196 replies to this topic

[Gavin Meakings]

The US Kindle versions of the books are apparently very good, as are the new European versions (old version, not so). Dance with Dragons European kindle version is awful though, ended up getting a refund as it was almost unreadable. Worst offender was with conversations missing speech-marks and lack of spacing during change of speaker, so you ended up with replies being added to the previous speakers dialogue half the time, making it very confusing to follow.

I managed to get a refund on the Kindle version and downloaded a perfect alternate version instead.

[Jake]

About halfway through ADWD ...

Spoiler

Am I wrong for wanting Theon to man up and redeem himself?

[Martin Smith]

About halfway through ADWD ...

Spoiler

Am I wrong for wanting Theon to man up and redeem himself?

No.

[Jake]

No.

I just -

Spoiler

I know he went down a bad path, but even then something was holding him back from going all the way. I feel like what he's gotten from the Boltons is more than enough for his crimes, and I see no point in tearing him down this far without some redemption in his future. If anyone was in a tough spot, it was him: torn between the family he grew up with and his true blood. I know there is a chapter or two ahead of me titled "Theon," so I assume there's something awakening in him. Perhaps Roose made a very big mistake.

I think what I enjoy about these books more than anything else is Martin's ability to make you like the awful people.

[Martin Smith]

I just -

Spoiler

I know he went down a bad path, but even then something was holding him back from going all the way. I feel like what he's gotten from the Boltons is more than enough for his crimes, and I see no point in tearing him down this far without some redemption in his future. If anyone was in a tough spot, it was him: torn between the family he grew up with and his true blood. I know there is a chapter or two ahead of me titled "Theon," so I assume there's something awakening in him. Perhaps Roose made a very big mistake.

I think what I enjoy about these books more than anything else is Martin's ability to make you like the awful people.

Yeah definitely. I meant 'no' as in 'you shouldn't feel bad for wanting that' (bit too blunt because I was supposed to be on my way out).

[LiamDuell]

I was reading ADWD on the metro and a certain bit nearly the end made my jaw drop and I looked up from the book and just gawped for about 2 minutes. The woman opposite me certainly thought I was strange.

[Scott Wilkinson]

I was reading ADWD on the metro and a certain bit nearly the end made my jaw drop and I looked up from the book and just gawped for about 2 minutes. The woman opposite me certainly thought I was strange.

Before or after your jaw dropped?

[LiamDuell]

I never got her number to check! I have never a book so much that puts my favourite characters in such turmoil.

Though I would gladly murder for

Spoiler

a Barristan Selmy tv series, charting his voyage from Westeros to Mereen. Pitching as mix between The Equalizer and Kung Fu. He can act all noble, helping out the weak and needy.

[AlexRead]

I'm still going through ADWD, and as I only started when the show ended, what are peoples thoughts on how this ranks among the rest of the books, is this up to standard? or better than most or just a big meh?

[Ricardo_C]

I rank the books in this order:

- A Storm of Swords
- A Game of Thrones
- A Dance with Dragons
- A Clash of Kings
- A Feast for Crows

I think ADWD is a really good addition to the series, even if it suffers from some of the same exposition troubles as Feast.

[Paul F]

I'd put A Dance with Dragons ahead of A Feast for Crows, but behind the others. It has some problems, but I think the pacing was much better than in Feast.

[Scott Wilkinson]

Dance with Dragons recalled . . . effectively . . . received email from amazon that due to typos in the current kindle edition they're offering a new version free (we'll see) of any errors.

Edited by Scott Wilkinson, 17 October 2011 - 05:13 PM.

[M Button]

GENDRY what do you suppose his future is?

In the earlier books, it felt as if he was a major player in the making (Bastard son of the King, wanted by the Queen, became best mates Arya etc) - but now his story has dwindled off into nothing... almost.

I only ask because I was just watching the TV series and he mentions his mother having blond hair. Can anyone remember if this was the case in the books? Obviously if he is just a bastard then he inherrits nothing. But if he is of Lannister or, more particularly, Targerien parentage does this somehow bring him back into the game as a future contender for the throne or a future dragon rider or something?

I loose track of all this stuff, just wondered if anyone had a theory worked out.

[Chris D]

I only ask because I was just watching the TV series and he mentions his mother having blond hair. Can anyone remember if this was the case in the books?

I don't recall it. I think they talk about him being born to some barmaid or some such. I assume that blonde thing might have just been added to the show to help Ned piece together the whole black hair dominance over blonde hair thing.

[David Chapman]

GENDRY what do you suppose his future is?

