Tower of the Hand

Make Sweetrobin Fly

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:07:00 EST

Despite being a sickly child and prone to terrible seizures, little Robert Arryn earned no one's sympathy as the spoiled and temperamental child of Lysa Arryn. But Lysa's sudden death along with Alayne's tenderness sobered the boy somewhat, making him appear more needy than outright pathetic. Still, Littlefinger's grand schemes don't include the poor boy so it's safe to say that Robert isn't long for this world. How will Robert meet his maker? How soon will it happen?

Posted 6/29/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Another AFFC Review

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:48:00 EST

Stream-of-Consciousness Cynicism reviews A Song of Ice and Fire, paying particular attention to A Feast for Crows. Scroll to the middle of the post for the AFFC review because the site (not to mention the review) is appropriately titled.

Posted 6/28/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Update on ADWD

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:02:00 EST

Via Not a Blog, the last six weeks have been the most productive period George R. R. Martin has had working on A Dance with Dragons in some time and he wanted to let us know that, yes, he's still working on it and making significant progress. In fact, GRRM says he can see "a glimmering that might just be a light at the end of the tunnel." Guarded optimism, indeed.

Posted 6/23/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Last Tango in Meereen

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:02:00 EST

Nearly 170 years before the events of the series, there was a conflict known as the "Dance of the Dragons" during which Aegon II Targaryen and Rhaenyra Targaryen fought over the Iron Throne. Does the title of the next book, A Dance with Dragons, imply a brewing civil war between Targaryens? Of course, we only know of one surviving Targaryen to date, so it seems more likely that Daenerys and her dragons will be invading the Seven Kingdoms. Or perhaps Dany will see Stannis's wisdom and ally herself with Westeros against the Others. Then again, the latest book saw many factions planning to win Dany's hand in marriage, so the "dance" may mean her courtship. To what do you think the title A Dance with Dragons most likely refers?

Posted 6/8/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Behind the Laughter

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:01:00 EST

George R. R. Martin must be feeling mischievous tonight, for he's written two humorous Not a Blog entries. First, GRRM references a YouTube video: The Epic of Hodor. In the second, GRRM posts pictures of what A Game of Thrones would look like if it were adapted in the style of South Park. Personally, I'd like to see GRRM spinoff the series with the Stark Family Smile-Time Variety Hour.

Posted 6/8/2009 by Johnny, Comments

David Eddings: 1931-2009

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:45:00 EST

David Eddings, author of the bestselling Belgariad series, passed away last night at the age of 77. Eddings wrote nearly thirty novels, many of them with his wife Leigh, who died in 2007. His Elenium series was the first fantasy series I ever read and, to this day, I've read more of his works than any other author. Allow me to quote some words of wisdom from Eddings himself: Some [letters] I've received have candidly admitted, 'I didn't really like to read before I got into your stories, but now I read all the time.' Let television tremble. Big Dave and Little Leigh are coming to black out those screens. Maybe that's our purpose in life. We're here to teach whole generations how to read-- not everybody, perhaps, but enough to possibly make a difference. 'They left the world better than they found it,' sounds like a tombstone, but there are worse things you can say about people, wouldn't you say?The Rivan Codex Farewell, David. You and Leigh left the world far better than you found it.

Posted 6/3/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Open Thread, Up All Night

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST

Topic One: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien debuts tonight. Conan was once called "the whitest white man ever," which says a lot considering his current colleagues and competition are all white dudes. Who's your favorite late night talking head? Topic Two: Up launched over the weekend, earning $68.2 million along the way. It joins a rather diverse lineup of toys, monsters, fish, and robots. What's your favorite Pixar film?

Posted 6/1/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Anonymous Posting Disabled

Sat, 30 May 2009 14:21:00 EST

Due to recent abuses, anonymous posting has been disabled on all posts and essays. Apologies to those have been using the system appropriately. I haven't decided if this is a new permanent policy. In the meantime, registering is quick and free, and it makes it a lot easier for me to manage bad behavior. Constructive comments are welcome, as always.

Posted 5/30/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Re-reading Song of Ice and Fire

Fri, 29 May 2009 08:52:00 EST

Re-reading Song of Ice and Fire is, just as it sounds, another attempt at blogging A Song of Ice and Fire. This is a true re-read (as opposed to previously mentioned "first reads"), so the posts are more fully-formed and organized. Piotr, founder of the Fantasy Fan web portal, has just completed A Game of Thrones, so this seems a good time to mention the blog as he moves on to A Clash of Kings. Enjoy!

Posted 5/29/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Tales from the Winterfell Crypt

Thu, 28 May 2009 10:58:00 EST

Brandon strangled himself as he was forced to watch his father, Rickard, burn to death in his own armor. Eddard was beheaded by the command of a ruthless child. Robb was betrayed by a spiteful ally and stabbed by an upstart bannerman. Catelyn had her throat split after watching Robb die. Though we don't yet know how it happened, Lyanna's death was traumatic enough to give Ned nightmares. Similarly, Benjen has gone missing without explanation and may have suffered a fate worse than death. Which Stark death (or apparent death) has been the most disturbing? Which has been the most untimely? Do you think any of them were deserving of their fate?

Posted 5/28/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Review: City of Thieves

Fri, 22 May 2009 14:04:00 EST

Russia, as seen in David Benioff's City of Thieves, is a land of many contrasts. There, I finally get to say that. Clich� though it may be, it's an apt description for the setting in Benioff's latest novel: Leningrad, World War II. The most pervasive contrast is between the ruthless efficiency of the German invaders and the stoic resiliency of the Russian resistance. But many differences separate the Russian factions, as well. The peasants belittle the city folk, the Bolsheviks ignore the workers, the partisans deride the Red Army. (Read more...)

Posted 5/22/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Worst Chapter Ever

Fri, 15 May 2009 12:47:00 EST

There are plenty of ways to identify the worst chapter of A Song of Ice and Fire. You could pick a chapter in which terrible things happen to your favorite character. You could select the most boring installment centering on your least favorite character. Me, I've gone with the chapter that I think most violates the style of the books: ACOK 18: Tyrion IV. (Read more...)

Posted 5/15/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Neil Gaiman defends GRRM

Wed, 13 May 2009 01:32:00 EST

Best-selling author Neil Gaiman responds to a frustrated ASOIAF reader with these exact words: "George R.R. Martin is not your bitch." He goes on to explain (in less glib terms) his reaction to the oft-heard complaint that GRRM should appear more obligated to deliver A Dance with Dragons to his fans. At this point, we've heard many of the arguments before, but it's nice to get perspective from another author. [h/t: Ice]

Posted 5/13/2009 by Johnny, Comments

Cyanide to Develop PC Game

Tue, 12 May 2009 16:07:00 EST

IGN reports that Cyanide Studio, an independent French game studio, has obtained the exclusive rights to develop a Song of Ice and Fire game for next-generation consoles and PC. According to Patrick Pligersdorffer, Managing Director of Cyanide, "We are all huge fans of 'A Song of Ice and Fire', so it is a true honour for our teams to be entrusted with creating the first video games inspired by this masterpiece. The twists and turns of the plot will allow us to deliver an experience which can be enjoyed by both long-time fans as well as gamers new to the series." No other details beyond that, but the game is apparently already in development. Yay! Thanks to Jimmy for the link. Update: Cyanide's official press release indicates the game will be made for next-gen consoles as well as the PC.

Posted 5/12/2009 by Johnny, Comments

What's New: 2008 April 22

2008 April 22: Revised Chapter 64 of A Storm of Swords and related pages.