A Game of Thrones
Ratings2,326
Average rating4.4
A great opening to a modern epic saga, highly addictive. I was engaged the whole time. Vivid characters that flew off the pages. Strong and enduring, that I ended up loving some in the end. I truly love this first book, from the get go I get to meet families that are bonded by love and honour, families that are evil, cunning and at times disturbing, also the unlikely heroes that emerged from nothing and came out in the end triumphant. The tapestry of a story is rich in history and alive with prose. Not a dull read in sight. Beautifully written, and brutally set, this is epic fantasy for the ages.
50 days.
That's how long it took me to read this book. There were weeks where I didn't pick it up, read a different book or two, but then there days where I couldn't put it down and spent every free second reading about the wonderful characters in this story.
Yet, no matter how long it took me to read this, ever minute I did spend reading it was worth it. It is an epicly fantastic fantasy story. There truly is a reason why A Song of Ice and Fire is so popular. Part of me wants to move on to book two. However, I think I'm going to stick to the TV show and actually get some reading done this year.
what to say.. this has to be the longest time it has taken me to read a book. not because i didnt like it i loved it it was just a very slow read for me
I loved this book even though it took me over two months to finish it. The beginning of the book was slow for me because it switched between multiple characters and it was a little slow at first but once i got into the story it didn't take me long read it. I would definitely recommend this series!
The writing, characters and dialog are great. I just did not enjoy the overall plot of the book. It felt short-handed. As other people have pointed out, the author took a typical fantasy story, removed the fantasy/epic elements, and replaced them with... nothing.
The story arcs go nowhere. Having seen the tv-series, read/listened what other people have said, this is true for the following books as well. The author said in an interview this was somehow on purpose, to “break the mold”, but it felt empty to me. Still a good story, just not a great one. My greatest complains are with the latter books, if they follow the tv-series, which I was having problems following in the 3rd season and can no longer bear in the 4th.
The whole book felt as a prelude of things to come. Which is fine, as long as Martin don't kill every single plot thread, and start another, to just kill them again before they end. Kill as many characters as you want, just don't make their deaths in vain!
Among the more ore less minor plot problems I had:
- the Imp's trial outcome when captured by Lady Stark. For one thing, there was this whole scene that basically was just skipped in the book. In one moment he was talking, the next he was free. This plot device is not uncommon, and he uses many times in the book. This is not that bad, the offender here is the might is right part. He gets to go free if he wins a duel. Not only that, he can pick a fighter for him. Again, not that unusual in fantasy/medieval stories, but a very poor device. I was hoping Tyrion to use his wits to escape, not this 'deus ex machina' (the invocation of an ancient nonsensical rule that saves his dwarf ass).- master-sword Syrio Forel duel with the kings guard. I might have missed something here, because this felt like a "Really" moment. So, you're facing four armed opponents, and you are so good of a sword fighter that you probably could defeat them blindfolded. You manage to defeat and disarm three of them, yet you still keep using your wooden sword. Really?- Arya reports to her father what she heard and he ignores her. There was this whole scene, maybe chapter, where she lost herself in the castle caverns, with the dragons skeletons, and overheard sensible information that at the very least should not be ignored as a child's avid imagination. She was able to remember enough details that her could have used somehow. At any rate, this was wasted scene.- Sansa talks to the Queen about her father plans to smuggle herself and her sister out of Kings Landing. Another wasted opportunity to connect some dots here, something like Ned finding out and saying "Oh Sansa, so all of this was your fault!" :-). Well, or at least she feeling like that.
And the major one:
- Ned Stark's death. I have no problem with killing the "hero". I have a big problem with the "business as usual" attitude that follows. Yes, there was a war that followed. But there was already a war going on. And that war went nowhere. I want revenge, I want the unexpected, I want something awesome and magical to happen. I want that freaking Stannis Lord of the Light shadow baby assassin monstrosity to do something. Mundane drama I can get in other genres and, the reason I don't read them, in real life.
Update: 08/04/2015
If you'd like to read this review on my blog.
