Game of Thrones – Review

If you haven’t heard about Game of Thrones, then you must be living under a rock! GOT has taken the television world by storm. People are going gaga over the internet praising the series, characters and story-line. There are fan clubs out there obsessed with this sensational show. I even know a cafe in Pune which has opened up solely based on the GOT theme. But, if you are a voracious reader, then I am sure you would be more interested in reading the work of George. R. R. Martin.

Game of Thrones is the first book in the series named ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’ and it has already climbed to my top favorite books of all times list. I am guilty of watching the show before reading the books, but I couldn’t help it. It’s only after watching the show that I wanted to dig deeper and dive into this fantastic world of the Seven kingdoms and Free cities.

The story takes you to the land of Westeros and Seven kingdoms. King Robert, merry in his own world and oblivious to the politics played right below his nose, asks his dear friend, Lord Eddard Stark – Warden of the North, to be Hand of the king. Ned Stark is honored, but does not know how to decline this proposal politely without infuriating the king. He accepts the proposal and moves South where he gets entangled in the web of royal treachery.

Each novel has umpteen number of characters and initially it was hard to keep a record of each one of them in my mind. But as the story-line proceeds, it becomes easier to recall the characters, the kingdom they belong to and the bonds they share. Every chapter is written through the perspective of a different character and it gives you a glimpse into the mind of that person. Martin has an exquisite writing style and I found the pace of the novel to be perfect. Martin starts each chapter on a slow pace and ends it dramatically. Each chapter has a fantastic end line and I was left wanting for more.

I must mention, I found the book to be more captivating than the TV series. He uses the language in the book to really paint a picture for the reader and sometimes you forget the real world. I wanted to be a part of that world of magic, kings, thrones, trust and betrayal. It takes immense amount of patience and intelligence to write such a tale and there’s no question why the author takes such a long time (in some cases, 6 years) to publish the next book in line.

Even if you have watched this show on TV, the book will give you a completely different experience, so if you haven’t read it yet, you can put your entire faith on my opinion and pick it up today! I, hereby decree, that I am a humongous fan of Martin’s work! I want to read each of his published books, no matter how long it takes for him to write it.

Pick up the book right away and I promise we will discuss this when we meet next!

Happy reading! 🙂

RATING: 5/5

Favorite Quotes from the book:

“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”

“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.”

“‘Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?’
‘That is the only time a man can be brave.'”

“Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it.”

“Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.”

“We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy.”

“The world was full of cravens who pretended to be heroes; it took a queer sort of courage to admit to cowardice.”

(Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are strictly my own and in no way influenced.)