Not sure how I missed this update last year from George RR Martin

when he posted updates on his website regarding the new book last November, he closed with:


"Losing myself in the world of Westeros would probably be the best medicine for what ails me just now, I know full well. There is solace in work, and books -- my own books, and those of others -- have always been a refuge for me during dark times in my life. Today, however, the {fictional} travails of my {fictional} Seven Kingdoms seem pretty unimportant compared to the very real woes that the United States is facing, a future of war and isolation abroad, and division and repression at home.

Winter is coming to Westeros, but it has already come to America."

—George R.R. Martin, November 3, 2004



I mean I already loved his writing, but to find out that he's on OUR SIDE is even more welcome :) :) :)

I really must check him out. I made my first foray into the world of fantasy this year, reading Robin Hobb's three trilogy cycle which - a couple of quibbles aside - I adored. From everything I've read, if you like Hobb you'll LOVE Martin.

Hey, Martin reccomends her stuff.

I am re reading the Martin series in preparation for the release of volume 4

Suggest you begin at the beginning and prepare to spend lots of time in these books.

though after reading the Farseer trilogy I didn't want to have to go through 3 long books to get back to FitzChivalry & co so I read the Tawny Man trilogy next. I then went back to the Liveship trilogy (& picked up the various threads betwen the books).

I also read the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant on recommendation, but couldn't get into it & stopped after the first two books.

his books are wonderful!!!

One series is in a land that is a little like Italy; another in a land that is remarkable like Spain before 1400; another is sort of like Arthurian England; another implies Byzantium in its Heydey; and I think the newest one is Celtic influenced.

I haven't read everything of his but what I did read I absolutely LOVED.
I cried over Tigana (a single novel) and the Fionavir Tapestry (trilogy)

"Shamans Crossing" the start of a new series. It's set in a different world than the previous 3 trillogies, it's kind of a fantasy novel in a old-west tech world. It looks good so far, now I just have to wait for the next book.

Had not heard that either. Hell yeah! :)