JediDefender.com Forums
Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: Jeff on December 10, 2004, 12:48 PM
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OK, so I decided that we need a separate thread for this series. If it turns out that only Scott and I ever post in this thread, so be it. :P
So, I am now about 660 pages into Book 1, A Game of Thrones, which I picked up thanks to a recommendation by Scott in the JD Book Club. It is a fantastic book and I thank Scott for his suggestion.
There are many similarities between the story so far and the historical War of the Roses (history, NOT the crappy 80s movie ::)). I cannot believe how I was quickly sucked into the story and the world of the Seven Kingdoms.
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SPOILERS
Man, so a lot of people that I thought would be major players in this series start dropping off! There is a lot of set-up only to surprise you by someone unexpected croaking off! :( Already a few of the characters I had grown to really like have been cast aside. >:( Of course, the beauty of the book is that each passing gives specific motivation to the rest of the cast to play out their roles.
OK, I won't say any more until I am finished with the book, although I am interested to see what will happen with Drogo and his khaleesi as they prepare to sail west. Should be interesting when the Dragon meets the Lion and the Wolf and the Rest...
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END SPOILERS
My goal is to finish book 1 before I head out for Portland (Christmas Travel) so that I can start book 2, A Clash of Kings on my plane ride west!
So, anyone else heard of or read any of the books in this series? Played the CCG? Read any of the Anthology short stories or Graphic Novels?
Jeff
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I can't say again (but I will) how awesome and how much I enjoyed the first book. It really is a great story with so much going on that I can see why its going to be 6 books.
Has anyone else ever read these?
If not, you really should. They are that good, IMO
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OK, so this weekend I finished the first book.
Let's just say that after 800 pages there were still a few surprises left in the book at the end. Didn't quite turn out like I was expecting, and that was a good thing.
I'm now about 3 chapters into the 2nd book, A Clash of Kings and desperately cheering against the Lannisters.
Jeff
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Yeah...it definitely twisted there at the end in to something I didn't think would happen at all
Is it Christmas yet? :P
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Oh yeah! This is a great series!
I'm probably about 1/3 through A Storm Of Swords (the third book?), but I haven't touched it in awhile, just because I got busy with so much other ****. The storyline in this is pretty damn sweet though. I'll probably just start the third book over again from the beginning, because I don't really remember where I was.
How many of them have been written so far?
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3 with #4 coming out in a couple of weeks :)
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Wow! Its taken him awhile to write the 4th one.
I'll have to pick it up. I have the other 3 in hardcover, so I'll have to do the same with these. It always sucks when you've got half a series in hardcover and the other half in softcover. It makes them look kind of lame when they're displayed on the bookshelf.
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I was reading that this series will be seven volumes long.
The story I read was that at first, it was to be 6 books, with the first 3 books making up one trilogy, then the next 3 finishing off the story with a second trilogy. However, while writing book 4, it was leaked that about 5-10 years take place between the two trilogies.
There was such an outcry from fans, that George RR Martin decided to stop where he was in book 4 in order to go back and write book 3.5 (A Feast for Crows) to fill in the time gap between the two, thus adding a seventh book. Apparently, this is why it has taken so long to get the fourth book (part 3.5) done.
Does that match up to what you've read/heard? That's the problem with the internet, you can never be sure what you read at a fan-site is true or not... :-\
Jeff
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Finished with A Clash of Kings last night and plan to start A Storm of Swords tonight or tomorrow time permitting...
Book 2 didn't seem to move the overall plot/storyline ahead very far, but a heck of a LOT of action takes place! :o All kinds of fighting and back-stabbing and politcal intrigue. I've read two books now and I'm still a little perplexed as to the true goals of all the characters.
Very interested to pick up book three and learn a little more about Jon Snow and the Black...
Jeff
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Geez. :-[
Haven't had much time for reading lately, but in the last week or so I started making a little time each night to plug away...
Up to page 801 in book 3, A Storm of Swords.
Definately more plot movement than the second book, and yet for each small bit of plot resolution we learn a bit more and more... seems like something much bigger is brewing and it isn't as simple as Fire = Lannister, Ice = Winterfell.
Good thing I stopped attaching myself to any major characters after the first book, as G.R.R.Martin has a fondness for offing anyone and everyone as he sees fit... :'(
Jeff
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Jeff your reading speed amazes me :-*
I've still got 150 pages or so in Clash of Kings, its very much just further plot setting so far...
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I'm 100 pages into the second book. I really enjoyed the first, but was surprised by their affinity for knocking off major characters. I wish I could get through them faster, but I've been pretty busy lately. They are great so far.
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Well, I finally finished Clash of Kings. Good stuff, not as good as the first book but still pretty captivating. The plot has so many threads that some of the stories have been basically ignored.
So, I have a few other book on my plate right now and as such, I may not get to Swords for a few months. I do want to read it though before A Feast of Crows comes out this summer
If I had to pick a favorite character so far it would be Tyrion, that dude is great :)
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If I had to pick a favorite character so far it would be Tyrion, that dude is great :)
Well, Book 3 (which I just finished last weekend) is filled full of the venomous, treacherous dwarf so you should enjoy it immensely. ;)
Book 3 was actually a bit better than 2 - lotsa tying up some of those left-over plot lines and move a bunch of then forward, especially the Black Brothers and the Wall and those who dwell beyond it.
I cna't wait for Book 4, but luckily I have a lot of other books to get through so I shouldn't bee too hung up waiting for it...
Jeff
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About 100 pages into Sword right now, great as usual
One thing I enjoy about his books is the meals he makes up for the people to eat
I read on a SoIaF message boards that Feast of Crows was soooo long the publisher made him go back and split it in two. Opinions are mixed if this now means there will be 8 books or still 7. It also sounds like the first book will deal solely with the South and the second with the North and they should both be out this year
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I read on a SoIaF message boards that Feast of Crows was soooo long the publisher made him go back and split it in two. Opinions are mixed if this now means there will be 8 books or still 7. It also sounds like the first book will deal solely with the South and the second with the North and they should both be out this year
Straight from the horse's mouth:
"About three weeks ago I hit 1527 pages of final draft, surpassing A STORM OF SWORDS... but I also had another hundred or so pages of roughs and incomplete chapters, as well as other chapters sketched out but entirely unwritten. That was when I realized that the light I'd seen at the end of the tunnel was actually the headlight of an onrushing locomotive.
And that's why my publishers and I, after much discussion and weighing of alternatives, have decided to split the narrative into two books (printing in microtype on onion skin paper and giving each reader a magnifying glass was not considered feasible, and I was reluctant to make the sort of deep cuts that would have been necessary to get the book down to a more publishable length, which I felt would have compromised the story).
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The division has been done, and it think it works quite well. The upshot is, A FEAST FOR CROWS is now moving into production. It is still a long book, but not too long; about the same size as A GAME OF THRONES. The focus in FEAST will be on Westeros, King's Landing, the riverlands, Dorne, and the Iron Islands. More than that I won't say.
Meanwhile, all the characters and stories removed from FEAST are moving right into A DANCE WITH DRAGONS, which will focus on events in the east and north. All the chapters I have not yet finished and/or begun are moving into DANCE. I think this is very good, if truth be told, since it will give me the room to complete those arcs as I had originally intended, rather than trying to tie them up quickly in a chapter or two so I could deliver the massively late Big FEAST. "
Dated 5-29-2005
There is more, this is just an excerpt... head here (http://www.georgerrmartin.com/done.html) to read the whole big long explaination of the cut.
:)
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I'm glad I got in to this late because its been a long, long time between books, hopefully he finishes the series before 2010
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Finished A Storm of Swords a few nights ago. Good twists at the end and I loved the whole thing very much
The changing of who you care for and their nature is soooo great
I also like the threats of outward invasion being set up by The Others and Danaerys
A couple of things too:
Think Rickon will eventually take a larger prominence somehow. Shaggydog and him seem like they will be Wildlings or something.
