Let's Talk Game of Thrones

[okapishomapi]

They are really pretty sexual (although I can't remember how descriptive they are? I feel like they were pretty descriptive.) and there is some violence, although it's not described in too much detail. I don't know...isn't 11 or 12 about when boys discover sex? *shrug* you may be better off giving him these books rather than forcing him to discover sex online, but I'm not a parent so I really don't know!!

I hope someone else can be more helpful

[Alrak]

I dont know if id let my son read them... so much gorey, sex on the same family... idk, it depends on how mature the child is? im not a parent, but i tell you my mom wouldnt let me read them if i was little.

[Rhini]

I have a question for anyone who has read the books. How appropriate is the series for an 11-year-old (he'll be 12 next month) to read? I haven't read the books (I'm not really into fantasy at all) but my son wants to read the series over summer break. They have to read so many books per quarter and take these online tests based on the books for school, and there is a test for the first five books, but I think the same system may be used for the older kids, not just the 6th graders.

It's probably above his reading level a bit, but I'm trying to encourage him to read (he doesn't read much because he can't find books he likes) so I was kind of happy when he said the books sound interesting. He pretty much doesn't like most books for kids his age because he says they're boring, so that's why I figured he'd have to go into adult books, but I just wanted to make sure there's nothing too graphic (either too violent or too sexual) before I put the books on his Kindle.

I've pretty much had a problem all along trying to find stuff for him to read since the books I read at his age he won't read (mostly V.C. Andrews books) and my brother is a genius (literally, he was tested) so the stuff he read at his age would be way too far ahead of my son.

Nooo no no xD Not unless you're okay with him reading graphic sex scenes including sexual incest, rape scenes, very gory and violent battles and themes of adultery, slavery and manipulation. I would not let him anywhere near these until he was at least 16.

Has he read the hunger games yet? Those would be more appropriate. Or if he wants a challenge, try a classic like Lord of the Rings.

[okapishomapi]

I have a question for anyone who has read the books. How appropriate is the series for an 11-year-old (he'll be 12 next month) to read? I haven't read the books (I'm not really into fantasy at all) but my son wants to read the series over summer break. They have to read so many books per quarter and take these online tests based on the books for school, and there is a test for the first five books, but I think the same system may be used for the older kids, not just the 6th graders.

It's probably above his reading level a bit, but I'm trying to encourage him to read (he doesn't read much because he can't find books he likes) so I was kind of happy when he said the books sound interesting. He pretty much doesn't like most books for kids his age because he says they're boring, so that's why I figured he'd have to go into adult books, but I just wanted to make sure there's nothing too graphic (either too violent or too sexual) before I put the books on his Kindle.

I've pretty much had a problem all along trying to find stuff for him to read since the books I read at his age he won't read (mostly V.C. Andrews books) and my brother is a genius (literally, he was tested) so the stuff he read at his age would be way too far ahead of my son.

Nooo no no xD Not unless you're okay with him reading graphic sex scenes including sexual incest, rape scenes, very gory and violent battles and themes of adultery, slavery and manipulation. I would not let him anywhere near these until he was at least 16.

Has he read the hunger games yet? Those would be more appropriate. Or if he wants a challenge, try a classic like Lord of the Rings.

I would agree with you, except that he will see all this stuff before he is 16, I guarantee it. :/ Not saying that's a good reason for him to be allowed to read it, but I feel like reading these books is less exposing than the mildest porn out there - and he'll certainly see that by 16!

Plus, I feel like if he wants to read it he will, whether he's "allowed to" or not. At least, I would have. That's the one thing I was independent and disobedient about when I was a teenager - the literature I chose

[ShortyBoo]

Well, I've already caught my son looking at porn online (it happened like a year ago) and since then he's had parental controls set on his laptop which blocks stuff like that. But I guess it's too late for him to not know about sex. He doesn't know too much, at least I don't think so, but I guess it would be ok. He won't go near the Hunger Games books, though, because I don't like them. They just ripped off Battle Royale. I guess if he does have questions while reading the book, he could always ask either me or one of his uncles.

