Name: A Song of Ice and Fire
Rating: 4.285845588235294 (1088 reviews)
ISBN: 9781101965481

George R. R. Martin

"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."--

A Song of Ice and Fire

fira

They are not strong, she told herself, so I must be their strength. I must show no fear, no weakness, no doubt. However frightened my heart, when they look upon my face they must see only Drogo's queen. She felt older than her fourteen years. If ever she had truly been a girl, that time was done. 

“Ten years a wolf, and you land here and think to prince about the islands, but you know nothing and and no one. Why should men fight and die for you?”

“I am their lawful prince,” Theon said stiffly. 

“By the laws of the green lands, you might be. But we make our own laws here, or have you you forgotten?”

winterfell and the starks are never beating the jawa kejawen allegations

He remembered their godswood; the tall sentinels armored in their grey-green needles, the great oaks, the hawthorn and ash and soldier pines, and at the center the heart tree standing like some pale giant frozen in time. He could almost smell the place, earthy and brooding, the smell of centuries, and he remembered how dark the wood had been even by day. 

That wood was Winterfell. It was the north. I never felt so out of place as I did when I walked there, so much an unwelcome intruder. 

For use in schools and libraries only. Six separate factions vie for control of the realm of the late Lord Eddard Stark, while an ancient form of magic, an everlasting winter, and an unearthly army threaten to return.

A Clash of Kings

Marija

With his estate divided and his family scattered, Lord Eddard Stark returns to his territory to fight an ancient spell that is slowly devouring what is left of his land. Reprint.

So many things happened in this book it’s not as good as the first but I had exams in between this so it took me a while to read. Then story is good from what I can remember Arya took over lord twin’s castle and Sansa is still stuck with the lannisters and Renly got killed by a shadow. Then robb is off fighting and bran and Rickon got left at winterfell but the castles got taken over by Theon Greyjoy and then bran and rickon ran off but actually hed in the crypts but  everyone though they were killed and when the came back out of hiding everything was burnt and dead and master luwin died and bran and rickon split and that’s how the book ended oh and somewhere in it Daenerys was looking for ships and an army to take over. Oh and there was a battle in kings landing against stannis.

Hana 

This book focuses more on character development and motivations rather than action beats. It may not be for everyone — and is definitely more slowly paced than the previous installment — but I adore it. I love being able to see the chess pieces moving around the board. The politics in this one are elite in comparison to the first book where a lot of characters were acting impulsively or stupidly — looking at you Ned.

GRRM manages to have an ensemble cast of characters that still have unique voices, which is very hard to do. Whether or not you like a particular person, their mindset is always clear, making it easy to at least sympathize with them in small ways. You are never left wondering why a character is doing something. (Additionally: Chapter 31 genuinely made me laugh out loud and is one of my favorite chapters in any books I’ve read.)

Nik ✨

This book focuses more on character development and motivations rather than action beats. It may not be for everyone — and is definitely more slowly paced than the previous installment — but I adore it. I love being able to see the chess pieces moving around the board. The politics in this one are elite in comparison to the first book where a lot of characters were acting impulsively or stupidly — looking at you Ned.

GRRM manages to have an ensemble cast of characters that still have unique voices, which is very hard to do. Whether or not you like a particular person, their mindset is always clear, making it easy to at least sympathize with them in small ways. You are never left wondering why a character is doing something. (Additionally: Chapter 31 genuinely made me laugh out loud and is one of my favorite chapters in any books I’ve read.)

I mean, is there any point reviewing it? I will say, the show runners and the folks who built rounded characters out of these husks are the real heroes. Especially the people who built us the women in the TV series because, uh, they are not exactly “fleshed out” in the books. I said what I said. 

Apiecalypse Jen

sash.

Spectacular writing. It's really exceptional in every way. I think the complexity of the plot is astounding and these characters are so very tangible it's unreal. 

I understand why he takes so long to write these because there is so much happening all at once, but it works and it's amazing. 

On to "A Storm of Swords'.

This second novel of Martin's "New York Times" bestselling fantasy series, the sequel to "A Game of Thrones", transports readers to a world of revelry and revenge, wizardry and warfare--where six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. Includes 16-page preview of the upcoming hardcover, "A Storm of Swords".

Jehan Chawla

Even though it was a good book it served as just moving the plot forward; nothing wrong with that other than it being a bit drag in places. I found Tyrion POV chapters to be the best. GRRM sure knows how to write the final lines. The King’s Landings politics were the most engrossing parts of the book. Can’t wait to read more of the series.

