Thread: A Song of Ice and Fire

I watched the series when it was aired on Sky Atlantic. My girlfriend and I were held by its spell from minute one. I've only just started reading the book, having loved series one so much. My only concern is that I fear the book and series won't differ and therefore won't surprise me at times. Otherwise I love Martin's writing style and his ability to spell out the plot in that fantastic mood set for fantasy.

I have now read two complete books and I have concluded that I don't really like Martin's writing. Why? He is wholly incapable of moving things forward. These books are thick not because they encompass years of these characters' lives but because he's documented their lives in minute and, as far as I am concerned, annoying detail. Perhaps if the books were set at 5 year intervals within the plot, I might be more interested, but it's like he feels compelled to tell you every single detail of all of his characters' lives. I've never read Tolkien, but I don't think the two can be compared.

I like the series. I think it is well done and interesting.

If you want a gritty, brutal fantasy, however, Joe Abercrombies Best Served Cold makes George Martin's books look like a day at Disneyland

I am currently reading Book 1 now because of HBO doing a 10 episode series of A Game of Thrones.

I do like the song of ice and fire. I had finished the first 4 books in the series. I think Martin is a good writer. But I am the minority of readers who prefer a more 'clean' version of ice and fire. Less incest, less rape, and less death of favourite characters.

I read the first book of the serie, and I am reading the second book.

I love them but there is something that stops me each times: when he starts enumerating all the Lords and Ser around the table. Although it might be necessary for the description of some scenes, it is really annoying to read twenty names of people that might never be talked about later in the series.

On the contrary, I admire Martin for being able to remember those names all when he does use them once again later on. He created so many of them, even with a list, I would get easily lost.