A Game of Thrones / A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1-2)

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A Game of Thrones / A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1-2)

4.51 of 5 stars 4.51 · rating details · 9,368 ratings · 287 reviews

Canción de Hielo y Fuego: Libro Segundo, la continuación del best-seller Juego de tronos. La novela río más espectacular jamás escrita. Un cometa del color de la sangre hiende el cielo cargado de malos augurios. Y hay razones sobradas para pensar así: los Siete Reinos se ven sacudidos por las luchas intestinas entre los nobles por la sucesión al Trono de Hierro. En la otra...more

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Published (first published 1996)

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Dec 16, 2008 Lucas rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If Mr. T threw a punch at a bunch of letters, they'd fall into place as SONG OF ICE AND FIRE.

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Jul 31, 2011 Liz Garby rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Over 1,700 pages through the Song of Ice and Fire series, and I am genuinely addicted. Having never read true fantasy/science fiction before, I was skeptical. . . but figured NPR's list of "10 books you probably haven't read, but should" wouldn't be wrong. Then. . . half way through Game of Thrones, the series began on HBO. I can't wait to watch it after I am done reading the series. By the time I make it through the next two montster of a books, hopefully Dancing with Dragons will be in paperba...more

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Dec 07, 2009 Lance rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm not much of a fantasy reader. Having said that, I find this series to be compelling. Dare I say I'm enjoying this more than the Lord of the Rings? I Do!! I do dare say it!!!

I'm about 2/3rds of the way through the third book and cannot put it down. I love the complexity of the characters. I like the fact that there isn't a lot of magic and crazy monsters. The people are the monsters. The "bad" people do bad things not because they are inherently evil, but because they have human flaws and we...more

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Dec 02, 2011 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I can't believe I had never read, nor even heard of, this book until this summer! The story is somewhat like Lord of the Rings, only a thousand times more fun to read (I like the LOTR films, not so much the books). There are swords and horses and banners, murders and plots, destinies and tragedies. Delightfully strong female characters (e.g., Arya! Awesome name, too!) and a deliciously clever and rude dwarf (the human kind) add to the expected knights and whatnot. The story's main conflict has m...more

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Feb 19, 2011 Alicia rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lame. Unreadable.

I question the author's interior life when he describes the orgasms of a 14 year old girl as her husband has forcible, non-consensual sex with her.

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Dec 27, 2011 Dana Simpson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I waited till this year to read Game of Thrones. I got tired of hearing how mush better George Martins' novels are compared to J.R.R. Tolkin. I finely picked up Game of Thrones just because of all the buzz the story was causing and HBO picked it up to make a show.

Wow, I am swallowing my pride!! the man did his homework, and gave justice to the lords, knights, kings, and yes even the villain "The Spider" too. I can see why he was compared to Tolkin, what imagery, fine details, a true rich world f...more

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Aug 29, 2010 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not as full of as many twists and turns as the previous entry in the series, but still a fantastic read. George R. R. Martin is creating a new epic, and one I did not think I would be able to get sucked into.

The characters are all growing within the confines of the story, with the exception of say Sansa and she is still my most loathed character. However, I understand that we're supposed to find fault with her and her childish views when disaster and ruin are around us.

I have every confidence th...more

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Oct 25, 2009 Missy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fantastic! I'm already into the next one of the series. You definitely can't tell a book by its cover w/ this one. Kinda boring cover- Not so, the book. Each chapter features a character and each character is so richly portrayed. There are a wide wide range of people to fall in love with and a few despicable creeps to keep things exciting. Plus, some of the characters are neither one nor the other, but some of both. It's a combo, new to me, bringing a historical fiction feel to pure believable f...more

