Obinnau:
well, it's your opinion. But what about the likes of the Bolton bastard, Joffrey Baratheon, or the lanisters?

The Bolton bastard and Jeffery have mental issues. The Lannisters, on the other hand, are not evil. They only act to protect their interest.

Re-reading the series... Book 1: Game of Thrones.

... and so it comes to me that Ned Stark is quite an idiot and incredibly naive. Your wife kidnaps the son of the current most-powerful Lord in the land, and you boldly declare that she did so on your orders, then you quarrel with your king, loudly denouncing him as a coward and resign as his second-in-command, only for you to go sauntering around Kings Landing that same night with only 3 guards... for real?! I mean, are you insane or just plain stupid??

This is like leaving your queen idle halfway across the chessboard, attacking with just one pawn and leaving your king completely exposed... and then hoping that your opponent will be honorable enough to not exploit your weakness.

<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 417/753>

Ok, i really need to ask this now... Why is the "grease" always running down GRRM's characters' chins when they eat? Its beginning to seem to me that GRRM is unconsciously telling us something about his personal eating habits...

kay9:
<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 417/753>

Ok, i really need to ask this now... Why is the "grease" always running down GRRM's characters' chins when they eat? Its beginning to seem to me that GRRM is unconsciously telling us something about his personal eating habits...

Lol. It could be that he was only trying to mirror reality as much as possible. In the medieval period he was trying to paint, most people hardly observe table manners when they eat and those that did were mostly highborns. That is why Sansa, with her lady airs, is seen as the quintessential noble lady.

kay9:
Re-reading the series... Book 1: Game of Thrones.

... and so it comes to me that Ned Stark is quite an idiot and incredibly naive. Your wife kidnaps the son of the current most-powerful Lord in the land, and you boldly declare that she did so on your orders, then you quarrel with your king, loudly denouncing him as a coward and resign as his second-in-command, only for you to go sauntering around Kings Landing that same night with only 3 guards... for real?! I mean, are you insane or just plain stupid??

This is like leaving your queen idle halfway across the chessboard, attacking with just one pawn and leaving your king completely exposed... and then hoping that your opponent will be honorable enough to not exploit your weakness.

Here's you commenting with the benefit of hindsight. I'm sure on your first read you were rooting for Neddy all the way. Unfortunately for our man Ned, he didn't have the benefit of hindsight and in the game of thrones, you win or you die, or lose a head.

oluamid:


Here's you commenting with the benefit of hindsight. I'm sure on your first read you were rooting for Neddy all the way. Unfortunately for our man Ned, he didn't have the benefit of hindsight and in the game of thrones, you win or you die, or lose a head.

Actually i watched the tv show first, the first season anyway. And then i went hunting for the books... So, yes i did root for him initially, but as soon as i started on books, my opinion changed. I missed a lot of things on the first read cos i was mostly interested in "what happened next" (and mind you this was YEARS ago), but i still remember thinking "this man is thinking with his heart instead of his head...

But it was Catelyn Stark that i first began to dislike in the books..

<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 500/753>

Re-reading the events leading up to Ned Stark's betrayal is like a mixture of intrigue and mild dread... i already know what will happen and yet i'm still amazed at how it unfolds. Poor Ned, sinking under the weight of his precious honor, and making all the wrong decisions.

But i have to admit some part of me (probably my rational part) is actually rooting for the Lannisters now; what if the tables were turned? What would Catelyn do if she'd been in Cersei's shoes? Or Ned in Tywin's shoes? One thing is for sure though, if it'd been Benjen Stark (or Robb or Jon Snow or any other Stark) in Tyrion's shoes, they'd never have survived the Eyrie.


And in other news.... abeg, is Sansa a complete clueless air-headed nitwit, or is it just me?

<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 544/753>

Children of the forest... Hammer of the waters...
Interesting.

<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 619/753>

And the War of the Five Kings begins...

So Catelyn was literally humbly begging for passage? From her Lord father's own bannerman? And yet not up 3 chapters before she was sternly reminding Robb to not display weakness in front of his bannermen. I really must have skimmed past these chapters the first time; what i remember instead is the Tv show version where Catelyn seemed more bold...

Turns out Khal Drogo's wounds were actually a trifle bit more serious than the tv show potrayed.

And Ned Stark admits to himself that he really had been foolish. I've always thought he only regretted being betrayed by Baelish.

The book is slowly but steadily winding to its end.

<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 651/753>

No one else could see the shadow shapes dancing inside the tent... except Daenerys.

kay9:
<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 500/753>

Re-reading the events leading up to Ned Stark's betrayal is like a mixture of intrigue and mild dread... i already know what will happen and yet i'm still amazed at how it unfolds. Poor Ned, sinking under the weight of his precious honor, and making all the wrong decisions.

But i have to admit some part of me (probably my rational part) is actually rooting for the Lannisters now; what if the tables were turned? What would Catelyn do if she'd been in Cersei's shoes? Or Ned in Tywin's shoes? One thing is for sure though, if it'd been Benjen Stark (or Robb or Jon Snow or any other Stark) in Tyrion's shoes, they'd never have survived the Eyrie.