Think Benjen Stark will ever come back? I was thinking he was going to pop up again but hasn't
I'm also interested to see how the Tyrion/Cersei/Jamie plot turns out
Can't wait for Crows, I really can't. I also think in the end Jon Snow will be the King of Westeros
And, for the love of all things holy, check out these books!
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Just about half way through with Crows right now.
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0553801503.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
The fact that the book got tore in two shows immensly, Tyrion and Jon are probably my two favorite characters and neither one show up in the book (outside of some beginning stuff). I really like where he is taking Arya but the rest of the stuff so far has been moving the pieces slowly around the board.
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(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1589942183.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
Got this from Amazon yesterday. Its pretty cool...what is even cooler is that many of the characters I have been seeing with my mind's eye are close to what the artists are interpreting
Also, I have about 50 pages left of Crows
I like where its going, really I do, but the book didn't really further the plot a whole ton
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It sounds like A Dance with Dragons is being pushed back to 2007 now ::)
Jeff did you ever read Crows?
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I am about 1/2 way through with Crows.
I've been a bit sidetracked lately, but I still plan to finish it soon...
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Crows is in the mail on its way to me. Can't wait!
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Almost too good to be true (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957532.html?categoryid=14&cs=1)
Ice and Fire on HBO!
Full seasons by each book!!
Oh my good lord what an crock of awesome kickassness. I finally have something to look forward to!
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Dagnabit, I might finally have to break down and get HBO... :-\
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That is freakin' sweet! It'll be interesting to see how they end up doing it. I suppose they'll have to make many of the characters a little older... can't have 14-year-olds getting married and what-not.
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can't have 14-year-olds getting married and what-not.
didn't stop them with Big Love....granted she's not yet married, but she's promised and the intimacy is implied.
I have no idea why I was even reading this thread....had never even heard of these books...but I caught the last few posts mostly because of the mention of HBO. I swear, everything they touch in the original series department is gold. Except for that thing they did with the chick who played Phoebe on Friends...that sucked, and tanked.
Anyway...read the HBO article...here's a quote:
"They tried for 50 years to make 'Lord of the Rings' as one movie before Peter Jackson found success making three," Martin said. "My books are bigger and more complicated, and would require 18 movies. Otherwise, you'd have to choose one or two characters."
doesn't that seem just a tad arrogant? "sure tolkein made a cute little story, but mine is faaaar more sophisticated." Should I be turned off already?
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doesn't that seem just a tad arrogant? "sure tolkein made a cute little story, but mine is faaaar more sophisticated." Should I be turned off already?
No, I don't think you should be turned off from that statement.
In essence, the LOTR series is "just" about Frodo and the Ring... you can really boil it down to that if you needed to trim the fat. Sure the other characters are important, but the ring drives the story.
The Fire and Ice books are waaaaay more complicated than LOTR with dozens of Main Characters who come and go and interact/intersect in different ways. I guess maybe it does come off as a bit arrogant the way he said it, but it's probably true - each of his books (and there will be 7 when he's done) could probably be made into 2-3 movies like he said.
You could say the same thing about Harry Potter - some of the books have so much going on that you could make two movies out of one book if you wanted to split them. It doen't mean that HP is "better" than LOTR, just that there is more stuff going on. Same here I think...
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It's only more complicated because it isn't finished yet-- once the whole thing is done it shouldn't be too hard to look at the beginning and the end and prune, prune, prune. I won't watch the show as it runs, but for the right price I'll probably pick it up on DVD.
And yeah, he's gotten pretty arrogant, but it's understandable considering he's probably surrounded by worshipping fans and yes-men 24/7. Happens to a lot of people.
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Update...no...not Dance with Dragons, from GRRM
I have some exciting news to share.
(But please, guys and gals, don't get TOO excited. This is what it is, and so far that's all it is, so don't make any assumptions).
HBO has just exercised its option, and purchased the television rights to A GAME OF THRONES.
For those of you who don't know Hollywood, an option gives a production company the right to buy a property (a book, a screenplay, whatever) at a certain agreed-upon price for a certain period of time (a year, six months, whatever). When that time runs out, they can let the option lapse, renew the option, or exercise the option and buy the property. The last is what HBO has just done.
What they have NOT done is greenlight the project. A GAME OF THRONES remains in development. They're still budgeting, still looking at locations (Spain and the Czech Republic at present, I hear). No decision has been reached, so any celebration would be premature. In Hollywood it is always best not to assume something is going to happen until it actually happens.
Even so... this is a very encouraging sign, and one that suggests a continued high level of enthusiasm and commitment for A GAME OF THRONES at HBO.
So keep your fingers crossed.
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From GRRM
No, it's not done.
Yes, I am aware that more than a year has passed since my last update. A lot of you have been emailing me to point that out. Thanks, but really, I did know. Unlike many of you out there, I got my copies of the Song of Ice & Fire calendar, so I knew what date it was.
No, I'm not planning to update the update, for reasons stated in the update itself. Until such time as I can write, "It's done," it will remain the last update... aside from what I may say here from time to time, on my Not-A-Blog.
I made a lot of progress on the book in the first half of 2008. So much so that I was optimistic that I would be done by the end of the year. Unfortunately, I did not make much progress on the book in the second half of 2008. Indeed, I made some regress. (That Sansa chapter I talked about finishing, for instance. It's still finished, but my editor and I decided it belongs in THE WINDS OF WINTER, not A DANCE WITH DRAGONS, so it's been moved into the next book. Sansa will not appear in DANCE.)
Some of the reasons were literary, arising from problems in the narrative itself. I'm not going to discuss them here, because I really do not like talking about questions I am still wrestling with on a work in progress. It never helps. Art is not a democracy, and these are problems I need to solve myself. Having a few hundred readers weigh in with their thoughts and opinions -- which seems to be what happens whenever I post here about DWD -- does not advance the process. I'm sorry, but that's true. I know that many of you would like to help me, but you can't. I have editors and I have two capable assistants, and that's sufficient. I'm the only one who can dance this dance.
Some of other reasons for the delay have nothing to do with the book itself. They're extra-literary, arising from other things in my life. I could sketch out some of them here, sure, but what good would it do? Those who are inclined to understand would send me messages of sympathy and support. Those are not so inclined would dismiss them as "excuses," or even "feeble excuses." A few will even go so far as to accuse me of lying.
That's the part that really bothers me. For the record, I have never lied about anything having to do with A DANCE WITH DRAGONS or the series as a whole. I have been wrong, yes. I have been wrong lots of time, especially when I've tried to predict how long it will take me to complete the book, or when it will be published. Being wrong is not the same as lying. Since the very beginning of this series, I have been guilty of being over-optimistic about how long it would take me to finish the next book, the next chapter, or the series as a whole. I cannot deny that. I have always been bad with deadlines... one reason why I did my best to avoid them for the first fifteen years of my career. That's an option I no longer have, however. Or at least will not have until A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE is complete.
That's the main reason why I no longer want to give any completion dates. I am sick and tired of people jumping down my throat when I miss them.
This latest flood of emails has worn down my resolve, however. So in hopes of quieting it, once more I will step into the breach --
I am trying to finish the book by June. I think I can do that. If I do, A DANCE WITH DRAGONS will likely be published in September or October.
(Yes, I am aware that I have previously said that I hoped to finish by the end of 2008. And before that, I said that I hoped to finish by June 2008, before I went to Spain and Portugal. And before that, I said I hoped to finish by the end of 2007. I know, I know, I know. No, I was not lying. I was wrong. And wrong again. And wrong before that. This time I hope that I am right. But you know, I can't swear that in blood. I write one chapter at a time. One page at a time. One word at a time. And then the next.)
