“I am become a sour woman, Catelyn thought. I take no joy in mead nor meat, and song and laughter have become suspicious strangers to me. I am a creature of grief and dust and bitter longings. There is an empty place within me where my heart was once.” GRRM’s Character work and dialogue ( also inner monologue ) is second to none in fantasy imo.
Catelyn's entire character arc is such a beautifully and painfully written study of unresolved grief. I honestly can't understand how some people hate her - she's a person who loses everything that matters to her, and I can't help but feel her pain with her because it's written so well.
@@thing_under_the_stairs People expect too much, which leads to kinda weird opinions on characters that the fans supposed to feel and root for ( Cat, Sansa etc.) “not my hair, Ned loves my hair.” just makes The Discourse on it seem so damn small.
Alyssa had been dead six thousand years now, and still no drop of the torrent had ever reached the valley floor far below. Catelyn wondered how large a waterfall her own tears would make when she died.
@@mikesbookreviewssome of the greatest television ever. It introduced me to fantasy and I would have never discovered and read all these amazing series if it weren’t for A Game of Thrones. Forever grateful regardless how bad the ending was.
This channel played a part in my current reading obsession. I’ve always loved reading ever since I was a little child but seeing influencers like yourself talking about all of the amazing books you are always reading, and the fact that I am also in my early 40s, has made me both jealous (that I’m NOT reading all of these great books) and anxious to read everything I can before I die, for it is now plainly apparent that whether I died today or in 50 years, I will not get to read everything I want to read. But I will read a lot more if I start devoting more time to reading now. Well, since November I’ve read about 6,000 pages, which is the heaviest load of reading I’ve ever done in my life and I’m not slowing down anytime soon! Also: one of the things I’m currently reading is TLOTR for the first time and it might just be my favorite book of all time…
@@johntencate4781 yeah I finished it a while ago and… I wanted to start rereading it immediately. But I am making myself wait a couple more months because I have too many other things I need to read haha.
Congrats on reading LOTR! Just curious - have you given it a reread yet? It's also one of my favourite, and most read books of all time, for what it's worth. Sometimes I joke that where some people turn to the Bible in times of trouble, I turn to LOTR, except that I'm not really joking. It's possibly the most uplifting work I've ever read, and I love it for that.
This series is for you what Wheel of Time is for me. It's so great to have a series to love and go back to whenever the mood hits! My neighbor gave me books 1-4 of ASOIAF like 10 years ago. I had NO CLUE what they were about and I went in expecting a WoT type story. Boy was I shocked! I really enjoyed the books though. It was so different and the dialog was so captivating and I loved Terion so much!
I just read both A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings for the first time and am currently about half way through A Storm of Swords. This series is so well written. I can't believe I waited so long to read it.
Recently finished the Malazan series (thanks to your videos last year!) and ASOIAF has always been a great palate cleanser for me in between these big epic series of books. Just so happens I’m also re-reading Clash of Kings right now. Martin’s storytelling is second to none. Like you said, hopefully the stain from the TV shows (and Martin’s lag with the next book) will fade over time and people can really start appreciating this series again.
As soon as we get the TWoW release date, I’m starting the ASOIAF reread. At least, that’s what I’ve said for a couple years now. Might be time to just reread the series anyway.
"Renly offered me a peach. At our parley. Mocked me, defied me, threatened me, and offered me a peach. I thought he was drawing a blade and went for mine own. Was that his purpose, to make me show fear? Or was it one of his pointless jests? When he spoke of how sweet the peach was, did his words have some hidden meaning?" The king gave a shake of his head, like a dog shaking a rabbit to snap its neck. "Only Renly could vex me so with a piece of fruit. He brought doom on himself with his treason, but I did love him, Davos. I know that now. I swear, I will go to my grave thinking of my brother's peach."
Thank you for always putting so much effort into all of your videos. You really remind me of my dad, who sadly is no longer a part of my life, who also had a passion for fantasy and always encouraged me to keep reading. Your channel helped me get back into reading again, please keep doing what you’re doing Mike.
Your intros are always top tier, Mike! I stopped ASOIAF at A Storm of Swords years ago, but your enthusiasm really has me considering going back and finishing the other books. Great video!
