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agameofbooksblog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the standout features of this book is the depth and complexity of the characters. Martin has created a sprawling cast, each with their own distinct personalities, motivations, and flaws. From honorable and conflicted protagonists to cunning and ruthless antagonists, the characters in "A Game of Thrones" feel incredibly real and multifaceted. The author isn't afraid to take risks, making it impossible to predict who will survive or meet a grisly fate, adding an extra layer of suspense and tension to the story.
The world-building in this series is unparalleled. Martin's attention to detail is meticulous, bringing the Seven Kingdoms to life with vivid descriptions of landscapes, cultures, and histories. The intricate political landscape and the intricate web of alliances and rivalries make for a truly immersive experience. The prose is rich and evocative, transporting readers into a world where dragons soar, magic lingers, and honor can be a deadly weapon. "A Game of Thrones" is a timeless fantasy epic that will undoubtedly stand as a classic of the genre, capturing the hearts and imaginations of readers for generations to come.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Incest, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, War, Ableism, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death and Pregnancy
livd1200's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, Incest, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, War, Rape, and Torture
moriahleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Classism, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, War, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Body horror, Death, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Slavery, Animal death, Blood, and Incest
samschultz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Rape, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Incest, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexism, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Gore, and War
amariehoyos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual content, Violence, War, Blood, Murder, and Rape
victoriavaleanu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Rape, Violence, and Physical abuse
fifteenthjessica's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm still invested in a lot of the characters, both ones who played a major role in this book and ones who don't play a major role or even appear until later, but reading it when you know a lot of the shocking moves,
I have heard a lot of people praise his world building, and as an aspiring writer/actual dungeon master who has dabbled in world building her own fantasy settings, Martin's quality is very inconsistent at best. Daenerys spends a lot of time with the Dothraki over the course of five hefty books, but the culture comes off as very one dimensional and most members of it are forgettable. I don't think I'm alone in remembering all Dothraki characters except Khal Drogo exclusively in terms of their relationship to Dany and maybe a name because they are very unimportant. Heck, there's a short paragraph in one of Dany's later chapters that feels like Martin is just dumping the personality of the youngest of her future bloodriders (Aggo? The three of them really blur together) on us in place of letting it unfold naturally as he interacts with Dany. The culture is mostly a combination of raiding and horses, almost to the point of impracticality (how many horses do they keep if they need them for transportation, fighting, clothing, and meat, plus burn horses in the funeral pyres of their leaders so they have a mount in the afterlife? There's a reason real world horseback nomadic cultures usually herd other animals). This is especially bad if you compare them to the equally raiding focused Ironborn, who in later novels are fleshed out through four point of view characters and with a number of memorable side characters that show that not everyone is raiding every waking hour of the day.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, War, Alcoholism, Death, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Alcohol, Abandonment, Torture, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, and Infertility
Minor: Self harm and Trafficking
madzia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts
priya_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual violence, Blood, Death, Incest, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual content
z4k_cz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Child death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape