| Author: George R.R. Martin | Series: A Song of Ice and Fire |
| Rating: 9 (Patrick's Scale) | Reviewer: Patrick |
| Genre: Fantasy | Publisher:Spectra |
| Pages: 864 | Orig Pub Date: August 6, 2006 |
| Binding: Paperback |
Through intricate descriptions, a myriad of characters, and twists and turns that would give an Olympic figure skater a stomach ache, George R. R. Martin crafted a gem in A Game of Thrones.
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (the masses refer to him as GRRM) is not your typical story of a land that holds similarities to the Middle Ages. Yes, knights joust, kings rule, and even dragons and magic are mentioned, but rather than stay on a level that would equal a sub-par King Arthur narrative, Martin is able to elevate the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire (aSoIaF) series by introducing the reader to a substantial amount of characters, establishing a thick plot that favors sudden twists, and describing scenes and individuals like a sculptor depicting a famous actor for Madame Tussaud's wax museum.
A Game of Thrones veers from other popular formats by having each chapter title named after the character that it focuses on, rather than a chapter name that attempts to foreshadow an event. Through the means of devoting each chapter to one character, Martin introduces thoughts through the eyes of vastly different individuals. Firstly, there is the Stark family. Eddard Stark, father and Lord of Winterfell, holds to righteousness. Catelyn, his wife, may have a difference of opinion with her husband, but she supports his actions. Then there are the children. This is where true ingenuity came to play; it is sometimes difficult for grown men and/or women to understand the mindset of a child. Martin was not only able to establish different personalities that were believable, but he lured me into wanting to read more about all of them. Of course, I favored a few, but I enjoyed exploring through different perspectives. Next to last is Daenerys – a princess by name, but no land of her own to rule. Lastly is Tyrion; one of the most interesting characters I have ever comes across. His combination of wit and sincerity is not often found, and the uniqueness of his physical attributes only add to his allure.
As you can see, there are a lot of characters that Martin lets us learn from, but these are not even half of the main characters. Plus, unsubstantial characters such as guardsmen or handmaidens all have names and we even see into some of their pasts. With all of these characters though, there is a drawback: we have to remember all of them! When I first started reading, I was hard pressed to remember who was who. I found myself sorting back through the pages attempting to determine if I knew who this person was, or if I was getting them confused with somebody else, and what they had done in the past. After about two-hundred pages, I finally got a handle on it and it started to flow much easier. So if you start reading and get lost a little, DO NOT STOP! I implore you to trudge on; it will be worth it.
Characters are a big portion of a story, but without a plot to move the story along, those characters fall on blind eyes. This is not the case with A Game of Thrones. Martin knits a tale like a robin fashions a nest – complex, but comfy when you are in it.
In a land that once had seven kings, Robert Baratheon claimed the right to be named the sole king after taking the crown in battle. Eddard Stark, his most trusted friend, went home to Winterfell after helping Robert on that quest. Since then, Robert’s kingdom has fallen on difficult times. Money has been squandered, treachery lines the streets, and Robert’s Hand (second in charge) has mysteriously died. To help get his kingdom back on track, Robert has asked Eddard to accept the position of The King’s Hand. However, this becomes a difficult decision as the Stark family is forced to split up over it.
In a distant land, Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen – the last known relatives of the previous king – search for an army to satisfy the thirst for revenge that resides in their hearts. Willing to do whatever is necessary, a pact is made, but is it worth the cost? And will it even be enough to bring the crown back to Targaryen blood? While this threat is real, the biggest danger to the kingdom may lie within.
Martin’s writing style is not for the purest of heart. It encompasses more of an adult theme not only for the provocative scenes that he brings to life, but for some of the complexities. There are a lot of subtleties that he throws in here and there to give hints; sometimes it turns out like you think, and other times, well, you are about as far off as China is from Minnesota. That is one of the great things about it: it keeps you on the edge of your seat. His descriptive ability is another aspect that immediately reveals itself. Nearly every single knight and lady does not go without notice; every aspect of their apparel is made known. The portrait that he paints grabs hold of the mind and squeezes gently, letting you see only what he wants you to see.
A Game of Thrones is not a sock'em, bop'em action thriller, but it does not have to be. This tale engages the reader through family allegiance and betrayal, political positioning and wit, and the sheer enormity of identifiable characters. Couple those qualities with a seemingly unimaginable amount of smaller struggles directly related to the outcome of the larger conflict, and you have a storyline that will keep readers coming back book after book.
-Patrick Bergeron II
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