Friday, June 15, 2012

Mini Review: A Song Of Ice And Fire#1: A Game Of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

First of all, they really need to design a new cover for these books. I mean, seriously? Just look at the orange cover, so boring and totally blah. I like the HBO series' cover better though, but I don't see myself picking up the blue cover while passing it either.

I've been on a serious Game Of Thrones high for the past month, watched both the seasons, read a lot of wikis online and then finally started the books. And you guys, they are so.good! Here is a mini -ish review of the first book in the A Song Of Ice And Fire series.






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.



HBO Show: 4.5 Stars. (.5 deducted because of all the naked boobs. I don't care what anyone says, they were so totally unnecessary.)
Book: 4 stars, on account of 'em being just so SLOW.

I really, really loved this book. However I thought it was a super slow read, and I may have loved it so much because of the super awesome television series. In truth, I only read the book because I really liked the show, and I wanted to get deeper into the characters heads. If there was no show, I'm sure I would have been bored before long and would have probably ended up not finishing A Game Of Thrones. But because of the show, I'm super excited to see what happens next to the brilliant women and the brave and gallant men. I can't wait for season 3, so Ima read all of 'em books.

That said, A Game Of Thrones, is an epic fantasy novel. Its full of intricate characters and a plot with a dozen twists and turns. The basic story is this: People fighting for the throne. But who, what and why? 
There is the brave and loving, Daenerys Targaryen, my favorite bastard, Jon Snow, the clever but 'ugly' imp, Tyrion and bajjillion more. 
There are dragons, and wolves who understand better than men. Men who can change their faces and so much backstabbing, its crazy.
There are adorable and spunky kids and wise, but strict, kindly men. The cast is rich and the plot is thick with bits of incest, mystery, evil and good.

The world building is gritty and believable and there is a lot of sad, and a little of happy, but you grow to love your favorites and end up wanting to know what happens to them. 

A Game of Thrones is written in third person, but each chapter is from a different character's point of view. It is the first book in the Song Of Ice and Fire series.

I would recommend watching the first two seasons of the HBO show, then coming back to read the books after a little break.




Heres is a little Game Of Thrones love, just because:


Hipster Jon:












Dany <3


Have you guys seen/read it yet? What do you think?


xx


Chicklitgirl






A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.

George R. R. Martin 

7 comments:

  1. I did download the first season but still haven't watched it because you're right, they were sooo big (but not necessarily unnecessary) they really got in the way.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ahhh unfortunately I have not seen the show nor read the series! I know... I really should because it seems like EVERYONE is raving about it! But I'll definitely have to take your recommendation and watch the show first!
    New follower :)

    Joie @ Joie de Lire

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for following! :D
      And do yourself a favor- WATCH IT!

      Delete
  3. I'm glad to hear that this book was good. I really want to start reading the books and watching the show. Thanks for the review! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. There are so many characters i keep on getting confused as to who is who. Iv put it aside these days and reading Honor by Alif

    ReplyDelete

Thinking of leaving a comment?
That's why you're awesome.