A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)[September 4, 2023]

[Yanique, Thread Master]

This is a Buddy Read for A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin starting on September 4, 2023.


Happy Reading!

[Beena]

Looking forward to this! Been a while since I read it.

Edited to add Chapters guidance to refer to when opening spoilers: (People are citing the character of the chapter and the number of their appearance. I've used my kindle edition page numbers as a reference, which will obviously vary between editions. And of course the page number listed is the start of the chapter, add about 20 pages and you'll have an estimation of where they stopped.)

1st Arya- pg.64
2nd Arya- pg.209
3rd Arya- pg.328
4th Arya- pg.511
5th Arya- pg.692

1st Bran- pg.11
2nd Bran- pg.72
3rd Bran- pg.154
4th Bran- pg.230
5th Bran- pg.383
6th Bran- pg.549
7th Bran- pg.705

1st Catelyn- pg.19
2nd Catelyn- pg.55
3rd Catelyn- pg.122
4th Catelyn- pg.159
5th Catelyn- pg.275
6th Catelyn- pg.348
7th Catelyn- pg.416
8th Catelyn- pg.575
9th Catelyn- pg.614
10th Catelyn- pg.670
11th Catelyn- pg.760

1st Daenerys- pg.25
2nd Daenerys- pg.94
3rd Daenerys- pg.219
4th Daenerys- pg.373
5th Daenerys- pg.472
6th Daenerys- pg.563
7th Daenerys- pg.641
8th Daenerys- pg.678
9th Daenerys- pg.726
10th Daenerys- pg.772

1st Eddard- pg.36
2nd Eddard- pg.104
3rd Eddard- pg.147
4th Eddard- pg.184
5th Eddard- pg.242
6th Eddard- pg.264
7th Eddard- pg.295
8th Eddard- pg.340
9th Eddard- pg.366
10th Eddard- pg.409
11th Eddard- pg.446
12th Eddard- pg.463
13th Eddard- pg.484
14th Eddard- pg.505
15th Eddard- pg.605

1st Jon- pg.46
2nd Jon- pg.88
3rd Jon- pg.170
4th Jon- pg.251
5th Jon- pg.429
6th Jon- pg.497
7th Jon- pg.533
8th Jon- pg.628
9th Jon- pg.747

1st Sansa- pg.133
2nd Sansa- pg.284
3rd Sansa- pg.455
4th Sansa- pg.523
5th Sansa- pg.596
6th Sansa- pg.716

1st Tyrion- pg.82
2nd Tyrion- pg.113
3rd Tyrion- pg.197
4th Tyrion- pg.314
5th Tyrion- pg.396
6th Tyrion- pg.437
7th Tyrion- pg.586
8th Tyrion- pg.651
9th Tyrion- pg.737

[Saar The Book owl]

I think it's on my BR- list too, so I'm going to put an effort to keep up :)

[Nirkatze]

Got my copy from the library! :)

[Beena]

Yay Saar and Nirkatze! :D

I've got the paperbacks but they're packed away in my cupboard somewhere and it'll be an absolute mission trying to find them and get them out, plus they've only got some books in the series in the library which is really weird lol, so I think I'm gonna just buy them on kindle haha.

[Nirkatze]

I'm trying out the audiobook for the first time, so I'll probably whiz through everything and be very spotty on details. ^^; But that's what rereads are for, right? Last time I reread these was when Dance came out... it's been so long...

[Beena]

I think it's been pretty much 10 years for me, last time I read them was when I'd just finished uni....

[Paula]

I am also going to join. For me it hasn't been that long, maybe last year I read the first one and I was halfway down the second when I got distracted. The third one I did read it like six years ago so that's the one I almost don't remember. As for the other two I never read them.

But I have I dilemma. I own the first three in paperback in my language but the publisher quit publishing the books. So now another publisher have started publishing them and they are so different in size, type (they are hardbacks) and front covers (which are pretty ugly). Just when I was sad that I would never complete my collection this happens but I doubt they are going to change to the originals :'( So I don't know whether to buy the rest or go to the library or go with my ebook so I can at least highlight quotes

[Beena]

Yeah, I got stuck halfway through book 4, so I've not read all of them either.

Library or ebook would probably be better (ebook if you really want to save quotes, it's just so much easier), then you can wait and see what the publishers do and if GRRM decides to write any more books...

