A Song of Ice and Fire (1) - A Game of Thrones: Book 1 of a Song of Ice… (edition 2011)

Wonderful story. I could not put this book down. The characters grow and develop throughout the story. The political intrigue will keep you guessing. I found myself choosing sides between the Lannisters and the Starks. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. ( )

This is not your mother's fantasy epic. This is not Eddings' Belgariad or Tolkein's Rings or even Jordan's Wheel. There is no honor - and where it's found it's stamped out. There is no kindness - and where there is, it's simply a veiled threat. This book truly is Desparate Housewives without qualms. The first time I got the idea that this book was different was when young Bran, 7 years old - as old as my son - was pushed out a window to die for seeing the Queen banging her brother. From there, the level of disturbance just went up and up and up. Martin introduces a lot of characters, which is good - considering how quickly he kills them off.

I find it difficult to say whether or not I actually like the book. I can definitely say that I was drawn in and compelled to read. I get the distinct impression that it's not going to get any nicer - although if the author isn't a little more careful with his characters, pretty soon we'll have a fairly one-sided story going. ( )

Good book! Not my usual thing -- I had to try three times to get through it; but worth it in the end! I can't say that I will read the rest of the series. Might watch the Showtime series, though. ( )

This review is for the audiobook edition read by Roy Dotrice who does an excellent job here and incredibly will turn 90 next week ! He's quite posh which works well for the high-born but is able to do a wicked northern accent where required and his reading has a certain worldliness I think which seems apt for this tale of violence and intrigue. Female accents not so good but you can't have everything. Varys is superb, as is Viserys !

If you're used to the TV series then hearing Tyrion speak with a broad Welsh accent will seem a bit odd, but actually I really like it now. Not to take anything away from Peter Dinklage: they're both awesome.

Dotrice reads the whole series (as downloaded from Audible) and I'm looking forward to reliving the saga in his company. I hope he sticks around for the final two volumes ! ( )

The author
George R.R. Martin was born September 20, 1948 in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.

Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin's first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: "The Hero," sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.

In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.

As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976,

The synopsis
In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes of 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. 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.

The review
First time I heard of Game of Thrones I thought it was like a chess game with special pieces or something. After I learned it was a big fantasy book and I had no interest in reading it. It became this great hit television show everybody was talking about I tried watching but could not charm me. I started reading this book because I still felt I had to give it a fair try and my book group decided to read it together so we could support each other to get trough. I believe I am on the first group to finish it but not because I found it so spectacular. More because I had some time left and wanted to get it done.

The story is good. After the first 20 chapters I finally got a grip on the main characters and to which house they belong. Who are cousins, brothers and taken from other houses with same names and total confusion. Once you get a grip on that it is actually a very entertaining read and easy to go from one chapter to another. All characters got something you can love and something you can hate which can make for very nice discussions with other readers. They are described very well and you do not need that much imagination to see them in dark and cold castles, riding horses in heavy leather clothing or doing other things.

Still I do not understand the whole hype around it. It just did not grab me not even when I worked out the whole who is who Game of Thrones edition. So my advice, if you want to read it pick it up and just do it, do find a good website or use the Game of Thrones wiki to make it easy for yourself with all the characters. If you feel like you have to read it because it is a hype but you are in doubt because it is just not your thing you will probably end up like me wondering what it is all about. ( )