"A Song of Ice and Fire is an ongoing series of epic fantasy novels by American novelist and screenwriter George R. R. Martin."This is a rather large and famous series of books, and ever more since HBO turned the first book into miniseries and second series coming soon. I bet many of you have read the books so let's have a small chat about the series. Because hey, why not.
Disclaimer:
This might end up being me ranting, rambling and pondering various aspect to the point where no one else cares any more. But that's something we just have to live with.
INTRODUCTION:The books in the series:
A Game of Thrones (1996)
A Clash of Kings (1998)
A Storm of Swords (2000)
A Feast For Crows (2005)
A Dance With Dragons (2011)
The Winds of Winter (TBA)
A Hope of Spring (TBA)HBO miniseries based on the first book aired last year and second series will air this spring. I'm not going there now other than saying that it's one of the best film/TV versions of any book ever made. Recommended.
Like said, ASoIAF epic high fantasy series. I have described it as a mix of The Lord of The Rings and Dune, or more like Dune set in a fantasy setting. While it's clearly high fantasy, the world is close to Middle-earth at the end of the third age. The dragons are supposedly extinct, and magic is thin on the ground. Sorcery is mostly limited to trickery of hedge wizards, and true wizards are either really rare or live in far away lands.
More outlandish creatures are the white walkers, the "Others". And reanimated dead, the wights (as in
LoTR).
Most of the story is set in the continent of Westeros. More than a dozen years before the start of the first book Robert Baratheon started a rebellion to overthrow Aerys II Targaryen, the delusional and cruel "Mad King". The Targaryen dynasty had ruled The Seven Kingdoms for three hundred years since Aegon the Conqueror had invaded the land and united the seven independent kingdoms. The conclusive battle, "Field of Fire" was one of the last major battles where dragons were used.
Game of Thrones starts as King Robert rides North to meet his old friend from the rebellion. Lord Eddard Stark, the Warden of North, is nominated as the Hand of The King, the second most powerful man in the realm. It turns out, that there was more than few suspicious things about the death of the old Hand. Lord Stark, driver by his utmost devotion to honour and loyalty, can't refuse the "offer" and rides south to take the office.
Eddard Stark starts to investigate the death of the former Hand, and finds plots within plots, spies, poison and corruption. At the same time in the east, a Targaryen heir is trying raise an army and claim the throne from the usurper.
A Song of Ice And Fire is as much about politics and scheming as it is about warfare and adventures. It is to fantasy what
Dune is to Sci-Fi.My introduction might not the the best possible, but if that sounds even remotely interesting, get a copy of Game of Thrones (or watch the series if that's your thing). I would recommend reading the book first, though. This is also the part where people who have not read the series should stop reading.
The story is massive and so many things are left open that I would like to see if others who have read the series have anything to say or analyse. The are two books left and an unlimited way how the story could unfold. It's impossible to fathom what will happen, but I have gathered a hypothesis from various little bits amongst the story. Would be nice to hear what others think of it and hear their own thoughts.
SPOILERS!WARNING! The following will spoil everything up to the end of A Dance With Dragons. Do not read if you have not read all the books. This WILL also spoil the HBO series!ICE AND FIREWhat I think the story is about:Basically: I think that Jon Snow is ICE, and Daenerys Targaryen is FIRE.
First, let's take a look at Jon. He is the bastard son of Ned Stark. We do not know who his mother is, and Ned took that information with him to the grave.* I boldly claim, that I know who his mother is. I even go so far that I clam that Ned Stark is not his father.
*more about this later
Jon Snow is actually the son of Lyanna Stark (ice) and Rhaegar Targaryen (fire). Lyanna and Rhaegar had been lovers since the tourney at Harrenhall. Rhaegar was the heir and married to Elia. Lyanna was promised to Robert Baratheon.
The official story says that Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna. This of course leads to the Robert's rebellion. But I do not think it happened like that. Rhaegar and Lyanna ran off together.
During the war, Lyanna was at the Tower of Joy, guarded by THREE best swords of the Kingsguard. That's right, even living legends like "Sword of the Morning" and "White Bull" were not with the king or on Rhaegars side at the Trident when he died. He sent them to guard the woman he loved.
After the episode with the Kingslayer in the throne room, Ned rode to south to rescue Lyanna. After defeating the three members of the Kingsguard, Ned found Lyanna. He was too late, she was dying after giving birth to Jon. Before dying, she make Ned to promise her something. We do not know what it was, but it haunted Ned for the rest of his life. What I think he promised is that he would take care of the baby and raise him as his own son. The only person who might know anything is Ned's best friend, Howland Reed. He was the only survivor from the Tower of Joy and he has not left the Neck afterwards.
Fast forward to the end of ADWD:
Did Jon really die? Maybe. We he stay dead? No.1) If it really was Jon who got stabbed, and died from his wounds, there are many factors worth noting. He was assassinated in plain sight of everyone, including the free men, queen's men and most importantly Melisandre. She is a red priestess and as we know (what Thoros of Myr did to Beric Dondarrion) they can resurrect people. She will save Jon.
2) It wasn't Jon. He was someone else "masked" as Jon by Melisandre. Like he turned Mance Rayder into Rattleshirt. Whoever it was, he was clumsy with sword, not like Jon at all. And it didn't fool everyone; Ghost growled at "Jon".
Of dreams and prophecies:Jon Snow, the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar, is Azor Ahai.
"When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone."
- In the end of ADWD, the elements of the prophecy are present: "Smoke" from Jon's wounds, and "salt" from Bowen Marsh's tears. The bleeding star was Ser Patrek bleeding and swung in air by Wun-Wun the giant, his heraldic symbol being a star.
- Jon dreamed of a burning red sword (Lightbringer).
- What Melisandre said when she tried to see Stannis (who she thinks is Azor Ahai) in the fires: "When I search for him, all I see is snow."
Jon Snow.
COCLUSIONLike said, it is impossible to tell what the old geezer has in mind for the story. But if my hypothesis is correct, we might see Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen reuniting the bloodlines of houses Stark and Targaryen, bringing peace to the Seven Kingdoms and beating the Others beyond the Wall.
Or something completely different.
That's it. That is whay I have gathered by reading the books. I hope someone else has also read the books and share my enthusiasm. I would be nice to hear other's opinions and long ramblings, and to hear what you think of my wild suggestions. If not, well, this thread will serve as a diary or a blog for me
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