A Game Of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) - George R.R. Martin - March BOTM 2014

[A, Crazy.]

Discuss the book here!

[Arbaaz]

I just heard a lot about and I just saw a little bit of the episode one from the series but it was a little too much so I decided to read the books instead and asked my cousin's permission to read them and he said yes :-)

[A, Crazy.]

I'm starting this today!:)

[Jenni]

I've read this series twice and cannot wait for the next one! There is a lot of characters in the story but keep reading once you get into it you'll enjoy it!

[Lauren]

Quite possibly my favourite series. Hang in there as at times the mass I character and plot can get quite confusing but stick it out and you won't regret it.

[Roseanne]

I am probably the only person anywhere who has not watched the show (I don't watch tv, I read) but I want to read this one so badly. Just need to get through a few things first.

[A, Crazy.]

Jen wrote: "I've read this series twice and cannot wait for the next one! There is a lot of characters in the story but keep reading once you get into it you'll enjoy it!"

Yeps...there's just too many characters...it's really confusing.

[A, Crazy.]

Roseanne wrote: "I am probably the only person anywhere who has not watched the show (I don't watch tv, I read) but I want to read this one so badly. Just need to get through a few things first."

Even I haven't watched the show...:P But am really loving the book!

[Arbaaz]

I think everyone should read the books instead of the TV show! it is a lot graphic but in the books they are only described and the imagination is left to you.

[Surabhi]

This book has been on my tbr list for too long now..infact i refused to even watch the tv series despite its huge popularity because i wanted to read the book first.But the enormous size of the book?!?! It's always been a downer for me i guess.But i am all geared up for it now..starting today..hope it will be worth it :)

[Roseanne]

I know the size of this one is intimidating. I am definitely going to read it but I may not get to it until next month.

[Arbaaz]

me too :-( I but I hope I will be able to read it next month

[A, Crazy.]

Surabhi wrote: "This book has been on my tbr list for too long now..infact i refused to even watch the tv series despite its huge popularity because i wanted to read the book first.But the enormous size of the bo..."

It's an awesome book....I'm currently reading it...u'll love it:):)

[Gaijinmama]

Hi. I have been lurking around for a few weeks, and this is my first post.
I'm about 300 pages in. I've seen the first two seasons of the TV show but am still having a really hard time putting this book down!! My initial thoughtts are as follows:
I'm glad Jon Snow in the TV show is an adult and not 14 years old. I have a bit of a crush on the TV version, but in print...no way. He's a boy my son's age!
Tyrion is without a doubt the most interesting and enjoyable character to read. I love the way Peter Dinklage plays him onscreen and he's even funnier on the page.
The thing I love most about this book, is that all the characters are all fully developed and complex. Even the evil ones have some redeeming qualities that make them human, and the good characters tend to have their grey areas as well. For example, Caitlin is a lot less likeable because of the way she treats Jon. That makes her more believable.

[A, Crazy.]

Totally agree with you! I love the characterization of every character...even though there's too many. Part of the reason I'm still sticking to this book, apart from it's brilliant story, is that the characters are so intriguing! Every one has a secret, a mystery, an other side of their lives...awesome to read.

[Surabhi]

Ruchi wrote: "Surabhi wrote: "This book has been on my tbr list for too long now..infact i refused to even watch the tv series despite its huge popularity because i wanted to read the book first.But the enormou..."

yeah..it seems intriguing.But God!this book is violent !!just read a scene and it was shockingly brutal!

[A, Crazy.]

Surabhi wrote: "Ruchi wrote: "Surabhi wrote: "This book has been on my tbr list for too long now..infact i refused to even watch the tv series despite its huge popularity because i wanted to read the book first.B..."

yeah...it has a few brutal scenes here and there...

[Gaijinmama]

Surabhi wrote: God!this book is violent !!just read a scene and it was shockingly brutal!
I think so too. I'm not squeamish, but this book pushes even my limits. I basically don't like to read or watch graphic torture or anything that depicts harming children. I have a soft spot for animals, too.
Some scenes are downright sickening.
Even so, I just can't put it down!
Read about 50 pages this afternoon while waiting in line at the tax office today..got a nice refund by the way...almost missed my turn because I was so absorbed.(view spoiler)[It was the bit about Tyrion's captivity in The Aerie and his thoughts as he tries to outwit his sadistic jailer...priceless. (hide spoiler)]

[A, Crazy.]

