A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Title: A Game of Thrones

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publish Date: August 6th, 1996

Publisher: Bantam

Source: Bought

Summary by Goodreads. 

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.

Penelope's Review

I'd first like to point out that I did watch the TV series before reading this book, something I don't normally do but in this case, am glad that I did. Don't get me wrong, the book was AMAZING! But I do feel that had I not watched the show first, and seen all of the names and faces and locations for myself, I most likely would have gotten quite lost during this read. There is A LOT to take in in terms of the amount of characters and places to follow.

However! That does not mean that it wasn't a fantastic novel. The book was incredibly well written and I give my respects to George R.R. Martin for being able to put together such a masterpiece! The planning that must have gone into writing this is astounding! But let's get to the point and discuss WHY it's so good!

First off - the characters! There was such depth to all of the characters in this book! No black and white evil/good people, there were dimensions! Personalities! Reasons behind the bad and noble causes behind the good! Every character was instrumental to the development of the story and there were quite a few deaths that I was NOT expecting (Well.... had I not watched the show first I wouldn't have expected it while reading lol). The twists and turns in this book kept me wanting more until the very last page!

The plot was great, plenty of scenes for whatever your cup of tea is! Violent scenes, passionate scenes, betrayal scenes, sad scenes, happy scenes, angry scenes! You name it, it's IN THIS BOOK! 

Now it is a bit of a longer read, but well worth it believe me. If you've already watched the show, this book is even more amazing because it's like reading the script for the show with the addition of deleted scenes! So cool!  

Overall, I was VERY impressed with the read.. so much so that I went and purchased the rest of the series! I am now very happily on to the second book!

RATING: 5/5 Devils!