HBO tried to make a TV adaptation of it recently, i didn't watch because i hate both adaptations and television in general, but the opening credits look clever, at least:
(tho more guitar is often better:
(i just noticed: what's up with that guy's monitor? Does it have a hole in the back or something?))
One thing i love about this series (and dislike about fantasy in general) is the way it handles magic: there's a subplotline in the background about an order of Science Monks who seem to be working to bring about both a rational Enlightenment and the end of all 'wild' magic, which is kinda startling: were Newton or Feynman or Turing or whoever to be transplanted to Westeros one would expect them to be all about studying alchemy and magic and old forest gods and what have you, not trying to eradicate them... wondering what's *really* going on in this world is a big relief from all the usual medieval primate bickering (the overall plot was inspired by the Wars of the Roses and the Mongol conquest of nearly everywhere).
Another thing i like is that *anyone can die*, at any time, for no (obvious, narrative) reason. Even your favourite character from the last few books and for hundreds of pages in the latest one isn't immune.. the result is that the story doesn't seem mythic/heroic, it reads like actual history happening, full of stupid mistakes and needless tragedies and occasional moments of fleeting happiness. Also, armour is uncomfortable and heavy, people's motivations are complex, locations and things in general feel concrete and real.
Anyway the series has topped the NY Times bestseller list so no doubt you've already heard of it, i just wanted to point out that the latest one is due out tomorrow, and if you... oh bollocks i just noticed i read the date wrong, the new book is out *July* 12, next month.. did wonder why they were publishging a book on a Sunday,.. oh fuck it whatever i've typed this all in now, might as well post it.
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Re: icyfiresongbook5?yay!*wags*
Oh hey you're back! Hope the exams went well!
Yeah i don't normally read stuff like this, some random podcast recommended it and i listened to the first audio book and like .. Wow! Engaging, adult, complex fantasy.. i never even knew this was a thing!
The books in this series are very long tho, don't know what you normally like to read but these were waaay longer than the ones i usually do...
I haven't read the books, but the first episode of the series was very good. All the political intrigue and shady motivations and activities are right up my alley! (And take that as you will )
Not sure I'll be reading the books any time soon, because I have too many post-apoc/dystopian novels to power through at the moment, but maybe eventually I will. Thanks for the suggestion Borg.
i just wanted to point out that the latest one is due out tomorrow, and if you... oh bollocks i just noticed i read the date wrong, the new book is out *July* 12, next month.. did wonder why they were publishging a book on a Sunday,.. oh fuck it whatever i've typed this all in now, might as well post it.
XD Ah, Borg, you truly are one of a kind (which is very surprising given your name)
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Re: icyfiresongbook5?yay!*wags*
Yeah i should probably have tried to come up with a better name, but this was never meant to be my main fursona, just a throwaway gag character.. never even got round to making a picture, so i'm still all crammed into that single Tachikoma over there.
Doubt the TV adaptation is going to work out, these novels just have way too many ppl and plot threads in them. Imagine trying to retell the story of MS Paint Adventures in a three-panel, gag a day comic strip...
One thing i like to do re: not having enough time to read is listen to audiobooks when i'm exercising or walking about, the distraction is very helpful, plus it's much easier to tackle mammoth books that i'd barely have the patience to sit down and read the normal way.
The Song of Ice and Fire Random House Audio ones were particularly good, they got a proper actor to read them and everything. You can get them at audible.com (plus all the usual privateer haunts obv).
But anyway oh man i've been waiting ages for this book and the author is kinda a big bloke
so there was a bit of a worry he might keel over before the series was finished, like the Wheel of Time guy. Also the last book completely ignored half the cast, apparently the manuscript was just too long to publish so they decided to cut it in half, not in the middle but by geographic location. So i wasn't sure i'd ever find out what's been going on with Jon Snow up at The Wall.. i's so happy when i saw they'd set a new publication date that my reading comprehension failed a bit (not that it's ever that great tbh).
I have been meaning to get into this series, but right now I've got my hands full re-reading the whole Wheel of Time series. 3 books down, another 10 to go. Once I get through all those again, then I'll likely take on A Song of Ice & Fire.
icyfiresongbook5?yay!*wags*
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