From the Bookshelf of The Perks Of Being A Book Addict…

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

George R.R. Martin

Start date: July 3, 2013

Finish date: July 31, 2013

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What Members Thought

Sep 12, 2010 ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) rated it it was ok

Shelves: series, women, suspense, crime, fantasy, mystery, romance, sisters, family, friendship

I liked it but didn't love it. I found myself really bored with some points-of-view story lines and more drawn to others. I've seen the first couple of seasons of the show so I pretty much knew what was going to happen. It seems that the first season is fairly close to the book and if there were differences, they must not have been too severe for me to notice. Anyway, this review is about the book. I found it to be a bit too long, sometimes too wordy, far too many characters and histories, but I ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Sep 13, 2012 Britt rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, fantasy

This book (and the subsequent books in the series) has the makings of a great story, however what I struggled with is an inability to connect with alot of the characters. Don't get me wrong I love the Game of Thrones characters, particularly Dany but when the POV changes every chapter its hard to keep reading. Usually I plow through a series but I found it difficult because when I was enjoying hearing about Dany, a less interesting character would appear and I would lose interest. Nonetheless I ...more

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May 26, 2011 Vicky rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: z-author-american-usa, zz-cover-color-blue, fantasy, own-book, setting-fantasy, own-ncc-overdrive-ebook, own-ncc-overdrive-audio, series-waiting-on-release

I tried to read this book about a year ago and couldn't do it. I made it ~180 pages in and put it down for a good long while. Then my brother started to get on my case and wouldn't drop it until I finally picked it back up again.

I liked it, but I didn't love it. This is another prime example of a first book in a series that gives LOTS of world-building and set-up with little action. These kinds of books always disappoint me. There are, however, enough potential for future events that I'm going t ...more

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Mar 27, 2012 PinkPanthress rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: my-2-pfennig

I've waited almost 20 years now to read the first Book in this Series.
Why did I wait this long? -'Cause I thought he, Martin, would actually write the Series in less than a Decade... but no, Monsieur likes us to wait for each Book Aeons while bitching about Fans writing Fanfiction from his Series.

-Possible Spoilers coming-
(view spoiler) I've waited almost 20 years now to read the first Book in this Series.
Why did I wait this long? -'Cause I thought he, Martin, would actually write the Series in less than a Decade... but no, Monsieur likes us to wait for each Book Aeons while bitching about Fans writing Fanfiction from his Series.

-Possible Spoilers coming-
(view spoiler)[So, where do I start? -With the stubborn, honourable Lord Eddard Stark or maybe his idiotic, close to imbecile Wife and eldest Daughter, Lady Catelyn Tully Stark and Sansa Stark respectively?
Or perhaps I should tell you of Jon Snow, who apparently knows nothing, or his favourite half-sister Arya Stark. They are not involved in any incestuous way... unlike the Queen (of the 7 Realms) Cersei who hops into bed with her younger Twin brother Ser Jaime Lannister, The Kingslayer, since they both can walk properly.
But what do I know, after all Jaime has begotten 3 children with her, whom are deemed King Robert Baratheon's children by everyone.
Until someone by the name Lord John Arryn, First Hand of the King, finds out and dies mysteriously before he can tell the (right) People.
Oh, and then the aforementioned Lord Eddard finds out. Ans shit hits the fan... not literally though, mind you. Would be a messy thing.
Seems like I forgot to mention the midget Tyrion Lannister, no he doesn't have threesomes with his siblings Cersei & Jaime.
Though, he is quite the Fornicator in the Book. No Whorehouse is safe from him and he's one of the only people in this Book who actually thinks before talking or acting. I liked him, besides Arya.
Oh, and while we're talking about Strumpets and such, there is the cunning Lord Petyr Baelish, medieval Pimp extra-ordinaire.
This book would have gotten more than 8 out of the 10 Stars, if Martin hadn't given me so much BS with underage smut and the likes regarding the 13 year old (Khaleesi) Daenerys and her wannabe (Turkic/Mongolic) Dothraki Nomad husband Khal Drogo. I don't need to know that his member is still slick from sex before and such bullcrap.
For that I have smutty fan-fiction.
It really bothers me that jailbait Daenerys is whored out. And the sex scenes are bleh, like they were written by a pimply faced 14 year old who only knows his own hand.
But!!! I can recommend this Book none the less.
I liked the way people were killed so gory.
I loved that the beginning starts with a good amount of killing.
Oh, and I adored Jory... and Arya ... and Tyrion.
Okay, I better stop.
Give this a try, you don't have to read the other books in the Series, but really should at least try #1. (hide spoiler)] ...more

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Jun 27, 2010 Pete rated it liked it

Good fantasy should transport you, utterly, into the author's world. You should have no problem suspending disbelief -- everything should be natural. George RR Martin seems to have crafted a world that comes VERY close to this ideal. The characters are quite interesting to me, and the story works very well -- keeping me going throughout.

This is a trilogy and I have already put the second book on hold at the library -- I am eager to see what happens next.

Martin moves from character to character ...more

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Dec 18, 2011 Alison rated it it was amazing

I cannot believe I have never heard of this book until a mini-series was made. This book has so much political intrigue in a world where medieval and fantasy meld. The end of the novel left off with a breathtaking scene of epic proportions...I cannot wait to read on!

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