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

Jul 22, 2010 jD rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy_adventure_worldbuilding, library-yes, paranormal-political, otherworldly_setting

This book is aptly named. "A Games of Thrones" is a political drama with a soap opera flow. As with most fantasy, there is great tradegy, warfare, backstabbing, innocence lost, an endless list of characters, and heros made. What I found unique about this book is that I did not actually like any character as a person but I quickly became invested in their welfare. I cared about what happened to them even through a part of me cheered because everyone seemed to get what they deserved in the end. I ...more

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Apr 18, 2011 Wicked ♥ (Wickedly Bookish Reviews) aka Bat-Jess rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, dark-fantasy, ebooks-i-own, 2011, favorites, first-in-series, series-up-to-pub, series-fantasy

Originally Written for Wickedly Bookish
http://wickedlybookish.blogspot.com/

I started reading this book because I wanted to have more information on the characters and events of the HBO series, Game of Thrones. I enjoyed the show and felt it stayed pretty true to the book all for a few inconsequential scenes. While reading the book, I got a look into what the characters were thinking and feeling when they made their big decisions and went through their coming of age trials. I really enjoyed that ...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Sara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

I finished this 800-page book in less than 2 weeks and plan on reading the whole series (those that are currently available, anyway). It's so much fun to get immersed in an epic fantasy series, especially if friends and family are also reading it and you can have endless discussions about the books.

George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series has had a dedicated following for years, but I had not been terribly tempted to read the books because I'd heard that they were gory and that a lot of I finished this 800-page book in less than 2 weeks and plan on reading the whole series (those that are currently available, anyway). It's so much fun to get immersed in an epic fantasy series, especially if friends and family are also reading it and you can have endless discussions about the books.

George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series has had a dedicated following for years, but I had not been terribly tempted to read the books because I'd heard that they were gory and that a lot of bad things happen to good characters. Well, these things I'd heard are true, to some extent--but it's OK, I'm enjoying reading it anyway :) I finally decided to read the books after watching the excellent HBO adaptation of the first book, A Game of Thrones. I loved the show, but felt like I was missing a lot of background information that would explain things and add depth to the story. Reading the first book has really given me a better understanding of the world of the Seven Kingdoms and the roots of the conflicts that are in progress at the beginning of the story.

I am not even going to attempt a plot summary--I'm sure a better one can be found elsewhere. It is a complex story, epic in scope, with lots and lots of characters. The story is told through the perspectives of various important characters, with chapters alternating between the different characters and plot threads. At the most basic level, the tale revolves around a lot of people with different motivations who are fighting for the throne (and the power behind the throne) in a land called the Seven Kingdoms. It is a strange, scientifically unlikely land where seasons can last years or even decades. After a 9-year summer, "winter is coming," as the Stark family would say--scholars predict a terrible winter filled with misery and supernatural threats, worse than any seen for centuries. But instead of banding together in the face of the approaching winter, the rival families of the Seven Kingdoms are at each other's throats, making allies and enemies with every move.

This is a great book with awesome characterization, world-building, and plotting. I do wish there was a little more editing with regards to repetitive word choice, but that's not a big deal. Definitely a 5-star book.

I have sympathy for all the perspective characters, but my favorites so far are Daenerys, Arya, Catelyn, and Bran. Also Tyrion. He's an interesting character, and so funny. BUT I want Joffrey's bratty little head to roll, preferably in a humiliating way, and I'd like to see Twyin Lannister get it too. I have all sorts of wild predictions about what will happen to them and the others, and I can't wait to see how things unfold. ...more

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