Title: A Game of Thrones
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publishing Information: August 1, 1996 by Bantam
Genre: Adult, Epic Fantasy, Adventure
Series information: Book one in A Song of Ice and Fire
Format: Hardcover, 790 pages
Source: Purchased for my e-Reader
Recommended For: Fans of high fantasy novels and readers who don’t mind picking their jaw up off the floor.
Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.
Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.
As you may know, I am reading the entire Song of Ice and Fire series for an amazing read along. This book is MASSIVE and is filled with ALL THE THINGS so I don’t want to even come close to spoiling ANYTHING. Therefore, instead of a traditional review I am going to just provide you with my THOUGHTS on the book, the characters, and the epicness that is this series.
*I am just going to say before we begin that I KNOW that I am not on the same page as everyone for the most part. I usually love the villains, and dislike the characters everyone else loves. *shrugs* I’m a Slytherin so one can only assume that I would be a Lannister as well.
I am a huge fan of the TV show Game of Thrones, and I was worried that I would be bored by the first book because I heard that it was so well done that the book and show were extremely alike. I’m not going to lie to you, HBO did an amazing job with season one of the show, and they were very alike. However, I am so relieved and thrilled to tell you that the book was so much better. I absolutely adored the way that the reader was able to get into the character’s minds and know what they were going through. I especially felt this way about Sansa, who I had a very hard time liking in the show. As I neared the end of the novel, I really felt for Sansa and I was surprised at the strength that she was able to show, I will definitely look at her differently while watching the show from now on.
Speaking of amazing characters, I LOVE DAENERYS. She is amazing in the book and the show and I WILL NOT SPOIL but WOW does she turn into a BAMF. Tyrion is fantastic, I love how witty and strong he is despite his disabilities. I also love Jon Snow with a deep burning in my being. Also Ghost. I can’t even. *dies*
I actually really like Cersei in the show, I know, I KNOW, she is appalling and “evil” but I don’t care I think she is strong and awesome (creeptastic elements aside), and I was kind of sad that we didn’t see her as much as we do in the show. Eddard is, of course, loyal and amazing. Arya, pigheaded and strong, yet she still bothered me, though not as much as she does on screen. Catelyn kind of annoyed me, I know she is supposed to be strong, and she totally is, but for the most part I was questioning everything that she did. Also I was happy to see that I enjoyed Bran more in the novel, I think this was largely because of ALL OF THE DIREWOLVES, YO!! I hope to see a lot of growth with his character in the future novels.
Anywho, in terms of plot, WE HAS IT. So many things happened and even though I knew most of them were coming I was still like “sayyy whaaa” at a lot of parts. I am absolutely giddy to see where things go. Many friends who have read the series in its entirety have told me on more than one occasion to not get too attached to the characters, and to be quite honest, I am equally excited and so scared to continue on. I will positively have hysterics if something happens to Ghost one of the direwolves.
In short, I loved the book.
Winter is coming, you guys, and I can’t wait for it.
Books Take You Places 
I’ve really been trying to NOT want to read this book… mostly because it scares me. A lot. But now… sigh. I think I must.
It’s just so good. And it wasn’t bad since we took our time!
Wow, your post makes me want to read the series now. But the books are massive and that’s what scares me off.
Yes! It was so much fun reading this book together versus me reading it alone and getting confused with all of the characters haha.
So wait…. Are you a Lannister or not? I guess I can see if you’re with Cersei simply because she’s a complicated villain. She is bad, yes, but she has her reasons and her schemes and her plots and she is the one who said that “In the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” And yes, I did memorize that line because I loved it so much. Just as long as you’re not with Jaime or Joffrey…. And I like Tyrion! He’s funny and kind of thinks for himself and does what he needs to do. He’s almost not even on a side since his family resents him.
DIREWOLVESSSSS.
Aww, I like Arya. And DANY holy cow. She turned into such a badass. I’m glad for it because in the beginning her chapters were boring to me!
EXCITED FOR BOOK TWO. And now I must watch the show.
I think I totally am a Lannister. I like more Lannisters than I do of any other house. I still hate Joff but I REALLY like Cersei and Tyrion and honestly Jaime too. Plus I am all about YOU WIN OR YOU DIE, BIATCHES!! Also one time there was a quiz online and it was like “what house are you?” and I was telling Stan and he interrupted with a laugh and said “Yeah…you’re definitely a Lannister.” Um, thanks love.
DANYYYYY and Direwolves and Jon FTW!!
Hahahah he would! Ugh, Jaime. I just… I can’t. No. I hate him. He’s gross haha.
I actually liked all of the Starks. I warmed up to Sansa a lot in the end but didn’t like her most of the book haha.
I intend to write a review for this, but I basically agree with most of your thoughts! My favorite character is actually Jon Snow, but he’s closely followed by Arya. And Dany. GAH. This book is BRILLIANT.
Also, in terms of clans, I would LIKE to be a Stark or Targaryen BUT I have a feeling I’d be more a Tully. Grrrrr.
I read the books in about 4 months. They’re incredible. My favorites are Sansa and Tyrion. Glad you are enjoying them! 🙂
Ahhhh I really regret not knowing about this readalong before!!!! I didn’t even see anything about it till this month. I love, LOVE the show and I fully intend to read the books. I even have the first four books already on my shelves. And your review just made me even more excited. Daenerys is my favorite character of all. She totally is a BAMF! I couldn’t have said it better myself. And I also can’t help by admire and actually like Cersei, despite her being kind of evil at times. And I actually love Arya. She never bugged me and is probably my second favorite character, but maybe she’s different in the book. You have convinced me that I will be reading this VERY soon. No more excuses! Phenomenal review!
Yay for Sansa love! I’ve read all the books published and am up-to-date on the show, and she remains my favorite character of all. I really don’t understand the Sansa haters out there. Daenerys is actually a character I started out LOVING, but with each subsequent book she’s gotten more and more on my nerves. With the way Martin writes, however, I can totally see my thoughts on her doing a complete 180 before the series ends though, so we shall see. I do love Cersei too. I love that there are many complex females, many occupying roles that are definitely non-traditional given the setting and overall patriarchal society of this world.
I must admit, I think I actually like the show better. But it is awesome to be able to both read the story and watch the show. As a warning, however, the second season starts deviating from the books a bit.
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