[Kirsten]

Nirkatze wrote: "I'm trying out the audiobook for the first time, so I'll probably whiz through everything and be very spotty on details. ^^; But that's what rereads are for, right? Last time I reread these was whe..."

I loved the audiobook. It's actually narrated by an actor from the show who has sadly passed.

[Ann-Marie]

Nirkatze wrote: "I'm trying out the audiobook for the first time, so I'll probably whiz through everything and be very spotty on details. ^^; But that's what rereads are for, right? Last time I reread these was whe..."

Hearing the narrator (who sounds like an old ass man) reading Daeny's POV of her marriage was a bit disconcerting lol

[Paula]

Beena, yeah, maybe, since a lot of people are not pleased with the change. Now I am leaning towards ebook but I'll see since there's still time

Have you watched the TV show?

[Beena]

No I haven't!

I actually do want to, but I'm just really loathe to pay for it lol. It's on Amazon but each season is like £20 and every time I get tempted to watch it, I see that and am just like "nah, it's too much" lol. Back when it first came out it was on a TV channel called Sky which we didn't have (and you had to pay for too, but my parents had control of that).

I have a feeling it might be on Netflix, not entirely sure... I think my brother's got an account, so might ask him to check. But even that membership has gone up and you can't share accounts any more.

I am wary of the writers having taken over the story and just done what they wanted afterwards, but it is meant to have been done really well in the beginning so I am still curious. Plus I am a fan of Emilia Clarke, Jason Mamoa etc now, so would be cool to see them in the role that launched their careers.

[Paula]

yeah, too many seasons to pay and its a bummer that you can't share accounts on amazon now, they have smartened up

I really loved the first seasons but after a while it started to diverge a lot form the books from what I gather. There are more characters in the books so it makes sense. The last two seasons weren't as good but I still enjoy them, except for a few character endings but oh well I'll wait for the books if they are ever finished

Emilia Clarke's acting was great and especially in the last season was amazing and Jason momoa was also a great portrayal of Khal Drogo

[Nirkatze]

Started today! I have to read this fast, because my audiobook is due Monday at 4pm and it won't let me renew it. Gah! I need to figure out how to extend my requests on Libby. It locks me in at 1 week.

I'm about 23% in. I swear I remember the physical books having numbers on the chapters, but maybe I'm wrong. 4th Eddard Chapter anyway.

It's a little weird, thinking about how the last time I read this it was before the TV show came out. Like @Beena, that was around the end of university for me...

I have watched the whole TV show and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do agree that the ending needed more time to hit properly, but I'm not going to judge the series for just a few actions in the last episodes. As a whole, it was pretty darn epic, and especially rereading the book now, it's amazing how faithful it was... even after they ran out of source material, they followed the outline GRRM gave them... so it wasn't entirely them making things up.

I almost can't think of anything to really say at this point, because I feel like I know the story (at least up to here) too well... (view spoiler)[but I find Catelyn a lot more annoying than I remember--both her treatment of Jon and her rather weak spine. I kind of want to blame her for most of the bad things that happen.

I feel really really bad for Sansa, losing Lady... and for Lady herself... nothing hits harder than the tragedy of a loyal companion being slain...

I find it interesting how the beginning of the story is essentially a mystery. What did Bran see? Why was Lord Arryn murdered? How is any of this connected?

It's also really interesting looking back on this in hindsight. Like (spoilers, series rereaders only) (view spoiler)[Eddard judging Jaime for killing Aerys. I look at that as the best of Jaime's actions--yes, it broke his oath to the King... but the King at that point had broken his oath to the people, and couldn't be considered a king anymore, IMO. Seriously, the Kingsguard should have a clause kind of like the Blackguards in the Lightbringer series... if the King goes mad, they should be the ones to take him out. (hide spoiler)]

I also find it interesting that we actually meet Benjen. I honestly didn't remember that we see him as a character. I thought he was lost from the beginning.

