Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Buddy Read Starts 1st February.

I'll be joining the buddy read from this book onwards. Looking forward to delving into the series.

I want to join, and with the rest of the series:D

That would be great Diana. :-)

I'm in

I actually stopped reading A Storm of Swords. I could never remember where I left off. I'll join from this one onwards. Think I need to reread A Clash of Kings before getting into Storm of Swords. Just as a recap on what happens.

Great the more the merrier I'm so excited to see what happens here

I'll be probably be starting this a day early

I’m in! I haven’t watched the show and only read book 1 for the first time a few weeks ago. Can’t wait to get the discussions rolling!

I'll probably start reading tonight. BUT first... A well deserved workout.

Started yesterday. On page 92, starting Jon I

(view spoiler)[1. I love Tyrion (hoping he won’t turn out to be a bad guy in the end ...). Tyrion seems like a guy with justice and the bigger realm in his consideration, not just petty politics. We’ll see if he can reign Joffrey, even when his mother seems unable to.
His translation of his conversation with Varys is hilarious.

2. Speaking of Joffrey, I’m really hoping he dies gruesomely. Because he’s impulsive, arrogant and ignorant enough not to know what he doesn’t know, I think he could make a rash decision that’d get him killed in battle or in the upcoming battles between the various kings?

3. Cersei claims she didn’t kill Jon Arryn ... that is ... interesting claim. Poison seems more likely to be her weapon of choice than Jaime’s.

4. The film series spoiled the identity of the Bull for me. How did the Bull get to be in that group going to the Wall anyway. Last we met him he’s working as an apprentice, right? Did his master realize who he is and sent him away to the Wall once Robert died ... just speculating.

5. It seems the Red Comet is in the sky for a number of days? Do comets appear this long in the sky?

6. Oh, Bran. I guess his power is to be able to see through various eyes ...
(hide spoiler)]

"Ten years, two turns, and sixteen days it lasted, the longest summer in living memory."

Can you imagine summers lasting that long? If they're like Georgia summers I couldn't do it 😆

And what do y'all think two turns means? Months?

I'll start this in a couple of days I want to get through as much as warbreaker as I can

Hacen wrote: ""Ten years, two turns, and sixteen days it lasted, the longest summer in living memory."

Can you imagine summers lasting that long? If they're like Georgia summers I couldn't do it 😆

And what do ..."
I think so. I can't imagine winters lasting as long as 10 years.

Btw, you're finished? Damn that's really fast ...

Hacen wrote: ""Ten years, two turns, and sixteen days it lasted, the longest summer in living memory."

Can you imagine summers lasting that long? If they're like Georgia summers I couldn't do it 😆

And what do ..."

But in the North (Winterfell and the Wall and beyond the wall) it always snows - even in summer. Imagine what the winter will be like. :0.

My Dusty Bookshelf wrote: "Hacen wrote: ""Ten years, two turns, and sixteen days it lasted, the longest summer in living memory."

Can you imagine summers lasting that long? If they're like Georgia summers I couldn't do it 😆..."

Lol no I'm not finished. This is a reread for me.

I will be late for this one, I like to finish Blood Song first...

Oddly enough season 1 is on tv now and thought I watched a bit of episode 4 just to see how it fares to the books

Starting on this one today.

Hacen wrote: ""Ten years, two turns, and sixteen days it lasted, the longest summer in living memory."

Can you imagine summers lasting that long? If they're like Georgia summers I couldn't do it 😆

And what do ..."

Turns I thought might be a moon cycle. Unsure how the months are structured in this world off the top of my head.

I think I'll start tomorrow (:

Barry wrote: "Started yesterday. On page 92, starting Jon I

1. I love Tyrion (hoping he won’t turn out to be a bad guy in the end ...). Tyrion seems like a guy with justice and the bigger realm in his considera..."

You get an answer to 4 in this book

@ Hacen yep just got to that part. Should’ve thought that was obvious.

On page 187, Chapter Daenerys I

1. Robb and Winterfell
(view spoiler)[
Why does Robb not have any Hand to help him? You’d think he’d need all the help he could get. I mean obviously Cersei is more cunning and experience than him. Lord Tywin is also obviously a more experienced military strategist. Add to that Tyrion is an excellent counselor to any king and he’s a Lannister.

