Just finished book 1 of Game Of Thrones

[Pippin]

Anyone want to discuss?

[ThirdandLong]

I've read the whole series, so while I'd enjoy talking to you about the first book, I'd be worried of accidentally spoiling something and not even realizing it. If you're interested, there's a forum for general ASOIAF topics, as well as subboards for each book that are spoiler free. Unfortunately, it's down at present, but I'm certain it will be back up soon. The people are actually quite nice. I've read it quite a bit as I went along because there were some things I didn't pick up on or understand, etc.
Anyway, here it is...
asoiaf.westeros.org/

[duckduck]

I've read book 1 and haven't gotten to the others yet! I'd love to discuss. Anything in particular?

I almost cried over Eddard, and I don't cry over books that often.

Daenarys and her whole storyline has me a little confused. Interested to see what happens there.

Go, Robb, go!

[Pippin]

Jun 4, 2012 12:30:56 GMT -5 duckduck said:

I've read book 1 and haven't gotten to the others yet! I'd love to discuss. Anything in particular?

I almost cried over Eddard, and I don't cry over books that often.

Daenarys and her whole storyline has me a little confused. Interested to see what happens there.

Go, Robb, go!

Yes I was really sad that Eddard died. I knew he died in the show but I had my fingers crossed that he would make it to the second book at least. That is one thing I like about this author though that he isn't afraid to kill off characters. It makes is harder to guess where the story is going I think. I am definitely in Robb's camp for king.

Do you have any theory on who Jon's mother was? I'm kinda thinking he is really Lyandra's son and is either another of Robert's bastards or Rhaegar's.

Daenarys story has been so unpredictable for sure but I'm looking forward to what she does with the dragons.

What do you think about the story being written from so many different view points. I thought at first that it would get confusing but I thought the story flowed really well and I was able to keep all the characters straight.

And thanks ThirdandLong I'll have to check out that forum sometime:)

[duckduck]

I've never seen the TV show, so I didn't have anything to influence what I thought would happen. I agree with you that I'm glad Martin's not afraid to kill off important and sympathetic characters. When you have a feeling that certain people are "safe" it gives the entire storyline a different vibe. With such a large cast and anybody fair game, I have no idea what is going to happen and that makes it fun.

I have no idea who Jon's mother would have been. But doesn't it mention at some point that he looks a lot like Eddard? I never thought of the possibility that he might not even be Ned's. That would be a whole different twist!

It took me a bit to get into the story from so many characters' viewpoints, mainly because it took me a while to sort everyone out. After I figured out who was whom, I didn't mind it at all. I love how it lets us in on what's going on all over such a huge geographic area and in so many different cultural pockets.

I'll definitely be continuing the series after I tackle a backlog of other stuff that I've had stacking up.

[niemand88f]

Jun 5, 2012 9:17:04 GMT -5 duckduck said:

I have no idea who Jon's mother would have been. But doesn't it mention at some point that he looks a lot like Eddard? I never thought of the possibility that he might not even be Ned's. That would be a whole different twist!

I think it does, but at some point it also says that Jon and Arya look most alike, and that Arya looks a lot like Lyanna. GRRM throws in lots of seemingly random observations that later turn out to really mean something, but we just have to keep reading

[Pippin]

Jun 5, 2012 9:17:04 GMT -5 duckduck said:

I've never seen the TV show, so I didn't have anything to influence what I thought would happen. I agree with you that I'm glad Martin's not afraid to kill off important and sympathetic characters. When you have a feeling that certain people are "safe" it gives the entire storyline a different vibe. With such a large cast and anybody fair game, I have no idea what is going to happen and that makes it fun.

I have no idea who Jon's mother would have been. But doesn't it mention at some point that he looks a lot like Eddard? I never thought of the possibility that he might not even be Ned's. That would be a whole different twist!

I haven't seen the show either but friends on FB post about it from time to time and his death was mentioned grr.

As for Jon looking like Eddard he could still be Lyandra's son and look like her family. Also none of his other sons look like him. I'm mainly stuck on that because of Eddard always flashing back to Lyandra making him promise her something. I think she was talking about Jon and asking him to care for him like his own son. But I could be wrong

I also have a few other books I need to actually finish before I can move on to the next books but I'm hoping to start the second later this month.

[DarcyLongfellow]

Jun 4, 2012 8:14:15 GMT -5 ThirdandLong said:

I've read the whole series, so while I'd enjoy talking to you about the first book, I'd be worried of accidentally spoiling something and not even realizing it. If you're interested, there's a forum for general ASOIAF topics, as well as subboards for each book that are spoiler free. Unfortunately, it's down at present, but I'm certain it will be back up soon. The people are actually quite nice. I've read it quite a bit as I went along because there were some things I didn't pick up on or understand, etc.
Anyway, here it is...
asoiaf.westeros.org/

Thanks for the link. That looks like a very helpful forum! I'm so hesitant to look at anything online about these books because I don't want to see spoilers!

[msmerymac]

Yes, a lot of fans think Jon is actually Lyanna and Rhaegar's son. First, Ned is extremely upstanding and basically NOT the type of guy you'd think would father a bastard son. Second, he never really told anyone who Jon's mother was (although there were rumors). Third, when Lyanna died and said, "promise me, Ned..." she was in a tower, being guarded by the Kingsguard - who only guard the royal family. If no one with royal blood was there, why would they be there?

Robert was under the impression Lyanna was kidnapped and raped by Rhaegar... but that's just what we've heard from Robert. It could have very well been consensual. And even though Ned and Robert are dead, you'll see that there's one more character who is still alive who could possibly know the truth.