My favorite scenes so far are probably Jon & Tyrion. I love the Imp giving the Bastard pointers on how to survive the sharp tongues of others. And Jon getting taken down a peg by the Night Watch Armorer, and offering to teach Ourochs that move he used on him. Teaching Ghost to juggle--I'd like to see that too. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Nirkatze, you only hay one day to read the book? That's so fast, hopefully you can finish it

One of the things I hate the most it's not having chapter numbers in books, it's so frustrating when you want to talk about them

It's funny because right now I am at the end of university so the cycle kinda repeats itself haha

yeah, one of my favourite TV shows for sure. The music was epic and the cinematic quality of the episodes increased through the seasons. The acting was also phenomenal. They even made some changes in season two which when I read the books I was a bit disappointed not to see those changes (I read and watched the show at the same time so sometimes I muddle what I read or watch first but that I did remember watching first)

I feel you, I doubt I have much to say as well since I know things quite well too. Maybe impressions of foreshadowing

I'll come to read the rest of the comment when I get to that point. I am going to start now

[Beena]

Jeez, looks like you're gonna be super-blasting through then Nirkatze!

I think the TV show was out when I picked them up, a couple of seasons in maybe.- Yeah just checked it quickly, first episode aired in April 2011, and I read them in 2013. I don't remember much tbh because it's been so long for me, a few bits stick in my memory, so it'll be interesting to see what has. Thanks for your reassurance on the TV show front guys, I reckon I'll watch it after we've buddy read them all- I did a search and the channel that it aired on here has a streaming service and they're all on there.

Yeah I remember the books not having chapter numbers, that is annoying when you wanna talk about them.

It's funny because right now I am at the end of university so the cycle kinda repeats itself haha

Lol, what a funny coincidence!

[Mei ☽︎]

AHHH YESS, I'm starting this tomorrow, but I was able to check out the illustrated version from my library which adds some nice flare!! I already like what I saw from the first page with the art!

I'm like Beena where I only fully read the first three books and DNFed book 4 so this will be a nice reread for me.

If we do end up going through book 4 and 5, I'm absolutely hoping I'll be able to push through because book 4 is why I stopped reading this series 10 years ago. 😂 And the show didn't really help with my motivation either, but I know things are different LMAO.

[Nirkatze]

oooh dang Mei, illustrated version? I'm jealous! Well, then again, it'd be hard to get illustrated audiobook so... though maybe that's a niche that needs to be explored? It'd totally be possible to have images pop up on devices throughout the scenes they depict, include them in the Table of Contents, and maybe have a little chime to let you know the images are showing... whoops tangent.

It is definitely a fun coincidence that this series is a university memory/experience for most of us!

30% in, 5th Eddard chapter now. Definitely paying attention to foreshadowing bits, Paula--little things, like (view spoiler)[Tyrion being called "a giant of a man" by the Maester Aegon at the wall, or Littlefinger's story of how he lost the dagger by betting on Jaime Lannister against... was it the Mountain? I forget who his opponent was. It should have been obvious at the time, that (later book spoiler) (view spoiler)[Tyrion would never bet against his brother--and that Littlefinger was lying about who he lost the dagger to. (hide spoiler)] But then again, how deep the loyalty went in those people wasn't obvious at that point in time either. Saying how much Arya looked like her aunt Lyana, with the Stark looks--and the only other family member to have the Stark looks is Jon... mostly things I noted on my first or second readthroughs though--I don't think I've noticed anything new yet. (hide spoiler)]

I've got the Rains of Castamere playing in my head each time turn the book on...

[Nirkatze]

Luckily, I was able to renew the borrow! So I have another 7 days. Probably still finish today... but now I don't have to do so by 4pm! Whew!

About halfway through... I always seem to pause & comment on the Eddard Chapters. 10th Eddard Chapter now. It is so very interesting, reading this not only on reread, but after getting a good idea of the endgame from the TV series. I remember how much fun it was trying to solve the mystery... but the mystery, once known, is hard to forget.

Rereading actually reminds me of rereading Lord of the Rings this summer. Watching the movies really nailed the scenes into my memory. Instead of the slow forgetting that usually happens in rereads, and then digging hints out of memory again, instead it's like having a cinematic memory, where lines in the book evoke scenes from the TV show. One that popped very vividly into my mind was (view spoiler)[the tourney, with Ser Loras riding the mare in heat, and the Mountain felling his own horse in anger--the Hound stepping in to save Ser Loras's life, and going to one knee as the King called for order--as his brothers sword swished over his head. Such a well done scene in the TV show, book-perfect.

