29 replies to this topic

[The_Spanish_Inquisition]

If you're enjoying the series, keep reading. Every series has books that are weaker. It's impossible for an author to please every reader all the time, and we're all looking for/interested in different things. For me, everything having to do with Dany could fall off the face of the earth and I wouldn't miss it, but I know she's a popular character for others.

I also find that even if I dislike a book the first reading or two, as I get further invested in the storyline the boring books become more interesting on subsequent reads.

[Diehard_si]

I'm about 120 pages into the 4th book myself.

The fact that some of the key chars die is gutting,l but makes it all the more exciting and realistic probably. We've all been spoon fed happy endings for so many years. But the red wedding was one of those chapters that will stick with you forever, brilliant chapter, even if it was a sad end for them. I bet you had to read it twice to make sure you realised what had just happened.

This isn't one of those books and I feel like a lot more chars wil die as I continue reading. I'm actually thinking that Valar Morghulis could be a message from GRRM to us.. All men must die. I'm half expecting over the 4th, 5th ( and 6th and 7th ) for pretty much all the men to be killed off and the women rule.

Edited by Diehard_si, 06 June 2012 - 07:41 AM.

[The GreatRon]

All five are amazing, AFFC gets a raw deal

Its impossible to please everybody, if you loved the first book why wouldn't you continue onto the rest

Edited by The GreatRon, 06 June 2012 - 08:01 AM.

[LampreyPie]

Ser Murry, on 16 April 2012 - 08:07 PM, said:

I have heard that GRRM does't even include characters like Dany and other key players in ADWD. And most of all, I have heard that he kills off more characters.

~Ser Murry

I have just finished ASoS and have not started AFfC yet, but I saw on one of the back pages of AFfC a letter from GRRM explaining why some characters did not make an appearance in AFfC. The events of AFfC and ADwD are taking place roughly simultaneously--it was supposed to be one book, but GRRM found while he was writing that it was going to be too long for one volume, and he had to split it into two. Rather than split it chronologically, he split it by characters. Rather than give readers "half the story for all the characters" he wanted to give us "the full story for half the characters." So AFfC mostly focuses on the characters in King's Landing, and then ADwD focuses on the characters at/beyond the Wall and across the Narrow Sea, but all the events in both are taking place around the same time. So Dany is definitely in ADwD, but does not appear in AFfC.

With regards to your main question...just start reading the books and form your own opinion. After ASoS, I have trouble understanding how you could just leave the story there without finding out how things end. For me, not reading the whole series isn't an option, even if they're horrible (and I doubt they are). I just need to know what happens!

*EDIT* Sorry, I can see at least two other people made the same point. Will start reading all the posts before I reply.

Edited by LampreyPie, 07 June 2012 - 12:20 PM.

[NorthernBird]

I'm being a bit slow with ASOS, but 50% through now, will definitely have to read the other books. Am trying to pace myself somewhat as I know there will be some kind of wait after ADWD... Watching series 1 of TV adaptation on DVD too, then will rent series 2 when available - plenty to keep me out of mischief!

[Sigrid]

I've just started a Feast for Crows and have heard a little bit about it being considered the weakest book, but the way I see it, it may be the weakest book of a great series.  That is, the weakest book of ASoIaF might still be better than some other books.  Also, after the greatness that was a Storm of Swords everything is going to be weaker.  Just my opinion.

[Mephesto]

I say read them.   You have already killed some 2500 pages, why not finish.


As to the Red Wedding, honestly, as much as I loved Robb.  He was an expendible character.    He was too good, to good of a fighter, everyone loved him, he is like a superhero.   For that reason alone I knew he would die, to push the real main characters a little more.   He wasn't complex enough of a character.    I didn't want him to die, but really, what could he have became?   If he had won the war against the Lannisters, then what?   He would fight Stannis?   Even if he beat everyone, it would be too much of a happily ever after for the series.    He was just too good to be true.  

That just wouldn't be as fulfilling as it could have been.

GRRM has spent way to much time making us love Dany, Jon, Arya, and Bran to let their stories stagnate.  These characters will be the main course, Robb was just an appetizer.

That said.   Hail King in the North!

[Christopher]

AFFC slows down a bit but the 2nd half of the book definitely makes it worth it.  As I understand it AFFC and ADWD run parallel to each other chronologically so don't give up!!!  It's worth it!

[The Duke of J-Town]

I guess we'll never know what this person decided.

[Captain Victarion Greyjoy]

read the damn books , I never ecountered a person in the entire univers to say they regret reading the last two books.