I’m hooked on another book series and it’s not one that I would typically find myself reading but I just can’t stop! The books are enormous with over 1,000 pages each and I’m on book… 5 or 6. Thank goodness for my eReader otherwise my book shelves would be falling over right about now. What is this series that has gotten my attention? No, it’s not a romance. It takes place a long, long time ago in another world with kings, queens, knights and even dragons exist. This is so far out of my normal reading that I’m almost embarrassed to admit how addicted I am. The Game of Thrones caught my attention before I knew there was a television series based on it (thank goodness). If I had watched even one of the episodes of the show on HBO there is no way I would have picked up the first book. While yes, they are pretty close, the books are so much better. That being said, will I watch the series? Probably – I will miss it when I’m waiting for the next book to be finished!
Why am I reading this book that so many men and nerds are drawn to? There are bloody battles, wars, fictional beasts, schemes galore and oh, my goodness… I’m turning into a nerd. Okay, okay, a bigger nerd than I was before. The other part of my honest answer is that it is a literary work of art. The story is so beautifully crafted that my mind boggles to comprehend how one author can manage such a story of epic proportions in his mind and onto paper (or desktop screen). Of course, I also love the strong female characters! Arya and Danerys are amazing!
Broken down into chapters each focused on a different character it holds my interest. Right at the end of each chapter something big happens and you hold on, because you absolutely have to find out what happens next to that character but first, you have to get through a few other character’s stories before it can continue. Each character’s own story leaves you wanting more and more as you learn who they are and what part they play in this Game of Thrones taking place in the 7 kingdoms of Westeros and beyond. The plots thicken, surprise, twist, amaze and always leave you guessing and wondering who will live? Who will die? Who will become king next? How can they possibly get out of the situation they are in?
If a series like this can make me laugh, leave me on the edge of my seat, make my eyes as wide as saucers in amazement, make me feel like I really KNOW all the characters really well, and want more and more at the turn of every page, even if it’s the 1001st page I would say I have to give this series 5/5 stars… so far. I’m still not finished! I’m currently reading A Dance with Dragons and I’m just passed the half way mark and there is one more book after this one.
If you like a good read that leaves you wanting more where you feel connected with the characters; if you’re willing to overlook the fact that there are dragons and a couple other fictional beasts in the series and take the story for what it is, I recommend you give it a try… go ahead, find your nerdy side.
Here are the books and their titles in the A Song of Ice and Fire series:
5. A Dance with Dragons (currently reading)
6. The Winds of Winter (currently being written and expected to be completed in 2014)
7. A Dream of Spring
About the Author: George R.R. Martin, author of the acclaimed, internationally bestselling fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, has been a full-time writer for over 25 years. He has won multiple science fiction awards, including 4 Hugos, 2 Nebulas, the Bram Stoker, the Locus Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Daedelus, the Balrog, and the Daikon (Japanese Hugo). He is presently touring the UK, Italy and the US to promote the latest installment in his wildly popular A Song of Ice and Fire Series. (source: http://us.macmillan.com/author/georgerrmartin)
For more information about the series and the author:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/346732.George_R_R_Martin
http://www.georgerrmartin.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire
http://collider.com/george-r-r-martin-interview-game-of-thrones/86337/
Question: Have you braved any part of the series? What are your thoughts? Is there another series you are currently into? Do you typically read series or steer clear of them?
3 Responses to A Game of Thrones
I admit, I haven’t read the books yet. I do LOVE the show on HBO though! A college friend of mine was really into the books ages ago and was excited when the show aired. She has been trying to get me to read the books. I think I will
Thanks for sharing this!
Love asoiaf !!! Glad you found the books!
Loved the books – sped through all 5 and now am waiting (impatiently) for the next one! If you can handle a long read I would definitely suggest this series. I agree that it is not my typical genre of choice but I was convinced to try it out by my partner who enjoys the HBO series based on the books. I admit I haven’t watched the shows, perhaps that will be a way to tide me over until the next book is ready!