A Song of Ice & Fire

[Demonblade]

Don't know if we have any big readers here, but if you've not read the Song of Ice & Fire books, I can't recommend them highly enough.

I thought I had "outgrown" fantasy books, having not read any in years, but an article in Time Magazine proclaiming George R.R. Martin the "new Tolkien" had me intruiged. So I picked up A Game of Thrones, the first book in the series. WOW (no pun intended), it was unlike any fantasy I'd ever read.

Yes there was magic, but in the background. There were no orcs or trolls, but instead, human on human conflict. It was THE most adult fantasy I'd ever read, despite the fact that many of the main characters are children.

(There are also small references in WOW to the books, such as the devious Stormwind gnome Tyrion.)

In any case, if you're looking for a flat-out AMAZING read, go out today and pick up A Game of Thrones. And then say goodbye to WOW for a while, because you won't want to do ANYTHING but read.

[Kris_xK]

They are excellent books. I read the first 2 ages ago... I now own the 3rd and 4th books, but still havent read them, simply because I dont have the time to go back and reread the first two books.

Keep meaning to tho.

[Demonblade]

Originally Posted by Kris_xK

They are excellent books. I read the first 2 ages ago... I now own the 3rd and 4th books, but still havent read them, simply because I dont have the time to go back and reread the first two books.

Keep meaning to tho.

You should. The third is, in my opinion, the best of the series. And it has one of the most jaw-dropping moments I've ever read in a book.

[Yatsuya]

i might have to go take a look at these books, they sound interesting

[Nrgyplant]

This series is the best read ever in a fantasy book. Far superior to Shanara (any Series and I have read them all, including the last)

I for one have read the 1st, 2nd and 3rd and am currently reading the 4th and the 5th is suppose to be out next year. I found this author and series by searching for a fantasy series and this kept poping up. I through I would give it a try and from page 1 to 890 of book #1 I did little else. I couldn't put it down. Same thing with Book 2 and 3. I ripped right through them. Book 3 is by far the best I have read.

A few things to keep in mind. The Fire and Ice series is not written like any other book or story I have read, fantasy, fiction or what have you. There is not one main character, but many. The protagonist (protagonist's in this case) don't alway 'WIN' as in every other story you read. The antagonist (antagonist's in this case) don't always lose. The one thing about this story is that the chapters are based on a characters point of view in the world. In book 1 it seems kinda of intresting, but that is because all the main characters are in the same place in the world. This is something that soon changes and you find yourself reading a story that just turned global. It is quite mind blowing and extremely intresting.

The down side is that Book 4 & 5 were originally supose to be one book. Split into two for what I would guess is marketing and shear size. This lead to some side stories that didn't really 'pick-up' where book 3 left off. When book 3 was over I couldn't beleive that I actually had to wait for book 4 and I bought it the day it released in hard cover, which I never do (except with the last book in the Shanara Series).

Anyway ... this is really a must read and to be honest has very very little to do with Magic, but there are Dragons. I actually think anyone who likes a well written story will like this regardless of whether or not they like fantasy.

~Nrgy

[Demonblade]

Originally Posted by Nrgyplant

The protagonist (protagonist's in this case) don't alway 'WIN' as in every other story you read. The antagonist (antagonist's in this case) don't always lose.

How right you are. I should have pointed that out in my intial post. The good guys don't always predictibly win. In fact, the good guys frequently get the living crap kicked out of them. That is, when you can tell who the good guys are. It's not always black and white.

[Kris_xK]

Its that lack of all-powerful main hero themes that make me enjoy this series... unlike a lot of series (Ie Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth) theres not one main hero with 85 different titles/prophicies, and no ones been waiting for a billion years for a hero to save them.

Oh, and I have read the third book... you're right, I almost fell out of my chair when (Slight Spoiler) a charecter i thought gone came back.

[Shadowreaver]

Originally Posted by Kris_xK

Its that lack of all-powerful main hero themes that make me enjoy this series... unlike a lot of series (Ie Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth) theres not one main hero with 85 different titles/prophicies, and no ones been waiting for a billion years for a hero to save them.

I am definitely going to have to check this series out then.

[Demonblade]

Originally Posted by Kris_xK

Its that lack of all-powerful main hero themes that make me enjoy this series... unlike a lot of series (Ie Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth) theres not one main hero with 85 different titles/prophicies, and no ones been waiting for a billion years for a hero to save them.

Oh, and I have read the third book... you're right, I almost fell out of my chair when (Slight Spoiler) a charecter i thought gone came back.

That wasn't what knocked me out of my chair. It was the "(SPOILER) Wedding" chapter. The closest thing the books has to a traditional hero is Jon. Ultimately, I think the books will come down to a showdown between him and Danni. (He being the Ice, her being the Fire.)

And, I guess this doesn't count as a spoiler because it's pure specultion on my part, but I think they're brother and sister.

Another thing I like about the series is how even the most evil characters (you know who I'm talking about if you've read the books) can slowly begin to work towards redemption.

[Decardo]

Hmmmm have books one and two on my shelves from a while ago and totaly enjoyed them....books 3 and 4 are out now are they......

<Dec logs Amazon to order them, turns PC off to go re-read one and two>

Cya all when BC is out