George R. R. Martin (as well as other recommendations)

[Jormi_Boced]

The board game and CCG's are good too.

 

[Riggler]

I actually haven't finished his last book. I got about 1/3 of the way through and decided he went from the greatest author on earth to a flop. His first three books, the greatest books I've ever read. His last book a piece of disorganized, overly backgrounded with non- interesting information, Robert Jordan-ed quest for more money crap.

No wonder he was more than 2 years past his publisher's deadline in getting this out. His last book reads like he'd rather watch football, collect toy knights, go to cons and roll in his money than to mess with this series in a serious matter. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

[Riggler]

And another thing... don't get me wrong about Robert Jordan. I loved his first book. Thought his second book was pretty good. After the Dragon Reborn, he was done.

I'm just pissed that I see Martin following in his footsteps. Maybe it should be a rule great fantasy epics are only allowed to be 3,000 pages long, tops then you have to let your favorite world, characters, and money maker go. And move on.

 

[Velenne]

I actually kind of agree with Riggler. The first trilogy was positively earth-shattering. Feast for Crows felt like he was in love with own voice and lost his purpose. Filler.

Especially with Brienne- good lord was that ever a letdown. Still, my favorite character was always Daenarys so I hope Dance with Dragons changes my opinion on these 'intermission' books.

 

[Jotun]

I actually haven't finished his last book. I got about 1/3 of the way through and decided he went from the greatest author on earth to a flop. His first three books, the greatest books I've ever read. His last book a piece of disorganized, overly backgrounded with non- interesting information, Robert Jordan-ed quest for more money crap.

No wonder he was more than 2 years past his publisher's deadline in getting this out. His last book reads like he'd rather watch football, collect toy knights, go to cons and roll in his money than to mess with this series in a serious matter. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Ugh....Robert Jordan....I still have nightmares about that disappointing series. Started out great. When I saw that it's filed under Young Adult I think that's when I finally gave up on it ever getting better. I started reading it when I was a teen, but now I'm in my 30s and I want books that have real human relationships, gruesome fights, heads and hands getting chopped off left and right, and maybe a healthy or unhealthy frolick now and then. Is that so wrong?

I was let down by Feast for Crows but didn't hate it. A friend of mine said it was his favorite book because of all the political intrigue. Too much political intrigue for me in that one. Dance of Dragons should be better since it surrounds the more interesting characters of Tyrion and Daenrys and Jon Snow. But to anyone out there that has not read GRRM, don't let these criticisms cause you to pass on the series because it's pretty amazing.

 

[Riggler]

I actually haven't finished his last book. I got about 1/3 of the way through and decided he went from the greatest author on earth to a flop. His first three books, the greatest books I've ever read. His last book a piece of disorganized, overly backgrounded with non- interesting information, Robert Jordan-ed quest for more money crap.

No wonder he was more than 2 years past his publisher's deadline in getting this out. His last book reads like he'd rather watch football, collect toy knights, go to cons and roll in his money than to mess with this series in a serious matter. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Ugh....Robert Jordan....I still have nightmares about that disappointing series. Started out great. When I saw that it's filed under Young Adult I think that's when I finally gave up on it ever getting better. I started reading it when I was a teen, but now I'm in my 30s and I want books that have real human relationships, gruesome fights, heads and hands getting chopped off left and right, and maybe a healthy or unhealthy frolick now and then. Is that so wrong?

I was let down by Feast for Crows but didn't hate it. A friend of mine said it was his favorite book because of all the political intrigue. Too much political intrigue for me in that one. Dance of Dragons should be better since it surrounds the more interesting characters of Tyrion and Daenrys and Jon Snow. But to anyone out there that has not read GRRM, don't let these criticisms cause you to pass on the series because it's pretty amazing.

Yeah. I turned on about 15 people in my community to Robert Jordan back in the day. I probably helped him sell more than a 100 books. (some bought numerous copies). And almost all of them stuck with him through, what edition is he on? 15 or something. Out of fan loyalty or one upmanship? I don't know. I stopped halfway through the book after Dragon Reborn b/c it sucked.

I'm not going give up on Martin. I'll pick up Feast of Crows again, probably sooner rather than later. I just hope this isn't the beginning of the end for him. But then again, I'll give him the benefitt of the doubt that when you've been as great as his first three books it can become a tough act to follow.

 

[Jormi_Boced]

I am reading A Game of Thrones now. I started this weekend and aam only about 300 pages away from finishing now. I wish I had more time to read this week

 

[Hahma]

I am reading A Game of Thrones now. I started this weekend and aam only about 300 pages away from finishing now. I wish I had more time to read this week

How do you like it?

 

[Jormi_Boced]

I am reading A Game of Thrones now. I started this weekend and aam only about 300 pages away from finishing now. I wish I had more time to read this week

How do you like it?

Well considering I started it this weekend and I am over 500 pages in, I would say I am liking it pretty well

It really has the epic house struggles/political intrigue of Dune, which is one of my all time favorite books. I can't wait to finish A Game of Thrones and move on to the next one. I just hope he finishes Dance with Dragons before I get through Feast.

