Martin, George R.R: A Game of Thrones (buddy read revisit) Start Date: December 2, 2013 [A Song of Ice & Fire #1] - revisit Sep 12th, 2015 - revisit May 2017 **REVISIT** June 2018

[Logan]

I have to get going and finish the first one! :) I am also trying to finish Wolf Hall at the same time - tough going for two dense and long reads!

[Andrea]

I did it! I Finished!.
Wow!.. What can I say?. I'm so ready for book 2 now!.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I've decided to bit the bullet and read this. I still haven't watched the TV show either but I figure if I don't start I will eventually hear it all through pop culture and it may ruin things for me ;)

[Shannon]

I'm not sure how you've avoided not hearing all about already, lol, but I'll reread it with you if you need a buddy. ;)

[Logan]

I will too!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Lol Shannon, I know, I've heard about John snow and "winter is coming" and that there is lots of incest but that's about it. Haha!

Yay! Glad you're both coming along for the ride. Logan I feel like it's been ages since we did a read together

[Logan]

I know! It'll be fun!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

:)
I only started yesterday and there are so many characters that I actually went back and read a bit a second time to make sure it was getting into my head. I don't think I'll answer all the DQs here, but I'll stop at similar points to read through them and give my thoughts

[Shannon]

I'll probably start tomorrow and catch up with you.

[Vicky]

Where were all of you a few months ago! I'm on book 3 now. There's a website called Tower of the Hand (http://towerofthehand.com) that's been invaluable. It has pretty descriptive summaries of each chapter and each character profile gives you a list of every chapter they're in and a sentence about their role in the chapter. A nice way to keep track of where a character was before.

It also has a scope feature so if you set it to Book 1 you won't see any spoilers for future books.

[Shannon]

Ha! I've read them at least twice I think. ;)

Very cool website!!!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Vicky wrote: "Where were all of you a few months ago! I'm on book 3 now. There's a website called Tower of the Hand (http://towerofthehand.com) that's been invaluable. It has pretty descriptive summaries of each..."

read slowly and I may catch up. LOL

Thanks for the website. Super cool

[Shannon]

I finished the first set (Prologue - Arya) today. Ready to discuss whenever. ;)

[Logan]

I started the audio today. This will be my commute book. I'm not super impressed by the narration but it's still entertaining. I just wish i could distinguish characters better.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Shannon wrote: "I finished the first set (Prologue - Arya) today. Ready to discuss whenever. ;)"

Cool. I'm just getting into chapter 9 :)

For Prologue through Chapter 7(Arya)
(view spoiler)[
I can see there is a lot of symbolism in this book, and obviously there are lots of characters and politics going on. I can certainly see the appeal in making this into a TV show.

Lisa's question: 1. We now know what was so significant about how the direwolf was killed. The fact the antler was the means of death suggests the King, whose symbol is an antler, must somehow cause the death of Eddard (aka Ned) leaving his children orphans. The question is should this be seen as a warning as to what could happen or a prophecy of what is to come? What do you think? Knowing what could happen can the outcome be changed?
This is quite cool as it is like a prologue inside the story, although one that can be changed as prophecies don't always come true ;)

I like the Jon Snow aspect where he is the "bastard" and Catelyn wants him gone. I think this will be even more interesting as the story progresses. Especially as to why Ned seems to (almost) favour him?

Are we meant to know what the "Others" are yet? I think because I'm reading Strange the Dreamer at the moment I am picturing them as godspawn. haha!
(hide spoiler)]

[Vicky]

Shannon wrote: "Ha! I've read them at least twice I think. ;)

Very cool website!!!"

I've read Game of Thrones twice now (once the first time and once to catch up before I dove in to the rest of them). But this is my first read through the rest of them. I can see how it could be something that gets better on additional reads. Right now I feel like there are A LOT of words and not a lot of things happening. I know the majority of it is important, but I feel like reading it with the hindsight of what's going to happen would make it that much better.

[Vicky]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "read slowly and I may catch up. LOL"

I feel like I'm reading super slowly! But I'm also worried that if I put them down I lose my momentum. It's not that I don't like them, but the way the chapters are split between POVs makes it very easy to put down. I left both GoT and CoK on my nightstand for months with only a few chapters read, I don't want to risk it! haha

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Vicky wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "read slowly and I may catch up. LOL"

I feel like I'm reading super slowly! But I'm also worried that if I put them down I lose my momentum. It's not that I don't like them, but th..."

lol
I understand!

I do like the format with the small chapters as it makes me feel like I'm getting somewhere rather than just being overwhelmed with the size of the book!