Like you I discovered these books before the show and I was instantly obsessed. I come back to them every couple years. Just like I do with LOTR…p.s thanks for the Red Rising recommendation. I am hooked.
One of the best intros, to one of the best books ever written. So glad I finally decided to read the series. Tywin is my second favourite Lannister, top five character overall probably (so far). Stannis I think was more likeable in the show, while Bran POV I'm quite enjoying here in the book. Game of Thrones probably slightly edges it over Storm of Swords, mostly because of Book 1 bias perhaps. I'm absolutely loving rewatching the show as I read the books for the first time.
It's always great to see more ASoIaF one the channel. I've only read the books once so far, but they are absolutely my favourite series. In my opinion, as great as book 1 was, book 2 was definitely a step up and book 3 is the best stuff I've ever read. As for books 4 and 5, they are still amazing. To the point were the biggest problem I have with them is how George began calling the characters by nicknames on top of the chapters instead of their names. As for who is the greatest fighter in this world, I have to go with Oberyn. Really nice video, Mike. I'll be looking forward to those podcasts and your next review for A Storm of Swords.
Great review! It brings back some great memories of when I first read this book. I would love to re-read ASOIAF at some point, and I look forward to more content on this channel. Thanks for sharing 😃
Such a fantastic intro! Felt like those old school Wot videos 😀 I haven't started this series yet, so I feel safe watching these videos. Usually it's when I already begin a series (Realm of Elderlings, for example) is when I'm hesitant to watch a sequel video... because that's when I start know who is who, and wanna put those blinders up. But for now, I can watch these and not feel "spoiled"
Awesome. Definitely count me among the folks who likes ACOK more then AGOT (which is already a perfect book.) Clash is imo the best Tyrion book, so I’ve always adored it. We also get perhaps the best prologue in the series, including the introduction to my guy The Onion Knight.
As Robb is my favourite character, I feel the need to say that, while I agree he had no claim to the iron throne, he never made a claim to it. His only claim was to be king of the North, which I’d say was legitimate on two basis 1. Democracy, as he was clearly the northerners’ first choice by a landslide 2. The Starks only ever pledged allegiance to the Targaryens, not to whoever happened to be sitting on the iron throne. And even that pledge shouldn’t be binding on them anymore given what Aerys did. Of course it true that Robb probably wanted to Murder Joffrey, but I don’t think he had any plan to enforce who would be sitting on the throne after that.
ASOIAF is the best fantasy series ever. Even if it’s never finished, that’s a big negative, but the first three books especially are just executed on a level no other series matches. The characters, conflict and plot, rich archetypes, atmosphere and history, it’s all just so perfect.
I agree it’s so hard to choose which is better between Game of Thrones and Clash of Kings, they’re both amazing. If forced, I choose CoK because I think Battle of the Blackwater is the best battle scene I’ve ever read. That pushes it over the top for me.
Going off my impression from the first and only time I read the books when I was still in school (2007-2008), I remember liking the first book more because I really liked Ned Stark. I really should reread the series at some point.
I’m a third of the way through my first read of this book. It’s so fantastic, only second to Tolkien while being much different. I just hope GRRM wakes up to how important to his legacy it is for him to finish it. In any event, considering the fair likelihood that we do get Winds, he simply *cannot* be a “gardener” on Dream.
My favorite to least favorite pov's(all 9 ranked) 1)Arya(just by an inch) 2)Tyrion 3)Catelyn 4)Davos(only 3 chapters but so important) 5)Bran (alot of people will disagree but I love Bran's chapters) 6)Theon 7)Sansa (another odd pick but follow me, it's very interesting in the end watching her learn the "game" and her thought process as she waits to see what will be the outcome of the war) 8)Jon (Jon really finds his stride in book 3, but books 1&2 are a bit awkward but still a really fun diversion from the darkness of the other pov's because it is more light hearted. Ofcourse I like his friendship with Sam) 9)Dany is last, worst book for Dany. Danys great in book 1 and book 3, but besides for the end of her story when she enters the house of the undying, everything kinda drags. Still, amazing world building and ofcourse things will take on new meanings as the world expands and you understand it as part of the rest of the series....maybe 🤷♂️ Worst pov is still great, such a great book.
