George R. R. Martin

NOW THE ACCLAIMED HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES—THE MASTERPIECE THAT BECAME A CULTURAL PHENOMENON Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King’s Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert’s name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse—unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen’s brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister—the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki—whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys.

A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One

A Game of Thrones

The kingdom of the royal Stark family faces its ultimate challenge in the onset of a generation-long winter, the poisonous plots of the rival Lannisters, the emergence of the Neverborn demons, and the arrival of barbarian hordes

in as much as i cringe to see ned stark make mistakes, nobody is a bigger idiot in this book than robert baratheon himself.

kuuri

Even the truest knight cannot protect a king against himself.

if there's one takeaway i have from this book, it's never to confront your enemies with the truth. you'll lose your head that way.

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

who knew that sitting on the throne with the pointy ends wouldn't be so peachy? you'd sooner see my head on a pike.

I swear to you, I was never so alive as when I was winning this throne, or so dead as now that I've won it.

read a couple of chapters off the book today. this line feels especially poignant, knowing how this all ends.

When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. Summer is the time for squabbles. In winter, we must protect one another, keep each other warm, share our strengths.

tyrion has always been one of my favorite characters in the series—revisiting this narrative through the novels gathering dust on my bookshelf only cemented that fact.

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.

The kingdom of the royal Stark family faces its ultimate challenge in the onset of a generation-long winter, the poisonous plots of the rival Lannisters, the emergence of the Neverborn demons, and the arrival of barbarian hordes. Reissue.

Noah Cross

 "I vowed to kill Rhaegar for what he did to her.

A Game of Thrones: Book 1 of a Song of Ice and Fire

ella

What is honor compared to a woman's love? What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms... or the memory of a brother's smile? Wind and words. Wind and words. We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy. 

Let me tell you something about wolves, child. When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. Summer is the time for squabbles. In winter, we must protect one another, keep each other warm, share our strengths.

Well, my legs may be too small for my body, but my head is too large, although I prefer to think it is just large enough for my mind. I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon.

In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and sinister forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall.

fira

“After my name day feast, I'm going to raise a host and kill your brother myself. That's what I'll give you, Lady Sansa. Your brother's head.”

A kind of madness took over her then, and she heard herself say, “Maybe my brother will give me your your head.”

Kaitlyn Kuehn 

“If they want to give you a name, take it, make it your own. Then they can't hurt you with it anymore." 

"Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?" he heard his own voice saying, small and far away. And his father's voice replied to him. "That is the only time a man can be brave,!"

“Every flight begins with a fall…” 

"Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities."

“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."

Juego de tronos

Ariella

“When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.”

“Bran thought about it. 'Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?'

'That is the only time a man can be brave,' his father told him.”

Bethany Jenkins

“Well, my legs may be too small for my body, but my head is too large, although I prefer to think it is just large enough for my mind. I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind... and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge." Tyrion tapped the leather cover of the book. "That's why I read so much, Jon Snow."

Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.

A GAME OF THRONES

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.
--back cover

Rachael Bahr

The old songs say that the greenseers used dark magics to make the seas rise and sweep away the land, shattering the Arm, but it was too late to close the door.

The Greatjon says that won't matter if we catch him with his breeches down, but it seems to me that a man who has fought as many battles as Tywin Lannister won't be so easily surprised.

Sansa sat up. “Lady,” she whispered. For a moment it was as if the direwolf was there in the room, looking at her with those golden eyes, sad and knowing. She had been dreaming, she realized. Lady was with her, and they were running together, and…and…trying to remember was like trying to catch the rain with her fingers. The dream faded and Lady was dead again.

The old woman smiled at him toothlessly. “My stories? No, my little lord, not mine. The stories are, before me and after me, before you too.”

I really enjoyed this book actually a lot of things going on and a lot of characters but I like how the POV is constantly changing and the main plot was around the Starks and their kids and the story got better when the kings hand died and it all unfolded from there and Robert died then so did Edward and there was some battles they were well written. Also the plot twist was that Joffrey isn’t the true heir to the throne and he’s a child of incest 🫣 and only the previous hand and Edward knew this and that’s why he was killed.

Hana 

"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, assasins 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 wildling 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 hang perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflcts: the game of thrones."--Back of container.

