A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin

[Sofia (Bookish Wanderess), Founder]

This disscussion is about one of the books of the month: A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)

[Devani Anjali]

I cannot wait to read this book! I’ve heard so much good things about it and it’s been on the ‘reading list’ for a while now!

[Haley]

I just finished this book about two weeks ago, and it was absolutely AMAZING! I had been meaning to read it forever, finally got to it, and could not figure out why it had taken me so long! Epic fantasies aren't always for everyone, but I love them, and this is officially one of the best books I have ever read. I'm on the second book right now.

I cant wait to hear what you guys think of the characters. Every chapter is from a different POV, and I love hearing from Dany, Tyrion, Jon, Ed, and Arya.

And the END!! Oh my gosh... Let me know what you thought!

[Katie.g]

I love this series. Read all the books so far! Especially love Danys point of view and jon snow, Ayra and Tyrion. It is truly an epic fantasy. George rr Martin has created a wonderful world for us all to enjoy. I look forward to seeing how everyone else likes it.

[Jodi]

I loved this book. I am currently reading Clash of Kings (book 2)

[Darcey]

I've read all of the series and it's incredible. One of my all time favourites! I'd recommend it to people who like epic fantasies with medieval settings. It's definitely a different take on them, though. They have several POVs but it works, and unlike a lot of fantasy the books treat females and males equally as in how much time is covered on them and the issues they go through.

It is a story about politics and different kings trying to overcome each other, but no POVs are on the actual kings. It's told from the people around them, which was really interesting in my opinion.

The writing is very vivid and the fictional world is well thought out and gorgeous. Morality is questioned in the series too as there are no 'good' and 'bad' characters, and no protagonists to antagonists..

I'd recommend this book a lot!!

[Robert]

I just finished this one last week, and I'm almost done with book 2. I started reading them because I'm a huge fan of the show and couldn't wait ten months for more episodes. So glad I read the books though! They're brilliant.

I prefer the first one to the second. I like all the POV characters actually, but my favourites are Arya and Tyrion, and then Jon and Dany.

My only criticisms are that sometimes I think it gets a bit too descriptive, especially with what food they're eating.

[Katie]

My husband had been trying to get me to give this series a chance for years. He'd mention bizarre plot-points and the depravities of certain characters at the most random times, as if to pique my interest. Why he thought Jaime and Cersei's relationship was a selling point, I have no idea.

I finally agreed to watch the first season of "Game of Thrones" with him when it came out and, if I liked it, I'd read the books.

I'm not sure if "like" is the correct word but I was certainly enthralled with the story and characters by the end of season one. So, I plowed through all of the books in a crazy amount of time and they are all AWESOME.

This book is one of the best opening books for a series that I've ever read - and I'm a very discerning reader when it comes to series. If the opening book isn't stellar, I will probably not bother with the rest of the series (although will give the second a chance if it looks like the series might improve).

"Games of Thrones" lays the foundation for an insane amount of future story-lines while still giving ample attention to character development. Getting beyond the age issues (so many of these characters are really, really young), the characters as they are portrayed in the book are far more nuanced than their TV counterparts. Once I got into the minds of some of these characters--especially Tyrion and Arya--through the depth of detail given in the book, I became completely enamored of them. Others I absolutely loathed.

Not many opening books in a series end with such a shocking cliff-hanger and Martin is brilliant for having the guts to galvanize his readers in such a way. It was a huge gamble and Martin did a superb job crafting that ending. I was pissed as hell when I closed that first book but wildly eager to start reading the following books.

I usually consider my foreshadowing detection skills as pretty well honed but this book surprised the hell out of me. If Martin was willing to take such a monumental risk in this opening book, then absolutely anything was possible in the follow-ups. I was dying (yes, godawful pun) to read what was going to happen next.

[Haley]

My other favorite thing about this series is how much Martin makes you hate the characters that you hate. I honestly can't think of a book with a character I dislike more than Joffery. What a little d-bag!

You also LOVE the characters you love, and all of the characters have so much depth that you have no idea whether they're innately good or bad!

[Emma-Claire]

My Dad has read all the books in this series, and that put me off, even though we read similar books. I finally read the first 4 books on a beach holiday last year and loved them. I'm a big fan of the TV series as well, and I think it's great that Martin has been involved in writing some of the episodes.
One of the things I like about the book is that the POV is not of the most important people in the realm- i.e. Cersei is featured but not Joffrey or Robert. They're also adult books- he doesn't shy away from using proper language. I think the swearing is in good proportion and used in the right places.
Between the tv and the books, it's a brilliant series to dedicate some serious time to.

