I've recently started reading George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones which is part of the acclaimed Song of Ice and Fire series. The book is split into two, smaller, 600-page books. I've read the first one in 2 days and a half and I must say that it is the best thing to come out after Tolkien's Lord of the Rings when it comes to epic fantasy. Because of the way it's written though, one could say that Martin's work belongs to the low fantasy genre, because it isn't like in LOTR, all black and white. In this story there are no real villains, and while the heroes are many they are all flawed to some extent, making the characters extremely realistic. Despite their flaws, I managed to get attached to many of the characters quite quickly, from the honoured user (he actually is an illegitimate child) Jon Snow to Daenerys, last of the Targaryen line. Another cool thing in this series, besides the well-developed characters, is the political intrigue. The kingdom of Westeros is full of noble houses of varying size, the main players however are the houses Stark, Lannister, Tully, Arryn and Baratheon. The conflicts between these houses, especially the Starks and the Lannisters, are simply delightful to watch.

This book however is a book that will make you sad and that will make you think after turning each page what might happen next. Since anyone can die in this book, you never quite know what to expect and a lot of the events which will happen will positively keep you on the edge of your seat, so to say. Wounds from battle can sometimes get more and more severe over time, eventually leading to death. The book itself isn't structured in conventional chapters, each chapter bearing the name of the character whose point of view is featured. Thus, a chapter might be titled Jon or Daenerys based on whose POV is featured. These chapters jump from character to character, keeping the book fresh and preventing one theme from getting too old. Thus, one chapter might abound with political intrigue while the other might feature the comings and goings of a soldier serving on the Wall, in the North.

I honestly reccomend this book to any fan of fantasy novels and novels featuring a realistic, medieval world with knights, tournaments, noble houses and gripping characters since, quite honestly, this is the best one out there.

This post has been edited by Agent Griff: Dec 3 2007, 12:02 PM

"A Song of Ice and Fire" is definitely an excellent series so far. The only regrettable part with the last book is that Martin had to split certain characters into two books, so, "A Feast For Crows" and the upcoming one, don't have all the characters you want to read about. He does add some new, interesting ones though...

Personally I would've though he'd had the next book out all ready. Like, when "Feast For Crows" was released it sounded like he basically had the next book finished all ready, he was only going to wait a year to put it out to give it a final edit. Frustrating...

I finished A Game of Thrones Tuesday. It's been a thrilling journey through the lands of Westeros, a journey which began Friday night and ended Tueday night. I'm amazed at how fast I read 2 books of 640+ and 550+ pages respectively.

After reading the first book in the series, I must say that the critics are right, George R.R. Martin truly is the american version of J.R.R. Tolkien, and that A Song of Ice and Fire is the heir of Lord of the Rings. I just love his writing style, it makes the characters appear so very alive. It gives them all personality and it also makes them very realistic, I mean there's not a clean-cut hero in the whole cast of characters. Only flawed protagonists. Martin has a way of even making you admire the so-called villains, the Lannisters.

Even characters who appear unappealing and brutish at first, like Sandor Clegane, develop a charm of their own over time, growing as a character. The characters also have hopes and dreams, ideals to accomplish. One character from example, a boy from a noble family, has a dream of becoming a knight, even though the circumstances aren't very favourable (I won't spoil anything since spoilers are horrid). Characters also develop over time, showing visible change in the way they act. If someone like Sansa may appear all girly and idealistic at first, give her time and you'll see that she will change over time, in accord with her surroundings. Despite the fact that some characters will grow to be favourites, all of the POV characters are enjoyable to follow through their (miss)adventures.

As someone who has also read A Song of Ice and Fire I suspect you shall agree with my oppinions, Lord Mallet. Oops. Sorry. Just that all this lords, ladies and knights business has really given me a feel for honour and chivalry, though they are alien concepts to some of the knights in the book.

