First time reading

[CyBeR]

There are more than 25 pages of GRRM discussions. You will of course pardon me that I did not search them all for this topic.

I've recently started reading and am now sooooo curious of reading around here but...well, you know...spoilers and such. It's unnerving for me that I can't find a discussion that is not plagued with these and I'm actually quite enjoying the book so spoiling it would be killing it right now.

So tell me, how was your first time reading this series? First impressions as you reached into the pot, unknowing of what snakes it may contain...

 

[Clansman]

CyBeR: Firstly, get the hell off this board! Go back now, and don't look at it again until you have read the last word of A Dance With Dragons! GO! GIT!

Okay, you are still here. The reason for going is this place will DESTROY your read. Martin, along with Janny Wurts, is one of the best in the business at jaw-dropping plot developments that make you want to scream (as I did again this past year toward the end of ADWD, and everyone else will know what I am talking about). So, DO NOT SEARCH THROUGH THE THREADS! You have been warned.

As for my first impressions, at the chapter entitled "Bran II" I realized that this story was very, very different ("The things I do for love"). I loved it the first time through, but it does get dark and depressing at times, and it seems like every "good guy" is doomed. Still two books to go though. I thought the cliffhangers at the end of AFFC and ADWD were pretty poor mechanisms for GRRM to use, given the time he takes to write books.

This is a seminal work in fantasy, one that has made fantasy appeal to a much wider audience than it has done in the past, and it stands as one of the most important works of literature in the last 15 years.

 

[Boaz]

CyBeR: Firstly, get the hell off this board! Go back now, and don't look at it again until you have read the last word of A Dance With Dragons! GO! GIT!

I could not agree more fervently. Leave now... but come back immediately when you've finished! Look, even the thread titles here are full of spoilers... FULL. Once you've finished A Game of Thrones, you'll know what kind of plot twists and turns that Mr. Martin likes and so you'll want to avoid having the story spoiled. I could reiterate myself and restate Clanny's post until I'm blue in the face... It's too dangerous for you to be here! We want to hear your impressions and theories on the future plot when you finish A Dance with Dragons. Happy reading!

 

[The Imp]

At the risk of being totally redundant

You didn't say where you are in the book, so i'll just have to assume that you're early in aGoT. I'll just say a fe things.

First, NO ONE writes a cliffhanger the way GRRM does. Nearly every chapter leaves you dying to know what happens next. You're possibly going to feel the need to skip ahead. DON'T

Stay away from fan sites. Stay away from message boards. Stay away from the internet. By that I mean, don't do any google searches if you need information. Speaking only for myself, I will be happy to clarify any point that isn't clear to you. Just send me a PM. Really. i don't mind. I'll give you my email address if you like as well.

If you have any friends that have read the books don't talk to them about the series. Spoilers are so easy to give, and once you've heard something you shouldn't have it can't be unheard. I assume a frontal lobotomy won't be an option

GO AWAY. We love new people here, but come back when you've finished the 5 books. And enjoy. You have a GREAT ride ahead of you.

 

[Tywin]

"The things I do for love"

That was the moment that got me as well.

If you're a first time reader I suggest a simple game that I recently played with a female friend of mine who just started reading the books:

I asked her to list all of her favorite characters, and as she did I wrote their names on the dry-erase board on my fridge. After I had finished I put an open check box next to each name and then above the check boxes wrote "Dead Yet". I didn't have to explain anything else to her, and over the weeks since then I've come home to see new 'x' marks on this fun tracking tool about every other day.

 

[The Imp]

That was the moment that got me as well.

If you're a first time reader I suggest a simple game that I recently played with a female friend of mine who just started reading the books:

I asked her to list all of her favorite characters, and as she did I wrote their names on the dry-erase board on my fridge. After I had finished I put an open check box next to each name and then above the check boxes wrote "Dead Yet". I didn't have to explain anything else to her, and over the weeks since then I've come home to see new 'x' marks on this fun tracking tool about every other day.

And saying that is a spoiler IMo. Hopefully the OP abandoned the thread.

 

[Tywin]

Aww, come on... if you don't know that everyone you like dies in these books then you live under a rock.

 

[The Imp]

Aww, come on... if you don't know that everyone you like dies in these books then you live under a rock.

I've told my wife and at least 5 good firends about the series. None of them knew it existed, and started reading it based only on my strong recommendation. I'll put a spoiler below in white

You may as well say that everyone in the civilized world knows that Ned dies near the end of aGoT
When it comes to spoiler, vague or specific, better to err on the side of caution. IMO you should edit your post to remove pretty much all of it. If you can't or won't a moderator should.

 

[Eulalia]

I can see the game, Tywin!

Maybe another game could be giving the main characters a likeability score from hate them (1) to like them (5) at the end of GOT and then update after each book. Okay, maybe that's a tad too elaborate.

