Man, these books are ridiculously amazing. God damn George taking months years to write the latest one, though.
To those who've never read it, it's basically a book series set in a low fantasy world with amazing characters, writing and PLOT. Lots and lots of plot. Here is the wikipedia article. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire) It's one of my recommended reads (out of about three, the other two being Severian of the Guild and Prince of Nothing) and George RR is definitely pushing to be one of my favourite authors of all time.
If you haven't read these, I'd really suggest you do so, especially before delving into this thread. The book has so much hidden meanings under the wording (George doesn't believe in exposition of any real sort), even scenes that should be straight forward aren't.
Oh, and remember, never trust Petyr Baelish.
Discussion points:-
Who do you think it is? I have a sneaking suspicion that not everything's what it seems, here.
Servant of the Others, or just a powerful sorceror of some sort? There's a lot going on, here.
What do you suspect Daenarys will be doing with her black now it's eating kiddies?
the other two being Severian of the Guild
I think that one is an acquired taste. It's a bit hard to get into it, but once you do it's a really clever saga.
Petyr BaelishServant of the Others, or just a powerful sorceror of some sort? There's a lot going on, here.
err, why would he be either? He just seems
a really clever politician
Snow's motherWho do you think it is? I have a sneaking suspicion that not everything's what it seems, here.
Snow is the one character that GRRM has been treating as a fantasy standard for the last few books (granted, he claims he will bring him down to grit in the upcoming one). As such, I suspect that he will be played straight with the things hinted so far, and he will turn to be Raeghar's son.
I think, with the dragons bit, that its eating of babies is a natural part of its growing cycle, which she will need to leave be if she ever wants to reclaim her place on the throne and get out of the miserable South (not that she won't at least try for a solution, but it won't work). Unless she puts its hunger to good use on bandits or something, which is a little crazy. Personally, I just don't think the baby eating thing is that big of a deal in the book, I think it was mostly for flavor (heh, flavor, I made a funny :D).
There's a sample chapter on his website revealing it as a new thing she must deal with. (http://web.archive.org/web/20071128063403/http://www.georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html)
And, yeah, they are ridiculously amazing, so stop complaining about how long it takes him!!! I'm willing to wait patiently outside his goddamn house until he finishes it!
That's the point! And the fact he did all the boring characters in the latest book!
the other two being Severian of the Guild
I think that one is an acquired taste. It's a bit hard to get into it, but once you do it's a really clever saga.
I always thought the most difficult part was the first book. Getting through the Dickensian-esque writing, mainly, although it's filled so much foreshadowing you'd be an idiot to skip it.
Petyr BaelishServant of the Others, or just a powerful sorceror of some sort? There's a lot going on, here.
err, why would he be either? He just seems
a really clever politician
I was mainly basing it off the fact he was casting spells in the latest book, personally, or at least appeared to be. Burning herbs in braziers, making people get confused so he wins arguments etc etc. Also, luck seems to swing in his favour MUCH too often, even when he doesn't plan it to. Then again, a lot of other things also just suggest that he's using considerable amounts of cash to get his way.
Snow's motherWho do you think it is? I have a sneaking suspicion that not everything's what it seems, here.
Snow is the one character that GRRM has been treating as a fantasy standard for the last few books (granted, he claims he will bring him down to grit in the upcoming one). As such, I suspect that he will be played straight with the things hinted so far, and he will turn to be Raeghar's son.
So it's not as secret as I thought. =( And yeah, considering what the chapters about his birth are, it definitely seems that way.
I was mainly basing it off the fact he was casting spells in the latest book, personally, or at least appeared to be. Burning herbs in braziers, making people get confused so he wins arguments etc etc. Also, luck seems to swing in his favour MUCH too often, even when he doesn't plan it to. Then again, a lot of other things also just suggest that he's using considerable amounts of cash to get his way.
Hmm, you know, I dont recall the , but as for the rest, you might have a point, and in a way it makes sense magic does work like that in ASOIF (aka: just making stuff happen vs D&D "cast fireball" magic). Remember how the target's of Melissandre's spell in the third book -Joffrey, Rob, and Lord Greyjoy- end up dead in apparently (?) unrelated mishaps.
Hmm, you know, I dont recall the , but as for the rest, you might have a point, and in a way it makes sense magic does work like that in ASOIF (aka: just making stuff happen vs D&D "cast fireball" magic). Remember how the target's of Melissandre's spell in the third book -Joffrey, Rob, and Lord Greyjoy- end up dead in apparently (?) unrelated mishaps.
I can't remember where it is, I'd find it in the book if I had it with me. I THINK it's just before he meets up with the lords to discuss custody of his son..