Have you done one of these for Storm of Swords? Surely that is the ‘best sequel ever written.’ And in my head cannon, it is also a fitting conclusion to A Song of Ice and Fire, where the process writing of Books 4 & 5 (in terms of publication) never existed… and the originally intended possibilities, as publicly revealed by GRRM himself, a quarter century ago, still await… their potential more than enough to outshine any officially completed Series published until now.
It's one of my favorite series. I love a great battle scene as well! I just wish he wrote... just a little faster. As long as we have to wait... maybe that's why it's so good. As far as the adaptation vs. Books... the book is better, but I still loved to show enough to purchase the entire DVD collection... even Season 8.😉
@@mikesbookreviews Oh interesting. I wasn't complaining I just thought it was amusing. Noise cancelling usually gets rid of background sounds for yourself but makes the background louder for others (like if you're talking to someone on your phone). At least that's what it does for my Bose headphones. I wonder if it considers taking a pause "cancel worthy."
Fantastic review. I need to pick this up again for my second reread. I think I started reading it and then picked up the show. I have you seen the tag where you create your perfect book? You pick an author that you would want to write each aspect of your prefect book. I don't know what the tag is called, but that's the gist, hope it makes sense?
very few people who made the same one again would be cool to me every day and a lot of the time I was thinking about how to but and adds nothing but it doesn't cupcakes
They have moved to the podcast page. Spotify tinyurl.com/mwm8ww25 iTunes tinyurl.com/3ke85b6p Amazon Music tinyurl.com/35ha59y7 Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/3uve2x22 iHeart Radio tinyurl.com/2tw9fkx5
@@mikesbookreviews will you be doing more of these? What about a Winds prediction episode or you saving that for the eventual release date announcement?
Ya pretty grest books hard to top. Of ypu dpnt have one u need a secret passage behond ur book shelf. After the first book i was so excited for stannis thought he wpuld come and save the day be hero reddenm ned and he turned out to be a huge prick . Lol
@@TheDarkchum1 And they always bust out the "everyone who disagrees with me is a troll" line. This is the kind of person who naturally brings gaslighting into a relationship and probably doesn't realize they're doing it.
I dunno, I think that wall of storms is a better second book, as I also think words of radiance is. I think that a storm of swords however is the best third book in any series that isn't a trilogy I've ever read.
The opening was worth every second it took for you to make it. Absolutely epic.
Thanks!
Yea. The intros get me right back into the books.
“I am become a sour woman, Catelyn thought. I take no joy in mead nor meat, and song and laughter have become suspicious strangers to me. I am a creature of grief and dust and bitter longings. There is an empty place within me where my heart was once.”
GRRM’s Character work and dialogue ( also inner monologue ) is second to none in fantasy imo.
💯
Catelyn's entire character arc is such a beautifully and painfully written study of unresolved grief. I honestly can't understand how some people hate her - she's a person who loses everything that matters to her, and I can't help but feel her pain with her because it's written so well.
@@thing_under_the_stairs People expect too much, which leads to kinda weird opinions on characters that the fans supposed to feel and root for ( Cat, Sansa etc.)
“not my hair, Ned loves my hair.” just makes The Discourse on it seem so damn small.
Alyssa had been dead six thousand years now, and still no drop of the torrent had ever reached the valley floor far below. Catelyn wondered how large a waterfall her own tears would make when she died.
Never stop doing the trailers.
Gorgeous art
good trailer, agreed
Nah, they’re annoying
I’m surprised how many booktubers who cover fantasy haven’t read this series. I think it will always be my favorite. Awesome review as always
They’re too busy still crying about the TV show.
@@mikesbookreviewssome of the greatest television ever. It introduced me to fantasy and I would have never discovered and read all these amazing series if it weren’t for A Game of Thrones. Forever grateful regardless how bad the ending was.
This channel played a part in my current reading obsession. I’ve always loved reading ever since I was a little child but seeing influencers like yourself talking about all of the amazing books you are always reading, and the fact that I am also in my early 40s, has made me both jealous (that I’m NOT reading all of these great books) and anxious to read everything I can before I die, for it is now plainly apparent that whether I died today or in 50 years, I will not get to read everything I want to read. But I will read a lot more if I start devoting more time to reading now.