And the voices Arya hears in the undercroft--in the TV show, you get a glimpse of the characters, giving viewers knowledge that readers can only guess at. The audiobook too gives hints, with hearing the voices. It's so interesting the different ways different medias give hints.

Still annoyed at Catelyn. But I find it amazing just how young everyone was. Catelyn, in this book, is no more than 28 or so, Eddard maybe 30. When he and Robert took out Aerys II, they would have been close to 16-17... Dany isn't the only child bride... (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

I was thinking about starting GOT for the first time this month mayhaps this is a sign to start it earlier then planned.

Also I don't think I've done with this group yet, when are you hoping to be read by, I ask so I can try to figure out some kind of daily page count. And will you be doing the whole series or just book 1?

[Beena]

@Mei, ooohhhh illustrated version sounds nice! Hey, we can motivate each other through book 4! Lol.

@Nirkatze, that's lucky! Yeah it makes sense that you would remember more after watching the TV series.

[Beena]

Through 1st Catelyn Chapter

(view spoiler)[Prologue- I remembered that the book opened with the sighting of the Others, but not that the lordling turned into one of them! That part and the descriptions of them was a tad creepy lol.

Eddard- He must learn to face his fears. - Your kid's three years old mate! Cut him some slack! Haha.

Direwolves- Ahhh, I love the wolf trope!

I don't quite remember events, but there's a familiarity as I go. Just getting into it, but CAN'T WAIT for some edge of your seat fighting, I've been dying for it for some time but have somehow just ended up reading too many books without a decent fight scene. Gimme some violence! (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

@Carrie, welcome! We're a pretty chill group tbh, some on here like to do set monthly BRs with a series, some are more relaxed and BR as and when they feel ready to. Everyone on here reads at their own pace, there are no set pages a day.

I fall into the latter group, thus there's no deadline on it, we'll usually all wait until everyone has finished, then see what fits with everyone's schedule as to when they feel like continuing with the next before setting a date for it. So we will be reading the whole series.

[Carrie]

I feel I'll be in the later too 😂

[Nirkatze]

I finished last night. ^^ But I don't turn off thread following and I like to chat with people whenever they have thoughts no matter how long it takes them to read.

Typed this up last night before finishing:
Nearing the end... on sixth and last Sansa Chapter... (view spoiler)[I remember the first time I read this, how I got some satisfaction for Sansa learning that her dreams were naught but fantasy, and that reality was cruel. She reaped, she sowed. I was rather vindictive... rather vindictive towards most arrogant characters, actually. It was satisfying to see them fall. This time 'round, I feel a little bit of pride, actually, for Sansa--how she figures out how to work Joff, and not give him the reaction he desires. "He can make me look, but he can't make me see." All of our young characters have some of that Iron in them... (hide spoiler)]

Lots of fun listening, and a very strange and nostalgic read--when you hit that first reread where you remember everything, and there's no real secrets left to uncover....

[Nirkatze]

Beena wrote: "Through 1st Catelyn Chapter

Prologue- I remembered that the book opened with the sighting of the..."

Sounds like you're in that nice sweet spot for rereads! Remembering just enough, but having forgotten a lot of the fun bits, makes unearthing it again that much more fun...

re: through 1st Catelyn chapter (view spoiler)[A really good creepy opening! I remember talking with someone who classified GoT as horror, and I was like naaaaah... until I remembered scenes like this. Chilling! I feel so bad for the veteran stuck under the stuck-up lordling though! >.<

LOL I love your "he's just 3, give him a break!" I bet Lord Stark would say "Winter knows no age, and Winter is coming." or something like that. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Guys, if you look at my first post at the top, I've done a chapter guidance thingy to make it easier to know when to look at spoilers. (Obviously this isn't a problem if you're Nirkatze :p).

Man, I wish GRRM used chapter numbers, what a slog!

[Beena]

@Nirkatze, yeah I'm glad I left it so long! But even now, even without having watched the TV series, read or talked about the stories, I do remember some vital spoilery parts.

Re 1st Catelyn (view spoiler)[ It really was! And I hate horror! Luckily this wasn't TOO scary for me to read lol, I can't be dealing with being scared out of my wits and I can't understand why other people enjoy it?!! I mean, it's not straight horror, you could just say it has minor elements if there's more stuff like that to come.

