When you pick up a novel by a famous author, it's hard not to have preconceptions about the style and subject, so having read (and watched) the entire Game of Thrones series I expected another epic world in Fevre Dream. Written 14 years before Game of Thrones, this was actually his first fantasy novel and is a marked departure from his earlier science fiction books.

Instead of spanning continents, Fevre Dreams is contained in one small stretch of river in the deep south of America. The descriptions of the setting are, however, every bit as evocative as "the Wall" and "Kings Landing": you can feel and breathe the heat, humidity and closeness.

Instead of competing dynasties, the novel is focused on two men, closely following their dreams and troubles over the years and into old age.

And instead of a wide cast of high profile lords, ladies and warriors, the lead character is an ordinary working man. His emotions are so vividly described that it's impossible not to feel every high and low along with him.

This is a brilliant and original book, far more thought provoking than most fantasy genre novels that I have read.