A slow parade of entropy is unfolding before our eyes. It's like a panoply of pain. Consider a delicate sweater, knit with great care and precision, the fine threads intricately woven together. But now, it has started to unravel, transforming into a tangled skein. The once beautiful and intact garment is succumbing to the forces of disorder. Each strand that comes loose seems to be a symbol of the inevitable decay that everything in this world faces. The process is slow and almost imperceptible at first, but as time passes, the chaos becomes more and more evident. It's a reminder that nothing lasts forever and that even the most carefully crafted things can fall apart.

(A-) 81% | Very Good
Notes:

For fourteen years, the Usurper has sat firmly on the Iron Throne, and a semblance of peace reigns over the Seven Lands of Westeros. However, the news of the sudden death of the First Knight of the king sets in motion a series of events that will irrevocably mark the fate of the members of the Stark family and the entire realm.

Ok, I'm well aware that I'm arriving a whopping twenty-eight years late from the first publication of the novel. Yet, I know by heart every single scene and name within the eight seasons of the TV series. I initially loved it with a passion, only to witness its sad decline in the last two seasons. It's a series that no lover of the fantasy genre can easily forget.

I had made a promise to myself not to start reading the novels in the crazy and perhaps vain hope that its creator, Mr. Martin, would publish the two final novels. But the fact is, either due to having some spare time or maybe because of the heat, I decided to once again immerse myself in this extraordinary world with all its dramas, captivating stories, and wonderful characters.

Just like in any literary genre, there are novels that are highly successful and others that fall short. But only a select few manage to rewrite the rules and stand as a reference model for others, remaining unscathed through the passage of time.

In my opinion, for the strictly adult fantasy genre, only a handful have truly achieved this. From my own experience, I'm going to list them:

- Tolkien with his magnificent Legendarium.

- Steven Erikson with "The Malazan Book of the Fallen".

- Joe Abercrombie with his remarkable works.

And among them, I would really love to include

- G.R.R. Martin with "A Song of Ice and Fire".

However, I can't because the saga is still incomplete, and I still have to read the other novels.

Those listed are fantasy sagas that are perfect for an adult and mature audience. They transcend the genre as they are capable of offering multiple levels of reading.

These readings are at the pinnacle of the fantasy genre in terms of style, narrative depth and intent, intricate narrative plots, well-developed characterizations, obsessive attention to detail, and great inventiveness.

I firmly believe that this first novel by Martin has nothing to envy when compared to the great classics of adventure literature, historical or dramatic. The narrative lines of each involved character penetrate deep into the soul of the reader, grip the heart tightly, and then cast it aside in a corner, much like rags. It's an intense novel that, while not neglecting the fantastical side, expertly highlights the shadows of the human soul, just as only the greatest novels know how to do.

I made a solemn vow that I would not touch this until Martin completed the series. The reason being, I simply didn't have the inclination to embark on another never-ending Wheel of Time-like adventure.

However, as it turns out, I have failed both myself and all of you. But you know what? To hell with it! Because, goddamn it, it was absolutely worth it. :P

I couldn't resist the allure any longer. The anticipation had been building up inside me, and finally, I gave in. And boy, am I glad I did. The story has pulled me in from the very first page, and I find myself completely immersed in this new world that Martin has created.

Despite my initial reluctance, I now realize that sometimes, it's okay to break our own promises when something truly amazing comes along. And this series, without a doubt, falls into that category. I can't wait to see where it takes me next.

EDIT 10/08/2017:
I watched the TV show and IT'S EVERYTHING. It was truly an amazing experience. I still haven't tried to read the book again yet, but my initial hypothesis was spot on: the story is truly fabulous. However, I just have a major problem with Martin's writing style, and it's stronger than my willpower. There's really nothing I can do about it. But now I've fallen in love with this story and these characters. So, if you have the same issue and can't seem to get through the book, I highly recommend giving the TV series a try. I promise you, it's more than worth it.




ORIGINAL REVIEW 30/07/2016:
Sooooo, I guess George R. R. Martin and I have a problem. To be honest, I attempted to read three of his books. I managed to properly finish only one of them - The Ice Dragon, which, being extremely short, probably doesn't even count. And anyway, I only rated it two stars. My other failed attempt was Windhaven, and I had basically the same problem with it as I did with A Game of Thrones. They are just so incredibly boring. When I say boring, I mean please-stab-my-eyes-now boring.

The story itself is actually interesting. I'm not kidding. Or rather, it could have been if in the 300 pages that I read without skimming anything, something had actually happened. I hope you understand what this means coming from me, since I often prefer near eventless plots over action-packed ones. I really don't mind a slow-paced narrative. In fact, most of my favorite books revolve around scheming and politics, and that's precisely why I love them. But the politics in A Game of Thrones, while complex and undeniably well-thought-out, bored me to tears. I simply didn't care. By page 300, I realized I was just going on by inertia and decided I could just skim through the rest. And that's exactly what I did.

