A Game of Thrones (HBO Series)

[fonzz41]

Originally Posted by luccic12

Finished AFFC

I've been meaning to reply to you on this for a few days... how did you like it your first time through?

I think I'm fairly well-documented in saying that it was really rough going through it the first time for me. Some story lines just seem to come to a grinding halt, others don't seem to have anything to do with the character arcs I was interested in, etc. ADwD was like that for me in many spots.

But as I'm going through all the books again more carefully (Currently halfway through ADwD and just started GoT again for our re-read podcast), I am LOVING both books. I keep the Wiki open and read up on everything as I go, and am picking up tons that I missed the first time through. A much more enriching, fulfilling reading experience even if it's taking longer.

Having said all this, though, I don't think I would change the way I did it the first time. If I would have been this meticulous on my first go-round, I think I may have given up. SOOOO much to take in, it was nice to have that base knowledge my second time around that allowed me to be a little more patient.

But yeah, as of right now I'm a huge fan of AFFC and ADWD.

Also, GoT is REALLY underrated. A lot of action in ASoS and stuff, but man... tons of gems in that first book.

[Balor3012]

Originally Posted by fonzz41

I've been meaning to reply to you on this for a few days... how did you like it your first time through?

I think I'm fairly well-documented in saying that it was really rough going through it the first time for me. Some story lines just seem to come to a grinding halt, others don't seem to have anything to do with the character arcs I was interested in, etc. ADwD was like that for me in many spots.

But as I'm going through all the books again more carefully (Currently halfway through ADwD and just started GoT again for our re-read podcast), I am LOVING both books. I keep the Wiki open and read up on everything as I go, and am picking up tons that I missed the first time through. A much more enriching, fulfilling reading experience even if it's taking longer.

Having said all this, though, I don't think I would change the way I did it the first time. If I would have been this meticulous on my first go-round, I think I may have given up. SOOOO much to take in, it was nice to have that base knowledge my second time around that allowed me to be a little more patient.

But yeah, as of right now I'm a huge fan of AFFC and ADWD.

Also, GoT is REALLY underrated. A lot of action in ASoS and stuff, but man... tons of gems in that first book.

I actually really liked it! It honestly wasn't much of a slog, like there never were many moments where I was like come on lets get going, I just typically felt like soon enough something would happen...then 100 pages would come and go and still nothing was really happening.

But there was a ton of interesting history and backstory and of course tons of great dialogue. There were also a few great characters that only were around for a bit (not necessarily because they died) that either were not on the show or haven't been yet.

I also really grew to appreciate and enjoy Brienne, she's definitely one of my favorite characters. In addition seeing Sansa grow as a character has been great. We saw bits of it towards the end of season 4 but in this book it seems more fleshed out. The arc she's taken has been incredible as she was probably my least favorite character in the first book and now I'm super interested in what she's doing.

as far as some more spoilerish stuff

I really loved everything Dorne and wish there were more chapters there. A lot of cool characters were introduced and I'm intrigued as to what happens next. RIP Arys While I really enjoyed these chapters some of them represented Martin just detailing too much. Early on there is literally four pages of him describing the kids playing in the pool. I mean come on bro.

The Iron Island chapters picked up as they went on but I think they were my least favorite. I can appreciate what they're trying to do, but besides their navy I feel like they don't have the manpower to really move the needle. Obviously if they kidnap Dany or whatever that can change but I highly doubt that is going to happen

Arya or Cat or whatever was awesome in the few chapters she had

Sam chapters were...well Sam chapters. I felt the book ended on a flat note but maybe I missed something

Jamie is awesome still

Love seeing Cersei just totally fall apart.

Uhhh I think that's all I have for now. Still processing some of it. I think I'm gonna wait a few days to a week to start the next book. One thing that I still don't really get is Catelyn's like ghost thing so maybe some of you could explain that for me. Like I get that Beric sacrificed himself to bring her "back" but I still don't get it

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[smokew11]

^

Beric killed himself resurrecting her. She's not really human anymore (as Beric was when Thoros resurrected him)...she's kind of something in between. I think this is due to the way she was mutilated. She was thrown in the river, so the fish got to her as well as the water itself. Her throat was cut open so she can't speak. She's basically 100% out for vengeance- anyoone that has any connection to the Freys or Lannisters are on her shit list, no discussion. She's taken over command of the Brotherhood w/o Banners

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[thebridge15]

about your second to last paragraph of your spoiler

that's still one of the most shocking moments of the series for me, for whatever reason. guess martin had done a good job getting readers to believe that she could actually get away with it

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

edit: anthony's spoiler. I didn't name any names in mine just in case

[Balor3012]

Originally Posted by thebridge15

about your second to last paragraph of your spoiler

that's still one of the most shocking moments of the series for me, for whatever reason. guess martin had done a good job getting readers to believe that she could actually get away with it

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

edit: anthony's spoiler. I didn't name any names in mine just in case

I feel like everything was setting up for that to happen.

[thebridge15]

it was. and I was just totally blind to it

[smokew11]

i dont think I was blind to it but we were so used to seeing everything come up aces for that character

[FromTheMorning]

Took a couple years but I'm finally about to start watching this show. Feels good man.

[fonzz41]

Anthony - That's awesome to hear that you were into it. There are so many gems in that book that give tons of hints as to where the story is going. Like you, I'm very interested to see how some of these storylines eventually converge, and how characters/families play a part in the end game.