Stark saying- Haha! That's great! (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Through 2nd Catelyn (view spoiler)[ forgot how much of an absolute pervy prick Daenery's brother is- have her used by Khal Drogo and his men just to get what he wants? And pinching her nipple like that?! Urgh, vom! So gross.

Loved Jon's meeting with Tyrion and the advice that he gave him.
Plus this; the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king. Loved that little metaphor to show us his true character.

Ahh, bits are coming back to me, BEWARE, spoilers for the rest of the book and possibly the next two: (pretty sure I remember this correctly too) (view spoiler)[ just remembered in this conversation between Ned and Catelyn that he dies when he goes with the king doesn't he. Once he's there something happens and the king sanctions his death.

I also remember Cersei sleeping with Jaime and Jaime losing his hand later and changing from less of an arrogant ass due to it.

Robb dying in some battle at Winterfell, but possibly that's in later books.. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Wow Beena, that chapter guide looks like it took so much work! Thank you!

re: Horror--I totally agree! I'm "haunting" the new Spooktober thread, and watching everyone bust out their list of October spooky reads, and I'm like... okay... I'll dip my toes in... but I probably won't like it... I think I might push for a Cozy November rebound read thread...

re: 2nd Catelyn (view spoiler)[Gah! Viserys is such PoS!! So so true! Yet, it's the PoSes who we can enjoy being ripped to shreds by small animals... so I guess they have some purpose in literature. That nipple twist is such a graphic detail... really encapsulates just how horrid he is.

I love how Tyrion sort of... pays his experience forward. He says something along the lines of having a soft space in his heart for outcasts, being one himself. I really love that it's made him sarcastic and cynical, but not cold and unfriendly--and I swear he has a very strong streak of moral responsibility, to give others the kind of help he never received himself... and there's a lot of hints like that, which compare Tyrion's physical stature...

So interesting to see what you remember, Beena, and how memory is fogged by time... (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

1st Chapter of Bran:
(view spoiler)[Ned knows that Jon is his son and vice versa, right? I just forgot it about the tv series. I've found it brave of Jon to give the dire pup away, because he says he's no Stark. (hide spoiler)]

About 1st Catelyn chapter: did I miss out on the horror? I didn't found it creepy, the scene with the tree?

[Beena]

@Nirkatze, lol no worries! I was just thinking to myself, how are we going to talk about this without people getting confused?! Of course we could use page numbers, but they vary between editions and it makes more sense to use chapters, but neither are you going to go through counting which Arya chapter you're on...

Re Horror: Don't have nightmares! Haha.

Re 2nd Catelyn; Ha, very true about the POS characters! It is def more enjoyable when they get their come-uppance!

Interesting insight into Tyrion, I actually don't remember that much about him, so that'll be interesting to witness...

Memory of story: OOOHH, I guess I'm wrong with some bits?!! :O We shall see!

[Beena]

@Saar Re 1st Bran: Yes, they both know.

Re Horror- no Nirkatze and I are talking about the Prologue (view spoiler)[with the sighting of the Others and the lordling rising up from the dead having been turned into one of them... obviously it had no effect on you! Lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

Oh, yes, the prologue! I just could visualize that entirely. Very creepy.

[Beena]

Through 2nd Bran (view spoiler)[Oh flipping hell! I was stressing out the whole time he was just hanging there on that gargoyle! Why did he have to go and spy on Cersei and Jaime upside down?!! Fuck, did not see Jaime pushing him out the window coming!

Aside from the shock of that, I was loving Bran's passion for climbing and the perspective it's given him in his young life. He's a bit of a daredevil jumping across roofs and climbing so high with no inhibitions like that! Shit, I hope he's gonna be ok! (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Until 3rd Tyrion chapter (view spoiler)[ So ny feelings haven't changed much. I still hate Sansa at this point. I like Catelyn but I dislike how unfair she is to Jon. Poor Jon is traumatised of her like when he went to say godbye to Bran and she treated him horrible and he almost cried, so imagine when he was younger... Arya is the best and Tyrion too. Jon was also cool but I was glad Donel helped him realize he was being a bully. Ned is still too honorable (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Nirkatze, about your 23% spoiler (view spoiler)[ I agree with Catelyn. She treated Jon horribly. Weak spine, what do you mean? If it's when she didn't move from Brans side I agree. She spent two weeks or more like that

