Where do I start?

[The Imp]

I was going to add that one needs to be careful about spoilers. During one or two of my more discouraging moments I read a few things online to see where things were going and whether or not I wanted to stick with it. I did decide to do so and loved CoK and SoS... but I can't help wishing I'd had a little patience and restraint. I can't imagine the kind of reaction a certain development in SoS would have been if one was totally caught off guard by it!

it was like getting hit by a sledgehammer right in the gut

 

[Justin_B]

Wow!
Thanks for the great responses everyone (haven't read them all yet but sure they're all good)
Just to clarify the 'Eddings to Clarke' comment was to signify a range from fluffy/lightweight to dry/sometimes stilted.

I've read all the R.E.F Riftwar to Darkwar stuff which I liked.
Sounds like GRRM will be the epic stuff I like.

 

[Boaz]

Justin, you should let us know in this thread what book you selected and what your thoughts are. Good luck.

 

[Syphon of Oor-Tael]

I would suggest going for one of the one off stories, like indeed the Hedge Knight. It does not presuppose any knowledge and yet shows enough of the world of Martin for a good picture of what it is like.

 

[GOLLUM]

You could try his Fevre Dream to see if you like his style without committing to a big series.

Agree with the general commentary here that GRRM is a wonderfully talented writer, both a first-rate storyteller and excellent prose stylist.

As such I've got all of GRRM's published work including the excellent retrospective DreamSongs.

Agreed, try Fevre Dream, one of the great vampire novels ever written and a stand-alone classic.

Also check out Armageddon Rag and Windhaven.

Cheers....