Game of thrones

Incredible world and character building. Extraordinary story telling. But the world already knows that. 

Reading the book ads a lot of context to the already well established characters. Loved it! Beautifully narrated by Roy Dotrice.

Adwait Kulkarni

Masterpiece!
Incredible world and character building. Extraordinary story telling. But the world already knows that. 
Reading the book ads a lot of context to the already well established characters. Loved it! Beautifully narrated by Roy Dotrice.

AAAAA

NED

ROB

JON

DANNY

EVERYONE SO GOOD

twas a little boring but good overall. famous for a reason 

Daphne Li-Chen

A Game of Thrones; Book 1 of Song of Ice and Fire

This is a re-read, but it still holds up. Though it’s a long book, the ensemble cast makes the pacing bearable. Some stories are more captivating than others, but I think that’s the beauty of this many POVs: there’s a plot for everyone. I am particular to Ned’s, Sansa’s, and Tyrion’s plots more than the others, but even that has changed since the first time I read this.

I think GRRM did a good job at establishing the lore and in-world culture. I feel like I understand the northerners vs the southerners vs the Dothraki beliefs. And it’s literally like one big chess board. You’re constantly waiting to see how these characters are going to interact and cross the others’ paths.

I also enjoy how GRRM subverts expectations. In these kinds of stories, we’re so used to good guys winning and bad guys getting what they deserve, but it’s truly refreshing to have a more realistic view of how these events would’ve unfolded. It’s tragic, definitely, but makes for a more exciting plot. Overall, this is a very solid start to a series.

Nik ✨

This is a re-read, but it still holds up. Though it’s a long book, the ensemble cast makes the pacing bearable. Some stories are more captivating than others, but I think that’s the beauty of this many POVs: there’s a plot for everyone. I am particular to Ned’s, Sansa’s, and Tyrion’s plots more than the others, but even that has changed since the first time I read this.

I think GRRM did a good job at establishing the lore and in-world culture. I feel like I understand the northerners vs the southerners vs the Dothraki beliefs. And it’s literally like one big chess board. You’re constantly waiting to see how these characters are going to interact and cross the others’ paths.

I also enjoy how GRRM subverts expectations. In these kinds of stories, we’re so used to good guys winning and bad guys getting what they deserve, but it’s truly refreshing to have a more realistic view of how these events would’ve unfolded. It’s tragic, definitely, but makes for a more exciting plot. Overall, this is a very solid start to a series.

envie,

I watched the series first and then listened to the audiobook and I can confirm that the book is better! Loved every part of it!!

Femke

As the Seven Kingdoms face a generation-long winter, the royal Stark family confronts the poisonous plots of the rival Lannisters, the emergence of the Neverborn demons, the arrival of barbarian hordes, and other threats.

A Game of Thrones, a Clash of Kings, a Storm of Swords, a Feast for Crows, and a Dance with Dragons

Ryan Mateyk

I really wanted to join the masses and love it but it just didn't do it for me! I loved Arya, Tyrion and Daenerys, Catelyn and Jon's chapters were alright, but Sansa was so helpless I wanted to scream, Bran just rode Hodor all day and Ned was just ... I don't know.

Hitori Gotoh

george rr martin is a fantastic writer, offering such nuances and depths to his characters that you can find even within his first book. Watching the show and reading the book are two very different experiences offering new avenues and perspectives on even the biggest of plot points. Looking forward to book two!!!

alyssa 

epic actually if only the misogyny could have been absent. Ned Stark and Catelyn Stark are everything alongwith Arya and Daenerys. 

sani

i cant believe i went thru all of this again.... masochism at its finest

Amna A.

With each chapter revolving around a specific character, I was able to bare through the boring parts of the most annoying Sansa (not that there were many) and anticipate the upcoming chapters concerning the most awesome smartmouthed imp, Tyrion, and the ill fated Daenerys.

Sarah Sammis

It's well written but too long and then to think that there are five or six more of these tomes in this series is just too much for me. I'm not one of those patient and loyal readers that Amazon.com mentions. A Game of Thrones would be a much stronger book if the story were told from half the points of view. Basically the author could have done away from the chapters from the women's point of view as they are the least interesting and least believable of all the chapters. That would probably cut the book's length down to a manageable 400 or so pages.

