A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Dec 25, 2009 Gaijinmama rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, fantasy

I went into this having seen the first two seasons of the TV show, so some of the suspense was gone.
Didn't matter a whit. I could hardly put the book down and pretty much binge-read the last 300 pages over a three-day weekend. Family? sleep? work? what's that?
Indeed, it was all I could do not to plow right into the next volume of the series, but I'm making myself take a break to process it.

The story is just plain non-stop irresistible brilliance. In more than 800 pages, not a single word is wast I went into this having seen the first two seasons of the TV show, so some of the suspense was gone.
Didn't matter a whit. I could hardly put the book down and pretty much binge-read the last 300 pages over a three-day weekend. Family? sleep? work? what's that?
Indeed, it was all I could do not to plow right into the next volume of the series, but I'm making myself take a break to process it.

The story is just plain non-stop irresistible brilliance. In more than 800 pages, not a single word is wasted. More importantly in my view, the characters are believable and complex. The bad guys have some redeeming qualities, and the good guys have some grey areas and do some unlikeable stuff. They're people, not superheroes, and that's what kept me riveted in their story.
Hands down, my favorite character is Tyrion, The Imp. I'd say he's the anti-hero of the whole darn thing. As far as I'm concerned, this is really his story. Kinda like Star Wars is really about Han Solo, not that boring Luke Skywalker, right? Tyrion isn't exactly a good guy but he is smart, shows compassion in spite of himself, generally does the right thing when it matters, and oh. my.gods. does he have a sense of humor!! Between him and Petyr Baelish( who really is a scumbag, but endearing nonetheless) I found myself giggling at all sorts of inappropriate moments.
Warning: in case you've been hiding under a rock, let's just say things get a bit violent here and there. I'm not at all squeamish, but this book contains some truly sick and twisted stuff that pushed even my limits. What makes it even more upsetting, is that it's portrayed realistically. There is no cruelty in this book that hasn't actually been done to someone at some point in history.
Same goes for the magical aspects of the story. Magic exists in this world, but it comes at a price, and people still have to deal with the consequences of their actions, or deal with the fall-out of other people's actions (Catelyn Stark, a word please!! In my office, now!!).
People survive by using their brains. And sometimes bad things happen to good people.
Maybe I'll grab the next book and dive right in, after all. ...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Dale Pearl rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, books-worth-rereading, epic

I was going to write a very long review, however, goodreads refreshed while in the middle of writing and I lost all of my documentation so alas.
It was good it was great and yes indeed it was epic. I loved the characterized chapters named after the main character of each chapter. It is so easy to hate the Lanisters although I am starting to really like the Dwarf Tyrion he is indeed a unique character. Of course everyone is rooting for the Starks after the way Jofrey handled Ned. One can only hope ...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Anthony rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I won't bother anyone with a synopsis. I am not a huge fantasy guy but like the basics. Lord of The Rings, The Hobbit, the first book to the Wheel of Time series before it got ridiculous, Phillip Pullman, Neal Stephenson, etc. I have to say that I enjoyed the book. I was bummed with the death of certain characters but I am looking forward to the next book. It took me a while to get through it. I stopped for a while then go back into it then really cranked out the last couple hundred pages. I sta ...more

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Aug 27, 2011 Marian rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-now

Wow, Un- put- downable! I am not sure how I missed this in my reading before now. I think I had it confused with something else. ON my way with my family to the next books in the series.

I should add that you have to get used to the multiple characters, voices, storylines,and point of views. But room for a big ongoing epic!

My brother, Eric says that watching the HBO series could help with getting it straight. But I carried through without watching it.

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Jan 16, 2010 Rachel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-and-sci-fi

I am constantly looking at the Goodreads group lists for recommendations, especially for categories that I only read once in a while. When the Song of Ice and Fire series was mentioned time after time as a favorite in the science fiction and fantasy genre, I decided to give it a try - and I am hooked. The characters are real and engaging and the pace is quick, and you never know what will happen next - or who will survive to appear in the next book....

Highly recommended.

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