Royce's body lay facedown in the snow, one arm outflung. The thick sable cloak had been slashed in a dozen places. Lying dead like that, you saw how young he was. A boy. [Will] found what was left of the sword a few feet away, the end splintered and twisted like a tree struck by lightning. Will knelt, looked around warily, and snatched it up. The broken sword would be his proof. Gared would know what to make of it, and if not him, then surely that old bear Mormont or Maester Aemon…

Will rose. Ser Waymar Royce stood over him. His fine clothes were a tatter, his face a ruin. A shard from his sword transfixed the blind white pupil of his left eye. The right eye was open. The purple turned blue. It saw. The broken sword fell from nerveless fingers. Will closed his eyes to pray. Long, elegant hands brushed his cheek, then tightened around his throat. They were gloved in the finest moleskin and sticky with blood, yet the touch was icy cold…

-\\tGeorge R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

Reading A Game of Thrones was truly a life-altering experience for me. It wasn't just a superficial change; it delved deep into my literary preferences and understanding.

For starters, it consumed an enormous amount of my time. I have devoured all the books multiple times, watched every available episode of the TV show repeatedly, and spent countless hours on the internet, exploring recaps, explanations, and theories. Some might argue (my wife included) that I'm wasting my time. But what exactly is time, and how do we define wasting it? In any case, it has been an absolute blast, and I have no regrets.

Secondly, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, of which A Game of Thrones is the first installment, taught me a valuable lesson about trying new things. I had always been biased against the fantasy genre, mainly because I thought it was stodgy. However, Martin's work completely shattered that perception.

A Game of Thrones takes place in the land of Westeros, a place not unlike Medieval England, but with extreme weather patterns. The story begins in the north, with the Stark family ruling Winterfell. As the plot unfolds, we are introduced to a plethora of characters, each with their own motives and personalities. The story is filled with political intrigue, power struggles, and unexpected twists and turns.

Martin's writing style is both immersive and engaging. He presents the story in a third-person limited perspective, alternating between different characters' viewpoints. This allows us to see the story from multiple angles and get a deeper understanding of the characters. The details in the book are also remarkable, from the names of the characters and places to the history and culture of Westeros.
In conclusion, A Game of Thrones is a masterpiece that has captivated millions of readers around the world. It has changed my life by opening my eyes to the beauty and complexity of the fantasy genre. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story, regardless of their literary preferences.

I just stumbled upon this truly ingenious art of Belle reading AGoT:

(CREDIT: Simona Bonafini)

And it got my mind racing...

  How would Disney princesses react to ASoIaF?

I believe this is how it would unfold ↓

Merida: She spends the entire bloody action scenes cheering and roaring in approval. When her mum comes to scold her about a lady's appropriate behavior, she quickly hides the book. She adores Ygritte and has a secret crush on Jon.

Ariel: She swoons over Robb and probably composes a couple of love songs. She also plots Walder Frey's downfall.

Aurora: She falls asleep.

Jasmine: She claims to be a Margery stan but secretly dreams up ways to murder Cersei because she understands her on some level and hates that she does.

Mulan: She posts daily #AryaRules empowering quotes to inspire others.

Belle: She weeps over the characters' pain and embarks on a journey across worlds to find a way into Westeros and shower them with the love and kindness they deserve, especially Tyrion and the Hound.

Rapunzel: She's really only here for Jaime and his adventures. She feels sorry for Cersei but posts #handsoffmyboy every time Cersei has thoughts about Jaime.

Tiana: She takes Brienne as a role model and preaches about her valour and courage every night at her restaurant, urging everyone to follow their dreams. She wouldn't admit it, but she's fascinated by the Red Woman.

Snow White: She wonders why Sansa didn't make Joffrey do the house chores.

Cinderella: She changes her name to Daenerys and asks her Fairy Godmother to turn her birds into dragons until midnight. She forgets they'll change back and ends up falling to her death, but Gus and Jaq come up with a sudden brilliant idea to catch her.

Pocahontas: She doesn't really care about anyone's petty squabbles over titles and the dull politics, except for the awesome Dothraki.

Moana: Among her GoT merchandise, you would find a shirt with What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger emblazoned all over it, a kraken crown, and a ship named Asha.

Elsa: She's in love with everything related to the North, especially beyond the Wall. She replicates the Children of the forest with her powers and dreams of having an army of the dead to serve her in her ice palace and rule her frozen queendom.

Maybe I'm wrong, but as I was writing this, I realized that not a single one of them would be squeamish about this gory and grimdark series. They are tough souls who have witnessed much cruelty, despite being seen as weak and soft girls by most people. You're welcome to challenge my opinion.

Feel free to add ideas for other princesses I haven't thought of! I'll add the best ones.