That's all I have. But it's more than Amazon has, or anyone else.
The INSTANT that I finish the novel and put it in the mail to Bantam, I will post that fact here, just as I did for SUICIDE KINGS a few days ago. Until and unless you read that announcement here, believe nothing you hear from any other source.
I have made a lot of progress on the book since August 2007, but this part hasn't changed
I almost positive this series will never be completed...and that makes me a little sad, because it is phenomenal
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Sounds like HBO has hired a director and cast Tyrion (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090506/tv_nm/us_thrones;_ylt=AspM5nAhpE5V2euvs7yChzxpMhkF).
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More HBO casting news (http://coronacomingattractions.com/news/more-cast-members-play-hbos-game-thrones):
The HBO pilot for George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones adaptation has added more cast members to its line-up. Joining the production are Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Virtuality) as Jaime Lannister, loyal to the ruler who staged a coup and grabbed the kingdom of Westeros; Tamzin Merchant (The Tudors) as Daenerys, an exiled young princess; Richard Madden (Hope Springs) as Ned Stark's eldest son, Robb; Iain Glen (Into the Storm) as Ser Jorah Mormont, a disgraced knight; Alfie Allen (The Other Boleyn Girl) as Theon, Stark's young ward; Sophie Turner as Stark's eldest daughter, Sansa; and Maisie Williams as Stark's youngest daughter, Arya.
These latest additions join the previously announced Game of Thrones cast members Sean Bean (playing Ned Stark), Mark Addy (King Robert), Kit Harrington (Jon Snow), Jennifer Ehle (Catelyn Stark), Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion) and Harry Lloyd (Viserys Targarye). Filming starts in October. »
Filming is supposed to start in October... I'm really looking forward to what they can do with this story and may have to break down and get HBO to see it. Hopefully GRRM will be able to get the next book so he can stay ahead of the TV show... :P
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Interesting... a Google search on Sophie Turner turns up quite a few pics of a woman who looks like a stripper. No idea if it's the same person.
The girl playing Daenerys already has a nude scenes to her credit based on the photos I accidentally came across... since Daenerys spends most of her time in the books sans clothing that's probably a good thing.
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Interesting... a Google search on Sophie Turner turns up quite a few pics of a woman who looks like a stripper. No idea if it's the same person.
Not the same person. According to George Martin's blog (http://It's no secret that HBO's Dany will start out older than Dany does in the book; that was a change that had to be made, if we wanted to keep the sex scenes, and David and Dan and I were all agreed that the sex scenes were essential.), the Sophie Turner they cast is a new actress:
http://pics.livejournal.com/grrm/pic/00068zys/s320x240
The girl playing Daenerys already has a nude scenes to her credit based on the photos I accidentally came across... since Daenerys spends most of her time in the books sans clothing that's probably a good thing.
Yeah, she's had a few scenes in The Tudors for HBO, so they know what they're getting there. That was one of the things I've read about the show, that they are aging Daenerys a bit to keep the sexy stuff in the show... again from GRRM's blog:
It's no secret that HBO's Dany will start out older than Dany does in the book; that was a change that had to be made, if we wanted to keep the sex scenes, and David and Dan and I were all agreed that the sex scenes were essential. (http://grrm.livejournal.com/103138.html)
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I think I am now in the camp that the whole saga will never be completed and with that I am extremely dissapointed. However, I am really looking forward to all of this HBO mumbo jumbo and hope it gets picked up. I really think people are missing out on not reading these books. Maybe a HBO series will get people to bite
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I think the TV series might prompt GRRM to get moving on the rest of the series. Now he has deadlines! A Dance with Dragons is almost done. So that's 5 years into the TV series. He has effectively 6 years to complete the last two books to have them done in time for the TV show. So as long as he doesn't keel over (he looks pretty old in his photos) I figure we'll see the series wrap up about 4 years after the 2012 apocalypse.
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I just started on this series, the first book took me a while to get into, he seemed to introduce so many characters so fast I started to loose track of who was who.
Second half of it was really good, and I certainly didnt expect it to end like that.
Just started the second one today.
I think my only real gripe is the use of profanity in the books, to me it just seems really out of place and the sex, i dunno if i wanted to read a smutty book i'd grab one of my wife's crappy romance things, it just seemed out of place to me.
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A friend pointed out to me today that TV's Sarah Connor (Lena Headley) has been cast as Cersei Lannister in the HBO pilot. Interesting choice. I'm sure she'll do fine, she is just not what I pictured at all from reading the books...
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GRRM is coming to MN (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=1120)
Maybe I can go up and punch him in the gut...that may make him finish the damn book ::)
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GRRM looks like he could be pretty wily, I'll show up and help hold him so you can sock him good...
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:o
Dragon Time (http://grrm.livejournal.com/198122.html)
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Holy ****...this is like Chinese Democracy
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Awesome! I was saying dude's gotta start cranking out books now that his TV series is happening. He's got about 4 years to put out the next book or the TV series is in trouble. Then only ONE YEAR after that!! ;D
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So I finally broke down and started Game of Thrones last night. Mostly because I want to read at least the first one before the series comes on.
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So I finally broke down and started Game of Thrones last night. Mostly because I want to read at least the first one before the series comes on.
I started this week as well. Just not enough free time to get to it so I'm only about 50 pages in.
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So I finally broke down and started Game of Thrones last night. Mostly because I want to read at least the first one before the series comes on.
I started this week as well. Just not enough free time to get to it so I'm only about 50 pages in.
I'm about 150 pages into the book and it's definitely picking up. Why do bad things keep happening to good people :D
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I love the flame war this jerk has started with Damon Lindelof.
"I’ve just been informed George is working on his feud response. I’ll have it in FIVE YEARS!"
LOL...LOST FTW!
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Had a lot of time to read this weekend and have made a lot of progress in the book. I am really enjoying and finding it hard to put down. Lots of unexpected things happening. The characters are all so well developed. Definitely looking forward to finishing this one. I bought the other three paperbacks on amazon as well.
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News from The NY Times (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/editor-vows-george-r-r-martin-has-finished-a-dance-with-dragons/?smid=tw-nytimesbooks&seid=auto) regarding the next volume in the series, A Dance With Dragons. Apparently it is now in the hands of the publisher.
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Just finished Game of Thrones. Really, really liked it. It starts a bit slow but really picks up as the book goes on. I was surprised by all the twists and turns. Really well done. I've got the other 3 books in the queue now. I may take my time reading them given how long he seems to wait to finish the next book now :)
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If you read some of the commentary out there about why it took so long him to complete Dragons it sort of makes sense. (SPOILERS)He wrote himself into a huge corner (http://io9.com/#!5614065/the-real-reason-for-the-long-delay-in-george-rr-martins-next-book)(SPOILERS) and had to find his way out and didn't know how. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens and while Crows was sort of a dissapointment, I am looking very much forward to Dragons. I would expect with the TV show and the hype that the next two books will not take nearly as long.
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Almost every review I have read on Dragons has been overwhelmingly positive. I cannot wait to get my grubby hands on the book...who needs to sleep?
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120 pages in so far so around 10% done...sort of wish I had reread Storm of Swords and Crows as I am a little lost on some of the more minor parts of the story :-\
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I was SERIOUSLY tempted to pick up the new book today. Instead, I opted to pick up a paperback multi-pack of the first 4 novels. I'm about 400 pages through A CLASH OF KINGS, and I'm going to start A STORM OF SWORDS as soon as I'm done with the second book. Plus, I'm probably going to go back and read the first book since I only have the HBO series as a reference.
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I'm at page 650...still liking it but it really isn't moving the plot forward a whole lot. :-\
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I'm at page 650...still liking it but it really isn't moving the plot forward a whole lot. :-\
I agree. Basically everybody is going somewhere but getting nowhere.
