I've read all 5 and completely disagree with those who say a Dance with Dragons is not as good as previous books. I believe the people who say this are fans of specific characters who don't show up much in book 5 because its timeline is parallel with that of the characters in book 4.

People should see book 4 and 5 as two parts of the same book. They are indeed very good books which involves less fighting and more politics than previous books.

PS: v0ltage, I'm supposed to pass book 5 to you.

Since there's a lot of Kingkiller fans here...anyone interest in Wise Man's Fear 1st edition hardcover? willing to trade for paperback of both book 1 and 2.

Reason selling: Was among the first at Big Bad Wolf. Found it, couldn't believe my eyes that it was a 1st edition and there were only 3 there. Took 1. But I don't like hardcovers and I haven't even read the first book -.-"

It is definitely worth reading but be warned, it's not your typical fantasy.

In fact, most readers will tell you that there's so little 'magic' that it's almost not fantasy. It's more political fiction.

The characters are grey, a lot of foreshadowing and death is as common as life.

In terms of the way the characters are built, I'd say it's a lot like the First Law trilogy (if you've ever heard of it).

Also remember that this is an Epic Fantasy which means the books might go on for a while (although GRRM said only two more books, I don't believe him). Robert Jordan died before he could finish WoT. Tolkien eventually got bored of fantasy after taking 20 years to write the Silmarillion (which he didn't finish). DO NOT expect these to be 'quick reads'.

Keep reading.... You'll see a trend

Patrick Rothfuss.

1. The Name of the Wind
2. The Wise Man's Fear

Only two books so far. And you can take your time reading this series; like GRRM, Rothfuss is a slow writer.

Some writers are really fast like Joe Abercrombie and Brandon Sanderson. Others like GRRM and Rothfuss tend to take their time writing.

Edit: grammar.

This post has been edited by highbury1913: Jan 10 2013, 05:07 PM

BTW, you might find it interesting to watch some of these writers' interviews on Youtube.

Abercrombie and Rothfuss are hilarious people.

GRRM is semi-funny and Sanderson comes across as very serious about his work.

5 books out so far (6 if UK edition). 7 books planned.

Books are almost always better than the shows. This is no different.

Tolkien

I don't know which version of the books you're reading, but all the editions I've seen has a map.

What RM240 box set? I've never seen it before.

PS: Yes, I agree on boxed sets. It is generally best to get them after the series has finished if you're a collector.

Is it this? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Song-Ice-Fire-Volumes/dp/0007477155

If so, there's nothing special about it besides the fact that it is the UK Harper Voyager version which splits book 3 and book 5 up into two parts; thus making 7 books.

Funnily enough, Harper Voyager also has a Dance in Dragons in 1 book as an 'option'. This alternative wasn't available for UK edition readers when book 3 was released.

In my collection, I have book 3 in 2 parts and I have book 5 in one part. I prefer the Voyager version over the Random House ones because fonts are bigger and the paper is of a slightly better quality. It annoyed me greatly when Random House released their international paperback before Voyager. I had to buy the RH version, read it, 'gift' it to a friend then buy the Voyager version so my books match on my shelf

This post has been edited by highbury1913: Apr 4 2013, 10:47 PM

Well, in the mean time you could just buy book 3 and book 5 US version. That will save you some money and still allow you to read the books.