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A review by stormlightreader
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My enjoyment of this book never wanes. It was the first fantasy book I ever read. I think it's pretty perfect and gets better with every reread.
I've read this book 3 times and it has a been a 5⭐️ read every time! Yet, I struggle to sum up why I love it so much and I've failed to actually write a review for it until now 😄
This reread has been much slower because I'm in no rush to get through it and I'm annotating one of my editions as I go (and loving doing it).
Favourite relationships:
• Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark - I love this relationship, both in the book and in the show, so it's sad that it doesn't go beyond book/season one. Robert is the total opposite of Ned in every way, which makes them such an interesting duo. I really loved what Ned stood for and how noble he was. Granted, this didn't work in his favour, but when everyone is playing the game of thrones, it's refreshing to see one man trying to do the right thing.
• Cersei and her own best interests: Cersei is ruthless and a fascinating character to follow. I hate how she squashes people I like, but I can't help but love her. She is a queen through and through! Her telling Ned "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground" is the epitome of Cersei's character! Cersei proceeding to install her son as king the second Robert dies confirms her ruthlessness. I have nothing but respect for her as a character!
• Catelyn Stark and Lysa Arryn: like Ned and Robert, these characters are such opposites. I like Catelyn more each time I reread AGoT. She's so wise and maternal but she's conscious of overstepping her son in matters of battle. Lysa is also maternal but in a completely different (and uncomfortable) way.
• Tyrion Lannister and Bronn the sellsword: just a funny pairing. Bronn is great from the start. Never feigns allegiance to anyone and is crystal clear that his allegiance can be easily bought. Their banter is so good.
• The Night's Watch: Jon's journey from being made to feel like an outsider by Catelyn (understandably) and taking the black has become one of my favourite parts of book 1. He has an idea of what the Night's Watch will be and is completely disillusioned when he gets there, but I love the relationships he builds with the brothers of the Night's Watch.
• Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen: Viserys is vile and is basically a carbon copy of his father (the Mad King, Aerys Targaryen). He betroths (sells) his sister to Khal Drogo, in exchange for use of Drogo's army to reclaim the Iron Throne. It's lovely to see Dany and Drogo grow closer and then to see Drogo execute Viserys after he threatens Dany. Dany grows so much in book 1 and it's clear that Viserys becomes threatened by her and the love she quickly garners from Drogo's khalasar.
• Sansa and Arya Stark: the contrast in the sisters is so well written. Sansa is difficult to like in book 1, she's very bratty and becomes quickly accustomed to life in the South. Whereas, Arya is more stubborn and it's clear she is less comfortable in Kings Landing. Sansa clearly wants a nicer life (you can't begrudge her that) but I love that Arya can roll with the punches a little better than her sister (in book 1).
Favourite characters (book 1):
• Daenerys Targaryen
• Cersei Lannister
• Catelyn Stark
• Ned Stark
• Jon Snow
• Robb Stark
World building:
The world building is incredible! The 'real world' issues the houses have to deal with (food, finances, getting preparing for battle) are so well done. I enjoy reading these types of scenes, as it grounds the story. Another of my favourite things is how subtle the magic is. Yes, there's dragons and white walkers, but the magic of Westeros isn't too obvious. Even though it's a fantasy book, there's a lot of realistic elements that I like.
Atmosphere
AGoT will always be the book that has my favourite prologue. The majority of my favourite moments took place in the North. GRRM does atmosphere so well and some of the best examples are in his descriptions of The Wall, Winterfell and The Eyrie. These are so well described! The isolation of The Wall, the sheer scale of The Eyrie and the natural features that warm up Winterfell despite it's northern location.
AGoT also ends with one of my favourite quotes: "And for the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons".
Cannot wait to revisit A Clash of Kings again!
I've read this book 3 times and it has a been a 5⭐️ read every time! Yet, I struggle to sum up why I love it so much and I've failed to actually write a review for it until now 😄
This reread has been much slower because I'm in no rush to get through it and I'm annotating one of my editions as I go (and loving doing it).
Favourite relationships:
• Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark - I love this relationship, both in the book and in the show, so it's sad that it doesn't go beyond book/season one. Robert is the total opposite of Ned in every way, which makes them such an interesting duo. I really loved what Ned stood for and how noble he was. Granted, this didn't work in his favour, but when everyone is playing the game of thrones, it's refreshing to see one man trying to do the right thing.
• Cersei and her own best interests: Cersei is ruthless and a fascinating character to follow. I hate how she squashes people I like, but I can't help but love her. She is a queen through and through! Her telling Ned "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground" is the epitome of Cersei's character! Cersei proceeding to install her son as king the second Robert dies confirms her ruthlessness. I have nothing but respect for her as a character!
• Catelyn Stark and Lysa Arryn: like Ned and Robert, these characters are such opposites. I like Catelyn more each time I reread AGoT. She's so wise and maternal but she's conscious of overstepping her son in matters of battle. Lysa is also maternal but in a completely different (and uncomfortable) way.
• Tyrion Lannister and Bronn the sellsword: just a funny pairing. Bronn is great from the start. Never feigns allegiance to anyone and is crystal clear that his allegiance can be easily bought. Their banter is so good.
• The Night's Watch: Jon's journey from being made to feel like an outsider by Catelyn (understandably) and taking the black has become one of my favourite parts of book 1. He has an idea of what the Night's Watch will be and is completely disillusioned when he gets there, but I love the relationships he builds with the brothers of the Night's Watch.
• Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen: Viserys is vile and is basically a carbon copy of his father (the Mad King, Aerys Targaryen). He betroths (sells) his sister to Khal Drogo, in exchange for use of Drogo's army to reclaim the Iron Throne. It's lovely to see Dany and Drogo grow closer and then to see Drogo execute Viserys after he threatens Dany. Dany grows so much in book 1 and it's clear that Viserys becomes threatened by her and the love she quickly garners from Drogo's khalasar.
• Sansa and Arya Stark: the contrast in the sisters is so well written. Sansa is difficult to like in book 1, she's very bratty and becomes quickly accustomed to life in the South. Whereas, Arya is more stubborn and it's clear she is less comfortable in Kings Landing. Sansa clearly wants a nicer life (you can't begrudge her that) but I love that Arya can roll with the punches a little better than her sister (in book 1).
Favourite characters (book 1):
• Daenerys Targaryen
• Cersei Lannister
• Catelyn Stark
• Ned Stark
• Jon Snow
• Robb Stark
World building:
The world building is incredible! The 'real world' issues the houses have to deal with (food, finances, getting preparing for battle) are so well done. I enjoy reading these types of scenes, as it grounds the story. Another of my favourite things is how subtle the magic is. Yes, there's dragons and white walkers, but the magic of Westeros isn't too obvious. Even though it's a fantasy book, there's a lot of realistic elements that I like.
Atmosphere
AGoT will always be the book that has my favourite prologue. The majority of my favourite moments took place in the North. GRRM does atmosphere so well and some of the best examples are in his descriptions of The Wall, Winterfell and The Eyrie. These are so well described! The isolation of The Wall, the sheer scale of The Eyrie and the natural features that warm up Winterfell despite it's northern location.
AGoT also ends with one of my favourite quotes: "And for the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons".
Cannot wait to revisit A Clash of Kings again!