[Shannon]

Vicky wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Ha! I've read them at least twice I think. ;)

Very cool website!!!"

I've read Game of Thrones twice now (once the first time and once to catch up before I dove in to the rest of ..."

I've read all of them but the last one twice. The first time I read them, then the reread before the last one came out as a refresher since it had been sooooo long.

I'd already decided I was going to read them during Tower anyway to get ready for the final TV season. Which will be interesting as he hasn't finished the final book. So this buddy read was perfect. ;)

I think you're probably right, rereads are even better because he drops all these Easter eggs all throughout that you don't even notice the first time, because you just don't realize they're important.

[Shannon]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Shannon wrote: "I finished the first set (Prologue - Arya) today. Ready to discuss whenever. ;)"

Cool. I'm just getting into chapter 9 :)

For Prologue through Chapter 7(Arya)

I can see there is..."

We aren't supposed to know who they are yet. ;)

[Shannon]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Vicky wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "read slowly and I may catch up. LOL"

I feel like I'm reading super slowly! But I'm also worried that if I put them down I lose my momentum. It's not that I don't lik..."

I'll admit to having favorite POVs and some where I'm not really a fan. There was one book that kinda sucked cause it was all POVs from others -- and I can't remember which one right now. You'll find your favorites change.

It is one benefit of the different POVs, you really get to immerse yourself with all these different characters and see things from their perspective, all while moving the story forward.

[Vicky]

Shannon wrote: "I'll admit to having favorite POVs and some where I'm not really a fan. There was one book that kinda sucked cause it was all POVs from others -- and I can't remember which one right now. You'll find your favorites change. "

100% this. The first time I read GoT, Bran and Arya were my favorite. I remember being so distressed at how many chapters were between Bran's 2nd and 3rd chapters.

I find that I prefer the younger characters to the adults - Tyrion being the exception to this, of course. I'm a sucker for good character development, so the coming of age style stories around the younger characters speaks to me a lot more than the political maneuverings that the older characters find themselves in. But I do like how you get to see the big picture of things through the different POVs.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I'm through to chapter 26.
Gosh there is just so much going on that as I read through the DQs I find myself remembering a strand of the plot which I'd completely forgotten about. lol!

Random thoughts?
(view spoiler)[
- The 3 dragon eggs. I love the idea that one is warm, please let it hatch! I had not expected dragons in GoT though so maybe I'm off base

- Khal Drago is a piece of work. gees. I loved the last Dany chapter where she basically takes control and Viserus is struck dumb. Her having a baby will be interesting....

- killing the wolf and then Micah was just horrible. Also the way they killed him. so sad

- I actually really like the character of Littlefinger. His complexity is awesome and I can't wait to find out more about him (hide spoiler)]

[Logan]

Yes! Poor Micah! And the direwolves always break my heart.

I'm behind a little on audio. Just got through Jon leaving for the wall and Dany's wedding. It has been really fun going back to the beginning knowing how much growth these characters experience. Dany is definitely one of my favorites and seeing her stand up to her brother is just awesome. He's such a twat.

[Logan]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Are we meant to know what the "Others" are yet? I think because I'm reading Strange the Dreamer at the moment I am picturing them as godspawn."

Not really. I found the distinction between the Wildlings and the Others to be confusing at first so I will share my understanding (chime in if I'm wrong!). The Others are how those living south of the Wall refer to the mysterious creatures we saw in the prologue that killed the rangers of the Night's Watch. In the future you will also hear them referred to as White Walkers. Most of the people believe they no longer exist (though we as readers know this not to be the case). The Wildlings are the humans living north of the Wall under Mance Rayder's rule.

[Shannon]

My hubs is home for a long weekend so I haven't gotten any reading done, but I promise I'll catch up.

[Shannon]

Logan wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Are we meant to know what the "Others" are yet? I think because I'm reading Strange the Dreamer at the moment I am picturing them as godspawn."

Not really. I found the distinction..."

That's it.

[Shannon]

Logan wrote: "Yes! Poor Micah! And the direwolves always break my heart.

I'm behind a little on audio. Just got through Jon leaving for the wall and Dany's wedding. It has been really fun going back to the beg..."

I'm an oddball in that regard, Dany chapters are some of my least favorite. I enjoy her on the show though, so I'm actually interested to see if that effects my feelings on this reread.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Thanks Logan!

I really like Dany's character so far too. At first I just felt so awful for her being treated like that, and at such a young age, but that last chapter where she stands up for herself with the brother and takes control in the bedroom with that brute of a husband was awesome. I'm keen to see where her character goes!