Yeah...just read a scene which was....yuck

[Arbaaz]

I am currently reading this book and it is going very well.
and yes there was a R scene but i thought it was very funny how he describee it (in a young boy's point of view) and how much are you in the book surabhi? I didn't find anything brutal and i am on page 88 of it. And i got to agree that the book is so much better than the tv show because in the series they involve hell a lot of unneccasery scenes but in the book they were only described when neccasery.

[A, Crazy.]

well...there are many brutal scenes. @Arbaaz

[Arbaaz]

What qbout the prologue? They changed it in the tv series to make it more brutal! But i guess i can handle them if it is only written.

[Gaijinmama]

Feeling a bit old right now! Hope you all don't mind talking with an old lady!
I'm a mother of two kids, ages 10 and 14, and I teach at a couple of universities here in Tokyo. As a parent I must say the violence bothers me more than the...shall we say, R rated stuff. But kids get worse than this in video games and websites and Hollywood movies, right? I think my son (the 14 year old, who OH MY GODS is the same age as Jon and Robb!) would read about ten or twenty pages and say...yuck, no thanks. He's a gentle soul and I think the violence would really turn him off.
I actually had a student (Uni first-year) write a report about this book last year. He was particularly interested in Jon Snow and how being a bastard affected his character.

[Arbaaz]

Sorry but i didn't get your point?

[A, Crazy.]

@Arbaaz: Gaijinmama simply meant that yes, GoT is violent.

[Arbaaz]

Yeah, i know it is. By the way what do you say about the R stuff ruchi?

[A, Crazy.]

Nothing...it's okay...I've read worse...like the FSoG series which was....I guess u need no words for it...:P

[Gaijinmama]

Ruchi wrote: "@Arbaaz: Gaijinmama simply meant that yes, GoT is violent."

Indeed. Basically, that's all I meant.
Sorry if I rambled a bit. I was just thinking that being a bit older I may have a different reaction to the story.

I'm 470 pages in now and Tyrion is still my favorite character. (view spoiler)[I love how he got himself released from captivity in the Eyrie, and his conversations with Bronn are really funny. The way he dealt with the Stone Crows and got them on his side was brilliant. And his answer when he was asked how he wanted to die(page 461?)...priceless! Made me spew my coffee.) (hide spoiler)]

[A, Crazy.]

Gaijinmama wrote: "Ruchi wrote: "@Arbaaz: Gaijinmama simply meant that yes, GoT is violent."

Indeed. Basically, that's all I meant.
Sorry if I rambled a bit. I was just thinking that being a bit older I may have a d..."

Yeah....I loved his answer there too! I love the hilarious side of his nature...his witty, smart comments....love him. The only thing I have too much problem in the book is the parts with Khal Drogo and Dany...which are thankfully less. They seem a little inhuman and a little too vile to me...(view spoiler)[And the part where Dany eats the stallion's heart?!?! *nearly puked...* (hide spoiler)]

[Surabhi]

i am way too behind you guys..so i choose not to view the spoilers :)

@ruchi @gaijinmama i share the same feeling regarding tyrion.He is witty,smart and funny just like @ruchi described.And add to that 'badass' :P His character is inspiring i must say.I also like Jon Snow but he seems sort of vulnerable now like he can be easily manipulated or something..you know what i mean?But i strongly sympathise with him.

Also don't you think some of the characters are too young?

[A, Crazy.]

Yes...I think some of them are too small. Like, they could have made the princes and princesses at least 14 or 15 however most of them are younger. Even I like Jon Snow, like him more than any of the Stark kids. But he doesn't appear much in the later half of the book.

[Surabhi]

@arbaaz you didn't find anything brutal??Maybe i am a bit squeamish but the whole cutting-of -the-head-and- kicking-it(?!?!) thing was a bit too much for me.*cringes*I had to take a break from reading :P

[Surabhi]

@ruchi exactly..and so sad about John Snow.I thought he was going to play some important part in the story :(

[A, Crazy.]

Surabhi wrote: "@ruchi exactly..and so sad about John Snow.I thought he was going to play some important part in the story :("

Uh...not much in this book....maybe later in the series??