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Every time I stop by a book store I am more and more tempted to pick up the hard cover of A Dance of Dragons. But then I realize that I'm only about 400 pages into A Storm of Swords, and I think better of it. I suppose I can hold off once I get about halfway through book 4.
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I finished Clash of Kings this morning. The ending was a little different than I expected - no surprise I suppose given all the twists and turns these books have taken.
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Almost done...wow :o :o
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It has been such a crazy summer I haven't even bought Dragons yet. :-[
Hoping once I get trapped indoors for winter I'll find time to buy/read it...
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I can only imagine what I'm in store for in A Dance of Dragons. I'm nearly done with A Storm of Swords, and the turns that book has taken are pretty amazing. Where to begin? The Night's Watch storyline alone has been amazing. The changes in Jaime Lannister's character. All of the weddings. And Dany's growing power in the east? It's been leaving me chomping at the bit to start reading A Feast for Crows, but I know there's still more to take in in last hundred or so pages of volume 3.
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Finished Dragons last week...for the most part, I liked it the beginning was a little slow but the end made up for it. Way better than Crows...I can see how these are really books 4a and 4b but I could see that they could have been together with some really heavy editing.
The count starts now for Winter...I'll guess 4 years from now
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Well, you've got the television show to tide you over until volume 6 finally gets completed. The series may be something that manages to light a fire under George R.R. Martin's ass.
I'll lay odds on 3 years.
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Was in on the panel here at NYCC last night. Good stuff.
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Finished Dragons last week...for the most part, I liked it the beginning was a little slow but the end made up for it. Way better than Crows...I can see how these are really books 4a and 4b but I could see that they could have been together with some really heavy editing.
The count starts now for Winter...I'll guess 4 years from now
I just finished A Feast for Crows, and now I'm a few chapters into A Dance with Dragons. And I agree: it's like volume 4-A & volume 4-B. As I read my way through A Feast for Crows I was left wondering what the hell had happened to a number of characters after the end of A Storm of Swords. And it became very clear that A Feast for Crows had a somewhat more narrow focus on a number of storylines, most notably around the Lannisters.
It leaves me wondering: how will HBO handle this for the show? After all, it seems as though the events of book 4 & 5 are happening concurrently. I can't imagine that they would want to see an entire cast of characters just disappear (Jon, Dany, Tyrion, Stannis, etc) while the adaptation of book 4 focuses on the Lannisters, Brienne, Sam, Sansa, Arya & the Iron Men. But the prospect of combining the two books for one big MEGA-SEASON just seems difficult to comprehend.
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I can't believe I'm a good 600 pages into A Dance With Dragons. The book is very aptly titled, at least in a figurative sense. The various storylines weaving their way around and towards Dany are all pretty good, although some of the names of the Meereenese have made it a little difficult to keep track of who's who in her court. Perhaps that was intentional on George R.R. Martin's part?
I'm also more than a little taken aback by the revelation of the son of Rhaegar. I know that there's a good deal of speculation about another possible son of Rhaegar, but all through the series it seemed to be a certainty that when the Lannisters sacked Kings Landing at the end of Robert's rebellion that all of the Targaryens were killed. Most notably BOTH of the children of Rhaegar and his Dornish princess. The funny thing is that in the hiding of Prince Aegon we see history repeating itself in the way Jon Snow sent off the son of Mance Rayder.
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GRRM has updated his website with a sample chapter from The Winds of Winter.
http://georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html
Here is his blog about it.
http://grrm.livejournal.com/257002.html
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That's a pretty decent look at The Winds of Winter. It's following an established storyline from Dance, but doesn't give too much away.
In the meantime I'm trying to find some other things to read in the interim. That being said, has anyone read The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword or The Mystery Knight? I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas, and I've been pondering what my first digital book purchase might be.
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I have not...man you sure tore those books!
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I've still got 100 or so pages left in Dance, and I'm trying to drag that out a bit. And I'm going to go back and give Game of Thrones a proper reading since I skipped over it, having seen the HBO series.
But the stories of Dunk & Egg seem worth checking out, since some of those stories do get referenced in the novels. Egg being the brother of Maester Aemon, of course.
Lord knows that it's probably going to be a little while until George R.R. Martin gets around to publishing "Winds". So I'm trying to find some additional reading material to fill that waiting period.
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I've read those stories and recommend them as they're just as good as the ASoIaF series. I believe the fourth story is being published this year although I could be wrong.
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Reading Game of Thrones right now. Surprised to find how closely the series followed the book...at least so far.
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Reading Game of Thrones right now. Surprised to find how closely the series followed the book...at least so far.
Ditto, although I haven't watch the HBO series yet. I'm not a big fantasy reader (really only LOTR), but I'm enjoying it very much so far. It's not a tough read per se, but the amount of characters to keep track of is mindblowing.
I have the first four books and will buy the fifth when it's released in paperback. B&N had them on sale right before Christmas buy 2 get 1 free and with a coupon I had, I got the first three (they didn't have the forth) for something like $19 total.
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Welcome to the party!! My suggestion is to not tear through them as you'll have plenty of time to wait for the next book!
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Finished ASoS over the weekend and it's my favorite of the three so far. Had a few things spoiled by reading some of the Westoros Wiki entries for certain dead characters (prior to finishing the book), but that didn't diminish my reading and enjoyment of the book.
Has it been confirmed that this book will be two seasons? It almost has to be given the length and the amount of **** that happens. The Red Wedding seems like a nice, but shocking, end to the first season if they go that route.
Can't wait to see this book on the small screen. Now to sign up for HBO - season 2 starts Sunday.
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I just finished A Dance with Dragons during a business trip. There was a good bit of politics to slog through, but there were also quite a few moments of brilliance. The last dozen chapters were just breathtaking. Crazy stuff happens. Major characters die (surprise surprise). The reveal in the epilogue was awesome (shocking even though it was hinted at earlier).
Hopefully the last two books don't take as long... especially since it'd kill the TV series.
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I just finished A Dance with Dragons during a business trip. There was a good bit of politics to slog through, but there were also quite a few moments of brilliance. The last dozen chapters were just breathtaking. Crazy stuff happens. Major characters die (surprise surprise). The reveal in the epilogue was awesome (shocking even though it was hinted at earlier).
Hopefully the last two books don't take as long... especially since it'd kill the TV series.
The political maneuvering in Meereen did drag out for a while. But the ultimate payoff in the Slaver's Bay storyline has been pretty fantastic. And it's continuing to get more complicated with Dany's disappearance from the city and new players getting involved there. It's very difficult to keep the discussion spoiler free though.
A quick blurb from George R.R. Martin about book 6: (http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/Stark+relief/6358245/story.html)
So, his interviewer ventures, knowing that this is a delicate subject, how is that sixth book coming? (It's not uncommon for years to pass between instalments.) Any idea when it will be done?
"When it's done," Martin responds, as brusquely as can be managed by someone wearing suspenders, big eyeglasses and a sailor hat. Then he softens a little. "I've given up answering, because I've clearly proved that I'm lousy at estimating these things," he says. "I'm consistently guilty of an excess of optimism, 'Oh it will be out at the end of the year', and I mean it when I say it, but the end of the year comes and goes and I get a thousand emails asking why. So I think it's better now to be like Michelangelo and say it's done when it's done."
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It's very difficult to keep the discussion spoiler free though.
Yeah - I don't even want to mention names since that's a spoiler that someone DIDN'T die in this or a previous book. And survival is more uncommon than death in this series. ;)
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Some news from George R.R. Martin about what he lovingly refers to as the map book (http://grrm.livejournal.com/283248.html). The Lands of Ice and Fire has been turned over to the publishers.
Another reference / coffee table book called The World of Ice and Fire is in the works. It features illustrations and elaborates on much of the history that's been referenced over the course of the series of novels.
There's also a new novella in the series of the Dunk & Egg stories on the way.
