A review by spootilious
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

 

Read: July 5, 2023
 Title: Game of Thrones 

Series: Song of Ice and Fire #1
 Author: George RR Martin
 Genre: High Fantasy
 Rating: 2/5
 Review: 

I am trying with this series… For the 10th time. Truly I am…. 

I pride myself in my love of high fantasy and with so many in love with this series I have continuously given it a try, much to my disappointment… Rather than go on for ages here are the things I do not like about this book:
 - George RR Martin is so unbelievably dry that I would rather be reading a history book and probably be more entertained. 

-The attempt at writing realistic sex scenes from a woman’s perspective 

-All the sex 

-How unbelievably predictable it is 

-The lack of logic behind practically every character 

-Beating the reader over the head with things that are supposed to be plot points but are obviously there for nothing more than disillusion (The ‘bastard’ bit with Jon Snow… I have a very good idea who he actually is but do not want to write it here if that is the case but he is no bastard I GARUNTEE you that… Far from it) 

-How crazy every single woman that is not a stark is. 

 

Now for the things I like: 

-The feeling of realism despite how boring it is 

-The Characterizations of some of the characters (specifically Tyrion and Ned) 

-It is… technically fantasy…. 

 

That’s about it… That’s all I got… I’ll check back in after book 2. 

 

 Quotes: 

“… A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” 

“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” 

“Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it.” 

“Why is it that when one man builds a wall, the next man immediately needs to know what's on the other side?” 

“A craven can be as brave as any man, when there is nothing to fear. And we all do our duty, when there is no cost to it. How easy it seems then, to walk the path of honor. Yet soon or late in every man's life comes a day when it is not easy, a day when he must choose.” 

“You can't hammer tin into iron, no matter how hard you beat it, but that doesn't mean it's useless.” 

“The world was full of cravens who pretended to be heroes; it took a queer sort of courage to admit to cowardice...” 

 

 

 

 

TW: Rape, Murder, Gore