Books A song of Ice and Fire

[Helme]

So, I've just finished reading the first 4(and so far, only) books of the series, and I must say - George Martin is a brilliant author, the books are truly refreshing when it comes to fantasy. Everything from the characters to the way the plot unfolds just screams of quality - I've never despised a character in any works of arts as much as I disliked Joffrey in these books, or been so utterly shocked when he throws in a twist that just shatters everything you thought you knew - without going the normal fantasy way of making the heroes always come out on top.

It's been so long since I've enjoyed reading as much as I have the last 2 weeks or so I've read through these 2000 or so pages, and infact I'm probably going to re-read them right now again.

I can't recommend these enough, and at the same time ask - is there anything even approaching the same quality, or in the same vein as these? I've read alot of fantasy throughout the years, but not Tolkien, Pratchett or Jordan even comes close to this.

I honestly haven't looked forward to a new book release as much as I'm looking forward to A Dance of Dragons, ever before.


also I guess for people intrested in full titles:

George R.R Martin:
A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones
A Song of Ice and Fire - A Clash of Kings
A Song of Ice and Fire - A Storm of Swords
A song of Ice and Fire - A Feast for Crows

 

[Vintersorg]

I've only read the first two tomes till now, but they were excellent.
And if you liked the books, check out the boardgame by Fantasy Flight Games. Not as good as their Battlestar Galactica game, but still a good game for the Game of Throne fans.

 

[Uara]

I've only read the first one so far but yeah it was a very good read. Shame I don't really like many of the characters in it, maybe Robb and Jon at present are the ones I like the most. The rest I'm just not tht bothered about which makes me sad when the rest of it is sooo well written.
I'd recommend if you like epic fantasy novels The Malazan Book of the Fallen, think there's 8 out at the moment with another 2 or 3 to finish everything off!

Malazan Book of the Fallen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Helme]

There's a few characters that goes from pretty... dull to very, very intresting. Mainly Littlefinger, Tyrion, Cersei & Jamie - Robb and Jon also gets alot more flesh as the books goes on.

And I will check those out, cheers.

 

[Uara]

ooooh sounds good, i will nab the next couple of books off of my mate at the weekend!

EDIT: Oh and for the Malazan Books, Gardens of the Moon is the first book, it is quite confusing when you first read it as it introduces a lot of stuff, but everything does start to click into place about halfway through!!

 

[Bahumat]

ooh i'll have to check them out! Cheers Helme

 

[Ch3tan]

Oooo my two favourite book series being discussed!

Not long now till 'A Dance with Dragons', will have to re-read the first 4 before then, his character development is great, and the world he creates and his ability to build up a hero and then throw him or her away like nothing is refreshing.

If you like Ice and Fire you will love the Malazan books, and there are a lot more of them so they will keep you going for a good while.

 

[Ch3tan]

There's a few characters that goes from pretty... dull to very, very intresting. Mainly Littlefinger, Tyrion, Cersei & Jamie - Robb and Jon also gets alot more flesh as the books goes on.

And I will check those out, cheers.

Yeah the pace that he moves from one generation to the next, without ignoring the character development is great.

 

[Uara]

Oooo my two favourite book series being discussed!

Not long now till 'A Dance with Dragons', will have to re-read the first 4 before then, his character development is great, and the world he creates and his ability to build up a hero and then throw him or her away like nothing is refreshing.

If you like Ice and Fire you will love the Malazan books, and there are a lot more of them so they will keep you going for a good while.

I kno what you mean about the fact he's willing to throw the character away just like that

Spoiler

Case in point with A Game of Thrones being Ned being executed, I was not expecting that at all!
Then with the Malazan series there's WhiskeyJacks death (altho he does make re-appearances) and also with the attack upon the bridgeburners pub in Darujhistan in the latest one they killed off half that group with almost no warning.

 

[Ch3tan]

Malazan spoiler - do not read if you are not up to date!

Spoiler

Let's not forget Anomander and Hood, Coltain, hell I have actually lost track of the amount of deaths! Lots have routes back, I doubt we have seen the last of Anomander and Hood, they are within Dragnipur now. Coltain is reborn. The dead Bridgedurners all Ascended. The way he kills them is always shocking, and always unexpected. We are just not programmed to see the hereo's fail and the villans get away with it.

I truly am in awe of the size of the world he has created. We have events on other continents that become linked a book or two later. We have whole contintents that are hinted at again and again, but were we know trouble is also breweing.

I strongly recommend you read Ian C. Eslemonts 'Night of Knives' and 'Return of the Crimson Guard'. He co-created the world along with Eriksson, and gives a fresh and different look at it.

For humour, you need to buy Bauchelain and Korbal Broach The collected stories volume 1. It is quite expensive, but well worth it. Eriksson has a lot of fun.

 

[taB]

Not long now till 'A Dance with Dragons'

Sorry Ch3t, that made me f'kin LOL

Anyways. Yes they are great. The Malazan books I've worked through pretty recently and are seriously good reads.

 

[Ch3tan]

It was my pitch for a new celebrity dance program. Dancing on Ice was so boring, where was the danger?

 

[Uara]

Malazan spoiler - do not read if you are not up to date!

