Most surprising moment of the series so far?

[Valiah]

After reading the first two books of the series one of the things that has become apparent to me is that GRRM isn't afraid to throw a curve ball and follow a plot line through to a totally unexpected end (Ned's demise in AGoT for example). What are you favourite surprise moments of the series so far?

Mine so far is...

The horror when it's revealed that Theon has mounted Bran and Rickon's heads on the walls of Winterfell, followed by the relief he hasn't, shortly followed by the realisation that he has killed two other innocent children and mounted their heads on the walls so that he doesn't lose face

Also, on a slightly lighter note...

The role reversal of Tyrion and The Hound with Tyrion riding valiantly into battle whilst The Hound flees in terror

[Basel Gill]

Well, I'm currently 3/4 of the way through ACOK. I'd say the biggest surprise for me was a revelation that has not much potential for impact on the story as far as I can tell.

Stannis mentions when he and Renly inform Cat of Joffrey's true parentage that he had acted on his suspicions rather than keep it secret, and went to Jon Arryn. Presumably at some point before they started checking out all Robert's bastards. I took this to be a bombshell, since I'd been assuming all along that Jon uncovered the nasty truth, and took his suspicions to Stannis. It doesn't seem like it'll ever matter which of them told the other, but I was still shocked.

[colossus the unstoppable]

Maybe I was naive but I was pretty shocked when Ned died even after lying and doing everything he was supposed to do.

[SerAolbainOfLimeisletHall]

After reading the first two books of the series one of the things that has become apparent to me is that GRRM isn't afraid to throw a curve ball and follow a plot line through to a totally unexpected end (Ned's demise in AGoT for example). What are you favourite surprise moments of the series so far?

Mine so far is...

The horror when it's revealed that Theon has mounted Bran and Rickon's heads on the walls of Winterfell, followed by the relief he hasn't, shortly followed by the realisation that he has killed two other innocent children and mounted their heads on the walls so that he doesn't lose face

Also, on a slightly lighter note...

The role reversal of Tyrion and The Hound with Tyrion riding valiantly into battle whilst The Hound flees in terror

Wel as you say, T butching of B&R was cuite shocking but I didnt felt anything when the whole farmer boy sheme came up. I gues that makes me a bad person.

[The late lady stark]

After reading the first two books of the series one of the things that has become apparent to me is that GRRM isn't afraid to throw a curve ball and follow a plot line through to a totally unexpected end (Ned's demise in AGoT for example). What are you favourite surprise moments of the series so far?

Mine so far is...

The horror when it's revealed that Theon has mounted Bran and Rickon's heads on the walls of Winterfell, followed by the relief he hasn't, shortly followed by the realisation that he has killed two other innocent children and mounted their heads on the walls so that he doesn't lose face

Also, on a slightly lighter note...

The role reversal of Tyrion and The Hound with Tyrion riding valiantly into battle whilst The Hound flees in terror

I like how Tyrion starts to become more heroic. And there are glimmers that the Hound is heroic too. One of the things I love most about this series is the depth and complexity of the characters.

[JPSnow]

After reading the first two books of the series one of the things that has become apparent to me is that GRRM isn't afraid to throw a curve ball and follow a plot line through to a totally unexpected end (Ned's demise in AGoT for example). What are you favourite surprise moments of the series so far?

Mine so far is...

The horror when it's revealed that Theon has mounted Bran and Rickon's heads on the walls of Winterfell, followed by the relief he hasn't, shortly followed by the realisation that he has killed two other innocent children and mounted their heads on the walls so that he doesn't lose face

Also, on a slightly lighter note...

The role reversal of Tyrion and The Hound with Tyrion riding valiantly into battle whilst The Hound flees in terror

I agree on the Theon and Bran part.

I should add Renly's death as well, that was hell of a surprise. Oh, And ser Rodrik's and Maester Luwin's death, that was pretty shocking, and sad, so sad.

[underoath437]

Probably for me it was JS having to kill his own Night Watch to work his way into the wildlings.

[SummerGhostofNymeria]

I think that some of the surprising moments were more particular, and somewhat smaller. For example:

I was more surprised at the fact that Theon was so adamant, and willing to kill Bran and Rickon, and he hunted them down so emphatically.

Also,

Not so much the fact that Renly was killed so much as the WAY that Renly was killed.

I'm loving these books.

[JonTargaryenSnow]

Well damnit. I'm halfway through COK and now I HAVE to read at every possible opportunity. Every time I open a thread I say to myself, "I'm just going to post, I'm not going to read". :dunno: Riiiiight.

