General Discussion

So 3 days ago my friend gave me the book a game of thrones and told me I have to read it.. I diden't think much of it Im not really a big reader but I do read from time to time. Anyways I started reading and coulden't put the book down, now I have to finish the series. Anyone read the other books? Are they as good or even better!?

The next two are as good, the 4th is kind of lacking because Martin was forced to split it into two different books because it was so long, however, he split it by character instead of chronologically. This means you'll get the whole viewpoint from some character's viewpoints before getting any of it from the rest.

I've read up to book three and the first half of the fourth one; after that I think I bought the other half of book four, but then I couldn't find it and now I'm unsure which book it is that I actually need - and how it looks! But that, strange, problem aside; I consder the books to be while not the best I've read, still very enjoyable and definitely worthy to read.

I've had some fun reading a series called The Fighters, part of the Forgotten Realms dealy.  The series consists of 4 books written by 4 different authors.  I think it was meant to expose readers to a variety of authors and perhaps get them to look into their other works

Clicky

It's not a Lord of the Rings by any measure but I found most of them to be fun reads in between whatever you are reading and waiting on.

George RR Martin is just a step down from Tolkien.  In some ways his writing is better but Tolkiens worlds were so much more defined.  I would definetly read all the books if I were you, they are excellent.  The only disappointment is he writes so damn slow.

Martin is under a lot of pressure to get Dance (the next book in the series) done this year... as in his publisher wants to start selling it this fall.

As far as I can tell from regularly visiting his website, he's finally making significant progress with the book and think he *may* be done with it before long.

I've been waiting for a long time. I just hope he doesn't do a Robert Jordan and die before he finishes the series. :/

I actually made a thread about these books a wee while ago, and you can check out the viewpoints there to get an idea of what people thought.

The series is brilliant.

Simply brilliant, and I am glad that you like them.  Book 3 is my own personal favourite.

Right after Rome ended I read that HBO had bought the rights to the Song of Ice and Fire series with the intentions of making it into a Series. Haven't heard anything else since...

Originally posted by Thrift

So 3 days ago my friend gave me the book a game of thrones and told me I have to read it.. I diden't think much of it Im not really a big reader but I do read from time to time. Anyways I started reading and coulden't put the book down, now I have to finish the series. Anyone read the other books? Are they as good or even better!?

Lets start with Katharine Kerr`s Deverry cycle series of books.

She brings a very Celtic feel to her books which have a bit more magic than GM. She does not over do it like Terry Brooks (love his books as well)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deverry_cycle

Next we have Tad Williams..This author beats GM imo with his series of books but especially The Dragonbone Chair and follow ups...brilliant reading , real on the edge of your seat stuff.

www.tadwilliams.com/UploadFiles/udbc-hc_20071208091210.jpg

www.tadwilliams.com/UploadFiles/usof-hc_20071209081622.JPG

www.tadwilliams.com/UploadFiles/utgat-hc(2)_20071209095748.jpg

These books will take you to a world just as imaginative as Tolkien`s

Next we have Raymond E Fiest...What can i say about this author other than wow...these books and the world they are set in are everlasting and they span a 100 years of history.

My first ever fantasy book i read was Magician(the riftwar saga by this fab writer and it set me on a course to have read 100s of fantasy books since then. Set in the world of deep magic and old gods to the first dragonlords..these books are the nuts.

www.crydee.com/

You really need to experience these books because they are truly fab. These authors are what i call serious writers and not the Dragonlance/Forgotten Realm type of books like Tracey Hickman writes.

I could name plenty more but these are top reads.

ty for that list. i love song of ice and fire, but since he does indeed write so slow i need other books.

i bought a few he suggested from his website but they are average at best. ill have to check out a couple of your suggestions and see if you did better than old george