Since I don't really care about the characters either, I'm not entirely sure whether I'll give the TV show a try, but I think I probably will in the end. As I said, the story was interesting. I'm just really sorry that Martin's writing has on me the effect of a knockout gas. And although I know neither of us can really be blamed for this, I still blame him anyway. Sorry.

PRE-READING: I think the word \\"scared\\" doesn't even begin to describe my feelings.

**"A Captivating Review of 'A Game of Thrones'"**

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#1 A Game of Thrones - ★★★★★




  This book will truly震撼 and break your heart! It makes you realize that life is far from gentle. But at the same time, it offers the greatest adventure you've ever witnessed.




I purchased my entire book collection back in 2014. I procrastinated with this series for four long years. And today, as I write this review, I'm extremely grateful to the old gods and the new for finally convincing me to read the first book.



I'm probably one of the last people to review this book, and I assume you all already know a great deal about the Game of Thrones series.



It's a book centered around one Iron Throne, with all the wars, fights, and betrayals revolving around who will sit on that throne and be in charge of all the kingdoms.



Now, at the start, I'm still a bit puzzled as to why people would send countless armies of soldiers to win the throne when it seems that no matter who becomes king, that person gets killed almost instantly. And the fact that no kingdom respects each other, and kings and lords keep fighting and wasting resources for what appears to be a lost cause.



We have numerous houses such as Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, Tully, Arryn, Targaryen, Tyrell, Greyjoy, Martell, etc. Each of these houses has something unique to offer. Most importantly, they all either desire the throne, seek revenge, or want both.



But let me be clear - I absolutely loved the book!



George R.R. Martin is a true genius! He has crafted this amazing world and characters that are so vivid and alive that you can't help but either hate them or love them with all your heart. The relationships he has created are so complex and the stories are so well-written that they put other authors to shame.



The book is written from a third-person perspective, with each chapter featuring a different character. And with each chapter, George gradually moves the time forward, so we're not stuck in a loop of time standstill. I really enjoyed this method as it kept the storyline flowing very smoothly.




  ‘’Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it.’’




There were so many characters I admired. But my connection with these characters in this book is like no other connection I've ever had. I usually either love or hate a character. But here, I judged their actions, relationships, and the things they said and did.



I liked Eddard Stark's bravery and his manliness, but I didn't like the fact that he was too honest for his own good.




  ‘’Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?
‘’That’s the only time a man can be brave’’.




I loved Arya's fierceness, but I didn't like her stubbornness.




  ‘’For the second time today Arya reflected that life was not fair.’’




I liked Sansa's politeness and girlishness. She had all the perfect manners, but she also would betray her family for love.



I loved Jon Snow's story and how he overcame his past and learned to live with it.




  ‘’Let me give you some counsel, bastard.‘’ Lannister said. ‘’Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.’’




I loved many other characters for the things they did and hated many others, but I cherished the difference in each and every character. That was the beauty of it - that even though an author can create so many characters, he can make them so distinct from each other.



In this book, you'll encounter everything: mostly mean people ready to kill anyone and everyone standing in the way of their plans. You'll read about the story of a family that falls apart, a kingdom that vanishes, a fight between kings, how a little girl will learn about life in one day, and how a mother will watch her children disappear, one by one...



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Hey,

I have a booktube channel, which is like YouTube for book reviews and such. Here, I included A Song of Ice and Fire in my top 10 fantasy books list. If I've earned it, please subscribe!

Best book ever.

Reread Update:

The fact that the stars remain the same truly says it all. I really relished this reread. Roy Dotrice, who reads the audiobooks, is a delight to listen to. GRRM is such a captivating author. This tale is as intricate as it can be, and the lines are infinitely quotable.

I enjoyed not having to consult the appendix every chapter this time around, although that sense of novelty really can't be surpassed. I also can't believe all that occurs in this book. From the Others to Ned becoming Hand of the King and traveling south (with the ordeals involving Arya and the butcher's boy and Lady), Dany coming into her own on the other side of the world. Viserys and his... crowning. Bran's attempted murder (both of them, I guess) and Catelyn's abduction of Tyrion (not to mention her journey to King's Landing) and arduous travel to the Vale. Lysa and her insanity, Sansa and her naivety (which she begins to finally shed and become more sympathetic). Ned's refusal to support killing children, his dismissal as Hand, Jaime's killing of all his men, his reinstatement as Hand, and his ultimate blunder in confronting Cersei, which leads to the catastrophe that ends his life.

Then there's the war that has already commenced between the Lannisters and the Starks, the rise of Robb the Lord, Jon Snow at the wall fending off the Others. The little details like Baric Dondarrion taking a squad of men to hunt down The Mountain and how different he is now from when we see him again later.

