Re: A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Books) *Spoilers*
 

Kind of like that, yeah. Someone somewhere has a secret plan to do something. This plan is revealed farther in the book in AFfC. ADwD actually follows a character carrying out that plan. If you read these things strictly chronologically, you're going to know about this plan from reading about a guy carrying out prior to reaching the "surprise reveal" chapter from AFfC. It wouldn't necessarily ruin either book or anything, but it is intended as a surprise in AFfC. I'm sure if the books were written as one, GRRM would have handled it differently.

Re: A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Books) *Spoilers*
 

Ah ok, thanks. I think the posted list works around that, right? Delaying the spoiling chapters a bit. Sounds like a good solution to me. :)

Re: A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Books) *Spoilers*
 

This is an alternate reading order for someone who hasn't read the series before. That's the order that will maintain some of the surprises.

Re: A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Books) *Spoilers*
 

Yeah, I've got that one, thanks. :)

Re: A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Books) *Spoilers*
 

So I finally finished reading the series. WOW.

I cannot imagine having read the two books separately. Intermixing the chapters worked wonderfully and kept the story interesting and flowing in between characters quite well. I read AFFC in paperback and ADWD on my iPhone, making switching between books a breeze and less cumbersome.

Anyone still interested in dishing about theories? The way Sam's story left off....

Re: A Song of Ice and Fire Series (Books) *Spoilers*
 

I really have no clue what to expect from Sam. Especially with the characters he's run into there that seem to be plotting something. Also, they seem to have a way of knowing everything that is going on.