Briar's Reviews

The Seven Kingdoms are torn by strife as the three surviving contenders for the throne continue their struggle for power, Robb Stark defends his fledgling kingdom from the ravaging Greyjoys, Winterfell lies in ruins, Jon Snow confronts an escalating threat from behind the Wall, and Danerys Stormborn and her dragon allies continue to grow in power. Here is the third volume in George R. Martin's magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. 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. Martin's stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction. A Storm of Swords Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage as violently as ever, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey, of House Lannister, sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, the victim of the jealous sorceress who holds him in her evil thrall. But young Robb, of House Stark, still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Robb plots against his despised Lannister enemies, even as they hold his sister hostage at King's Landing, the seat of the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons still left in the world. But as opposing forces maneuver for the final titanic showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost line of civilization. In their vanguard is a horde of mythical Others--a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable. As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords.

A storm of swords. Book 3

A song of ice and fire

Wilde

Considering how much happened in this book, I'm glad Martin decided to separate the book into two parts. Some of the description is so visceral you can't help but cringe as you read it; definitely puts to bed any notion that the past was a lovely place to be.

Ygritte is almost more annoying in the book than the show though. I lost count of how many times she said "You know nothing Jon Snow" and now it's in my head. Thanks George! The Bran/Sansa plots make up for it though.

Such rich description and, as always tends to be the case, oodles better than the show pacing and character wise. Bring on the next one!

not as good as the first one but good, it felt like it was drawn out towards the end

gracyn neely

Meghan Navoy

couldn't put it down! George RR Martin is such a captivating writer.

Jamieson

“How can you still count yourself a knight, when you have forsaken every vow you ever swore?" 

"So many vows...they make you swear and swear. Defend the king. Obey the king. Keep his secrets. Do his bidding. Your life for his. But obey your father. Love your sister. Protect the innocent. Defend the weak. Respect the gods. Obey the laws. It's too much. No matter what you do, you're forsaking one vow or the other.” 
 


Ahh yes, another read from Literature's favourite serial killer. oooh boy! These are just MONSTERS of books to get through. Soo many goddamn pages. I'm glad I'm doing it though. These books are so impressive The worldbuilding is amazing, the prose is beautiful and the characters are so interesting. I feel like George R.R Martin has created something so complex and well constructed with A Game of Thrones. 

Its so hard to review these books - they're so massive and so much goes into them. Do I talk about characters? The plot? The world? How it compares to the show (of which I'm a massive fan?) Maybe I should do all of it?

CHARACTERS

The characters in Game of Thrones are so divisive. Everyone tries to find themselves a hero in these books but honestly all of them are kinda shitty. (Except like, Rickon who is a child and pure) I found myself enjoying Catelyn's point of view in this book so much!! She's such an interesting character, and so strong and brave. I find the criticisms that she "doesn't do much" odd when she's living in a society that actively encourages her (as a women) to sit back and let other people take charge. I've always liked her character in the show and I feel the books really added a depth to her the show couldn't give. 

I also really loved Tyrion's point of view. I've always liked Tyrion (we have the same mtbi personality type did you know a little fun fact about me) I love his humour, his cleverness and his wit. I love the relationship he has with Jaimie and I love the way he (kind of) looks out for Sansa (alot more than the other Lannisters do at least). 

All the Stark siblings POV's were interesting as ever. I love the Starks, I'm not going to lie. Like - if the Starks don't end up happy after all of this I will be VERY ANNOYED. But anyway, I loved Jon's forages past the wall. It was cool to have Ygritte introduce! Jon is my favourite Game of Thrones character. I love his characterisation and his plot lines and I love that he's actually doing something about that ice zombie invasion so even though (in the show) the bits with him past the wall were my least favourite of his character arc, I still like to catch up with my fave bastard. ALSO, I found his chapters didn't drag on like some others did. 

Sansa has soo much development in this book and I'm so glad. We start to see the political cunning and clever strategist she is emerge. We start to see her grow a bit of a backbone and recognise the flaws of the society she is growing up in. I loved her scene with Cersei during the battle of Blackwater Bay. I think it's so important to Sansa's characterisation that she was taught "The Game of Thrones" by players like Cersei and Margaery who operate outside of everything. I was genuinely so sad for her when she tried to burn everything to stop anyone finding out she had "flowered", and I'm glad she started to shed some of the naivety that characterized her in Game of Thrones. Also Sansa Stark just need to be protected in GENERAl ok. (I love Sansa's character growth so much fight me) 

Bran and Rickon were so cute! I loved that Bran has finally met Jojen and Meera and is discovering about being able to warg. I loved Jojen and Meera's characters in the book so much more than the show? Jojen and Meera just had soo much more personality and especially Meera was so much more FUN in this then she ever was in the show 

ARYA WAS KILLING IT (lmoa get it) OUT THERE. She's so great I love her!! She's absolutely hilarious, so brave and I love her character arc. Her actions in Harrenhal made me so happy it was cool to see her take charge of the situation like that and I love the way she talks about herself and the love she has for everyone around her. I don't like Arya much in the show but in the books ?? I love her SO MUCH. 

