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Game of Thrones/A Song of Fire & Ice Series
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I read A Game of Thrones a couple years ago on my husband's recommendation. We are now watching the series together. It's enjoyable, but way too violent for me. I cringe at least once every episode, and sometimes seriously can't watch a whole scene. The book didn't seem that gory to me. But it's HBO, so they have to do what they do best - sex and violence.I haven't read the rest of the book series, but am planning to before each season comes out.
I read all the books out so far and really love the series.
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It's HBO. The books aren't that graphic.
I was going to picknit up at Target today and then I hesitated so I am glad to know that too.
I'm not going to say there's no sex in the book because there is. However it isn't as bad as HBO makes it out to be. They are just taking stuff that was in the book and embellishing it.
I read them before, but now watching it I have forgotten a lot of things so I will probably reread them soon. The fifth book comes out this summer, so I suppose that's another reason to reread the first four.
Hey Tera, regarding your question on the violence and if it is in the stories? HBO is playing it up without question, but it's there in the book. Somehow it is just more shocking to see rather than to read. If you are uncomfortable with violence, you may still be uncomfortable with the books. The only way to know however is to try. I think it's a worthy gamble. I'm on book three currently and can't stop myself from reading. Wishing I could go without sleep to finish, but am shocked to the core each time I read. The things/stories/plot points no one else has the courage to do, Martin does! Not once... or twice... but repeatedly. These stories are much less fantasy than any other fantasy I've read. It's political intrigue, murder mystery, gritty medieval chivalry and oh so many other subtle things.
For instance, the central mystery that starts the plot going in the first book is basically solved much quicker than I anticipated, but the author doesn't forget the web he's woven nor the ripple effect set in motion. And those who are affected by that first mystery delve deeper into an understanding of what truly happened and why, thereby causing the wheel to turn again. Make sense?
Okay, so for those who are watching the HBO series, I can't for the life of me figure out who one of the characters is. At Winterfell now (after Ned & Catelyn have left) there are 2 young men pictured conversing there all the time. One of them is Robb Stark. Who is the other one? I know he's not a Stark, but who is he? What's his name?
His name is Theon Greyjoy. He is a ward of the Stark family, but in this case, "ward" means "hostage." His father ended up on the losing side of the battle that made Robert King of the Seven Kingdoms and as a result Theon, last surviving son of House Greyjoy, was taken from his father to grow-up amongst the Starks. Perhaps in hopes of taming him. Doesn't look like they are suceeding, eh?
Thank you! I don't know how people who watch the TV show without reading the book keep all these characters straight.
HBO has done a nice viewers' guide online that you can look at: http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-...But I'm always here to talk to. I'm nearing the end of the third book now and am so intrigued. As bananas and unexpected some events are, the story is so deftly woven and Martin has a penchant as well as a gift for subtle sentences that scare, shock and amuse. This is a series I've long been encouraged to read, but am glad I waited for this moment when HBO brought it to tv. It's fun to share the unfolding with friends. :)
I'm about 2/3 of the way through the 1st book. It's more full of twist and turns than any other story I've read in a long time. Martin does a good job of the political intrigue. Some of the stuff is not new to me.. My DH says he wouldn't have ever discussed the books with them if he thought I would ever read them. So some of the big shockers, I already know. I will say the first 100 to 200 pages are slow. It takes a little bit to pick up.
The HBO misses some of the finer subplots and interactions (like Theon Greyjoy) but it's pretty faithful. There is a lot of a violence but it doesn't seem as graphic as the show, which may be it's the difference between what my imagination will allow vs. actually seeing it.
Since the 5th book is coming out this summer, the internet is just rife with rumors about what's going to happen. I'm not sure I can be ready for the 5th by the time it gets here, which is fine, because I'd have to fight my DH for it.
Viola, I have read all the books thus far and I can help you keep track of characters even if i have to look it up again. I usually have to get the book out while I watch the show to refresh on some of the minor characters.
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@Jackie -- My husband knows how much I hate spoilers. I'm the extreme one who wants to know nothing about a book before I read it -- not even the premise. And one day, when I was in the middle of reading it, we had a misunderstanding about where I was in the book ... (wait, are we allowed to give away spoilers on this thread?)... anyways, he gave away a HUGE spoiler for me before I read it. SO SAD! I hate spoilers with a passion.