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Apr 02, 2013 Elli rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Quando giochi al gioco del trono, o vinci o muori
Cominciamo col parlare di questa edizione, uno dei tanti pastrocchi che la Mondadori ci ha rifilato nel proporci l’opera di zio George. Questo volumone del peso di una tonnellata circa e maneggevole quanto una palla da bowling, per arbitraria decisione di chissà quale genio dell’editoria contiene i primi quattro volumi della travagliata edizione italiana delle Cronache del Ghiaccio e del Fuoco, che poi sarebbero i primi due dell’edizione originale...more Quando giochi al gioco del trono, o vinci o muori
Cominciamo col parlare di questa edizione, uno dei tanti pastrocchi che la Mondadori ci ha rifilato nel proporci l’opera di zio George. Questo volumone del peso di una tonnellata circa e maneggevole quanto una palla da bowling, per arbitraria decisione di chissà quale genio dell’editoria contiene i primi quattro volumi della travagliata edizione italiana delle Cronache del Ghiaccio e del Fuoco, che poi sarebbero i primi due dell’edizione originale. Ricapitolando: per anni i fan si sono accollati romanzi spezzettati in due o addirittura tre volumi (con tanto di titoli più che fantasiosi) perché “erano troppo lunghi”, per poi subire la beffa di vederne pubblicati ben due insieme! Questa edizione, oltretutto, per qualche misteriosa ragione è priva delle indispensabili mappe del Nord e del Sud. Nelle ultime pagine è presente un glossario (alquanto confuso) che elenca tutti i personaggi divisi per case nobiliari e corti, ma impossibile da consultare durante la lettura in quanto rappresenta una specie di fiera dello spoiler. Non sono stati corretti i vari errori di traduzione (fra cui quello famoso dell’unicorno tirato fuori dal nulla). Dulcis in fundo, subito dopo l’uscita di questo primo volume della “raccolta completa”, la casa editrice ha cambiato di nuovo rotta e, sull’onda del successo della serie televisiva, ha cominciato a ripubblicare - a dimostrazione che non ci voleva poi tanto - i romanzi rispettando la scansione originale. Però in quest’ultimo caso ha pensato bene di cambiare addirittura nome alla saga, che per l’occasione (accodandosi al titolo dell’edizione italiana della serie tv) è diventato Il Trono di Spade. =_=’
Confusi? Beh, è il minimo.
Facciamo così. Io dirò di aver letto i primi due volumi della saga A Song of Ice and Fire (titolo che fra l’altro costituisce un riferimento preciso, come si scoprirà verso la fine del secondo libro), ovvero A Games of Thrones e A Clash of Kings. Che poi, a tradurli in italiano alla lettera o quasi sarebbero suonati tanto male? Qualcosa come Il Gioco dei Troni e Lo Scontro dei Re. A me sembrano abbastanza scorrevoli ed epici da poter essere usati per future edizioni, invece di continuare a propinarci assurdità come Il Grande Inverno (titolo del secondo libro dell’edizione nostrana) in un momento in cui di questo benedetto inverno ancora non si vede neppure l’ombra! Va bene che “The Winter is Coming”, però… :P
E adesso, dopo questa premessa doverosa, parliamo finalmente di questa saga (le cinque stelline si riferiscono interamente al contenuto, perché all’edizione ne avrei data mezza).
Più andavo avanti con la lettura, più mi veniva in mente l’immagine di cento cani sopra un osso. Nel caso particolare, l’osso è rappresentato dal Trono di Spade, da cui il sovrano dei Sette Regni domina il Continente Occidentale di un immaginario mondo medievaleggiante. Un mondo in cui le stagioni possono durare anni interi e dove un’impenetrabile barriera di ghiaccio separa il mondo “civilizzato” (o presunto tale) dagli orrori e dall’oscurità che dimorano nelle gelide terre dell’estremo Nord.