Smoke did a good job explaining in his spoiler about your question. I have no need to counter what he said, but I just wanted to add some of my own ponderings:

Even Thoros (who was the guy who kept bringing back Beric) was slightly confused as to why he was able to keep bringing Beric back to life. All he knew was that every time he did it, Beric maintained all of his old wounds and seemed to become less and less like "himself" (lost old memories, etc.). However, it seemed to have no debilitating effect on Thoros. So why did Beric die when he brought back Catelyn? That's also unclear, but perhaps it's because he was already fairly weakened by all his "deaths" and it took a lot to bring someone as far gone as Catelyn back; like Smoke said, she was already like dead-dead and had been for a while. Just like Beric, however, Cat maintained all her wounds and appearance when she was brought back.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[Balor3012]

Any comments on the last chapter of AFFC guys?

[thebridge15]

last regular chapter, not epilogue?

I mean, sam chapter, so not too interesting. old town could be cool though

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[Balor3012]

So I didn't miss anything right? It just felt underwhelming for an ending.

[Balor3012]

Also littlefinger is still the man

[Seek#41Up]

Originally Posted by luccic12

So I didn't miss anything right? It just felt underwhelming for an ending.

There is a connection between the Prologue and this chapter. If you want see the spoiler below.

In the Prologue you are introduced to a character named Pate who steals a key that opens all the doors in the Citadel. This key is probably going to be a very important plot point in the next (6th) book. Pate meets a myseterious alchemist. Pay close attention to the way he is described (detail in next spoiler). This mysterious man kills Pate and takes the key. In the last chapter Sam meets a man that calls himself Pate.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

The description of the mysterious man is the same description that Arys gives of Jaqen H'gar when he changes his face in the second book. One popular theory is that Pate is Jaqen H'gar and he is in oldtown.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[fonzz41]

I have subscribed to this theory...for now.

Speculation that could be spoilerish:

Jaqen is one of my favorite characters to speculate about. How/why did he end up in the black cells to begin with? Unlikely that a dude of his abilities would get captured and actually placed there, which leads me to believe he meant to go there and it's all part of a plan. But what's the plan? Who was he hired to kill? Who hired him?

I also think Jaqen and Syrio Forel are one and the same... a theory that is completely unsubstantiated by any sort of evidence, but I still like it.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

[rconverse]

Watching Purple Wedding now.

[diableri]

Originally Posted by fonzz41

I have subscribed to this theory...for now.

Speculation that could be spoilerish:

Jaqen is one of my favorite characters to speculate about. How/why did he end up in the black cells to begin with? Unlikely that a dude of his abilities would get captured and actually placed there, which leads me to believe he meant to go there and it's all part of a plan. But what's the plan? Who was he hired to kill? Who hired him?

I also think Jaqen and Syrio Forel are one and the same... a theory that is completely unsubstantiated by any sort of evidence, but I still like it.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

I've always hoped that the second part was true.

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by thebridge15

about your second to last paragraph of your spoiler

that's still one of the most shocking moments of the series for me, for whatever reason. guess martin had done a good job getting readers to believe that she could actually get away with it

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

edit: anthony's spoiler. I didn't name any names in mine just in case

What are you talking about?

[scoot_14]

Originally Posted by fonzz41

I have subscribed to this theory...for now.

Speculation that could be spoilerish:

Jaqen is one of my favorite characters to speculate about. How/why did he end up in the black cells to begin with? Unlikely that a dude of his abilities would get captured and actually placed there, which leads me to believe he meant to go there and it's all part of a plan. But what's the plan? Who was he hired to kill? Who hired him?

I also think Jaqen and Syrio Forel are one and the same... a theory that is completely unsubstantiated by any sort of evidence, but I still like it.

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

I love that speculation.

[fonzz41]

Originally Posted by diableri

I've always hoped that the second part was true.

Right? It just seems like it would fit so well with her arc.

[dh4645]

could be a spoiler. i really dont know. i didnt read the books.

tv.com article

[skippdogg]

Rumors swirling that WoW will drop in October. Hrmmm

[Seek#41Up]

Originally Posted by skippdogg

Rumors swirling that WoW will drop in October. Hrmmm

Of what year?

[skippdogg]

Originally Posted by Seek#41Up

Of what year?

Well played *golf clap*

[Seek#41Up]

Originally Posted by skippdogg

Well played *golf clap*

After I read your post I started searching and didn't see anything that would say it was this year. I did find a lot that said there would be no book this year and it is beginning to look like it will not be 2015 as well. Got really excited and then depressed all in the matter of minutes.

[skippdogg]

http://mashable.com/2014/09/05/new-g...-thrones-book/

This is what I get for only reading the header and not the article. My humble appologies.

[junior94]

I stayed away completely from ants for a little while, partly because I felt pretty bad about the one spoiler I accidentally put in here regarding Cersei in the upcoming season. Within that article I ran across though it was focused on something different than that specific story moment. and so I sort of gave myself a ban, and I'd wanted to take a break anyway.

But since I came back here to be able to post something about the Leftovers finale, I just wanted to also again say that I'm very sorry I wound up laying out that spoiler. Hopefully Matthew was able to get to it before too many people read the whole thing.

[skippdogg]

I forgive you JR

[smokew11]

you're good Jr

[Balor3012]

You basically gave away everything but I guess you're fine.