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No, but you are extremely widely read in this genre so it's very interesting to get such a strong adverse opinion on books which the majority go gah gah over.

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Fantastic read! That's one author who's not afraid to take unexpected paths with his characters. There are two more books to this series, A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords, with 2 more coming called A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons. The series is called Song of Ice and Fire.

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I am not a George Martin fan, Game of thrones, was purchased for me a present so I had to read it... if I could have I would have thrown it in the bin... and I never do that to books...

As a writer he is good... but this story leaves me cold, no pun intended. It is 850 pages too long in my opinion.

I have a copy if anyone wants it they are welcome to it.

Cheers
Steve

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That's odd. You'd probably be one of the few who don't rave about his work. Personally I loved it but I got so involved in my writing that I didn't finish all the books. I will get there.

Do you like Guy Gavriel Kay, Steve?

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I think what set Martin apart originally was his willingness to have characters, both good and bad, with human failings rather than all super heroes or super villains. Also he has no problem with killing off major characters, which is exceptionally rare.

I admit that I loved the first two books but I am not so sure about where the story is headed after book 3. Not that that will stop me reading the rest of the series.

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I do like GGK Fiona

But Martin leaves me cold, i found his work BORING.... doesn't mean it's not good it is.. but doesn't appeal to me.

By the way I am reading Medalon at the moment...

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Love the Game of Thrones books. I like epic fantasy, because it gets to show a more true to life sort of story. Seeing people grow over longer periods of time. More sweeping events can be seen. Etc., etc.

I tried Jordan and Goodkind, and got bored with them both. They stretched their material way too much (Jordan moreso than Goodkind).

But I don't think Martin does. It's not a roller-coaster ride, but that's not what epic fantasy is about. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. I think the political landscape is just as interesting as the physical one (wrt the wars brewing and such).

Brad.

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Brad

I too like epic fantasy, that's why I like Arthurian legends, Don Quixote etc etc... Homer and all the classics... GRRM doesn't move me... deson't mean he is not good.. just not my cup of tea.

But, I adore Epic fantasy...

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I won't say that GRRM didn't move me, or that my objections to him are as strong as Steve's, but I will put my hand up and say that I belong to same minority group as Steve.

Game of Thrones came highly recommended by several friends, so I read it over Christmas hols last year. I gobbled it up in about two days, which I do with most books over holidays, but while I read and read and read until I had finished it, I have absolutely no compulsion to read on. Everyone seems to love Tyrion... but I couldn't see it. He was a well developed character, great, but I don't see the fatal attraction there.

Martin certainly knows how to keep a reader guessing, and the most common thing I have read about him is that 'he isn't afraid to kill off characters'... which is all well and good, but at the same time, he's constantly taking away a focal point for the reader. Well, he did for me anyway.

..............................
"the universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference - Richard Dawkins
Asteroid B-612

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I like Tyrion because of his sarcasm and cynicism. He has a devious mind, and is very clever. Despite all that, I have a feeling he's a good man, and all this sarcasm and cynicism are only a shield. It's a well developped character, and very intriguing. The same goes for Little Finger and Varys. They're intriguing.

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I read his first one and really enjoyed it bought the second one and read it then bought the third one and still havent gotten around to reading it. So much happens you keep needing to reread the lot and they are to long for that. This is one series i have lost interest in for the moment maybe I will try again in a year or so