Tyrion & Danerys

Before anyone comments, yes I am aware that I have become just a little Game of Thrones obsessed. Let's just say I jumped on the bandwagon a little late and am now making the most of it!

Having just finished the second book (anyone got the third one? please!) and first series, I wanted to do a little recap of my favourite characters. There are obviously plenty to choose from, and they differ slightly from book to box, but the Imp and the Mother of Dragons remain two amazing personalities; here's why I love them.

Danerys goes through such a journey; she starts as a child living in fear of her brother and just transforms as the story unfolds. I really like how this childish innocence doesn't complete disappear as she grows wiser and stronger; she still makes mistakes, is still unsure of what to do. But she knows what she wants and has an incredible determination to achieve her goals, despite considerable heartache and danger.

Tyrion is also an incredible character. He's intelligent, funny, playful and doesn't take himself too seriously. He is honest and upfront about his treachery, and manages to run rings around his family in their plots and schemes. His affection for the underdog (Jon Snow, Sansa Stark, Shae) demonstrates a kindness you would not expect from someone so ready to do whatever is necessary to manage the kingdom in the best way he can.

Although I have heard many mutterings of people dying, I'm really hoping these two stay alive for a good while yet; they are undoubtedly the best.

Going off On the road

I just finished On the Road, by Jack Kerouac, and it's been a struggle, I'll tell you. I was so excited to read this, apart from being something I think I should read, as the classic American novel etc etc, it was also on subject matter I can readily identify with. I want to travel to America - have done for a very long time. The idea of travelling coast to coast was therefore very appealing, at least initially.

But in this book, it's not just one epic roadtrip that has any form of deeper meaning. The crew ping-pong between east and west coasts in a frenzy; as soon as they reach the edge, they turn around and head home again. Additionally, there is no significance of any kind to be found. The 'beat' generation do nothing but drink and drive and abuse women. The two main characters are caught in some weird kind of brotherly love, despite behaving atrociously towards each other. There is nothing but chaos, and this is meant to represent some aspect of the times, their heady lifestyle. Instead, it is completely uninspiring and leaves me with little empathy towards the characters, only a mixture of pity and disgust.

Game of Thrones & Wheel of Time

How are these two series similar? Oh, let me count the ways...

1. Long, complicated fantasy series
2. Even the titles!
3. A multitude of characters to try and keep straight in your head
4. Set in a world with lots of different countries and cultures
5. Lots and lots of scheming
6. Magic (I know this isn't such a big part of GoT yet but I can tell it's going to be. Winter is coming!)
7. Women wanting to be knights
8. Innapropriate romances galore
9. Swordfighting as an art
10. Wolf-men

Obviously I really like both as well!