The Song of Ice and Fire series (George R.R. Martin, 1996-ongoing)

[madali]

The Song of Ice and Fire series (George R.R. Martin, 1996-2005)

The problem with most fantasy novels seems that they are written with 13 year old boys in mind. I mean, in “Lord of the Rings”, how many rapes did we read about? How many incidents of incest? How many child-fuckings? The books are written in a PG environment and I’ve always wanted my fantasy world to be filled with a different set of morality and ethics, to make it seem like it’s an older civilization. If you have sword and sorcery, you better have brutality and grey areas.

“A Song of Ice and Fire” is the answer to what I was looking for. Author George R. R. Martin has made up a detailed, intriguing fantasy world filled with many characters. He is supposed to write seven books, and so far has released four of them, and I can’t wait for the rest. The books are generally separated by characters, so you don’t have any main protagonist. What you get are several characters, from different families and sides, with different perspectives of the events, with complex characters. It is very rare to find a GOOD or BAD character. And no matter how important a character seems to be, Martin might as easily kill them in a blink of an eye, making the story surprising and engaging.

The books are set in a world almost like earth, except the seasons last for years, instead of months. It is a fantasy book, but fantasy is not dominant like in traditional fantasy novels. There is magic, but it is rare. And non-human creatures are even rarer. It is mostly a medieval world, with constant conflicts between different armies. Think less “Lord of the Rings” and more of a medieval, political book, that is gritty, original, and very intense.

Quick Reviews of the books:

A Game of Thrones: We are introduced to the world, get to know everyone, there is a hint of a conspiracy, and then suddenly everything goes wrong, and things get fucked up.

A Clash of Kings: Things getting more fucked up.

A Storm of Swords: By now, you think it can’t get any worse for the characters and the world, but surprise! It does.

A Feast for Crows: Not as good as the previous three, but that doesn’t mean things don’t get fucked up.

Trivia: HBO has bought the rights for the story, and is expected to turn it into a TV show series, with each season expected to be about one book.

4/5

[madali]

Shariq, read this. I'm serious, let this be your next book.

[shariqq]

I swear I was looking for a good fantasy series to start on. You came like a messiah! I read your first post, thought "Man, I gotta get meself these books now.", scrolled to type and saw your second post 

Good stuff, mad!

[shariqq]

The fifth book, releasing on 30th September '08:

[X.]

Yes, I read about HBO buying the rights. I'll add this to my long list of books to read. Thanks, Mad.

[shariqq]

Ordered the books, to be delivered here in the next 7-10 days. Will start reading them right away.

[madali]

Interested to know your views on it!

[shariqq]

Finished Book 1, A Game of Thrones, and I understand why madali recommended it so highly. Some books are good because of the writing, some for the telling. George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones is top-notch in the telling, and also in the tale itself. I had already watched the TV series when I started reading this book, but even so, the plot-details and character nuances kept me riveted. And what a mess has the author created for the characters in the book - the world, as they know it, has been shuffled like a deck of cards. Reading madali's post above, I honestly can't imagine how much worse things can get more fucked-up, and leave room for more disaster another book later!

Also, it's a good book to buy, because I have a feeling I will return to it sometime later. Either as a reference for the later parts, or just to re-read it anyway.

[madali]

Will you be reading Book 2 or waiting for the show?

[shariqq]

Nope, not waiting, I started on Book 2.

I've realised, I do like all PoV characters, but Tyrion Lannister and John Snow are easily the best. Here's hoping neither are offed anytime soon.