And in other news.... abeg, is Sansa a complete clueless air-headed nitwit, or is it just me?

I agree with your submissions on the role reversal. But who knows, if Little Finger was pulling the strings in the background as he was with Lysa Tully we might get the same outcome.


On Sansa: Yeah, at that point in the story she was just a girl whose head is filled with tales by moonlight (Florian and Joquil) and as such could be easily manipulated. But later events show that even a clueless girl can become a formidable player in the Game of Thrones.

PS: I like your musings by the way, please keep it up.

kay9:
<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 619/753>

And the War of the Five Kings begins...

So Catelyn was literally humbly begging for passage? From her Lord father's own bannerman? And yet not up 3 chapters before she was sternly reminding Robb to not display weakness in front of his bannermen. I really must have skimmed past these chapters the first time; what i remember instead is the Tv show version where Catelyn seemed more bold...

Turns out Khal Drogo's wounds were actually a trifle bit more serious than the tv show potrayed.

And Ned Stark admits to himself that he really had been foolish. I've always thought he only regretted being betrayed by Baelish.

The book is slowly but steadily winding to its end.

At that point, Catelyn was a Stark not a Tully and has not been seen in the Riverlands for more than 15 years so it is easy to see why her Tully blood won't carry much weight at that period (contrast it with how she is viewed among the Northmen). Even the Blackfish had more authority than her in the Riverlands at that point in time. It was a diplomatic tightrope she had to walk.

Of course, the show only glossed over Drogo's wounds like it was a trifling matter. But a small infection when there is no antibiotics is no small matter, I tell ya.

Yeah, Ned questioned his honour at the end. He even asked himself if he wouldn't do the same thing Cersei did if it was the lives of his own children that were in danger.

oluamid:


PS: I like your musings by the way, please keep it up.

Thanks! I fully intend to... and will be doing it all the way down to Book 5.

oluamid:


At that point, Catelyn was a Stark not a Tully and has not been seen in the Riverlands for more than 15 years so it is easy to see why her Tully blood won't carry much weight at that period (contrast it with how she is viewed among the Northmen)...

Ahh but if she was truly a Stark, she'd not beg a man that was almost breaking his vows to his liege lord. And if it had been a question of sending a Tully with "weight", the Blackfish would have gone.

I personally think GRRM was deliberately showing a flaw in her (Catelyn's) character. Think about it, how do you think she would have reacted if, let's say Edmure, had gone and came back with those terms? Several fosterings and squireship, knighthoods, plus two (not even one, TWO!) marriage alliances with the Warden of the North's trueborn children - one with the Stark heir himself... all to allow passage to an army coming to liberate his own liege lord's castle and lands! Is dat not 419?? I can imagine her publicly nodding and thanking Edmure for his efforts, and then privately asking in a fury-laden whisper why he hadn't just given away Riverrun to Lord Frey while he was at it...

<Book1: Game of Thrones:: pg 692/753>

The birth had left her too raw and torn to take him inside of her, as she would have wanted, but Doreah had taught her other ways. Dany used her hands, her mouth, her breasts. She raked him with her nails and covered him with kisses and whispered and prayed and told him stories, and by the end she had bathed him with her tears. Yet Drogo did not feel, or speak, or rise...

<Book 1: Game of Thrones:: pg 724/753>

THE KING IN THE NORTH!!

(sobbing...) Long may he reign.

<Book 1: Game of Thrones:: Completed>

Well, it certainly was a pleasure re-living all 753 pages of it.

Overall personal rating: A solid 5/5

Personal note: The book is so so much richer than the TV show. And this richness - characters, locations, histories, lore/legends - this is what makes re-reading the books so much fun. So many things i overlooked the first time that i am truly appreciating now.
Thank you, GRRM.


On to Book 2: A Clash of Kings.

kay9:


Ahh but if she was truly a Stark, she'd not beg a man that was almost breaking his vows to his liege lord. And if it had been a question of sending a Tully with "weight", the Blackfish would have gone.

I personally think GRRM was deliberately showing a flaw in her (Catelyn's) character. Think about it, how do you think she would have reacted if, let's say Edmure, had gone and came back with those terms? Several fosterings and squireship, knighthoods, plus two (not even one, TWO!) marriage alliances with the Warden of the North's trueborn children - one with the Stark heir himself... all to allow passage to an army coming to liberate his own liege lord's castle and lands! Is dat not 419?? I can imagine her publicly nodding and thanking Edmure for his efforts, and then privately asking in a fury-laden whisper why he hadn't just given away Riverrun to Lord Frey while he was at it...

I think the first point is the people involved in the issue.

Lord Frey a very vindictive old man who doesn't give a Fvck.

Cathyltn knew this and had to plead cos the twins could not be crossed by anyone except you waged a war against the frets which would cost them men they didn't need to sacrifice as the main war was still ahead. Frey also knew this.