I am also scared that this is going to make me want to get into the CCG

 

[RichardD]

Jordan's on number 11. As well as being seriously ill, so hopes of books 12/13 to finish the set are looking a bit bleak.

Shame. I hated several of the later Wheel of Time books until I came to re-read them. And if you can mentally edit out all the braid tugging, and the "Matt/Perrin/Rand would have handled this better" stuff, it's a jolly good read.

I'd made a start on a Feast for Crows, but was in the mood for something lighter so left it. I'll have to pick it up again after Xmas (the current reading matter is so light as to practically FLOAT above my bedside table - Games Workshop's Warhammer 40k fiction, for goodness sake. Complete rubbish, but it does help me get to sleep at night).

 

[jaques]

I read everything GRRM wrote up until ASOFAI. I started A Game of Thrones and was bored out of my mind. (No offense to the series' many fans -- I may have just been in a bad mood during that time.)

I highly recommend:

A Song for Lya
Sandkings (another short story collection - amazing title story was made into a terrible Outer Limits episode)
Tuf Voyaging
The Armageddon Rag
Fevre Dream
Dying of the Light

(edited to add: Most of these will very likely be very hard to find.)

 

[noodles]

I think A Song of Ice and Fire is the best story I've ever read. It's incredibly well written.

 

[Hahma]

Ah the second book. A Clash of Kings. Also known as the "book throwing" novel. Why? Because I can all but guarentee that if you're into the story at all you're going to end up throwing the book across the room, out a window, or into traffic before you're done. Good luck!

BTW, I love the series and can't wait for A Dance With Dragons.

You were'nt lying about the book throwing Velenne

 

[noodles]

Ah the second book. A Clash of Kings. Also known as the "book throwing" novel. Why? Because I can all but guarentee that if you're into the story at all you're going to end up throwing the book across the room, out a window, or into traffic before you're done. Good luck!

BTW, I love the series and can't wait for A Dance With Dragons.

You were'nt lying about the book throwing Velenne

Every book so far has had a moment where I was emotionally impacted and wanted to scream out, "NOOO!"

 

[Hahma]

Ah the second book. A Clash of Kings. Also known as the "book throwing" novel. Why? Because I can all but guarentee that if you're into the story at all you're going to end up throwing the book across the room, out a window, or into traffic before you're done. Good luck!

BTW, I love the series and can't wait for A Dance With Dragons.

You were'nt lying about the book throwing Velenne

Every book so far has had a moment where I was emotionally impacted and wanted to scream out, "NOOO!"

Yeah, I guess that is why this series is so good. GRRM does the unexpected and it seems more realistic of the times/setting the story takes place in. But come on, did he have to do "That?!!!"

 

[Jormi_Boced]

Ah the second book. A Clash of Kings. Also known as the "book throwing" novel. Why? Because I can all but guarentee that if you're into the story at all you're going to end up throwing the book across the room, out a window, or into traffic before you're done. Good luck!

BTW, I love the series and can't wait for A Dance With Dragons.

You were'nt lying about the book throwing Velenne

Every book so far has had a moment where I was emotionally impacted and wanted to scream out, "NOOO!"

A MOMENT??? Several for me I am almost through Clash of Kings now.

 

[Jormi_Boced]

I have finished Clash of Kings now, it was more depressing, but still very good.

 

[noodles]

The thing about Feast for Crows is that it's only half a book. By itself it isn't as good as the first 3 (which are flawless) but can you imagine in Feast for Crows and Dance with Dragons had been released together as a 2,000 page book. I have no doubts that it would be the best of the series.

I don't fault Feast for Crows for not being as good. Like I said it's only half of what book 4 was supposed to be.


As for Robert Jordan and the Wheel of Time. I was such a hardcore Wheel of Time fan for so long. I started reading them when Book 8 had just come out and loved the first 8 with books 1-6 being superb. However since I joined the masses and started playing the waiting game...I have been very dissapointed with book 9, the god-awful book 10, and the average book 11. This series is spiraling into mediocrity which makes me sick considering how much I used to love it.

RJ says that book 12 is the last one even if it has to be 2000 pages but we'll see. He originally said book 6 would be the last one I recall. I just hope he doesn't die before he finishes it because he really is sick.

 

[Jormi_Boced]

The thing about Feast for Crows is that it's only half a book. By itself it isn't as good as the first 3 (which are flawless) but can you imagine in Feast for Crows and Dance with Dragons had been released together as a 2,000 page book. I have no doubts that it would be the best of the series.

I don't fault Feast for Crows for not being as good. Like I said it's only half of what book 4 was supposed to be.


As for Robert Jordan and the Wheel of Time. I was such a hardcore Wheel of Time fan for so long. I started reading them when Book 8 had just come out and loved the first 8 with books 1-6 being superb. However since I joined the masses and started playing the waiting game...I have been very dissapointed with book 9, the god-awful book 10, and the average book 11. This series is spiraling into mediocrity which makes me sick considering how much I used to love it.