I haven't even scratched the surface, and it still amazes me. I still believe Ned was the king the Seven Kingdoms required, although he could never have retained nor held the position with the den of vipers that had already developed there. Perhaps if he had started off as king, as Robert was never fit for the role. Ned was the voice of justice, he made the right decisions when things were difficult.

I'm excited to continue my reread of the series and finally read A Dance with Dragons for the first time. Hopefully *fingers crossed* by then Winds of Winter might have a publication date. I won't hold my breath.

5 out of 5 Stars (I continue to be amazed)

So glad I reread this!

It's truly amazing how a second reading can deepen my appreciation for a work.

This time around, I found myself loving it even more than before.

The story, the characters, and the overall atmosphere just drew me in completely.

It's as if I discovered new layers and details that I had missed during my first reading.

And this rereading has once again reaffirmed that this is my favorite series.

There's something about it that keeps pulling me back, making me eager to immerse myself in its world again and again.

Whether it's the thrilling adventures, the heartwarming relationships, or the thought-provoking themes, everything about this series speaks to me on a deep level.

I can't wait to see what new experiences and emotions it will bring me with each subsequent rereading.

It's a series that I know will always hold a special place in my heart.

2014 Read: In 2014, I delved into the captivating world of "Song of Ice and Fire" by reading book one and watching season one of the great US TV show. This book serves as a truly fantastic expansion for those who have only experienced the TV adaptation. Although I'm not typically a big fan of fantasy literature outside of graphic novels, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this massive saga of "Game of Thrones". It weaves a complex and continuous constructed history between the Seven Kingdoms and numerous Houses over hundreds of years. In this once-magical fantasy realm, there are kings, queens, lords, and ladies, along with daggers and swords. But what I found most fascinating was the intricate web of feudal politics. I'm truly compelled to read the rest of the series, if only I can manage to find the time! I would rate this reading experience an 8 out of 12.

Even for those who have already watched the HBO series, George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones remains an engaging and highly enjoyable read! The brilliance of Martin's writing truly shines through these pages. Each chapter is meticulously crafted, allowing you to vividly picture the setting and deeply feel the desires and discontent of each chapter's (POV) character. Watching how Martin develops characters, with all their flaws, is as crucial in keeping the story going as the 'game of thrones' itself.

However, if you're seeking new information in the book, you're not likely to uncover much. There's definitely nothing that could truly be classified as a surprise. In fact, it initially distracted me that the two versions were so remarkably similar, with scenes, dialogue, and actions seemingly matching almost identically. When there was a slight conflict with the series, I found myself carefully noting the differences. This often pertained to the age of the characters (they are younger in the book) or the description of a few characters such as Tyrion.

Nevertheless, in the end, I was completely swept up in this epic story! I greatly liked the pace generated by the shifting perspectives. The only drawback to this approach, for me, emerged at the conclusion. Somehow, it didn't feel like I had truly finished anything. The last chapter was excellent, but due to the numerous perspectives and the fact that everything is still in a state of flux, despite the deaths, you don't get the sense that anything has truly come to an end. In fact, this is indeed the case; the ending of book 1 is really just the beginning of Martin's epic. I would rate it 4.5 stars!

A Game of Thrones is the first book in George R.R. Martin's Epic Fantasy saga, A Song of Ice and Fire.

Although it was originally published in 1996, this fantastically-imagined grimdark story has seen a surge in popularity over the past decade or more, especially since HBO's release of the television adaptation in April 2011.

When I first read this book in the Fall of 2015, I had already watched 5 Seasons of the show. I picked it up mainly to have extra content while waiting for Season 6. Some might wonder why I watched the series before reading the book. Well, that's my preference. In this case, it truly helped with pronunciation and picturing the vast world in my head.

Unfortunately, I stopped reading after the third book. It wasn't due to any particular reason. They just require a commitment, and we all know I'm not too keen on commitments.

Recently, however, I've been missing this series. I never watched the final Season and probably never will. But I felt it was time to revisit the world and continue with the books.

I'm hoping Mr. Martin blesses us with The Winds of Winter in the next couple of years. If he does, I'll be ready.

This time around, I listened to the audiobook while following along in my paperback copy. It was an enjoyable experience. The narration by Roy Dotrice is excellent. He has a true storytelling voice.

I plan to continue my reread in this format. It's impressive how he can make the vast cast of characters so distinct. I always knew whose perspective he was reading from, with no confusion.

Speaking of the vast cast, I love how this book serves as a great first installment to the series. The world-building is top-notch, a true master class. The alternating perspectives showcase the size and scope of the overall series. Even this early on, you can tell how complex it will get, yet it never feels info-dumpy or boring. It's amazing how Martin works this magic.