E questo benedetto trono (come tutti i troni) rappresenta l’occhio di un ciclone: chi c’è seduto sopra ha tutta l’intenzione di restarci, chi ritiene gli sia stato usurpato è pronto a riprenderselo a qualunque costo, chi pensa che il proprio figlio debba un giorno sedervi sopra è pronto a tutto per far sì che accada, e così via. Queste lotte di potere finiranno per coinvolgere (e travolgere) una casata in realtà molto lontana dagli intrighi di palazzo, quella degli Stark, il cui capofamiglia, Eddard, fiero Lord di Grande Inverno e Protettore del più settentrionale dei Sette Regni, verrà invitato dall’amico Re Robert Baratheon a seguirlo nella capitale e a divenire il nuovo Primo Cavaliere del Re, dopo la morte improvvisa (e sospetta) di colui che fino a poco prima aveva rivestito tale carica. Da qui prende il via una sequela impressionante di intrighi, manovre politiche, tragedie, vendette, passioni, scontri, lotte di potere e di religione, guerre. Il tutto narrato dall’ormai famoso coro di voci narranti “alla Martin”, in cui vari personaggi si alternano nel presentarci la storia in terza persona ma ognuno dal proprio punto di vista (non ci sono divisioni in capitoli, ma solo il nome del personaggio di volta in volta portatore del Point of View). In A Game of Thrones sono sicuramente gli Stark a fare la parte del leone (6 personaggi portatori di PoV su 8), ma già nel secondo volume si aggiungeranno altre interessanti prospettive.
Com’è ormai noto, nei romanzi di Martin non ci sono “buoni” o “cattivi”, ma solo persone che – come nella realtà – tirano acqua al proprio mulino e fanno i propri interessi (con qualche rarissima eccezione). Nonostante questo è impossibile non schierarsi dalla parte di alcuni e non odiarne profondamente altri (augurando loro una morte lenta e dolorosa), e questo nonostante zio George si impegni a fondo a fornire a tutti motivazioni valide per le proprie azioni, per turpi e orripilanti che siano. E’ altresì noto che il livello di realismo e di estrema violenza di questi libri non li rende certo adatti a tutti. Astenersi in particolare animi troppo sensibili, amanti del lieto fine e paladini della giustizia. I rari esempi di integrità e senso dell’onore non recano infatti grandi vantaggi a chi tenta di portare avanti questo tipo di valori (e anche questo aspetto, purtroppo, è molto verosimile). Un consiglio: non sentitevi mai al sicuro, né fate mai pensieri del tipo “questo personaggio non può morire perché: è interessante; è simpatico; ovviamente è necessario allo sviluppo della storia; è un protagonista; ecc.”. Considerazioni che andrebbero bene per il 99% dei libri, ma non per questi. A volte sembra quasi che Martin si diverta nel distruggere le aspettative del lettore e nel far accadere proprio quello che mai si vorrebbe. Ecco, se proprio si vuole fare un appunto a zio George, mi sembra che esageri un po’ in questo. Va bene il realismo, ma il mondo che ha creato è fin troppo cupo e ingiusto. Mai uno spiraglio di luce o di speranza, neppure per caso. Mai una volta che sentimenti un po’ più nobili abbiano la meglio o che una buona azione conduca a qualcosa di positivo. Nemmeno la realtà riesce a essere così brutale e disperata. :P
In compenso ci vengono presentati personaggi di grandissimo fascino (nessuno escluso, da quelli un po' più positivi fino a quelli più abietti e disumani) e una rappresentazione ahimè fin troppo vera delle logiche del potere, delle passioni umane e degli abissi a cui possono condurre.
Per quanto riguarda l’elemento fantastico, non lo definirei "poco marcato" come hanno detto in molti. Lo definirei sotterraneo, nascosto, serpeggiante. Pur nell’estremo realismo che caratterizza la vicenda, il sovrannaturale infatti è sempre lì, fra le maglie degli eventi, a suggerirci – sempre di più con l’avanzare delle pagine – che ci sono anche altre forze in gioco, sconosciute e perciò tanto più spaventose.
Un affresco incredibile, ricchissimo e che non può fare a meno di ammaliare, ma a cui bisogna accostarsi consapevoli di ciò a cui si va incontro.
Auspicando che zio George si sbrighi a concludere l’opera – che, ricordiamo, prevede altri due volumi, per un totale di sette – e che la Mondadori continui sulla strada di una ripubblicazione “sensata” dell’intera saga, attendo di leggere A Storm of Swords e i suoi seguiti. Ovviamente senza aspettarmi un lieto fine, ma solo eventi nefasti e profondamenti ingiusti! XD(less)