Rating: 5/5 stars.
A Game of Thrones is the acclaimed novel of George R.R. Martin, focusing on the land of Ice and Fire, and the interesting characters found in it. Power, love, gold and family will move this characters to do everything they can, and this games of thrones are only beginning.
What else could be said about such a book that hasn't been said before?
I really loved this book. It was such a great realistic piece of fantasy. And not one to put pretty things around and sugar coat life. This is the stuff I like. This is what I love to read.
The book is very well written, and you can tell from the beginning that everything is set up perfectly and that it all adds up for a better and bigger thing, and that this first book was just the introduction to it all. I'm really excited to go on with this series and follow along the game of thrones.
What I specially like about this book is that all of the characters (at least the ones that do matter) are presented in a way that you get to know them, even thought it's not immediately. Like, I know eventually I'll know everything about them. Right now I can tell you so many things about them just guessing around, because I feel like I've known them forever. This means really good character development.
At first I kind of panicked for all the characters that I sometimes forgot who they were and who's side they were on, but later I learned that really, that's kind of the idea. Don't try to learn them all, they probably won't last anyway.
Even now I already have defined which characters I like and which not. Like, I have such deep emotions for some of them that wow, I might kill someone out of frustration.
Anyway, it does strike hard in the heart this book, sometimes it hurts to see what a mess everything is and how much changes have been made to it all. It's hard, I won't lie.
And there's so much things I can quote out of this book, and sometimes they're such beautiful passages. Let me show you. (Tyrion is one quotable motherfucker)
“My mind is my own weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind... and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.
Tyrion Lannister
“The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends”, Ser Jorah told her. “It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace.”
Ser Jorah Mormont
“Oh, but it was, my lord,” Cersei insisted. “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”
Cersei Lannister
Like, there was only 100 pages or so left, and then Ned got killed and I just stood there like, no way, this is fake. And literally for those 100 pages I stood believing that he was still slive, even thought all of the family new, and they were all mourning. And then the book was over and that's when I finally understood that he really was dead, and it hurt.
Lives up-to its hype. If you are among the few who are skeptical of this series because of its immense popularity, I suggest you inhibit those doubts and should definitely read it.
Honestly, I approached this book and the entire series as a skeptic. I had seen and heard enough people talk about how explicit the TV adaptation is so I wasn't sure how I felt about trying to actually read the books. Now that I've read it, I'm really glad I gave it a chance. I'd like to hit just a few of my thoughts about the book and its contents without revealing any spoilers:
1. The sex. Yes, there is some explicitly written sex in this book. Let's just get that out there and say it. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or has a completely different opinion on what the words “explicit sex” means. It's not just innuendo or implied, it is descriptively written in several times. That being said, I never found the sex to be so pervasive as to ruin the book for me and it usually doesn't last more than a few paragraphs which I was extremely thankful for because I could easily skim down a few paragraphs, make sure the sex was over and continue on with the book. If this isn't something you feel comfortable doing, than don't read this series. Just don't let people make you think that this is 50 Shades of Grey or anything like that because it's not even close. Sex is probably 2% or less of this book so I think most people can just move past it without a problem. Yes, it is disturbing at times and there are some really touchy issues such as rape and incest but in my opinion it is a lot like ready Middle-Age history where all of these things also happened on a fairly regular basis. If I had written it, I wouldn't have included it but George R. R. Martin did and I still didn't have a probably skipping over it and enjoying the actual story.
2. The characters. George R. R. Martin made some pretty great characters and some pretty hateful characters too. I mean you really hate some characters in this book and I love that. Having each chapter be from a different character's point of view is phenomenal and also very confusing at times but the more you read and familiarize yourself with who is who the better it gets. The characters are really what makes this book such a great read in my opinion and they become even better as the series progresses. Also, I am a huge fan of the fact that the author is not afraid to have even lovable characters die gruesome deaths because I don't want to only read fairy tales where the good guys always win. Knowing that any character I like might die at any moment kept me on my toes and always wanting to know what will happen next and if someone does die, I can't say I ever felt cheated by their death (i.e. people don't just magically drop dead for unexplained reasons).
