Author: George R.R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam
Pages: 720
Genre: Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy
Book Description: “Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.
Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.
Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.” (Amazon)
Now I’ve been meaning to read this series for a long time; however, I tend to stay away from series simply because after the whirlwind that was Harry Potter, I don’t think I could go through the emotional turmoil of having to wait x amount of time until the next installment comes in. Luckily for me, I’m a little behind and I have time to catch up. So at the extreme insistence (read: threats) of my two other nerds, Scathach, and Isis, I decided to read the series.
Let me start off by reiterating that I am a very, very, very picky reader – and one that is difficult to please. But I am very glad to say, that I was pleased from the beginning. While stylistically “okay”, the diction itself is what made it so great. I felt that Martin knew exactly what he was doing and where he was going with the story. He had strong characters, and while most fell into an archetype, I found that I didn’t mind at all.
I have to admit that it was really slow at first (why it took me a few months to finish – I kept putting it down and doing something else), but halfway through it picked up and became infinitely more exciting. I do love, however, that the phrase “game of thrones” didn’t even come until halfway through the novel. I liked how the majority of the fighting happened politically and it had a strong social commentary that completely fit into the “realm”.
I felt that Martin had a very strong grasp of the world he created and the social structure behind it. Everything felt believable and it all just seemed to work. As soon as it picked up halfway, I was able to finish it within a few hours (that’s how much I liked it). Overall, I would love to spend more time reading the series and I wish I had more time to do so.
There was a perfect balance of wit and sass as well as drama and rivalry. I can’t wait to see how the series will play out. Most of the time I don’t really care about spoilers unless it’s something I honestly hold dear to my heart. So it’s something when I say that I will actively avoid all spoilers for this series (both for the books and the tv show). I have this itch/desperation to know what happens, and although I read fairly quickly, I wish that I could read a lot faster.
I found myself feeling attached to a variety of customers – be they Lannister or Stark. They were so well developed that I could categorize their thoughts and actions as something they would do. I must admit that at the beginning, it was extremely difficult to get all of the characters in order. The names were not “common” either and I was really tempted to make a chart so I could keep all of them straight. However, it became slightly easier the more I read. I have a feeling that it will take a few books to completely remember the side characters – the main characters were no problem – but I will gladly take on that challenge.
Would I recommend this book? Yes I would. I mean it felt “tame” enough for someone younger to read, but I don’t think they could fully appreciate the intricacies of playing a game of thrones until they’re a little older.
Overall: ★★★★★