Game of Thrones

[smeags]

question for the "bookers" - should i bother with book 4 or can i just read the summary and go right to book 5 ?

[Diomedes]

that's a question for yourself.

they are both rather tedious, frankly.

[Eagles_Legendz]

I like 5 much better than 4.  I re-read a few chapters from 5 that I forgot about which I genuinely enjoy.

[rjs246]

Every single one of the ASOIAF books are tedious as shtein. Each is 800+ pages with about 650 pages of build-up and descriptions of people's meals / small clothes. That 150 pages of action and intrigue, though, usually make it worth the effort. Usually.

[smeags]

pretty much anyone i ask says 5 is much better. considering the books happen at the same time i figured i'd just read the summary of 4 and go right to 5.

[rjs246]

Why even bother reading them if you aren't actually going to read them?

[smeags]

would i miss that much of the story by not reading all of 4 ? i could always go back to it after reading 5 as we all wait until 2080 when book 6 comes out.

[rjs246]

I haven't read the fourth book, but there is seriously no way I would ever read the first three books of a series, skip the fourth, and then pick up with the fifth. Makes absolutely no sense.

[General_Failure]

That makes sense if you're reading for the joy of reading and not to study up on what's going to happen on a television show.

[Eagles_Legendz]

would i miss that much of the story by not reading all of 4 ? i could always go back to it after reading 5 as we all wait until 2080 when book 6 comes out.

The fourth and fifth books happen concurrently.  80% of the way through Dance (book 5) they sync again.

If you're going to read the books I'd recommend reading them both. 

My biggest problem is Martin got a little full of himself and world building after book 3.  So for the first time in the series you don't have a relatively finite list of POV characters throughout the whole book.  Instead you get, in addition, a handful of characters who get like two chapters. 

It's also somewhat disorienting because the first three books have such a heavy Lannister / Stark focus to spend so much time with the Martells (who are at least somewhat interesting) and the Greyjoys (who aren't).

[smeags]

would i miss that much of the story by not reading all of 4 ? i could always go back to it after reading 5 as we all wait until 2080 when book 6 comes out.

The fourth and fifth books happen concurrently.  80% of the way through Dance (book 5) they sync again.

If you're going to read the books I'd recommend reading them both. 

My biggest problem is Martin got a little full of himself and world building after book 3.  So for the first time in the series you don't have a relatively finite list of POV characters throughout the whole book.  Instead you get, in addition, a handful of characters who get like two chapters. 

It's also somewhat disorienting because the first three books have such a heavy Lannister / Stark focus to spend so much time with the Martells (who are at least somewhat interesting) and the Greyjoys (who aren't).

alright, looks like i'll be reading both. i guess if i can get through tolkien's work, especially silmarillion i can get through 4 without banging my head against the wall.

[Munson]

I've heard a lot about the Greyjoys not being interesting...any particular reason why? Is it because their story doesn't seem like it'll have a major roll in the overall story?

[Zanshin]

The Greyjoys have a generic white roll that you could find anywhere, whereas the others have a pumpernickel blend. Very interesting and hearty rolls.

[Munson]

lol

[smeags]

thanks zanshin I will never look at my hoagies the same way again.