Also, I'm finding Davos' chapters either too boring or bizarre.
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Game of Thrones: Books
Well, it is a fantasy series, after all 
I agree about some of Dany's chapters not being all that interesting, esp in the last book where you just want to slap her for being so dumb (ie, a teenager). But there was enough in the early stages that I liked about her, to keep me at least looking to see what was happening, even if I ended up skipping over.
As far as Samwell, I think the third and fourth books give you a whole different look at the character. One of the things I like about Martin is that he allows his characters to develop - not new characteristics, but strengthens and brings to like the characteristics he has always had. SPOILER The scene with him and the captain of the ship at the end of FFC had me in tears. What a sweet, and brave man, after all.
I agree about some of Dany's chapters not being all that interesting, esp in the last book where you just want to slap her for being so dumb (ie, a teenager). But there was enough in the early stages that I liked about her, to keep me at least looking to see what was happening, even if I ended up skipping over.
As far as Samwell, I think the third and fourth books give you a whole different look at the character. One of the things I like about Martin is that he allows his characters to develop - not new characteristics, but strengthens and brings to like the characteristics he has always had. SPOILER The scene with him and the captain of the ship at the end of FFC had me in tears. What a sweet, and brave man, after all.
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Mythica
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[quote=""Ash""]Well, it is a fantasy series, after all [/quote]
Yeah, and I don't mind the dragons or the bits of magic but those two moments I just found either ridiculous or pointless. I guess I just prefer more "traditional" type fantasy elements.
On another note - I just went to buy the third book on Amazon, having just finished the second... and I noticed that the fourth and fifth books gets a pretty poor average rating of only 2.8-3.2 out of 5 stars! Considering the first 3 books get 4.5 out of 5 stars, this seems like a drastic drop. Did a lot of people get disillusioned with the series during the fourth and fifth books? At least the average rating on Goodreads is more consistent throughout the series.
[/quote]Yeah, and I don't mind the dragons or the bits of magic but those two moments I just found either ridiculous or pointless.
On another note - I just went to buy the third book on Amazon, having just finished the second... and I noticed that the fourth and fifth books gets a pretty poor average rating of only 2.8-3.2 out of 5 stars! Considering the first 3 books get 4.5 out of 5 stars, this seems like a drastic drop. Did a lot of people get disillusioned with the series during the fourth and fifth books? At least the average rating on Goodreads is more consistent throughout the series.
Last edited by Mythica on Sat August 13th, 2011, 7:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
[quote=""Mythica""] Did a lot of people get disillusioned with the series during the fourth and fifth books? At least the average rating on Goodreads is more consistent throughout the series.[/quote]
Mythica- I think alot of the beef about the fourth book was because everyone's favorite characters were excluded. I think everyone built the 5th book up in their minds so much after having to wait years, that it was a big disappointment to them. I'm just guessing though as I took a break from the series after the 3rd book.
Bec-you are dreaming if you think the 6th book will be out next year!!
Mythica- I think alot of the beef about the fourth book was because everyone's favorite characters were excluded. I think everyone built the 5th book up in their minds so much after having to wait years, that it was a big disappointment to them. I'm just guessing though as I took a break from the series after the 3rd book.
Bec-you are dreaming if you think the 6th book will be out next year!!
Brenna
Yeah, a lot of people didn't like the splitting up of the book. Its actually interesting to read FFC knowing that other stuff is happening at the same time, then reading Dance With Dragons, being able to reference in your head what else is happening to other characters. I think it works, but would have worked better if he had gotten together with an editor that was not afraid to use a knife (so to speak) liberally on both books.
As for the low ratings in DWD - some of that was from people who had waited 6 years for this book, to find that it was less than what they expected. I only waited one year, and I was somewhat disappointed. So I can see their point.
As for the low ratings in DWD - some of that was from people who had waited 6 years for this book, to find that it was less than what they expected. I only waited one year, and I was somewhat disappointed. So I can see their point.
Mythica--"I'm finding Davos' chapters either too boring or bizarre."
When I read that part of the book with the 'Red Woman' it was not only bizarre but simply put quite yucky....I mean couldn't she just wave her hands and say a spell....Umma muthrac yadda yadda yiddy yiddy...(something like that!) But I also skim through the Davos chapters. I would actually prefer more on Stannis(he's a ruthless so and so).
Ash--"Samwell, I think the third and fourth books give you a whole different look at the character.."
I will have to keep an eye out for Samwell. I like the character but at times he comes across as a plodding, well intentioned bore...but I hope nothing bad happens to him(No spoiler here. I haven't read that part yet). But with Martin you just never know.
Brenna--"Bec-you are dreaming if you think the 6th book will be out next year..."
Oh crumbs then how long between books? I did hear that the producers of GOT are on his case to hurry up with the ending. I can see the show going for perhaps 3-4 seasons. I am so not a patient person and I do wish an editor would slice and dice the less interesting aspects of the books and keep focussed on the characters without inventing even more...Otherwise the books could go on into infinity....
