What's the over/under on George RR Martin not dying before finishing ASoIaF?

[xanvar]

I have given up on the series ever being finished. I actually bought one of the books twice because I thought it was a new one since it had been so long since I read it. I have bought a couple of DnD novels twice as well, I guess I should keep a list of books I have...

[brian14]

Which is STILL not as bad as David Gerrold. The fourth book of "Chtorr" series was published in 1992. He had the fifth book "almost finished" since 1998, if not longer.

With that one, I definitely lost hope it will ever be finished.

BTW, I am reading "Feast for Crows" right now -- should be done about tomorrow. I read first three books about 2 years ago, and tried to hold off buying "Feast for Crows" until "Dance with Dragons" comes out, so I could read both at once. Obviously, I gave in!

[Kale_Hagan]

For everyone out there who also liked GRRM, you should check out Joe Abercrombie's "The First Law" trilogy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Law

Similar fantasy world, a bit heavier on the magic. It is one of the most enjoyable series I've read in years. It also has the added benefit of having been completed.

Highly recommended.

P.S. I've been reading WoT since 1990, so I'm 20 years in on the wait. GRRM's got nothing on that. But I'm still irritated he won't sit down and pound that puppy out.

[stoolcannon]

For everyone out there who also liked GRRM, you should check out Joe Abercrombie's "The First Law" trilogy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Law

Similar fantasy world, a bit heavier on the magic. It is one of the most enjoyable series I've read in years. It also has the added benefit of having been completed.

Highly recommended.

P.S. I've been reading WoT since 1990, so I'm 20 years in on the wait. GRRM's got nothing on that. But I'm still irritated he won't sit down and pound that puppy out.

Just imagine the people that started reading Dark Tower when King published the first one and didn't finish the series for like 27 years or something along those lines.

I'll check out that series. I'm looking for something good to read.

[Kale_Hagan]

Aside from the story in the First Law being interesting (to start with, once you get further in it is cool as hell IMHO) the characters are all pretty cool too. Unlike some writers, who have certain gimp -coughPerrincough- characters I can't stand to read, Abercrombie's are all pretty interesting.

[gurgar78]

Just imagine the people that started reading Dark Tower when King published the first one and didn't finish the series for like 27 years or something along those lines.

I'll check out that series. I'm looking for something good to read.

Malazan Book of the Dead series by Stephen Erickson. 9 books written, only one to go.

[Barazon]

Since the books have been picked up by HBO, and the series is airing in Spring 2011 (April I believe), I am assuming that they know what they're doing, and have made his contract specify SEVERE monetary penalties if he does not have parts of the story done when the filming catches up to him. Even so, it might be 2-3 years before they catch up to where he is now, but I'm hoping he gets his writing in gear and finishes.

[Surcus1]

I love this series, but I doubt I`ll see the end of it

I expect the fifth book to be completed at any time, but it doesn`t really help much...the last two will never be seen. Ten years have passed since the excellent A Storm of Swords, probably the best book I ever read.

Ah well, the HBO-version is looking great

[stoolcannon]

Aside from the story in the First Law being interesting (to start with, once you get further in it is cool as hell IMHO) the characters are all pretty cool too. Unlike some writers, who have certain gimp -coughPerrincough- characters I can't stand to read, Abercrombie's are all pretty interesting.

Dude! I LOVE Perrin.

I love the name too. Was going to name my son Perrin but my son turned out to be a daughter

[FeralKittie]

A Dance With Dragons publication date announced!

The odds just got a tiny bit better. Time for me to reread the series for the umpteenth time to refresh my memory. When I first found the series, like a decade ago, there were three books and I assumed they were a trilogy... oh, Mr. Martin, how both I adore and despise you!

[kernal42]

I don't....feel....like I'm dreaming.....

[JayDubya]

Which is STILL not as bad as David Gerrold. The fourth book of "Chtorr" series was published in 1992. He had the fifth book "almost finished" since 1998, if not longer.

With that one, I definitely lost hope it will ever be finished.

BTW, I am reading "Feast for Crows" right now -- should be done about tomorrow. I read first three books about 2 years ago, and tried to hold off buying "Feast for Crows" until "Dance with Dragons" comes out, so I could read both at once. Obviously, I gave in!

You and I have very similar tastes. I even donated money to his charity so my friend's name could be in "A Method for Madness". Sigh. 19 years now.... geez.

But I am heartened by news of GRRM's progress. I am concerned that he will have a hard time finishing the series in only two more books - I am wondering if he'll have to kill off a bunch of characters to trim the plotlines.

[Ganolyn]

But I am heartened by news of GRRM's progress. I am concerned that he will have a hard time finishing the series in only two more books - I am wondering if he'll have to kill off a bunch of characters to trim the plotlines.

Well, that never stopped him before and those three dragons need to be fed...

[PurdueDave]

This summer? I guess I should dig my old books out of storage just so I know who's who.

[lugoman]

I hope he abandons Song of Ice and Fire and devotes the rest of his life to bringing back Beauty and the Beast.

[lugoman]

But I am heartened by news of GRRM's progress. I am concerned that he will have a hard time finishing the series in only two more books - I am wondering if he'll have to kill off a bunch of characters to trim the plotlines.

He said recently it will be easy to wrap up quickly as one of the characters will find a sonic screwdriver and will save the day.

[Surcus1]

Great news July is not far off...

I am sure he can finish one more book after this, and that we`ll see the story narrowing down to somewhat more of an ending...but I really really fear for the last book. He is old, not in good health anymore, etc.

[Ganolyn]

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/03/ga...s-new-trailer/

[Natashaelle]

Ah ... while reading page 1 of this thread I *was* going to post that DoD is nearly finished, but that pesky GRRM beat me to it !! (he had mentioned the near-completion very recently in another blog post or interview about the TV series )

[Pwesiela]

Look on the bright side, if he croaks, then HBO has pretty much unfettered decision making for how the story ends. Provided the show manages to not get canceled upon the ending of the now written series...