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Nov 02, 2011 Ana Luísa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

George R.R. Martin apresenta-nos um mundo complexamente rico e fantástico nos volumes I(A Guerra dos Tronos) e II (A Fúria dos Reis) do livro Das Crônicas de Gelo e Fogo.
Martin recheia seu vasto universo medieval de reis, rainhas, donzelas, cavaleiros, guerreiros, políticos, príncipes, princesas, acrescentando, ainda, pitadas de fantástico com ogros, dragões, mortos-vivos e bruxaria, tudo bem ao gosto da Idade Média.
Não se pode deixar de admirar a imaginação fértil do autor a cada descrição de c...more George R.R. Martin apresenta-nos um mundo complexamente rico e fantástico nos volumes I(A Guerra dos Tronos) e II (A Fúria dos Reis) do livro Das Crônicas de Gelo e Fogo.
Martin recheia seu vasto universo medieval de reis, rainhas, donzelas, cavaleiros, guerreiros, políticos, príncipes, princesas, acrescentando, ainda, pitadas de fantástico com ogros, dragões, mortos-vivos e bruxaria, tudo bem ao gosto da Idade Média.
Não se pode deixar de admirar a imaginação fértil do autor a cada descrição de cenário, de reino, sensações inerentes à natureza humana ou, até mesmo, nos detalhes de uma simples refeição, com peculiaridades típicas de cada região, linhagem ou casa.
Enfrentei, todavia, alguns problemas com a leitura. O primeiro é o mais óbvio: Os volumes I e II das Crônicas de Gelo e Fogo somam mais de 1.250 páginas. Eu nada apontaria nesse sentido, caso estivesse diante de uma narrativa instigante, pois, várias vezes, já devorei livros de 500 páginas em menos de três dias, como foi o caso da excelente trilogia Millenium do sueco Stieg Larsson. Não é a hipótese sob exame, infelizmente.
Martin capricha demais nas minúcias. Capricha tanto, que a leitura de sua obra muitas vezes se torna desinteressante, pois pouco caminha para frente. Há muitos desvios paralelos que devemos percorrer antes de retomar a via principal. Isso é facilmente detectável pelo número excessivo de personagens.
Há de se ter paciência e retornar várias vezes para recordar quem é fulano, sicrana, seu grau de parentesco ou sua ligação com a casa “x” ou “y”. Enquanto estamos no volume I, tudo parece relativamente fácil, pois a casa Stark( dos Lobos) gira em torno de Lady Catelyn(com sua respectiva casa de solteira Tully) e Lord Eddard; a casa Lannister(dos Leões) é vista sob a ótica de Tyrion e, Daenerys, tem seu mundo a parte com a casa dos Targaryen, ou a Casa do Dragão.
À medida que a história avança, todavia, outros personagens vão começando a ganhar mais importância, tais como Jon Snow, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Robb, todos da casa Stark que, por sua vez, vão sendo ajudados por outros personagens secundários, mas igualmente numerosos e de relativa importância para a compreensão da narrativa.
Da parte dos Lannister, temos que ficar igualmente atentos aos diálogos da rainha Cersei, seu pai Tywin, o irmão e amante Jamie e do filho de ambos, Joffrey.
A rainha (khalesi) Daenerys, naturalmente, tem um reino próprio e recheado de vassalos, pretendentes, traidores, traidores potenciais e fiéis súditos, depois da morte do seu marido e khal Drogo.
Para piorar a guerra dos tronos, depois do assassinato do rei Robert, há também o envolvimento de seus irmãos, da casa Baratheon, também em busca de poder e conquistas, sendo que jamais podemos esquecer, nem por um segundo, das vitais interferências dos conselheiros reais Varys e Lord Petyr, que desta fazem parte.
E novas casas ou reinos vão surgindo, à medida que alianças e guerras, de campo ou psicológicas, vão sendo travadas , assim como surgem as perspectivas de novos personagens menos interessantes, tais como Davos e Theon, tornando tudo ainda mais truncado e difícil de acompanhar sem voltarmos algumas páginas. Para se ter uma idéia da complexidade da árvore genealógica dessas linhagens , George Martin faz um apêndice de pelo menos 20 páginas com todas as casas e reinos para auxiliar seus leitores. E , acreditem-me: tive que recorrer ao precioso guia do autor várias vezes.
É livro para se amar ou odiar e não incita incontrolável curiosidade para avançar-se página a página. Ao contrário: cuida de história para se ler lentamente, feita para um público dirigido e afeito a sagas do gênero “Lord of the Rings”. Há passagens grandiosas, eloquentes, inteligentes, outras espirituosas, principalmente quando há envolvimento dos Lannister, mas falta um romance pelo qual torcer, falta uma batalha pela qual lutar, principalmente após o assassinato de Lord Eddard e , acima de tudo , falta um personagem para me sentir identificada , embora esteja apostando bastante nos futuros crescimentos de Arya, Sansa e Jon Snow, já que minha empolgação por Catelyn esvaneceu-se depois do segundo volume e nunca foi admiradora da conclamada Daenerys ou tampouco de seus repulsivos dragões de estimação.
Veremos como Martin se portará com o subsequente A Tormenta de Espadas que, provavelmente, terá outras 600 páginas. Haja apêndices...
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Oct 08, 2011 Tom rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