This post has been edited by Agent Griff: Dec 6 2007, 07:10 PM

Well, recently I've started something trully interesting - Philip Pullman's triology His Dark Material. So far, I got hrough the Subtle Knife, and should get my hands on the last book shortly, though I must say, the ending of book two left me both quite shocked and sad at the same time. It is an awesome series, and I just can't wait to read the third book.

Yes, I know exactly what you're talking about. I've been anxiously awaiting on any news about the release date of his next book. I even decided to read one of his older, non-fantasy books, The Armageddon Rag and found that book to be riveting as well.

Ah yes. The dark materials are truely spectacular. Lyra's world is amusingly different from ours in their histories too...

I'm working my way though Robin Hobb's Royal Assassin. Nothing very special but the 1st person perspective is fun and its nice and light for while I have exams. It doesn't live up to the first of the series though.

It a lot better than Applicable Mathematics though which seems to be consuming my life in a way oblivion never came close to. :/

I'm currently re-reading The Lord of the Rings. It's always been one of my favorites, and it has been a few years since I've actually read it.

If these books by Mr. Martin are as good as some have been saying, I'll have to give them a try. I'm always on the lookout for good fantasy novels to read.

I'm not sure you're familiar with the swedish author Jan Guillou, but I'm currently reading his newest novel, "Madame Terror" It's about a female terrorist from Lebanon, living in Sweden...I've sort of just started reading it but it is promising!

Currently not reading anything, however I think the next thing to do is reread the His Dark Materials trilogy. Great books
Been to long since I read them.... so technically, I'm reading The Northern Lights (That's The Golden Compass, for all you poor folks in America who didn't get it published under its real name)

Currently reading Heart of Darkness for my AP Senior English class.

Let's just say, I hate that book. I'm doing the assignments for it, but... still.

I am reading this don't ask me how I found it. Curiosity killed the cat.

Just like a hammerhead, ripping smaller fish to even smaller chunks.

This post has been edited by milanius: Dec 20 2007, 06:10 PM

Thursday I finished A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. I read half of it the day before. Marvelous book. Now I just have to see the damned movie.

Currently reading nothing.

I recently read the Orc King, by Salvatore, and then started on a trilogy that seems promising, the book of words trilogy by JV jones, though now I have to wait for the second book since it's ordered.

During my wait though I decided to re read A Song of Ice and Fire, the new book should be coming out in 2008 so I'd like to be prepared. I'm up to the first part of A Storm of Swords now

Storm Front by Jim Butcher- first book of the Dresden Files, which concern a wizard in modern-day Chicago who works as a private (magical) investigator.

I've barely started Soul of Nowhere, by Craig Childs. It can (in only part) be boiled down to a sort of desert asceticism (and aestheticism). That's simplistic. Desert wanderings and wonderings, if you will. But more. Anyway, since I spend much time doing that myself, it's good for me.

I just started I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. Didn't have much time, so I've only got the first chapter read, but so far it looks like it'll be an awesome, if disappointingly short, book.

EDIT: And... errr..... finished it about fifteen minutes ago. Kickass book, but damn is it short

It is awesome as it is short. It's also very tragic.

Sorry about the double post, dear benevolent mods and admins. It had to be done.

France Presern was a great Slovene [as in, modern day Slovenia] poet, boem and a very tragic figure. Out of his turbulent and tormenting life came some of the most beautiful songs written in Slav languages - here are just a few of them I picked:

http://www.preseren.net/ang/3_poezije/76_s...ni_venec-02.asp
http://www.preseren.net/ang/3_poezije/76_s...ni_venec-04.asp
http://www.preseren.net/ang/3_poezije/94_komur_srece_dar.asp
http://www.preseren.net/ang/3_poezije/63_posoda.asp

This post has been edited by milanius: Feb 12 2008, 12:45 AM

Recently finished reading "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin and now I'm reading the follow-up "A Clash of Kings". I have the entire series and I can't wait to read them all.

Before that, I reread the entire Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, up to "Thud!". I should really be getting "Making Money" soon.

oh! good choices. George RR Martin that is. Those books are very well written indeed.

Pratchett can be fun, but not everything I've read of him is as much fun. Or I don't think so anyway