Queen Regent of Westeros Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Would it still be as interesting to you? I loved the political intrigue really, and when Melisandre came around, I was frightened! I thought she was a satanist or something hahahaha!As the series progresses, magic is becoming more and more central to the story. At first, it didn't seem like much of a fantasy series to me - just swords and armies and people plotting to kill one another - but it really is.So, do you think it's a good balance? Would you like the series still if the magic and fantasy was toned down? Toned up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Wouldn't be as interesting to me if it had no magic at all. I enjoy the balance between realism and the supernatural, and it's set up nicely so that one doesn't overwhelm the other. Sometimes the whole political struggle and the scheming can get a little boring, so the mysticism is a refreshing change, and vice-versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlefingers In The Air Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 The political intrigue is enough to make it compelling anyways but the balance between realism and fantasy is what makes this series elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theda Baratheon Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I'd like it either way; I love and am intrigued enough by the characters that if there was no magic or a lot more magic, I'd still find it fabulous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartimus Stone Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Keep the magic in the background, let it remain a mystery, the unknown, something the common folk talk about that happened hundreds of years ago, but has been gone from the lands, but it is happening all around them, they just can't see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Walrus Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I think it would majorly detract from the overall story. Bran's arc is almost entirely focused on the magical elements of the series, and magic majorly affects several characters directly or indirectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nite's King Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 First read I hated the magic. I've never read fantasy much. But on reread I found the magic interesting....mostly because I don't understand it and there are many possibilities. However, the shadow baby that killed Renly was BS. Renly did everything right and was poised to be king of Westeros and the BAM.... Shadow baby stabs him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallTale Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I enjoy the non magic-related story lines the best. The KL-related plots have been my favorite so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Nastja Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I'd like it either way; I love and am intrigued enough by the characters that if there was no magic or a lot more magic, I'd still find it fabulous. :agree:The characters intricate personalities and manners,the intricate backstory, the explicit detail and the treacherous political intrigue would still make it an excellent series, and it may have more fans since many dislike it because of its fantasy. That said, it would likely lose some fans that loved fantasy...all in all, not much would change.Although, I do see the Targaryens being considerably less interesting without their dragons... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckal Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 I would have LOVED if the shadow babies were cut from ACOK. I felt this was one of the biggest cop outs from GRRM in the entire series and just lazy writing in general. It also robbed us of what could have been some bad ass infiltration assassinations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRON BANK Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Toatal change from fantasy, to just fiction drama, I would still read it, but would be alot less interested. I like to escape in while reading and be entertained by imagination. The whole fantasy aspect helps with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florina Laufeyson Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Although, I do see the Targaryens being considerably less interesting without their dragons...Horse pucky! They are at their most interesting during the period where there are no dragons! It is known! I actually enjoy the magical elements because theres clues that note that there may be rules for it. Structured magic in a fantasy series is hella interesting to me. (One reason i love Garth Nix's Abhorsen series. Despite it being Mega High Fantasy, theres structure and rules to the magic.) Since this is a low fantasy and its magic is creeping throughout the series as a massive undercurrent, its fascinating. So yeah i probably wouldnt be as into it as i am if there was no magic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Monkey Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 However, the shadow baby that killed Renly was BS. Renly did everything right and was poised to be king of Westeros and the BAM.... Shadow baby stabs him.Ever heard of deus ex machina, when the author ports in an element from outside of the established rules of the series to bail the main characters out of a jam and fix the plot?This is kind of the evil opposite of that. A horrifying force comes in out of nowhere to completely screw someone over. There was no possible way Renly or anyone else could have seen that coming or taken steps to prevent it. It would be like if when Jaime was about to kill Aerys, the Mad King suddenly pulled out a rifle and blew him away.So, yeah, I get what you're saying, but I kind of let it slide because it did help establish Melisandre though. I did notice that R'hllor seems more active and helpful than most of the other gods in the series; I think he's just insecure because he's the new kid so he tries too hard to make friends. The Seven or the Drowned God don't even lift a finger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morienthar Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Given that half my favorite characters won't exist I have my doubts,Unlike most people I read ASoIaf not for the political intrigue but the magic and mystery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florina Laufeyson Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Ever heard of deus ex machina, when the author ports in an element from outside of the established rules of the series to bail the main characters out of a jam and fix the plot?This is kind of the evil opposite of that. A horrifying force comes in out of nowhere to completely screw someone over. There was no possible way Renly or anyone else could have seen that coming or taken steps to prevent it. It would be like if when Jaime was about to kill Aerys, the Mad King suddenly pulled out a rifle and blew him away.So, yeah, I get what you're saying, but I kind of let it slide because it did help establish Melisandre though. I did notice that R'hllor seems more active and helpful than most of the other gods in the series; I think he's just insecure because he's the new kid so he tries too hard to make friends. The Seven or the Drowned God don't even lift a finger.Thats called a Diablos Ex Machina, btw. :P (A Deus Ex Machina in favor of the villainous characters.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mountain That Posts Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Yes, please remove the magic. No more shadobwbaies, resurrections, changing faces, wikipedia trees, etc.Just warging and prophecies, please and thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aware_of_thrones Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 As long as there isn't a LoTR over-saturation of magic, it's all good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lady Lannister Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 When a friend suggested AGOT to me she said, you are into politics, you'll love this. Boy, was she right?!If there was no magic in it, I' d probably still enjoy it just as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sansa's sworn sword Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 When a friend suggested AGOT to me she said, you are into politics, you'll love this. Boy, was she right?!If there was no magic in it, I' d probably still enjoy it just as much. :agree: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lentrix Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Always nice to have a little magic/supernatural in the books Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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