Paperback, 704 pages
English language
Published March 4, 2011 by Spectra.
Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.
A GAME OF THRONES
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. …
Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.
A GAME OF THRONES
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. --back cover
That was superb.
Obviously it is very much the first part of a much larger story, but I knew I was letting myself in for that when I started this novel.
What George RR Martin has managed to do in this novel is combine an incredible level of detail with a collection of characters that are both consistent and plausible and about whom I really want to know what happens next.
Sorry that I didn't stick with this the first time I tried to read it - found it very difficult to listen to and keep track of the various families and back stories. Thoroughly enjoyed the story, very eager to continue with the series.
Decided to read this before watching any of the series. Liked it a lot at first but by the end kept thinking "this will make a good series but not sure it's worth reading the rest of the series". It's a good enough story but it feels a bit flat and ordinary for such a sweeping saga. I have to say I am looking forward to watching it now. Just probably not reading any more. There are so many other things I'd rather read.
I watched the HBO series before reading the book. Actually, I loved the series so much that I couldn't wait for season 2, so I decided to dive into the books. The author has an amazing way with words. He doesn't fall into the trap of trying to impress people with his words, though, like a slew of authors I've seen here on Goodreads who will go unnamed. :) The book is huge, at about 750 pages, but absolutely worth every minute. I won't go into too much detail, as it's literally been done hundreds of times due to the book's popularity. I will say that this book (and, hopefully, the whole series) is very special and will surely become an enduring classic.
UGH ok I had to stop myself from commenting in the thread because it would serve no purpose, but I have to vent here a little.
Just got done reading a series of posts on here where readers expressed their shock that people who didn't fall all over themselves for Game of Thrones existed (great quote here "god forbid they should hate the series" - and then they speculated as to why that is.
To date the thread has two main speculations:
- they can't stomach the rape (it's realistic in a medieval setting!)
bullshit - GRRM MADE UP the world that GoT takes place in. He intentionally chose to include rape. As for realism? So dragons and magic and whatnot is believable but omfg a medieval-ish fantasy without rape.. NO WAI!
My "favorite" of these was
"GRRM is still the best out there, so it's a huge shame that …
UGH ok I had to stop myself from commenting in the thread because it would serve no purpose, but I have to vent here a little.
Just got done reading a series of posts on here where readers expressed their shock that people who didn't fall all over themselves for Game of Thrones existed (great quote here "god forbid they should hate the series" - and then they speculated as to why that is.
To date the thread has two main speculations:
- they can't stomach the rape (it's realistic in a medieval setting!)
bullshit - GRRM MADE UP the world that GoT takes place in. He intentionally chose to include rape. As for realism? So dragons and magic and whatnot is believable but omfg a medieval-ish fantasy without rape.. NO WAI!
My "favorite" of these was
"GRRM is still the best out there, so it's a huge shame that some people can't get past whatever pre-conceived notions [referring to the sex and paedophilia] they have to enjoy these books. "
Not liking rape is a perfectly valid reason for not reading a book, the part that bugged me is that this was frowned upon. Which implies that I should "get over" being offended by something (one commenter actually says this) in order to enjoy the books. No - I am sorry.. I don't think I'm going to get over rape being portrayed as ok. Also childbrides and their subsequent rape - no thanks not in my fantasy!
- they can't read long books
That must be it. I am just not intelligent enough of a reader to make it through a long book. Also the tie-in that because I don't read long books I also won't read books twice. (for the record I've read LoTR about 23 times AND I've made it through the Simarillion SO BITE ME)
I wish these people could take a step back from their fanboy/girl ism and take a minute to actually read what it is that they're typing and consider what it is that they are saying.
I didn't comment in the thread because doing so would make me have to join the group - something I didn't want to do. But thanks for reading the rant!