[Pippin]

Jun 5, 2012 22:58:05 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Yes, a lot of fans think Jon is actually Lyanna and Rhaegar's son. First, Ned is extremely upstanding and basically NOT the type of guy you'd think would father a bastard son. Second, he never really told anyone who Jon's mother was (although there were rumors). Third, when Lyanna died and said, "promise me, Ned..." she was in a tower, being guarded by the Kingsguard - who only guard the royal family. If no one with royal blood was there, why would they be there?

Robert was under the impression Lyanna was kidnapped and raped by Rhaegar... but that's just what we've heard from Robert. It could have very well been consensual. And even though Ned and Robert are dead, you'll see that there's one more character who is still alive who could possibly know the truth.

Old Nan!? Haha

[ThirdandLong]

In an interview, GRRM promised that Jon (and the reader) will find out who his mom is. I cling to this promise.

[msmerymac]

Jun 5, 2012 23:10:52 GMT -5 Pippin said:

Jun 5, 2012 22:58:05 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Yes, a lot of fans think Jon is actually Lyanna and Rhaegar's son. First, Ned is extremely upstanding and basically NOT the type of guy you'd think would father a bastard son. Second, he never really told anyone who Jon's mother was (although there were rumors). Third, when Lyanna died and said, "promise me, Ned..." she was in a tower, being guarded by the Kingsguard - who only guard the royal family. If no one with royal blood was there, why would they be there?

Robert was under the impression Lyanna was kidnapped and raped by Rhaegar... but that's just what we've heard from Robert. It could have very well been consensual. And even though Ned and Robert are dead, you'll see that there's one more character who is still alive who could possibly know the truth.

Old Nan!? Haha

I was thinking Howland Reed, but I don't know if he was mentioned in book 1. Maybe, though, since he's one of Ned's bannermen. He was with Ned and Robert at the tower when they rescued Lyanna.

[DarcyLongfellow]

Jun 6, 2012 11:06:29 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Jun 5, 2012 23:10:52 GMT -5 Pippin said:

Old Nan!? Haha

I was thinking Howland Reed, but I don't know if he was mentioned in book 1. Maybe, though, since he's one of Ned's bannermen. He was with Ned and Robert at the tower when they rescued Lyanna.

What book is the rescue of Lyanna in? I'm wondering if I missed it somewhere (I just started book 3).

[msmerymac]

Jun 6, 2012 11:56:29 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

Jun 6, 2012 11:06:29 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

I was thinking Howland Reed, but I don't know if he was mentioned in book 1. Maybe, though, since he's one of Ned's bannermen. He was with Ned and Robert at the tower when they rescued Lyanna.

What book is the rescue of Lyanna in? I'm wondering if I missed it somewhere (I just started book 3).

It's just a flashback. Not even a flashback, since the book doesn't show the scene, but more like Ned and Robert talk about how much it sucked that Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna and how all the Targaryans had to die and whatnot. When Robert comes to Winterfell in the beginning of book 1 to ask Ned to be the hand, he goes to the catacombs to visit Lyanna's tomb.

[ThirdandLong]

Jun 6, 2012 11:06:29 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Jun 5, 2012 23:10:52 GMT -5 Pippin said:

Old Nan!? Haha

I was thinking Howland Reed, but I don't know if he was mentioned in book 1. Maybe, though, since he's one of Ned's bannermen. He was with Ned and Robert at the tower when they rescued Lyanna.

Just a tiny detail, but Robert was absolutely NOT there when Lyanna was found (and not rescued) by Ned. She died in Ned's arms.

awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Tower_of_Joy This page describes the basic set up of when Lyanna was found. There are no spoilers at this link/on this page, but the overall site does contain spoilers so be careful if you're poking around.

[sawyerthedestroyer]

I almost punched H in the face when Ned died. He kept going on and on about these books and I finally started to read them and then the really awesome guy just dies? WTF? I guess it didn't traumatize me too badly because I've read them all so far.

My only issue with the Jon not being Ned's kid theories is if that were the case, why couldn't he have told Cat the truth, at the absolute very least. She seems like the type of person who would understand the importance of secrecy and would keep her mouth shut. Why would Ned lie to Cat and have to deal with all the shit she must have given him over it if Jon weren't really his son? Let everyone else believe that he's your bastard, but to lie to your wife, dude...

[aurora]

Jun 5, 2012 9:17:04 GMT -5 duckduck said:

...I agree with you that I'm glad Martin's not afraid to kill off important and sympathetic characters...

Hence one of my favorite "Better Book Titles" (from the web site betterbooktitles.com/): Don't Get Too Attached!

[MrsAxilla]

Jun 6, 2012 18:02:00 GMT -5 sawyerthedestroyer said:

I almost punched H in the face when Ned died. He kept going on and on about these books and I finally started to read them and then the really awesome guy just dies? WTF? I guess it didn't traumatize me too badly because I've read them all so far.

My only issue with the Jon not being Ned's kid theories is if that were the case, why couldn't he have told Cat the truth, at the absolute very least. She seems like the type of person who would understand the importance of secrecy and would keep her mouth shut. Why would Ned lie to Cat and have to deal with all the shit she must have given him over it if Jon weren't really his son? Let everyone else believe that he's your bastard, but to lie to your wife, dude...

Well, Ned went off to war immediately after marrying Cat, and so when he returned with baby Jon, he didn't really know Cat very well. She was supposed to marry Ned's brother, so there wasn't a courtship or anything. I'm sure Ned didn't know whether he could trust Cat to keep the secret...at least at first.