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

[Rebecca]

I have read all the books and though I found some chapters lagged(I am not a Greyjoy fan)I persevered, thank goodness. The books are gripping and like many, one of my favourite characters is Tyrion, as well as others. When you get to A Feast for Crows, some may be disappointed to find that there are no Tyrion POV chapters-but persevere, it is worth it.

[Robert]

Jodi wrote: "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."

Yeah, Clash of Kings I didn't enjoy as much but I thin that was mostly because for a lot of the book people were just moving around.

I found the lengths to be a bit daunting initially but I was hooked when I started reading and finished them pretty quickly. I'm half-way through the third one (part one) now and I started it on Friday!

[Jon]

Robert wrote: "Jodi wrote: "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."

Yeah, Cla..."

Did you watch the show?

[Robert]

Jon wrote: "Robert wrote: "Jodi wrote: "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 f..."

Yes, I did. That's the reason I started reading the books, I couldn't wait ten months to find out what happened next!

[Jon]

Robert wrote: "Yes, I did. That's the reason I started reading the books, I couldn't wait ten months to find out what happened next! "

Good choice.

Do you visualize the characters as they appear on the show or did you make some modifications after reading about them?

[Robert]

Jon wrote: "Robert wrote: "Yes, I did. That's the reason I started reading the books, I couldn't wait ten months to find out what happened next! "

Good choice.

Do you visualize the characters as they appear ..."

I have the actors in mind.

[Karen]

It depends on the characters. I picture Rob as the actor but with dark red hair because he mentions the Tully hair so often in the books; and also Jon looking a little younger.
Overall though I've seen the show so many times now I can't help picturing the actors now

[Jodi]

I have only watched season one. I don't picture the actors. I read the book first and when I saw the show I felt like the actors looked weird to what I thought.

[Jennifer]

I really enjoyed the first book but I've had a very difficult time getting into the second book.

[Jodi]

Jennifer wrote: "I really enjoyed the first book but I've had a very difficult time getting into the second book."


Me too! And my friend who is reading it with me! I am reading it much slower. The first book I couldn't put down.

[Rebecca]

Jodi wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I really enjoyed the first book but I've had a very difficult time getting into the second book."


Me too! And my friend who is reading it with me! I am reading it much slower. Th..."

I felt the same, but persevere, the books are worth it although you will be enraged...and that's about all I'll say.

[Lyndsay]

Love, love, love this book! (The second one too, and probably the rest, but I haven't started #3 yet.) One of my favourite fantasy series... although it really doesn't read like a fantasy.

[Mugdha]

.... and am done with Book 1. the pace takes a bit of getting used to. Am more of the "action or nothing" kinda person, so the pace of developing intrigue wasn't really my kind. But i stuck to it, and got thru the book. I find the opening of book 2 more promising though!

[Robert]

^I found book 2 less actiony than book 1. I just finished Book 3 part 1. I love how the world widens with each book. It's interesting to note the changes between the book and the tv show.

[Ashley]

I have been trying to finish the last 200 pages of book two for a good 3 weeks now and I just can't power through! I really want to ready book 3 and book 4 before the next season on HBO esp since I heard its different from how they portraid it in the show.

[Deb]

Ashley wrote: "I have been trying to finish the last 200 pages of book two for a good 3 weeks now and I just can't power through! I really want to ready book 3 and book 4 before the next season on HBO esp since I..."

You may want to jump to the audiobook. I've read up to book four. I haven't started five yet. I had to use audiobooks for book two and four. Mainly because there is SO MUCH dialogue.

[v.v]

This book really long but my friend said it was amazing.

[Tiffany]

It took me a little longer then usual to get through this book but I just couldn't stop reading BC I so badly wanted to know what happens. Great book, eventually I plan on conquering the rest of them...eventually!!

[Heather]

Love love love this series. Once you get a handle on the characters you become so invested in each of their stories! HBO has done a good job with the series too. Go John Snow!

[Kätlin]

I'm very glad this is the book of the month. The only problem is that I just finished the second part of Book 3, so I know how things will evolve from Book 1, and must be careful not to post any spoilers. To anyone who might be struggling, keep at it, it is worth it. I didn't want to like the series because I don't usually like that some books and movies are just so popular and everybody seems to love them. But I can't help it!