**"A Captivating World of Intrigue and Betrayal"**

"Cuando juegas al juego de tronos o ganas o mueres. No hay término medio.." (When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.)

After the long summer, winter approaches the Seven Kingdoms. Lord Eddard Stark, the lord of Winterfell, leaves his domains to join the court of King Robert Baratheon the Usurper, a dissolute man and once a bold warrior whose greatest passions now are eating, drinking, and begetting bastards.

Eddard Stark will take on the role of Hand of the King and attempt to untangle a web of intrigues that will put his life... and that of his loved ones in danger.

In a world where the seasons last decades and where scraps of an ancient and forgotten magic emerge in the darkest and most wonderful corners.

Betrayal and loyalty, compassion and thirst for vengeance, love and power make the game of thrones a powerful trap that catches the characters... and the reader in its jaws.

George Martin undoubtedly contributed a great deal by creating something refreshing in the fantasy genre. Instead of writing a fantasy filled with creatures and magical battles everywhere, he did the opposite. These fantastic elements, although they do intervene, are relatively minimal and what he achieved was a complete and absolute success.

"A Game of Thrones" is not the typical story of good against evil. It is an epic medieval story of power and ambitions as realistic and dark, and as human as it can be, where all the characters have flaws, physical, moral, in shades of grey.

The meanest and most screwed-up beings in all of Westeros are not the fearsome Others, or the walking dead, or even the dragons, but the humans.

Martin portrayed very well in blood that good does not always win, and how evil can triumph. Brutal. He explored these details deeply in each plot of the book.

Everything turns into a bloody dispute. Within the fascinating and above all captivating politics over the Iron Throne.

None of the characters in such a large cast were boring. From the characters who don't have many scenes, or secondary ones, to those who have a repulsive type of personality, but who are deeply fascinating in this game for the Iron Throne.

There are very many characters, but they are developed in a superb way. The number of places we will see, the characters we will start to know, see evolve and change, and the different plots are by no means overwhelming.

Martin presents a cast of characters with such a wide range of personalities that there is someone for every taste. Even those characters for whom initially one feels like they should die once and for all, grow and change. Others simply get worse.

They end up being as or more fascinating than the others.

Many stories, even different ones, follow a certain pattern. You know that in the end the main character, the hero of the story, cannot die. Since it is a saga, there are more books. Don't count on that in this "A Game of Thrones".

All the characters are pieces on a very ambitious and dangerous board. All disposable in a game that is both fair and unfair, and they will die in various ways and with various feelings that will mark the reader.

No one is safe, neither the good nor the honorable who even suffer more... If there is one thing that stands out in Martin's narrative ability, it is the sense of unpredictability and danger. George Martin is a great narrator, cruel. You never know what is going to happen next and you really fear for all the characters. That is just one of the things that makes this saga so fascinating.

A saga of houses, honor, betrayal, sex, blood, and fire. Power and survival mark a path of death and ambitions. Both failed and fulfilled. This is only the beginning. The war for the Iron Throne begins..

"...The things we do for love.." (The things we do for love...)

\\"When you play the game of thrones, you either win or you die. There is no middle ground.\\" This powerful statement sets the tone for the captivating world of \\"Game of Thrones\\".

Overall, I have to admit that \\"Game of Thrones\\" truly lived up to the hype. The story arcs, although typical of fantasy lore with a noble lord investigating a conspiracy, warriors protecting their land, and a deposed prince plotting to regain his crown, are made unique by George R.R. Martin's amazing character introspection.

The best element of the book, by far, is Martin's technique of telling each chapter from a specific character's point of view. This provides in-depth character exploration, especially as he gives each character their own distinct voice. For example, the chapters focused on young Sansa make it seem as if an innocent child is speaking, with her affectionate talk of her \\"sweet prince\\", while the readers can see the true horror of her situation. Similarly, this technique makes the exiled \\"princess of dragons\\" Daenerys much more compelling than a typical third-person narration would have. Through her eyes, we see her growing stronger on her journey, but we also wonder if her new power is corrupting her.

Another impressive aspect is how Martin manages to keep the story moving at a brisk pace. Despite the book being over 800 pages long, I never felt it was too long. The combination of action, intrigue, drama, and horror, along with the captivating characters, makes every page count.

However, I did have one major issue with the book, and that is how disturbing it can be at times. There are numerous acts of depravity and brutality throughout the story, which made it extremely uncomfortable to read on more than one occasion. This is not a light fantasy; it's more like a NC-17 version of \\"Lord of the Rings\\".

Still, if you can tolerate the more disturbing moments, you will be rewarded with an incredibly complex story filled with fascinating characters. I can't wait to start reading \\"A Clash of Kings\\"!

So different from the series.

This particular installment seems to have taken a new and unexpected turn. The characters, who were once so familiar, now appear to be evolving in ways that I didn't anticipate.

The plot has deviated from the established pattern, which initially made me a bit skeptical. However, as I delved deeper into the story, I found myself increasingly intrigued.

The author's writing style remains engaging, but there are some new elements that have been introduced, adding an extra layer of complexity to the narrative.

I hope the second book is as good. It would be great if it could continue to build on the foundation laid by this first installment while also bringing something fresh and exciting to the table.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the story progresses and whether the author can maintain the high level of quality that I've come to expect.

|| 4.5 stars ||

The TV show is better. There, I said it.

Of course, this book was still extremely good as everything about this narrative just is. Its immense strength especially lies in the deep complexity of all the flawed characters. They are all so distinct. It really feels like you are reading from so many different perspectives and voices through each of them. None of them are perfect or even truly likable, yet they never fail to intrigue and captivate. It’s their flaws and their misgivings that make them so special and real to read about.

The story itself is, of course, also flat-out amazing. The detail that went into the creation of this world as well as the obvious thought that went into the development of the plot is something that deserves nothing but praise. It’s all put together so magnificantly, there are no cracks to be found. It’s also why all the many twists and turns are so satisfying, because they never seem to be there only for shock; they actually have a foundation and hold value.

However, all that said, I personally do feel like the TV show simply executed everything a little better. The book just didn’t add anything for me that I didn’t already get from the TV show. There is nothing new or extra, the storyline is the exact same. The only difference is that the TV show makes it all actually come alive but still with all the same detail and depth as the book (sometimes even more so), which is why it has my preference.

Thus, all this considered, despite my acknowledgement of how amazing this book is, I still wouldn’t actually recommend reading this if you have already watched the TV show somewhat recently. That is, unless you’re just really curious (like me) and can’t help yourself or if you have somehow already forgotten everything that happened and can experience all the twists and turns blindly again! Otherwise, this book does kind of serve only as a script to a story you’ve already heard before, and I’m not sure that’s worth the huge commitment it takes to read this enormous book.

Of course, all this ONLY applies if you have already watched the TV show or plan to do so in the near future. If you haven’t or just prefer books in general, then wow, this is definitely worth reading! After all, it’s undoubtedly considered one of the best fantasy stories of all time for a reason!

3.5 stars.



“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”



There is so much to say about this book, and yet not all of it is positive. I'm bracing myself for an unpopular-opinion review. Surprisingly, it didn't take me long to decide how I felt about this book. The world-building is truly wonderful. Martin's writing is fabulous, and it's a delight to get lost in his words and his detailed, ample, old world. However, the plot and story are revealed in a bone-achingly slow way. It took around 300 pages for the story to become clear, which is far too long. The 8 characters narrating also made it difficult to connect the dots. Despite this, once the story did start to connect, it was enthralling and epic.



“And for the first time in hours, she forgot to be afraid. Or perhaps it was for the first time ever.”



I found the book difficult to read, even though Martin's writing style is delicious. After much thought and recommendation, I discovered that listening to the audiobook was the perfect solution. The characters took a while to warm to, and I had to change my way of seeing them and what I was expecting from them. The Dothraki are my favorite race, as they are simpler and more sincere. The ending was excellent, delivering what I had been waiting for and setting the mood for the next book. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but the slow start and initial disappointment left a bit of a sour taste. I'm confident the next book will be better.



“Look with your eyes. Hear with your ears. Taste with your mouth. Smell with your nose. Feel with your skin. Then comes the thinking, afterward, and in that way knowing the truth.”



Well... that was quite the experience. Reading this book was a ride, and I'm still not completely sure how I feel about it. I had fun at the same time that it was a torture to read. I must find my middle ground. Even with all that, I don't think I'll regret having read this book.



RTC.


___________________



Yes, I finally gave in and decided to see what all the fuss is about. It's not such a great sacrifice since I'm curious and it has dragons. I won't be reading this very fast as it's a long book and I have to catch up. I'm taking it as back-up reading material, so expect slow progress. I really hope it's good.

4.5 stars

Yes, this is truly an excellent book. However, before delving deeper into this review, I must congratulate myself on completing this 10 billion page behemoth before it was due back at the library. Seriously, 2 weeks? Come on, people!

*\\n  Canned applause\\n*

Thank you, thank you. You're too kind. Stop. Stop. Thank you. Really, too kind. *Blushes furiously*

In all honesty, I couldn't have finished it without the assistance of my youngest daughter, Sophie. Honey, if you're out there listening (because I know you can't read yet), Mommy loves you! You see, due to a fortunate fever and hacking cough, my typically precocious 3-year-old spent an entire day in bed beside me quietly watching Spongebob (instead of rummaging through the kitchen drawers for knives, jumping off the back of the couch, or attempting to flush toys down the toilet) while I read all about people with unpronounceable names.