Well, since November I’ve read about 6,000 pages, which is the heaviest load of reading I’ve ever done in my life and I’m not slowing down anytime soon!
Also: one of the things I’m currently reading is TLOTR for the first time and it might just be my favorite book of all time…
Have you finished LOTR? Did it become your fav (like me)? Would love to hear an update.
@@johntencate4781 yeah I finished it a while ago and… I wanted to start rereading it immediately. But I am making myself wait a couple more months because I have too many other things I need to read haha.
Congrats on reading LOTR! Just curious - have you given it a reread yet?
It's also one of my favourite, and most read books of all time, for what it's worth. Sometimes I joke that where some people turn to the Bible in times of trouble, I turn to LOTR, except that I'm not really joking. It's possibly the most uplifting work I've ever read, and I love it for that.
Stannis being the rightful king is the correct opinion. Great video as always!
Facts
In my mind he would have been a good king although in my headcanon he plays more an older mentor role for the younger king..
This series is for you what Wheel of Time is for me. It's so great to have a series to love and go back to whenever the mood hits!
My neighbor gave me books 1-4 of ASOIAF like 10 years ago. I had NO CLUE what they were about and I went in expecting a WoT type story. Boy was I shocked! I really enjoyed the books though. It was so different and the dialog was so captivating and I loved Terion so much!
I just read both A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings for the first time and am currently about half way through A Storm of Swords. This series is so well written. I can't believe I waited so long to read it.
Currently on Feast right now and have been loving the series
Most underrated book in the series
Recently finished the Malazan series (thanks to your videos last year!) and ASOIAF has always been a great palate cleanser for me in between these big epic series of books. Just so happens I’m also re-reading Clash of Kings right now. Martin’s storytelling is second to none. Like you said, hopefully the stain from the TV shows (and Martin’s lag with the next book) will fade over time and people can really start appreciating this series again.
I love love hear you talking A Song of Ice and Fire. And the epic intros are amazing as always
These intros give me goosebumps everytime. You, Ser Mike, are a legend.
As soon as we get the TWoW release date, I’m starting the ASOIAF reread.
At least, that’s what I’ve said for a couple years now. Might be time to just reread the series anyway.
"Renly offered me a peach. At our parley. Mocked me, defied me, threatened me, and offered me a peach. I thought he was drawing a blade and went for mine own. Was that his purpose, to make me show fear? Or was it one of his pointless jests? When he spoke of how sweet the peach was, did his words have some hidden meaning?" The king gave a shake of his head, like a dog shaking a rabbit to snap its neck. "Only Renly could vex me so with a piece of fruit. He brought doom on himself with his treason, but I did love him, Davos. I know that now. I swear, I will go to my grave thinking of my brother's peach."
This book gets overshadowed a lot by Storm Of Swords, I think Clash is just as good.
Indeed
Thank you for always putting so much effort into all of your videos. You really remind me of my dad, who sadly is no longer a part of my life, who also had a passion for fantasy and always encouraged me to keep reading. Your channel helped me get back into reading again, please keep doing what you’re doing Mike.
I love these reviews, I'm excited to see more!
It's probably too late, but I would love to see Durfee involved in the spoiler discussions.
Your intros are always top tier, Mike! I stopped ASOIAF at A Storm of Swords years ago, but your enthusiasm really has me considering going back and finishing the other books. Great video!
Go for it!
Like you I discovered these books before the show and I was instantly obsessed. I come back to them every couple years. Just like I do with LOTR…p.s thanks for the Red Rising recommendation. I am hooked.
One of the best intros, to one of the best books ever written. So glad I finally decided to read the series. Tywin is my second favourite Lannister, top five character overall probably (so far). Stannis I think was more likeable in the show, while Bran POV I'm quite enjoying here in the book. Game of Thrones probably slightly edges it over Storm of Swords, mostly because of Book 1 bias perhaps. I'm absolutely loving rewatching the show as I read the books for the first time.
It's always great to see more ASoIaF one the channel.
