I'm reading the third book to this series right now and I can't wait to see this on television.  I'm glad it will be a series and not a movie and HBO is the best channel to handle this.  It could be a lot like Rome, a show I miss a lot,  if it is done the right way.   There are so many characters and twists  and the world is so vast in these books that only a television series could encompass it all.  Hopefully they do one season for each book. 

If you haven't read these I highly recommend them.  They are basically about seven different factions fighting to rule one large kindgom with just enough magic, dragons, and undead to make it interesting.   Granted, with so many characters it is sometimes hard to keep the many changing alliances and betrayals straight.  But that is what makes it such compelling reading. Martin also tells the stories in such an intrigueing way.  Each chapter follows one of 7 or 8 different characters throughout the books.  The main characters are followed throughout all the books but in each one he adds one or two new perspectives and you get to learn more about characters that used to be in the background.  It will be interesting to see how this is handled on television.  It seems to me like it will have to be a little bit like Lost or Heroes, since they are both ensemble casts with many characters that need screen time.  Also, in the books, many of the characters are children, and since this is much like mideviel times they have sex and lead armies into battle and such.  So I'm thinking they will probably increase the age of the younger characters to make it not so wierd.  Kind of like they switched out the one kid in Rome for an older actor once he had to start being Ceaser.  Guess we'll have to wait and see

The potential for this series is great and I'm really looking forward to seeing this begin.  If you like reading definitely pick up these monster long books.  I'm sure the series won't be able to touch on half of what is in the books so reading them beforehand will make the tv show that much more compelling.

Great news!  Now if we can get A Dance With Dragons to print.

Ask and ye shall receive, eh lance? I'm not familiar with this series, but it sounds like it could be interesting if done right. As ddiaz describes it, though, that does sound a bit convoluted. They may water it down a little for the series. Maybe consolidating the factions down to three or four, instead of seven. I'm not saying they should, I'm just saying they may.

Speaking of Martin, a friend of mine many moons ago loved the Wild Card series. It always sounded interesting, but I've had trouble finding them. I think they're out of print. Can any Martin fans out there tell me, are they worth tracking down? Or would you recommend another Martin series (like this one)?

Wild Card series, was/is an excellent series of books. Heroes stoled a lot from this series. It is much more compelling and demented than Heroes though. Picture Heroes on Cinemax, lot's of sex (some really demented)and violence with really imaginative characters. I loved the series, def worth tracking down to read it.

THIS IS AWESOME!!!  One of my favorites.  I agree with every ddiaz said except the hard to follow.  Only thing is - once you finish "A Feast for Crows" you're left wating more - and between the last 2 books it took him 5 years to get the next one out.  He's on track to take 5 for "Dance" and he's got 2 more to end the series.  I SO HOPE he he doesn't pull a Robert Jordan and extend the series and then die before the end.....or take 10 more years to complete it.

I wonder if  they will cut the number of characters they follow down...

I don't want to get my hopes up too much for this. HBO has a tendency to go all out in the first couple seasons, then complain the shows are too costly to produce and kill them. Ex. Deadwood, Rome.

I LOVE this series.  Dragons, undead, mysterious ice demons and bizaare god cults aside this is the most realistic take on mideval life, espcially war and politics I've ever come across.

This show will have a niche audience, but if they can pitch it as a cross between LotR and The Sopranos it may boost up some interest.

Now we play the game of 'what will come first, season 5 of the show, or the 5th book?'  Seriously, George, put that thing out already.