Speaking of names...How on earth do you get Ned out of Eddard? It's like those people named John, but everyone calls them Jack. ??? Am I the only one who doesn't understand that?

Alright, I haven't seen the show based on this book yet, so I approached the whole thing blindly regarding the plot. It's not exactly light and fluffy, is it?

So if you haven't read the book yet, there's a lot going on to properly explain what occurs in it. Well, I'm certain someone could do it, but that someone isn't me. However, it does have a medievalesque setting, so we're looking at numerous beheadings, long journeys across harsh lands, and some rather strange ideas about how to raise your kids (hey, just my opinion). Since it's a fantasy novel, you'll also encounter some strange zombie-like creatures in the woods (gotta be honest, still not sure where they fit into the story yet), some insanely protective pets called dire wolves, and a few dragons thrown in for good measure. As an added bonus, there's enough creepy sex in this thing to keep you squirming in your seat (and not in a good way, ladies) throughout the entire book. And last but not least, if you're at all squeamish about breastfeeding, you might want to skip the last page altogether (that one's for you, Dorsi!).

Was it a good book?

Yes.

Will I be reading the next one?

Absolutely.

But I do plan on purchasing A Clash of Kings instead of checking it out from the library, because that kid of mine is usually quite healthy...bless her heart.

I love this series so, so much.

It has been a long time since I first read this, and I was truly delighted to discover that it still maintains its charm. Re-reading it served as a powerful reminder of how much I favor the books over the show and how deeply invested I am in these characters.

This is an extremely long book, yet it didn't seem like a burdensome task to read. The plot is captivating, and the world-building is truly outstanding.

The only downside is that it is really disheartening to witness the death of your favorite characters.

Second read: 2019

The second time around, it's just as shockingly good.

What a vile, cringe-worthy, disgusting piece of literature it may seem at first glance. There has never been such an unredeemable bunch of characters. The incest, rape, indiscriminate killings, and the treatment of women as inferior beings are all there, along with heads on spikes, blood, gore, and entrails flying. You might even want to hurl the book across the room, think about starting a bonfire with the whole series in the living room fireplace, or debate stomping it into the ground and burying it.

Yet, two minutes after hurling it, you find yourself eyeing it laying innocently on the floor. It seems harmless, defenseless, and it calls to you to dive into the pages once again. You stalk over to the book, glance around to make sure nobody is watching, pick it up, and lovingly brush it off. Then you sit down to read it some more. Life as you know it is over. You are trapped in this volatile world, this game of thrones.

You pray to the book gods that certain characters won't die. You're not quite sure about some, but there's something about them you like. You secretly hope one guy eventually burns in hell, and you want to see where a particular girl ends up because she's pretty bad-ass and has something special.

Although the logical half of your mind berates you for reading this scum, your darker half secretly loves it. You subconsciously make sure the next book is right next to you, ready to be picked up the moment the one preceding it is finished. You secretly thank fuck that you aren't a character born out of George R.R. Martin's imagination.

Winter is coming, bitches.

5 Ninja-Bunnehs-Polishing-Crowns

The Master.

He is a figure who needs no further introduction. His influence on the world of modern fantasy is simply immeasurable.

He has crafted a universe of wonder and magic that has captured the hearts and imaginations of countless readers around the globe.

His works are filled with richly detailed characters, complex storylines, and breathtaking landscapes that transport the reader to another world.

From the smallest of details to the grandest of overarching plots, everything in his stories is carefully thought out and expertly executed.

He is truly a master of his craft, and his contributions to the genre of modern fantasy will be felt for generations to come.

His name is synonymous with quality and innovation, and his works will continue to inspire new generations of writers and readers alike.

“When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.” This powerful quote sets the tone for the complex and captivating world of "A Game of Thrones". It took me a significant amount of time to read this book. Firstly, having already witnessed the events in the show, I had a certain anticipation. Secondly, I found that one simply cannot breeze through this book; it demands careful attention and immersion. Thirdly, the knowledge of the horrible things and painful deaths that awaited the characters filled me with dread.

Sometimes I yearn to wipe my memory clean of all I know about a book or show and start afresh. Perhaps I would have devoured this novel more quickly if I hadn't been privy to the details already. After all, "A Game of Thrones" closely mirrors the first season of the show, albeit with greater depth and intricacy.

GRRM is truly a master storyteller, but he is also unmerciful. You are constantly on the edge of your seat, never certain what will unfold next and deeply concerned for the fate of your favorite characters. This entire series is colossal, awe-inspiring, and I am left completely clueless as to where it will lead and how it will conclude. Nevertheless, I hold out hope for the downfall of many Lannisters.

POVs from most to least liked:

Daenerys Targaryen

Ned Stark

Tyrion Lannister

Arya Stark

Jon Snow

Catelyn Stark

Bran Stark

Sansa Stark

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