A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

[Zara's Retreat]

This thread is to discuss George R.R. Martin's book, A Game of Thrones.


***Please remember to mark spoilers.***

Participants:
Jeana, Ariel, Winter, Gabriella, Emily, Barry

[Zara's Retreat]

Suggested break down of reading so that you can check in and let us know how you're going. The following breakdown is purely a suggestion and is therefore not set in stone.

Rather than putting dates for each section I've done it so that it takes into account that not everybody will necessarily have the book at the same time.

Week 1: 104 pages
Week 2: 104 pages
Week 3: 104 pages
Week 4: 104 pages
Week 5: 104 pages
Week 6: 105 pages
Week 7: 105 pages
Week 8: 105 pages

Please note: If you prefer to read this another way please feel free to do so.

[Jeana]

No actual participants? Well, I am currently reading this book as my TBR twin book so I would be happy to participate in this thread as well :)

[Ariel]

I'm in, I started this last night. I figured it was about time to get to it. I didn't realize it was a 2 month Buddy Read, that's probably a good call. There are a lot of great BR books this month.

[Zara's Retreat]

I've added you Jeana and Ariel

[Winter, Group Reads]

Is it for february and march?

[Zara's Retreat]

Winter wrote: "Is it for february and march?"

Yes it is Winter

[Winter, Group Reads]

Thanks :) I have been wanting to read this again for so long. If I get ahead on my reading I will join in! I have waaaay too much planned for these two months, but who knows :)

[Winter, Group Reads]

So I tricked my tbr, challenges and all its crazyness to include this tome. I need this world in my life again. So if nothing goes horribly wrong I will read this with you guys, so if you can please include my name Zara?

I am crazy to attempt this, way of kings and It in two months, but there you go :P

[Jeana]

I'm about 200 hundred pages into the book. It's slow going but I'm working on it. It's good, but I think the hype surrounding it has made me a little disappointed. I should know better than to have high expectations.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Jeana wrote: "I'm about 200 hundred pages into the book. It's slow going but I'm working on it. It's good, but I think the hype surrounding it has made me a little disappointed. I should know better than to have..."

It's the sort of series that takes a little effort. There's a lot of building characters and world in the beginning. Have you seen the series?

[Winter, Group Reads]

When that is said it is not a very fast paced series.

[Gabriella]

I wanna join too!
I already have the whole series and never actually read it. Seems like the time to do it.

[Zara's Retreat]

added you both Winter and Gabriella. Enjoy your reading.

[Emily]

I'd love to join! I've had this book on my shelf forever.

[Zara's Retreat]

Emily I've added you.

[Jeana]

Winter, I've seen bits and pieces of the TV series from when my roommate was watching it, but I've never actually sat down and watched it. I'm always of the mind that the book will be better so I decided that I would read the books and likely not watch the show.

[Gabriella]

I tried to see the TV show, but I'm not a fan of historical fiction, so I didn't like it. It's very very slow.
However, I read about 50 pages of the book once and just loved it.

[Ariel]

I'm really enjoying it so far. I'm about 300+ pages in so far. I'm pretty taken with Jon Snow's and Daenerys' story lines right now. Though everything is evolving and interesting.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Started. It's my second read through, so much better this time. I'm just taking my time and enjoying the details.

[Blagica , Challenges]

I read this last year and Ariel those two were my favorite story lines too along with the Tyrion

[Jeana]

so far, the only character I get excited to see at the top of a new chapter is Daenerys

[Emily]

I just started! I'm not that far in but I've been really enjoying Daenerys's Chapters too.

[Ariel]

I've been reading a couple hundred pages and then putting it down for another book, picking it back up again. It's hard not to just read right through it but I also want it to last longer lol. I stopped at around page 700 last night.

I agree with above, I really like reading Daenyrs' chapters the most so far. She seems to be the most nuanced character where other characters fall into more typical genre tropes. The honorable Ned, the special/mysterious Jon Snow, the dutiful wife, etc. Not that the other characters are boring, I really like Snow's chapters as well, just more expected (I guess that's the word).