3. The story. So many different stories are happening across so many different characters that it can feel really overwhelming but it is worth it. Keep your smartphone handy and keep http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Chapters handy so you can read chapter summaries in case you've set the book down for a while or if you've forgotten who someone is. Trust me, it's a lifesaver. The story in this book is good but I found it lacking in some areas. Can't say much without giving it away but I will say that it gets better in the books that follow.
If you like fantasy, deep characters, a lot of action and political wit than read this series. It's great. 4/5
Reseña escrita el 6 de febrero, libro terminado el 21 de Enero.
Al empezar este libro, me quedé sorprendida por la gran capacidad de Martin para describir personajes y hacerlos tan complejos al punto en el que nunca llegas a conocerlos bien y algunas de sus acciones pueden resultar inesperadas. Ningún personaje es bueno o malo, todos tienen sus virtudes y la verdad no hay villanos ni héroes definidos.
Los únicos “problemas” que tuve con este libro fueron que al ser demasiados personajes y al ser llamados siempre diferente (por su primer nombre, apellido o apodo) Martin me confundía a veces y tenía que volver atrás en la novela para recordar a quien se hablaba o googlear al personaje.
El segundo problema fue que al tener el punto de vista de tantos personajes no logré apegarse completamente a ellos.
Sin embargo es un libro que recomiendo a todo el mundo (tengan en cuenta que es un libro ‘adulto') y tengo ansias de seguir con esta serie!
Precise rating: 4.5 ⭐
It was a great idea to read (well, listen to) these books again – I forgot how bombastically this series starts. Martin really is a brilliant writer!
Writing this review is relatively harder for me because of two main reasons,
i) I've seen the TV series Game Of Thrones Season 1 and,
ii) I've heard about the book a lot
First thing I've noted was the age of the characters - it would have been more believable if the age of the children in the book was similar to that of the TV series. The most brilliant character creation George R. R. Martin did was that of the imp, Tyrion Lannister. The plot is big, to be precise really big - it took 18.9 hours for me to read the whole Divergent Trilogy and 20 hours for this book. The book is packed rich with killing, deception, romance, motherly love, love between siblings and with their pets(if you could consider direwolf as a pet!) The way of narration and certain seens were screaming ‘I'm inspired by The Lord Of The Ring Trilogy'. It also portray the medieval time when men ruled land and women, when women were seen as a part of human which helps to reproduce and to quench men's unquenchable lust.
Finally, I would recommend this book to everyone who likes The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, doesn't matter whether you liked the book or the movie. Considering the violent and intimate seens of the book I give an ‘18+' rating and 7/10 stars. [Note to George R. R. Martin - Waiting 4-6 years for a book is a huge pain in the ass! ;-) ] Peace!
Still as good on a reread although maybe felt too soon since the first time and watching the show! I'll wait a bit before carrying on.
The first is A Game of Thrones and was rather an enjoyable read (or, in this case, listen, since it is the audio book that I have, unabridged and read by Roy Dotrice - since having a family, my reading for pleasure time has pretty much disappeared and so I do most of my ‘reading' in the car through audiobooks).
I had actually had this book, and the two following books, on my iPod for some time, in fact about a year I think, as I remember getting a few chapters into the first book around Christmas time last year and finding it too difficult to get into. It's not an easy read, by which I mean that there are a lot of characters and relationships to deal with from quite early on. When I started listening to it for the second time, I actually took notes of who was who, how old they were, what houses they belonged to, etc. and that really helped to get past the difficult beginning.
The characters are very well developed and Roy Dotrice is very good with the voices for each character. Although one of the characters (Tyrian Lannister, for those who have read it) seemed to develop a Welsh accent as the book went on!
The book switches points of view between the main characters, and usually when that happens, I have favourites and unfavourites, but that wasn't the case in this book. There was never a moment when I thought - oh no, not this character again.
