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IronDragon · 03-20-2003, 01:17 PM

Characters: All of the characters are fully drawn out, there are no cardboard cut outs just there to fill up space. All characters have understandable and consistent motivations for their actions. And they grow and change and that change isn’t always for the better. One of the most interesting things about Martin’s writings is the morality of his characters; none of them are all good or all bad. The characters we hate all believe that they are acting in the best interest of their loved ones or their country. There are no evil megalomaniacs running around trying to destroy the world. I recognize this makes it difficult to identify with a hero but it also makes it more true to life. In real life the good have flaws and the evil have virtues. Yes there are quite a number of them but I would be disappointed if there were only a small handful of characters populating the world.

Setting: The world Martin created for his series is far richer than just about any fantasy world I can think of. There are distinct cultures and landscapes. There is the feeling that this world has thousands of years of history behind it not because some scholar suddenly breaks into a history lesson telling the characters everything they already know but because the characters all act like there is a deep history here. There are lands that aren’t locked into European feudalism and yes we get to go visiting there.

Sacred Cows (or lack of them): Martin isn’t shy about killing off characters. Heroes are just as likely to get it as villains. I was also impressed with Martins’ willingness to have warriors be crippled or maimed in battle. Fighting with sword and axes is dangerous business and it’s ridiculous to think that anyone gets away scott free. One of the more surprising things in Martin’s books is that people have sex. What a concept.

Magic (and lack of it): Magic is here but it’s subtle and not flashy at all. There are no wise old wizards tossing lightning bolts around or magic swords or invisibility rings.

Politics: I know it sounds boring but it isn’t. Watching the characters twist and jockey for each scrap of personal power is a joy in itself.

Like a lot of other people I’m waiting for the fourth book in the series which according to Martins’ webpage still isn’t completed….sigh.
Guess that means I’ll have to play SoA again.

03-20-2003, 01:17 PM	#8
IronDragon Elminster Join Date: January 16, 2003 Location: Michigan Age: 59 Posts: 419	Characters: All of the characters are fully drawn out, there are no cardboard cut outs just there to fill up space. All characters have understandable and consistent motivations for their actions. And they grow and change and that change isn’t always for the better. One of the most interesting things about Martin’s writings is the morality of his characters; none of them are all good or all bad. The characters we hate all believe that they are acting in the best interest of their loved ones or their country. There are no evil megalomaniacs running around trying to destroy the world. I recognize this makes it difficult to identify with a hero but it also makes it more true to life. In real life the good have flaws and the evil have virtues. Yes there are quite a number of them but I would be disappointed if there were only a small handful of characters populating the world. Setting: The world Martin created for his series is far richer than just about any fantasy world I can think of. There are distinct cultures and landscapes. There is the feeling that this world has thousands of years of history behind it not because some scholar suddenly breaks into a history lesson telling the characters everything they already know but because the characters all act like there is a deep history here. There are lands that aren’t locked into European feudalism and yes we get to go visiting there. Sacred Cows (or lack of them): Martin isn’t shy about killing off characters. Heroes are just as likely to get it as villains. I was also impressed with Martins’ willingness to have warriors be crippled or maimed in battle. Fighting with sword and axes is dangerous business and it’s ridiculous to think that anyone gets away scott free. One of the more surprising things in Martin’s books is that people have sex. What a concept. Magic (and lack of it): Magic is here but it’s subtle and not flashy at all. There are no wise old wizards tossing lightning bolts around or magic swords or invisibility rings. Politics: I know it sounds boring but it isn’t. Watching the characters twist and jockey for each scrap of personal power is a joy in itself. Like a lot of other people I’m waiting for the fourth book in the series which according to Martins’ webpage still isn’t completed….sigh. Guess that means I’ll have to play SoA again. __________________ Ever notice that "What The Hell!" is always the right decision?- Marilyn Monroe