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

[Beth]

Eldarwen wrote: "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 limitat..."

I read the book before watching the series, I thought both were really good. There were actually some things in the book that I thought were better explained in the TV show. Plus since so much was going on with so many characters, I was having problems connecting things that happened a while ago in the book, seeing everything on the screen actually helped a bit. I don't usually view books and film in tandem. I usually see each as something completely separate and different (mostly in an effort not to be disappointed).

[Jeffrey]

I am so glad that this group selected A Game OF Thrones as the July book. I have been meaning to read this series for a long time, and I must say that this first book is absolutely one of the most imaginative I have ever read.

Mr. Martin has created such an amazing, rich, detailed world populated with such well-drawn characters that one can't help but become lost in the story.

I can't wait to start the second book, and work my way through the entire saga.

For me, this first book alone outshines The Lord of The Rings.

[Jodi]

I am starting book 3 right now!

[Viktorija]

Jodi wrote: "I am starting book 3 right now!"

My favorite one XD

[Sharlyn]

I am currently reading a Dance with Dragons. Absolutely hooked on it right now!

[Brooke]

Just finished and all I can say is wow! This has got to be one of my favorite books, I fell in love with the characters (Ok some I really didn't like) so much so that I did shed a few tears. My heart broke for some and cheered at the strength of others. I love the fact that Martin is writing "real life" so there is not always happy endings, even though a part of me still want's there to be. I can't wait to start the next book!

[Liz]

jesus this was hard to read despite already knowing the ending. i think ill wait until the show has finished and then tackle all the books properly. its hard to concentrate on this with the series out there just soooo enticing and fun to watch

[Owen]

Brooke wrote: "Just finished and all I can say is wow! This has got to be one of my favorite books, I fell in love with the characters (Ok some I really didn't like) so much so that I did shed a few tears. My hea..."

I liked that too, Brooke. He is willing to let things play out the way that they would in the world. Sometimes the good guys don't win.

[Sharlyn]

Breanna wrote: "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 ..."

I totally agree with you. There's definitely not a lack of shock factor in this series. I love the unpredictability of the characters. I definitely thought that I had them all figured out. Right now I am on the last few chapters of A Dance with Dragons. In the beginning I read at a fast pace, however I'm really taking my time now because I don't want it to end. It'll be at least one more year until The Wind of Winter will be published..

[Danielle (~Dani~)]

Alright I feel intrigued and awful at the same time, lol. I haven't read this series, but do watch the show (please don't shoot me :) Just by reading everyone's positive input I'm going to add it to my TBR...it's bound to be better than the show as most books are- I'm sold!

[Saakshi]

There is something really pulling abt this book... I couldn't stop reading it. Loved dany.. And her dragons

[Cora]

Oh yeah- I'm up to A Storm of Swords. Great series but I do have a question: without any spoilers, please; is A Dance with Dragons the final book or are we waiting for another?

[Ashley]

2 more books coming. The first could be as early as spring. Not sure.

[Cora]

Thanks Ashley!

[Jacki]

Love this series!! Still reading "A Dance With Dragons". Kind of glad I haven't finished yet because I'd want to immediately start the next one in the series & too impatient to wait until Spring!A Dance With Dragons

[Tracey]

I havent reached "A Dance With Dragons" yet because I foolishly decided to wait for it to come out in paperback. Impatiently waiting for the end of this month... I love this series and I love the HBO version of the show as well.

[Katie.g]

Pretty sure the next one in the series won't come out until at least 2015.

[Merissa]

I read this a couple of months ago, and I loved it! It was super long, but I found myself watching to get in "just one more chapter" before bed. I would stay up super late reading it! I need to start the next one, but I know I'm going to have to set aside a couple of weeks (or more) to get through it. I also wanted to watch the first season of the show before I start the next book. I get what all the hype was about!

[Jodi]

Merissa, the series is so well cast. It is really well done. I will warn you though that book two was slower to get into. The first part seemed slow to me. After a few hundred pages, it started to get really good again. I am reading book three right now and it is good right from the start. It is an amazing series.

[Jessica]

I am just really upset that Kahl Drogo died. I really liked him! Dany is my favorite character though. She's so strong and grows so much in the first book alone.

[Viktorija]

I LOVE this series!!!! Storm of Swords and A Feast for Crows are the best. But I think I'm the only one who is not impressed with Dany. I love Sansa so it's kind of ironic that I love one of the most hated characters but dislike one of the most loved ones. Waiting (not so patiently) for the next book.

[Prashamsa]

I have started the first book after watching the HBO series and I am loving the book, I am more in love with Bran than before. Though I do wish I hadn't watched the series as I know what is going to happen. I can't wait to reach to the fourth book.

[Katie.g]

I love Dany but I like Sansa too. I think I started liking her more in book 4 or 5.

[Silvia]

I am reading A Game of Thrones and I love it! But looks like I can not finish as soon as I want to. I watched the HBO series and I wanted to know more, but it seems to me that new things are coming until the third or fourth book :( (I have just watched the first two seasons). My favorites characters are Tyrion, Dany, Bran and Arya. I don't like Sansa and I really hate Joffrey.

[Kristin]

I've only read the first book so far. I enjoyed it, and gave it 5/5 stars, but I felt like the characters were slow to develop and the writing wasn't as great as I was expecting. I wasn't as pleased with the book as I could have been, because I think I went in with too high of expectations, but it was good and I look forward to reading the rest.

I have to say, Catelyn is one of my least favorite characters. Jon is my favorite, as well as Tyrion. I have a soft spot for the "outcasts."

Sansa has potential to become a great character. I'm hoping she develops in the way I wish she would, but I suppose I won't know until I keep reading!

I watched only a few episodes of the show before reading the book, and I enjoyed the book better. I'll probably pick back up on the show after I read farther into the series, though.

[[deleted user]]

This is a great read, but a definite commitment book. The multitude of characters is a plethora of the human race, and you've got perspectives from all walks of life. You love some characters, and hate others, and you get swept up in their stories completely.

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse]

This book offers such a wide array of characters, I just think it's so great! I enjoy getting all of the different perspectives, and how every character has good and bad points. Tyrion is my favourite, he's so witty! I also like Arya. She is a very strong personality.