Pajiba

I couldn't agree with this review more. This series is the only fantasy series in which I was disappointed when magic appeared - the human side is just that compelling that magic seemed to distract from it. Fortunately, that has been kept to a minimum. More importantly, the series has gone a long ways towards destroying the archetypes that have been plaguing fantasy since the days of Tolkein - characters being resolutely black or white, and the pauper to prince story which has been done to death. I couldn't stop reading this once I started.

If only he'd just *FINISH BOOK FIVE*...

This series is up there with The Wire and Arrested Development for me, creative works that run under the radar for many but instantly hook anyone you introduce them to. I haven't yet known anyone who hasn't become obsessed with these books after reading the first 100-200 pages.

I used to read a ton of SciFi and Fantasy, until I got burned out on the standard plotlines of the genres. Which, as you stated, were mostly, along the lines of "unlikely hero saves the world from EVIL!" Then I read the "Song of Fire and Ice" books, and honestly, my jaw has dropped more than once by some of the things that have happened in the books. When was the last time a book made you do a spit-take? It is all blood and gore and sex and backstabbing and political maneuvering, and not a single character is exempt from any of it.

Unfortunately...Martin's not exactly burning up the word processor with the next installment. If you're tempted to read his other books, be warned that they are not nearly as good. I read Fevre Dream and it outright sucked, and I wasn't impressed with anything else he's written outside of this setting.

Does the picture have anything to do with the book, because she's wearing a bra made of clouds and has starlight exploding from her hootie-hoo?

I love this series! Can't wait for the next book.

The words "Red Wedding" shouldn't mean anything to anyone, don't worry - the scene isn't referred to as such until after it takes place.

Sansa? Arya? Brienne? Does everyone in these books have Soap Opera names?

S.K., any of the scenes that made me say "Holy shit, did that just really happen?!?" have that stomach-punch effect on me. But maybe I'm just easy that way.

And yeah... not to speak ill of the dead, but heads, shoulders, and every other body part above Jordan, mayherestinpeace.

I've actually almost given up on the next installment ever coming out, though. I wonder if he's burned out on the series, or if it's the pressure to maintain his own level of excellence, but all he seems to be doing are writing side (not as good, as noted) stories or speaking at conventions. Le sigh.

i just started this series--i'm reading A Clash of Kings right now--because i like to read a series all the way through. i ran out of patience--i can't wait another 10 years for the next books--and i'm glad that i did. i'm a huge fantasy dork, so the names seem really tame to me, but the story is above and beyond most series that i've read. most of my friends are total snobs when it comes to fantasy, but i think i could sneak this one by them because once they get sucked in they won't be able to stop reading.

yesterday there was talk on one of the threads about HBO doing a series based on the books. i would love it if they could pull it off, but we shall see.

Mmmmmm mmmmmm mmmmm. MMmm.

This book was so good!

I worry, though, that he'll get hit by a van or a turkey sandwich and die and then never finish the series. Maybe he could just get winged by a van, a la Stephen King, and have some teenagers taunt him about never finishing his magnum opus.

But then again, the last three Dark Tower books were good, but not as great as some of the earlier ones.

Ooh, ooh, I'll play! Favorite character: Tyrion, hands-down. (So to speak.) Least favorite: Sansa.

Who else?

Favorite Character: It's really a tie between Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister

Least Favorite: Caitlyn Stark

Poor Sansa. She really gets a bad rap. Granted, she did some very stupid things and was pretty easily manipulated, but she was what 11 or 12 at the time? She was really put in a very bad situation. I feel bad for her.

As for Book 5. I do fear for Martin's health. The man turned 60 a few days ago and isn't exactly in peak physical condition.

I think there are a few things contributing to the delay of this next book. First, I think it's pretty clear that Martin is having a hard time tying all of his threads together and getting things moving again. "Storm" was a natural breaking point for a lot of what the first three books had set up. While there were still dozens of threads hanging, many significant ones were tied up.

He struggle mightily with "Feast" and since "Dance" is pretty much 1/2 of "Feast", I can see where he's having similar problems. "Feast" was all about setting up the pieces all over again. I imagine "Dance" will be more of the same, but zeroing in on the characters who were left out of "Feast".

Second, I think he had to go back and re-write a lot of what he thought he'd done. Remember, his initial plan following "Storm" was to have the next book start 4-5 years later. I'd imagine his decision to pick things up right after "Storm" changed things considerably. He may be in a bit of jam with some of the characters. I think he has a pretty clear idea of where they will eventually be, but not necessarily how they will get there. Many of the characters who are still around are still pretty young.

So, based on that, I am really hoping that the reason he's had so much difficulty with these last two books is because they constitute a significant shift in the story arc and direction. If that's true then, hopefully, the last two (I actually expect there will be more than two despite his statements to the contrary) should come a bit more swiftly. I think that's more wishful thinking than anything else.

Third, I think the delay is also in large part due to the fact that this has become difficult (for many of the reasons noted above). If I'm at work and have a long, difficult project that I know will take a lot of energy and time to finish, I much more apt to turn to smaller, less important and less difficult things in an effort to remain productive while putting off the challenge.