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George R.R. Martin, author of "A Game of Thrones", has slammed "Republicans and their Teabagger allies" in so-called swing states for what he calls "voter suppression."
In a recent blogpost on Martin's website, he refers to recent voter purges in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa, saying that "The people behind these efforts at disenfranchising large groups of voters (the young, the old, the black, the brown) are not Republicans, since clearly they have scant regard for our republic or its values. They are oligarchs and racists clad in the skins of dead elephants."
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ANYONE'S VIEWS ON VOTER ID LAWS, PLEASE TAKE IT TO THE SARLACC PIT (http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=22480.0). That's why it's there.
That will be the end of it in this thread, thanks. - The JD Staff
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Just finished "A Storm of Swords". Wow. I really loved the last third of this book. So many twists and turns. Way more than I was expecting!! On to the next.
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Another sample from 'The Winds of Winter' (http://georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html) has been posted by George R.R. Martin! Tread carefully.
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I look forward to reading the rest of it in five years...
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If you're lucky. But I don't know... I'm thinking he won't want to derail production of the TV series if he can avoid it.
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I just hope GRRM can close it up at some point. So many people die only to be replaced by some new character in the new book. Sometimes I find it hard to keep up with who's who and what has happened to whom that I've almost given up in frustration. It seems like a boat floating with no sail, no oars and no wind...it goes nowhere. What started out as a book about the Starks and Lannisters (Baratheon) is almost about none of them now.
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From what I've read he has everything mapped out for the next two books... knows how it will and has mostly written the end. So I wouldn't worry about it going on forever or anything.
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I read one of GRRM's more recent blog posts. He seems to be hard at work, writing away. But I think he's learned his lesson and won't give estimates of when the next Ice & Fire novel will be on it's way. In his words:
"I'm staying here, to hold down the fort and write. And write, and write, and edit, and write some more. Too much damn work to do, and I am way behind on everything."
Great. Way behind on everything? That could mean oh so many things. I had been hoping that the production schedule for Game of Thrones on HBO might light a fire under his ass for the next two books. But if HBO is now going to split the books into 2 seasons of television, George may have bought himself an additional 3 years to complete 'The Winds of Winter'.
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I don't think both books 4 and 5 would be split into two seasons. I would think you could get away with either two or three seasons between those two books and I would think those seasons would be combinations of those two books. Since they are concurrent stories, I don't think viewers would be happy not seeing certain characters for a whole season since they would only be in one book and not the other.
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Agreed... 4 and 5 will likely comprise 3 seasons. I don't remember what all happened in book 3 (they all kind of blend together for me), so I'm not sure if they'll do one season or two for it.
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I am pretty sure HBO has already announced that book 3 would be two seasons. I think they also said there would be a few extra minutes per episode as well. I'm not sure if they said at what point in the book they would end season 3.
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I don't think both books 4 and 5 would be split into two seasons. I would think you could get away with either two or three seasons between those two books and I would think those seasons would be combinations of those two books. Since they are concurrent stories, I don't think viewers would be happy not seeing certain characters for a whole season since they would only be in one book and not the other.
True. I can't see the HBO showrunners having Tyrion disappear for that long of a stretch.
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I don't know what it is but I just have a feeling The Winds of Winter will be announced soon...watch 4 years from now someone will quote this post as it still isn't done
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What are the chances of Prequel books to ASOIAF? I think lots of people would love to read about Robert and Ned and the Targaryens
Martin does a really great job of giving some history of Westeros but there could be so much more, it doesn't even need to be written by Martin as the story is already fleshed out
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What are the chances of Prequel books to ASOIAF? I think lots of people would love to read about Robert and Ned and the Targaryens
+1
As long as he finishes this series first... but it would be interesting to learn about said characters and of Jon Snow's mother (I wonder if they'll ever talk of her again since the people that are connected to her are pretty much dead... and one is unknown).
I get this feeling that it'll be Jamie that kills Cersei (perhaps zombified ice queen?)
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A book series about Robert's Rebellion would be cool. But clearly there are things from that timeframe that have the potential to be spoilers for the current book series. You know, like the old R + L = JS theory.
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L?
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I know what L means....Bill if you want I'll message you. But if you've not run across this theory, it will rock your world.
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Looked it up. Crazy theory indeed!
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Wow! Those are some interesting theories. It will be interesting to see which pans out.
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Well, I think we may have seen the beginning of a transition for one of the characters in that triangle to begin pursuing his true destiny in book 5. That, and at some point we'll finally come across the lone survivor from the Tower of Joy, who can shed some light on the truth of what happened at the end of Robert's Rebellion.
And DAMN, does it take a lot of effort to make the discussion of this theory come across as both cryptic and spoiler free!
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And DAMN, does it take a lot of effort to make the discussion of this theory come across as both cryptic and spoiler free!
What he said...the title of the thread warns of spoilers, but still. This theory comes is such a mind blowing "holy ****" moment that it feels like a HUGE spoiler. Changes everything. Awesome.
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Absolutely. But in that whole R+L=JS equation, you have to look at the close of A Dance with Dragons. How will George R.R. Martin make the setup for that revelation significant in light of the ending of Book 5? I have my own theory about that. And the possibility for that theory to come true was shown in a couple of forms during last night's episode of Game of Thrones. Whether my own theory pans out in Book 6 is something we're just going to have to wait for.
But as a fan of the books, I thought that the whole R+L=JS was pretty commonly known. Am I mistaken on that front?
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Most people when the theory is proposed go ahhhh...I think it is going to happen. There is a reason there are three dragons...there is a reason there will be potentially three dragon riders. I was a little preturbed with introducing the third heir in the Dance but after you start thinking about the big picture it makes sense.
Also, one of the rules of fantasy is that you build a wall it needs to come down...I would guess that will happen in the next book as well
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But as a fan of the books, I thought that the whole R+L=JS was pretty commonly known. Am I mistaken on that front?
I never read anything outside the books themselves. So theories and such are lost on me. I just take what's on the page at face value and enjoy it.
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But as a fan of the books, I thought that the whole R+L=JS was pretty commonly known. Am I mistaken on that front?
I don't know if it's that. I think for me there are a lot of things going on in 5 books and so many pages and characters that sometimes things just get lost.
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There are certainly plenty of significant points that are brought up over the course of the series that would lead you to think that R+L=JS is a significant possibility. But to go over them would be something of an exhaustive process. However, George R.R. Martin continues to allude to the mysterious events that took place at the Tower of Joy at the end of Robert's Rebellion. And this continues to be one of the great unresolved plot points of the series. But the events that took place at the Tower of Joy may solve the riddle posed by the equation of R+L=JS.
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I agree, Nick. Of course, I looked up the theories and some other things on the SoIaF wiki to get some refreshers. I do think you're onto something with the equation...but it depends on the cliffhanger from "Dragons" and what happens to a certain character.
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Witness the aforementioned two elements from this past Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones. It gave us two things that might make it possible for the one character to take his place as the third dragon rider. First, a chant that expresses that one is no longer bound to their oath. And next? The ability of Beric Dondarrion to continue on, despite the fact that Sandor Clegane refers to him as a "ghost".
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Witness the aforementioned two elements from this past Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones.
Unfortunately, I don't have HBO and have to wait for the DVD release. :'(
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This panel discussion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkzodgRaze8) revolves mainly around the Game of Thrones HBO series, and it was recorded around the time of the most recent Emmy awards. However, there's a very nice exchange with the two show runners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss regarding their first meeting with author George R.R. Martin and the possible adaptation of his series of novels. It was reportedly a very LONG meeting, and one of the questions that Martin posed to the two prospective show runners?
"Who is Jon Snow's mother?"
Without a doubt this is one of the more significant mysteries of both the novels and the show. But I suspect we may have to wait until The Winds of Winter is finally released to see if this mystery gets resolved.
