Book Review: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Title: A Game of Thrones
Author: George R.R. Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire #1
Published: 1996
Publisher: Bantam
Pages: 807
From: Barnes and Noble
Rating: 8/10

It took me four years to finish A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, the first book in an epic fantasy series Martin began more than 20 years ago. That’s about the length of time it takes him to write a book, but a hell of a lot easier.

I jumped on the bandwagon as soon as I heard there was a fun, well made, interesting fantasy show on HBO. I knew I had to read the series and watch the show. And I am so glad I did. I absolutely love the imagination Martin brought to this medieval world full of fantastical creatures, swordplay and magic around every corner.

A Song of Ice and Fire, the series title, begins with the Starks, an honorable house in Westeros, and the leader, Eddard, who kills a deserter of the Night’s Watch. From there, events play out and the family ends up split, with half in the North and half in King’s Landing, where King Robert Baratheon, a friend of Eddard’s, lives. We are privy to the points of view of several of the Starks, as well as Tyrion Lannister, the king’s dwarf brother-in-law, and Danaerys Targaryen, Blood of the Dragon, as she is wed to a Dothraki horselord and comes into her claim slowly.

My favorite storylines were Danaerys’s and Arya Stark’s, the youngest Stark daughter. But, I also enjoyed reading Tyrion’s and Sansa Stark’s, the oldest Stark daughter, because of the differing opinions and intricate plot points. The writing is lush, if a bit dry, and Martin does not shy away from gore and sex and disaster. Having seen the show before finishing this book, which I started four years ago only to stop and start several times since then and finally finish less than a week ago, I knew the major plot points. But, I enjoyed the subtle differences and how the characters ended up where they did.

I decided to take a small break before beginning A Clash of Kings, the second in the epic series, and then I will be fresh when I dive into a book more than 100 pages longer than its predecessor.

Check out Mel to the Any’s review of this book here. You can buy A Game of Thrones, as well as the rest of the series and the companion novels anywhere.