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

George R.R. Martin

Discussion: High/Epic/Portal Fantasy

Why we're reading this: 10/02/22 nominated by Adriel
[close] 10/02/22 nominated by Adriel

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High/Epic/Portal Fantasy

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What Members Thought

Aug 24, 2011 Parvathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: glued-till-the-last-page, living-vicariously, historicals, favorites, mythology, movie-material, got-some-extra-free-time, classics, family-drama, fantasy-politics

"A Game of Thrones" when I first saw this book on the NY bestsellers list it invoked my interest. The title itself arouses your curiosity and gives you a faint idea that the book is about politics. Let's face it when there are thrones in the title there are bound to be empires and battles in the book. Books such as Lord of the Rings have never held its appeal for me and people deeming it the next Lord of the Rings was enough to help me get rid of my curiosity. Then the TV series was aired and I "A Game of Thrones" when I first saw this book on the NY bestsellers list it invoked my interest. The title itself arouses your curiosity and gives you a faint idea that the book is about politics. Let's face it when there are thrones in the title there are bound to be empires and battles in the book. Books such as Lord of the Rings have never held its appeal for me and people deeming it the next Lord of the Rings was enough to help me get rid of my curiosity. Then the TV series was aired and I watched the first two episodes. The first few scenes were so captivating I decided then and there to read the book before watching any more episodes. The TV series was good but reading the book is an entirely different kind of an experience. The characters and the world around them are so rich in detail that you often loose touch with reality and become a part of the whole experience. The writing style is so elaborate that you feel like the Seven Kingdoms, the land of the Dothraki's, Winterfell, the wall, all of these magical places are coming to life before your very eyes. " Winter is Coming" the Stark family motto fills you with an unexpected chill every time you encounter these lines. The narrative style encountered her is different and more enjoyable. The book jumps from one character's point of view to another with each chapter effectively changing the scenario we have become accustomed to. Every chapter ends with a shocking revelation that you just want to stay on and know what is going to happen next but the narrative immediately jumps to the point of view of another character that has least to do with the current storyline and the last person you what to hear about which makes you feel annoyed. But the annoyance does not last for long as the story at hand pulls you in at a very fast pace. All the characters are full of life and some of my favorites are Arya Stark the tomboy with her spirit, Jon Snow the bastard son with his determination, Tyrion Lannister the imp with his wit and sarcasm and Robb Stark the prodigal son with his shrewdness and good nature. But the character I have a special admiration for is Daenerys Targaryen the Dragon Princess who faced her obstacles with a sort of silent and resolute decisiveness. There were parts of this book were even I thought she was done for but she kept on to emerge victorious as a dragon emerging from flames. The characters of Sansa Stark with her simple mindedness and Catelyn Stark with her impulsive nature are my least favourite characters and Ned Stark is every bit of the honorable leader that you hope him to be. The author did catch me off guard in a number of occasions when he killed off a number of people which I was sure would survive the ordeal but his way of handling these characters made me realize that he is not afraid to go to any lengths for the sake of the story which makes it all the more interesting and frightening to read the next book in the series. For an 800 page book the story does not have a single dull moment and it leaves a very lasting and strong impression. The only difficulty I had with this book though was keeping track of all of the characters introduced. But as you go forward you get an idea on how to distinguish between all major and minor characters which makes it easier to keep track. Any other confusions regarding the characters are solved with the help of the appendix provided at the end of the book. The subplots of the Others, children of the woods and wild lings are engrossing and promises of things to come. Politics as the name suggests is a huge part of this book but that is not the only part of it. It is a highly engaging combination of the mythical and historical elements with an equal amount of interpersonal and dynastic struggle. In the end it provides a story which is magical and mythical in it settings but made believable by the characters who live there. A truly engaging novel that should be read by anyone at least once in there lifetime. ...more

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Dec 28, 2012 puppitypup rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy

Fantasy Ugh. If your idea of fun is getting your emotions jerked around while a group of children between the ages of 3 and 14 are demeaned, beaten, imprisoned, raped, crippled, starved and murdered then go for it. Otherwise, don't bother. And the only fantasy to be found is the last 2-3 pages and even that is obliterated by a sick perversion. ...more

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Sep 08, 2011 Nicola rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014-books, 2011-books

Feb 2014 I am rereading this book, I want to read the entire series in a row.
I must admit after rereading this I am really glad I stopped reading the series originally. This book requires alot of focus and cannot be skimmed - which it was I doing with book 2 originally because of outside factors. This time around I have no intention of being distracted! While I am still struggling with the number of characters I cannot wait to turn te age to see what happens next. I fear this will be one of tho ...more

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Aug 29, 2010 Kenneth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

Right up my alley would be an understatement... Still, I would recommend this book/author to anyone, whether or not they were a fan of fantasy (high or otherwise). This book doesn't break new ground, but it elevates that which has come before. Not only is this great fantasy, but it is great fiction writing. Martin knocks it out of the park: characters, setting, pacing, tone, and (most important and difficult to nail down for many fantasy and sci-fi works) realism and truth to its own internal lo ...more

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Sep 04, 2007 Deedee added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 6-star-books, challenge-2011-spring, scifi-and-fantasy-book-club, dragons, twins, epic-fantasy, favorites, nebula-award-nominee, world-fantasy-award-nominee, sf-npr-top-100

re-read
Even better the second time around!
Re: goodreads policy, I've left the rating blank. I would have given it 5 stars, like I did the other edition of this book that I read. ...more

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