A Song of Fire and Ice

[Airlea]

I'm currently reading the Lord of the Rings series for the first time. I'm amazed it took me this long to read.

Everytime I go to get my book, I pass my books on the Fire and Ice series by George R. R. Martin. I can't stress enough the greatness of these books! I know I've said that the series is really good (I personally think it's better than Robert Jordon's) and I've included a link that gives you a peek into the book.

If you have a chance to read the series, do it! You won't be dissappointed!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0553103547/ref=lib_dp_TFCV/102-4740343-1958535?v=glance&s=books&vi=reader#reader-link


Enjoy!

~Airlea~

[MadMikey]

I've been looking for a new author. Thanks, Airlea! I get really tired of waiting for RJ's next book. Everytime a new one comes out, I have to read the whole series over again. That wasn't a problem when there were only 3 or 4, butthis time I'd have to re-read 9 books!

Anyway. I too have never read the LOR books. I always get halfway thru the Fellowship, and never finish.

I'm just finishing up Terry Brooks latest. Not bad, but not like his earlier stuff.

Also, for people who like Robert Jordan, check out Terry Goodkind. There are ALOT of similarities between his Sword of Truth series and the Wheel of Time series, but they're still a very good read. :D

[SoBeiT]

Terry Goodkind books have something for everyone.

Good stories :)

Terry Brooks is starting to be watered down. His best were his earlier ones.

[|HERO|KoNkIn]

Yeah well you should really finish Fellowship (its the most boring) so that you can get to the 2 towers and return of the king, i read the series about 4-5 years ago and i have always thought that J.R.R Tolkien is a master genius, he created languages histories maps etc etc etc. I am glad that the movies are getting so many new people to read the books. And if you havent yet read them you should because they leave out ALOT of stuff in the movies.
Konkins rating: 9 out of 10 literature stars. 9 out of 10 film stars.
:D

[Inkswitch]

Anything by Stephen Donaldson is fantastic. IMHO he is the modern master of sci-fi/fantasy.
He sits on my shelf next to Tolkien.

[MortalPlague]

Well, the Wheel of Time is still the best I've read. Currently I'm digging into L.E. Modesitt Jr. (a master of a writer, imo) and enjoying book 3 of a 9 book series. :D

I've read the first two books of Ice and Fire (the third isn't in paperback yet, and I don't want to buy a hardcover, too much $$). True, they're great books, but I still liked Wheel of Time a little better. But yes, definately a good read.

Wizard's First Rule was good, but it never drew me in enough to read the second book. I might pick that series up again, though.

Oh, and Terry Pratchet writes some excellent fantasy. :evil: If you're looking for something different, definately look his way.

[Airlea]

Originally posted by MortalPlague
I've read the first two books of Ice and Fire (the third isn't in paperback yet, and I don't want to buy a hardcover, too much $$). True, they're great books, but I still liked Wheel of Time a little better. But yes, definately a good read.

Bah! I found Jordon's series completely boring after book three. I'm dragging my eyes through Winter's Heart. I've gotten all the names mixed up now. Of course I had to buy each book in the series hoping it would be the last; but nooooooo.. it just goes on and on and on.

I couldn't put down the Fire and Ice series. I've read the first book about 3 times, the second twice, and I'm jumping around each bookstore looking for the third on paperback. I think it's coming out in February of 2003. :mad: Oh well. Gives me time to finish LOTR!

~Airlea~ A bookstore's worst nightmare.

[SoBeiT]

White Gold Welder..read them years ago..Didn't realize so many Sci-fi readers here :)

[j.lu]

i've been rereading alot of my old cyberpunk stuff lately like bruce sterling, gibson, and neil stephenson. that's definitely my favorite sub-genre of sci-fi. today i picked up some greg bear, who i haven't read yet. looking forward to it though.

[MortalPlague]

Pshh! I couldn't put the Wheel of Time down after the first page!

[Idle Idol]

neil gaiman, american gods. awesome read...sorta fantasyish, it's set in modern day but still.

I'm looking forward to having time to read Neverwhere and some other of gaiman's works over winter break....hes a fantastic writer.

As far as true fantasy, mercedes lackey...liked her stuff. She gets off on screwing with fantasy stereotypes. Tons of books in her "series" that, chronologically, starts with the Gryphon series that she cowrote with...uhm...whats his name....Larry Dixon (Black gryphon, white gryphon, silver gryphon) those are all pretty good...the next trio (The Last Herald Mage triology) is a lot better...and then Oathbound and Oathbreakers....after that I got sidetracked reading some old-school scifi (asimov mainly) and gaiman...but I hope to get back to the rest of lackeys work.

And when i say she fuxors with sterotypes...i mean it. "All your female heros are lesbian, leather clad whores? well...i'll make my two heroines really damn hetereo or celibate...whatcha think about that?"

--Idle, good times...good times

[Airlea]

Originally posted by MortalPlague
Pshh! I couldn't put the Wheel of Time down after the first page!