To start with, I'll say that this book blew me away. The amount of characters in this book and the detail in the plot is amazing. At the back of the book, there is a huge list of characters in the main households in the book, but that still doesn't cover all of them. Unfortunately, this means that you could get confused, especially because many characters share similar (or the same) name. Still, it's hard to forget the main characters. I absolutely loved some characters and hated others, though...more

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Aug 25, 2011 Robin Wiley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, love-it-more-than-puppies, life-changer

OK. I decided to read this again to prepare for Dance with Dragons. Gods old and new only know when he'll finish the final two books, so I'm trying to savor the experience.

I think this is the religion book. We really get introduced to the different religions of this world, how they operate, which I really like.

We expect for an author to expand on the world in the second book, and although we still haven't gone south, we get some pretty cool new stuff. North of the Wall, Harrenhall, Riverrun, The...more

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Oct 27, 2011 Elizabeth K. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-new-reads

I whipped through this! I was very excited to spend some time with the characters I liked from the first book in this series, and a few new ones, and liked seeing how the various factions in support of the various possible kings (as well as the non-faction up on the Wall in the North) were developing their strategies and plots.

About 2/3 the way through, I did notice that not much in particular was happening in terms of moving the plot forward, this didn't really bother me, because I am nothing...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Renee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This took me a bit longer than the first because I had books I had to read first in between but I'm still enjoying this series. I felt a bit cheated at the end of this one, however, where I didn't with the first. I think it's just my aversion to cliffhangers of any kind. I need to have closure, damn it. I dove into number 3 the moment I finished the last page though, so I can't complain. Now, if I had to wait for the next book to be published like others had to, I'd be irate. That's not the case...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Sony rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

And the rabbit hole goes deeper. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say that this series is becoming more complicated and intriguing by the book. At times it does feel convoluted, or at least, confusing. I had to re-read some sections several times, and there were many more characters introduced, which is kinda overwhelming. However, there is a rich fandom and lots of websites dedicated to answering questions and discussing plot points. One shouldn't have to rely on that though. That said thou...more

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Nov 09, 2011 Brandie Lagarde rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read all 694 pages in four days and it was so great that I almost didn't mind that it wasn't on my Kindle as I got this in book form from my library. My four year old son breaking his leg didn't slow me down (no, I wasn't reading when it happened, he was wrestling with his brothers) because I read it while I rocked him for hours as he slept. It is that good. I will be most upset though if I crack the pages of 'A Clash of Kings' and the first hundred pages or so are filled with retelling the fi...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Ubiqua rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Una saga di genere che dosa magistralmente fantasy, epica e avventura. Ambientata in un medioevo immaginario, la trama si dipana attorno a un folto gruppo di personaggi in lotta per la sopravvivenza. Sullo sfondo fazioni nemiche si danno battaglia e lastricano la strada verso il potere con teste decapitate, arti mozzati e fiumi di sangue vischioso. Non c’è pietà per i deboli, e di chi si è fidato son piene le fosse. I buoni agiscono nel nome dell’onore, i vigliacchi assecondano la convenienza, i...more Una saga di genere che dosa magistralmente fantasy, epica e avventura. Ambientata in un medioevo immaginario, la trama si dipana attorno a un folto gruppo di personaggi in lotta per la sopravvivenza. Sullo sfondo fazioni nemiche si danno battaglia e lastricano la strada verso il potere con teste decapitate, arti mozzati e fiumi di sangue vischioso. Non c’è pietà per i deboli, e di chi si è fidato son piene le fosse. I buoni agiscono nel nome dell’onore, i vigliacchi assecondano la convenienza, i cattivi la sete di morte e di distruzione; ma tutti i personaggi che incontrerete nei Sette Regni saranno guidati da motivazioni complesse e credibili, diventando vostri amici e compagni di viaggio. Sopra al clangore delle asce si leva però qualcosa di ineffabile: un senso magico profondo e millenario, appena suggerito, sempre giocato su di un confine ambiguo, nell’incredulità degli stessi protagonisti. Creature antichissime si risvegliano, mentre principesse argentate esplorano deserti e città invisibili, bambini saggi fanno sogni rivelatori e uomini senza volto rifiutano di svelare i loro segreti.