There are some unexpected moments, but I shan't spoil the book by revealing any of them here.
As fantasy books go, it was a refreshing change from the “underdog prevails” type of plot, and there was little evidence of a talisman whose power needs to be unlocked.
I liked it even more the second time around. This time I could look for foreshadowing and appreciate the story versus trying to figure out what was happening next.
Actual vote: 4.5 stars
Martin è senza dubbio un bravissimo scrittore.
Delinea i personaggi in modo cosi dettagliato che sembrano veri, umani, con i loro pregi e difetti, doppiogiochisti, onorevoli, orgogliosi o umili. Ti ci fa affezionare o te li fa odiare, ma come se fossero persone, quindi quello che sta simpatico a me può non stare simpatico ad un altro e via discorrendo. Di questo libro mi è piaciuto quasi tutto, in primis la scrittura o lo stile, per intenderci. Ciò che non mi è piaciuto non sono le morti che già sapevo perché ho visto la serie TV (anche se fino all'ultimo speravo che non accadessero), bensì i POV di alcuni personaggi prettamente noiosi o paranoici. Tutto cio, però, lo considero relativo. Mi spiego: anche in quei capitoli dove mi sono rotta le scatole succedeva qualcosa o veniva spiegato qualcosa di importante, infatti per questo li ho apprezzati. Ciò che mi ha fatto tentare il suicidio più volte è il modo in cui alcuni personaggi metabolizzano gli eventi (avete visto che sono veri? Vi prego, ditemi che non sono l'unica a pensarlo). Ad esempio, Sansa! Spero che si dia una bella svegliata prima o poi perché è tutta un “Joffrey mi ama e anche la regina mi ama” oppure “ripeti a memori tutto quello che ti hanno insegnato a dire in queste situazioni”. Oppure Catelyn! Miiiii! “Devo essere una Stark”. I personaggi che dicono questo tipo di frasi (“devo comportarmi da...devo dimostrare di essere qui, là e insà”) mi stanno sulle balle. Cara Catelyn non sarai mai una Stark, ma un l'insopportabile e rompipalle Tully! Oppure Bran... Martin, ma ti pare?! Non era meglio fare morire lui e tenere in vita Khal Drogo?! Perché devi storpiare un ragazzino che da paralizzato è inutile come una nutria e mi fai morire Khal Drogo per una morte stupida?! vabbe tralasciamo, tanto è inutile parlare con Martin... Insomma il tutto per dire che i personaggi sono vivi e sono legati da intrighi politici di tanto di cappello.
Consigliato? Assolutamente si! Anche a chi non è amante del fantasy dato che di Fantasy ha relativamente poco. Passatemi il concetto. Gli elementi fantasy in questo libro non sono portanti. I personaggi sono umani e la trama si snoda tra intrighi di corte, non attraverso un sistema magico.
Read it the first time eight years ago. Watching the HBO series got me interested all over again. So.
I really loved, George created a marvelous world full of wonders with strong and unforgettable characters.
Wow. I've finally started reading this series and I enjoyed this first installment immensely. I binged on the television series a couple of weekends ago when HBO was free for a few days. The book is even more entertaining. I'll keep reading. Maybe I can time things so that I catch up by the next time HBO is free for a weekend.
Absolutely wonderful. It took me a while to get used to the language and spelling, especially when it came to names (which seems to be something i have trouble with normally let alone when it comes to strangely spelled names) but as soon as i was absorbed into the story and got the names straight it was the best book i've read in a while. i'm excited to read more.
wow. Had no preconceptions about this book but absolutely loved it. Excellent characterisation and fantastic plot. Can't wait to get into the next instalment. Only question is do I buy the dvd or the book. ..?
Having received the whole set of books for Xmas I felt I had to start from scratch. Knowing the story made this even better than the first time.
I took a while to get into this book. I realized why, while enjoy a story told from a couple of different perspectives there were too many in this one. I was getting confused which point of view and who the players were in the story. But in the end I did enjoy it. And in a way I want to continue with the next book to see if I still have the same issue.