[Rhini]

Well, I've already caught my son looking at porn online (it happened like a year ago) and since then he's had parental controls set on his laptop which blocks stuff like that. But I guess it's too late for him to not know about sex. He doesn't know too much, at least I don't think so, but I guess it would be ok. He won't go near the Hunger Games books, though, because I don't like them. They just ripped off Battle Royale. I guess if he does have questions while reading the book, he could always ask either me or one of his uncles.

While the plot line is similar yes, it's not a rip off at all. The series takes an entirely different turn after the first book and the meaning of the story is very different. Plus if books never had a similar story line ever, we'd have no new books. It's all been done before.

It's not so much the sex that's problematic in my mind so much as the complexity that is in many of the encounters. Like incest and often the violent nature of the encounters that made me a little uncomfortable to read. I just wouldn't want him to read it and think that any of the sexual acts portrayed in the books are the norm, because by and large they're not reflective of a normal healthy sexual encounter.

That being said it is ultimately up to you, maybe read them first if you have the time? They're definitely worth the while.

[Beldarna]

I think you should make the decision based on how mature you think he is. The sex is very graphic at some points and there is killing and torture. I read the first book when I was 14, the first was the only one translated to Swedish, stiill is for some stupid reason. In my mind, I didn't think much of the sex. Knowing the story was in a fictional world with fictional characters with fictional beasts, I figured most sex was fictional as well and not the norm.

However, if I could give a suggestion, get him to read the Belgariad instead by David Eddings. It's a series of five books, all completed. It's fantasy, there is a quest and some love, but very, very innocent. Like It's night, a couple give each other a snug look and goes into the bedroom and close the door behind them. End of that, move on to next day. The violence is more of what you see in a cartoon, like Asterix and Obelix. I read them when I was 11 so I think they're much more appropriate. That one or Wheel of Time.

[okapishomapi]

I can't agree with Baldarna on her first suggestion since I haven't read it, but Belgariad sounds like exactly what you need! I personally would not suggest the Wheel of Time series, however. The middle books (like 7-10) are incredibly hard to get through (like, reaaaaally boring) and I would be afraid they would turn him off from reading!!

I do agree on the fantasy sex thing, though. I read adult fantasy and sci fi when I was that age, and it's really just a matter of maturity, I think. Just the fact that he is interested in reading such a giant book makes me think he's probably mature enough to understand what's appropriate and what's not. But, again, I don't know him; I really don't want to step on any toes, here!

[ShortyBoo]

I guess I'll just have to read it before him. Or, maybe what I should do is read just a bit ahead of him and that way I can explain things I think he may not get as they come up. He really does know a lot for his age, most of it he learned from TV. I know he doesn't know everything because a lot of the time, he won't get a joke or reference on like South Park or Archer (my brother and I watch both shows, so my son tends to watch them with us) but he knows the basics. And I guess I'd rather he learn about this stuff from me than his friends, who may give him incorrect information.

[teresat]

A friend's daughter wanted to read the series and his response was "No! There's too much rape and pillaging." She's 13 going on 14. I don't think it's the sex so much as the graphic and rather negative portrayal.

I'm trying to think of better books for an 11 almost 12 year old boy. There is a bunch of less graphic sci-fi out there. I think Brian Jacques and Brandon Sanderson write teen sci-fi.

We're going through something similar in the school library. The fourth graders want to read Hunger Games....

[Alrak]

Have you tried Terry Pratchett or Neil Gaiman? Their books are everything but boring, and are suitable for all ages.

[MLPgal13]

I got my cousin hooked this weekend! 

[okapishomapi]

I got my cousin hooked this weekend! 

WOOHOO!! Let us know the reaction to the end of the first book/first season

[Marlin]

oooh... just ordered the first four books as a set online.... squeeeeee!!! 




Can't wait to get them and start reading... not just ponies I'll be stalking the mailbox for now! 




.....I blame this thread.

[Alrak]

oooh... just ordered the first four books as a set online.... squeeeeee!!! 




Can't wait to get them and start reading... not just ponies I'll be stalking the mailbox for now! 




.....I blame this thread.

yay^^!! more fans!