A Game of Thrones; George R. R. Martin review

This book is quite complex with a lot of back story, and a lot of characters. Each chapter is from a different character's point of view, although they mostly focus on the Stark family in the first book.

The premise of this book is that there is one king, Robert, who rules what was once several different kingdoms (although it has been about 300 years now that they have all been united). He and Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell in the north, fought a war against the Mad Targaryen king. Robert was to marry Eddard's sister, Lyanna, but she was a casualty of the war, as was Eddard's brother (whom his wife, Catelyn, was originally meant to marry). Eddard lost his father, brother, and sister in the war, and as retribution Aerys was killed, as was his son Prince Rhaegar, his wife Elia, and their children Rhaenys and Aegon, who were very small when they were slain. Aerys left two children still alive: Viserys and Daenerys (his wife dying during the childbirth of Dany).

Viserys and Danerys are across the sea, along with a disgraced knight named Ser Jorah.

Because Lyanna died, Robert instead married a Lannister, Cersei. Her twin brother is called the Kingslayer (for he killed the mad king) and they have another brother, Tyrion, who is an imp.

There is also the Wall that is north of Winterfell, and it guards the "civilized" people from The Others/The Whitewalkers (who are pretty much zombies), and uncivilized people.

The Starks and the men of the north worship the old gods while in the south they worship the seven. Also something happened to make it so the seasons are out of wack, and it has been Summer for a long time - but as the Starks are famous for saying, "Winter is coming".

The Targaryens were also called dragonborn and could command dragons, and there are skeletons of old dragons in the castle the once kept (that Robert now resides in).

Lots, and lots, of backstory. There is even more that I'm sure I forgot to include.

But basically Catelyn's sister's husband was "The Hand" of the kind and he died, so Robert goes north and asks Eddard to be his new hand. He agrees, and steps into a huge conspiracy. War is sparked.

We bounce between Eddard, Catelyn, Tyrion, Sansa, Brann, Jon, Arya (Eddard/Catelyn's children) and Dany in this book, gathering bits of the story from their point of view.

Another big thing are the direwolves Jon finds one day, one for each of Eddard's legitimate children (Jon is a bastard, and Eddard has five beside him) and a little ways off finds another direwolf pup for himself.

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I think this book is fantastic. It gets a little overwhelming with how many characters there are, especially all the minor ones/Lords and such (especially when they start dying, you're like, oh, who was that again? Whatever and then just keep reading). But I do like how we get to see different characters, especially because they eventually become so spread out you get a view of a lot more than just one area.

It's quite long, almost 700 pages, but well worth the read. It goes quickly, and you're captivated for every moment.

However, there is A LOT of bloodshed in this book. Sometimes it is graphic. There is also sex. Which can be graphic. So if you are not a fan of these things, I wouldn't recommend this book to you.
/ [Akayume]

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