I am going to start reading it soon. I can't wait. If there is a Book, I like reading it before I watch the movie/series.
@Viola - ooh that's terrible. I'm having the same trouble right now. My husband and I read the first book simultaneously but then I've passed him up and I have to be very very careful what I say. I ask him where he is but then just nod and don't say much. It's agonizing!
My copy of A Feast for Crows is on it's way from Amazon. I'd love to do a buddy read of that one with anyone...
I'd be happy to do a read with someone or a group. I'm not ready for Feast though. I'm still working through book 1.@Viola - I'm funny about spoilers, sometimes I care, sometimes I don't - I think it depends on how much of a twist it is and how vested I am in the book. The bigger the bomb, the more I mind. Little things, I don't bother me. In his defense, I'd heard him talk about these books and the plots in them for years (literally). If he ever thought I was going to read them, he wouldn't have said anything. He hates spoilers, too. I skip ahead in books sometimes and when he catches me doing that, he always gives me a hard time.
I will say I'm already ready for someone to stab Cersei in the eye. STAB her. She reminds me of the way I felt about Atia from Rome. I was ready for her to get her due as well and then HBO canceled the series.
I will do a buddy read. i am caught up in all of them but I was thinking of doing a reread of Game of Thrones just to refresh my memory.
@Jackie -- Haha. I liked Atia from Rome. I think I liked her a more than Cersei. And I mean I liked Atia in the sense that she was a really great character that added a lot to the story. Clearly, they both are intended not to be "likeable" characters.The character that really drove me nuts was Viserys, and was so happy when he got what he deserved.
yeah, I know. That was the best. :)
My favorite series of all times! I never thought I'd get into the fantasy genre, but it had just enough of a historical fiction feel to it that I fell in love! I've read them all twice, and the show on HBO is amazing!
@Kimberly -- Yes, that's exactly what sold me on the book. I'm not into fantasy at all and don't like things that are not real. My husband suggested A Game of Thrones to me because of its lack of fantasy elements.
i wouldn't say lack. It just has no magic involved or very little.
I guess I'm seeing the disadvantage of knowing what is about to happen because I've gotten to the part of the book where the big twist (which I already know) is coming and I don't know if I want to read it.Some of the fantasy elements become a little more to the forefront later on. A few of which, I'm looking forwarding to seeing how they do on the show.
I just picked up the first book yesterday... I haven't watched the show though... so I guess Im in for all the surprises :)
Kat (LvnEvryMin) wrote: "I just picked up the first book yesterday... I haven't watched the show though... so I guess Im in for all the surprises :)"You will love it! The first book is a little hard to get into...at first....but after the first couple of chapters it's hard to put down! There are just so many names that you need to remember...so it's a little confusing during the first book...I read it a second time recently, and there was so much I missed the first time around!
Enjoy!
I found the index with all the houses helpful. So if you need to look who someone is, it is right there.
I love this series, but I'm not reading any more of the books until the series is finished. It was five years in between the last two books, and six in between the last book and the one coming out this year, and then there's two more to come after that at some future point. I simply can't remember the plots and details of books that far apart!
Well it will be awhile until you can read it in its entirity.
I can wait. No choice unless Martin writes faster!
I sort of hope that the series pushes him to get the last two books done faster than he has been.
He is writing the sixth. I would hope so too since the series is gaining new fans.
Martin does take a long time to get his books written. My husband says all the time he's afraid Martin won't get it done before he croaks (morbid, I know). I've been dragging on the last bite of No. 1.. I so don't want to read what I know is coming. Season 2 has been picked up for the show.
yeah, I hope Martin doesn't pull a Robert Jordan.
I'd love to join a buddy read on this series. I've read them all, and would love to read them again.
I am starting on Game of Thrones today.
I am 25% into the book.
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A Game of Thrones (other topics)A Feast for Crows (other topics)
A Game of Thrones (other topics)
After the HBO series came on, I tried it again and I'm pretty hooked atm. Martin's story crafting has suckered me in. Seeing Peter Dinklage as Tyrion had nothing to do with it at all. :)
Anyone else reading or watching the show?