La scrittura di George R.R. Martin è esemplare per la sobrietà con cui disegna ambientazioni ed eventi che facilmente potrebbero risultare stucchevoli. Le sezioni descrittive (in particolare quelle che hanno sede nel favoloso oriente teatro dei viaggi di Daenerys) rapiscono il lettore portandolo in una dimensione da “Mille e una notte” o facendolo volteggiare vorticosamente su castelli arroccati in cima a montagne vertiginose. Ai bambini sono destinate le sorti più tormentate e non viene risparmiata loro alcuna sofferenza, rendendo la parte avventurosa della saga alquanto saporita e selvatica. Il credo dei personaggi è per lo più umanista, ma questo non esclude la spiritualità e un misticismo di fondo che emerge a sorpresa solo quando necessario, sapientemente dosato dalla penna del buon Martin. La narrazione è strutturata in focalizzazioni multiple gestite con grandissimo mestiere, che potrebbero essere studiate dagli aspiranti scrittori come esempio di bella scrittura ed eccellente organizzazione dell'intreccio. Insomma, un prodotto di altissima qualità.(less)

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Apr 12, 2010 Brock rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this book up on a dare. Had no idea what it was about. After the first two chapters, I ran to my computer and ordered the next three books. I couldn't believe the depth or character and story that Martin put into this work. I firmly believe, and let's not get to carried away on the comments, that this series surpasses any other fantasy series out there. I know the LoTR followers will be distressed to hear this, but as far as creating worlds, Martin is in a league of his own.

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Nov 07, 2012 Keith Phillips rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

A Game of Thrones is the first book in a seven book series called A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. A Game of Thrones is based in a fantasy world called the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, which is very much like Medieval Europe. The Seven Kingdoms have been united under one rule for the last 500 years ever sense Aegeon The Conquerer united the land. After a brutal civil war against the "Mad King" the land has known peace with the New King (Robert). However, this is all about to change i...more A Game of Thrones is the first book in a seven book series called A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. A Game of Thrones is based in a fantasy world called the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, which is very much like Medieval Europe. The Seven Kingdoms have been united under one rule for the last 500 years ever sense Aegeon The Conquerer united the land. After a brutal civil war against the "Mad King" the land has known peace with the New King (Robert). However, this is all about to change if the King's best friend Ned Stark can't figure out why or who wanted King Robert's friend and "Hand" Jon Arryn dead. With Jon Arryn dead Robert places his loyal friend Ned Stark as his Hand, which has the authority of the King. But if Ned can't learn how to play The Game of Thrones then his term as Hand may become a short one.

In the East decendents of the Mad King still remain and are trying to form their army once again to reclaim the Seven Kingdoms like their ancestor Aegeon the Conqueror 500 years earlier.

And far in the North there is a Wall. Built to protect all of the 7 Kingdoms it has been undermanned with rapers, robbers, and thieves. The wall is accustomed to losing men, but when one of their scouting party never returns they must find out what is happening and if the wildlings are the cause of it all.

A Game of Thrones is told through the eyes of 9 characters. Enabling the reader to see the point of view of all the sides of the conflict. This is the first series that I have read that does this and I absolutely love it. Being able to see all the viewpoints of the conflicts in the story is very interesting. Martin also does a very good job in suprising the reader. With just changes in your mindset on a specific character who you thought you knew or simply with what you know to be "fact." I GUARANTEE that you will NOT be able to predict the ending of A Game of Thrones or any of the others. Finally, I believe that this is the best series out there today and everyone that is a fan of fantasy, mystery, or just reading a well written story should buy!

