chris3
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Post by chris3 on Aug 14, 2018 18:52:08 GMT
I guess I'm the only fan of Quentyn on this board. The Dragontamer is one of my favorite chapters of the series, and is yet another classic GRRM subversion of genre tropes (the prince proving his worth with a bold act of bravery). Not every character can be smart or heroic or villainous or tragic. Quentyn is just a meek kid involved in a situation completely out of his control, and makes a stupid decision out of his misplaced sense of duty. He's one of the more realistic characters of the series.
Also, I don't care what anyone says, I love Feast and Dance. I think they are both far more thematically rich than the previous three. Yes, they're messier, slower, and could've been edited down to one phenomenal 1000 page book, but I think fans are way too harsh on them. I honestly enjoy reading them more than Game and Clash (Storm is still the best, though). Also Cersei is CLEARLY the best viewpoint character of the series.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2018 19:06:02 GMT
I guess I'm the only fan of Quentyn on this board. The Dragontamer is one of my favorite chapters of the series, and is yet another classic GRRM subversion of genre tropes (the prince proving his worth with a bold act of bravery). Not every character can be smart or heroic or villainous or tragic. Quentyn is just a meek kid involved in a situation completely out of his control, and makes a stupid decision out of his misplaced sense of duty. He's one of the more realistic characters of the series. Also, I don't care what anyone says, I love Feast and Dance. I think they are both far more thematically rich than the previous three. Yes, they're messier, slower, and could've been edited down to one phenomenal 1000 page book, but I think fans are way too harsh on them. I honestly enjoy reading them more than Game and Clash (Storm is still the best, though). Also Cersei is CLEARLY the best viewpoint character of the series. I felt Martin had already covered similar ground prior to introducing Quentyn, who not only wasn't an overly interesting/entertaining character, but also sucked away "screentime" that could've gone to stuff that would've made more sense to cover in ADWD (for example, leaving Brienne on a cliffhanger...again...was weak writing). Of course we're not going to see eye to eye here if you loved Quentyn's story but as I said earlier, it seems like the most glaring example of something that should've been condensed, the #1 problem with the last two books - two books that were supposed to be one in the first place... I really like them overall regardless. Some of my favorite parts of the series are in them. But IMO they are a clear step down from the first three novels, which are near perfect. |
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chris3
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Post by chris3 on Aug 14, 2018 19:41:13 GMT
I definitely agree that Dance in particular should've been condensed. I feel like he took 2/3 of a novel and padded it out so the fans wouldn't be as angry about the short length as they were with Feast. I DEFINITELY wouldn't omit Quentyn's stuff (which is only four chapters, two of which I loved). Personally I'd cut about two of Dany's chapters (a lot of which is just wheel-spinning), two of Tyrion's, maybe some of Jon's countless arguments about the Wildlings (which is important but repetitive), and definitely the pointless Areo Hotah and Arya chapters. That would cut out at least a hundred pages and help the pacing. Still, the Bran, Davos, Theon, and Cersei chapters are among the best subplots of the whole series and I think they get unjustly ignored just because parts of Dance are a slog. It's definitely not perfect, but I also have quite a few gripes with Clash of Kings too so I don't consider Feast or Dance a significant step down overall, just a necessary comedown after the craziness of Storm. If Winds is epic and plot-heavy I think people will be more forgiving of the slower pace of the last two.
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Post by Johnny_Hellzapoppin on Aug 15, 2018 9:28:05 GMT
If Winds is epic and plot-heavy I think people will be more forgiving of the slower pace of the last two. I appreciate that you remain hopeful that this book will actually ever be released. Personally I've moved on. So if it does come out, it'll be a nice surprise. |
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Post by Johnny_Hellzapoppin on Sept 21, 2018 8:01:17 GMT
I finished my second read of this wonderful, epic odyssey. What can I say in regards to the dreaded A Dance with Dragons, well...it is actually a lot better than I recall the first time around. Sure it is really overwritten, but to a certain degree, they all are. Yes, it was a chore on occasion, but not on as many occasions as I remembered.
