OT: Why do you like the books?

[RedDeath]

So I got to some thinking and came to the conclusion that I liked the books because of how believable it is. Yes yes, there's dragons, zombies and other magical creatures but I'm mostly talking about the characters and how believable they are. For the most part everyone is vulnerable, their weakness familiar, their follies understandable. There's not a silly group of super-women -- like every other fantasy book, that old cliche is actually what's been turning me away from the genre -- that can best men in combat (with Breene as ONE very rare exception(as it should be like it is in real life), there's no prince charming, no convenient scenarios(for hte most part), etc.

I find it refreshingly believable .. odd with the genre and all.

So why do you guys like the books?

[Heart of Madness]

I like the politics. They're really smart and everybody seems to prey off chaos.

The descriptions of people and places I find to be very unforgettable.

[thespaniard]

I like how the bad guy wins so much (lannisters) lol.

[Lordinquisitor]

I like how the bad guy wins so much (lannisters) lol.

I like them because there are almost no good or bad guys; Only humans.

Even Gregor, who is a complete monster, has some character depth. For example one reason for his constant anger is that he suffers from extremely painful, blinding headaches. (Likely some kind of brain tumor.)

[gorro]

Well, characters are not two-dimensional, nobody is completely good or bad. Everything is in shades of grey. No infallible superhumans, just regular guys (and gals). Oh and anyone can die...

[Noobio]

Well, characters are not two-dimensional, nobody is completely good or bad. Everything is in shades of grey. No infallible superhumans, just regular guys (and gals). Oh and anyone can die...

this..you never know what happens next...it may be "fantasy" but it's pretty down to earth and actual historical situations (well in a stretched out way..)

maybe that's why ,i did like a whole lot better the fact that in the tv show ,quite all characters were a bit older than in the books...

that and tyrion being more of a realistic dwarf than a circus freak (doing backflips ,disembowling horses with his helmet ,wielding a battleaxe etc etc...mr.Martin really exagerrated ,at times ,with tyrion in the books)

[Gurkhal]

I like the shades of grey and the politics. That's what I'm in for it. And I absolutely love that the Lannisters are winning so much, warms my heart every time.

[TheRedViper]

I like the realism of that a good man isn't exactly a great ruler. And the multiple POV's which gives all the vast diversity of opinions on who the best character and who was right here and there because people relate to different characters. And the fact the characters are 3 dimensional there isn't too much clear cut hes agood character and hes a bad character.
Basically in summary its the characters that make the books great

[beckyolt]

I've started reading them now, liking it so far. I mean, ( the author himself said it ) influences from Bernard Cornwell and Tolkien? Win. My two favorite authors...

[FMLS]

I mean, ( the author himself said it ) influences from Bernard Cornwell and Tolkien? Win. My two favorite authors...

Mine as well, along with Conn Iggulden.

[beckyolt]

I'm also loving how at first the book makes you really hate Sandor Clegane for killing poor Mycah, but then he becomes progressively likeable - as you see he , despite being sarcastic with her manners ( knowing that everything she says are only lies to keep her alive ), treates Sansa kindly while she endures Joffrey's brutal treatment.

[Noobio]

I'm also loving how at first the book makes you really hate Sandor Clegane for killing poor Mycah, but then he becomes progressively likeable - as you see he , despite being sarcastic with her manners ( knowing that everything she says are only lies to keep her alive ), treates Sansa kindly while she endures Joffrey's brutal treatment.

this too! Martin sure has his way of making you change attitude and feelings towards the various characters...jaime and the hound for example were initially really despisable but in the end you find yourself sympathising them, while on the contrary you kinna cheer for how things change for robb and catelyn...

i'm pretty sure that if he wanted, he could make the reader start to like even old frey and ramsay...

one thing i don't like though..that i especially noted in ADWD is his over-using of some descriptions and frases..i get the fact that "it sets a mood" and is part of his writing style but it gets pretty boring reading some "reek rhyme" or "kill the boy" "you know nothing" etc every five lines, as also "he broke his fast on boiled eggs" in every freaking chapter (!) and the way people feel or stroke their coc*s every time they take a piss..

[Heart of Madness]

Personally, I didn't care about this butcher's boy.

[Vigamadr]

I like how Martin doesnt treat his characters too well, as in, a lot of them die off.
But I like how the politics and human fallibility (spelling?) show in the book. Tolkien was my favorite writer, he created an immense fantasy world that I loved. While MArtin did the same, he added emotion.

[Super-Soviet]

I like how you like GRR Martin at the start but by Feast of Crows you see him as an evil, Stark-Killing bastard.

[beckyolt]

I'm also loving how at first the book makes you really hate Sandor Clegane for killing poor Mycah, but then he becomes progressively likeable - as you see he , despite being sarcastic with her manners ( knowing that everything she says are only lies to keep her alive ), treates Sansa kindly while she endures Joffrey's brutal treatment.

Personally, I didn't care about this butcher's boy.

You're a monster.

How can one possibly not feel sorry for this kid?

I like how you like GRR Martin at the start but by Feast of Crows you see him as an evil, Stark-Killing bastard.

I can't resist spoilers, so even I'm halfway through the second book I know which Starks die. Wow, thats so lame.

But, I BET Jon Snow will end up leading the Starks, even though he's a bastard and is at the Wall.

[Timur Amir]

You're a monster.

How can one possibly not feel sorry for this kid?


I can't resist spoilers, so even I'm halfway through the second book I know which Starks die. Wow, thats so lame.

But, I BET Jon Snow will end up leading the Starks, even though he's a bastard and is at the Wall.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

clearly you can resist spoilers well enough, if you believe Jon will lead the Starks after ADWD

[Double A]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

clearly you can resist spoilers well enough, if you believe Jon will lead the Starks after ADWD

Clearly you know nothing. If you think R'hollor is gonna sit back on his firey ass after THAT, you got another thing coming.

[Pinkie Pie]

The fact that anyone could die at any time really wins it for me

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I would have thought that Robb was going to beat the Lanisters and take the northern crown while Renly took the Iron Throne, their deaths came as quite a shock especially Robbs

Not so fond of Stannis and his red queen though.

[thespaniard]

ugh so hard to not read the spoiler only just got done reading clash of kings