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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
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
I always think I'm a bigger fan of fantasy than I actually am. It's not that I've had a bad experience (though I did read all but the most recent of the Sword of Truth novels), nor that I've never read a good fantasy novel (I am a Tolkien fan, and of more than just Lord of the Rings). It's not that I don't like the elements of magic and magical creatures (I love the idea about reading about dragons and elves).
I think it's because I'm reluctant to pick up a fantasy novel because so few are standalones. Case in point, I'm tired and frustrated with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series and I'm only four books in. I haven't abandoned the series yet, but it's a close thing.
I approached A Game of Thrones with some trepidation. I didn't really want to be swept up in another long fantasy series again, already aware of the fans clamouring for the completion of the series. Finally, I bit the bullet and got myself a copy and guess what? I loved it.
Complex characterisations are often thought to be a missing entity in fantasy, perhaps a luxury sacrificed for world-building. This isn't the case here. Martin's characters are complex, flawed human beings. Some are likeable, some are not, but they are complex. On the whole (and I am assuming that there is more character development in the subsequent volumes), they have a reality about them which I can't help but adore. At the moment, I found it relatively easy to keep track of separate characters and their plots – though this helped by having a Stark involved in each main plot thread.
This reality carries over into the rest of the book. Similar to how reading Lord of the Rings or The Silmarillion feels like reading a mythology, reading A Game of Thrones is like reading a history. Of course, this history has elements of the fantastic and several mysteries waiting to be solve, but these only heightened my enjoyment and involvement in the plot.
I can't wait to catch up with the rest of the series so I can join those waiting with baited breath for the next instalments. I also foresee – as the person who recc'ed me these books did – a marathon of the TV series in my future.
A Game of Thrones is very likely the best fantasy novel I've read that's not written by Tolkien, and of course, it's more readable. Not only that but it's a bloody good book.
I think it's because I'm reluctant to pick up a fantasy novel because so few are standalones. Case in point, I'm tired and frustrated with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series and I'm only four books in. I haven't abandoned the series yet, but it's a close thing.
I approached A Game of Thrones with some trepidation. I didn't really want to be swept up in another long fantasy series again, already aware of the fans clamouring for the completion of the series. Finally, I bit the bullet and got myself a copy and guess what? I loved it.
Complex characterisations are often thought to be a missing entity in fantasy, perhaps a luxury sacrificed for world-building. This isn't the case here. Martin's characters are complex, flawed human beings. Some are likeable, some are not, but they are complex. On the whole (and I am assuming that there is more character development in the subsequent volumes), they have a reality about them which I can't help but adore. At the moment, I found it relatively easy to keep track of separate characters and their plots – though this helped by having a Stark involved in each main plot thread.
This reality carries over into the rest of the book. Similar to how reading Lord of the Rings or The Silmarillion feels like reading a mythology, reading A Game of Thrones is like reading a history. Of course, this history has elements of the fantastic and several mysteries waiting to be solve, but these only heightened my enjoyment and involvement in the plot.
I can't wait to catch up with the rest of the series so I can join those waiting with baited breath for the next instalments. I also foresee – as the person who recc'ed me these books did – a marathon of the TV series in my future.
A Game of Thrones is very likely the best fantasy novel I've read that's not written by Tolkien, and of course, it's more readable. Not only that but it's a bloody good book.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Totally blown away, loved the book and now onto the next one.
Read book before starting the TV series!
Amazing characters, story line and action. What a full meal deal book and series.
Want a book/series you can fall completely into? Read this one.
Read book before starting the TV series!
Amazing characters, story line and action. What a full meal deal book and series.
Want a book/series you can fall completely into? Read this one.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just love this book so much. Fantastic storytelling, rich characterisation, I have such deep attachments to so many of the characters and that's not really how I typically read!
Minus half a star for the couple of moments that did cross the line for melike I'm sorry but why does Dany breastfeed the dragons... I know they're fantasy creatures but they're so not mammalian... I know it's like motherhood imagery but. It's a no from me , but in my heart it's 5 stars and I will defend GRRM on most things and I love this book thanks bye
Minus half a star for the couple of moments that did cross the line for me