A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire, #1
First Published on August 6, 1996 by Bantam
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 835
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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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 forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. To the south, the king’s powers are failing—his most trusted adviser dead under mysterious circumstances and his enemies emerging from the shadows of the throne. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the frozen land they were born to. Now Lord Eddard Stark is reluctantly summoned to serve as the king’s new Hand, an appointment that threatens to sunder not only his family but the kingdom itself.
Sweeping from a harsh land of cold to a summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, A Game of Thrones tells 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; a child is lost in the twilight between life and death; and a determined woman undertakes a treacherous journey to protect all she holds dear. Amid plots and counter-plots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, allies and enemies, the fate of the Starks hangs perilously in the balance, as each side endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.
Review
Wohoo! Atlast! After almost two weeks, I managed to finally finish this book. It’s been tough, not because the story was bad, but because of soooo many things that I need to attend to. Fortunately for me, this book didn’t give me a hard time reading it, because OBVIOUSLY it’s super duper great.
As we all know, this book is now a popular TV show. At first, I was really hesitant to watch it. Why? Because I’m lazy and I tend to stick only to my comfort zone and I don’t like waiting each week for new episodes. Yeah, watching ongoing TV series also means waiting. And I hate waiting! But then, a miracle happened and I watched it (it’s a very long story). Haha, too much for being so in denial eh? At first, I didn’t like it because of those adult scenes. But as I continue, all of those uncertainties are gone, and all I could think of is how genius the author is. Sorry, I’m now blabbing. Haha, so yeah, I was a bit confused about the TV series because as we all know, some scenes of it were not in the book. Some were cut off or some were added. So after that, I decided to finally read the book and am planning to finish all 5 books until season 6 (TV series) would be out (which I’m sure would be next year). Well, goodluck to me then, *wink.
I think all of you are now bored because of my blabber eh? Ok, so let’s start.
I’m not really into books with ancient settings though I love watching movies with a theme like that. As I was starting the book, I realized how a big challenge it would be for me. First: because it’s the very first lengthy book that I am going to read. Second: because it’s a fantasy adventure book, which is actually I’m just starting to get a hang of.
And amazingly for me, I was able to survive the book. Great choice I must say. So all the questions that I have while starting the book were all answered. I am also thankful because I’ve watched the TV series first before pursuing the book. Normally, I read the book first before watching the movie. But then, I just realized that it’s way easier for me if I watch the movie first before delving into the book. And oops, it’s only applicable to fantasy books, *wink. With it, I find it so easy to picture out the scenes, the location and its characters.
I don’t want this review to be about the scenes in this book because for sure, it would take me forever, *wink. In all fairness, all the scenes we’re properly executed and well-thought. I can’t even imagine how the author thought all of that. Very genius indeed. I would have given the raging 5-stars with that alone, but unfortunately, I have my reasons behind the 4-stars.
For the words used, I would have given 4-stars on that alone because there were some terms that I needed to consult to my ever reliable friend, Merriam D. But it was only minimum, it wouldn’t hinder you to enjoy the story.
For the characters? Well, this is where the reason for my 4-star rating takes place. A friend of mine already warned me not to be too attached to its characters because GRRM would absolutely kill them. I thought I was ready, but dang! I’m still hurt after what happened to Ned. Not just once, but twice. (TV series and the book) I almost want to rip that page, and then I realized that I am reading the e-book format, haha lol.
The 4-star rating wasn’t solely because the author is so grim that he killed most of its characters (I’m not that shallow, well, almost, haha). But it’s all because it introduces soooo many characters that are so hard to keep track of. I know it’s just natural because it’s a lengthy book. I would have accepted it, but the name of its characters is so hard to remember. (Too bad, I’m not good with names, so I find it really hard to familiarize) So far, it’s only the Starks, the Lannisters and Baratheon that I could proudly say that I know, haha.
This book is really worth it. I’ve never read a book before containing maps and introductions to all houses in the seven kingdoms. Now, who says it’s only Centrum that is complete from A to Z? hehe
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