Be that as it may, apparently Martin was impressed with Benioff and Weiss, because they guessed correctly.
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Martin Writing as fast as he can (http://teamcoco.com/video/george-r-r-martin-writing-fast)
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Westeros = Staten Island. ;D
I'm curious if someone can fill me in on which 4 characters that died on the show which are still living in the books. Thanks.
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Jeyne Westerling (Stark) first and foremost
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^
Otherwise known as Talisa on the show.
Old Man Frey's wife is another. In the books, Cat kills his retarded grandson instead.
I'm drawing a blank on the other two though.
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How about, spoilers I guess...
Pyat Pree - cooked by dragons in Season 2, but still alive in the books. They could bring him back by 'magic' if they need him for his later book appearances...
Mago - killed in the show to show us how bad-ass Drogo was, but he's alive and riding with Khal Jhaqo in the books...
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Thanks... I'm not caught up on the show yet, but was curious.
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Rakharo (one of Dany's Dothraki riders) was killed on the show in season 2 while Dany & company were lost in the Red Waste. But he's still alive in the books.
Jeyne Westerling (Stark) first and foremost
Well, Jeyne had a completely different backstory from Talisa. Jeyne was from the Crag in the Westerlands, while Talisa was from Volantis.
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Right, but she is still a pretty major B List character with lots of intrigue in having her still be alive (such as being alive and still being pregnant carrying a Stark heir, being a Lannister plant or other crazy theories)
I also don't like the fact that they dropped the whole plot of Robb legitimizing Jon Snow and naming him his heir...that was a pretty big deal. I still think that that will come up in Book 6 (if he survives the stabbing process)
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I also don't like the fact that they dropped the whole plot of Robb legitimizing Jon Snow and naming him his heir...that was a pretty big deal. I still think that that will come up in Book 6 (if he survives the stabbing process)
I think that Jon Snow being legitimized is a serious possibility. And the same goes for some of the other bastards, like Gendry. But in the case of Jon Snow, I think that even if he does get legitimized, would he truly be a Stark?
But with Jon Snow and his stabbing at the hands of members of the Watch? I look at what happened with Thoros bringing back Beric Dondarrion, and I think that Melisandre may use that same power to bring back Jon. That means that I think Jon will actually die from the stabbing. But in turn, that may result in him being released from his vows to the Watch.
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IMO Jon's a Stark (half anyways), just not Ned's but Lyanna's. And it's possible he warged into Ghost right before getting prison shanked. Hurry the hell up Georgie and finish WoW so we can find out who's right.
And I thought I had another show person who died but is still alive in the books - Doreah, the handmaiden who taught Dany how to **** on the show and later banged Viserys in the bathtub and who ended up in the vault after banging Xaro Xhoan Daxos and presumbly died, but after checking her wiki page, I forgot she died in the Red Waste in the books. That's the problem, too many ******* characters to keep track of.
And after re-reading my post, I just realized Xaro is still kicking it as of DwD, but presumbly died in the giant vault with Doreah.
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....I think that Melisandre may use that same power to bring back Jon.
There is definitely some connection between Melisandre and Jon that I think will be important later (if he survives the stabbing process, and I believe he will). Melisandre needs royal blood to do some of her spells, which is shown when she leeches blood off of Edric Storm to kill three of the false kings and that might be why she gets close to Jon.
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I think Jon's body died in the stabbing process, but he sent his mind into Ghost. They foreshadowed that quite a bit.
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Is there any chance Robert is Jon Snow's father?
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I wonder if there'll be any significance to the resemblance of Lyanna Stark and Margaery Tyrell?
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Is there any chance Robert is Jon Snow's father?
I don't think so....but his father may not be Ned.
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Is there any chance Robert is Jon Snow's father?
I highly doubt that. George R.R. Martin has been laying out the hints regarding Jon's lineage for a while. And one of the key things he asked David Benioff and Dan Weiss when they initially met was who did they think Jon Snow's mother was? Apparently, they answered correctly.
I know that there's sometimes conflict between the books and the television series, but an important thing occurred to me when I was watching the season 1 DVD's recently. During the episode "The King's Road", there are two notable scenes where Ned discusses Jon's mother. First, as Ned parts ways with Jon as they both leave Winterfell, and again when Ned and Robert are talking over lunch.
Clearly, Ned has something to tell Jon, but does not want to tell him that early on in the book. Perhaps he wants to wait until after Jon has taken his vows, and is a sworn member of the Night's Watch? After all, Maester Aemon, one of only three known surviving Targaryen's is a member of the Night's Watch. But as a sworn brother, Maester Aemon has relinquished claims to any titles. Does Ned intend to tell Jon about his true lineage after he is a sworn brother so that he can hold the same status as Maester Aemon?
And then there's the conversation with Robert. King Robert specifically asks Ned about "his bastard's mother" during their conversation along the side of the King's Road. Ned identifies the mother of Jon Snow as "Wylla". But what if Jon's mother is indeed Lyanna Stark, and Ned said as much? That might drive a serious wedge between Robert and Ned, and put Jon in danger. After all, Robert and Lyanna had been set to be married. And it was Rhaegar Targaryen's abduction of Lyanna that caused Robert and Ned to go to war with the Targaryens. Ned is well aware of Robert's hatred for the Targaryens. What would Robert do if he came to learn that Jon was not in fact Ned's bastard son, but the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and the woman he loved, Lyanna Stark? Ned is one of the most honorable characters of the series, but it seems quite clear that he's been lying to everyone about Jon in order to protect him.
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After rereading Game of Thrones I think the most common Jon Snow Theory is for sure the right one. I am pretty sure all of the talk of Lyanna is there for a reason and Howland Reed will make an appearance after Bran and Jon reunite at some point soon and will explain all to Jon. Jon then will meet up with the other two Targaryens with their 3 dragons to conquer the 7 Kingdoms and bring peace back to the realm.
It had been way too long on having not read the books to see all of the clues as plain as they are spelled out in GoT.
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What are the chances of Prequel books to ASOIAF? I think lots of people would love to read about Robert and Ned and the Targaryens
Martin does a really great job of giving some history of Westeros but there could be so much more, it doesn't even need to be written by Martin as the story is already fleshed out
Also note that Martin seems to planning some sort of Silmarillion
From his Not a Blog:
The final story in DANGEROUS WOMEN will be my own, a 30,000 word novella entitled "The Princess and the Queen," a history (somewhat abridged) of the Dance of the Dragons, as set down by a maester of the Citadel.
Tor.com has just uploaded a sample to their site. You can find it here:
http://www.tor.com/stories/2013/07/dangerous-women-george-r-r-martin-excerpt
Enjoy.
(The full 80,000 word account of the Dance will eventually appear in a book, as yet untitled, that we're calling the GRRMarillion).
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I think the clues of Jon Snow's parentage are glaringly obvious in the series title: A Song of Ice (Stark) and Fire (Targaryen).
I am rereading the series and just realize how much I missed the first time. There are so many layers to it, it's impossible to keep it all straight if you don't know what's going to happen next. Especially with Ned talking about telling Jon about his mother and that Ned seems to be the only one who knows the truth and then is killed. To realize that Varys and Illario were chatting in the dungeons (though names were never used). To realize that Ned's distrust is misguided with Varys.
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The Varys/Illario thing totally clueless to me when I first read it too but after rereading it makes total sense. And it sets up the whole Mormont betrayal and Dance with Dragons Targaryen surprise as well. Part of me wonders if Varys know about Jon too...and he is pulling the strings with him as well. Which is why he wanted Ned Stark alive.
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I guess I should say it seems glaringly obvious the story's about Jon, but then again, I could be surprised.
I wonder about Ser Robert Strong's role. Apparently Bran had dreamt about that. And will the red zombies be able to fight the ice zombies?
