u/AppropriateAd5213·1·
yes
I love GOT but is it worth reading the 5 books of A Song Of Ice And Fire as it’s incomplete and may never be completed? [No Spoilers]
yes
Yes
Yes. Even without a written ending it's still my favorite series
Love it!
yes absolutely yes. they are vastly superior to the show, even the first four seasons which are considered golden by most aren't quite as good as their book counterparts.
Love the suggestion! Thank you
Honestly I find the first 4 seasons pretty on par with some changes I like and some things they missed that I dislike. The next two seasons are inferior to the books but easier to rewatch/read at times because they have some of the big payoffs the books lack (Hardhome, battle of the bastards despite flaws) and such. Obviously the books are way better but it just leads me to wanting winds all that much more
Yes
Just read the prologue of the first book and you’ll realize that this is the peakest of peaks of written fiction.
Wow I am more than excited now!
“Dance with me then” 🗡️
So worth it
Yes
Yes, it's way more in depth than the show I'd also recommend all the spin off books
The only people saying you'll regret it, are the ones who haven't read them.
Lol, man, you're asking this on a dedicated fan board after 15 years since the last book in the main series. Yet the fans are still here, despite everything. What answer do you expect?
"Hey subreddit dedicated to these books, are these books good?!"
Yes. They're amazing
I enjoy the world so I picked up the books properly for the first time in 10 years (getting past ACOK). I've accepted I'm reading 5 books with an author who is dead. If somehow Winds is released, how euphoric will that release be?. Alas, It'll never happen. Probably.
If you go into it believing that there will never be an ending, it's still a great read. Many years ago George said that the ending would be "bittersweet". If he finished the series it would just be that with extra steps.
There are certainly people that have read the books and regret it because there will likely never be an ending. I expect most of the people still engaged with the forums are those who view each book as a complete work worthy of praise and critical engagement. You get to decide what kind of reader you are, but if you can read one book in. A series and appreciate it on the merits without feeling that it is necessarily incomplete because you haven’t yet read the next, then you should read ASOIAF.
I feel torn on questions like this. I adored this universe. Read the first five books a few times. A Storm of Swords is truly incredible, like I can’t speak enough to how exciting and unique and climactic that fucker is. The later novels—although meandering and messy—are my favorites, as the characters are so rich in Feast and Dance. But personally, I’ve grown incredibly frustrated. A bunch of prequel spinoffs about Targaryens are getting pumped out while the story I have been invested in for literal decades remains incomplete and probably always will. I think they are worth experiencing. But there is frustration that comes with it
Yep, it's bittersweet. Martin fucking *cooked* for three whole novels. But I hesitate to call him a great writer because *he can't finish shit*, and that's not exactly a minor flaw in an author.
Yes it's worth it. Even when the show was following the books, you'll find a lot of things and characters that are not in the show.
the character arcs of Theon and Jaime still make me cry
If you love GoT it's worth reading for the plotlines/POVs they cut. The result of that was weird forcing of square pegs into round holes and rushing the plot by any means necessary, resulting in the butchering of half the POVs in S5-7 - not to mention the complete and total butchering of S8 which violently flew full speed into the ground, dove past the earth's crust and somehow broke past bedrock. That being said, it IS and will most likely remain unfinished, so you decide. It will take a long time waiting until GRRM's estate is able to do anything about the series and maybe, possibly approving someone else to finish the series if they will do that at all.
ROLF 😂😂
Yes, you will question the show for everything they didn't adapt
You don't have to be consumed by the desire for closure. Communities like this one can sometimes enhance the angst about the books being unfinished, but they also have deepened my appreciation for what has been published. Just don't engage with the folks who get extremely worked up about it and enjoy the vibes.
I don't think so. I gave up reading the series, I refuse to get invested in something that'll never pay off.
