Part of me wasn't surprised when I started the books because of the setting the series is in (a more medieval type setting). But, I did have to remind myself that each book is like a year or so long so the kids all age. Like Joffrey by the end of the first book is approaching is 13th name day. Though when I watched the series I was surprised Sansa hadn't had her first bleed yet... I do have to say I was under the impression they were a little older. but, after reading the books so far, it doesn't surprise me that Sansa hadn't started bleeding yet since she's only 12ish.

Yeah and that does make sense both Sansa and Arya are very young, as are all the kids it just seems strange that Jon would join the Nights Watch at a only 14. Of course Catelyn didn't want him there either so maybe thats why he did it.

Jon was only 14? That was most certainly changed in the t.v. series.

Yeah. didn't realise that Bran was as young as he was because the only time his age is kind of mentioned in the series is when Ned comments he's almost 10.

Yeah, Jon and Robb at the beginning were 14 and approaching their 15th Name Day. I am with Ely and surprised at that because he seemed more like he was 16/17.

Yeah.. Bitch lies to her own Gods. Possibly the only thing I didn't like with her. But, I do see her feelings with it. Ned most likely betrayed her.

How old was Bran? o.o I must put reading the books on my list for serious.

Hello there everyone, it's been a long while since I last popped in here, I hope it is ok for me to suddenly post again...I imagine probably many of you are already graduates, and if so, congrats.

Sadly, despite having started my degree years ago, I'm still a uni student...[lol] actually good thing is that I'm on the home stretch now, I haven't gotten one of my grades from last semester but if I did ok, then all I have to go is this semester, which is a placement, and I will be finished.

lol I am kinda thinking about it as well, BUT they also seem like they would infuriate me at the times soooo ALSO how much are the books running for right now? The whole series isn't done being written yet is it? I always have to read everything back to back.

Nah you're good Ling ^^ I'm still in school :/ I'm in grad school and it's kicking my butt and it's going to take a bit for me to finish since I'm doing it part time now.

@Ling: Hey, don't worry about it. ^^ We're all in various stages of schooling. I believe I'll be ending up a super senior for various reasons myself, although I do already have a college degree in the form of an A.A.

@Birdie: The series has two more books yet to be released I think...but don't quote me on that.

A quick search on Amazon brought up a four book box set for $17.

I have all 5 of the books on my netbook in ebook form. The 5th book is out, but is in hardcover and isn't part of the box set yet. The 6th is still being written.

@ Elysium, that's reassuring that I’m not the only one still studying. What is an A.A. college degree? And when you say college do you mean university or some other educational institution?

@ serena, I've been studying part time throughout my degree, part of the reason why it's taken me so long. I see from your signature that you're studying Masters in Library Science, that sounds really interesting, does that mean that when you graduate you can be an librarian? I heard that most people that work in libraries are actually library assistants or have some other qualification. I know someone who has a diploma in information management or something related to working in a library who told me that.

My two cents in the Game of Thrones discussion, I've read the first volume of the graphic novel version of that story...given how many novels there are I wonder if the graphic novel version series will be complete.

@Ling: An A.A. is an Associates of the Arts. It's a two year degree that I opted for in place of the many general elective classes required at four year universities. Now I'm working at a four year university to get a bachelor's.

@Ling: Pretty much that's what it is. We're the ones who organise information basically. Along with other duties like managing the library, providing reference services, making use of the technology, etc.

It's a lot ^^" Unfortunately I went through a hard semester last semester ^^"

serena, I imagine being a librarian would be hard, because I there is a need for all the information and other resources within a library to be accurately sorted and organised so that they're placed in the correct location. And with technology changing I suppose like most jobs there is a need to keep updating knowledge and skills.

Elysium, it's good that you have done the A.A. you can at least say you've completed a degree. I think I would be considered what you have called a super senior...if it is as I presume it is, related to the age of the student. I was already older than most of my fellow students when I started though, of course, only by a couple of years at first, compared to the fresh out of high school students. I've seen many lots of students come and go during my time as a uni student, it's kind of sad, but it's something I've gotten used to. Interestingly enough, there are many what we call mature age students at my uni, or at least studying within the same department as me.

You're a super senior when you've spent more than four years earning a "four year degree." [yes] But really I don't think most people get a four year degree in four years so most people end up a super senior. XP

Yeah, I've seen a lot of people come and go because I've been in more than one college and it's definitely sad. A lot of people I know stopped school with a two year degree and I've never seen them again.

Haha, I definitely fit that category, my degree is only a 3 year degree, if studied full time...I've taken over twice that long. It's interesting that many people switch degrees or quit study altogether for whatever reason. Then again, I would be considered one of those who switched too...just one reason why I was older than the school leavers when I started.

Yeah it was surprising how different the books are from the series, still I didn't like how Catelyn was with Jon its sad hes joining the nights watch at fourteen. Bran is very young in the series and the same wtih Rickon I didn't think the was that young in the series he was much older. Ely I hope you get to read the books, my mom got them for me as a birthday gift.

Oh those don't actually sound bad... The last book might be out by the time I am done reading the rest of them. I might just invest in those.
I do really want one of those Ereader things :( How much are those running now? Plus how much is each book once you get them? Depends on the book I'm sure.

The ereaders I think...if you get a kindle, can start at about a 100$ now. Which really isn't bad. I just think that most ebooks are an awful ripoff. I've seen tons of ebooks that cost MORE than the physical version. Most aren't any cheaper either.

I just have an ebook reader app on my netbook and find the books for free online ^^"

Yeah, in the books Rickon is actually 3 at the beginning of book 1, Bran is 7, Arya is 8, Sansa is 11, Jon and Robb are 14.

See, in the series they're all about three years older than that, so I'm all messed up. XD

Yeah, I have more than one ereader app downloaded to a few different devices. I've gotten most of the classic books for free that way.

Yeah they did advance their age a lot in the show, but seeing all that happen to kids super young would have made me extra angry. :(

hmm maybe I should just try for a reader app on my black berry I didn't think of that

It makes sense to me them being the younger ages they are in the book. But then I do understand the way things would be in a more medieval society like the one in the books. It would make sense to bring your 7 almost 8yr old son with you for an execution, people had to mature quick like that when you're in a society where illness, war, etc are everywhere.

I think they just made them older in the show to "appeal to a wider audience" that t.v. tends to have. Maybe the audience from t.v. is less mature actually. Which is why they want older actors so they don't get "pedophile" yelled at them constantly and stuff like that. I mean, look at the hate for Sansa as it is. Can you imagine the hate she'd get if she was even younger? I don't like her as a character, period, but a lot of it is because she was such a young character and wasn't supposed to be entertaining. Although that's not an excuse in my book because...well...Bran...Arya...Rickon...all much better characters than her.

@Birdie: Yeah, or you can download the kindle app for your computer. See how you like ebooks before you buy an ereader. My biggest biff is that they are all so expensive. I personally expect to pay half price or less for an ebook but no...they're often more expensive than the paperback or hardcover even sometimes.

I was not aware that ebooks could be more expensive than their hardcopy equivalent...I already didn't like the idea of reading ebooks unless that was the only format they came in, but knowing that has put me off ever getting an actual ereader.