Who does Robb have? Maybe only Cate Stark and the Blackfish, at least so far, who are capable of advising Robb. But, Robb doesn’t seem to wanna listen to counsel. Sigh, I’ve a feeling it’s gonna be a downfall of Winterfell.

And it seems Lord Balon Greyjoy is exactly plotting for that.

The only thing that could save Winterfell is if either Stannis or Renny manages to march and strongly threaten the Kings Landing, forcing Tywin to retreat and protect it.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm gonna be stalking this thread to freshen my memory... Thanks guys! XD

Page 306 Chapter Tyrion ... don’t remember how many Tyrion povs now lol

1. Sansa
(view spoiler)[
Sansa must be like one of those girls who always seem to make the wrong choice on who to trust. I dunno if I trust this Dontos character. (hide spoiler)]

2. Arya
(view spoiler)[ poor Arya. The worst fate so far among all the Stark children. Poor luck there at the abandoned holdfast. If Yoren yielded and let the small party of Lannisters in, they might end up getting killed too. Just poor luck. Hopefully she can get away from the Mountain now... (hide spoiler)]

3. Tyrion
(view spoiler)[ Hmmm ... what are the 3 things that he’s trying to brew. What’s with the chains? So intriguing! Tyrion is by far the most interesting pov so far. (hide spoiler)]

4. The population
(view spoiler)[Btw, you think with all the killings and the abandoned villages all over the realm, maybe the kings will fight to rule a land empty of people in the end. Just a random thought. (hide spoiler)]

5. Bran
(view spoiler)[come on hurry up unleash your super power. I’m really interested how powerful his “vision” will be and who will guide/mentor him to make sense of the dreams. (hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "@ Hacen yep just got to that part. Should’ve thought that was obvious.

On page 187, Chapter Daenerys I

1. Robb and Winterfell

Why does Robb not have any Hand to help him? You’d think he’d need a..."

Wow sorry didn't realize you'd gotten to that part...

No, its okay, I was just saying I should've thought it's obvious why lol. Sorry if I thought u spoiled the reading for me.

Barry wrote: "No, its okay, I was just saying I should've thought it's obvious why lol. Sorry if I thought u spoiled the reading for me."

Oh ok lol sorry I misunderstood 😁

Page 546 ... on Arya’s POV.

1. Cersei
(view spoiler)[well the tv show kinda ruined the reveal that this lady screws a lot of her own Lannisters. (hide spoiler)]

2. Tyrion
(view spoiler)[still waiting for the links to fall. I’ve no idea what Tyrion is planning at all. The other characters I can sorta guess.

Btw, so sweet that he’s faithful to Shae. (hide spoiler)]

3. Arya
(view spoiler)[again, poor Arya. At least nobody at Harrenhall seem to know who she is. No idea how she’d escape... (hide spoiler)]

4. Renly and Stannis
(view spoiler)[the fools, especially Renly. I expected him to get humiliatingly slaughtered in battle, but boy, that death was surprising.

But, how fortunate the Lannisters that the Baratheon are against each other. I think we’re supposed to root for the Starks, but it seems the Starks are like the weakest party here... (hide spoiler)]

5. Theon
(view spoiler)[ lol when it was revealed the girl was his sister all along haha. I dunno how Theon is gonna play his cards. He’s ambitious, but would he kill Robb ... not sure if he’s that ambitious to abandon “friendship” ... (hide spoiler)]

i love this book.

Page 635/1010 ... Tyrion’s POV

1. Cersei
(view spoiler)[ just when I thought she couldn’t **** enough Lannisters now it’s implied she’s ******* other people. Well, I guess if you can’t produce the gold u gotta pay in some other way. (hide spoiler)]

2. Davos
(view spoiler)[I like this new character. He seems to be honest, wise, smart. He gives good counsels to Stannis as well. Don’t think Stannis is gonna follow us counsel, though. Is the final gonna be a 3-way battle at Kings Landing? I think Robb would be forced to go back to Winterfell somehow.

We know Melisandre killed Renly through magic. Is this similar magic that the old lady used to “revive” Khal Drogo? That old witch was an Asshai iirc? (hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "Page 546 ... on Arya’s POV.