Martin has never had anything near this big. This is his magnum opus. He knows this. The pressure has to be intense

I gotta say, I am so glad you picked this as one of your hundred books. I love the series; I actually get my post name from there. And Snath, you just made my night. Thanks for the calendar tip!

I'd have to agree with the spoiler request: I've had well-meaning but ill-advised friends ruin sections for me well in advance.It IS hard, because the books hold a lot of those knock-the-breath-out-of-you I-didn't-see-that-coming moments. But let's not even give HINTS to spoil somebody else's chance to read the books clean for the first time.

Favorite characters? I don't have a problem with admitting that my first one is the one everybody calls the too-obvious choice, Jon Snow. I've grown to love Tyrion, and I'll always, always love Eddard.

After a long time of sitting in my book stack, and constant urging from my boyfriend, I've made it into book two of this series. Couldn't agree more with this review. I'm really enjoying it. Love the Wire comparison also. This is one of the more adult fantasy series I've read. Good stuff all around.

This book sounds like a good read; perhaps a more in-depth political analysis than is the norm, but comparable to The Codex Alera series for it's passion for politics? Good times. I'm waiting for a Butcher review though because I feel like that man exemplifies all that is pajiba- sheer awesoneness layered between a nerdy outside and a geeky core lol.

Fuck yeah, it's about time.

After the drudgery and stringing of Robert Jordan (and the bastard had the audacity to fucking die before completing his last superfluous book which I felt an obligation to read just cause), Martin is a god. I read all in the series thus far in one go when I got my wisdom teeth out.

OK, I'm an idiot. No, I didn't mean Lyanna Stark. Too many characters to keep them all straight without a dance card. I meant Lysa (Tully Arryn).

I meant Lysa (Tully Arryn).

Lysa. Yes. She is horrible, horrible, horrible. Horrible. Other than Brynden (the Black Fish), pretty much all the Tullies suck.

It's JAY-mee in my head, bweaves...

just like it's TYH-reeon, not TIE-reeon.

How do you pronounce Cersei's name? I can't see it as anything but Sir-see.

Sansa, while definitely too passive to be a true heroine, is still probably a more 'realistic' character in tune with the times. I mean, it's not like she was raised to be anything but a pretty witless girl-child. Although, as a Stark, I had higher hopes.

I never used to read fantasy at all. Until my friend at work recommended ASOFAI. Needless to say I was hooked. Since the next book is taking so long, I decided to try out other fantasy series;

The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson: If your thought Martin was Wire-like in it's plotting and give the first two books a try. This is how much I love these books, I will order them from the UK because the books come out there first, at a higher price than they would be if i waited a couple of months for the US release.

The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie: Funny, dark, brutal. Turns all the typical fantasy stereotypes on their head (the wizened wizard here is less Gandalf and more Cheney).

The Prince of Nothing series by R. Scott Bakker: Kind of like the Crusades but with shape shifting sex crazed aliens.

You're not the only who didn't like them. I know some people who don't like them. I really don't know of any work (movie, book, TV show, piece of music, etc.) that everyone likes.

It's what makes all special parts of the miraculous rainbow of humanity.

I will have to give these Erikson books a try. Thanks for the recommendation.

For what it's worth, I also enjoyed the Sunrunner series from Melanie Rawn (I think?) ... she also did the political intrigue bit - and no one was safe from her death pen.

Joining in with the love! I was hooked from the first horror shock of the first book, just stunned that Martin would be so historical (for want of a better word) with his charatcers; this series reads like English history.

Also joining in with the Naomi Novik love. I know it's fluff but it's such good fluff.

I really, really love this series. I agree with everything Prisco said; the strength of the stories lies not in the magic or fantasy world, but in the "realistic" human portrayals within. I can see many of the events, wonderful and terrible, that occur in the book happening in our world (though I hope to high heaven it never does). It's been a while, but the part that disturbed me the very most was Caitlyn's fate. That whole mess was wrong (I have my fingers crossed for Brienne tho). Also, the stuff with the Others and the Wall gives me the heebie jeebies. I have been waiting for a new book for nigh on 4 years now. Until then, I will reread the 4 books I have....
Snath:
Favorite Character: Jon Snow...though Arya Stark is a close second
Least Favorite Character: Cersei Lannister. She's actually a great character - evil and complex - but boy does she need a good, bloody killing. Here's hoping that Jaime's the one to dispatch her (it'd be beyond beautiful and poetic in my opinion...)

As a fan of well-written fantasy, I feel compelled to mention Greg Keyes' "The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone" series. It doesn't stray too far from the fantasy archetypes, but it's characterization, pacing, and weaving plot-lines make it a stand-out.

Ooh, I forgot to mention Robin Hobb - I started reading her based on a recommendation from Martin's blog, actually. The Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies are amazing - I'd place them behind only Martin. The Soldier Son trilogy drove me nuts, though, I wouldn't recommend that one.