A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) in The Sword and Laser

Apr 19, 2011 Silvana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fyeahfantasy, series-i-follow, dark-matter, a-song-of-ice-and-fire

Second re-read (finished on July 8th, 2017)
Well, it has been three years apparently since I visited this book. The local fanclub decided to discuss it today and so I thought it was a good time to reread with the illustrated edition (which I reviewed separately).

A Song of Ice and Fire is super layered, expansive, and complicated. There are still discussions after discussions in the fandom about theories (both crackpot and legits), character studies, plots, scenarios, worldbuilding, and so on. I e Second re-read (finished on July 8th, 2017)
Well, it has been three years apparently since I visited this book. The local fanclub decided to discuss it today and so I thought it was a good time to reread with the illustrated edition (which I reviewed separately).

A Song of Ice and Fire is super layered, expansive, and complicated. There are still discussions after discussions in the fandom about theories (both crackpot and legits), character studies, plots, scenarios, worldbuilding, and so on. I even followed and supported at least four podcasts about ASOIAF (and twice co-hosted one of them, which was pretty scary). There is ALWAYS something to discuss. That is why I am not surprised that after three times rereading, I still found lots of interesting details that are relevant to the later progress of the story. Our today's discussion about 'What Ifs' was super fun. Next: A Clash of Kings (third? fourth?) re-read and discussion.

First re-read (finished on September 27th, 2014)
Seven hells, this is truly a splendid read. Glad to reread it, found so many hidden (unhidden) gems. A master storyteller, George is. Three years ago, I spent one day to finish the book. Now I spent more than a month. I think it's better to absorb chapter by chapter and accompanied by several (re)read guides. I recommend Stephen Attewell's Race for the Iron Throne for serious, in depth discussion and some earlier episodes from A Podcast of Ice and Fire for fun.

Original review (May 22, 2011):
Since I started watching the series in HBO (now it's already at its 7th episode) I knew for sure I'd read the books. Been so long since my last time reading epic fantasy and this one feels damn good. I swore the book had glue on it and I just couldn't let it go until I finished reading it in one day :D

The characters are unbelievably magnificent and unforgettable. Some were just the ones you love to hate and hate to love. They - the heros, the villains, the antiheros, etc - all had grit, no doubt on that. I have to admit that Martin threw lots of characters to memorize along with the noble houses and stuff, but I read it with delight haha. The conversations were very quotable including some very witty/cheeky remarks.

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I love the intrigues surrounding the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms even more than the action parts. This series do not need elves and dwarves and magic to make it exciting. Not gonna bother to tell a synopsis here (that's what wikis are for), but allow me to say that the stories are simple but engaging. Or maybe because I love reading about politics? It's indeed about the ways to obtain power and maintain it while undermining your opponents. "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die." :D ...more

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Dec 14, 2007 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy

NO!!!!Ugggh not another fantasy series that my dear husband and brother in law trick me into reading. They know that once they get me started on a book like this I can't stop, and then this one was so cruel. You want to like the main characters but one of my favorites will not make it to the next book!! We were so mad at times that we threw the book down and threatened to stop reading it only to pick it back up again. ...more

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Sep 05, 2010 Bryan Spellman rated it it was amazing

With the show coming up and my Nook with me all the time I decided to purchase all 4 and reread them. What a great idea. I read this first when it came out and have waited all these years with all the other fans. But I only read them once and it was high time to remember why I loved them so much.

It is all about character. There are so many, yet one is never lost. Each jumps from the page and leaves you wanting more. I will not get into any discussion about the story or plot twists or spoilers. I ...more

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