I do / don't like George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice & Fire series

[Mistwell]

Many people like Geroge R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire And Ice series (A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, The Storm of Swords, more to come). Dragon is even doing an article on the world in the next issue.

A surprising number (to me) of people have said they do not like the series however. I must admit, I too feel the series has started to become difficult for me, as I feel that there is no real hero for me to sympathize with or root for. I plan on reading more of the series as it comes out, but I wanted to hear other people's thoughts on it, and get a feel for how common or uncommon my own views on the series are.

I fully expect most people to answer the poll that they like Martin's series. Generally speaking, people like any fantasy series they have read - usually because people with similar tastes to them recommend the book to begin with, and a certain commitment is necessary to undertake reading such a series as well, so you are usually inclined to like long fantasy series of most kinds if you are willing to undertake the task. I am interested in how many exceptions there are, however, to this predicted norm.

 

[EricNoah]

Best fantasy series ever! Well, pretty much. If it were a D&D campaign I'd say "a great balance between hack-and-slash and politics/roleplaying, in an intriguing low-magic setting."

 

[Eosin the Red]

What Eric said. It can be infuriating however.

 

[KnowTheToe]

Excellent books. I am just starting to reread the first three in preperation for the fourth. My only concern is, will this turn into the Wheel of Time????

With a book every two years, I want the series to end before I retire in 35 years, I am guessing WoT will continue until Jordan dies and the story will never end (but that is Ok because I won't read anymore of them).

By the way, the Imp will be King!

 

[KenM]

I'm only a little quarter way done with first book, love it so far. I heard it will be the May issue of Dragon with the info in it, not next month. I also heard George RR Martin said he will ONLY do six books, two trilogies.

 

[CrusaderX]

Excellent books, the best fantasy since Tolkien, IMO. I'm planning on re-reading them again soon. They're emotional rollercoasters, but highly entertaining. And I love books that make me drop my jaw and go "Wow!".

 

[Starman]

I also heard George RR Martin said he will ONLY do six books, two trilogies.

Jordan has said numerous times that he will wrap up his series in two more books. Anymore I don't believe any author when they say how many books will be in their series. I just keep reading them.

Starman

 

[Assenpfeffer]

Jordan has said numerous times that he will wrap up his series in two more books. Anymore I don't believe any author when they say how many books will be in their series. I just keep reading them.

Just so we're all clear on this, Jordan started saying "two more books" three books ago.

 

[Dr Midnight]

Chalk me up for a big, lusty "I do". I love the books to death... despite that the author is this man:

It saddens me to see so much tragedy happening to characters I care about, but I've enjoyed the ride so much that if I could, I would wipe my memory clean and read them again... then repeat as soon as I was done.

They're the best books I've read, period, and I would recommend them for anyone with the stomach for the gritty content.

 

[Skade]

I love the series, and will be rereading it soon in preperation for the upcoming sequel. I have never minded that there is not a single protagonist to care about and follow, mostly because they are all such interesting characters. Even the villains have good reasons for what they do. There is no cookie cutter good or bad guys. Some of the characters you initially hate, you come to have affection for. The Hound, Jamie and Tyrion being the best examples of that. I mean Jamie threw a boy out of a fourth story window, and I actually like him now. It is a richly detailed story, with tantilizing hints of its history and mythology.

That, and you never know who is going to die next.