Book Review: A Song of Ice and Fire

Book series by George R. R. Martin

If you haven’t heard the words, Game of Thrones, at some point in the last 2-3 years, you might want to check that you aren’t in fact living under a rock. HBO created a television show that began airing in 2011 based on the book series by George R.R. Martin, and immediately drew a huge following. I have never actually seen this show, but I had been hearing from people for years now that I needed to read the books (and I am absolutely a, “the book is always better,” kind of gal). I love young adult fiction books. The Harry Potter series being my all-time favorite, Hunger Games and The Chronicles of Narnia, fall right in line with everything I love to read.

I decided to give Martin and his (longer than the Bible) books, a shot and was immediately sucked in. Considering there are currently 5 books out and available for reading (with Martin still working on the last two for the series, yet to be released), I figured I’d do a brief review of the series of books as a whole, so far.

The series is actually titled, A Song of Ice and Fire, with the first book in the series being called, A Game of Thrones. The story takes place in a fictional world called Westeros, which reminds me a bit of a medieval Europe. Westeros is full of rich detail, castles, knights and a full cast of characters that you love to love, mixed in with some that you love to hate. In fact, a lot of people complain that there are SO MANY characters, it’s hard to keep up with who’s who. It can be done though, and as you read, you’ll find yourself looking forward to the chapters your favorite characters narrate. Martin writes each chapter so that you are basically in the head of the character you are reading. He said, “None of us have an omniscient viewpoint; we are alone in the universe. We hear what we can hear… we are very limited. If a plane crashes behind you I would see it but you wouldn’t. That’s the way we perceive the world and I want to put my readers in the head of my characters.” While we’re on the topic of characters though, let me warn you- DO NOT GET ATTACHED….to ANYONE. While on the Conan O’Brien show back in January, George R.R. Martin said, “”I want my readers, and I want viewers to be afraid when my characters are in danger. I want them to be afraid to turn the next page because the next character may not survive it.” And guess what folks? He lives up to that desire, so just prepare yourself going into it.

Martin’s writing style and the deep story that is rooted with each character is what draws you into these books and takes you on a page turning adventure. I highly recommend these books to any adult. I told you that I love young adult fiction, let me clarify that the, A Song of Ice and Fire, series is most definitely not for YOUNG adults. There is a lot of language, violence, sexual content and blood (so.much.blood) laced throughout all of these books. However, if you’re a responsible (somewhat), grown up (mostly) adult, and can handle all that, I dare you to read the first book in this series and just try to put it down and be productive…