Game of thrones/song of ice and fire

[JTDrumman07]

So, I just finished A Storm of Swords a few days ago. Very good book with some VERY upsetting moments. I'm taking a break from the series for now so I can read some other books and so that the slower pace of the next two books won't throw me off. I also like how you can see a character from one perspective and completely hate him, but then you come to respect him once you see their side of the story. I think that says a lot about life itself.

What I'm really looking forward to right now is the second season of GoT, which premiers on April 1st(no it's not a damn prank). I've seen some of the trailers for it and it looks really good. Scenes I'm really looking forward to: Beyond the wall, Tyrion's time in King's Landing, everything.

[Drifting]

Oh, I didn't notice this thread. I read Game of Thrones over Christmas but have yet to buy any more. I enjoyed the universe and overall story immensely, but the sex scenes were generally awkward and I could have done without them. Thankfully there weren't many. Oh, and I saw the whole betrayal and execution of Lord Stark coming a mile away. The foreshadowing could have been better there, but maybe GRRM didn't mean for it to be some big twist, but rather a pivotal point? I don't know. Still, I think the aftermath of that event played out well.

[Lord_Chanticleer]

Urgh, I should've realised this thread was going to be full of spoilers. Now I know Stark's getting the axe... But anyways, on with my post.

A couple of weeks ago I finally snatched up a copy of the first book in the series, A Game of Thrones. I went into it completely blind: I haven't watched the TV series, nor have I read plot summaries or reviews of any kind. I read it like the writer wrote it, i.e. on and off, mostly during train rides, and it does a very good job of making the hours just fly by.

Oddly enough, I'm not at all bothered by the lack of classical fantasy elements, like magic and strange creatures. The intricate political intrigue and the sheer brutality of life in everyday Westeros is more than effective at drawing you in.

Sadly, the humour so far has more often than not fallen flat on its face. Sure enough, Martin tries to liven up all the bloodshed and scheming but I feel it's too much hit and miss.

Overall, I definitely see myself reading through the entire series. A good read and certainly worthy of its own shelf space in my personal library. 

[InfectedSausage]

Wait, is this thread for the book or the show AND the book? I'm bumping it not for no reason though. I loved the first season and really want to see the 2nd but it's not showing on TV yet and the DVD ain't released yet.

[Lord_Chanticleer]

Sadly, the humour so far has more often than not fallen flat on its face. Sure enough, Martin tries to liven up all the bloodshed and scheming but I feel it's too much hit and miss.

Overall, I definitely see myself reading through the entire series. A good read and certainly worthy of its own shelf space in my personal library. 

Well, scratch all of that. I'm halfway through the second book now and I think I'm just not going to bother picking up the third after that. I find myself caring for none of the characters, all of which lack the proper depth to really endear themselves to me. But it's still the man's lack of wit that waters my enthousiasm the most. Martin's painstaking attempts at cracking a decent joke are just plain embarrasing.

[InfectedSausage]

Have you considered watching the show, Lord?

[Lord_Chanticleer]

Have you considered watching the show, Lord?

I have, but I heard it's even worse than the books.

[InfectedSausage]

I have, but I heard it's even worse than the books.

I've heard the show follows the book very well.

[Lord_Chanticleer]

I think that, once I'm done reading the second book (might as well finish what I started), I'm going to head over to the review thread and pen down my thoughts on this particular series in full. Don't know whether that would classify as a true review of only a "first impressions", as the series itself spans around 7 books.