 

[CyBeR]

You people are cruel .

I'm about halfway through Game of thrones and I wanna be part of the discussion goddamnit.

I kid, I kid.
I already know that the death toll is going to be high so I'm not worried there. One of the people that recommended the books to me was going on and on about how GRRM likes to murder all his best characters so I'm prepared spiritually for the horrors to come.

Eulalia...that is not a bad idea at all you know. My lady friend wants to read the series as I get through it, so we may just try that.
I just ordered myself the second book online. In a few days I may even see it delivered. I'm reading all of this side by side with Malazan and Wheel of time. Should be a very interesting year.

 

[The Imp]

well, this is your thread CyBeR

discuss away

 

[Grunkins]

I am so envious, CyBeR. SOOOOO envious.

When I first read GoT I was into it immediately, and as it grew and grew I became more and more impressed, but I remember it wasn't until one particular Arya chapter, somewhere around the middle of the book, where suddenly something clicked and I said, "OOOh, I get it, he's a really really good writer."

 

[The Imp]

I am so envious, CyBeR. SOOOOO envious.

When I first read GoT I was into it immediately, and as it grew and grew I became more and more impressed, but I remember it wasn't until one particular Arya chapter, somewhere around the middle of the book, where suddenly something clicked and I said, "OOOh, I get it, he's a really really good writer."

i think the first half of aGoT can be daunting for the first time reader. Just the shher number of character name, geogrpahic locations, plot lines, etc. is enough to make your head swim. At a certain point it's like that magical moment that you discover that you know how to ride a two wheel bike Evrything fits and you're hooked.

 

[CyBeR]

I'm getting quite well along with the book so far. Nearly not as daunting as Gardens of the moon for example, but I can see where people would stumble regarding this.
I must admit I'm starting to enjoy the characters as the book progresses, and after my exam tomorrow I plan on moving through the story at a much brisker pace.

I had my doubts if I may enjoy this...but it seems they're well to rest. I'm looking forward to more information about the Others and the Wall itself, but I'm somehow expecting these to become larger issues later on in the series.

 

[Grunkins]

I'm getting quite well along with the book so far. Nearly not as daunting as Gardens of the moon for example, but I can see where people would stumble regarding this.
I must admit I'm starting to enjoy the characters as the book progresses, and after my exam tomorrow I plan on moving through the story at a much brisker pace.

I had my doubts if I may enjoy this...but it seems they're well to rest. I'm looking forward to more information about the Others and the Wall itself, but I'm somehow expecting these to become larger issues later on in the series.

The story gets BIG. GoT is smallish when compared to the whole scale and breadth of the story.

 

[biodroid]

It took me 4 tries to get into it, but once the TV show started I was always 3 chapters ahead of the story in the book (does that make sense). I wasn't used to this style of fantasy because it took a while to get in it for me. But when it got going it was rip roaring. Always something happening. The nice thing is there aren't too many POV's like Eriksons Malazan series has, and GRRM explains only what is necessary so that he keeps you guessing all the way. I am liking the series now, just need to get started with book 2.

 

[Yog-Sothoth]

Well, I saw the show first, so the major events of AGoT were pretty much spoiled for me, and then I made the stupid mistake of looking up the houses on wikipedia which lured me into another dozen spoilers, yet the way GRRM writes the books it still takes you by surprise.

Very statisfying experience when you finish all five books because you can finally comb this board and read as well as participate without fear.

 

[Grunkins]

I managed to read them unspoiled. Well, almost, there was one fairly minor spoiler from AFFC that somehow managed to shoot into my brain from a random youtube vid that had nothing to do with ASoIaF. All the major stuff I got nice and fresh. I really really recommend avoiding boards like these (at least the GRRM sections) and never ever entering anything ASoIaFish into the googlebar.

 

[CyBeR]

At this point it's actually almost impossible to read anything related to GRRM that doesn't spoil how he treats his characters. Everyone seems bent on commenting on that as if it's the most interesting thing he actually does (and it's not).

Halfway point, here at long last. I'm really enjoying the storylines for the Imp, Jon and Eddard, even Arya I'm starting to enjoy greatly.
There's a lot of storm clouds hovering over the main cast so far...I'm actually really itching to see how it all plays out.

 

[The Imp]

At this point it's actually almost impossible to read anything related to GRRM that doesn't spoil how he treats his characters. Everyone seems bent on commenting on that as if it's the most interesting thing he actually does (and it's not).

Halfway point, here at long last. I'm really enjoying the storylines for the Imp, Jon and Eddard, even Arya I'm starting to enjoy greatly.
There's a lot of storm clouds hovering over the main cast so far...I'm actually really itching to see how it all plays out.

You're going to be in the ER needing an epinephorine shot to stop the itching

maybe just carry an epi pen as a precaution