Ash--"some of that was from people who had waited 6 years for this book..."
Six years???...Yells SIX YEARS!!! [/B]*bangs head on computer*...I can't wait 6 years ACCKKKKK. LOL!
Bec
When I read that part of the book with the 'Red Woman' it was not only bizarre but simply put quite yucky....I mean couldn't she just wave her hands and say a spell....Umma muthrac yadda yadda yiddy yiddy...(something like that!) But I also skim through the Davos chapters. I would actually prefer more on Stannis(he's a ruthless so and so).
Ash--"Samwell, I think the third and fourth books give you a whole different look at the character.."
I will have to keep an eye out for Samwell. I like the character but at times he comes across as a plodding, well intentioned bore...but I hope nothing bad happens to him(No spoiler here. I haven't read that part yet). But with Martin you just never know.
Brenna--"Bec-you are dreaming if you think the 6th book will be out next year..."
Oh crumbs then how long between books? I did hear that the producers of GOT are on his case to hurry up with the ending. I can see the show going for perhaps 3-4 seasons. I am so not a patient person and I do wish an editor would slice and dice the less interesting aspects of the books and keep focussed on the characters without inventing even more...Otherwise the books could go on into infinity....
Ash--"some of that was from people who had waited 6 years for this book..."
Six years???...Yells SIX YEARS!!! [/B]*bangs head on computer*...I can't wait 6 years ACCKKKKK. LOL!
Bec
I started Feast for Crows last night and was a little lost as I've read three books in between the 3rd and 4th book. I think I will start getting the swing of things soon, but I doubt I will be able to wait until next summer to get Dragons (I wanted to wait until it came out in paperback).
More darn characters!!
More darn characters!!
Brenna
Brenna--"I started Feast for Crows last night and was a little lost..."
I also took a break and read 'The Phantom' and then went back to FFC...but I admit to having difficulties with it and I don't know if it is just me or whether other readers are getting frustrated with Martin's plots.
For one I found the chapters on the Prophet Aeron, bizarre to say the least and I am wondering why bring so many new characters? He should have stayed with the older characters(instead of ruthlessly ending them). I also find at times I am scratching my head wondering 'now who is this one again?' Then it's a scramble as I re-read older chapters to remember the new characters and plots and sub plots.
Martin truly needs an opinionated editor who will say NO to anymore characters.
On the plus side I am really enjoying reading the Brienne character...your heart just goes out to the poor girl who is trying so hard to do the right thing.
I also like how the author portrays Jaime....One chapter you think, 'well maybe he can be redeemed' and then he does something odious and again its 'I knew you were a scumbag!....Then later on he does something gallant. With Jaime I feel like a pendulum as I read his character but his chapters are so well written.
As for Cersei the woman is plain evil and now I pray that Jaime is beginning to wake up to her! And I take great interest in the clash between Cersei and Margaery, but I do think they may just be as bad as each other but in different ways.
I still skip the Arya chapters and Samwell too....But I am reaching a point where I may just not care who wins the throne and this could be one of Martin's great mistakes, he simply drags things out too long and wonders off into too many different subplots.
But enough of my own meanderings...Heads back to my books.
Bec PS: Is anyone else having probs with Feast for Crows?
I also took a break and read 'The Phantom' and then went back to FFC...but I admit to having difficulties with it and I don't know if it is just me or whether other readers are getting frustrated with Martin's plots.
For one I found the chapters on the Prophet Aeron, bizarre to say the least and I am wondering why bring so many new characters? He should have stayed with the older characters(instead of ruthlessly ending them). I also find at times I am scratching my head wondering 'now who is this one again?' Then it's a scramble as I re-read older chapters to remember the new characters and plots and sub plots.
Martin truly needs an opinionated editor who will say NO to anymore characters.
On the plus side I am really enjoying reading the Brienne character...your heart just goes out to the poor girl who is trying so hard to do the right thing.
I also like how the author portrays Jaime....One chapter you think, 'well maybe he can be redeemed' and then he does something odious and again its 'I knew you were a scumbag!....Then later on he does something gallant. With Jaime I feel like a pendulum as I read his character but his chapters are so well written.
As for Cersei the woman is plain evil and now I pray that Jaime is beginning to wake up to her! And I take great interest in the clash between Cersei and Margaery, but I do think they may just be as bad as each other but in different ways.
I still skip the Arya chapters and Samwell too....But I am reaching a point where I may just not care who wins the throne and this could be one of Martin's great mistakes, he simply drags things out too long and wonders off into too many different subplots.
But enough of my own meanderings...Heads back to my books.
Bec
PS: Is anyone else having probs with Feast for Crows?No, and yes.I don't know if it is just me or whether other readers are getting frustrated with Martin's plots.
While I ultimately liked much of FFC, it didn't have the same feel as the other three books. Too many divergent plots, too many characters that are started and dropped, too many character decisions that don't make sense...and it gets worse in Dance with Dragons. That being said - please don't skip the Sam and Arya chapters. By the end of the book, both of them have scenes that will break your heart and have you cheering.