1. Cersei
[spoilers removed]

2. Tyrion
still waiting for the links to fall. I’ve no idea what Tyrion is planning at all. The other characters I can sorta guess.

Btw,..."

How much of the show have you seen?

Barry wrote: "Page 635/1010 ... Tyrion’s POV

1. Cersei
[spoilers removed]

2. Davos
I like this new character. He seems to be honest, wise, smart. He gives good counsels to Stannis as well. Don’t think Stannis ..."

Davos is one of my favorite characters. I wish Stannis would listen to him more often.

@ Hacen only the first season and that’s because my wife forced me to watch it with her to refresh her memory after she finished the first book last month. In general I don’t like reading a book if I’ve watched the movie/tv shows. So Im not planning to watch the 2nd season until after I finish this book (she’s been nagging me lol). I’ve heard the tv show started to diverge from the books somewhat starting in 3rd season?

I mean in general I sorta know which characters remain alive till this last season. Can’t help it with the huge following around the world. But, thankfully so far the spoilers on the tv shows haven’t spoiled my reading too much.

I'm listening to an audio book version Narrated by Roy Dotrice. Listening to the different voices is so amusing. I keep trying to compare the voices I imagined to the ones Roy's interpretations.

Hacen wrote: "Davos is one of my favorite characters. I wish Stannis would listen to him more often.
"

Totally agree! Davos is one of my favorite characters as well :)

Aria 1
So much shadowing. Hint hint nudge nudge. (view spoiler)[ Aria and Yoren talking about Jofrey "Someone will kill him but it won't be you or I." (hide spoiler)] How did I miss that the first time around?

Page 750/1010 on Sansa POV

1. Daenerys
(view spoiler)[ interesting prophecies. Is that Mance Rider mentioned in one of the prophecies ... (hide spoiler)]

2. Theon
(view spoiler)[ by the seven gods I dislike this pompous ass. Good for Bran and Rickon to escape. Hope Theon drowns in the river ... (hide spoiler)]

3. Jon
(view spoiler)[I really hope he won’t regret releasing Ygritte (hide spoiler)].

4. Tyrion
(view spoiler)[somehow I’ve a feeling we won’t be seeing a battle for Kings Landing ... still no idea what Tyrion is up to. (hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "Page 750/1010 on Sansa POV

1. Daenerys
[spoilers removed]

2. Theon
[spoilers removed]

3. Jon
[spoilers removed].

4. Tyrion
[spoilers removed]"

Daenerys (view spoiler)[which part of the prophecy? (hide spoiler)]

Page 885/1010 on Arya POV

(view spoiler)[was that really Lord Renly who joined forces with Tywin Lannister and attacked Stannis’ rearguard? I thought he’s dead. Was Dontos imagining things?

Interesting to see the Hound running away, but stopping for Sansa first. Was he interested in her? I also wonder if the Hound would survive this book.
(hide spoiler)]

Bran
(view spoiler)[wheres Bran and the others? Did the Cranogmen also possess magical abilities? (hide spoiler)].

@ Hacen : on page 706
(view spoiler)[”Glowing like sunset, a red sword was raised in the hand of a blue-eyed King who cast no shadow”

I assume that’s referring to the forces that Mance Rider seemed to be gathering beyond the Wall. The king then refers to Mance Rider. So it’s a foreshadow that Dany would have to face the dangers from behind the wall eventually ... just a wild interpretation.

As for the rest of the prophecies :

I guess she mounted Khal Drogo for love. But, no idea on who she’d mount for dread and to bed.
Treason for blood is I guess the Kingslayer and the usurper. Treason for gold is Vaeserys? That leaves treason for love a mystery so far.
Fire for love is Khal Drogo
Fire for death is when she killed the witch woman in book 1
Fire for life I think somehow connected with the dragons. So she’ll start a war over the lives of the dragons ...

So I guess, Dany will face another treason, will find 2 more guys to have sex with and start another fire (war) for lives / survival.

(hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "Page 885/1010 on Arya

Interesting to see ..."

(view spoiler)[ I think that's supposed to be Stannis. He's a blue eyed king with a "flaming" sword and no shadow because of Melisandre (hide spoiler)]

Hacen wrote: "Barry wrote: "Page 885/1010 on Arya

Interesting to see ..."

