to anyone who has read "A game of thrones by George R. R. Martin"?

Question

Is there any books better than A Game Of Thrones Series " A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R. R. Martin. Keep in mind you must have read the series. I would like only opinions from those who have read the series.

Answer 1

Well, Martin's series is definitely at the top of the fantasy genre. He brought gritty realism and intense character development to the forefront. I love how he doesn't name a specific villain or hero, but lets all of the characters share in the narration and demonstrate their motives, whatever they might be. In fantasy, he's definitely one of the best. If you broaden the genre to include SF, though, I think there are a few authors who have written better novels than the Song of Ice and Fire series. Philip K. Dick was a prolific author from the fifties to the eighties, responsible for such masterpieces as A Scanner Darkly, The Man in the High Castle, Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep, and The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch. He also wrote numerous short fiction, including The Second Variety, The Minority Report, Paycheck, and We'll Remember It For You Wholesale. He was a philosopher with much to say on the nature of humanity and reality, but he said it in a genre most people tend to overlook and has thus never quite received the credit he deserves. He's definitely a though-provoking writer, though, and possibly the greatest American writer in the past forty years.

Another one I think better than Martin would be Karin Lowachee. She's another SF writer, more in the space opera genre than Dick was, though. She writes intense, character-driven SF (don't see much of that in the genre) and brings a real edge to her fiction. She's also written one of the best, creepiest villains in any book I've read (perhaps only rivaled by the father in The Brothers Karamazov). Her first book, Warchild, is one of the most unique SF novels I've ever read, it's what convinced me there's hope for the genre beyond hardcore, plot-driven monstrosities.

In fantasy, one name in particular springs to mind as being just as good as and possibly better than Martin, if only for one book. Elizabeth A. Lynn has written several novels, but only Dragon's Winter really stands out and demands notice. It's lyrically written, very poetic, and Lynn's world has a carefully crafted history and mythology related to the reader throughout the course of the narrative. It gives it a sense of depth and reality devoid in so many fantasies. Like Martin, she stays away from elves and dwarves and the other over used and entirely cliched staples of too many fantasies.

Answer 2

I haven't yet read A Feast for Crows, but I really enjoyed the previous books. I would hate to say that any of the following series are 'better' than Martin's works but I would definitely say that they are comparable.

For length and complexity, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is great though it suffers from the same problem as Martin's books as they take a long time between books. I guess you can't rush good writing.

Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series (The Dragonbone Chair, The Stone of Farewell and To Green Angel Tower) was also excellent though it doesn't have near as many twists and turns as Martin's books.

Raymond Feist's Midkemia books are also great (starting with his Magician books) and are also quite complex when you look at all of his books as a whole.

And finally, Dennis L. McKiernan's Iron Tower trilogy is pretty good (The Dark Tide, Shadows of Doom and The Darkest Day).

Answer 3

I really enjoyed Song of Fire and Ice, but I don't think its the best book ever. Identifying better books is tough though. But to make the comparison feel like apples and apples, I'll pick other long stories. I think Tom Jones (History of Tom Jones - a Foundling) and Count of Monte Cristo were better. Hitchhikers guide is so totally different, without vengeance or complex plots, but it was my favorite for years. But SOI&F has been fabulous. I prefer it to Lord of the Rings, which, like the Hobbit, is just a story for boys - lacking girls. I think SOF&I is the best REALLY LONG work of fiction yet by an American Writer. If it ends well, it may take the prize. Hope Martin has an ending. (I read too many Philip K. Dick books that started with great premises, but had no good ending. . . .) Yet I cant imagine how it will end. If ends in some democratic or communist revolution to replace the middle ages abuses of aristocracy with the government of a modern superpower, I won't be surprised, but I don't know if I'll rated it so high. . .

Answer 4

The series is totally fabulous. I really like how he is not afraid to bump off charactors. There are two second place finishes in my ranking. I really liked the "Ender" series by Orson Scott Card. and "The War Against Chtorr" series (although currently unfinished) by David Gerrold, is exceedingly good. By the way, HBO has bought the rights to A Game of Thrones and is making a mini-series. Cool!!
Oh yeah, Robin Hobbs stuff is also great. Just too much out there!!

Answer 5

I've recently read the entire series and it's fantastic. I can't wait for the next book, though he keeps pushing back the publish date. I may have to re-read the earlier volumes again to refresh my memory. What a great series. I never would have thought Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy would have a rival, but this is it.