In the earlier books, it felt as if he was a major player in the making (Bastard son of the King, wanted by the Queen, became best mates Arya etc) - but now his story has dwindled off into nothing... almost.

I only ask because I was just watching the TV series and he mentions his mother having blond hair. Can anyone remember if this was the case in the books? Obviously if he is just a bastard then he inherrits nothing. But if he is of Lannister or, more particularly, Targerien parentage does this somehow bring him back into the game as a future contender for the throne or a future dragon rider or something?

Not every blonde in Westeros is a Targaryen or Lannister, you know. And lest we forget, Robert had a certain amount of antipathy for both houses. No; Gendry is baseborn as well as a bastard. His chief significance is as a clue to Cersei's children not being Robert's. However, he will be a little more significant if Stannis Baratheon dies because Stannis has no male issue. As Robert's eldest male bastard, Gendry could be set up as the head of House Baratheon via a royal decree that either legitimised him or bestowed the house upon him. Depending on the outcome of the war, the King in the North might have an interest in doing that.

[Scott Wilkinson]

Dance with Dragons recalled . . . effectively . . . received email from amazon that due to typos in the current kindle edition they're offering a new version free (we'll see) of any errors.

A Clash of Kings kindle book 2 also been recalled and replaced . . .

[kieranbeech]

Finally finished ADWD, I don't like, well I do like the book but damn I don't like the questions it leaves unanswered, without being able to read the next book straight after.

Spoiler

Jon's fate?
Jaime's fate?
What will happen to Tyrion?
Arya's Transfomation?
Who's bodies were flung at Mereen, were they ones touched by the Pale Mare, or the Hostages?
Bran's Transformation?
Will Davos bring back Rikkon?
What of Asha and Theon and Stannis? That Bastard Ramsy's letter had a little truth in it but it was vague, he hasn't got Jeyne so he hasn't beat Stannis. Which I'm sure many of you have to that conclusion already.

Damn it Martin hop to it.

[M Button]

Did Martin make a mistake in not finishing in 5 books?

I think it’s fair to say that there is a strong consensus that his last few novels have been unfocused with very little moving forward and indeed, the most interesting characters storylines grinding to a halt in places. I think the series will be held in high regard whatever happens, but imagine if Martin put all this story into 5 unrelenting balls-to-the-wall books?! They would have been legendary!

I think a lot details covered could have been relegated to appendices and companion guides ala Tolkien.

So far, I must say, A Clash of Kings has been my favourite. Mainly because the main characters all (IMO) enjoy their best storylines.

Spoiler

Tryion, kicking all kinds of ass, begins trying to right wrongs at Kings Landing where Ned failed to. Snow finally goes north of the wall and deep into enemy territory, finding himself in an impossible situation. Ayra, at her best, and her companions make headway on a dangerous road sneaking, hiding, killing. And who could imagine a bigger change for Bran and Winterfell by books end?! And then there's Dany

I think RW has upped A Storm of Swords (which IS actually two books) reputation - I enjoyed them, but I do feel since the second book - characters have been a little less proactive in getting where they’re going...

I am enjoying the series, but, am I the only one who feels this way?

Edited by M Button, 20 November 2011 - 04:51 PM.

[Jake]

After reading through everything this year, I think Martin should have skipped the last two books and gone through with the time jump. How interesting would it have been to find everyone in the situations they've ended up in without all the boring crap we had to read to get them there?

[Scott Wilkinson]

Okay some idle speculation here which may have previously been laughed out of court . . . Eddard Lives!
I'll put speculation in spoilers as I may mention specifics about story events . . .

Spoiler

Okay to varying degrees all of the Stark children are Skin Walkers, from no mention and a dead Dire Wolf Sansa to Bran being able to take over Hodor. Arya and Rickon have had dreams about running as their Dire Wolves and Jon has actively done it.
They could only have inherited the skill from their Father as there's 2 separate mother's involved (although could the mothers be related?).
My speculative point is that even though Ned never exhibited any interest or knowledge of Skin Walking he could, at point of death have leapt and inhabited his executioner (and wielder of his own sword) Ilyn Payne.
Jaime's been telling him all sort of shit because he thinks he can't read or write and so won't be able to pass the info on.
Being mute and not being able to read or write it wouldn't be difficult to pass himself off as him, also Ned showed at the start he was no' bad at lopping heads off in one go.
Although if this is so, I don't think Ned would have been able to stay his hand at the treatment of Sansa by Joffrey after his death.

Anyways pure speculative fanwank.