It seems that Littlefinger was in it to get Sansa as his own... possibly as revenge to the Starks/Tullys? I wonder what his fate will be? Will Sansa sharpen up or will she be rescued by The Hound (he is purportedly dead, but no body no proof)
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The Hound (he is purportedly dead, but no body no proof)
The Hound isn't dead as he was the gardener? (going on memory) with the monks.
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The Hound (he is purportedly dead, but no body no proof)
The Hound isn't dead as he was the gardener? (going on memory) with the monks.
Gotcha... It'll be fun to reread these again. ;D
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The Hound (he is purportedly dead, but no body no proof)
The Hound isn't dead as he was the gardener? (going on memory) with the monks.
Gravedigger supposedly http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Gravedigger/Theories
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The Varys/Illario thing totally clueless to me when I first read it too but after rereading it makes total sense. And it sets up the whole Mormont betrayal and Dance with Dragons Targaryen surprise as well. Part of me wonders if Varys know about Jon too...and he is pulling the strings with him as well. Which is why he wanted Ned Stark alive.
I've been going back through the first book recently, and I read the Varys/Illario chapter when I went to the beach with the family. It was funny to finally read it in that chapter which was from Arya's perspective and to not have Illario and Varys identified. Especially after having seen that scene play out in season 1 of the television show. The level of foreshadowing that's in the books really is staggering. And I agree, a second reading really does help to illustrate things more clearly.
It's funny that someone should mention the Hound and the Grave digger. I actually read something about that theory on AWOIAF and was totally taken aback. Especially since I thought that the Hound had in fact been mortally wounded in that fight at the Inn at the Crossroads. Now, I totally recall the reports of a raider moving through the riverlands who was wearing the helmet of the Hound. And it seemed to have been well established that it was Rorge masquerading as Sandor Clegane. But then what about the Hound? If he is still alive, then where does his character go? Will Arya re-join him at some point after becoming one of the Faceless? Or will he play some part in the whole Sansa / Petyr Baelish storyline? I'm leaning towards the Sansa story, since the Saltpans are (somewhat) near the Vale of Arryn.
Another thing that's got me wondering? There have been a good number of mentions of Ser Arthur Dayne, the sword of the Morning. His sword, Dawn, was the ancestral sword of house Dayne. As far as I know, though, it's not one of the known Valyrian steel swords. Is it possible that Dawn is in fact the real Lightbringer that Melisandre had spoken about back in book 2?
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Here's another thought: wargs. It seems like most of the Stark kids can jump into the body of their direwolves or other animals (Bran, Jon, Rickon, and Arya). We'll never know about Sansa since Lady was killed soon into the book and there wasn't any mention that Robb could as far as I can remember, so that's 4 of 6 children. But what about their predecessors? Eddard or Benjen? I wonder about Ned because that might explain the dream that Bran and Rickon have about 'seeing' their father's death. And Benjen is lost, but maybe he is dead as a human, yet lives on in an animal form and maybe Jon will discover him? I just can't believe this trait would skip generations.
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Well, there is the whole Coldhands theory. A good number of people seem to believe that Bran's guide north of The Wall may in fact be his uncle.
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I was reading about Coldhands and that theory, but that doesn't seem right given that Coldhands has supposedly been around for a long time, longer than Ben Stark has been alive... or at least longer than the 3-4 years he's been missing. I've yet to get that far in my re-read but who knows.
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Just occurred to me, but what if Coldhands is a walker that Benjen jumped into? If Bran can jump to Hodor (HODOR! HODOR!) then why can't Benjen jump into a walker?
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The warg abilities do seem to be almost common among the Stark children. These abilities had to have come from some place. Although we never heard anything about these abilities regarding Brandon, Ned, Lyanna or Benjen. I wonder if we'll learn more about this in the next book, or when we get to see Coldhands in the next season of the HBO series?
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Howdy,
My sister got me the box set of books and was wondering which I should start reading if i am up to date with the TV series and don't want too much overlap. Any suggestions would deb greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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Half-way through book 3.
But you should really read the whole series from the beginning.
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Half-way through book 3.
But you should really read the whole series from the beginning.
Thanks! I was considering that too, I will let you know what I decide.
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Amazon now has a listing for The World of Ice and Fire - The Official History of Westeros and The World of A Game of Thrones (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EGMGGVK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=QJ0WYEB1NXBD&coliid=I2FUJFB6W7MKOG). George R.R. Martin has discussed this book before, and it's supposed to be a reference book that encapsulates much of the history of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. There's no cover art at this time, and the release appears to be October 28th, 2014. Here's the blurb from the listing:
If the past is prologue, then George R. R. Martin’s masterwork—the most inventive and entertaining fantasy saga of our time—warrants one hell of an introduction. At long last, it has arrived with The World of Ice and Fire.
This lavishly illustrated volume is a comprehensive history of the Seven Kingdoms, providing vividly constructed accounts of the epic battles, bitter rivalries, and daring rebellions that lead to the events of A Song of Ice and Fire and HBO’s Game of Thrones. In a collaboration that’s been years in the making, Martin has teamed with Elio M. García, Jr., and Linda Antonsson, the founders of the renowned fan site Westeros.org—perhaps the only people who know this world almost as well as its visionary creator.
Collected here is all the accumulated knowledge, scholarly speculation, and inherited folk tales of maesters and septons, maegi and singers. It is a chronicle which stretches from the Dawn Age to the Age of Heroes; from the Coming of the First Men to the arrival of Aegon the Conqueror; from Aegon’s establishment of the Iron Throne to Robert’s Rebellion and the fall of the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen, which has set into motion the “present-day” struggles of the Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons, and Targaryens. The definitive companion piece to George R. R. Martin’s dazzlingly conceived universe, The World of Ice and Fire is indeed proof that the pen is mightier than a storm of swords.
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I wish book 6 would be scheduled to come out in 2014...
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George RR Martin has posted another excerpt of 'Winds of Winter' (http://www.georgerrmartin.com/excerpt-from-the-winds-of-winter/) on his website. And he's also mentioned that there's another excerpt available via the iOS app called George R. R. Martin’s A World of Ice and Fire – A Game of Thrones Guide (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/george-r.-r.-martins-world/id570015223?mt=8). I just downloaded the app, but I don't quite know how to unlock the chapter that's available via the app.
But when is the book actually going to come out?
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What I read recently was "soon enough that we're pretty much out of danger of the series catching up." I know Martin no longer announces release dates for his books until it goes to print (after missing DOZENS of previously-announced release dates), so we probably won't know exactly until a few weeks before it's in our hands.
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I know that GRRM has given up on release estimates, and with good reason. Some of the fans are a little "impatient". This article shed some light (https://www.vocativ.com/culture/celebrity/winter-never-coming/) on just how brutal and impatient some of the fans have become. And it's really ugly.
As for the series catching up with the books? I had actually read recently that GRRM has confided in the show runners how the series is supposed to end. Part of that was done with the goal of the being able to carry on with the HBO series. But there's also been talk that HBO might want to cap the show at 7 or 8 seasons, and perhaps it would occlude with a feature film.
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I finally finished Feast of Crows this week. I'm going to download Dance with Dragons on my iPad next. Looking forward to getting the other characters POVs. I thought the note at the end of FoC was funny that next book was coming soon (dated 2005).
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LOL! It's almost three years since A Dance with Dragons was released. Before that, it had been six years since A Feast for Crows was published. And there was a five year gap between AFFC and the third book in the series, A Storm of Swords.
I think we may still be waiting a little while for The Winds of Winter. Although I do get the sense that the HBO series may have lit a fire under George R.R. Martin's ass. I do get the sense that TWoW is going to be released before the HBO series catches up with the books. But I'm not as optimistic about that happening with A Dream of Spring.