Yes. Simple because you need to meet nimble dick
Don’t know who that is but I’ll find out in the books
I would say yes. But be aware that once you finish the 5th book and read what has been published/released for 6th one... you'll be left with an insatiable hunger. I am sometimes resentful that I become as invested in this series as I am. It grabs you and never leaves you. For good and bad.
If you love the show, the books have everything you love but *more*. They are better in every regard. Besides, you won't be very bored, because after a point in about the middle of the show's life they only really adapted the broad strokes. Some characters are very different in personality, some of the story arcs are very different in outcome or execution, and some characters and arcs will be legit brand new to you because they got cut. However, George is never finishing the books, so if having the ending he planned matters to you, you will remain blue-balled.
Yes!
Worth flagging that you're asking this on a dedicated fan board, so almost everyone answering is by definition someone who stayed. The people who bounced off aren't in here to reply. So for balance: I read all five and stopped there. Not because it's unfinished, that part bothers me but isn't the reason. Book five is where everything fell off for me, hard enough that I wouldn't go back. Which is why I'd ignore the yes-or-no and use that as your test instead. If what you loved about the show was momentum and payoff, books one to three do that harder than the show ever managed, and they're worth it on their own terms. If you hit book five and find it has traded momentum for texture and breadth, that's not the series failing, that's the series changing, and you can decide there rather than now. The unfinished thing is the least interesting reason to skip it. Book three on its own justifies the time.
Thanks for your opinion
Yes.
The first three books make a trilogy on the WOT5K, the Nights Watch battle against the Wildings, Dany's rise and conquer of the East Even if the larger storylines never get completed these are all fascinating plots and George executes them flawlessly
We are the most bias people to ask such a question probably should ask a more general board
Can you please suggest one?
Eh. Once upon time I’d say yes. Now I’d say if you’ll be really upset it’ll never be finished, don’t.
books are so much better than the show, even incomplete
Asking here isn't going to get you an unbiased answer imo. Personally I wouldn't recommend them at this point, they're well written but unsatisfying where they leave off.
Where do you think i would get an unbiased opinion?
NO. Just kidding. Yes.
No, wish I had my time back, never bothered with his money grabbing spinoffs.
Makes sense but the journey sounds to be worth it
This post is engagement bait. The guy is just trying to build karma on his three year old account that he originally set up to talk about nofap.
Oh, no! Not the nofap! Why?!? Fap? Always yes. Ugh.
Absolutely! I came from the show and read all of it 2 years ago. I can't even begin to describe how worthwhile the journey and experience is.
I’m on the third book and my only regret is learning all the cool shit that could have been in seasons 2 and 3 that they chose to leave out.
Yes
Yes
100%, you'll love it even more than the show
Yes. The history of this sub is proof of how much depth you can get from the published works and (quality) fan speculation. In all honesty, lately I feel the books themselves have been somewhat exhausted of content but there’s still interconnectivity with the showverse giving it new life. And that’s saying something, considering the last main series book was 13 years ago.
Just a small glimpse of what you will miss by not reading the books. The books are full of life and the shows are hollow. The books are homemade lasagna. The shows are microwaved dinners. "Her face, Brienne thought. Her face was so strong and handsome, her skin so smooth and soft. “Lady Catelyn?” Tears filled her eyes. “They said . they said that you were dead.” “She is,” said Thoros of Myr. “The Freys slashed her throat from ear to ear. When we found her by the river she was three days dead. Harwin begged me to give her the kiss of life, but it had been too long. I would not do it, so Lord Beric put his lips to hers instead, and the flame of life passed from him to her. And . she rose. May the Lord of Light protect us. She rose.”
You should read it just to readjust your thoughts on the Dorne storyline
Of course it’s worth it. They’re like the best books ever and they are orders of magnitude better than the show.
You will read them twice, at least.
They’re worth reading because they are legitimately a great compilation of story arcs, some of which do resolve in what’s been published. The writing is good and I think the series is a great literary accomplishment that is sadly diminished by the fact that it’s unfinished.
