Ned Stark Lives!
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| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Ned Stark Lives! |
| Author(s): | cbstevp |
| Date(s): | May 25, 2012 - December 19, 2015 |
| Length: | 1,626,361 words, 141 chapters |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Fandom: | A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones |
| External Links: | Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 at FFN Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 at AO3 |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Ned Stark Lives! by cbstevp is a well known fanfiction series within the A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones fandom. It consists of three novel length stories, with multiple POV characters, similar in style to the original novels. It is often recced, especially to fans of George R. R. Martin's book series.
It's canon divergent, and examines what the story would have been like if Prince Joffrey had kept his promise and sent Ned Stark to The Wall to join the Night's Watch instead of executing him, and how that would have affected the story and other characters.
Synopsis
What would have happened in Westeros if Ned Stark had lived? An alternate version of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones series of books.
Reactions and Reviews
Media Reviews
This series completely flips the events in Game of Thrones by changing the first major death in the series. According to Benjamin Backhaus, who created an impressive collection of novel-length, completed fanfiction, this trilogy is a delightful and fascinating read.Here’s the best ‘Game of Thrones’ fanfiction by Nahila Bonfiglio, dailydot.com
Fan Reactions and Reviews
It’s exactly what the summary says. An examination of how the series could have gone if Ned had been sent to take the Black instead of executed. Very well done[1]
With the simple title, I was expecting an overly simplistic and kind of smug story that has Ned saving the day and the other factions basically bowing down without much of a fight. I was very wrong. It’s a very long, engrossing series that explores how the War of the Five Kings and the battle with the Others would have changed had Ned survived. My one complaint about it is the Arya/Gendry relationship in it. Arya is so young that parts are uncomfortable to read. However, it’s thankfully a small part in the grand scheme of things.[2]
Exactly what it sounds like—Ned Stark doesn't get executed in King's Landing, and joins Yoren's caravan towards the Wall. Don't get fooled, though, it ain't all sunshine and rainbows. Things still get pretty complicated thanks to various people fucking everything up, and plenty of characters still get merked hard. By the by, the author writes in a manner that's very similar to GRRM himself, which may or may not be a plus, depending on how you view his writing style.[3]
I followed Ned Stark Lives! (it could have definitely used a better title, though that didn't seem to hurt it) as it was published. Overall, I was surprised by how plausible and in character it was, particularly given how often it was updated. The only thing I found lacking was how little heart there seemed to be in the story. The story was interesting, but I wasn't living and dying with the characters... Otherwise this is probably one of the best fic in the entire fandom[4]
I personally find it very interesting. Oh, and don’t assume Ned Stark surviving means anything for anyone else’s lifespan. People still alive in series die. Deals with the Others, the War of the Five Kings, every single character actual.[5]
I especially remember it was epic to have Ned Stark and Tywin Lannister meet! Thats what I love about fanfic scenarios that never happened in the book but very well could have![6]
I've recently started reading a story I haven't seen recommended recently. It's based on the premise that Ned Stark doesn't die in King's Landing. It still has lots of war and fighting - including detailed battle scenes - but Ned's steady guidance (so far) is keeping the North stable. It features all the major players, including Starks, Lannisters, Tyrells, Stannis, Greyjoys, Boltons, and Cleganes. Daenerys is mentioned in the first part but doesn't become part of the action until the second part. The story is very long, nearly two million words, combined. It is a Stark-wank, since Ned keeps his head together (pun!) and makes better decisions than his sons. It's not perfect, including a plot line I don't like, but no story is perfect. This fanfic is absorbing, well-written, and well-paced. Check it out if you have a week or two to fill.[7]
You are not a fan if you don’t know about this fic or its sequels. Maybe written by George RR Martin in disguise because damn. It was good. So good.[8]
Inspired Fanworks
- Russian Translation of Part 1 by Emperor10000
- GAME OF THRONES JON ARRYN LIVES by jman007, 'So what if Jon Arryn lives to play the game'
Links
Further Reading
- Here’s the best ‘Game of Thrones’ fanfiction by by Nahila Bonfiglio, dailydot.com, Ned Stark Lives! is listed under the What if…Alternative Universe (AU) Game of Thrones Fan Fiction section
References
- ^ fic rec, Feb 27 2013
- ^ What's some of the best A Song of Ice and Fire fanfiction you've read?
- ^ A song of Ice and Fire recs
- ^ "A Song of Ice and Fire" stories
- ^ Hi, I love your meta and was wondering if you did fic recs?
- ^ Fanfiction recommendations?
- ^ Post by RokyPoly0ne to r/TheCitadel, August 20, 2021
- ^ "My fics recommendations". Archived from the original on 2024-04-26.