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| Title | A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) |
| Author(s) | George R. R. Martin |
| ISBN | 0553573403 |
| Language | English |
| Published | September 1997 |
| Publisher | Bantam Books |
Back to shelf Fantasy
Amazon.com info for A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)
Reviewer amazon.com wrote:
Readers of epic fantasy series are: (1) patient--they are left in suspense between each volume, (2)
persistent--they reread or at least review the previous book(s) when a new installment comes out,
(3) strong--these 700-page doorstoppers are heavy, and (4) mentally agile--they follow a host of
characters through a myriad of subplots. In A Game of Thrones, the first book of a projected six,
George R.R. Martin rewards readers with a vividly real world, well-drawn characters, complex but
coherent plotting, and beautifully constructed prose, which Locus called "well above the norms of the
genre."
Martin's Seven Kingdoms resemble England during the Wars of the Roses, with the Stark and
Lannister families standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. The story of these two families and
their struggle to control the Iron Throne dominates the foreground; in the background is a huge,
ancient wall marking the northern border, beyond which barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves
menace the south as years-long winter advances. Abroad, a dragon princess lives among horse
nomads and dreams of fiery reconquest.
There is much bloodshed, cruelty, and death, but A Game of Thrones is nevertheless compelling; it
garnered a Nebula nomination and won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. So, on to A
Clash of Kings!
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