Catylyn father was also very ill and no longer in charge, Edmund wasn't a man to be feared the black fish didn't have full control.

You can't blame her she did the best she could.

kay9:
<Book 2: Game of Thrones:: Completed>

Well, it certainly was a pleasure re-living all 753 pages of it.

Overall personal rating: A solid 5/5

Personal note: The book is so so much richer than the TV show. And this richness - characters, locations, histories, lore/legends - this is what makes re-reading the books so much fun. So many things i overlooked the first time that i am truly appreciating now.
Thank you, GRRM.


On to Book 2: A Clash of Kings.

Just out of curiosity is this your first time reading the books?

If it is I envy you. Read every word every inflection the story is just too tight.

armadeo:


Just out of curiosity is this your first time reading the books?

If it is I envy you. Read every word every inflection the story is just too tight.

Naa, I read the first 4 books around late 2011 (it was really season 1 of the TV series that drew me in), and then the 5th in 2012 (i think). Unfortunately i read the books all in a kind of rush and i ended up disappointed with the last 2 books cos i was mostly concerned with the Starks and Daenerys back then. It was only months later when i started frequenting online boards and wikia that i realize how much I'd missed...

Of course I've since filled myself in on all the parts i missed - and even came up with a few thin-foil theories of my own - but now i want to do a proper re-read of the entire series. So yeah, i already know all there is to know, but actually taking my time now to slowly and deliciously eat up every single word the way GRRM framed it... well, it feels like eating my cake and still having it.

kay9:


Naa, I read the first 4 books around late 2011 (it was really season 1 of the TV series that drew me in), and then the 5th in 2012 (i think). Unfortunately i read the books all in a kind of rush and i ended up disappointed with the last 2 books cos i was mostly concerned with the Starks and Daenerys back then. It was only months later when i started frequenting online boards and wikia that i realize how much I'd missed...

Of course I've since filled myself in on all the parts i missed - and even came up with a few thin-foil theories of my own - but now i want to do a proper re-read of the entire series. So yeah, i already know all there is to know, but actually taking my time now to slowly and deliciously eat up every single word the way GRRM framed it... well, it feels like eating my cake and still having it.

exactly

Vivly:
I shouldn't be here. I'm still in book 2 but this thread is too tempting. Jon,

btw, who is this story about? Too many protagonists.

Pls can u send me the all the e-books right away I beg you plsss.. Been dying to read them

bukolaokuyelu@gmail.com

Thank you!!!

Booqee2:
Pls can u send me the all the e-books right away I beg you plsss.. Been dying to read them

bukolaokuyelu@gmail.com

Thank you!!!

Sorry. Deleted them after I got the hard copies.

Booqee2, you can download here


Books 1-3 [url]booksee.org/dl/257266/9804cf[/url]
Book 4 [url]booksee.org/dl/257268/75edb6[/url] [url]booksee.org/dl/257268/75edb6[/url]

<Book 2: A Clash of Kings:: pg 77/836>

"Boy," a friendly voice called out. “Lovely boy.... A man could use another taste of beer..."

And thus we are acquainted with No One named Jaqen H'ghar.

kay9:
<Book 2: A Clash of Kings:: pg 77/836>



And thus we are acquainted with No One named Jaqen H'ghar.

lol.
It does not necessarily imply that the speaker is Jaqen. If you've read the world of ice and fire, it mentions that the Lorathi refer to themselves using indefinite pronouns.

Vivly:
lol.
It does not necessarily imply that the speaker is Jaqen. If you've read the world of ice and fire, it mentions that the Lorathi refer to themselves using indefinite pronouns.

I have read AWOIAF... but the comment is appreciated nonetheless. The quote is actually the first words Jaqen spoke to Arya.

I had to skip all the spoilers just to get here n write this: please where can I buy the Novel... complete volume? help a brother please

Twelve30:
I had to skip all the spoilers just to get here n write this: please where can I buy the Novel... complete volume? help a brother please

Where you at?

You can buy online though and have it shipped to you... but shipping costs could cost you an arm and half.

Booqee2:
Pls can u send me the all the e-books right away I beg you plsss.. Been dying to read them

bukolaokuyelu@gmail.com

Thank you!!!

Download books 1- 4 through the links @Vivly provided above. I can send you book 5 though email or BBM if you want.

kay9:


Where you at?

You can buy online though and have it shipped to you... but shipping costs could cost you an arm and half.

Do you have any online store you can refer to me? Cux I tried all the local online stores I knw, nothng of Book of Fire and Ice.

Twelve30:


Do you have any online store you can refer to me? Cux I tried all the local online stores I knw, nothng of Book of Fire and Ice.

Local online stores? As in, based in Nigeria? Naa, none that i know of... which is why i felt shipping costs would be exorbitant. You can try amazon.com if you can afford it.

I know 2 bookshops in Port Harcourt that used to stock it though, but they won't ship. You'd have to go there yourself, or send someone: Whitney Plaza - Orazi rd, and The Atrium - Peter Odili rd.