Author: George R. R. Martin
Book 1 of the Series: A Song of Ice and Fire
Genres: Fantasy, Movie & TV Tie-In, Dragons & Mythical Creatures, War, Military Action, Sword & Sorcery, Adventure, Revenge, Adult
The novel was nominated for both the 1997 Nebula Award and the 1997 World Fantasy Award. It won the 1997 Locus Award and was nominated for both the 1997 Nebula Award and the 1997 World Fantasy Award. Blood of the Dragon, a novella based on the Daenerys Targaryen chapters from the novel, received the Hugo Award for Best Novella in 1997. The novel was named a New York Times Bestseller in January 2011 and reached No. 1 on the list in July same year.
I must confess here that, I belong to the five percent TV watching population of the world who never watched the show “A Game of Thrones.” (I am planning to watch but have no time to do it at the moment.) 08.15.2021
The thing about reading any book by Mr. George R. R. Martin is that you can never fully follow a character because he/she can be killed off at any moment. What I figured out is that the author creates stories like he is God and he controls who lives and who dies because he can create as many characters as he wants. One hero is murdered… no worries I give you two more to love till I decide to kill them too. He doesn’t care if a character is popular or has an army of fans; he just kills the character when he feels like it. But I like this strength in a writer because I believe when you are writing; you are the God of whatever you are creating. Some Authors do it to be famous for killing off a loved character but not this author, he does it because he wants his books and stories to be as realistic as possible even it is in a fantasy setting and mainly he shows the death is real and it can come to anyone at any moment.
These stories are different in terms of good versus evil because the author is known for deviating from the typical fantasy model and drawing clear lines between good and evil. In the author’s own words: "I think the battle between good and evil is fought largely within the individual human heart, by the decisions that we make. It's not like evil dresses up in black clothing and you know, they're really ugly".
The alternating points of view of all the sides and characters is a very good idea when writing a book, it actually expands the reader’s view and explains what is actually happening and the reader can choose sides or in some cases feel what the writer intends the reader to feel. The book is huge and may take some time to finish but that is the beauty of it. It is not just a story, you can actually feel the vast world with a history of what is what and who is who in this world. Very few writers act as the “God” when they are writing and creating a universe on paper for the reader to get immersed into it.
He even writes about the clothes in full detail. Sometimes I don’t like to read that much info like the color of the curtains or what kind of flowers are on the table…that is too much sometimes but some people like it so it is not something to deduct points from a book’s scorecard.
The way humans are doing things that can’t even be mentioned here is normal for the period that is depicted in these books, so don’t think that the author used it for sensation or more readerships.
And as always, the book beats the TV show because of the detail and difference. I think it is better to read the book first but as with many people who watched the show first, it is going to give new insight and open up a huge box of info that they never had while watching the show.
Synopsis:
“NOW THE ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES—THE MASTERPIECE THAT BECAME A CULTURAL PHENOMENON
Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse—unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season.
Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister—the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms.
Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki—whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys.”
The only reason I am not giving a full rating is that of the uncertainty these books cause about your favorite character's life. Otherwise, the books are going to be remembered as legendary tomes by some wise deity.
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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Find the first season of the show here:
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