Song of Ice and Fire (GRR Martin) -- how many books? -- SPOILERS!

[Spatula]

Re: SPOILERS!

SPOILERS for Storm of Swords - Don't read this post if you haven't read the book!

Is Sandor dead?

Probably not, but consider that none of the characters in the story know the answer to that question, either. I am fairly certain that Sandor will either stick around long enough to kill his brother, although perhaps that is too obvious for Martin, in which case Sandor will at least be around to learn of Gregor's death.

What about Jon Snow? All of these and more are plot points I really wanted to see some sense of closure on. Even if it was something like 'now they have place to hang & train for the next few months/years'.

Jon is Lord of the Night's Watch and will refuse Stannis' offer. How is that not a "place to hang & train"?

Probably my biggest problem with the 3rd book was the death of Robb Stark. Not because I was in love with the character (of all the Stark children he was the least developed) but because so much was written about him that I expected him to be a continuing thorn in the Lannisters' sides. Now with him gone all of that 'prep time' seems like such a waste of time.

The war can't end if Robb is still alive. But Robb's story during the war wasn't wasted time. His actions set up Theon's taking of Winterfell, Bran's journey to the Wall, Bolton's rise to power, a view into Renly's assassination, possible redemption for the Kingslayer, and more. The death of Robb and Catelyn removed the last hope of safety for Arya, forcing her to travel to Braavos. We also get see what kind of ruler Robb might have made, which makes his death all the more tragic.

Plus, the death of some random guy has no real impact.

I am very glad that the next trilogy will be set several years in the future - I can't wait to see Ayra and Bran as young adults! (and whatever did happen to Rickon?)

Not a whole lot you can do with a wild four-year old. I imagine we'll see more of Rickon after he's grown up some.





edited to add SPOILERS.

 

[Spatula]

Re: Well

There is only one way for the series to end - Daenarys will sit on the Iron Throne. The series seems Shakespearean, and one of the tenets of Shakespeare's plays is that the true king ALWAYS rises at the end. All things are aright - things are in their natural order - and a Targaryen will once again sit on the Iron Throne.

I'm not so sure. If the prophecy about her never having a child is true, she wouldn't make a very good ruler - she's the last of her line and the kingdom would be ripped apart once again after she died.

There is a lot of speculation that one of the other main characters is a Targaryen - I don't want to say who so as not to spoil things for those that haven't heard about it or figured it out on their own - but that character isn't currently in any kind of position to assume rulership of the realm right now. Perhaps things will change in the upcoming books, though.

 

[zyzzyr]

Spatula - I have heard speculation about a certain someone being a Targaryen as well. I don't think this would work out, though, as it seems that character has made a very firm decision to take them out of rulership forever.

But if GRR is consciously making it Shakespearean, then it is a foregone conclusion that a Targaryen will sit on the throne at the end of the series.

And I don't know if the prophecy of her never having another child is true. It would definitely seem that way.

It also seems that GRR is priming her for rulership. She's got some experience with battles, and now she needs to learn how to be a ruler in peacetime.

She might be the first one to bring the entire world under her rulership.

 

[JoeBlank]

I have been reading this thread, but I have not finished SoS. Luckily, the only spoiler I caught was something I expected anyway, about Jon Snow.

Time for someone to put a SPOILER warning in the thread title.

 

[Enforcer]

It's been a while since I've read the books, but wasn't that old blind guy at the Wall a Targaryen? I forget if he's still alive or not.

Edit: Oh, and I'm not saying he could sire an heir. Not unless the Maesters have developed medieval Viagra or something.

 

[Spatula]

Maester Aemon. But the maesters give up their family names, vow to serve and never rule, and take a vow of chastity besides.

 

[Assenpfeffer]

I was a huge fan of TWoT up to about book 7. I gave up completely on Jordan with the latest book, which is something like the fourth consecutive one in which nothing happenned, nothing was resolved, the plot did not advance, and yet more clutter in the form of new, out-of-thin-air "major" characters and plot developments were added.

Jordan can go pound salt. I'm done with him.

I've read the first two books of ASoIaF, enjoyed them very much, and have the third book. It's a great series - but, stung by the lesson of Jordan, I will buy future volumes but will not read further until the series is finished. 2-4 years in between books is just too much time for me to maintain interest in a series.

 

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

I 2-4 years in between books is just too much time for me to maintain interest in a series.

And yet you can wait 8-10 years for the finish of the series???!

Oh, for the willpower...hold yourself back just a little longer...

I can't!

IT MUST BE MINE!!!

 

[ssampier]

seven, eight books, it's all good

Seriously this is the only series I consider buying in hardcover, that must mean something. I gave anyway my early RJ novels as they were paperback and I knew I'd probably never read them again.

When FoC comes out, I'll buy it in HC and gradually rebuy 1st, 2nd and 3rd novels in HC as well. =)

As for the length of the stories, I love them. I'm just concerned about how many characters Martin can kill off. The ones so far have advanced the plot. At this pace, by book six, the animals will have to tell the story; everyone important will be dead.

As for RJ, he sucks and I'm curious why he's milking the series for it's worth. If the books weren't all fluff, we'd be done by now. Then he could concentrate on the Trolloc wars or something interesting, sheeze.

 

[Gizzard]

Seriously this is the only series I consider buying in hardcover, that must mean something.

Well, the Song of Fire and Ice was one of my "must" hardcover series, the other was Lord of the Rings. So GRR Martin is in pretty good company. It must be the "XRR" initials that make the magic. Remember that, aspiring fantasy writers. ;-)