***CAUTION*** If you do not like a book with a lot of characters or one where the story is continous from book to book. Then this series may not be for you.(less)

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Jul 15, 2011 Nick Popadich rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I started reading this because I watched the HBO series and was hoping that the book would help me understand the characters better and fill in the gaps from when I fell asleep. The book delivered. I got sucked into this world and not only understand who the characters are but more of why they do what they do. Will I stick with it through the rest of the series? Maybe not, but the rest of the books are on my dining room table so that could get awkward.

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Dec 04, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

How do authors do this? How do they come with this alternate world with all these complex story lines filled with war, love, hate (lots of hate!) revenge and yes, some hope? George Martin has done it all-blending the world as we know it with a new (really old) world of knights, castles, armor, lords and ladies, sword fights and war. There are new words to learn, new ideas to wrap your mind around, and a story that keeps you guessing from the first page to the last. I can't say that I found this...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Steve rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was late to the party for George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, but I'm damned sure on board after getting into the TV series named after this novel!

In a nutshell, it's a richly-told narrative of royal family intrigue in a medieval fantasy setting, only minus all but the most minimal of fantastical elements (in this volume, that is), and it is very adult in its content. Strong characterization is the rule here, and I defy readers not to get extremely caught up in the doings of al...more

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May 02, 2013 Shaz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-the-bookshelf

Having read the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series and absolutely loving it, and then following it with the first season of the TV adaptation and enjoying that too, I won't say I had high expectations of the second book, but moreover high hopes, and I finished this book feeling more than satisfied.
I almost gave this four stars as at first thought comparing to the first book, I wasn't sure it was quite as good, but upon further reflection I actually think it was. The difference betw...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Orion Listug rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What I have found about this series, is that each book is better than those that came before it. After finishing the second book, I thought none of the others could surpass it. I'm about 2/3 through the third, and love it more than I did the second.
It is truly hard to say which scene(s) I liked the best. All I can say for sure, is that the HBO series pales in comparison and doesn't really do the books justice.
I wish they would have done a better job with scenes like the battle against Stanis' f...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Nick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story is epic and the characters are complex. The series is very compelling, and above all, the reader cannot and should not assume anything about how the struggles of the characters unravel.

The most beautiful part of the series is that there is no single protagonist, no antagonist... each character is flawed, yet each has redeeming qualities.

Despite all of these great qualities I struggled with this book and I ultimately gave up on the series. The writing is maddening. Martin's writing suf...more

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Oct 06, 2011 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, for_fun

I Rarely get lost in a book- this one sucked me in and I am still reading the series. Great book if you can get past the NUMBER of new characters that are introduced and how the story skips for region to region character to character. Great read though!

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Aug 23, 2011 Toni Stockton rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Better than the first one, although still waaaaay too much time spent describing costumes and feasts. I really don't care how often they eat lamprey pie, I gotta say.

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Mar 23, 2013 Kat rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay, it's a looooooong one, but so good! I am usually not much into fantasy, didn't even like the Harry Potter series (please don't hate me, I tried!), but I obviously found something to love in this series to put in the time it takes to finish the novel. Maybe the rich historical background I am choosing to believe is accurate? I know, I know, there weren't any dragons in medieval times, but the warring and hunger and castles is pretty much on tract, right? Highly entertaining, and I just disc...more

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Jan 22, 2013 Robert Rehders rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So far this was the novel I liked the least of this series. Overly descriptive and tedious to read. The reward for sticking it out is the pointless and offhandedly dispatch of several major characters.
What saves it for me was the knowledge of another book after this.
Also when I was disheartened, I read a review lamenting the excessively long scene and clothing descriptions. Afterwards I would speed read whenever I saw a description of location or clothing. It felt like it cut the average time to...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Joe Guenther rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not as Good as the first like as most people said a lot of depth in character development. However some of the key aspects of these developments I believe fuel a greater story arc as we see in most of the book. This causes the reader to keep on, keeping on until the book finds itself in a climatic last 200 pages or so in which all the political back story goes away and action takes over in which it leaves you wondering at the end what happens next, how can I afford the next book as a college stu...more

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About George R.R. Martin

George R. R. Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.

Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies,...more George R. R. Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.

Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: "The Hero," sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.

In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.

As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.

In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.

Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.

Martin's present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers' Guild of America, West.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/george...(less)

More about George R.R. Martin...

Books by George R.R. Martin

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)

A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)

A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3)

A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4)

A Dance With Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)

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A Game of Thrones / A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1-2)

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