Anyone here like George RR Martin?

[Memnoch]

I just bought his first book in the Song of Fire and Ice series, "A Game Of Thrones". I'm waiting for Terry Goodkind's book 9 "Naked Empire" so I thought I'd give another series a try. I was going to get Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, but apparently the series really deteriorates after Book 6 or something. I also wanted to get some of the Elric books, but there were 2 omnibuses there with overlapping stories and I didn't know what the sequence was, so I held off.

So what can I expect with George RR? No spoilers please. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 02-06-2003, 08:24 AM: Message edited by: Memnoch ]

[Legolas]

He's a good author. His books have a decent plot and background, and characters you'll like. But it's his talent to make it seem like the setting truely is medievil (despite the different world and bits of magic it really seemed to be almost authentic) through his writing style, conversations and descriptions which I think is his greatest plus. I've read quite a few fantasy books, but the 'realism' in this one is something else again. You'll like it.

I prefer Goodkinds writings, but Martin runs a close second.

[Thoran]

I'm the oppsite... I prefer Martin to Goodkind (though he's quite good also). Martin has impressive character development to go along with complex and artfully twisted plot. He'll make you hate him in one chapter but he'll keep you coming back. It seems he more loosely follows the "Epic Fantasy" form than most Fantasy authors out there... it's more of a framework within which he builds a very "gritty" (for lack of a better word) story. You'll see when you get into the story... he kills sacred cow after sacred cow. Whatever rules you think Epic Fantasy has... he breaks em. His world may not have Tolkein scope, but his recreation of court intrigue certainly makes "the Game of Houses" in "the Wheel of Time" look like childs play.

[Davros]

Martin or Goodkind - no contest - TKO to the former (in my opinion Goodkind started dropping the ball after bok 2). Martin certainly doesn't mind throwing in a shock plot twist or three, and killing some people you thought were major characters. I have found all of Martins books to be very good reads - waiting for the next one.

[Luvian]

Humm.... How can I say it without spoiling...

Oh! I know! G.R.R. Martin is my god. I bought his series in both english and french, and there is not a day in wich I don't think of it.

Martin's "A song of ice and fire" series is the best, followed by The "Axis" and "Wayfarer: Redemption" trilogies by Sara Douglass.

[Kinslayer]

Martin's writing style is one of the most unique ones I've come across in the fantasy genre. As mentioned previously, he makes everything so believable. His greatest skill though is in making the so called "evil" characters so three dimensional. rather than have the baddie kill someone on a whim, just because he's evil, all of them have very clear and understandable motives. He uses this skill to great effect as you read through the series by suddenly exploring these characters in further detail and almost making you agree with their actions! The mark of a great writer.

[Luvian]

Originally posted by Kinslayer: Martin's writing style is one of the most unique ones I've come across in the fantasy genre. As mentioned previously, he makes everything so believable. His greatest skill though is in making the so called "evil" characters so three dimensional. rather than have the baddie kill someone on a whim, just because he's evil, all of them have very clear and understandable motives. He uses this skill to great effect as you read through the series by suddenly exploring these characters in further detail and almost making you agree with their actions! The mark of a great writer.

I agree 100%. He is my inspiration as a writer.

[HolyWarrior]

One of the best things about ASOIAF is that it is an almost no-magic world. Also, don't get too attached to the characters, as Martin offs them with alacrity. I remember at the end of Storm of Swords where I about threw the book across the room after a popular character was killed off.

[Luvian]

Originally posted by HolyWarrior: One of the best things about ASOIAF is that it is an almost no-magic world. Also, don't get too attached to the characters, as Martin offs them with alacrity. I remember at the end of Storm of Swords where I about threw the book across the room after a popular character was killed off.

True, but watch out for spoilers.

[Sneeki Two]

Dont worry Luvian, so much happened in Storm of Swords that nothing was spoiled with that statement. I agree though. I love this series. There were times when I laughed out load, giggled like a school girl(I'm a 33 yr old male btw, hehe), and exclaimed "DAMNNNN!!!, I can't believed he did that" outload. Very few books move me like this series.

My first epic size series was Robert Jordans. (Loved it, though they are starting to taper some).

I picked up Goodkind to fill in the space between Jordan's slow writing. (Liked it also, but not quite as much as Jordan, though Goodkinds last one was iffy.)

Picked up Martin while waiting for the previous two's new releases. Best of all of them. I NOW read Goodkind and Jordan between Martin books. I really like the way he arranges the chapters also. I just finished Jordan's new one and was wishing he would hop around between characters more frequently like Martin. I was going thru chapters and chapters of one storyline trying to get done so I could get back to the one that held my interest more.

In short, I think you'll love the series. Just be prepared to buy the next two right away if you already havent.

Awaiting Feast for Crows (da next one)