Spoiler

Let's not forget Anomander and Hood, Coltain, hell I have actually lost track of the amount of deaths! Lots have routes back, I doubt we have seen the last of Anomander and Hood, they are within Dragnipur now. Coltain is reborn. The dead Bridgedurners all Ascended. The way he kills them is always shocking, and always unexpected. We are just not programmed to see the hereo's fail and the villans get away with it.

I truly am in awe of the size of the world he has created. We have events on other continents that become linked a book or two later. We have whole contintents that are hinted at again and again, but were we know trouble is also breweing.

I strongly recommend you read Ian C. Eslemonts 'Night of Knives' and 'Return of the Crimson Guard'. He co-created the world along with Eriksson, and gives a fresh and different look at it.

For humour, you need to buy Bauchelain and Korbal Broach The collected stories volume 1. It is quite expensive, but well worth it. Eriksson has a lot of fun.

Yeah I've read Night of Knives and when I get paid I will most likely go out and get Return of the Crimson Guard.Atm i'm working my way through them again from the beginning, and noticing loads of stuff i've missed in the first read through.

Spoiler

yes Hoods death really surprised me, what I like about his books is the fact gods are actually able to die if they get involved in 'human' affairs! Pretty sure Hood will re-appear at somepoint. I'm waiting for Cotillion and Shadowthrone to get their come-uppance (well shadowthrone more than Cotillion)

 

[Ch3tan]

more malazan talk...

Spoiler

Hood already has re-appeared though. He died so that he could join his army of the dead inside Dragnipur and fight to try and release all those trapped souls. Loved the revelation that Hood was Jaghut - give's a whole new meaning to the war the Jaghut waged against death itself.

Cotillion and shadowthrone have to be my favourite. So sneaky, so conniving, yet you always get the sense that they are not after their own interests. Everything they are doing, in my opinion, is to break the hold the gods have, to destroy magic itself and give humanity freedom.

 

[Uara]

Malazan Talk........

Spoiler

Ooooh I hadn't thought of it in that way with regards to Shadow and Cotillion. But actually now you mention it, it does make sense in a way,I think they both have retained a lot of their humanity and from night of knives it seemed that they've been plannign their scheme for a long time. Shadowthrone still using his cane despite the fact he doesn't actually need it for example.
I do love how Erikson despite creating such a massive and dramatic world he still manages to infuse it with comedy as well, Iskaral Pust (love how he's Magos of House Shadow as well),Kruppe and of course Tehol Beddict!!

 

[Ch3tan]

malazan....

Spoiler

I think the REAL magus of house shadow is the donkey Pust is classic, love the fact he DID pull the high priestess of shadow after all. Was comedy gold. Eriksson must have a field day writing Kruppe, and Beddict and his interaction with Mael. Will be interesting to see how the Seguleh fit into the story, they are popping up more and more. And let us not forget all the Barghast and the Malazan fleet are still some where on the Lethari continitent. Also what did happen to Icarium?

 

[Uara]

Malazan...

Spoiler

Lol oh yes the donkey Last I can recall of Icarium is him going into an ancient mechanism or something in reapers gale. He's bound to have a role in the upcoming conflict I'm just not quite sure what. I think the next book is going to deal with the happenings on the Lether continent so hopefully should wrap up that storyline in preparation for the last book, going to be weird when the book series ends. Oh and can't forget Karsa Orlong him and his obsession with violence and being told he has to kill a god, the question is which god-->he rejected an offer from the crippled god but I don't think that would neccesarily mean thats the one he's going to go after!

 

[Ch3tan]

malazan...

Spoiler

Karsa is one scary fellow. He seems to have found some shred of humanity through all his trials, but he still insists on bringing ruin to all through war. Was great when he saw traveller and Anomander fight and said he would not want to fight them.... Think he has a big part to play, and he does not seem to be open to manipulation, he is smarter than all the big players think.

You really need to read return of the crimson guard before the next book, gives a great insight into them, and I have a feeling that the characters Eselmont has been working on will play a big part in Erikssons storyline...

Still want to know what it is about Quick Ben that scares the shit out of most of the gods... we know what he is now, but still not what he is really capable of.

 

[Uara]

Rite just bought Return of the Crimson Guard on Amazon so should have that to read in the next couple of days. Looked into bauchelain and Korbal Broach and god that's going to put me back a pretty penny if i go after them definitely need to wait for payday for those ones!

 

[Ch3tan]

Bauchelain and Korbal Broach: The Collected Stories: 1: Amazon.co.uk: Steven Erikson, James Barclay: Books

FUCK ME!

I paid erm:[SIZE=-1]

Delivery estimate: We'll notify you via e-mail when we have an estimated delivery date for this item. It will ship separately. You can cancel at any time. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]"Bauchelain and Korbal Broach: The Collected Stories: 1"
Steven Erikson; Hardcover; £20.00

Sold by: Amazon EU S.a.r.L.

and I thought that was a LOT!

Tempted to sell it.... Did not realise it was a limited edition, I had to wait ages for it to be in stock when I ordered it. It has all three stories in one book... hmm have a look on fleabay maybe?
[/SIZE]

 

[Uara]

Yeah apparently Waterstones and WH Smiths is selling it for £20 so will investigate there and fleabay!

 

[Vintersorg]

Another nice Fantasy trilogy I can recommend is the Aquasilva trilogy by Anselm Audley.
It's not a masterpiece, but considering the guy who wrote the trilogy was only 19 years old when the first book was released, it's quite good.
If the man improves his writing style over time, he could bring us some good stuff in the future.