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Finally finished the last book. Have to say, it's going to be a long wait with wondering about my favorite character with his cliffhanger. :-\ can only imagine the anger for those have been waiting in between each release.
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This saddens me….longer wait not just for the next book but now an 8th.
http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/winds-of-winter-release-date-not-this-year-but-a-song-of-ice-and-fire-to-have-eight-books-25076 (http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/winds-of-winter-release-date-not-this-year-but-a-song-of-ice-and-fire-to-have-eight-books-25076)
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I heard the quote was along the lines of "ask me when I'm half-way done with book 7 if there will be book 8." Nothing definitive.
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I guess that is a little better.
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I'm fine if it goes to book 8. I figured that book 6 was not going to be released this year. But here's hoping for next year.
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Stopped in a Barnes & Noble today, and saw the new George R.R. Martin collection, ROGUES (http://www.amazon.com/Rogues-George-R-R-Martin/dp/0345537262) which came out last week. It's a collection of short stories penned by GRRM, Neil Gaiman, and a few other authors. There's one story penned by Martin that deals with some of the earlier Targaryens. I was genuinely tempted to buy it. But then I thought better of it, and I'll probably download it for my iPad. I can't fathom buying such a cumbersome hardcover book. Especially if I'm really only interested in one particular story.
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So George R.R. Martin is talking seriously about finishing 'The Winds Of Winter' (http://winteriscoming.net/2014/07/26/george-r-r-martin-wont-writing-episode-season-5-talks-winds-winter-prologue/). To the point where he is trimming down his appearance schedule, and he will also not be writing an episode of GoT season 5.
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George R.R. Martin has released another excerpt from The Winds of Winter. Check out this Alayne chapter (http://www.georgerrmartin.com/excerpt-from-the-winds-of-winter/).
According to GRRM's blog, this will almost certainly be the last excerpt to be posted before The Winds of Winter gets published. Still, it's disappointing that we're almost certainly not going to see the new book published in 2015.
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Finally finished Dance with Dragons tonight. I think I have as many questions as answers! Glad to finally be "caught up". I went back to read the last few pages of this thread too.
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George R.R. Martin has officially shot down a fairly popular fan theory surrounding the character 'Coldhands' (http://www.mtv.com/news/2051582/game-of-thrones-coldhands-benjen-stark/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_373458&xrs=mtvnewszergnetext).
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Hints are dropping that we might see The Winds of Winter published within the next few months. WinterIsComing.net (http://winteriscoming.net/2015/10/02/polish-translator-drops-hint-about-the-status-of-the-winds-of-winter/) has gotten word of publishers reaching out to a Polish translator to reserve their services around the end of this year to work on Book 6. Not anything close to an official announcement, but encouraging news.
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It's official. The Winds of Winter will not be published before "Game of Thrones" returns to HBO for it's 6th season.
http://grrm.livejournal.com/465247.html
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While totally believable it still totally sucks. If your job was to write this book, wouldn't you lock yourself in your writing space and do only that. The issue is obviously that there is so much money to make by his publisher that They really have no control over this but it is so disappointing
I now hope HBO sees this out and completes the story next year **** the books
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While totally believable it still totally sucks. If your job was to write this book, wouldn't you lock yourself in your writing space and do only that.
That's not his process. That's never been his process. And writing at his level isn't something you can force yourself to accomplish.
I feel kinda bad for the guy. He spends his entire life doddering along, writing his books as he wants to write them. Totally content. Then all of a sudden HBO decides to adapt a story and now the job he loved causes him nothing but stress. I'm sure the fortune and glory take away some of that sting, but it's not hard to wonder if, given the choice, he might not go back to obscurity.
My only worry is that he doesn't finish the books before he meets the same fate as the Starks. He's no spring chicken. I'm sure he has enough of the last two books written that an apprentice author could complete them as happened with the Wheel of Time series, but those last books weren't near the quality of the rest of them.
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I feel bad for him, too. The HBO show has been both a blessing and a curse for George R.R. Martin. His work has been discovered by millions of people thanks to the show. But no doubt, this has now altered his process.
I was definitely surprised to see how the HBO show made it's way through the books. The first season was pretty true to the first book. But then the way the show stretched things out for some books and compressed others was a little puzzling.
The thing that bothers me the most are the dickish fans who have been putting every single thing GRRM does under the microscope, and railing against him because they can't just wait for him to finish writing the book that he needs to write. The worst thing I can imagine about the books is GRRM writing it in order to make some deadline, and not to just finish the book in accordance with his grand vision for the series. I don't want an inferior book just so I can get it that much sooner.
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So, I saw GRRM posted something to the effect that someone on the show who is dead is still alive in the books and will have a major role...that has to be Mance Rayder doesn't it? Jon's plot of bringing Sansa out of Winterfell through Mance/Abel who is the hidden singer isn't resolved
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Stannis?
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So, I saw GRRM posted something to the effect that someone on the show who is dead is still alive in the books and will have a major role...that has to be Mance Rayder doesn't it? Jon's plot of bringing Sansa out of Winterfell through Mance/Abel who is the hidden singer isn't resolved
I was just reading last night about a scene they filmed involving Sansa, John, Ramsay Bolton and Littlefinger at Winterfell. Oh, and a giant. :D
So maybe Baelish plays the role of the facilitator?
Dead person could be the Hound or Lady Stark?
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So...Roose and Stannis are both about to bite the dust (probably)...think this is into book 7 already?
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I think it's probably going to happen in book 6. As for the dead person on the show who still has a major role to play in the books? I say GRRM is talking about Lady Stoneheart.
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A new excerpt from The Winds of Winter has been posted on George RR Martin's website. Read it here (http://www.georgerrmartin.com/excerpt-from-the-winds-of-winter/).
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Still not finished (http://grrm.livejournal.com/515302.html?thread=25561062#t25561062)
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Shocker!
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We'll see.
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At this point i don't care and can't wait for the show to start. If and when it comes out i will read it, if not whatever.
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GRRM made one of his blog entries recently (http://grrm.livejournal.com/543080.html), and of course people are speculating. One writer put forth this theory (https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/07/i-think-ive-cracked-the-code-for-the-release-date.html) that The Winds Of Winter may be published as soon as October of this year. That would certainly be nice to see. And it leaves me wondering if I would get an actual hardcopy, or perhaps download the book to my iPad.
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While I read WoW when if it comes out...I am so happy they went ahead with the show and can tie everything well before probably it comes out...let alone the last book
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I saw a blog post from GRRM that he was recently in New York meeting with his publisher. That gives me some hope regarding the WoW release date.
Aside from that? Now I'm curious to see where the stories are going to diverge. Because there seems to have been some significant cases where the HBO show has made composites of some characters (ie how Jon Connington's book story became that of Jorah Mormont on the series), the presence of Lady Stoneheart in the books but not the show, the status of Loras Tyrell, the whole lost Targaryen storyline, etc.
But all things considered? I feel like I can enjoy the TV series as well as the novels as things that are independent of one another.
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I'm sort of the mind GRRM will now wait until the show is over to publish the book. From a marketing standpoint, there's probably more value in sustaining the brand beyond the show with the promise of further books (Look! See how it's different). That's a pure guess, and I do think he is just very, very slow at writing.
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I think that the publisher would want to release the book when interest from the show is high. And what could be better than going from the season 7 finale of the HBO series into the release of the next book?
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I would think so, too and I'm sure they've thought several times in the last several years it'd be nice to have a book out. :)
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Time to dust this off and report that don't expect "WoW" this year.
Maybe next year.
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Time to dust this off and report that don't expect "WoW" this year
Bummer on that, but I probably will pick up the Targaryen Fire and Blood book when it comes out later this year.
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So now he's writing extra books in his downtime instead of finishing the actual original series?
Yeah, that would frustrate me as a fan I think.
Even Tolkien didn't jerk with his audience that much.