As far as Daenerys' chapters go (view spoiler)[ I find her both empowering and her circumstances deeply disturbing. It bothered me that so many reviewers said they found her sexual relationship with Drogo to be feminist and empowering though. What I find empowering is when she stands up for the women being raped around her - not that she acquiesces to a sexual relationship with a much older man that she doesn't truly have a choice in. (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

Hi everyone.

I would like to jump into this. I have actually started to read the complete set. I got it at Christmas and held on to February to start. I did not know there was a group read until now.

So far, I am right on schedule. I am about 28 pages behind the 3rd week mark and catching that up should not be a problem. Several friends suggested I read the series, so I figured I would put it on my to do list for 2016.

I am liking the way the author goes around the cast of characters to keep you abreast of what is going on in the different regions. I have taken a liking to Bran and Jon Snow. I also love the direwolves playing a part in the tale.

I have never watched the TV show, but I like the genre and period of time - similar to the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of the Black Company.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Welcome Barry! This is widely understood to be one of the best fantasy series written. I'm reading it for the second time and it's even better I think:)

[Zara's Retreat]

Barry I've added you.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Ariel wrote: "I've been reading a couple hundred pages and then putting it down for another book, picking it back up again. It's hard not to just read right through it but I also want it to last longer lol. I st..."

Luckily Ariel there's 4 more books to devour ;)

I'm getting close to 200 pages read and I'm just enjoying it more and more. Always liked Jon's chapters the least and that hasn't changed. I find myself able to enjoy the language, all the details and such much more than the first time.

[Jeana]

Whew! Finally finished A Game of Thrones! It took much longer than I expected but I had trouble getting into it at first. My favorite character is definitely Daenarys! Barely more than a child, she's been through so much and come out so much stronger!

[Winter, Group Reads]

Jeana wrote: "Whew! Finally finished A Game of Thrones! It took much longer than I expected but I had trouble getting into it at first. My favorite character is definitely Daenarys! Barely more than a child, she..."

It can take some time getting into for sure. It's so many characters and storylines. I find I enjoy it even more as a re-read than the first time because it's easier to follow. Around half-way now.

[Jeana]

it was at about the halfway point that I started getting really into it. There was a lot of introducing people, establishing who they were and what they were about before the story really got going.

[Delmy]

this is my favorite series, I was hooked instantly. I agree there's a lot of information and introductions but the way it is written, to me at least, it didn't feel like a lot. I've read this first book twice and I've never gotten bored. I found it interesting how the characters you instantly dislike as the series progress you end up loving, in my case anyways.

I think tyrion has got to be one of the most well developed and interesting characters I've ever read. I have a lot of faves. The end always gets to me. I knew what was coming because I watched the show but it got to me just the same. I hope you are enjoying it. :)

[Winter, Group Reads]

Me too, Tyrion is such an amazing character! I also love Daenerys, Sansa, Catelyn and Cersei.

[Gabriella]

Just started for the third time. I really, really hate Viserys.

[Delmy]

Ooh, Viserys, such big you know what. >:/

[Jeana]

I hated Viserys from the beginning. I kind of laughed to myself when he got what was coming to him.

[Gabriella]

What's going to happen with Viserys? It's the only one I don't remember any spoiler about.
As I'm a slow reader, I'm still half way through it. Really bored with Catelyn and Sansa. Joffrey reminds me so much of Draco Malfoy, so I don't hate him. Arya, Daenerys and Tyrion are still my favorite characters.

[Delmy]

Gabriella wrote: "What's going to happen with Viserys? It's the only one I don't remember any spoiler about.
As I'm a slow reader, I'm still half way through it. Really bored with Catelyn and Sansa. Joffrey reminds ..."

(view spoiler)[Drogo kills Viserys by pouring hot liquid gold on him, giving Viserys his "gold crown" (hide spoiler)]

[Gabriella]

Delmy (－‸ლ) wrote: "Gabriella wrote: "What's going to happen with Viserys? It's the only one I don't remember any spoiler about.
As I'm a slow reader, I'm still half way through it. Really bored with Catelyn and Sansa..."

WOW! That's even better than what I imagined!