I was shocked at Ned's death, probably because such a high profile actor was playing the part. I hadn't read the book yet, didn't even know it was a book but I did know that the show had been renewed for another season so I assumed Sean would be around for it. The minute that sword fell I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand and wondered if I'd cry. I didn't cry but I was in shock too. I watched the panel at Comic-Con and I know I'm in for some seriously shocking and emotional deaths.

Bran being pushed out the window shocked me as well. I mean, who does that??? :o

There have been a lot of "wtf holy sh*t" moments: Syrio's fight with the Lannister men was amazing, the dragons at the end of GOT...and I know I'm about to experience some big moments in COK. So....off I go to read!

[Ser Vyncent Dayne]

So far I was surprised the most by...

Jon being forced to kill Halfhand as a test of his duty to the Night's Watch. Halfhand knew the whole time that this was going to happen and went along with it all the same. Such a heavy moment.

[SummerGhostofNymeria]

So far I was surprised the most by...

Jon being forced to kill Halfhand as a test of his duty to the Night's Watch. Halfhand knew the whole time that this was going to happen and went along with it all the same. Such a heavy moment.

By the end of CoK I felt the same as you. Now that I've finished ASoS, that's changed.

[Ser Vyncent Dayne]

By the end of CoK I felt the same as you. Now that I've finished ASoS, that's changed.

Oh no! Don't tell me that!

Naw... You have me excited to find out what you mean, now.

[SummerGhostofNymeria]

Oh no! Don't tell me that!

Naw... You have me excited to find out what you mean, now.

Hahaha! Just keep reading, my friend.

[JonTargaryenSnow]

***I can't figure out how to include spoiler boxes so please beware and don't read further if you've not finished A Clash of Kings*****

Ok I just now finished ACOK and all I can say is.....W O W!!!!!!!!!! I mean I could NOT have imagined EVER reading something as riveting as this book. As much as I LOVED Game of Thrones, I can say with certainty that I am now GRRM's bitch.

I've never been on such a roller coaster while reading. One page I'm reading along, reading names and histories, lovely descriptions of scenery, clothing and food, absorbing the richness of detail then.....I turn the page.

:owned:

I hadn't read the books before watching season 1 so I didn't know how dangerous turning the page can be. I have Storm of Swords sitting right here next to me and as soon as I have my emotional and mental armor in place, I'll open it!

I've already posted about my surprising moments for book one so I'll just include what shocked me in book 2.

Uhmm......Melisandre birthing baby shadows. That was one of the most "WTF" moments I've ever had reading a book. I was reading along, listening to Davos tell his story and his feelings then read about Melisandre and then....wait, what.....did I read th...I did. I just read that! I had to look out the window, smirking at GRRM's obvious brilliance and creativity. I can NOT wait to see that translated onto screen.

Daenerys' trek through the house of the undying was great and that'll be so cool to watch but if I ever had the slightest doubt that Jon Snow is a Targaryen, I don't now. When she heard "His is the song of ice and fire...the babe was the prince that was promised....name him Aegon..." spoken by Rhaegar, I got SO excited. I read on a little and suddenly realized, Elia of Dorne may have birthed a son, and that son was murdered, but it was not the Aegon who Rhaegar was referring to and Elia of Dorne is not the woman with this "babe at her breast"; it was Lyanna. A little girl was murdered too, yes, but it wasn't the little princess. I wasn't 100% sold on Jon and Daenerys being brother and sister until now. Aegon was Jon's name at birth, I believe. And Rhaenys was Dani's name at birth. Jon's name was changed when Ned took him north and Dani's when she was smuggled to Dragonstone with Viserys. But that would mean Rhaella wasn't her mother. :dunno: And if Rhaella was her mother, then Rhaegar was her father, which would be, uhm, odd. I'm going to hold to the idea that Lyanna had twins by Rhaegar; one looking a Stark and the other a Targaryen. Ned could have easily arranged for baby Dani to be sent away with an obviously pregnant Rhaella so Dani would seem to be the new baby and told Rhaella to say she'd had twins to explain the two infants, but Rhaella died, and maybe that baby she carried died too. If not, there's another Targaryen out there we haven't met yet. Either way, whether Lyanna or Rhaella birthed Dani, Ned Stark was VERY opposed to killing "the Targaryen girl" and even resigned as Hand because Robert wouldn't budge on the ordered murder. Since when did Ned have a problem killing Targaryens? It'll be interesting to see if any of this is correct and where the Jon Snow theories will lead.

