Although A Game of Thrones was published in 1996, the novel has become more popular due to the HBO show of the same name. This novel is the first part of the A Song of Ice and Fire series and introduces us to a wide range of characters and events that set the story.
Here, we’ll review the novel.
About the author
George R. R. Martin is an American fantasy writer born in Bayonne, New Jersey, in 1948. Martin went to Northwestern University and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism.
He has loved science fiction and fantasy since he was a child and loved attending sci-fi and fantasy conventions. In 1971, Martin sold his first short story. Three years later, he won a Hugo Award in 1974 for A Song for Lya, a sci-fi novella.
In 1977, Martin published Dying of the Light, his first full-length fiction work. In the following years, he wrote Sandkings, Windhaven, Fevre Dream, The Armaggedon King, and other titles.
He also wrote several screenplays, leading him to accept the position as a writer for the TV series Beauty and the Beast. In 1991, Martin decided to return to long-form fiction because he didn’t have much success selling his screenplays and television pilots.
Five years later, Martin published A Game of Thrones, the first book in what was supposed to be a trilogy. This ongoing fantasy series contains elements of bleak realism; major characters often get killed off in a gruesome way. Plus, the plot mostly focuses on politics and battlefield savagery, which isn’t so common for the fantasy genre.
The book series was turned into an HBO series that saw incredible popularity. Martin wrote scripts for several episodes and was a co-executive producer. He won numerous awards for the show, including a 2013 Hugo Award for best short-form dramatic presentation and three Emmy awards.
Martin also co-created House of the Dragon, a prequel series that takes place around 200 years before Game of Thrones. The author often discusses his work and the fantasy world he created in podcasts and interviews.
Other titles in this series are A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. There are also two forthcoming novels: The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring, but their release dates are unknown.
If you enjoy the fantasy genre and want to explore the world of ice and fire, you should add these books and the TV shows to your wishlist.
A Game of Thrones reviewed
This New York Times bestseller recounts events from multiple points of view, focusing on three principal storylines simultaneously.
The first plotline follows the noble families of Westeros, the second focuses on the events on The Wall, and the third focuses on the Targaryen family.
The Seven Kingdoms
After the death of his principal advisor, Jon Arryn, King Robert goes to his childhood friend, Eddard Ned Stark. He asks him to be Hand of King and betroth his daughter to Robert’s son Joffrey, and Stark accepts.
Ned learns that Arryn’s family believes he was poisoned by Cersei Lannister, the king’s wife. Not long after, Bran, Ned’s son, sees Cersei and her twin brother Jaime Lannister, having sex. Jaime pushes Bran from the tower, leaving him paralyzed.
Ned leaves Winterfell and goes to King’s Landing, where he makes shocking discoveries about the king and his children.
In this plotline, we’re introduced to other characters who would later have less or more prominent roles in the story. Some of these characters are Tyrion and Tywin Lannister, Brandon, Sansa, Arya, Robb, Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish, and Catelyn Stark.
The plotline ends with King Robert’s death, Joffrey’s claim to the iron throne, and Ned Stark’s execution.
The Wall
The Wall is a barrier shielding the Seven Kingdoms from the northern wilderness and dangerous creatures. This Wall is guarded by Night’s Watch, warriors who vowed to serve there for life.
We’re introduced to Jon Snow, Ned’s bastard son, determined to join the Night’s Watch. He’s soon named the steward to the leader of the Watch, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont.
When Jon’s uncle doesn’t return from an expedition north of the Wall and two bodies appear, Mormont sends Jon on an expedition. He’s told to find his uncle, dead or alive, and investigate the rumors about the kingdom beyond the Wall.
Targaryen family
We’re introduced to Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen, children of the late Aerys Targaryen, who held the throne before being overthrown by Robert Baratheon.
Determined to return to the throne, Viserys betroths his sister to Khal Drogo, a Dothraki warlord, in exchange for the use of his army. Daenerys receives three petrified dragon eggs as a wedding gift from a wealthy merchant.
Khal Drogo doesn’t show much interest in conquering Westeros until someone tries to poison his wife. During one of the raids, Drogo is badly wounded and ends up in a vegetative state. Daenerys smothers him with a pillow.
During his funeral, Daenerys places the dragon eggs on the pyre, enters the fire herself, and emerges unharmed with three hatched dragons.
This fascinating book introduces us to Martin’s fantasy world in which we see different families fighting for the throne. Although we follow multiple points of view, the story is cohesive and easy to follow, thanks to Martin’s incredible writing skills.
Many fans agree that this first book is less complicated than the rest. Many characters are yet to be developed but introducing them early on was incredibly important for the entire story.
This intriguing read will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions and leave you anticipating what happens next.
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FAQ
How long are Game of Thrones books on tape?
A Game of Thrones audiobook (A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One) is 33 hours long. The rest of the books in the ASOIAF series last between 33 and 48 hours. All books are available on Amazon’s Audible.
Who reads the audiobooks for Game of Thrones?
Roy Dotrice reads Game of Thrones audiobooks. All audiobooks were published by Random House Audio.