To me the book is great because the characters are very real. They have mixed motivations or their motivations change over time. Things happen to them that I never would have anticipated. Just when you think things are extremely complicated, they get even more complicated and leave you wondering about how this could possibly develop. The so-called bad guys change and start developing traits that are quite admirable and they take actions that leave you wondering whether they're so bad after all. The so-called good guys lie and break their vows because of their complicated motivations. Lines blur. You never know who is on who's side. Some people switch their allegiances several times. War is not heroic and glorious, it is dirty and cruel and there is no law and order anywhere, no safety for anyone. You can't be sure of anything with this series!

[Sarah]

I really liked it. Reading the second one now.

[Karen]

I agree with Kätlin; one of the things I appreciate the most is the way the characters grow and we get to see into the heads of the villains of the series and emphasize with them. I never thought I'd like Jamie after he threw a seven year old out the window but somehow I ended up liking him.

[Kätlin]

Oh yes Karen, Jamie is definitely the character who has gone through the biggest change during the 3 books in my opinion. It was especially evident during his trip with Brienne and how his treatment of her changed. Excellent writing, his change seemed very gradual and very natural, brought on by the changing situation. I do wonder what is in store for him as I continue reading :)

[Karen]

Same. Especially when he SPOILER loses his fighting hand END SPOILER
It's just so interesting to see how he is able to carry on and how he realizes how much of his identity to both himself and other people was tied into him being such a good fighter.

[Kaushik]

Recently I finished reading A Game of thrones. I had wanted to watch the show for a long time and wanted to finish the books before I started on the show. I tried doing that for a while. Reading a bit of the book and then watching the show. Frankly I felt it dampened my anticipation for the show. Also I found the book to have a slow build up, which I like in books, but having a strict deadline, I could not appreciate the slowness. So I gave up on the book and started watching the show unhindered. After a few episodes I was absolutely hooked and could not stop till I finished the third season. After the show was finished I took up the book again and found that the book complemented the show quite well, adding more detail about the characters.

I found I loved the book. I loved the characters, the Starks and Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister and despised Cersei, Joffrey, Sansa and Peter Baelish. I loved the unexpected twists and turns and how you had to be always on your toes because the suspense would not let up.

[Ashley]

Finally finished book 2 and started book 3 which seems to be going faster for me. I love the series both tv and book and find it interesting what the tv show decides not to include and what small liberties they take with some of the scenes. Cant wait to continue reading!

[Lindsey]

oh my gosh i could not stop reading this book!!! its amazing and in hooked..i never liked any fantasy books until now...

[Mahnoor]

I think in some way...its the best book of the series...because it does the ground work really well. and he just really makes every thing come to life. Having read all of the series...I do not want to say too much, afraid of hinting at one thing or another that might spoil something for someone. but I loved the fact that he can surprise me :)

[Joanne]

Ok, picking this book up again, because I am in a fantasy adventure mood again. :)

I left off when Ned visited the master armorer Tobho Mott.

[Viktorija]

Best. Series. Ever! Usually I don't like fantasy, with the exception of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but this...is just epic. I'm a Sansa fan. Yeah, I said it. I love that girl like a little sister and I can't stand all the hate she gets, poor thing. Dying for the last two to come out. Write like the wind, GRRM!

[Sarah]

I'm about halfway through this one and I love it so far. I like the idea of having each chapter from a different character's POV. My favorite characters are Tyrion and Dany.

[Robert]

Viktorija wrote: "Best. Series. Ever! Usually I don't like fantasy, with the exception of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but this...is just epic. I'm a Sansa fan. Yeah, I said it. I love that girl like a little sist..."

I liked her a lot more in the book than in the show. I think having the story told from her perspective really helped. In the show I only really started liking her in the middle of season 3.

[Viktorija]

Robert wrote: "Viktorija wrote: "Best. Series. Ever! Usually I don't like fantasy, with the exception of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but this...is just epic. I'm a Sansa fan. Yeah, I said it. I love that girl ..."

I'm kind of the same. In the book she grows on you fast. I love Sophie Turner but I pictured Sansa a lot more different. Sandor too. But I'm not the casting-director and the show still kicks-ass (:

[Pam]

I was lazy and listened to the audio version. The reader was the best I ever heard. I've watched the TV series and really enjoy it. The book was even better.

[Karen]

The only casting I had a problem with really was Theon. He's so dark, dangerous and sexy in the books and so...not...in the tv show. I don't think it's the actors fault he just doesn't look the part and the way they do his hair...

[Dean]

I've been watching the series so I wouldn't mind reading it, especially after everyone's feedback here.

