Black Company or Song of Ice and Fire, what should I read next?

[Vonlok The Bold]

If you want something light, read Black Company. It is gritty, but goes into very little depth and details. Magic is VERY free flowing in Black Company. The idea of it being about a group involved in a war is cool. It is like an old WW2 film from the 40's turned into a fantasy series.

If you want something with well developed characters, a rich world, lots of details, relatively litte but powerful magic, then read SoIaF. It has very complex characters, plots, and world so fully developed it seems like a historical fiction rather than a fantasy novel.

 

[Desdichado]

Martin is a better writer.

Cook creates characters you care about and is writing fantasy unlike anything you've ever read.

Yeah, but Martin isn't done yet and who knows when he will be.

I'd go for Cook. You should be able to bang through all ten of the Black Company books fairly quickly, though. Then you can go and read Martin.

 

[Harmon]

Cook- good writer. Black Company is a fine read, I look forward to completing the series sooner or later.

Martin- I have read Fire and Ice once, cover to cover, and I am listening to the first book from audio.com so that I can get ready for Feast for Crows. I am catching so much I missed, or don't recall reading.

The depth of Martin's writing to Cooks is ocean and creek in difference.

 

[LiKral]

I was absolutely gripped by ASOIAF. I couldn't put it down. I read the first few 'Black Company' because I had heard on sites like this how cool it was and how much like ASOIAF. Well. I wasn't impressed. It was enjoyable but not thrilling. Not very grim or 'gritty'. Woodenish characters. Just ordinary fantasy, much like a novelisation of a good D&D campaign.
First read ASOIAF. Then read 'Black Company' to fill in the endless waiting for the rest of the series.

As for the series being about nobility, I find this refreshing. There are so many stories (probably modeled on Star Wars) of nobody farm boys/kitchen assistants/orphans, who become the most powerful mage in the land/greatest swordsman in history/king, with no real training, resources or contacts. In the real world, most people don't come from nowhere like that, especially in the past. Some people may like it, I guess it is wish-fulfilment, but it really breaks my suspension of disbelief.

 

[danbuter]

Holy tough choice. Both series are extremely good. I'll go with Black Company, because you'll probably be able to read the first trilogy before the next book is printed.

 

[Nifft]

Much as I love SoIaF, it ain't done.

Save yourself some frustration... read the series that's done first.

-- N

 

[fett527]

Well SoIaF is winning in the poll by 12 votes so far. I let it run through tomorrow so Black Company will have to come from behind in a day and a half.

 

[Rackhir]

Well SoIaF is winning in the poll by 12 votes so far. I let it run through tomorrow so Black Company will have to come from behind in a day and a half.

Oh, didn't really notice there was a poll. The comments seem to be running heavily in favor of the Black Company.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Oh, didn't really notice there was a poll. The comments seem to be running heavily in favor of the Black Company.

8 out of 28 is "heavily in favor?" Are you a political pollster?

 

[drothgery]

8 out of 28 is "heavily in favor?" Are you a political pollster?

Unless I'm miscounting, the posts that recommended reading one or the other first (or reading one and not reading the other) are 11 to 5 in favor of Black Company.