[Jodi]

Haley wrote: "My other favorite thing about this series is how much Martin makes you hate the characters that you hate. I honestly can't think of a book with a character I dislike more than Joffery. What a littl..."




You are so right about Martin being able to make you hate characters. I am reading the series with my friend and every so often she will text me with "Joffery arrrrggg". We dislike him too.

[Haley]

Jodi wrote: "Haley wrote: "My other favorite thing about this series is how much Martin makes you hate the characters that you hate. I honestly can't think of a book with a character I dislike more than Joffery..."

Hahaha, that's brilliant! I was talking to my friend's boyfriend about the series, and pretty much the first think he said to me was "Joffrey is such a horrible little person!"

[Ellen]

I started reading this a while back....I'm going to have to go back & skim it to refresh my memory. I have not seen the TV show yet; I always like to read the book(s) first before seeing the movie (or TV show)LOL

[Mehr]

My husband has been trying to get me to watch the series for a long time but I never felt like watching it. However, my curiosity has been roused after reading everyone's comments above. I will definitely read the books before watching the series though. Somehow I had a vague impression that it was only about violent and gruesome fighting. The comments suggest that there is definitely a lot of depth in the plot and characters. Thanks for the reviews and discussion. I was wondering what books to get for the summers. I'll definitely pick up the first book of this series now.

[Swetha]

I started this book a while ago and never got past first few pages. I am going to start reading this week again.

[Jennifer]

Read the five books, love love love them <3 i read them all in 2 months they have a special place in my heart. Read the books so much better than the show <3

[Brooke]

I bought the series a while ago, but my daughter decided to read them first. Now that she is done with them I get to take them back :) She loved them! I am super excited to start this series. I haven't watched the show - I prefer to read the books first.

[Alex]

Cannot wait to start this one!! ^_^

[Linda]

I loved that book, check out the comment at my profile if you want to know what I think about the book!!! ♥

[Mai-Liis]

I read this when I was younger and I think that I'm the only one that doesn't like this book. I tried to get back to it many many times, but it just didn't catch my interest then. I watched the season one and thougth it was allright, but same thing happened. The characthers were interesting and it had great twists, but I found it slitghly boring. I'll give it another try when I get back home for Christmas I still have the book there.

[Clare]

I absolutely love game of thrones. it is so well written it absorbs you. read book 1 some time ago but if I didn't like it I wouldn't have continued with the series. am currently on book 5 part 1 and the story just gets better. book 1 made me fall in love with the characters.

[Kristin]

OMG i so totally loved this book i need to get the second

[Amber]

I absolutely loved this book, and am currently reading book # 3 "A Feast for Crows." George R.R. Martin, you are a genius! :)

[Deb]

I'm glad you guys are reading this book for July too! I'm currently up to book 5. They take me forever to read so I'm taking a break!

[Michael]

I read the book a month and a half ago. Loved it. I don't think it is perfect and sometime a bit long in the teeth but over all loved reading it. I will be glad to move on to the other books.

The only thing that I wish I had read the book before seeing the show as I feel it limited me to what everything looks like.

[Kath]

You know, i've been looking for this book everywhere and it's always out of stock!!! grrrr... i've badly missed the show. I need season 4 NOW!!! :) and woah that season 3 episode 9 'The red wedding' okayyy... :|

[Equine]

I really liked this book. Sometimes I feel like I really need to reference the earlier books for some characters now that I'm re-reading the latest book in the series.

There's so many characters...which is great, but they can be complicated to follow sometimes.

You can't really wait too long in-between books, otherwise you just get a little confused.

[Jodi]

I do wish there was a family tree in the books. Once I got into the book I got the characters down. Now that I am reading second book, I am having to remind myself of who is who and how they are connected to others.

[[deleted user]]

Game of Thrones discussion: http://novelworms.blogspot.in/2013/06...

[Mugdha]

been planning to read this book for some time now. bot the series package abt a yr back on a discount sale, but somehow they've stayed on the back-burner :(
At least now, with this discussion grp, i can start! :)

[Sammi]

It was meant to be :) ! I started this book a day before the announcement. Have been looking forward to this read for like, forever!!

[Jon]

Robert wrote: "[...]My only criticisms are that sometimes I think it gets a bit too descriptive, especially with what food they're eating. "

Here you go

:)

[Karen]

I loved this book! I love how the perspectives change to give you insight into different characters and how he brutally kills off characters you've come to love because it keeps you interested in what's coming next.
For my part, Drogo's death shocked me especially. Stark I was kind of suspicious of towards the end but I totally DID NOT expect the khal's death

[[deleted user]]

Karen wrote: "I loved this book! I love how the perspectives change to give you insight into different characters and how he brutally kills off characters you've come to love because it keeps you interested in w..."