Yes but it hurts
I listened to the first three and LOVED them. I took a break at AFFC since it was a bit tough for me to follow but I didn't get far
The first three book can be a triology of it own
It’s worth it, but you will be wroth! And if you listen to Roy Dotrice read it you will be even wrothier! Definitely worth it. You’ll meet the other half of the characters in the story. You’ll learn the value of an editor and you’ll join the rest of us in knowing more but being satisfied less. So do it! And be wroth!
People won't agree, but I rather recommend the TV show. It is at least finished.
absolutely
Yes, the 5 books we have are still better than most. The show is almost unwatchable by comparison.
Positive: I’ll read the series back-to-back. Negative: enduring the emotional rollercoaster of when will book 6 become available. Why isn’t it here?
depends. it seems a lot of people view storytelling the same way they view jerking off and they are unable to enjoy a story without a "release" or "payoff," but others are able to enjoy the journey for the journey itself. personally I think the former outlook is a literal personal failing or a sign of low intellect or a weak inner world, but that's just me. if you are the type to think the journey is more important than the destination then yes, you've gotta read the books. even without an ending they're better than 95% of the fantasy books on the market.
Absolutely yes, the emotional peaks that the books hit are 10x what the show did at it's very best. For me it's because the POV narration really helps you get into the mind of the characters, the prose and pacing keeps you on the edge of your seat just waiting for the next page
Better ask at r/books. Here the answers aren't going to neutral.
Definitely. I have read them several times. There's so much more that the show chose to leave out, truncate, or assign events to other characters. You get a lot more insight into what the characters are thinking and what motivates them.
Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? Search your heart. Its the best series ive ever read but it makes everything feel disappointing and after 15 years im still consuming podcasts and youtubers for analysis because the depth of world building and story lines and higher mysteries are so profound and well put-together, theres always more to learn and there’s real payoff the deeper you go.
Absolutely it’s worth reading. This is why so many are disappointed. The man gave us 5 brilliant books and won’t finish the damn story.
Yes, there are so many plots and characters that never made it to the show. Even unfinished it’s an incredible series.
As long as you go in accepting that it's never going to be finished, then yes. If you're the type of person that's very passionate 100% of the time and goes all in on everything, then I'd say no, because you're going to be disappointed at the fact that it's never going to have an ending and it's not even close. I would lend someone my book set of ASOIAF if they were already interested in starting it, but I'd warn them it'll never be finished. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend the series if they've never expressed any interest, though.
Absolutely.
The show is enjoyable even though the ending is lacking. The books are even better even though we lack an ending
Yes. The first 3 books are absolutely amazing. I'm in the cohort that thinks that the last 2 books meandered a bit too much, but they're still not terrible. GRRMs ability to put the reader in that world is incredible.
Hmm let me ask on a subreddit full of people who have a hobby built around the world created in these books. What answer did you expect here?
Yes they are phenomenal, but I also think it’s worth asking who your favorite character from the show was. Most are similar but some are pretty different from their book counterparts.
A fantasy reviewer put it best: “The Venus de Milo is unfinished yet it’s still a masterpiece.” ASOIAF’s peaks are breathtaking, amongst the most perfect in the genre. Take the plunge, learn to live with uncertainty.
I think it’s incredibly dissatisfying to read unfinished works. ASOIAF is a great series that’s really well written, but without a conclusion it’s like riding a bike that has no bike chain. Yeah, you get the experience of peddling but it goes nowhere.
Yes
Yes. I held out for a long time but finally started reading the books a couple of years ago. I’m halfway through A Storm of Swords and the series is incredible. I don’t regret it at all.
Yes. You should, it’s so much better than the show.
Yes. The first three books are absolute masterpieces and worth the effort.....but stop after the third. You won't miss out on any major resolutions. There will be cliffhangers, but none that will ultimately ever be resolved anyway. You'll get to really enjoy the universe, you'll avoid two books that are a chore to read at times, and you'll be no worse off than anyone else in terms of having conclusions. Hell, you'll almost certainly be better off having never met some characters.