Game of Thrones (Song of Ice and Fire) The Fantasy Thread

[Unknown Soldier]

Now I've read the first four books and the fifth has just come out in the UK in 2 paperbacks, these books have pretty much fascinated me over the last few months that I've been reading them. I've now just started watching the series and it would be interesting to see how people view the TV series in relation to the books and the fantasy genre in general.

This site has plenty of horror movie threads, but fantasy is not really represented on here, so this is a great place to chat about A Song of Ice and Fire or any other fantasy series out there.

[Phantom Limb]

Oh my god this series is fucking AWESOME. I'm about 100 pages from the end of the 3rd book, but I can already tell that this is gonna be my favorite series of all time.

[LoathsomePete]

Next to Terry Pratchett, Martin is fast becoming my favourite fantasy writer. He has really managed to create a living world that absorbs you into it. I read all five novels in a little over a month, foregoing homework and other responsibilities in order to read just another hundred pages. I actually ended up watching the TV series first, mostly so I could enjoy it for what it was without having to compare it to the source material (something I learned from Alan Moore adaptations). Having a visual aid made picturing the settings a bit easier, but I was really impressed by how well the TV series followed the novel, even going as far as including a lot of original dialog.

After viewing the second trailer for the second season, it appears as though they're going to be including some elements from A Sword of Storms, particularly scenes involving Robb and his transgression against the Freys. As far as I can remember, Robb was only mentioned throughout the whole of A Clash of Kings as he was off fighting the Lannisters in the Riverlands. I also hope that they actually show the Battle of King's Landing, as we didn't get to see Tyrion kick ass in The Battle of the Green Fork in the first season.

[James]

I think the series is great, I have only read the first book so far but I think it's a good interpretation. It always looks beautiful, full of great actors to portray the characters. I am beyond excited for the new series and I plan on reading the other books once exams end.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Phantom Limb

Oh my god this series is fucking AWESOME. I'm about 100 pages from the end of the 3rd book, but I can already tell that this is gonna be my favorite series of all time.

The second half of the third book is probably the best imo. The battle between Gregor Clegane and the Red Viper is epic.

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

Next to Terry Pratchett, Martin is fast becoming my favourite fantasy writer. He has really managed to create a living world that absorbs you into it. I read all five novels in a little over a month, foregoing homework and other responsibilities in order to read just another hundred pages. I actually ended up watching the TV series first, mostly so I could enjoy it for what it was without having to compare it to the source material (something I learned from Alan Moore adaptations). Having a visual aid made picturing the settings a bit easier, but I was really impressed by how well the TV series followed the novel, even going as far as including a lot of original dialog.

After viewing the second trailer for the second season, it appears as though they're going to be including some elements from A Sword of Storms, particularly scenes involving Robb and his transgression against the Freys. As far as I can remember, Robb was only mentioned throughout the whole of A Clash of Kings as he was off fighting the Lannisters in the Riverlands. I also hope that they actually show the Battle of King's Landing, as we didn't get to see Tyrion kick ass in The Battle of the Green Fork in the first season.

I've not read anything by Terry Pratchett but plan to correct that asap, like you I read the first 4 books non-stop but plan on having a gap before starting the fifth (which is in two parts here) I've actually just started reading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan which has about 13 books!!!

I'm already just over half way watching the first season and loving it, it really helps though knowing the books really well, as the series for obvious reasons can't give the depth and background like the books can.

I'll be interested to see how they do big battle scenes, as TV series often have economic restraints compared to budgets allocated to films in general.

Originally Posted by James

I think the series is great, I have only read the first book so far but I think it's a good interpretation. It always looks beautiful, full of great actors to portray the characters. I am beyond excited for the new series and I plan on reading the other books once exams end.

In general I'm impressed with the actors chosen, as whenever reading a book, the reader often visualizes the actors in a certain way. I envy you in that you have most of the books to read as book two is one of the very best and covers so much stuff.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

I have been watching the first series, absolutely brilliant! I definitely want to read the books. How gorgeous is Targaryen.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Vanilla

I have been watching the first series, absolutely brilliant! I definitely want to read the books. How gorgeous is Targaryen.

Which one Daenerys or Viserys?

[Guybrush]

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

I've not read anything by Terry Pratchett but plan to correct that asap

Oh man, you definetly need to get started on that. I'd recommend starting with these, reading them in the order I list them :

• Guards! Guards!
• Men at Arms
• Feet of Clay
• Jingo
• The Fifth Elephant
• Night Watch
• Thud!
• Snuff

This is the series featuring the Ankh-Morpork City Watch which is my favourite Discworld sub-series. Night Watch is the best DW book he ever did (imo), but it's best if you read the ones before in the list first.

As for the Game of Thrones, I think I'll stick to the TV series. The first season started out a bit dull, I think, much like season 2 of Walking Dead. However, it definetly picked up towards the end and by the time it was finished, I eagerly wanted to see more.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by tore

Oh man, you definetly need to get started on that. I'd recommend starting with these, reading them in the order I list them :

• Guards! Guards!
• Men at Arms
• Feet of Clay
• Jingo
• The Fifth Elephant
• Night Watch
• Thud!
• Snuff

This is the series featuring the Ankh-Morpork City Watch which is my favourite Discworld sub-series. Night Watch is the best DW book he ever did (imo), but it's best if you read the ones before in the list first.

The first novel you've suggested is the 8th novel, any reason why I should be skipping the previous 7?

[Guybrush]

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

The first novel you've suggested is the 8th novel, any reason why I should be skipping the previous 7?

Yes, the Discworld series is made up by stand-alone books and books that can be regarded as part of a series inside the Discworld series. In a way, Discworld is a setting and the different books follow different characters. The books I mentioned are the ones that follow the stories about the Ankh-Morpork City Watch.

There are other such "sub-series" as well within the Discworld series, such as the books about the wizard Rincewind (starts with the first book, The Color of Magic), the book about the Ramtop Witches, books about Tiffany Aching, Susan Sto Helit or Moist Von Lipwig.

The events that take place in one such book follow over into the other, but it's generally safe to start with the first book in its own sub-series. For example, there's nothing wrong with starting by reading Going Postal, the first book about Moist von Lipwig, even though it's technically DW book nr. 33.