[Gaijinmama]

Ruchi wrote: "Surabhi wrote: "@ruchi exactly..and so sad about John Snow.I thought he was going to play some important part in the story :("

Uh...not much in this book....maybe later in the series??"

I'm not going to spoil it for you all but, yes, I will say we will hear more from Jon later. I like him, too. Like Tyrion, he's a survivor, and brutally honest with himself. He sees things as they really are. I also admire him for not hating Catelyn. I, too, would not exactly be thrilled if my husband had a child with another woman, but the way she treats Jon is inexcusable. Whatever his father did, it wasn't Jon's fault and she shouldn't take out her anger at her husband on a child who desperately wants to be loved. Anyway, he doesn't seem to waste time being angry at her or jealous of his half-siblings. He's better than that.
And by the way, Ruchi (view spoiler)[ I totally agree! Dany eating the stallion's heart was disgusting. But it does show her strength of character, as well as her strong stomach! (hide spoiler)]

[A, Crazy.]

Yes...you're right. One of the main reasons why I love Jon so much is his brave, honest behaviour. I also liked how he treated Arya so well in the beginning of the book, as if he really loved her. Whereas her own sister, Sansa's behavior is so inexcusable towards Arya. And yes, I dislike Ctaelyn for her attitude towards Jon...I mean, I admire her for the courageous, determined person she is but she can't behave with a child like that!

And yeah, (view spoiler)[Dany surely seemed brave when she ate that. And also....determined? To impress Khal? I liked that maybe she wanted to prove herself a worthy wife and worthy mother... (hide spoiler)]

[Surabhi]

This book..i am crying over a dead wolf!:(

[Gaijinmama]

Surabhi wrote: "This book..i am crying over a dead wolf!:("
I felt the same way! (view spoiler)[poor Lady! I'm not a fan of Sansa but that was totally unfair. Just devastating. It does show just how cruel and vindictive Cersei is. And what an evil little coward Joffrey is. I'm a mother, and I would get pretty vicious if anyone hurt one of my kids, but this was totally unfair. At least the author didn't go into much detail in that scene. I felt he handled it as sensitively and effectively as possible. He focused on how badly Eddard feels about having to kill Lady, rather than on the details of the execution (hide spoiler)]
Some other scenes involving cruelty to animals are much more graphic.

[Arbaaz]

i love tyrion more than anyone in the books. But i gotta admit that i am not really much in the books so i don't know how much he will be same later in the series. And i think he was exactly like in the series like he is in real life i think (the actor i mean) total baddass ;-). And i too thought that the dany and khal scenes were not good. And i know a little from the series by my brother that jon does play very important part in the series later and i am very sad that i already know some deaths from the series so the suspense is not so much :-(. But i bet when the scene i am
talking about comes you guys really gonna throw the books in the flames ;-). You don't know what's coming in the third book. (In the tv show it is season 3 so i guess it is the third book in the ASOIAF books).

[Arbaaz]

But i won't spoil it for you.

[A, Crazy.]

Surabhi wrote: "This book..i am crying over a dead wolf!:("

IKR!! That was so cruel....

[A, Crazy.]

Arbaaz wrote: "But i won't spoil it for you."

You BETTER not reveal it.....:P:P

[Arbaaz]

I know but i qm not sure that the part is in the books or not. But i hope it is because it is a biggest event of all to me.

[Arbaaz]

By the way have you completed the book ruchi?

[A, Crazy.]

Arbaaz wrote: "By the way have you completed the book ruchi?"

No...reading on the laptop is slow....mum doesn't let me use the laptop much...(due to studies) and whenever i use it, i'm always busy on GR so...the reading's going slow on me...*sigh*

[A, Crazy.]

Completed the book!! LOVED it...:)

[Harsha]

@Ruchi, Have you watched the show?

[Arbaaz]

Don't even think of watching the show ruchi. It is hell a lot more vulgar than the books. Even i don't like the show but the book is good. Still so behind the book though.

[Harsha]

@Arbaaz, I would only recommend watching the show after reading the books and if you're above 18.. Probably the books are also meant for adults only..

That said a 9.5 imdb rating doesn't lie... I just mentioned the show because it is a memorable experience to see 'the Wall' in all its glory for the first time :)

[Arbaaz]

Yeah i guess you are right and the books does have some awkward scenes but it is so much better than the tv show.