[Owen]

I gave the show a chance a few years ago and when I came to the end of the first season, the audacity of Martin to deal with his main characters in the way he did hooked me. I read the book immediately afterwards and found the world even more rich and perilous than the show had made it to be. There are a few aspects of the TV series that I do like over the show, however. One primary one is the characterization of Cersei in the TV series. I liked the little bit of dialogue between her and Robert in the first season. I thought it enriched the reality of their marriage a bit more. The amount of world-building that Martin does in the book, however, is well worth the read.

Ralista and Ellen, I can completely understand your contentions with the book's pace. I think, being labeled as a fantasy novel gives one expectations of high adventure, swordplay, mystical lands, and magic. The thing is that it is really more like reading an alternate history of the Middle Ages. I read somewhere that Martin actually patterned much of the intrigue after the War of the Roses. I appreciated how much restraint he has exercised when it comes to magic and swordplay, because many fantasy novels seem to just fill space with those aspects. Here, a hero must consider carefully before he draws a sword, because he is very likely to lose a limb or his life. And magic has dire consequences as well.

[Sharlyn]

I love the Game of Thrones Show television series and found that I loved the book even more. I cannot wait until Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring is published. Although I will probably be married with kids before that happens.

[Nina]

I loved that way the book ended with Bran and his company at Winterfell. My heart goes out to Bran due to his "accident" but he is so brave and carries on! I am wondering what will become of Tryioin....

[Vanessa]

I just finished watching season 1 and I absolutely loved the show. I'm now thinking of reading the books so I'm wondering what did many of you do, read the books before watching it or after watching the show? What would you recommend I do?

[Jodi]

I read a book and then watch the season. I am on the second season.

[Rachael]

Vanessa wrote: "I just finished watching season 1 and I absolutely loved the show. I'm now thinking of reading the books so I'm wondering what did many of you do, read the books before watching it or after watchin..."

I was going to ask that too. How many have watched the tv series? I've been going out of my way to avoid seeing it/hearing about the series so that I can read it first.

[Owen]

Tea the book first. You have a better understanding of the world, the families, the history, and the stakes involved. For a lot of the seasons, they have altered the events and characters slightly and they leave out much of the schemes, so it's almost like two different stories.

[Tiffany]

yes I would say if you can read the book first then do it because it does offer more insight and depth as is typical but I do have to say that IMO the TV series has done an excellent job thus far!!!

[Vanessa]

Thank you guys :) I think I will read the books first then.

[May]

I enjoyed reading this book. The amout of details scared me at first, and I always had to consult the Houses Index to see who was who. But then I got used to it and fell in love with some of the characters. Really good series.

[Annette]

Best book ever. I have read all the books and am currently waiting for Winds of Winter, or book 6. The POV of the characters is awesome, my favorites are Jon Snow, and of course everyone's favorite Lannister Tyrion. I've never read any series that had illicit so much thought and passion. It is meticulous. The characters come to life off the page, reading their heads demanding that you give them each their due respect. Some characters I have to admit I detest, I cannot tolerate Bran. Though he is a child, there is something about his personality that rubs me the wrong way. It is difficult to express your love of this book and not reveal any spoilers, so I will end this by saying it is the greatest epic of our generation, he is what Tolkien once was. I say this because I believe that GRRM has surpassed the brilliancy of Tolkien. The book is more inclusive, realistic, and fantastical compared to what Tolkien created.

[v.v]

The first book was really good but really long. It was good from the very beginning, but it was very detailed in some scenes and was very inappropriate at times, but overall it was a good book. Going to read all the other books and can`t wait for Winds of Winter.

[Eldarwen]

I've seen about four or five episodes of the first series, which I have to admit helped a little in remembering who the characters were when I started reading the book.

Due to reading time limitation at the moment, I'm still not through the first book but I really like it. As was stated by someone somewhere in this discussion already, Martin really has a way of making you loathe certain characters (i.e. Joffrey), and he has a very engaging writing style for everyone of the points of views.

Personally, I really like Tyrion. Whenever he opens his mouth, I'm fascinated. There's just something about that character..

I also, despite the fact he is a wimp, really like Viserys. His first immensely nasty comment (I think you know the one about Daenerys and the khalasar) has stuck with me ever since I first came across it.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this continues! The first book as well as the rest of the series!

[Rachael]

Yay finished! I am incredibly impressed with it and think it's well worth the hype. I was expecting it to be more Tolkien-esque with a quite long descriptive style but it's quite simple to read although there's so many characters that it's hard to remember who's who at times.
I keep looking at the rest of the series on my shelf thinking 'what on earth can he make the characters go through next?!'