I've only read the books once so far, but they are absolutely my favourite series. In my opinion, as great as book 1 was, book 2 was definitely a step up and book 3 is the best stuff I've ever read. As for books 4 and 5, they are still amazing. To the point were the biggest problem I have with them is how George began calling the characters by nicknames on top of the chapters instead of their names.
As for who is the greatest fighter in this world, I have to go with Oberyn.
Really nice video, Mike. I'll be looking forward to those podcasts and your next review for A Storm of Swords.
Great review! It brings back some great memories of when I first read this book. I would love to re-read ASOIAF at some point, and I look forward to more content on this channel. Thanks for sharing 😃
I’m currently ready this book for the first time almost done I enjoyed everything
It's so good!
I LOOOOOOOOVE the opening you've filmed for this vid. ASOIAF is on my 2023 TBR.
I understand the intros aren’t for everybody, but that was straight money
We need an "a storm of swords" video now!
Such a fantastic intro! Felt like those old school Wot videos 😀
I haven't started this series yet, so I feel safe watching these videos.
Usually it's when I already begin a series (Realm of Elderlings, for example) is when I'm hesitant to watch a sequel video... because that's when I start know who is who, and wanna put those blinders up. But for now, I can watch these and not feel "spoiled"
Great to see some love for my favourite entry in AsOiAf
I do love the dramatic intros Mike. I need you to read these books because the current audiobooks leave much to be desired.
.
Also, Stannis is King
This is why I like you.
Stannis is Mannis*
Stannis is King. There's nothing to discuss.
💯
Awesome. Definitely count me among the folks who likes ACOK more then AGOT (which is already a perfect book.) Clash is imo the best Tyrion book, so I’ve always adored it. We also get perhaps the best prologue in the series, including the introduction to my guy The Onion Knight.
Loved the intro Mike!
As Robb is my favourite character, I feel the need to say that, while I agree he had no claim to the iron throne, he never made a claim to it. His only claim was to be king of the North, which I’d say was legitimate on two basis
1. Democracy, as he was clearly the northerners’ first choice by a landslide
2. The Starks only ever pledged allegiance to the Targaryens, not to whoever happened to be sitting on the iron throne. And even that pledge shouldn’t be binding on them anymore given what Aerys did.
Of course it true that Robb probably wanted to Murder Joffrey, but I don’t think he had any plan to enforce who would be sitting on the throne after that.
The intro 🤩🤩🤩!
ASOIAF is the best fantasy series ever. Even if it’s never finished, that’s a big negative, but the first three books especially are just executed on a level no other series matches. The characters, conflict and plot, rich archetypes, atmosphere and history, it’s all just so perfect.
These books are so damn good. Gotta do a reread soon
I agree it’s so hard to choose which is better between Game of Thrones and Clash of Kings, they’re both amazing. If forced, I choose CoK because I think Battle of the Blackwater is the best battle scene I’ve ever read. That pushes it over the top for me.
Just when we needed him
Another amazing video!!! Thank you!!
Excellent as always!! ❤
Going off my impression from the first and only time I read the books when I was still in school (2007-2008), I remember liking the first book more because I really liked Ned Stark. I really should reread the series at some point.
Have you heard that “Buffy” theme cover by punk rock factory…it’s here in TH-cam
HALF MAN, HALF MAN, HALF MAN!!! Great battle.
Wait, why did you not do a Storm of Swords video? New to the channel and was enjoying going through the backlog.
I’m a third of the way through my first read of this book. It’s so fantastic, only second to Tolkien while being much different. I just hope GRRM wakes up to how important to his legacy it is for him to finish it. In any event, considering the fair likelihood that we do get Winds, he simply *cannot* be a “gardener” on Dream.
Great review.