Well neither could I!! Until the fourth book. After I finished that I was hoping the next would be better, but they all went down hill from there. My friend keeps telling me that Winter's Heart is really good but I'm dragging myself through it. :scratch: :dunno:

I couldn't put down Fire and Ice. Still can't.

~Airlea~

[The_Stranger]

Any knowledge of when either Martin or Jordan are coming out with the next one, or how many are expected to be for each series? I was apalled that after the ninth wheel book, the series still hasn't ended.

Martin's characters are much more believable, IMHO, but Jordan's stuff is fun too.

If you like Martin, Airlea, you might like Colleen McCullough's series that starts with The First Man in Rome. It's historical fiction, not fantasy, but on an epic scale and pretty hard to put down, once you get into it.

[MortalPlague]

To be honest, George R. R. Martin does a much more believable job on characters. His world is a lot more realistic, and even grittier and more dark than anything out there at the moment. Well, grittier as the series goes on.

I find Robert Jordan's series much more interesting because I like the world better. Personally, I love magic, and the fact that Martin's series didn't seem to have very much at it bugged me a little bit. I still love that series, and can't wait to get my hands on "A Storm of Swords". :D

But I highly recommend L. E. Modesitt Jr. His Saga of Recluce is also nine books, but his books jump around a little. I'm on the third book, and it's introducing a third set of characters, as well as the fact that each one seems to be set in differing time periods. But he too loves to screw with stereotypes; for example, the wizards in white are evil, whereas the black-wearing ones are good! And it's believably explained as well. :D

Oh, and Winter's Heart, imo, is the best book of the series. Especially with the ending, I simply can't wait for book ten. Which, btw, is due in January 2003.

[Ajenthavoc]

lord of the who? :D

[Salyavin]

I gave up on Robert Jordan after Path of Daggers. WOT started going downhill at about book 5 but I kept reading them hoping it was just a dry spell. I've heard that finally something happens in Winter's Heart to move the plot forward, but to be honest I really don't care anymore.

George R.R. Martin's series is a great replacement and superior to WOT in almost everyway. Unfortunately, according to the man himself (www.georgerrmartin.com), it looks like Amazon's date for Feast for Crows is wrong and the wait'll be a little longer.

Airlea, if you finish up LOTR before then, check out Martin's earlier books: Tuf Voyaging, Dying of the Light, A Song for Lya, and Sandkings (short stories). They're sci-fi but have a lot of the things like strong characters and convoluted plots that make SoIaF great. Also try Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, probably the best fantasy book I read last year (her Miles Vorkosigan series is also very good).

Cheers,
Salyavin

[The_Stranger]

Oh, yeah I forgot about Bujold, she's good. I haven't read her fantasy, but her sci fi is really good. Very unorthodox take on space opera, and very well thought out believable settings. Most sci fi/fantasy takes place in relatively static culture and tech, but not in her worlds.

[Airlea]

Originally posted by Salyavin
Airlea, if you finish up LOTR before then, check out Martin's earlier books: Tuf Voyaging, Dying of the Light, A Song for Lya, and Sandkings (short stories). They're sci-fi but have a lot of the things like strong characters and convoluted plots that make SoIaF great. Also try Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, probably the best fantasy book I read last year (her Miles Vorkosigan series is also very good). Cheers,Salyavin

Thanks! I'll definately look into that. I love Martin's work! I'll also put those other books on my list. My goodness. Maybe I should get an account with Chapters. lol I seem to be getting quite the collection!

~Airlea~ Book worm.

[MortalPlague]

True, even a diehard WoT fan like myself has to admit that the books fall into a bit of a dry spell. However, I still love em. And Winter's Heart is great.

I seem to be repeating that quite a bit. :D

[Airlea]

Originally posted by MortalPlague
True, even a diehard WoT fan like myself has to admit that the books fall into a bit of a dry spell. However, I still love em. And Winter's Heart is great.

I seem to be repeating that quite a bit. :D

And I seem to be repeating that I find that book boring!!! I got it several months ago and would have finished it within several days if I thought it was good! I'm just over half-way with it now. ugh. :p

~Airlea~

[Airlea]

*bump bump*

I finally picked up the third book (A Clash of Kings) in the series. Anyone else reading the series?

I might reread the other books to grasp everything again before starting the third book. I haven't even finished my lord of the rings set! The worlds are combining!

It feels like Christmas. *wipes a tear from her eye*

~Airlea~ Take a hint and read it!

[MadMikey]

Originally posted by Airlea
Anyone else reading the series? It's taking me *weeks* to read the first book......Not because it isn't any good, but because I just don't make the time to read much any more. :D

[Airlea]

Originally posted by MadMikey
It's taking me *weeks* to read the first book......Not because it isn't any good, but because I just don't make the time to read much any more. :D

*laugh* I know that feeling.

How are you finding the book so far? You're probably more versed in fantasy books than I am. What's your opinion? You're a Wise One! ;) people will listen to you!

~Airlea~ what did he say?