A Song Of Ice And Fire: book discussion thread

[Zevico]

And character interaction really needs nothing, but the fantasy is the setting that is driving the interaction. Besides, sans dragons, Dany gets no where. The Dothraki alone aren't going to take down the Slavers by themselves.

I agree on both points. It's why I think Dany's got the weakest storyline (though doubtless you'll disagree). Most of the others are interacting among one another and (generally) among human beings, whereas Dany's got dragons to lug about.

[Guynemer]

Just finished book four; Cersei is jolly well ****ed, and has no one but herself to thank.

I fully expect her to wiggle out of it somehow, possibly with the help of whatever horrific Frankenstein's monster Qyburn has been working on in the Black Cells with the Mountain and various and sundry other victims.

The framing chapters, focusing on the acolytes in the Citadel, were lacking. Too many new characters who are absent for the entire length of the book; not a powerful conclusion like in the others. Still, one wonders why a (presumably) Faceless Man is posing as a ****ty student, and what he has to do with plan to get a maester to Dany.




Also, not exactly spoilers for the show, but I'll avoid the TV thread nonetheless: interesting casting choices coming up. Stannis, Melisandre, Qhorin, Davos, Brienne...

[Berzerker]

so the game of thrones is a book(s) by another name?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Aroo? Game of Thrones is the name of the first book in the Song of Ice and Fire series.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I agree on both points. It's why I think Dany's got the weakest storyline (though doubtless you'll disagree). Most of the others are interacting among one another and (generally) among human beings, whereas Dany's got dragons to lug about.

Well, she has a weaker storyline, but not that weakest (the stuff around Stannis isn't all that great, but hints at fun things) . Dany, especially starting with Clash of Kings, really starts to get super interesting as she amasses a frightening army and adds Selmy. One wonders if she'll join forces with the Iron Throne to help her ferry her army back to Westeros... she does need ships and people who know how to land them. But I doubt she marries into the Greyjoys (she has to marry Jon Snow after all ).

[EPW]

I hope the Others are actually the good guys in all of this; it would be the ultimate twist.

[Imran Siddiqui]

[Arrian]

Re: Littlefinger...

Chaos needed to rise + petty revenge fantasies on those who have wronged/ignored him + total amorality. He's a sociopath (hell, even Cersei, that evil *****, cares for other people - her spawn). And yet I like him more than Cersei.

I think he also has a creepy thing for Sansa - she's like a little Catelyn he gets to have (he thinks, anyway).

-Arrian

[Guynemer]

Re: Littlefinger...

Chaos needed to rise + petty revenge fantasies on those who have wronged/ignored him + total amorality. He's a sociopath (hell, even Cersei, that evil *****, cares for other people - her spawn). And yet I like him more than Cersei.

I think he also has a creepy thing for Sansa - she's like a little Catelyn he gets to have (he thinks, anyway).

-Arrian

While I agree for the most part (including his strange likability, another hallmark of sociopathy), one thing that just doesn't ring true to me is pettiness. I don't think he has a petty bone in his body; he is very clinical and calculating in what he does.

I'm wondering if/how Sansa is ultimately going to support him and go along with his actions. Yes, Lysa was likely trying to kill her, so she can rationalize that murder, and she might not be able to connect the dots from what she said to the death of Jon Arryn, but he now clearly has designs on the life of little Robert. And while he is not the most sympathetic child, it is not his fault that he has epilepsy, and Sansa does seem to have an odd motherly-like bond with him. Will she knowingly sacrifice him to regain Winterfell (so she thinks, not knowing Bran and Rickon are alive)?

Also--whither Rickon? I wonder if we will get Osha POV chapters next month.

[Lord Avalon]

I think petty is the wrong word - his jealousies and revenge are hardly petty. Secondary, perhaps, to his climb to power and acquiring more power, but much more than petty.

Petty would be if he had left it at: Lysa Arryn? Nailed her. Catelyn Stark? Nailed her, too.

[Kuciwalker]

I'm wondering if/how Sansa is ultimately going to support him and go along with his actions. Yes, Lysa was likely trying to kill her, so she can rationalize that murder, and she might not be able to connect the dots from what she said to the death of Jon Arryn, but he now clearly has designs on the life of little Robert. And while he is not the most sympathetic child, it is not his fault that he has epilepsy, and Sansa does seem to have an odd motherly-like bond with him. Will she knowingly sacrifice him to regain Winterfell (so she thinks, not knowing Bran and Rickon are alive)?

Come on, Sansa loathes little Robert.

[Guynemer]

It's definitely a hate-pity type of feeling, no doubt, but the pity is there. And though she may well hate the little bugger, does she have it in her to allow his murder?

[Kuciwalker]

She'd better

[Guynemer]

Speaking as a pediatrician, I can not condone that.


I hate that little ****er.




I can see why one would root for team Littlefinger at this point, even if he is an amoral sociopath, and his acolyte is Miss Insipid.

[Heraclitus]

Went to the book signing today, there was a lot of people, I was kind of lucky only had to wait 20 or 30 minutes after he showed up. Got three of my books signed


Also I saw a reasonably looking chick ask him to sign her sword, I bet its going to be on his blog by tomorrow.