Theon taking Winterfell wasn't a surprise (especially after Jojen had the dream about sea water coming over Winterfell's walls) but how he behaved once there was a bit shocking but NOT as shocking as learning that he'd been involved in or directly responsible for killing Bran and Rickon. I cried here and there, mourning them and the wolves as I read on then cried again while Cat mourned. And I was SO angry at GRRM for not giving us the chapters to read so we could be a part of the kid's demise. I kept thinking he was sorely disrespecting the characters by just dissolving them that way. I've always had great GREAT hopes for Bran. He MUST become a knight. Then w/out warning...that page turning thing happened and the last chapter was named "BRAN". :stunned: I assumed we were finally getting our chapter devoted to Bran's end....and that the book would end with Bran's eyes closing, like that episode that ended with Bran's eyes opening in season 1. I have never been more happy to be wrong.

[HaraktheHirsute]

Mods: Please delete this post (wrong forum). :(

[urrutiap]

Most WTF and shocking moments in my opinion are

Jamie Lannister pushing Bran off the gargoyle - Things I do for love or whatever Jamie said. Jeez LOL

Renly being killed by a spooky shadow

the chapter where Joffrey, Sandor and others while on horse were pelted with poo and the people surrounding them mobbing them and what's more shocking is that 100 people raped that one Lady character behind some shop.

[Loerwyn]

the chapter where Joffrey, Sandor and others while on horse were pelted with poo and the people surrounding them mobbing them and what's more shocking is that 100 people raped that one Lady character behind some shop.

Not that this makes it any better, but I think it was "only"(?!?!) 50 people - I'm sure it's stated that half a hundred abused that poor girl.

Most surprising moment for me? Hm. I'm not really sure, because I'm 300 pages into ASoS and everything's blurred into one, and what may have surprised me might be forgotten. I have to admit that the Jon Snow PoV brings me the most surprises of all, though. I'd say the Theon ones would, but if I'm brutally honest absolutely nothing Theon does surprises me.

[urrutiap]

I think it was 100 people. the knight that reported to Tyrion and Joffrey he even said it was 100 that raped that Lady woman behind a shop. That or it was half a hundred but I'm sure it really was 100.

Reminds me of Nightmare on Elm Street 5 where Fred Krueger's mother was raped by a 100 maniacs

[BlackBrother55]

Not that this makes it any better, but I think it was "only"(?!?!) 50 people - I'm sure it's stated that half a hundred abused that poor girl.

Most surprising moment for me? Hm. I'm not really sure, because I'm 300 pages into ASoS and everything's blurred into one, and what may have surprised me might be forgotten. I have to admit that the Jon Snow PoV brings me the most surprises of all, though. I'd say the Theon ones would, but if I'm brutally honest absolutely nothing Theon does surprises me.

Honestly I think that Theon is a pretty underrated character. Yeah he can be an asshole but so is Tyrion at times.

Anyway I think the moment that surprised me most in the series so far was Renly's death. I actually thought he had a pretty good chance of winning the throne. A better chance than Stannis anyway.

[MidnightAurora]

Technically Theon did not kill the two innocent boys but rather had Reek aka Ramsay do it and peeled off their faces and tarred them, but remember what Syrio says to Arya look with your eyes and you will see the truth. Meaning while all the other sword people saw a great animal Syrio stated the truth and that it was just an ordinary cat and that is how he became the 1st sword of the ship. This is a same instance I am assuming Luwin would know the difference even if he has to pretend not to notice. I am intrigued that int he books Shae is more shallow and loves her jewels, but in the series she is a friend and confidant for Sansa and seems nicer.

One of the most shocking was that Arya killed a northman even if he was with Roose Bolton in order to escape Harrenhal. I have noticed a lot of clues and hints have been presented so far after only reading the 1st 2 books, but most seem to be trivial, but have a big part. (Weirwood trees-- the starks always seem to be well protected when they are around them or connected as when Bran was able to connect with Jon in the North via summer via a weirwood. Also when Eddard's voice whispered to AArya in Harrenhal when she was by the weirwood tree).. Has anyone else notice that the Stark Children begin to lose their identity in some way, but someone, something always brings them back into the fold? Bran loves to WArg summer and does not want to leave, but the Reed Children force him and let him know that he cannot warg for long as he will need to eat, drink etc. Same with Arya who began to lose her sense of self when her father reminded her who she was. Even though they re seperated all the starks and the wolves are connected with each other as long as they live.