One of my favourite chapters and moments in the whole series that I always find myself thinking about from time to time is from this book: the scene where Stannis and Renly meet on the hill with their Bannerman and argue over who should be the rightful king. Loved that chapter. No action or killing, just pure dialogue and drama. Love it.
I hear everything you are saying about these books and agree. Unfortunately, these books will be remembered as the poster children for a writer's unfulfilled promise to his readers to deliver a complete story.
This series is just incredible, huge in scope while still being dense, yet so readable. Btw the actor who played Joffrey retired from acting right after to go back into education. He never planned to be an actor long term. Imagine being that good and then just moving on to something new haha
It's really sad that the market is dead now for the medieval-euro centric classic fantasy. I wrote the first book of a series that was very much a smaller-scale ASOIAF type story. Character-centric, multiple POV, in a harsh/dark medieval setting. And I couldn't get it published. Its quite possible it just wasn't good enough (you never know for sure as a first-time author), but I got many responses from agents I queried. Nearly every one said a similar thing-- that the writing and story were well-executed, but euro-centric fantasy isn't selling anymore. What publishers want is non-white ethnic-centered fantasy like Chinese, Indian, African, etc. I'm guessing it's fatigue from long, book/TV series like Game of Thrones, The Last Kingdom, etc. Hopefully it will come back someday. Brandon Sanderson seems to be the only author writing classic fantasy anymore...and we all know he's a freak of nature.
Are they truly villains though? Even a powerhungry piece of sht like Littlefinger was motivated by love and a broken heart. The true villains in ASOIAF are really onedimensional: The Tickler, The Mountain, Vargo Hoat, Meryn Trant, Joffrey Lannister ...
@@devinreese7704 Devin, what I said exactly is doesn't write 'much' anymore, don't overlook that important qualifier. I've been reading GRRM since 1973 when he was a skinny little hippie who hadn't won his first Hugo yet. As a writer he's always avoided happy endings at all costs. I remember when ASOIAF was supposed to be a trilogy and then again when he claimed part two of A Feast for Crows would be out in a year (seemed like six to me); and before HBO destroyed his work ethic backing those dump trucks full of money into his driveway (GRRM's exact words, not speculation on my part). He's always been an amiable, charming guy and is to this day. When he does write it's with style and authority. He gives loads of money to charity. There's not much to dislike about him except his tendency to spin doctor like a politician in an election year. Staal, I can't agree every character you listed is one dimensional, but in an epic a few of the cast have to be one-note cannon fodder, or such epics might never get [ahem!] finished. In reality there are no truly b&w good guys/bad guys. In real life any POS you can name probably has some good qualities and genuine heartfelt motivation---when he's among friends and family. But once he dons his pointy little villain hat, those whom he despises had best seek cover.
My favorite one in the series. So heavy on intrigue and politics,. Action packed, but mentally. How good are those Tyrion chapters? The scheme he puts into place to find out who the snitch is at court. You're in first row as a reader, since everything is being explained through his own point of view, yet you barely know what he's doing or where this is going. When everything fell into place during that satisfying conclusion I was so impressed. Dang, the little fcker really had me there for a minute. And I'm one of those people who see twists and turns coming from a mile away hahaha.
Tyrion is the most original creation to ever come out of Martin's pen; the big boy may even have concocted a wholly new archetype. I still haven't forgiven Jaime. Cersei either. There's always more character development in fiction than reality.
Props to you on your research Brian! I recently read The Forgetting Moon and the research was well used! A fantastic read and I will be starting The Blackest Heart soon, looking forward to The Lonesome Crown this fall!
Easily the weakest book in the series for me. It took me multiple tries to push through and had to switch to audible just to finish it. It made the third book that much more epic after slogging through the second one. I would rather read gardens of the moon another half a dozen times then clash of kings just once.
Words cannot describe how much I hated this book. No redeeming qualities. He can kill off beloved characters and write amazing a-holes, but that’s where it ends for me…especially since the author will never finish the series. Worst book I ever finished.
