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[Addai]

The HBO series has a lot of people picking up the books, and on July 12th the long-awaited A Dance With Dragons will be released.



So, let's discuss.  Expect that if you haven't finished all the books, you will encounter spoilers.  Also, let's keep any discussion of casting, filming etc. of the HBO series to that thread.  This one is to allow us to discuss the books without spoiling things for those who are just watching the TV series.

I'm currently reading A Sworn Sword, so I'd love to discuss Dunk and Egg with anyone else familiar with those stories.  I've already finished The Hedge Knight and The Mystery Knight.  Long live Ser Duncan the Tall and Prince Egg. 

Modifié par Addai67, 27 juin 2011 - 05:33 .

[Seagloom]

I am currently rereading "A Game of Thrones". Soon I will finish and get started on the next book. Chances are I will not be buying "A Dance with Dragons" on July 12 because I want to refresh my memory beforehand, and I am unwilling to rush through just to keep up with everyone here. You will all probably have discussed the book to death when I get around to it. Still excited, though. Looking forward to seeing the big three perspective characters again, and Melisandre's chapter.

[BigEvil]

I've been trying to get ahold of the Dunk and Egg stories but I've not gotten them yet. Noticed there are also graphic novel versions of the Hedge Knight and one of the others, but I don't know if they're any good and they seem difficult to get as well.

Eagerly awaiting 12th July as it will be the first aSoIaF book I'll be reading at the same time as other people. I'll probably avoid this thread from the 12th until I've read it and then come back with tons of things I'll want to discuss.

[Brockololly]

I'm working my way through A Feast for Crows right now for the first time. I know its considered the weakest entry by many but (I'm only about 300 pages in) it is nice how you get some new perspectives on other areas of Westeros like Dorne. That said, since its basically half of a book it suffers from lacking the other main character POV's like Dany, Jon and Tyrion.

I think thats what was so brilliant in the other books was how all the POv chapters were balanced really well in that just as you might be getting tired of one POV or one area it would switch to somebody else. AFfC really doesn't have that feeling quite as much since you have so many new POV characters.

[naughty99]

I suspect I might uncontrollably devour DWD on July 12 in one sitting and end up very tired at work the next morning.

On the other hand, it will be 1,500 pages, so perhaps not.

[Addai]

BigEvil wrote...

I've been trying to get ahold of the Dunk and Egg stories but I've not gotten them yet. Noticed there are also graphic novel versions of the Hedge Knight and one of the others, but I don't know if they're any good and they seem difficult to get as well.

Eagerly awaiting 12th July as it will be the first aSoIaF book I'll be reading at the same time as other people. I'll probably avoid this thread from the 12th until I've read it and then come back with tons of things I'll want to discuss.

I was able to find Dreamsongs II in the library, which has "The Hedge Knight" in it.  Oh man, I cried.    In a good way.  The others I got via Nook.  I had been wanting the Warriors anthology anyway, which has "The Mystery Knight" in it, and turned out they had Legends II as well which has "The Sworn Sword."  At $15 each it's not too bad.

[TJPags]

Brockololly wrote...

I'm working my way through A Feast for Crows right now for the first time. I know its considered the weakest entry by many but (I'm only about 300 pages in) it is nice how you get some new perspectives on other areas of Westeros like Dorne. That said, since its basically half of a book it suffers from lacking the other main character POV's like Dany, Jon and Tyrion.

I think thats what was so brilliant in the other books was how all the POv chapters were balanced really well in that just as you might be getting tired of one POV or one area it would switch to somebody else. AFfC really doesn't have that feeling quite as much since you have so many new POV characters.

I really think it's considered the weakest mainly because it's missing Jon, Dany, Tyrion.  Those characters seem to be fan favs, and a book without them seems flat.  I know I was left with kind of a "WTF" taste in my mouth on first reading.

However, on further reads, I've found that the Cersei storyline really captures my interest, perhaps because of it's ending, as does the Arya storyline.  Again, this may be because of the ending and nothing more.  The Dorne chapters were also quite well done.

I still feel the storylines mesh well, and that GRRM does a nice job of balancing tension, excitement and perhaps slower sections throughout by switching of viewpoints.  He builds up, then moves on to something slower that itself builds up, etc., and then tends to bring things to a head all at once in the book endings.

[naughty99]

Brockololly wrote...

I'm working my way through A Feast for Crows right now for the first time. I know its considered the weakest entry by many but (I'm only about 300 pages in) it is nice how you get some new perspectives on other areas of Westeros like Dorne. That said, since its basically half of a book it suffers from lacking the other main character POV's like Dany, Jon and Tyrion.

I think thats what was so brilliant in the other books was how all the POv chapters were balanced really well in that just as you might be getting tired of one POV or one area it would switch to somebody else. AFfC really doesn't have that feeling quite as much since you have so many new POV characters.

Arya and Samwell make up for this IMO.

I absolutely loved A Feast for Crows

[Seagloom]

I thought AFfC was great. It just felt like a lower key, slower paced book after the roller coaster of ACoK and ASoS. I agree with TJPags's idea about its lack of Dany, Tyrion, and Jon affecting its popularity. The Cersei storyline made her a more interesting character to me than she was before. The ending was a bit predictable, but the outcome left me anxious to read what happens next.

AFfC also had enough Arya and Brienne to keep it grounded with so much focus on Cersei. Dany, Tyrion, and Jon are good characters; but Tyrion's story was wrapped up nicely enough before, and I am a bigger Arya and Brienne fan. If the book had a serious weakness it was not featuring enough perspective variation. The inclusion of even one extra character would have helped that immensely.

