I'm a showfag, converted bookfag, and I am currently halfway through A Clash of Kings. Since this board is pretty slow, I thought I'd start a thread chronicling my journey through the second of the epic series. Here are my thoughts thus far: This book deviates a lot from the series. I thought the first season stayed pretty true to the book, but this one clearly leaves a lot of details out, and even changes the plot in certain areas. Although, I tend to watch the series stoned as shit, and miss out on a lot of things that I have learned in the books. For example, I never knew about the tunnel between the brothel and the castle. Completely missed a lot of the stuff leading to Arya ending up in Harrenhall, too. I also don't think the whole Renley-Loras love affair thing is made apparent at all, although he hasn't died yet, so I guess we'll see. Here are a few other things I've noticed. Jon Snow chapters are the most boring to me. I like him a lot as a character, but I like hearing about the war in Westeros more than the daily happenings beyond the wall. Obviously, I'm not a Sansa fan, but her chapters are usually interesting, as she is in the middle of King's Landing. Obviously, the books explain things a lot better. I had no idea about the Maesters of the Citadel until I read the books. I also picked up on a lot of things I missed in the series. The dialogue between Varys and Tyrion is probably my favorite part of the books. They have a lot of lines together in the series, but it remains a constant in the books. They are both conniving and intelligent characters, and it's always great when they are together. Prior to reading the books, I liked Stannis. He didn't come off as bitter in the series, and due to his rightful claim to the throne, I was pulling for him. Now I think he's a cunt and I hope he is defeated swiftly. I also like the queen more in the books. Showing what is going through Tyrion's mind really tells a lot more about the character. I don't think the show depicts his insecurities near as well as in the books. I think Martin does a better job of showing the good and bad in characters, as oppose to the showrunner. I am still a huge Stark fan. Honestly, I think the best scenario to end up would be Dany taking the Iron Throne, and allowing Robb to remain King of the North. It just makes the most sense since the Lannisters are all cunts, and Stannis is a prick. Anyways, I'll probably bump this thread as I continue to read through the series. I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and will hopefully be caught up with the entire series by the end of the summer.
Just finished it. Neglected studying all day to read/watch Bama sports all afternoon. The latter half of the book is where the series and the book really go in separate directions. I feel like Dany spends half of the series in Quarth dicking around with Doxos, but she is barely there at all in the books. The House of the Undying was really weird, and I can't say I gathered much from it. Except it appears her dragons are growing well, and foretelling the future continues to be a theme in the series. I thought the storyline beyond the wall was a little smoother in the books. It made more sense for Quorin to command Jon to become a spy prior to getting caught, as oppose to in the fray while they were held captive, like in the series. Him killing Quorin was quite inevitable, and I'm excited to see where the story goes from here. (I'm sure he'll fuck Ygritte some time in the first 100 pages of SOS) The battle was somewhat different than the show, but it was still entertaining. It was sad reading Davos' last thoughts. I really liked him in both mediums. I liked how there was some fighting prior to the wildfire explosion. Tyrion was a badass, and I hope he gets the respect he deserves after he heals. I did not expect Joff to bethrothe to Margaery, but I guess I could have seen it coming. I know Martin wrote the script for the battle episode, and it was quite obvious. So many quotes were quoted exactly how they were read in the books. A couple of lines from Cersei and Tyrion come to mind. I really, really wish Robb was a narrator. He is one of my favorite characters in the show, and you barely see him in the books. Catelyn is usually pretty boring, but I can't help but feel sorry for her. She has lost so much, and thinks she has lost Bran and Rickon. It's kind of annoying that the TV show has her release Jaime, when she doesn't in the books. Although I guess it could still happen early in SOS. Can't blame her all that much. Overall, I loved the book and I liked how it was different from the show, because I was reading another story. I'm starting Storm of Swords tonight, so I guess my views wil l change now that I haven't seen any of the TV form. Honestly can't wait.
Also, the bastard coming to Winterfell was just kind of confusing. Did he hate Theon and the Starks? I know they are suppose to swear fealty to Winterfell, so why did he burn it? Theon is dead, right?
It's so frustrating that the Starks are such good people, but they always get fucked. I guess that's kinda one of Martin's main goals, but still, cut them some damn slack for once!
Yeah I didn't really understand that, either. He had that paragraph long monologue and I didn't understand what he was talking about.
I'm too cheap to buy the book, so UA412 emailed me the online version. Therefore, I'll updating this thread as I read it on my laptop. Thoughts: Tywin is a real dick. Catelyn chapters just depress me. Arya is a boss.
He really is. Him and a few other characters I have to somewhat pretend to like/dislike so it doesn't spoil it for people who only watch the show. Also snakes you might want to post something in the title such as [Just started book 3] or [Book 3 - Sansa 1] meaning you've read to Sansa's 1st pov. First part is so dumbasses don't come here when they haven't read the books. Second part is so another reader doesn't comment on something that hasn't happened yet. The second part is up to you but at least put [Book 3] somewhere in the title so it is known. It's happened before. You'd post what you just posted and then someone would say yeah it really sucks when Arya caught Tywin and Cat together and commited a double muder suicide in book 3.
Can someone please explain to me who all is riding with Bran? Rickon, Hodor, Osha, The Reeds, and who else? I guess I never picked up on how they all got together. Who is the grandfather? thanks
We are pretty much together on this book and it seems like we have alot of the same questions. I'm still a little confused about what exactly happened at winterfell
Roose Bolton's bastard razed Winterfell. Theon's fate is unknown at this point. As far as what happened to Bran etc, it is the Reeds and Hodor with Bran traveling north towards the wall. Osha is taking Rickon to White Harbor IIRC.
I think they talked about possible places he could go, but they didn't state exactly where Rickon and Osha were going.
The magical aspect is so well done. There is just enough of it to stay interesting, without going over the top. Although I guess we'll see how that goes with the Others.
i always liked how everything "magic" was centered around religion. it wasnt like there were just harry potters walking around doing magic for no reason. old gods and the trees, red god, etc.
yeah i'm reading the chapter where she escaped from him right now. This is getting good. Having the PDF version is nice cause its free and all, but I check TMB every other page just cause it's all right here.
welp nevermind. I'm ready for Arya to get Nymeria back and start fucking shit up. And oh man, Samwell as a narrator? I guess I'm cool with that.
idk i really like show Jon. I enjoy the Wall storyline but I just can't help myself but be a little disappointed when I get to a Jon chapter. I just think the shit going on in Westeros is a lot more interesting.