Brendan’s Comments (group member since Feb 13, 2016)

Brendan’s comments from the Read A Song Of Ice And Fire 2016 group.

Or Stannis' wife has Targaryen blood from a previous generation.

Okay, so I just started the prologue and had to stop due to it getting too dark. Only got a few pages into it since I am traveling in the car. Anyway, I have a thought. Shireen has dragon dreams. Danny has dragon dreams. Could Shireen be a Targaryen and not a Baratheon? Maybe Stannis had an affair with a Targaryen. Just wondering.

I am planning on reading the Tales of Dunk and Egg. Apparently they are prequel to SOIF. They look like pretty quick novellas.

Thought it would be interesting to find out if anybody in this group has read any other book by George R. R. Martin besides the ones in A Song of Ice and Fire series. If so, which one have you read? Without giving any spoilers, what was the book about? What did you like about the book? What did you not like about it? List anything else you would like to share concerning his other works.

If the book is as bad as the show, then I am definitely not going to read Outlander. The show was painful enough. Too much over the top romance to the point of wanting to throw up. Not to mention I found that the main character (the actress who goes back in time) was annoying!! Not for me.

Now, has anybody read The Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind? If you haven't the books are pretty good reads. I feel that the writing is not as good as A Song of Ice and Fire, but a fun series none the less. I have only read the first book and the novella in the series, but what I have read so far (entertainment wise) is really good!!! I think the members of this group would like the series!!! The series has more fantasy then GRRM, but it is in a similar realm as The Seven Kingdoms. Check these books out!!!!

Makes sense. Wouldn't have thought to relate the two together. Great observation!!!!

Have any of you read Outlander? If so, what did you think? I tried getting through the first episode on Starz and found it just too over the top. However, the cinematography of the Scottish Highlands is pretty awesome. Would be interested in your thoughts!!!

Tyron is my favorite. He has some great one liners!!!

Thanks for the link Leslie!!!!

Honestly, where did the last name of Hill appear? Totally missed that one. Definitely did not see that in the appendix. Still why didn't Martin list her last name of Hill in the appendix? He did for all of the other house bastard children in the line of royalty. Just wondering if it was a typo or intentional. Please correct me if I am wrong and it was there.

Just finished the appendix and I have a question for everyone. Here it is: Whenever there is a bastard-child, they have last names that emulate the terrain of the area where they are from (i.e.: Jon Snow [from the cold North of Winterfell], Mya Stone [from the tall mountains of the Eyrie and the Vale], Garse and Garrett Flowers [from the fertile plains of the Reach]. Why then does the bastard child of Gerion Lannister, Joy Lannister, not have a last name that matches the terrain where she is from? Is it because the Lannisters are in control and this would bring shame to the house? If so, how would this bring shame and not the incestuous love affair of Cersei and Jamie?

Sorry, I have a different opinion. Whilst she was being selfish with trying to resurrect Drogo despite the consequences I think this chapter was a great and powerful ending. Martin ended this perfectly in order to get the reader excited about A Clash of Kings. To me this chapter showed the power that she is developing and her potential of becoming a fair and just leader with releasing the slaves as well as treating everyone as people not property.

Well I am actually reading the last chapter today. LOL. Spent the last two days watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Thomas the Toy Engine with my daughter. My wife and I wouldn't trade that for the world. A couple quick questions though. Did you think reading the appendix was beneficial? I would think it would be moe beneficial to read before the prologue. What do you all think?

LOL!!! I have one more chapter to go with A Game of Thrones. Probably going to start A Clash of Kings tomorrow. Can't wait!!!

Thanks for the clarification Hazel!!! I thought he deserted due to the conversation between Jon Snow and The Old Bear concerning Jons' "almost" desertion attempt. The Bear states: "Even Jorah Mormont had not done that, [deserted] when he fled in disgrace. Doubtless Lord Mormont would find someone more worthy of the blade" (646). Would the blade be a reference to Ice? Why would The Old Bear be using the Jorah Mormont example to give Jon Snow a lesson about not desertion from The Wall if Mormont did not desert? Kind of wondering now.

What I mean by the Snow and Dany connection is that Jorah serves for Dany and Maege serves the Starks.

The connection that I am wondering about is Maege Mormont and Ser Jorah Mormont. I am trying to figure out how they are related. Ser Jorah Mormont, I take it, is the Mormont that deserted from The Nights Watch. Please correct me if I am wrong. I think this family connection between the Starks and the Targaryens is important and may foreshadow Jon Snow as being related to Dany? What are your thoughts?

Garden of the Moons (trying to get through this one)
Bourne identity (awesome read)
The Hunger Games (my 8th graders wanted me to read this one)
Getting ready for A Clash of Kings

Oops. You are correct Leslie. I totally forgot that detail, but I do still wonder who the dead men from the watch were at the Prologue.

I agree Leslie, that wait had to be horrible!!! This chapter really highlights the mentorship between Jon and Mormont/Old Bear. It is definitely a father son type of relationship. Can't wait to find out what happened to Benjen Stark!!! Is he one of the murdered at the start of the book or did he possibly join the Wildlings beyond the wall?