I felt bad for Sansa but she is very annoying. She blamed everything on Arya and Nymeria, even saying she wished it was Nymeria who died. And we know Cercei was the one responsible, and Robert. But she is so taken with the Queen she can't see clearly. In that regard Arya sees better since she disliked her from the start

Benjen appears so little I don't fault you haha

I agree. I love Tyrion and Jon, so seeing both of them at the same time is a delight (hide spoiler)]

Hindsight spoiler (view spoiler)[ I know! The first time I was so caught up on Neds views that I thought too that Jaime was awful. And him pushing Bran he certainly didn't help. But when we see the choices Jaime had I agree he did the best when he killed Aerys. He is one of my favourite characters so it's interesting to see from different point of views (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Beena, 1st catelyn chapter spoilers (view spoiler)[ I loved the prologue, one of the best prologue I've ever read. It's very creepy and cold

Starks being starks being three is almost an adult haha

Direwolves are the best

Thats the best way to reread books, when you almost forget them (hide spoiler)]

And thanks for the chapter guides. It's nice to see how many chapters each person has and I am surprised Arya has so little of them since I loved her chapters

[Beena]

@Paula, No problem! Yeah, I was surprised Eddard had the most.

Starks being starks being three is almost an adult haha


Lmao! But true, haha.

Thats the best way to reread books, when you almost forget them

Indeed, then you can still be surprised or re-discover parts.

[Beena]

Through 3rd Catelyn (view spoiler)[ Damn, poor Bran, it's crazy how sad I feel for him even though he's only had a couple of chapters- it was his purity and innocence and the loss of all that potential. Just goes to show how skilfully GRRM introduced him. And damn, Catelyn's last words to Jon- harsh much?!!

Dany's horse: She was grey as the winter sea, with a mane like silver smoke. Love that description.

Urgh, couldn't help but wanna vom at Khal Drogo touching her up. There is NO WAY in hell that a scared shitless 13yr old girl is gonna take some guys hand she's been forced to marry and put it between her legs no matter how much foreplay he's done (which she wouldn't even understand). Ugh, pass me the sick bucket!

I wonder if Ghost can sense how Jon's feeling, if he attacked Tyrion like that when he was upsetting him. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

1st Daenerys:
(view spoiler)[Viserys is just so blindsighted on the powers he think he has or may have. He's even selling his own younger sister to Khal Drogo. Daenerys goes along with it, but she has no clue what to expect. It's somewhere unfortunate that Viserys his role in the story will end so suddenly. I would have to see him grow further down the line. (hide spoiler)]

1st Jon:
(view spoiler)[How must Jon really feel sitting at that table, not really belonging to the family? I understand why he's saying that he will not father bastards. I keep comparing Tyrion to the character in the series. In the book I find that he's awfuly described. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Beena, 2nd Catelyn spoilers (view spoiler)[Viserys is disgusting!

Tyrion and Jon scenes are the best. The metaphor was great too

Your spoilers from other books are mostly right (hide spoiler)]

2nd Bran spoilers (view spoiler)[ yeah, it was nerve-wracking watching Bran spying on Jaime and Cercei. It was even worse when Jaime helped Bran up and when we were all breathing in relied he pushed him! It was very sudden (hide spoiler)]

3rd Catelyn spoiler (view spoiler)[It's so sad for Bran to be crippled like that. One of Jaimes worst acts for sure. I know! Catelyns words were too cruel and Jon is afraid of her so imagine how much he was when he was little

yeah, Danys situation is the worst. She is forced to do it and its disgusting

the link between the wolves and the stark is fascinating and it seems so (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Saar, 1st Daenerys spoilers and 1st Jon spoilers (view spoiler)[Viserys would have been awful no matter what. He is way too bitter on what he doesn't have to see anything else

Yeah, and Jon is trying to make himself believe that there are positive things to being at that table: drinking and Ghost, but even he doesn't belive it

He is described to be very ugly but I find the duality in his eyes the most fascinating thing. After seeing the TV series I find it hard to picture them ir him without picturing the actor (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

I'm above 100 pages now, but haven't got the copy near me to post some thougths.

