Like many people, I came to this book after watching the HBO series, and because it was HBO, I thought they had exaggerated much of the sex and violence. I was wrong. This is adult fantasy at its finest and Martin does not hold back.
So there are many different stories throughout this book, most concentrating on the children of Eddard 'Ned' Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and a few others concerning other major characters. I will review each element separately.
Eddard Stark, and King's Landing
This story can best be described as a mystery. At the beginning of the novel, Ned is given the job of Hand of the King, a steward like role, after the previous hand, Jon Arryn, died. Ned takes the job after receiving a communication that his predecessor may have been murdered. Martin manages to craft a decent mystery, revealing important details at various moments, while creating a sense of danger as Ned seems to be taking the same path that led to Jon's death. While this story is going on, we get an insight into the political manoeuvring of many other characters. The Queen obviously does not love the King and married only for political reasons. Prince Joffrey and heir to the throne shows elements of being a gentleman, especially to Ned's daughter and his betrothed, Sansa, but occasionally shows signs of a mean, entitled personality, something that comes into play in the second half of the book. The King's council is comprised of a variety of scheming, sycophantic characters of whose sides remain mysteries, and when one does something you believe is beneficial for Ned, he then does something to make you think otherwise; even by the end of the book, you're never entirely sure who they're working for.
Bran, Robb, and Winterfell
After getting pushed out of a window and crippled, young Bran has to come to terms with the fact he will never walk again. Robb, after his father leaves, becomes acting Lord of Winterfell, and later leads his armies. This part is probably the weakest of the book. While Bran is a decent character and we a good look at how he would like to be a knight, but now can't and has to live by being carried around by the simple-minded Hodor, Robb seems to be a carbon copy of Ned. This is noted many times, mainly by his mother Catelyn. I don't mind it too much, but I would have liked a little more from his character.
Jon Snow and the Wall
Jon is Ned's bastard son, conceived while he was off disposing of the mad king. He was raised in Winterfell along with Ned's other children, but because of his illegitimacy, and his social outcast, he decides to go north to become a member of the Night's Watch, a strict order of men guarding the south from the horrors that lay beyond the Wall. This story shows the most fantastical elements of the book, and appears to be the main threat to the rest of the world. However, it's not dwelt on too much, the meat of the story being played out through the political intrigue of the south. This is the setting up of the threat. In this portion we get a hefty bit of Tyrion Lannister, a cynical and dry witted dwarf who travels to the Wall just to see what it's like. He ends up bonding with Jon after having a common condition in his words, 'All dwarves are bastards in their father's eyes'. Tyrion is one of the few characters whose allegiance is pretty certain; while he doesn't pick a side as such, he seems more concerned with the individuals, as well as his keeping his own head.
I like Jon as well. While he's a little naive at times, he does become a strong character, being groomed for leadership. He attempts to end the bullying by his trainer and befriends the most unlikely of initiates, a fat and self confessed coward, Sam. Another character I really like. Sam, while talking about being craven, has many redeeming qualities, and even shows signs of bravery, something even more impressive due to his usual cowardly nature.
Catelyn and the Eyrie
After discovering that Tyrion may have been responsible for Bran's injuries, she seizes him while he travels back to King's Landing from the Wall, and takes him to her sister in the mountain fortress of the Eyrie. Again, we get to meet an interesting character, that of Lysa Arryn, widow of the former Hand, Jon. She has now locked herself away in the castle with her young son, now Lord of the Eyrie. Lysa is quite insane. Having had all her previous husbands and all but one of her children die, she is loath to leave her sanctuary, and has a deep dislike for the Lannisters, believing them to have killed her husband. A dislike that does not bode well for Tyrion.
Denaerys and the Dothraki
This is by far my favourite portion of the book. In ways, this is a completely separate story. No characters crossover, and the only story that has any impact on it is when the King orders Denaerys to be killed. Anyway, the reason I like this story is because of Denaerys herself. She begins the book as a shy abused girl who is used by her domineering brother to gain advantage for his claim to the Iron Throne. At the beginning, she is sold to the Dothraki leader, Drogo, in return for an army. It could have been so easy for Martin to have gone the cliche route and have Drogo be a monster just as bad as her brother, leaving Dany in just as bad a place. But the twist is that he isn't that bad a man (besides buying a girl to marry), and after a while, he genuinely cares for Dany. And they develop a bond which may have elements of Stockholm syndrome, but I believe it is because, ironically, in being forced to marry, Dany finds a better life. A life where she is treated as a queen, where she is not called names, or is abused, a life where she is treated with respect. And it is because of this that she develops into a strong character who sympathises and empathises with everyone, man, woman, slave, freeman with no prejudice. So because she is a likeable person, and all the other candidates are selfish or tyrannical, she is my favourite to win the Iron Throne.
My only complaint is that this doesn't feel like a full book. Sure, there is an ending, but that only comes from Denaerys' story, the main plot just seems to stop. Now, I don't mind this (it is part of a series after all), but it is nice to have some from of closure, some form of self contained story within one novel.
All in all a fantastic book. Every bit as good as the TV series.
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Fire and Blood
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The Rise of the Dragon
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The World of Ice and Fire
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A Game of Thrones
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A Clash of Kings
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A Storm of Swords I: Steel and Snow
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A Storm of Swords II: Blood and Gold
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A Feast for Crows
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A Dance with Dragons I: Dreams and Dust
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
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About the author
Fabulous book
Such a pity that the book is falling apart...24 pages have come unstuck... can't return... probably have to throw in the bin....🥺
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- TeresaReviewed in Canada on 9 February 2025
GOT GOAT
love this book! just a pity it came with the rip on the spine like that but i honestly don’t care lolTeresaGOT GOAT
Reviewed in Canada on 9 February 2025
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- anilReviewed in India on 15 February 2025
"An Unforgettable Epic: A Review of *Game of Thrones*"
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