Reading the second book

**David93** · June 12, 2011, 08:11 PM

So just started watching the series and thought i could create a mod for this, then remembered there was a mod called westros somewhere

Any way should i watch the series or read the books first and when should i play this mod?
Im currently leaning heavily towards the series as its quicker and im currently reading a series of books.
Also how loyal is the series to the books?

Also are the books as "gritty" as the series?

**MagUidir** · June 12, 2011, 10:23 PM

books are way better and have way more detail.... plus this mod is based off the books... so IMO go with the books the series is ok but leaves out quite a bit of detail! hope this helps.

**Lordinquisitor** · June 13, 2011, 04:37 AM

The series is doubtless quite loyal to the books, but the books are still way better and offer far more detail. Especially the inner monologues of the characters are interesting and beautiful.

**Double A** · June 13, 2011, 04:44 AM

And the descriptions of the feasts. I can taste them on the paper.

**Edric Storm** · June 13, 2011, 07:58 AM

Go for the books all the way. Martin's descriptions will conjure up more of a visual feast than the HBO series. Another thing is that the series doesn't seem to portray the scale of A Song of Ice and Fire well enough, but that's just the limitations of a screen adaptation.

**bitterhowl** · June 13, 2011, 09:01 AM

For me, the HBO series is a huge advert to the Martin's books

Two seasons enough to interest many people. It is well illustrated by the appearance of new members on this forum.

**donions** · July 07, 2011, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by bitterhowl

For me, the HBO series is a huge advert to the Martin's books

Two seasons enough to interest many people. It is well illustrated by the appearance of new members on this forum.

You're not kiddin. All 4 "A Song of Ice and Fire" titles are in the top 10 NY Times best-sellers this week. With AGOT being #1 of course(Good to see people arent skipping it after the show).

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-...back/list.html

**Jaime Goldenhand** · July 07, 2011, 12:28 PM

I love the fact that each new book is a couple lower on the list indicating the amount of people from the show who have made it to each book

**Fulgrim88** · July 11, 2011, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Jaime Goldenhand

I love the fact that each new book is a couple lower on the list indicating the amount of people from the show who have made it to each book

Hehe yeah, i noticed that as well.

Some will drop out along the way, no doubt. Epic fantasy is not a gritty, action filled show after all. It's even tedious at times. But i like it.
Personally, i'm not a big fan of the show to be honest. I'm thankful that it stirred so much attention for the series and probably also did a lot to encourage GRRM to finish Dance, but however good a TV-Show/Movie might be, it's always loosing a lot of detail compared to the books.

Most every scene which is normally flavoured by inner monologue has to be broken down to convey the same with action alone. Many of the scenes feel a lot more one dimensional (like the bedding of Dany & Drogo). And of course, my mind has no budget to keep, so in my head everythings a great deal more impressive

**The_Kingslayer** · July 11, 2011, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by Fulgrim88

Hehe yeah, i noticed that as well.

Some will drop out along the way, no doubt. Epic fantasy is not a gritty, action filled show after all. It's even tedious at times. But i like it.
Personally, i'm not a big fan of the show to be honest. I'm thankful that it stirred so much attention for the series and probably also did a lot to encourage GRRM to finish Dance, but however good a TV-Show/Movie might be, it's always loosing a lot of detail compared to the books.

Most every scene which is normally flavoured by inner monologue has to be broken down to convey the same with action alone. Many of the scenes feel a lot more one dimensional (like the bedding of Dany & Drogo). And of course, my mind has no budget to keep, so in my head everythings a great deal more impressive

Not to mention that Tywin Lannister isn't a Daimyo and his foot soldiers aren't samurai.

There's also the fact that Dance comes out this week, which is certainly going to have renewed sales as people re-buy books that were lent out and never returned.

**David93** · June 13, 2011, 02:49 PM

Thanks lads, im going to buy the books

**Mithrandir the White** · June 20, 2011, 04:08 PM

Friends,

I have one question for you; i have just finished watching the serie. This must be one of the most beautiful, well played and exciting series i have ever watched. And now i want to continue with this story, by reading the book that is. Here comes the question; can i read the second book having only watched the serie and not having read the first book.

Thanks in advance,

Mithrandir

And sorry for my terrible english, it is my 4th language...

**Edric Storm** · June 20, 2011, 04:18 PM

Welcome.

It is entirely up to you. You will certainly pick up on a great deal more details and backstory. I'd thoroughly recommend that you read the first book beforehand, but if you'd rather get stuck into A Clash of Kings, then go ahead. Each of the books are self contained, you don't have to have read any of the other books to understand what is happening. Martins' writing always references back to previous events/details (from previous chapters and previous books), updating you on what you need to know.

**Rizedt** · June 20, 2011, 04:29 PM

It is definitely a personal choice. I would say that you should read the first book before hitting the second. There were some events (although minor) and characters that were not as fleshed out in the series as they were in the book.

If you feel like just diving right in to Clash of Kings, go for it. The series gave you enough to get going, but some of the little things might leave you wondering.

**Toho** · June 20, 2011, 11:28 PM

these are pretty famous books and even my crappy library has all 5 books AFAIK. i will be getting book 1 and 2 by the end of the month

personally i wanted to watch the series because they portray the story so frigging well but the next season is next year...yea right like I'm going to wait for that long.

**Jaime Goldenhand** · June 21, 2011, 12:24 AM

Season 2 wont be out until spring of next year so you have plenty of time to read the first book. I think if you read Clash of Kings you would understand many of the main points but there would be a lot of small seemingly insignificant details that would slip right past you if you dont read GoT. I highly recommend it

**Double A** · June 21, 2011, 01:10 AM

There is no reason not to read AGoT. In fact, I encourage it. It's damn good entertainment.

**Lordinquisitor** · June 21, 2011, 05:48 AM

You should read the first book, too. It`s very well written and in some details it differs from the series, altough the series was pretty true to the books. However, the series can`t really portray all those inner monologue from the books.

Also the books are very well written. So good that i have read every single one of them 5, or even more, times.

**MagUidir** · June 21, 2011, 06:07 AM

i agree with the majority vote here... read the first one and you will get so much more out of the story of it all...

**gapper4** · June 21, 2011, 06:40 AM

You'd have absolutely no problems picking up and following the story in book 2 but, frankly, you'd be doing yourself a disservice. As many fellow posters have pointed out, AGoT is outstanding, brilliant entertainment, even if you're just fresh off Season 1. Many more details, interesting exposition on events preceding the main story, etc. Seriously, read it

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