Reading ASOIAF

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 3:46 pm

OK, I give... What is ASOIAF? I take it it's a series written by this Tad Williams person? You have talked enough about it that I have a general idea about the mood and writing style, but I still don't know the actual title of the series.

Post by **Zahir** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 5:01 pm

ASOFAI is "A Song of Fire and Ice" by George R.R.Martin. So far there are three books in the series, with a fourth one on the way. I myself have not yet begun reading them, but I gather they take place in an island land dominated by four major houses. Also, the author's style is very gritty and angsty.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 6:57 pm

The three books written so far are called A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, and A Storm of Swords. There is also a short story called The Hedge Knight that is set a bit further back in time from the main series (you can find it in the Legends anthology, and is often referred to as the Dunk and Egg story after the nicknames of its two major characters). The books are set on the continent of Westeros, which is ruled by a high king, who usurped the throne about fifteen or so years back. The land is governed by several major families, who used to rule many smaller kingdoms until the realm was united by the old royal family. There are a LOT of tensions simmering just below the surface...
Some of the action is also set on a continent across the sea, where a young princess from the old dynasty lives in exile...
If you think Donaldson sticks it to his characters, you would not believe what Martin does to his...
The books are very character driven, and he changes the points of view with each chapter. It is a bit odd, but when you get further into books it's really cool, because you can see some of the most important events from more than one set of eyes. He also lets you see his world from the eyes of people who are often ignored in high fantasy, like dreamy little girls to grieving women to the physically handicapped, well, you get the idea. He actually lets you see what is happening to the peasants and the lowborn when the nobles play their game of thrones.
I think that Martin is like Donaldson. People either love his stuff or hate it, without much middle ground.
He is in the process of writing his next book, A Feast for Crows, and will have another Dunk and Egg story released later this year as well, in Legends 2. He says two more books after Crows, his wife says three. I've heard that their tentative titles will be A Dance With Dragons and A Time for Wolves.

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Mon Mar 17, 2003 3:12 am

Spoiler

Well, the first three characters introduced are all dead in by page 15. Off to a good start!

Gotta love this one though:
"Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?"
"That is the only time a man can be brave."

A classic thought, nicely said.

So what's with the middle initial "R" in fantasy authors' names? Tolkein and Martin even needed 2 of 'em! Did Donaldson considers 2 to be bragging, so stuck with the one?

Post by **danlo** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 1:10 am

Group read of Martin's Storm of Swords @ the Hangar (hit my www 2 get there) I've said this elsewhere, but just a reminder that our group read is now @ chapter 6! Damelon will start Sansa tonight and I will do 7, Jon, 2mrrow. Please join us!

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Tue May 13, 2003 7:11 am

Our Storm of Swords group read is chugging along to chapter 18. We also have a lot of fun Martin ASOIAF polls to vote in, so pop on over and have some fun with us!
pub189.ezboard.com/bahirashangar

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Tue May 13, 2003 9:44 pm

I just finished A Clash of Kings, and I loved it! I can definitely at least two nods to other authors--the Red God of Melisandre and Stannis is the Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny? Then, on the Wall, there's Qhorin Halfhand, SRD?

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Tue May 13, 2003 9:45 pm

I just finished A Clash of Kings, and I loved it! I can definitely at least two nods to other authors--the Red God of Melisandre and Stannis is the Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny? Then, on the Wall, there's Qhorin Halfhand, SRD?

That pic of Robert is kind of depressing to me, since we see him here in all his glory, slaying the blood of the dragon, while we see him later where he is overweight, and drunk. He hated being king.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Tue May 13, 2003 10:41 pm

Isn't that a great picture? It's by one of the artists working on the comic book version of the Hedge Knight.

Post by **Damelon** » Thu May 15, 2003 3:46 am

Lord Mhoram wrote:I just finished A Clash of Kings, and I loved it!

Got you hooked eh..

One more to go and your caught up!

Post by **OsRavan** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:04 am

there are tons of nods to other authors including donaldson yes.

how jordayne of the tor.. with their sigil being a quil comes to mind.

house vance in dorne as well.

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:49 pm

Os,

house vance in dorne as well.

Good call, I didn't catch that one.

Post by **OsRavan** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:26 pm

though excuse me vance is in the riverlands. was late last night. heh was confusing it with house vaith.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Reading ASOIAF