The Khal had to die. If Khal didn't die how would Dany become a dragon? Remember you can't tame the dragons. She has to be the lone ruler. As far as Starks are concerned: They are all gonna die, Their honour would be their death.

[N]

Love, love, love this book! Best of the series without a doubt, meaty and full on addictive. Be prepared to loose a couple days (or 2 straight weeks once I started the series I couldn't stop!)

[Soph]

I have just finished reading this book and I thought it was ok, but was so happpy when I finihed. I really enjoyed some of the description, but unfortunately I am obsessed with the TV show and have watched these before reading the book. I got angry with the fact that all I could do was picture the show. The book was well written and I can understand how it's become so popular. Yet, I couldn't get into it totally unfortunately.

[Robert]

Jon wrote: "Robert wrote: "[...]My only criticisms are that sometimes I think it gets a bit too descriptive, especially with what food they're eating. "

Here you go [bookcover:A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Off..."

Haha wow! May have to get this and have a Game of Thrones dinner party!

[Jacky]

Read this ages a go, loved it! Love the show as well.

[[deleted user]]

The asoiaf series is amazing! I'm currently re-reading Storm of Swords. The show's good too

[Manny]

This is one of the best fantasy series ever written. Great characters and the many twists the storyline has plus the multiple points of views makes for a good read. I agree with what someone said above about it being about many kings fighting for the throne but from others point of views, genius. Getting ready to finally read A Dance With Dragons. It's about time! Read this series, you won't be disappointed.

[Rebecca]

GRRM is a masterful writer, but he is not without his faults and at times a good editor would have helped him. I found Game of Thrones almost faultless and it 'got me' immediately. The way he is able to flesh out his characters in a real sense, with both virtues and vices(incredible vices)and yet at the same time and at different points one can sympathise with each character, except Cersei, I find her utterly irredeemable.

I've read all the books and though at times GRRM tends to meander a little-I couldn't put them down. Although I did throw A Storm of Swords across the room when I read some particular scenes. I won't spoil the story for others.

It is one of the finest fantasy novels I have ever read. It reads as if it is in fact historical fiction and the land of Westeros was real.

A brilliant read that will enthral and enrage and at times the reader will have to persevere, but it is worth it.

[Lorenzo]

When I read the first book like 11 years ago, it hooked me from the get go. I've always enjoyed medieval history and fantasy books, so this book was like the two things meshed together. I give GRRM a lot of props for being able to elicit such passion from the readers when it comes to all the characters. You either hate some and love some. But you always hate them with a passion. The really great things about these books are the world building (superbly done) and the characters. Awesome book.

[Ralica]

I don't know why but I just can't really like this book. I heared so many good things about it and the movie is ranked high but somehow the read is boring. I started the book twice already and I can't pass even pg 150! It feels like everything is happening soooooo slow! It is very long series so I was expecting more action and adventure!

[Bree]

Just finished book 3 yesterday, and I have to admit that I've enjoyed this series even more than lord of the rings, which is saying something for me. One of my favorite aspects of the books is how Martin keeps you guessing the entire time, and that he isn't afraid to kill off my favorite characters. I love being afraid of what might happen next. I'd recommend the series for anyone who has time to read the thousands of pages it encompasses.

[Ellen]

Ralista, I thought I was the only one who felt that way about the book!

[Terri]

It is worth all the pages but they sure ARE intimidating in size

[Maribel]

I absolutely loved this book. My favorite carácter is Tyrion, he has a sharp tongue. Although he is a Lannister, he lacks the beauty of his family. But he is the cleverest by far. I algo like Ned Stark, Jon Snow anda Arya Stark. I'm finishing now the second book "A clash of kings"

[Jodi]

I love Tyrion too. I thought I would hate him but he is so funny but he is also fair.

I am at the beginning of Clash of Kings. I am finding it slower than book one so far.

[Britany]

I seriously just finished reading this book and absolutely loved it! I was a fan of the show first, but the book and the show line up perfectly and reading the book helped me understand the characters and everything else so much better in the show. The page number was intimidating, but so worth it in the end.

[D.M.]

I love this book! It draws you in instantly and you don't want to leave. A true epic fantasy.

Of course, I keep getting distracted from the book by the series on HBO, too.