My favorite to least favorite pov's(all 9 ranked)
1)Arya(just by an inch)
2)Tyrion
3)Catelyn
4)Davos(only 3 chapters but so important)
5)Bran (alot of people will disagree but I love Bran's chapters)
6)Theon
7)Sansa (another odd pick but follow me, it's very interesting in the end watching her learn the "game" and her thought process as she waits to see what will be the outcome of the war)
8)Jon (Jon really finds his stride in book 3, but books 1&2 are a bit awkward but still a really fun diversion from the darkness of the other pov's because it is more light hearted. Ofcourse I like his friendship with Sam)
9)Dany is last, worst book for Dany. Danys great in book 1 and book 3, but besides for the end of her story when she enters the house of the undying, everything kinda drags. Still, amazing world building and ofcourse things will take on new meanings as the world expands and you understand it as part of the rest of the series....maybe 🤷♂️
Worst pov is still great, such a great book.
Have you done one of these for Storm of Swords?
Surely that is the ‘best sequel ever written.’
And in my head cannon, it is also a fitting conclusion to A Song of Ice and Fire, where the process writing of Books 4 & 5 (in terms of publication) never existed… and the originally intended possibilities, as publicly revealed by GRRM himself, a quarter century ago, still await… their potential more than enough to outshine any officially completed Series published until now.
Perfect timing I’m reading this one
It's one of my favorite series. I love a great battle scene as well! I just wish he wrote... just a little faster. As long as we have to wait... maybe that's why it's so good.
As far as the adaptation vs. Books... the book is better, but I still loved to show enough to purchase the entire DVD collection... even Season 8.😉
Everytime you take a sip of your coffee the sound cuts out. 😂 You have very powerful coffee Mike 🤣
It's that new microphone. It has noise canceling and goes mute at dead spaces.
@@mikesbookreviews Oh interesting. I wasn't complaining I just thought it was amusing. Noise cancelling usually gets rid of background sounds for yourself but makes the background louder for others (like if you're talking to someone on your phone).
At least that's what it does for my Bose headphones.
I wonder if it considers taking a pause "cancel worthy."
Great video Mike, could i ask where you got that t-shirt??
Any luck we get a review of the rest of the series ?
Fantastic review. I need to pick this up again for my second reread. I think I started reading it and then picked up the show. I have you seen the tag where you create your perfect book? You pick an author that you would want to write each aspect of your prefect book. I don't know what the tag is called, but that's the gist, hope it makes sense?
next surprise, patchface is actually the drowned god
I miss the gun intros, can you at least wave a sword at us or something?
Thx bro
Mike, are you ever going to read the Wars of the Roses, inspiration to Game of Thrones?
very few people who made the same one again would be cool to me every day and a lot of the time I was thinking about how to but and adds nothing but it doesn't cupcakes
Great books... just wish he would finish it
Can’t find these spoiler cast videos you mentioned?
They have moved to the podcast page.
Spotify tinyurl.com/mwm8ww25
iTunes tinyurl.com/3ke85b6p
Amazon Music tinyurl.com/35ha59y7
Google Podcasts tinyurl.com/3uve2x22
iHeart Radio tinyurl.com/2tw9fkx5
@@mikesbookreviews thanks man! Love the A Song of Fire and Ice content
@@mikesbookreviews will you be doing more of these? What about a Winds prediction episode or you saving that for the eventual release date announcement?
Just finished Game of Thrones. I know I am on the late train lol!
Ya pretty grest books hard to top. Of ypu dpnt have one u need a secret passage behond ur book shelf. After the first book i was so excited for stannis thought he wpuld come and save the day be hero reddenm ned and he turned out to be a huge prick . Lol
-5:54
Hey Mike, can you stop kissing up to Martin already? You left too many marks on the back of his pants.
Hey BoldnessofSouls, can you stop listening to my opinions if you don't like them? You left too many snarky comments on my videos.
@@mikesbookreviews I only leave comments when I disagree. If I do not leave a comment, that means I agree with you.
@@mikesbookreviews Ignore trolls. You will be better much off.
“Everyone who disagrees with me is a troll.” Well, I’m sorry for not being a mindless yesman.
@@TheDarkchum1 And they always bust out the "everyone who disagrees with me is a troll" line. This is the kind of person who naturally brings gaslighting into a relationship and probably doesn't realize they're doing it.
I need Winds in my life... 🫠🫠
We all do.
I dunno, I think that wall of storms is a better second book, as I also think words of radiance is. I think that a storm of swords however is the best third book in any series that isn't a trilogy I've ever read.