RJ says that book 12 is the last one even if it has to be 2000 pages but we'll see. He originally said book 6 would be the last one I recall. I just hope he doesn't die before he finishes it because he really is sick.

Should I just wait for Dance with Dragons to come out before I read Feast for Crows? Then just kind of read a few chapters in this one, then a few chapters in the other one???

 

[RichardD]

I can't see how he can finish the series in just one more book; I reckon he's set so much in motion two will be needed to avoid looking like an untidy rush-job. And I'm not at all sure that he has time to write two books (let alone the energy). Fingers crossed that he gets well enough to start writing, but as far as I know he's not written a word for WoT for well over a year now, probably more like 2.

Martin keeps forcing me to re-evaluate who it is I'm supposed to be rooting for. Most fantasy novels have "white hats" and "black hats" (something David Gemmel unashamedly acknowledged, and was loved for it). Martin's characters are all multi-layered, along with his plots. There are a few that (so far) have managed to remain the sort of characters that I thought they were when they were first introduced; most have changed much more substantially (many changing by suddenly being deprived of a pulse).

 

[RichardD]

(Gah - double post)

 

[Jormi_Boced]

I can't see how he can finish the series in just one more book; I reckon he's set so much in motion two will be needed to avoid looking like an untidy rush-job. And I'm not at all sure that he has time to write two books (let alone the energy). Fingers crossed that he gets well enough to start writing, but as far as I know he's not written a word for WoT for well over a year now, probably more like 2.

Martin keeps forcing me to re-evaluate who it is I'm supposed to be rooting for. Most fantasy novels have "white hats" and "black hats" (something David Gemmel unashamedly acknowledged, and was loved for it). Martin's characters are all multi-layered, along with his plots. There are a few that (so far) have managed to remain the sort of characters that I thought they were when they were first introduced; most have changed much more substantially (many changing by suddenly being deprived of a pulse).

Last I read on his Web site he has plans for two more after Dance with Dragons. He admits that it might be more though.

I think he also talks about it a bit in one of his pod casts.
http://www.idiotvox.com/Books/PodCast_Review_The_George_R._R._Martin_Podcast__15543.html

 

[noodles]

The thing about Feast for Crows is that it's only half a book. By itself it isn't as good as the first 3 (which are flawless) but can you imagine in Feast for Crows and Dance with Dragons had been released together as a 2,000 page book. I have no doubts that it would be the best of the series.

I don't fault Feast for Crows for not being as good. Like I said it's only half of what book 4 was supposed to be.


As for Robert Jordan and the Wheel of Time. I was such a hardcore Wheel of Time fan for so long. I started reading them when Book 8 had just come out and loved the first 8 with books 1-6 being superb. However since I joined the masses and started playing the waiting game...I have been very dissapointed with book 9, the god-awful book 10, and the average book 11. This series is spiraling into mediocrity which makes me sick considering how much I used to love it.

RJ says that book 12 is the last one even if it has to be 2000 pages but we'll see. He originally said book 6 would be the last one I recall. I just hope he doesn't die before he finishes it because he really is sick.

Should I just wait for Dance with Dragons to come out before I read Feast for Crows? Then just kind of read a few chapters in this one, then a few chapters in the other one???

No. I mean you could because I'm sure there will be people who will figure out the chapter order it would've been in but you don't have to. Instead of using all the characters and chopping the book in half, he did half the characters and told their story in completion.....so book 4 and book 5 are meant to be read in parallel.

 

[noodles]

I can't see how he can finish the series in just one more book; I reckon he's set so much in motion two will be needed to avoid looking like an untidy rush-job. And I'm not at all sure that he has time to write two books (let alone the energy). Fingers crossed that he gets well enough to start writing, but as far as I know he's not written a word for WoT for well over a year now, probably more like 2.

Martin keeps forcing me to re-evaluate who it is I'm supposed to be rooting for. Most fantasy novels have "white hats" and "black hats" (something David Gemmel unashamedly acknowledged, and was loved for it). Martin's characters are all multi-layered, along with his plots. There are a few that (so far) have managed to remain the sort of characters that I thought they were when they were first introduced; most have changed much more substantially (many changing by suddenly being deprived of a pulse).

According to RJ's blog he has been writing the past 2 years a lot but that his illness slows him down to only a couple hours a day instead of the 8 he used to write. www.wotmania.com is a great site for all things wheel of time related.

 

[noodles]

Martin said that there would be 6 books originally and that these would be the titles:

4 - Feast For crows
5 - Dance with Dragons
6 - Winds of Winter

But now with book 4 being split and the 2nd half becoming the original book 5 title, obviously there's going to be atleast 7 books. And given that each book in the series is growing larger, I'm guessing it won't stop at 7 and will probably finish at 10. But honestly as long as the quality of each book is consistant I don't care how long he takes to finish the story but what I absolutely don't want is for him to start stretching the series out and turn it into a cash cow the way RJ did with Wheel of Time. The day I see increased font sizes and wider margins, I'm going to stop being a fan.