A review by bookbelle5_17
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • 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

Review of A Game of Thrones
By; George RR Martin
‘           Robert Baratheon’s, King of Westeros, Hand Jon Arryn has been murderer, and he wants his best friend Eddard Stark, Lord of North, to take Arryn’s place.  Leaving his family, with the exception of his daughters who are coming to King’s Landing, behind becomes Hand of the King.   He finds himself mixed up in the dangerous politics of King’s Landing and mystery behind the murder of Jon Arryn.  Can he trust the King’s wife, Queen Cersei Lannister or his advisors on King’s council?
            Last time I reviewed this I feel like it was a poorly written review, so I’m writing a better and thorough one to replace it.  Martin writes a story that keeps moving, but also has its quiet moments where characters are just talking and planning.    The scenes that highlight how corrupt this world is are at King’s Landing.  We see the failures of Robert as a king during the council meetings and are also introduced to the characters the reader should pay the most attention to, Lord Petyr Baelish (Littlefinger) and Varys.  They know more than the other characters and are unpredictable and manipulative.  They’re a prime example of how well Martin crafts complex characters that you have strong feelings for.  Both the male and female characters are compelling and strong.  Martin doesn’t stray away from vulgarity and gore as this world is cruel and war torn.  There are plenty of blood-filled scenes and unfortunately the female characters are treated horribly and disgustingly.  Women are raped, are whores, talked about in overly sexual terms and abused.  Despite this we do have strong minded female characters like Catelyn Stark, Cersei Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen.  All three women have leadership roles and are more than sex objects, though Dany’s relationship with Khal Drogo leaves me with uncomfortable feelings.   Martin creates a vivid setting with descriptive details on how the world looks and its history, but the details add to the length of novel making it 674 pages not counting the appendices.  He writes from various perspectives allowing the reader to see all parts of the world and every important character’s feeling on what is going on in the story.  It also enlightens reader to what is going on to the different parts of the world through various characters POVs. 
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