Reading this knowing the outcome for some of the characters hits you in a certain way. It made me more emotional. For example, seeing the close relationship between Catelyn and Robb. She's a good mother to him, although she's not so kind to Jon. But she clearly has her reasons.

I had forgotten how young many of these characters were at the start, like Dany, Sansa, Robb, and Jon. It's crazy the things they were going through at such a young age. In Westeros, you have to grow up quickly.

Also, while I remember that George likes to tear your heart out, I forgot how soul-crushing the last approximately 150 pages of this book are. The conclusion is like being punched in the gut repeatedly. The Stark family is shattered, Dany is shattered, and I'm shattered too.

With all that said, I'm really excited to continue with this series. I remember the books getting better and better, so I can't wait to experience that again and go further than I did before.

Earlier, I thought I only had 1,228 books on my TBR and I'd just reread this one quickly. Now, listening to the audiobook and following along in my well-loved paperback edition, I'm ready to immerse myself in this world once more.

Okay - I am SO incredibly late to this party but hey, I made it! And the hype was real!

"Winter is coming." Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark lives with his family in a world where the seasons are thrown completely off - summers last decades, and winters are equally long.

His five children, plus his bastard son (Jon Snow), are on the way back to their home, Winterfell, when they stumble upon and subsequently adopt six direwolf pups (the symbol of the Starks), with the albino runt going to John.

"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." Upon returning home, King Robert Baratheon, an old friend of Ned, recruits the Lord to replace the adviser to the crown.

At first, he was hesitant but upon learning that the Queen Cersei Lannister may be behind the death of the previous adviser, he decides to go in order to protect his friend.

Unfortuntately, before he goes, Bran (Ned's youngest son) discovers that the Queen is having an affair with her brother which results in Bran becoming crippled.

Ned must leave his grievously injured son and travel with Sansa and Arya (Ned's daughters) to the King's Landing...where Ned realizes that the King has become ineffective and consumed by his love of drinking, gambling and hunting.

Meanwhile, tensions increase between the Starks and the Lannisters, especially between Joffrey, the crown prince, and the Stark children mount.

And tensions further rise when it's discovered that Tyrion Lannister's dagger is the one found near Bran...which leads to Tyrion's abduction.

Meanwhile, Jon Snow volunteered to go to the Wall - a barrier surrounding the Seven Kingdoms made of ice an magic - under the impression that it is a brave and noble occupation..only to find out that it's a last-hope sort of place.

"Nothing burns like the cold." After a period of rough adjustment, Jon finds his place among the recruits only to discover something distinctly "Other" lives beyond these walls.

"Fear cuts deeper than swords." Across the way, there is revenge on the air.

Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen are the last living Targaryens - the old ruling family before King Robert Baratheon overthrew their father, murdered their family and banished them to poverty.

Viserys is dead set on getting his kingdom back, and soon betrothed Daenerys, his thirteen-year-old sister, to Khal Drogo, a nomadic warlord with the promise of an army in exchange and three petrified dragon eggs for Daenerys.

Daenerys is terrified at first, but soon embraces her role as Queen of the nomadic tribes, even finding the courage to stand up to her brother.

When Khal Drogo is injuried, Daenerys is forced to make the ultimate decision...

And, I finally get the hype but gosh dang, this one was a challenge to follow at times.

The plot jumped place to place to place, weaving together such an amazing world in such an exciting way...and yet with so many characters and scenes and NAMES for things that I kept having to Google what was what.

Even then, I was absolutely hooked by the complexity of both the characters themselves and the intricate politics that accompanied them...all with a heavy dose of magic and mayhem.

I loved the plot of Daenerys - the way she overcame her situation and ultimately ruled the clan was absolutely enthralling.

She was a small part of the overall plot, but I'm so excited to see where her character goes.

The politics, at times, became too much but every time I would get the least bit bored the plot would pick up and there'd be an absolute insane twist.

Such a good one - so excited for the next!

Audiobook Comments Read by Roy Dotrice - and I'm extremely pleased with the reading. Fabulous tone and pacing, good use of emotion.

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Well, I made it friends.

This made for one of the most odd reading experiences I've ever encountered. I was completely enamored with the story. The world building and the intricate detailing into the politics of the seven kingdoms is truly exquisite. It's like being transported to a whole new and fascinating realm.

Yet, every time I picked up this book, it felt like a chore to read. This could be perhaps due to the fact that, after waiting 900 years (figuratively speaking) to read these books, I've already encountered most of the twists and spoilers. It really takes away some of the anticipation.

Either way, I respect what George R.R. Martin has created here. His imagination and the depth of his writing are truly remarkable. And despite my slow going, I'm still interested in continuing on. I want to see where the story takes me and how all the loose ends will be tied up. I'm sure there are still many surprises and revelations waiting for me in the remaining pages.

So, here I am, ready to face the challenges of reading this complex and captivating series.