I decided to hold out on the “Game of Thrones” tv-series until the whole season was out. I enjoyed the heck out of it, but the series definitely seems to have a “Sopranos”-like attitude to character death. Without spoiling anything, I found myself having to choose a new favourite character every week for a few weeks in a row, as my options dwindled. Now, I’m in the position where I want to read the books, but I don’t want to have anything spoiled, so I’ll probably have to wait until the tv-show is over. Ah well. I’m sure there are other super-lengthy fantasy epics out there.
I just watched “Game” myself. Your totally right, it’s making me want to read the books just so I know what is going to happen. DAMN YOU HBO! I want the second season already.
“I’m sure there are other super-lengthy fantasy epics out there.”
This caught my eye because, well, I do read these things.
A short list of excellent fantasy series in veins similar to Martin or at least equal in quality.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Erikson (10 books. Very Long. Very very very complicated).
The Dresden Files by Butcher (14 books… so far. 25 total planned. Humorous, accessible, short books in an on-going series. Originally episodic, but an overarching story does begin to appear after the first few books).
The First Law by Abercrombie (A completed trilogy. The best fantasy author I know).
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Lynch (Two books have been released in this excellent fantasy series, more to come!)
The Wheel of Time by Jordan (Old, and defined much of what we read today. Deteriorates after the first six books. Currently on book 13, with one more scheduled to finish the series).
It’s good to know that there’s some good stuff out there which I can use to distract myself if I ever feel the need to bite down on Martin’s books before the TV show has finished. I tried Dresden a few months ago. I thought it was pleasant and enjoyable enough, but it didn’t really hook me. I have a family member who has repeatedly recommended the Wheel of Time, so maybe I should get on that. I haven’t heard of the others. I’ll hit up Wikipedia and see if I like what I see. Thanks for the recommendations!