into more than one part (or theres book three part 1 and book three part 2).

edited to add: ok according to amazon the third book is out paperback in May this year. Im sure its out paperback here (in NZ) and is divided into parts as outlined above.

smokedragon

I'm reading Memories Of Ice(The third book in the Tale Of the Malazan Book Of The Fallen series), by Steven Erikson, right now and I have to tell you, this series kick some ****in' ass!

Deadhouse Gates(the second book) has some incredibly tense battle scenes. It's brutal, and very violent. Coltaine, one of the characters in the second book, could very well be a character from GRRM's incredible series.

Erikson's series is high caliber and I HIGHLY recommend you try Gardens Of The Moon. If you can find it here in the US.

Thanks to everyone for recommending A Song Of Ice And Fire in the first place.

It has opened a whole new genre for me since I always avoided fantasy when choosing books to read.

Hannibal

Damn this sounds good..this will be my next bunch of reads. Gardens of the Moon has gotten some great reviews as well. Check out the third review down...thanks smokedragon!

http://www.sffworld.com/authors/e/er...ofthemoon.html

Just found a website devoted to the series:

http://www.malazanempire.com/

p1forest

Thanks for the rec! I'll try to find it. Martin has spoiled me, and I've found most series I've read since disappointing in comparison. I've been searching for something comparable, and it sounds like this might be one.

smokedragon

I do want to warn everyone, though that there is a lot of sorcery in the series.

Never bothered me at all(and that was one of the reasons I stayed away from Fantasy.Go figure )


Anyway, it's an excellent series so far, and supposedly this will be in ten parts.

There is so much going on.So many characters, but, amazingly, I'm not confused as to who's who, and what's what.

Simply amazing.

mytzplyx

I blind bought Game of Thrones and liked it so much I bought books 2 and 3. The thing is, the stories are long, but not Robert Jordan long with lots of useless and unneeded stuff. However, is it just me or do the good guys almost never win? I mean (spoilers I guess), half the Starks get obliterated and they're supposed to be the heros right?? Okay, maybe that wasn't stipulated, but it was set up as such. Then as you keep reading, the Lannisters become nicer and nicer - well, Tyrion was always good, but now JAIME?? Mr. kingslayer super-prick?

I guess that's what makes the story so good, that characters are very very well developed and multi-dimensional. But damn, I just wish something good would happen for the obvious "good guys" that are in the story.

grunter

Anybody know what the tentative release date is for the next volume of "The Song of Ice and Fire?"

mytzplyx

March or April of 2004. I forgot. Its on Amazon.