I found the POV's of Dany and Davos to be a bit dull. I don't know why - but I've never liked Dany's arcs that much. I really like her character, but I find her storyline a bit annoying and so yeah I don't know I couldn't get into her chapters. Same with Davos, I just find him and Stannis a bit dull for me. 


  “Will you make a song for him?' the woman asked.
'He has a song,' the man replied. 'He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire.” 


THE BEST THING about the book compared to the show is the plots. The show seems to revolve alot around the battles and the throne and misses some of the more complex plot lines. I found the introduction of the idea of the "Three Heads of the Dragon" really interesting. I feel like the plot in the books is much more complex and expansive and has more of a hint of being 'contructed' then the show does. The show plot feels like the writers throwing their characters into random battles sometimes, while the book feels like it has an overarching plot. This is MORE than just the Game for the Throne. This is about something much bigger than that that goes back much further and that really excites me. 

WHY NOT 5 STARS?

Everyone gives this book 5 stars. I can't do it. For one thing, this book is NOT fast-paced. It's so dense and can be dragging at times. That can be hard in an 900 page book. You really need to be in the mood for Game of Thrones, and you have to dedicate yourself to it. I don't mind long books and I finish lots of long books, but Game of Thrones is both long and at times just too much. There's so much detail and things that are not necessary for the plot (eg. There's at least 3 scenes where half a page + is dedicated to describing what they're eating). Now, this adds atmosphere to the society, and fleshes it out but it doesn't speed the book up any. I dnf' this the first time I read it and then I came back. 

I'm not saying it's bad and 'too slow', I'm just saying you sign up for lots of world and less plot sometimes. This is okay, but you have to be in the right mood. These books aren't 100% accessible, especially if you're not a big fantasy reader. 

The other thing I found a bit touchy at times was the treatment of women. On one hand, I get it. This is "medieval fantasy" and it's supposed to be Historically Accurate but sometimes it was just a bit too much. I mean - unnecessary? There were soo many scenes like "Dany walked, her breasts hanging loose under her clothing" LIKE WHY ??!?!?! It adds nothing to the plot or the setting or anything it's just random stuff like this that makes me :// This is one of R.R Martin's big criticisms and I think it has some merit. 

I don't know, I love the books but the tv show is just so much more fast paced and less exhausting so I'm so conflicted right now. 

Finally I'm just annoyed @ the fact he keeps killing my faves like stop this Martin




  “People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up.” 


OTHER NOTES

y'all for a hot minute I thought Ramsay Bolton really WAS dead and I was !!!!! so glad about it I hate that guy ofc he wasn't dead at all pretty irritated about it I was thinking it was a little weird he was dead in the books and terrorising in the show (view spoiler)[ OK THOUGH BATTLE OF THE BASTARDS THAT LIL FUCK GOT WHAT WAS COMING FINALLY KARMA COMES BACK AROUND (hide spoiler)] 

ok also Rickon is soo cute in the books he's so fierce I love him? And I honestly can't get over that his direwolf is called shaggydog. 

Cersei is soo much more interesting in the books the show honestly ripped her off she has nO CHARACTER compared to in the books its such a shame. 

Yooo when Ygritte showed up I was like YE BOYS I love her so much she was gone too soon 

Also Maester Luwin is so cool like idk he isn't in the tv show much but I loved his character in the books. 

I really love Bronn and Varys as well omfg but Littlefinger can throw himself out the moondoor for all I care I swear I can't deal with him 

ANYWAy !! Feels really good to have that done, I'm so happy I finished it. I need to wait a bit before starting the next one though.

A Clash of Kings  is the second installment of George R.R. Martin's beloved series, A Song of Ice & Fire.

I wanted to get a hold of this for a long time now, but I thought I needed little more time to read a long book again. This was also quite a bit longer than the first book, and maybe slightly more entertaining. 

The story picks up where we left off at the first installment, with King Robert Baratheon and his friend Ned Stark both dead and the realm is in chaos. The pov's also switch to accommodate the misadventures of Arya, Jon Snow, and Daenerys Targaryen. The pacing is faster than the last book, and the wheels are finally turning. Women are at the heart of it, and this pleases me to no end. 

Here we see less action, but more drama behind the scenes. The plot involves quite a lot of mind games, clever tricks and scheming. Their are four claims to the throne, and war is tearing the Seven Kingdoms apart. Of course, an army of wildling usurpers led by Mance Ryder are amassing beyond the wall. The story is definitely getting more and more depressing, but that just takes the suspense up a notch. It's all dismal and dreary, and Martin is a merciless and cunning. He will feed you with high hopes for your favorite character and then stab you in the dark.

Magic is finally explored, and of course, I was elated. This was subtly promised in the first installment, and I'm just glad it's now truly out there in the open.

The plot expands a lot. Many roots for subplots are growing every which way, I'm surprised Martin can keep his facts straight, but I'm pretty sure this is all going to wrap up nicely in the end. I cannot wait to continue to the next one.

A Song of Ice and Fire

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