[Saar The Book owl]

2nd Cateleyn:
(view spoiler)[I can understand why Cateleyn reats the way she does. She doens't have a connection with Jon. She sees him as a 'black spot' on her marriage to Ned, allthough, it seems she forgave him for it? I found her very superstitious, with all the signs she sees. (hide spoiler)]

2nd Bran:
(view spoiler)[That was just awful from Jaime! Is Bran's preference for crows a reference for what happens later in the series? (for those who watched it completely). I wonder if Tyrion knows that Jaime was responsable for Bran's fall, because of the way he looks at him. (hide spoiler)]

About Viserys:
(view spoiler)[He is blinded by the power and wealth he has, or will have, and by what Yllerio says to him. You can let him believe anything like Yllerio does. Easy to fool and blindsighted. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

@Paula (view spoiler)[ Spoilers for other books- Yes, I thought so! It's funny, certain parts of the story I remember off the bat and other parts come back as I'm reading- (view spoiler)[so I've just read that Jon beat all those other trainee Night Watch boys at sword practice and then he got a talking to by that armoury guy, which led to me remembering that he then goes on to train and lead them, they then grow to trust him and are loyal to him afterwards. (hide spoiler)]

Tyrion & Jon- Yeah I love their interactions, especially all the great life advice Tyrion gives him, cos he understands that all people will ever see Jon as, is a bastard. But he's taken what everyone thinks of him as a dwarf and played it against them.

It was even worse when Jaime helped Bran up and when we were all breathing in relied he pushed him!

That's EXACTLY it! (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

@Saar (view spoiler)[Re Tyrion- I did think that too about the description of his appearance- it's quite grotesque. And even I couldn't not imagine Peter Dinklage and I haven't even watched the TV series! Lol. Just goes to show how deep it's permeated into popular culture and our minds. It was actually quite an effort to try and imagine him the way he's described. But I reckon it was a conscious choice that they didn't change Peter's appearance for the series- they probably wanted to promote a dwarf on screen as a main character positively without adding extra negative flaws.

Catelyn- She's forgiven Ned for his adultery but she can't forgive Jon for existing and particularly within her sight.

Bran's fall- Tyrion knows that they had something to do with it because of the glance that passes between them. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Through 3rd Tyrion (view spoiler)[Damn what a mess. I remembered Joffrey being nasty to Sansa and I thought that was from the beginning, but no, it was because of this incident and he couldn't stand for het to see him humiliated by her little sister. I understand that Sansa was scared and she was put in an impossible situation what with being betrothed to him, but I did find it very frustrating that she didn't back up Arya, I mean she was raised as a Stark was she not?! And poor Lady, who didn't even do anything, I hate reading about animals being killed/harmed.

Also, an aside to Sansa's POV- calling Arya's face horsey??! Wow, that's pretty awful of a sister to think that, no?!

Tyrion- If he figured out what Jaime and Cersei were hiding, I'm having a bit of a hard time believing that he would kill a kid. To what? Protect the Lannisters as a whole being brought down? Because of his blind love for Jaime? I just didn't get the impression that he's that ruthless..

Don't like this Little Finger/ Lord Bailish, he seems such a sleazy character and the Eunuch/Varys is just gross. Unfortunately, if Ned don't get that stick out of his ass he's gonna drown in that nest of vipers. His greatest strength and flaw is that he's too honourable.

I am finding it a bit difficult to keep track of all the political stuff that's happened historically, there's just so much to remember with who hates who and why lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

Up to page 161:

3rd Catelyn (I think):
(view spoiler)[Catelyn left Winterfell, a bit sudden. It felt like she was giving up on Bran, when she realized what happened. The only thing that she could do now was to find the one who gave permition to murder Bran. Poor Robb, though, now master of Winterfell. (hide spoiler)]

1st Sansa:
(view spoiler)[Sansa is a character that I don't like much. Mayb it's because she's so 'princess like' and a bit supercilious. But I felt horrible in her place when Lady got killed. I've totally forgotten about it and thought that Ned would look for a 'normal' wolf. And Arya...she must feel so guilty about Mycah. They hunted him down like prey and enjoyed it. In this chapter we got a glimpse of Joffrey's true nature and it isn't pretty. (hide spoiler)]

And why keep people saying 'breaking their fast' instead of 'eating breakfast'? So strange!