A Clash of Kings

[Cogito]

I just finished this one. Didn't like it as much as the first book, but enjoyed it nonetheless.

Dislikes:
- The dragon rider family has been separated from the rest of the story for two entire books, now. Enough already! I mean, it's interesting and all, but it's like that story line could just have been written as a separate book altogether.
- Likewise with the Others, undead, wildlings etc., up beyond the Wall.
- Mrs Stark is a ****ing nitwit, she's not helping her oldest son any, can't do a thing for her daughters, or her father -- so why the HELL doesn't she stay with the two sons whom she still CAN help? I appreciate she may not think exactly the same way I do, but this is pretty stupid and irrational.
- There are just too many names and families. I mean, this shit is worse than Tolkien fer Pete's sakes. I don't think this huge number of families and personas helps the story, it just overwhelms things.

Likes:
- The perspectives from such different people, and age-groups. A nine-year old tom-boy going Conan and slitting warriors' throats is a little unrealistic I think, but oh well.
- There are people who are genuinely bad, and good, but mostly it's a matter of perspective. Very clever, very nice.
- Uh, tons more.

Great books.

I have only found one store that has the third book -- in hardback only though, so I'm gonna have to wait for the hardback. Some of the second books I've noticed, say "Coming soon" about the third book, so I guess it's only recently been released.

[Arctic]

the third book (storm of swords) has been out in paperback for about a year now. the fourth (feast for crows) is due out in SEPTEMBER in HB. the date was moved up from april.

[Ranthium]

Well Cogito,

I'll let you know before hand that 3 of your 4 dislikes are going to be in book 3 as well. There are some interesting things that will come up, yet interesting doesn't make up for quality. Overall I was slightly disapointed with the 3rd book, but I'm still looking forward to the 4th installment of the series.

[Devilslad]

The one thing the third book does though is set the stage for great things in book four. I hope he (Martin) follows through.

Devilslad

[Wiggum]

Come on, the end of that book may have left a few loose ends, but hes thinking of writing 6 or 7 total books. The last few chapters where mindblowing even if you did have problems with the perspective and pace of the story.:o
The problem is the distinct danger of GRRM becoming falling victim to what happend to Ol' Mr. Jordan and the wheel of time. But if A Feast for Crows continues at the pace of Storm of Swords, who the hell is still going to be alive.:(
Finally, who else has come up with the great names he has? Umber Greatjon, the Red Viper, Benjen Stark, The Hound, The Mountain that Rides, Varys the Master of Whisperers, The Onion Knight, The Iron Bound, Qhourin Halfhand, The Old Bear. Half of the fun of all the different families IS the names, God knows there are only two major and two minor houses you really need to know in the second and third book. :)
Dany is going to be stuck in her land until her dragons are grown, she would be slaughtered otherwise, Unsullied or no.
I'm looking forward to all the books perspectives, old and new.

"You know nothing Jon Snow." :D

[Cogito]

Ah, yeah I saw the third book the other day, but only in hardcover. On Amazon, it's in paperback tho -- they list the fourth book also... odd.

[Wiggum]

Amazon (or the publishers) set a premature prerelease date for April of this year and put it on their site a month or so back. The release date has been pushed back to Sept. I think, but they will still allow you to preorder it (might be waiting a long, long time.) You should be able to find the Storm of Swords in the collectors soft cover for about $15 in any good bookstore. I don't beleive the regular soft cover has come out yet. (They recentely released all three books in the collectors format about 6 months ago so their probably waiting for those sales to dry up before putting out the cheapest version.)

"Winter is coming.":D

[Ranthium]

The problem that I had with the 3rd book primarily was that it looked like he might be going down the same road as Jordan. Yet with the series being only 6 books long I have much more hope for it.

P.S. In case you didn't catch it the first 2 times it was mentioned, the 4th book is coming out in September. :D

[Maniacles]

"paying the iron price"

Gotta be my favorite catch phrase to come out of this series...;)