Review by nightowlnikk - A Game of Thrones

nightowlnikk 's review for:

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

4.0

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is a re-read, but it still holds up. Though it’s a long book, the ensemble cast makes the pacing bearable. Some stories are more captivating than others, but I think that’s the beauty of this many POVs: there’s a plot for everyone. I am particular to Ned’s, Sansa’s, and Tyrion’s plots more than the others, but even that has changed since the first time I read this.

I think GRRM did a good job at establishing the lore and in-world culture. I feel like I understand the northerners vs the southerners vs the Dothraki beliefs. And it’s literally like one big chess board. You’re constantly waiting to see how these characters are going to interact and cross the others’ paths.

I also enjoy how GRRM subverts expectations. In these kinds of stories, we’re so used to good guys winning and bad guys getting what they deserve, but it’s truly refreshing to have a more realistic view of how these events would’ve unfolded. It’s tragic, definitely, but makes for a more exciting plot. Overall, this is a very solid start to a series.

Content Warnings