Sunny

Vicky  Nuñez 

After watching the T.V. show I knew I had to read this book. And to all of those who are eagerly reading it now that the first season has ended, let me tell you: this book does not disappoint. 

I am astounded how much they took into account when making the show. They really stuck with the whole plot-line. But you get more insight into the world, more background & even more of the characters. The character's youth was interesting, I liked it in some ways because it made even more incredible what some of them where going through, but sometimes it was just weird. Nevertheless, it was a great read & I look forward to know what happens in A Clash of Kings.

In A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin has created a genuine masterpiece, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill the pages of the first volume in an epic series sure to delight fantasy fans everywhere.

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. 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.
(back cover)

Book One of A Song of Ice and Fire

Pretty much how I expected it to be, but that isn’t a bad thing. I liked the tv show and this was like reading the tv show, ya know? Shoutout to the Starks for putting thoughts to their ridiculous actions.

Eli Alvah Huckabee

Laurianne

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

Inhale, exhale. I have never watched GoT series, so this review purely comes from the book itself. Let us commence with two major points I'll be discussing.
- writing/world-building
- characters

I wasn't accustomed to a book with so many point of views. But I find this entertaining (though I had trouble memorizing the names and roles at the beginning) and even grow to like it. I love the pacing. Mind you, this is a thick book, but never once I caught myself in boredom while devouring its contents (horrified, yes, at times) The world-building is brilliant, I love every bit of it.

Characters, as I stated above, they are plenty of them. Many gone as quick as they introduced. Of course, I can't analyze every character in depth, but I wish to give my two cents.
I find it amusing that Catelyn kept reminding Eddard how her husband only knew Robert, not the King he has become. Should've used the advice to herself, reminding how little she comprehends Littlefinger's (cunning) character.
Sansa mirroring her father's character, believing in the good of people, unironically costing both destruction in the aftermath. How mercy destroys what they love the most. In all honesty, I don't hate Sansa. She's just a naive little girl, taught to be nice and never to forget her courtesies. She has a lot to learn and I have faith in her character.
Arya, by far, is the smartest Stark and I have so much admiration for the girl. I hope she's safe.
Jon is my favorite character. His emotions feel so real. He is brave and compassionate. I need his chapters to be longer.
The Lannisters, I have so little affection toward them. Tyrion is the only tolerable one. I know Tywin is smart, but I have no desire to talk of that man. Nor of Cersei and Joffrey.
I love Daenerys' dragons, but her chapters horrify me more often than not due to Khal Drogo's brutality, I don't have it in me to discuss it further either.

I can't wait to read the second book already!
5 stars.

Any author would have a hard time contending with story moorings that were this solid. George can build this tree up and out all he wants, but the roots are here. The whole of the story is slow and steady, edited expertly and rewardingly, and curated by someone who definitely seems to possess the greatest attributes of popular writers: George knows exactly how deep an itch he's scratching.

Paige LeBook

里森

Jehan Chawla

I don't know how many times I've re-read this series but each time I discover something new about it. ASOIAF is like my comfort place. There are so many characters I love in these books and the wolves of course. Even for someone who has watched the HBO series, George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones is an engaging and enjoyable read! The strength of Martin’s writing shines through in these pages. Each chapter is well-crafted. His proses aren't excellent but during many parts they shine through bright. As someone who is familiar with the series I know the pacing of the first book is slow but it still didn't hamper my reading. Everyday I looked forward to reading it.Let me just say that I didn't find ANY of the characters boring. Even the characters that I would find an anoying personality type, are deeply engrossing in this tale.This book was raw, gritty, barbaric and downright crass at times...and I loved every damn minute!

Stephen Campbell

Not as great as it was first time round, but it's not the books fault that all I really want is The Winds of Winter.

Is it the best fantasy at this length I have ever read? No. Is it very good? Yes. I don’t know why everyone says it is so violent and so sexual and all that because I read a lot in this genre and I found it pretty mid on both fronts. There aren’t even any swear words… but I digress. If you liked the first season of the show you will find a slightly more expanded world building experience here and more backstory and lore-fill. What you will lack for is character depth and relationship depth, as well as minor characters and strong dialogue which the show writers punched up, because they had to. It was the most iconic TV series of all time. I won’t waste time on explaining the plot. 

A Game of Thrones A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One

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