[Kaitlyn]

I just recently finished all the GOT books. It took me over a year because of how complex and detailed they are. Also, as a few others have mentioned, I had my favorite POV chapters and if there was a long stretch of side characters or POVs I didn't enjoy as much, I would slow down significantly. If you stick with it though, it is such a rewarding read! I saw the entire show before I read the books also, and I find that they are almost completely separate experiences. The show branches so much from the books that it's almost like two realities where you can see what happens if a character takes a different path.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you all think! It's hard to find someone else that will dedicate SO MUCH to a single series.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

That's a great way to describe the books v show, thanks Kaitlyn!

My husband read the first 4 books when they were released and he got annoyed because he said all of the "good ones" died. He wants to watch the show though, so I said once I've finished book 1 we will dive into series 1.

My biggest problem at the moment is that my library loan is about to expire and I'm only half way through book 1. So it looks like (unfortunately) I may have a forced break while I wait for my hold to be available again (hopefully only a few days!!)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I finished chapter 39 and the loan expired. Ah! Now I need to wait for it to become available again (I'm #2 on 2 copies so shouldn't be long)

- I loved the descriptions of Catelyn and co. going to her sister. What an awful place to live!

-I'm kind of warming to Tyrion (I guess I feel empathy for someone stuck in a cell there!) and I don't believe he had knowledge about what was attempted on Bran

- So intrigued to see what happens with Dany now that the King wants to kill any potential heir in utero. Makes me wonder why they didn't just kill her before she was pregnant? Seems an interesting way to stop future enemies that's for sure

[Shannon]

I'm caught up with you.

I'm amazed at how much detail I've forgotten, so I'm enjoying it.

[Shannon]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "I finished chapter 39 and the loan expired. Ah! Now I need to wait for it to become available again (I'm #2 on 2 copies so shouldn't be long)

- I loved the descriptions of Catelyn and co. going to..."

The Eyrie sound awful! I'm terrified of heights, so just thinking about it makes me tingly. Lyssa is a nutjob.

[Shannon]

I just finished chapter 48. I'm going to wait for you, cause I know things are about to really start happening, and I want to talk about it! ;)

[Logan]

I finished chapter 19 on the way home tonight. I'm warming up to the narration. And no matter whether I'm reading or listening, it really is quite an impressive bit of writing. I'm laughing at myself for giving it 3 stars! Lol!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Lol Logan!

Ah - Shannon I'm so annoyed about this library loan. Hopefully I get it back before I go on holidays this weekend!

[sonya]

I'll read it with you

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Welcome Sonya :)

My library loan became available again (yay!) so I've begun again. Just into chapter 43 now

[Shannon]

Woot! Woot!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Just finished chapter 47

Ah. What an end for Viserys. I love Dany's line that he therefore must have never been a dragon.
Her character is one of the most interesting for me. Especially because of the barbaric nature of the Dothraki

[Shannon]

Wasn't it a great end? He's one death you don't quite feel bad about. ;)

Guess I'll start reading again as you're right behind me if not caught up at this point.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Definitely don't feel bad about him! And she tried so hard to stop him from being an idiot too

I forgot to ask about Bronn. He was a new character to us when he stepped forward to fight for Tyrion wasn't he? There are so many characters - maybe I missed him earlier!! :o

[Shannon]

Bronn was one of the sellswords that joined them on their way to Cat's sister. Tyrion had spent a lot of time talking to all the sellswords on the way. Don't worry about missing him, I don't remember them focusing too much on their names. But he will be around for awhile. I actually really love Bronn and Tyrion together.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Ah cool, yes that makes sense :) Thanks! (Doesn't help that I had that break of reading this in between either!!)

[Logan]

Bronn is one of my faves too!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I'm into chapter 65

I don't even know where to start.... there is just SO MUCH going on! Eeek!

I did wonder how the Daenerys storyline was going to weave itself in, so that is really interesting how that all came about. And I *can not* believe that I actually feel sorry for Drogo! And I hope he doesn't die mainly because then I'm worried what will happen to Dany.
And Ned. Ah! I thought he was smarter than that. Little Finger totally did a number on him
I can't even remember what else since I last popped in
Oh! Jon. Poor Jon. I hope his hand heals

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I finished - ah! What an ending!
I wasn't intending to start book two quite yet but I feel like I have no choice because otherwise I'll forget everything and get confused with all the characters. Lol

Anyone else moving on to book 2?

[Logan]

I plan to keep chugging along on audio for book 1, but I'll probably jump to reading the rest since I haven't gotten through book 2 ever. And I really only like to listen to stuff I've already read because my mind wanders too much. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol Logan

Hopefully you can finish book 2 this time ;)