[spoilers removed]"
Aahhh didn’t notice about (view spoiler)[Stannis eyes. I just remember the undead all have blue eyes (hide spoiler)]

Barry wrote: "Hacen wrote: "Barry wrote: "Page 885/1010 on Arya

Interesting to see ..."

[spoilers removed]"
Aahhh didn’t notice about [spoilers removed]"

That's what buddy reads are for 😁

Anni wrote: "Hacen wrote: "Davos is one of my favorite characters. I wish Stannis would listen to him more often.
"

Totally agree! Davos is one of my favorite characters as well :)"

Davos is one of my favourite characters too.

Just finished Arya 2 and I always have to keep remembering how young she is.

Finished just now. Overall I liked the first book better. Lots of set ups for future events in the second book that kinda slowed the pace a little bit for me. Also a couple of events are told after the fact by other characters, which I thought could’ve been handled slightly better ((view spoiler)[for example : Theon “killing” Bran and Rickon could’ve been shown during his pov, that would’ve made a lot more people feel more intensely towards Theon (hide spoiler)]).

A couple of interesting characters were added. (view spoiler)[And both characters’ appeared to have died (well, at least the Halfhand seemed 100% dead). Would’ve liked to have more povs from either character. They both added to my understanding of how the Westeros and the Seven Kingdom worked. Both appeared to have plenty of wisdom to share with other people. (hide spoiler)]

I think the characters remain one of the best things about this series. Most of the POV characters are memorable. You can definitely support the seemingly good guys. You can hate the seemingly bad guys. And the ambiguous characters remained ambiguous to make me uncertain how I should feel about them.

(view spoiler)[I’m also confused whether I Ike or dislike the way GRRM ruthlessly weakened the Starks in this book. On one hand, I’m rooting for them and it sucked to see each of them being worse off than the started with. On the other hand, obviously it’d make the comeback much more satisfying, if there’s ever a comeback. The ending seemed to offer a hope for the future. But, rooting for the Starks seems to be a perilous thing to do in the series lol. (hide spoiler)]

Overall a fantastic follow up. Looking forward to read how some of my beloved characters are gonna fare in the third book.

Barry, you can see a comet in the night sky for up to several weeks.

Just finished Jon 1 and so much foreboding for the Baratheon's, Robb and Jon.

Barry wrote: "Finished just now. Overall I liked the first book better. Lots of set ups for future events in the second book that kinda slowed the pace a little bit for me. Also a couple of events are told after..."

Barry re Theon in your spoiler (view spoiler)[ I've always thought the events for the killing of Bran and Rickon was deliberately written the way it was due to later events. GRRM wants us to hate Theon.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Angela wrote: "Barry wrote: "Finished just now. Overall I liked the first book better. Lots of set ups for future events in the second book that kinda slowed the pace a little bit for me. Also a couple of events ..."

Re Theon (view spoiler)[I guess I should expect most of the characters to be ambiguous in terms of whether they’re really good or evil. The basic tenet is survival first. Wrt Theon specifically, I thought if GRMM really wrote the act where Theon went to the mills and killed the 2 boys and dressed them up as Bran and Rickon, that’d make me hate him more. I thought, that could’ve been done better than just being told after the fact through conversation with Maester Luwin iirc. (hide spoiler)].

Fair enough Barry. I'll have to see what I think when I read that section again later in the book. Perhaps I may now think the same thing.

Barry wrote: "On page 92, starting Jon I(view spoiler)[2. Speaking of Joffrey, I’m really hoping he dies gruesomely. (hide spoiler)] "

I bet we all can agree on that! :)

I'm at chapter 9 Arya III right now and I am glad I do this re-read! I like the books very much and it's crazy how much I have forgotton... I guess it doesn't really help, that I whatched the series twice and these things are fresher on my mind... For example I forgotten some of the characters, which are only present in the books, like (view spoiler)[ the fool Patchface (hide spoiler)]

Also there are small details that I missed on the first go and now as I know how the story continued are more meaningful, for example that (view spoiler)[ it was Varys who suggested to send Barristan away... (hide spoiler)]