George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy saga A Song of Ice and Fire begins with A GAME OF THRONES and continues in A CLASH OF KINGS
A Game of Thrones is one of the best fantasy art I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing and that’s saying something because I feel like I’ve watched, read and enjoyed a lot of fantasy. The fact that I got into ASOIAF only last year seems so wrong to me. Because after watching the first season and literally while binging the show, it feels like I should’ve been watched this. The world, the characters, the stakes and twists—all of it is so engaging and I can’t help but love it so much. The best thing I ever decided was reading the books though, because they’re so much better than the show, it’s almost unreal. The extra scenes like Tywin’s introduction are great but this first book is really amazing. Seriously. Though this is really just the start of the madness—Ned’s death, Robert’s death, Bran getting pushed out the window, Robb marching south, Tyrion getting captured—this is just the first book of the series and already it has so many iconic moments. Furthermore, most of these iconic moments don’t even come from any action sequences. There’s not many fights in this book at all, it’s mostly dialogue and political intrigue and character building. Which really works in the reader’s favor because one day, you’re loving and enjoying what’s happening in one chapter then another comes around and something bad might happen so you’re like oh shit. Now you’re doubly engaged. I think it goes without saying that the Eddard chapters were the best part of the first and middle half of the book because there would be times where he will have an amazing scene but then it gets interrupted by either Catelyn or Sansa or Dany or Jon and I’d be like well I wanna go back to King’s Landing. But then, you don’t have to wait long because another Eddard chapter is placed right after that one. Aside from him, Robb and Catelyn were really compelling near the end and I also can’t help but adore the way Tyrion and Jon are here. There’s not much difference (yet) between the show and book counterparts aside from the obvious but I love how easily this narrative pulls you in. You get so many more quiet moments to spend with characters so you actually get attached to them. It’s great. Having said all that, I believe I’ve made my opinion on this book clear and I can’t wait to read the second one and continue this series. - 10/10!