Modifié par Seagloom, 28 juin 2011 - 02:11 .

[TJPags]

I'm also very much looking forward to resuming Bran's story.

[Jiggasaurus]

It’s been some time since I read ‘A Feast for Crows’ I’m hoping it will be easy to pick up and remember the characters and plotlines akin to what the TV series achieved.

I have the two Hedge Knight graphic novels you mentioned in the opening post as well with Dunk & Egg, good humour but you’re not really missing much, it’s a simple short story.

[TJPags]

Chapter summaries can be found here: http://towerofthehand.com/books/104/

There should be one for every book, for those who don't want to reread before ADWD comes out.

[Eurypterid]

I read A game of Thrones way back when it first was published. Picked up A Clash of Kings and started reading that one, but put it down about 1/2 way through. Not because I didn't like it but because I decided there's no way I'm going to read this series until it's finished. Seeing how it's taking Martin so bloody long to get around to finishing it, this was a wise decision on my part, as I hate having to reread books just to get up to speed for the sequel(s).

So, while I'll pick up A Dance With Dragons when it's released, it will sit on my shelf next to all the others until such time as the series is finished.

[TJPags]

You have so much more willpower than me . . . .

[Eurypterid]

TJPags wrote...

You have so much more willpower than me . . . .

lol - no, I just have so many books to read. At last count, I have just over 400 stacked up and waiting to be read. The sheer volume of tomes awaiting my attention makes it easier to forgo this series for a while.

[Addai]

Jiggasaurus wrote...
I have the two Hedge Knight graphic novels you mentioned in the opening post as well with Dunk & Egg, good humour but you’re not really missing much, it’s a simple short story.

They're novellas really, but anyway I think they're worth picking up.  It's more GRRM goodness, and fills in the background of the Targaryen twilight.  Aegon is the one who ended up nurturing men like Barristan Selmy and the Blackfish.

I think it's also ironic that a lot of it revolves around rebellions launched at the Targaryens from overseas.  Sort of a "the wheel turns and turns" motif.

Oh- and I also just think they're really sweet.  I love those two.  <3

Modifié par Addai67, 28 juin 2011 - 03:26 .

[naughty99]

BTW if anyone has not yet read the DWD sample chapters, they are available HERE

TYRION - Dance With Dragons sample chapter

DANAERYS - Dance With Dragons sample chapter

JON - Dance With Dragons sample chapter

THEON - Dance With Dragons sample chapter

[Addai]

naughty99 wrote...

BTW if anyone has not yet read the DWD sample chapters, they are available HERE

  What are those?  Are those real?  From 2005 or whenever?

[Brockololly]

I know that Dany one is in the back of the mass market paperback AFfC that I have. And I've seen the Theon one before...damn, I almost feel bad for Theon... but not quite.

[naughty99]

Addai67 wrote...

naughty99 wrote...

BTW if anyone has not yet read the DWD sample chapters, they are available HERE

  What are those?  Are those real?  From 2005 or whenever?

yes they are all real. GRRM posted them on his own blog.

I'm pretty sure they will all be in the final version, but you never know because he re-wrote the book so many times, especially Dany's chapters

Modifié par naughty99, 28 juin 2011 - 03:33 .

[TJPags]

naughty99 wrote...

Addai67 wrote...

naughty99 wrote...

BTW if anyone has not yet read the DWD sample chapters, they are available HERE

  What are those?  Are those real?  From 2005 or whenever?

yes they are all real. GRRM posted them on his own blog.

I'm pretty sure they will all be in the final version, but you never know because he re-wrote the book so many times, especially Dany's chapters

I've seen and read those in the past.  Not sure how current they are.

Brock - when did you get your copy of FFC?  My copy, which I got back when it came out, also had a chapter, which I dount resembles what's current anymore.  Of course, my copy also said something like "ADWD coming soon". 

[Brockololly]

TJPags wrote...
Brock - when did you get your copy of FFC?  My copy, which I got back when it came out, also had a chapter, which I dount resembles what's current anymore.  Of course, my copy also said something like "ADWD coming soon". 

My copy is from the 4 book boxed set with the little HBO Game of Thrones branding at the top of the cover. Got them about 1 month ago.  So I'd guess they're the most recent printings and they do still have the little "Meanwhile at the Wall..." afterword by GRRM with the "coming soon" for ADWD followed by the Dany chapter.

So you're probably right given how long its been that all these preview chapters might not even be in the final version.

Modifié par Brockololly, 28 juin 2011 - 04:19 .

[naughty99]

Brockololly wrote...

TJPags wrote...
Brock - when did you get your copy of FFC?  My copy, which I got back when it came out, also had a chapter, which I dount resembles what's current anymore.  Of course, my copy also said something like "ADWD coming soon". 

My copy is from the 4 book boxed set with the little HBO Game of Thrones branding at the top of the cover. Got them about 1 month ago.  So I'd guess they're the most recent printings and they do still have the little "Meanwhile at the Wall..." afterword by GRRM with the "coming soon" for ADWD followed by the Dany chapter.

So you're probably right given how long its been that all these preview chapters might not even be in the final version.

I will laugh my ass off if it turns out GRRM deliberately wrote these chapters as red herrings to lead us along so we will be surprised by the real events of Dance with Dragons.

[GodWood]

God I need to find those Dunk and Egg books...

[Brockololly]

So it would seem Amazon.de accidentally shipped out about 180 copies of ADWD. So watch out for spoilers on the internet!