The Meereen stuff isn't outright awful like I remembered, but it is still my least favourite major plot. I actually have come to really like book Jon Snow, as he has some character and shades, and isn't a total pill like TV Jon Snow. Tyrion was even more tolerable this time around. Ultimately though, the books peaks where everything related to Reek / Theon....The Prince of Winterfell, what a chapter that is. Lets get negative, negative (well a little)...I still couldn't give a damn about Euron Greyjoy or Aeron Greyjoy. I've moved from feeling the same about Victarion Greyjoy, to complete indifference...he's ok I guess. I quite like Asha though...small mercies and all that. The Dorne stuff, I've some around to it a little bit I suppose, still though, it really is one of those chores I mentioned. Also, I totally forgot that epilogue chapter. That was a real winner, I was sure the book ended with the last Dany chapter, which was probably her best of the whole Series. So how to surmise then...this is still the weakest of the books, but I no longer feel like there is this vast gulf between it and the others. So the fact I firmly see no conclusion to this series happening, now stings even more. I kinda wish I hadn't read it all again... |
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chris3
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I just ordered a slice of pumpkin pie...
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Post by chris3 on Sept 21, 2018 19:37:16 GMT
So the fact I firmly see no conclusion to this series happening, now stings even more. I kinda wish I hadn't read it all again... Don't lose hope! I'm crossing my fingers that he'll at least be motivated enough to finish Winds by the time the final season airs next year. The final book probably isn't happening, but I need to believe he isn't TOTALLY procrastinating on book 6. Maybe I'm delusional, but as long as I get Winds in my lifetime I'll be satisfied. Don't let me down, George! |
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Post by Pavan on May 6, 2019 15:52:35 GMT
I'm planning to buy the books but i'm not a quick reader and don't have sweet time in my hands. Do you still suggest me to buy them?
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Post by Martin Stett on May 6, 2019 16:40:24 GMT
I'm planning to buy the books but i'm not a quick reader and don't have sweet time in my hands. Do you still suggest me to buy them? If you read twenty words a year you'll be finished around the time the books are. |
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Post by Pavan on May 6, 2019 17:00:03 GMT
I'm planning to buy the books but i'm not a quick reader and don't have sweet time in my hands. Do you still suggest me to buy them? If you read twenty words a year you'll be finished around the time the books are.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2019 17:09:30 GMT
I'm planning to buy the books but i'm not a quick reader and don't have sweet time in my hands. Do you still suggest me to buy them? The first three books are about as good as fantasy gets, so if you're interested I'd strongly recommend the series with two caveats: 1. Many fans of the series (myself included) are not convinced the author is going to finish it. This is understandably a deal breaker for a lot of people. 2. Books 4 and 5 are a noticeable step down in quality from the first 3 - still really good though. |
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Post by Pavan on May 6, 2019 17:39:54 GMT
I'm planning to buy the books but i'm not a quick reader and don't have sweet time in my hands. Do you still suggest me to buy them? The first three books are about as good as fantasy gets, so if you're interested I'd strongly recommend the series with two caveats: 1. Many fans of the series (myself included) are not convinced the author is going to finish it. This is understandably a deal breaker for a lot of people. 2. Books 4 and 5 are a noticeable step down in quality from the first 3 - still really good though. Thanks But what's the problem with Martin? |
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2019 17:57:45 GMT
The first three books are about as good as fantasy gets, so if you're interested I'd strongly recommend the series with two caveats: 1. Many fans of the series (myself included) are not convinced the author is going to finish it. This is understandably a deal breaker for a lot of people. 2. Books 4 and 5 are a noticeable step down in quality from the first 3 - still really good though. Thanks But what's the problem with Martin? He's infamous for writing at an excruciatingly slow pace in the last 20 years. It's been nearly a decade since the last book in the series came out. |
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chris3
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I just ordered a slice of pumpkin pie...
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Post by chris3 on Dec 12, 2019 4:36:00 GMT
linkI'm still holding out hope!!
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Post by futuretrunks on Dec 15, 2019 22:14:26 GMT
A Clash of Kings of A Storm of Swords are the two best. A Clash of Kings is particularly underrated.
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