A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)
by George R.R. Martin

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Book Reviews of A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)

Book Review: Outstanding, original and unpredictable is a start
Summary: 5 Stars

A lot of books in this genre are expected to have magic trickling through every page, but this one doesn't... heck it rarely has anything that has to do with magic, or dragons or whatnot... and when it does its makes sense! It isn't illogical out of the blue huge balls of fire flying at the enemies, its subtle, simple and dare I say, realistic (hard to refer to magic as realistic but this series pulls it off). To me this is a plus! I remember reading books by authors (who's names I will not disclose) and think to my self "oh geez.. thats just a bit too much" or "oh c'mon, WAY too corny!" but in this series, all that ever came to mind was "I WANT MORE!".

Heroes are common in almost all books, fantasy or not. But in fantasy books heroes are usually weilding a glowing sword in one hand, a beautiful woman in the other and a dragon between their legs. Not only is this series no where near that corny, it makes it SO hard to choose sides! To many people, I can understand how this would be frustrating, but if anything it just gives you a taste of everyday life where evil and good are not black and white.

The villians... are there actually villians in this book? Somtimes I wonder. Its just this book has you thinking in such a philisohical and open minded way, it makes it hard for you not to relate with someone who just preforms an 'evil' deed, or at least pity them. Although some characters are hated pretty easily, overtime you may suddenly realize you are in love with them... and not understand when or how it happened! Same goes for the other way around, at one point in respect to a certain character I was thinking "Oh this kid is great, will make a good man one day" and later on, im not sure when, I was thinking "never liked that stupid kid..."

Also, as a warning more than anything else, be prepared for death if you read this book. There are characters who you may love, and think are amazing, that will die horrible pointless meaningless deaths. Yes I know, not a very happy ending, but not all endings have to be very happy. On the same token, there may be a villian you may be growing attatched too, and be expecting many interesting things from, who may suddenly just keel over. Again, in its own way dissapointing. But in all respects, it made the book THAT much better.

I know there are a few people out there who don't appreciate the sheer brilliance of this series, or they maybe dissapointed in a certain outcome. The thing is the books don't follow a predictable path lined with dandillions, bunny rabbits and a rainbow arched above, so at some points you may even be upset with George for being so mean! But after a few more pages you quickly forgive him and dive right back into the amazing plot(s). Like I said earlier... if you want predictable over the top magic, heroes that always win, illogical ideals that are always either extremely evil or extremely good... than this book series is DEFINATELY not for you. BUT if you want somthing new with an original and interesting concept, somthing that is not afraid to hurt your feelings to further the plot, somthing that makes you ponder about life itself, than this book series is DEFINATELY for you! Two thumbs up! If I had more they would be up as well.

Summary of A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)

Martin's Seven Kingdoms resemble England during the Wars of the Roses, with the Stark and Lannister families standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. The story of these two families and their struggle to control the Iron Throne dominates the foreground; in the background is a huge, ancient wall marking the northern border, beyond which barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves menace the south as years-long winter advances. Abroad, a dragon princess lives among horse nomads and dreams of fiery reconquest.

There is much bloodshed, cruelty, and death, but A Game of Thrones is nevertheless compelling; it garnered a Nebula nomination and won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. So, on to A Clash of Kings! --Nona Vero

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