Book Journal: A Game of Thrones

I kicked fiction BUTT this long Labor Day weekend traveling up to New England and resting by the 12-mile New Hampshire coast and the North End of Boston. Like legit! I read probably 1500 pages. What a good weekend across the border!

And I'll kick it off with an incredible book:

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

WHAT AN EPIC BOOK. Oh my Gosh! George R. R. Martin knows how to produce a fantastic story. Despite the leagues of characters, the "straight into the deep end" approach he has into his entire new world, and the sophisticated level of politics that goes on through the pages (inspired by, after all, the War of the Roses), A Game of Thrones is accessible, devour-able, and completely engrossing. It's also realistic; characters come and go because of the actions of others; they are tricked; they are prideful; they are fortunate; they are interesting.

Martin also shows the POV of many different characters from different sides of the same coin. While the Stark family is clearly the protagonist (though Tyrion Lannister might be the most favored) and the Lannisters are the most defined antagonist, we still are able to see the deep, dark history that weaves all these families together and understand why these characters are doing, saying, and acting in such ways.

My favorites in a vivid and highly developed cast of characters are Jon Snow, Eddard Stark, Arya Stark, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenarys Targaryen. I hate the Lannisters. And the fat king who died. But beware; Martin kills off characters as quickly as he introduces new ones. Here's hoping I don't get too attached to one, or else it'll be like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix all over again...

The books are reminiscent of the scope and design of The Lord of the Rings, only without the tradition-starting slew of immortal elves, orcs, Saurons, Gandalfs, etc. Magic exists but it is mythical and mysterious; only a select few can use it, and it certainly doesn't seem all that helpful yet. There are undead ice-men walking around north of The Wall but no signs of orcs; there are direwolves but no elves yet; and hopefully it will pretty much stay that way. In addition, Martin's writing is far more accessible than Tolkien's. To be far, I did love The Hobbit, but I read all of The Fellowship of the Ring and about a third of The Two Towers before I had to shelve the series. Maybe I'll get back to them but for now I'm going straight to A Clash of Kings.

9/10