If you are a fan of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, then you’ll know how painful the wait for the next book is.
For those that don’t know, I’m talking about the books the Game of Thrones is an adaption of … you probably haven’t heard of it…
The A Song of Ice and Fire books are so intricate, complex and monumental that it’s easy to forget that Westeros isn’t actually a real place, especially as George R.R. Martin has even created vast timelines that date thousands of years in amazing detail.
However, because they are so carefully and fantastically written, it takes him about five years to complete each instalment.
I was always quite sympathetic towards GRRM for having to deal with hoards of eagerly awaiting fans criticizing his slow writing. I mean, what’s so wrong with an author writing at his own pace to ensure that his novels are perfection? This was until I finished the final released book, A Dance with Dragons.
Although the book series took me nearly two years to complete (on top of exams and the woes of life, I hasten to add), I feel as though I whizzed through them and then came to a harsh and abrupt end, which was a bit of a shock to the system. With my obsession over the TV show, I had been happily floating around the Game of Thrones universe in my head for such a long time that now it’s over I don’t quite know what to do with myself.
Not only are there rumours that the penultimate book, The Winds of Winter, will not be released until 2017, there is the painful year long wait for the next series of the show.
This series is not for the impatient but it’s worth the wait. It’s been a while since anything has completely gripped me and subsequently taken over my life. Each book is a masterpiece, so beautifully written that each character feels like a friend.
The show is so accurate, visually dynamic and well-cast that it truly does the books justice, a rarity these days. I do advise you at least watch the first series before starting the novels as there are so many places and families that overall, it makes it easier to place everything in your head.
However, the books are a league of their own, so do read them if you have the time!