I think I have seen the light

biodroid

biodroid

A.D.D.
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I am 60 pages into AGOT and so far I am enjoying it. I have read about half of it 2/3 years ago but couldn't get into it. I then read the first 2 books in th First Law trilogy and loved those. I can say that there are similarities in the styles and characterisation hence I have a greater appreciation and enjoyment for AGOT. I think I have matured in my readability(?) where I do not care as much for all out action scenes but prefer the characters driving the plot rather than the plot driving the characters. I think I have seen the light as I am actually enjoying it this time round and can't wait to see what happens. I am glad to have taken the plunge again. One question: It does pick up story wise as I go along doesn't it?
 
I'll try to answer that as best I know how, Biodroid. I'm 4 books into the story, and I still can't wait to see what happens next. So yes, the story does pick up, so long as you're not expecting explosions on every page of the climax.

I'll just let you know that nothing is what it seems on the surface. Enjoy.
 
The story, whilst somewhat fragmented, does pick up, especially in the 2nd half of GoT.

Just some advice, STAY AWAY FROM EVERYTHING RELATED TO THIS SERIES TILL YOU HAVE READ THE LAST BOOK AVAILABLE.

Spoilers tainted this series for me, and I will be damned if I will let it happen to another person. Simply, avoid everything on the internet to do with ASoIaF.
 
It's been a little while since I started the series, but I raced through most of the books written so far. It's well worth sticking with.

The story does not so much pick up as explode into a massive, epic scale that makes the Lord of the Rings look like Spot the Dog. Well, that's a slight exaggeration, but it does convey the hugeness of the plot.
 
thaddeus6th said:
It's been a little while since I started the series, but I raced through most of the books written so far. It's well worth sticking with.

The story does not so much pick up as explode into a massive, epic scale that makes the Lord of the Rings look like Spot the Dog. Well, that's a slight exaggeration, but it does convey the hugeness of the plot.
Click to expand...

Oooohhh!!! Must read more and faster.
 
Ha, don't get too carried away. The forthcoming book has been delayed for a long time and the last release was below par. (All other books are of a similar excellent standard, however).
 
I stagger my series, I will read AGOT then I want to finish The First Law book 3, then it's book 3 in the Night angel trilogy, then I might start on book 2 (ACOK) or The Dragonbone Chair.
 
Our reading habits overlap quite a lot.

I've read all of Abercrombie's stuff, and The Dragonbone Chair, and the first two Night Angel books. Reminds me, actually, I need to get book 3 sooner or later.
 
I had mixed feelings about the series as a whole (it's a few years since I read it so I can't give separate views on the individual books). I enjoyed the writing, but it could've been reduced quite a bit in size without losing anything but padding. Some of the plot is not entirely unpredictable. If memory serves, it's not nearly as gritty as an Abercrombie/Martin book. (Not a criticism, incidentally).

I'd say it's not as good as The First Law Trilogy, but I did like it.
 
The problem with the series is that it imo suffers a slight "Robert Jordan Syndrom". Some of it could be cut to make a better balanced story.
 
biodroid said:
I am 60 pages into AGOT and so far I am enjoying it. I have read about half of it 2/3 years ago but couldn't get into it. I then read the first 2 books in th First Law trilogy and loved those. I can say that there are similarities in the styles and characterisation hence I have a greater appreciation and enjoyment for AGOT. I think I have matured in my readability(?) where I do not care as much for all out action scenes but prefer the characters driving the plot rather than the plot driving the characters. I think I have seen the light as I am actually enjoying it this time round and can't wait to see what happens. I am glad to have taken the plunge again. One question: It does pick up story wise as I go along doesn't it?
Click to expand...
Saying the story picks up is an understatement. I've often compared AGOT, at least the beginning of it, to a very long prologue. right now, you are opening plot lines and trying to make sense of names, places, relationships, etc. If you like it now, you're going to love what's coming

AVOID SPOILERS
 
Thanks Imp, it really is full of little surprises so far, Catelyn has just received the letter from Maester Luwin and Jon Snow's existence is explained.

I always thought AGOT doesn't pick up the first time I attempted it but I thought that with the First Law trilogy as well and that was a brilliant series (for the first 2 books, still have to read book 3).
 
I read the books before I read any of the threads here because from what little I'd seen elsewhere, it was clear that the plot was very twisty and that GRRM had a way of surprising the reader. I think I made the right decision: I would have hated knowing about some of the dramatic turns before being confronted with them on the page.

Enjoy the rest of AGOT. :)
 
Tragedy said:
Just some advice, STAY AWAY FROM EVERYTHING RELATED TO THIS SERIES TILL YOU HAVE READ THE LAST BOOK AVAILABLE.
Click to expand...

The Imp said:
AVOID SPOILERS
Click to expand...

Ursa major said:
Some kindly advice:

Step. Away. From. The. GRRM. Author. Forum. :):)
Click to expand...
Biodroid, I cannot stress strongly enough that you follow the advice of these posters.

Martin really throws some curves into the story. Nothing that's not been done before, but he really pulls off the plot twists unlike most almost all current fantasy authors. I'd like to say that "even I" did not see some of these developments coming, but that'd be overstating my powers of prognostication... in fact, Martin caught me with my pants down. And I love him for that. Uh, that does not sound too good, but you get the picture.

Also I did not even think about the mathematical equation... there is a theory that is expressed as an equation most of the time... and I should have seen it coming. But ever since I read it here... it has been gnawing at the back of my brain.... for five years.

As for Tad Williams, I read The Dragonbone Chair and got about a third of the way through Stone of Farewell. Williams bored me with the first four-fifths of The Dragonbone Chair, but he really brought things together at the end. Even though I was disappointed with most of The Dragonbone Chair, I picked upon the strength of TDC's conclusion. Yet Williams again slowed the pace down to a crawl... tedium, is what I'd call it. Obviously, Williams can spin a yarn when he wants to, but his idea of character development, world building and creating tension leave much to be desired. Then again, I think I might have liked Williams thirty years ago... when I was fourteen.
 
Dobby kills Buckbeak :(

I liked William's stuff when I first read it, but on the second go at an older age I found it a bit painful.
 
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