[Shef]

I just picked up Martins books A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. I have read about a third of the first and find it enjoyable. Could you guys please give me SPOILER FREE thoughts and reviews without giving me a comparison to Jordan. Thank you in advance.

To the mods: If this is too similar to other threads, please do not hesitate to close this one and direct me to it.

[cgw]

OK
A comparison:
I couldn't finish the first Jordan book. I can't wait for the fourth Martin book.

[Killer Chicken]

Shef... I thought that A Game of Thrones was decent as I was reading it through. But towards the end of aGoT, it turned into a great book. And I thought the second book never left off from the first book.


*simplistic and no spoilers* *pats himself on the back*

[Sammie]

Okay, here goes:

The first SoIaF book is good, with a very good ending. The second is very good, with an excellent finale; the third is excelent, and the end is breath-taking.

Of all the well-written fantasy i have read, SoIaF is the most complex. Of all those fantasy novels i have read which have a complex plot, SoIaF is the most well written.

All IMHO, of course :)

[Lifino]

I've never seen another author so hell-bent on torturing and damaging a family. At times it seems like Martin is writing all the other stuff just an excuse for him to explore the story of abuse the Starks are going through.

I've recently completed the third book, but I sort of doubt I'll even try on the fourth. It didn't live up to the hype this forum has given it, as a series...

Oh, and since we're comparing to Jordan: Jordan was able to keep me reading through 6 or 7 books, Martin lost me after 3.

I hope you like it. My favorite character was the Half Man.

[Rob B]

cgw:

Originally posted by Shef
...without giving me a comparison to Jordan. Thank you in advance.

[Shef]

Alright everyone I appreciate your responses. I just clocked off another 150 pages and I still find it an engrossing book. Please keep the posts comingd.:D

[ezchaos]

ASoIaF is one of my all time personal favorite series. The thing I like about the series the most is the characters' realism. I'm a big fan of characters being in that 'gray' area. I know that myself and most other readers read fantasy to escape from the real world, however, I DO like the characters in any story to be believable. Humans are ruthless, brutal beings, and it shows in Martin's current series. If a reader doesn't like that type of portrayal, then I could see why they might not like aSoIaF.

[cgw]

opps

[cgw]

I also like characters who are in that gray area (one of the reasons I like Zelazny). Some characters are more likable than others but there is no clear cut good and evil. I wish there were more (fantasy) like it.