tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post3850722680715742644..comments2023-11-06T13:07:23.645-05:00Comments on The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment: A Song of Ice and FireMatthew MacNishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-1299453044398197622011-12-23T20:27:05.212-05:002011-12-23T20:27:05.212-05:00Happy holidays, Matthew! Thanks for your help wit...Happy holidays, Matthew! Thanks for your help with my query!Nancy Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-54890643216096064692011-12-23T17:40:31.695-05:002011-12-23T17:40:31.695-05:00I have the first book in this series out from the ...I have the first book in this series out from the library. I've heard mixed things about these books, but I'm intrigued to know just what they're like.Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-11487223698712831082011-12-23T08:55:40.194-05:002011-12-23T08:55:40.194-05:00I don't know anything about these books, but I...I don't know anything about these books, but I can relate to reading in the POV of a character I'd rather not... and still not being able to put the books down. I found Ken Follett's "Jackdaws" a bit like that with one of the characters. Again, a character you might see as a villain had motivations for everything.C D Meetenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18185285028025647307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-44977616689367861952011-12-22T23:27:30.396-05:002011-12-22T23:27:30.396-05:00Chiefs huh? I think we're going to have to ag...Chiefs huh? I think we're going to have to agree to disagree on that one. Die-hard Bronco fan here. Through mediocrity to fame and glory, to a horrid (decade? is that possible?) post-Elway time. So what do I get for my patience, my loyalty? An effing great, entertaining season. I've got my seatbelt on tight.<br />Oh, but yeah, we weren't really talking football...I like how you put this review together. I don't like reviews which spend too much time on the plot, that I want to find out for myself. But you had me at the whole POV issue. I find myself in bookstores, asking about POV in some novel I'm considering, and it distresses me to no end when they say, "Um, what do you mean?" Sigh. It's almost as bad as cashiers who can't make change.<br />I popped over to say hi as a fellow co-host of the 2012 A-Z Challenge. Looking forward to hosting this party with you.<br /><a href="http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Tina @ Life is Good </a>Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08925730745204736744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-26165406623931737022011-12-22T19:02:19.218-05:002011-12-22T19:02:19.218-05:00Thanks for your thoughts, Elizabeth. Perhaps I sho...Thanks for your thoughts, Elizabeth. Perhaps I should clarify? I don't think there's any question that there are some true, pure villains - Ramsay Snow/Bolton, for example, but I think what I meant is that none of the POV characters are as simple as I thought at first. When Jamie, for example, first started getting his own chapters, I was disgusted, because I thought he was a character I would never sympathize with. But then, I did.<br /><br />That, I think, is Martin's genius.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-72965878330924114672011-12-22T17:24:59.157-05:002011-12-22T17:24:59.157-05:00Hmm, I haven't read this series, but I do love...Hmm, I haven't read this series, but I do love Sean Bean. Even if I don't have time to read the series, I'll keep an eye out for the show. <br /><br />Have an excellent Christmas, Matt. I hope Santa spoils you and you have a relaxing time with your family. :)<br /><br />AngelaAngela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-51115879272108077452011-12-22T16:23:19.546-05:002011-12-22T16:23:19.546-05:00I just finished the series and thoroughly enjoyed ...I just finished the series and thoroughly enjoyed all the books, but have to disagree with you on the "no heroes or villains" front. Although this may have been true at the series' beginning, and was a big selling point for me, I think there's been a slow change as the story progressed to the point where I would argue that all of the current main POV characters can be thought of as protagonists, or at least as sympathetic characters (perhaps with the exception of Cersei).<br /><br />Another slow change was the feeling of "no character is safe" (a huge 'theme' after the climax of book 1). Apart from the obvious major losses in books 1 and 3, most of the main cast has miraculously survived multiple brushes with death. There were times when it felt as though every second chapter ended with a "is s/he dead or not?!" cliffhanger.<br /><br />Like I said, I definitely enjoyed the series so I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but I did notice this gradual change in the tone of aspects of the book which have been touted as the very thing that makes the series so unique and magnificent. But maybe it's just me. Any other thoughts?<br /><br />-BAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05240165705310063475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-13135445780179002972011-12-21T09:13:45.470-05:002011-12-21T09:13:45.470-05:00just stopping by to wish you lovely Christmas holi...just stopping by to wish you lovely Christmas holidays, hope you will have time for some festive fun.DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-89796910105359987282011-12-21T07:45:46.264-05:002011-12-21T07:45:46.264-05:00I have been hearing so much about this series, but...I have been hearing so much about this series, but I have not been able to read it yet. But, I love stories where everyone just is, with no clear cut villains, heroes, etc. <br /><br />Don't have HBO so have not seen the series, either. Wow am I under a rock or what?<br /><br />And yes, Yay Chiefs!! As a Bears fan I LOVE when the Pack falls.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04443736284850057306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-51338446229163254102011-12-20T16:27:21.713-05:002011-12-20T16:27:21.713-05:00Wow!!! Only number one--will probably red along wi...Wow!!! Only number one--will probably red along with the series, so glad there were no spoilers! Still upset about Sean Bean (yeah I know, get over it already)!!!Christina Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01799776834213400246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-9945680186675608842011-12-20T12:54:19.404-05:002011-12-20T12:54:19.404-05:00I don't want to watch the series without readi...I don't want to watch the series without reading the books and I haven't had the time or money needed to track down and read the series. <br /><br />But I have heard both good and bad about it, so I want to read it myself so that I can decide for myself.Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-9811440260968429662011-12-20T12:20:46.605-05:002011-12-20T12:20:46.605-05:00I have a love/hate relationship with this series. ...I have a love/hate relationship with this series. Ambivalence! I keep reading them, though. Waiting for the latest one in paperback...Bryan Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09555071335245492790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-514021860844577612011-12-20T11:28:09.774-05:002011-12-20T11:28:09.774-05:00I suppose I should get around to reading the serie...I suppose I should get around to reading the series sometime, huh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-42734699928805405312011-12-20T11:25:46.167-05:002011-12-20T11:25:46.167-05:00Haven't read these books, but you make me want...Haven't read these books, but you make me want to. It's not often a book can make me keep reading when there's chapter after chapter with a reprehensible sort of character's POV.Carolina M. Valdez Schneiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589934533051907801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-13355361991370438882011-12-20T03:41:01.840-05:002011-12-20T03:41:01.840-05:00You know my opinion already; I think Martin is the...You know my opinion already; I think Martin is the greatest living fantasy author, and he's the reason I actually began typing out my first story. I've read the series through three times already, and I expect to do so again once I get the latest one (when it comes out in paperback).Ted Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-4351335659821744792011-12-20T00:54:48.133-05:002011-12-20T00:54:48.133-05:00"The characters you were at first convinced w...<i>"The characters you were at first convinced were full of nothing but honor or innocence, or both, reveal their humanity soon enough."</i><br /><br />Or they die...Adam Heinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02225813532455467868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-59932427898556658542011-12-20T00:26:09.178-05:002011-12-20T00:26:09.178-05:00A friend of mine asks me on a weekly basis if I...A friend of mine asks me on a weekly basis if I've started the series yet. And I really want to, I DO. But I know as soon as I do it will be nearly the only thing I am reading and will suck out my brain. I don't have time for my brain to be sucked out! I need it for working... for revisions... for remembering when to pick my kids up at school.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03115002505324651653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-77870907339117361232011-12-19T20:56:46.717-05:002011-12-19T20:56:46.717-05:00Hate to say it, but I haven't even heard of th...Hate to say it, but I haven't even heard of this series before! <br /><br />I like the sound of the characters though - 'real' people making choices really is fascinating :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-3827382795395730802011-12-19T18:53:00.313-05:002011-12-19T18:53:00.313-05:00I just started the second book in the series. The ...I just started the second book in the series. The lack of true heroes or villians is something I have already noticed. So much better than the flawless hero vs super villian.<br /><br />Also, onions, turnips and the human nipple made me snort too. :DLauritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03688820247531607677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-56997572932854796052011-12-19T18:41:43.266-05:002011-12-19T18:41:43.266-05:00I haven't read the latest (waiting for paperba...I haven't read the latest (waiting for paperback) but I adored the first four. And I think what I love/hate the most about the series is the fact that no one is safe. No matter how much you like them.mshatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308916014310536449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-64291968550928515552011-12-19T18:10:00.110-05:002011-12-19T18:10:00.110-05:00LOL! "Song of onions, turnips, and the human ...LOL! "Song of onions, turnips, and the human nipple" ... *snort* :D<br /><br />I have two friends here who are in love w/these books. They just make my eyes glaze over. Surprised? ;p<br /><br />I'm a big fan of the "no hero, no villain" concept. It's very Shakespearean. Sort of. You know what I mean, though. Even the bad guys have a backstory-motive. It makes for more realistic characters.<br /><br />You're so funny. Merry Christmas! :o) <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-65499258452812582452011-12-19T18:01:47.066-05:002011-12-19T18:01:47.066-05:00I think is contemporary fiction, blurring the line...I think is contemporary fiction, blurring the lines between villain and hero makes more sense. In the more imaginative genres, I think readers crave a definite line, at least at some point in the text.Tasha Seegmillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11489911822054861132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-19273313979358900722011-12-19T17:22:51.653-05:002011-12-19T17:22:51.653-05:00I have no plans to read those books. -Maybe- if he...I have no plans to read those books. -Maybe- if he finished the series before he dies, I'll consider it, but I'm not getting sucked into another Jordan/Wheel of Time thing considering how that ended up.<br /><br />However, I do say I have to disagree with you about your assessment of people. Most people actually do go around telling themselves they that they're a "good" guy. They may not think of themselves as a hero, but they definitely catagorize themselves as "good" or "basically good." If they didn't, they wouldn't be able to function through all of the selfish crap they do -all- the time. Even Hitler thought he was doing the right thing and making the world a better place.<br />And you'd be surprised at the number of people that do consider themselves "bad." Mostly younger people who have grown up with parents telling them that they're bad or no good, but they still form an opinion of themselve as bad and will often choose to do the wrong thing because of this. I've worked with enough teenagers to have seen this in action.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-16187083178653437682011-12-19T15:17:24.147-05:002011-12-19T15:17:24.147-05:00Whoa, no heroes and no villains? This is interesti...Whoa, no heroes and no villains? This is interesting, and now that I've considered the idea, I like it very much. I may have to see what can be done about possibly using this concept in my WiP...<br /><br />Also, the Chiefs rock. :)Melodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08846251713093236356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345890055658252124.post-67045727915224530502011-12-19T14:32:31.665-05:002011-12-19T14:32:31.665-05:00I've held off watching A Game of Thrones until...I've held off watching A Game of Thrones until I read at least a couple of the books. After reading this, I'm glad I did.Sub Radar (Mike)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15558160466204000617noreply@blogger.com