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George R.R. Martin: A Game of Thrones

Lincoln Rhyme

Lincoln Rhyme

New Member
Summary: Jon Arryn is dead, and The Stark family is called upon to investigate. Soon after, trouble starts brewing, as deception becomes more plentiful and armies being raised.

My opinion: Now this is how you write a fantasy novel! Long and drawn out descriptions of land for 6 pages is boring as hell for me. Luckily, A Game of Thrones tells these stories through half a page, and doesn't even make them a main point for the book, just an FYI.

Another reason why I liked A Game of Thrones was thanks to the characters. I think the only character I didn't like was Catelyn Stark. Everybody else had vivid perspective that are radically different.

I also love that the usual stuff in fantasy is not high in amounts in A Game of Thrones. A Game of thrones is very much like a political thriller, and an enthralling one at that. Not too much magic, or descriptions(as stated earlier)

My rating: 4.8/5
 
I'd give book 5 the lowest rating. It was 800 pages of nothing happening to progress the story along. Book 4 was ok while 1-3 are the best fantasy books I've ever read.
 
I've only read books 1 and 2 so far and have found that, though the battle scenes and character plots are great, book 2 seems more of a lead-in to book 3. There have been epic battles, but I didn't find it as engrossing as book 1. I'm starting book 3 tonight when I get home. In all, I have truly enjoyed this series and cannot wait to see the TV version. I'm trying to keep just ahead of the TV series so I don't miss the intricacies of the books, but I have to say that they have done an exquisite job of keeping with the books to date. I have the first episode of Series 2 on my DVR and plan on watching it on Sunday, so no spoilers please.
 
I agree with your statements about the HBO show. I only noticed at least three subtle changes.

For example, Tyrion's confession was something that was actually improved upon in the show.
 
readsalot said:
Books better or tv better?
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Both are pretty close to one another. You may miss some nuances in the character thinking with the TV series, but, in all, I think it's the best TV version of a series that I've read ever. To date, they have stayed right with the characters and plot lines. I've only seen season 1 (season 2 just started), but I think they have been dead on and their casting has been over the top as well.
 
Agree

BeerWench13 said:
Both are pretty close to one another. You may miss some nuances in the character thinking with the TV series, but, in all, I think it's the best TV version of a series that I've read ever. To date, they have stayed right with the characters and plot lines. I've only seen season 1 (season 2 just started), but I think they have been dead on and their casting has been over the top as well.
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I completely agree with this. My wife reads the Trueblood series, and even though she likes the show, she says they completely butchered the story. GRRM's books are great.
 
Blindsided said:
Books 1-3 (5/5)
Book 4 (2/5)
Book 5 (3.3/5)
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Completely agree. I found Book 4 incredibly dull - even the audio book had a sub-par reader for this instalment. It just didn't have the same level of twists that I love about the rest of the series. And I found some of the stories became quite difficult to follow because of the addition of large amounts of new characters and places.

I'm still on the edge of my seat for the next in the series, though!
 
I still enjoy the show, but every week I keep getting more discouraged by the way they keep changing the story line.
 
I heard something major happened this week on the show, something that shocked people. What happened? I read the book, but really am waiting for the full 2nd season to finish before i start watching it.
 
direstraits said:
I heard something major happened this week on the show, something that shocked people. What happened? I read the book, but really am waiting for the full 2nd season to finish before i start watching it.
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Bran and Rickon's "bodies" were shown last week, but this week it showed them hiding in the place where all the previous Starks were buried at the end of the episode.

It was also the episode that Tyrion promises Cersei that he will pay her back 10 fold for what she done to that one whore who was helping him see Shae in secret.

Click above if you want to know.
 
Ah ok. :) I've read everything from him, so unless they change the story I should already know what happens. What made it interesting was apparently there was a brouhaha on that particular episode that apparently sent ripples through the tv-watching fandom. Just curious what it was.

I don't remember now whether the scene you described above happened in Book 2 or not. If they are shocked at what you described, then there are worse things coming. :)

Thanks very much, Lincoln!
 
I watched the first season before I read the book, but with this one I am glad that I did. There are so many characters that it was nice to put faces to names. I also loved how this book and the first season were almost dead on. I wish season two had been the same.
 
I've only read a Game of Thrones, but I've got to say, it's up there on my top 5. I love Ayn Rand's books as well even though I may not agree with her philisophically(when you can disagree with an author and love their books, you know it's a good author!). Point is though, I'd almost put his writing in this first book on par with her despite the differing styles. I thought it was one of the most engrossing things I'd ever read.

My aunt says she loves every book equally, but maybe shes just such a huge fan and can't be disappointed :lol:. Anyways, I'm glad to hear that most people agree on books 2 and 3 which make me excited to read them. Before I get to them though, I plan on reading June's book of the month "Life" by Keith Richards.
 
JourneyYourMind said:
I've only read a Game of Thrones, but I've got to say, it's up there on my top 5. I love Ayn Rand's books as well even though I may not agree with her philisophically(when you can disagree with an author and love their books, you know it's a good author!). Point is though, I'd almost put his writing in this first book on par with her despite the differing styles. I thought it was one of the most engrossing things I'd ever read.

My aunt says she loves every book equally, but maybe shes just such a huge fan and can't be disappointed :lol:. Anyways, I'm glad to hear that most people agree on books 2 and 3 which make me excited to read them. Before I get to them though, I plan on reading June's book of the month "Life" by Keith Richards.
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Don't other users discourage you from reading the 4th and 5th books. Yes, they are not as great as their predecessors, but they're still very good reads.
 
Canker said:
I'd give book 5 the lowest rating. It was 800 pages of nothing happening to progress the story along. Book 4 was ok while 1-3 are the best fantasy books I've ever read.
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i agree to a point indeed, i have just got through #5 and i can see what you mean, i hope its just the silence before the storm :)
 
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