Reviews

Golly! What can I say that hasn’t already been said? George RR Martins expansive world and impressive and unique characters have held me captivated ever since I started watching the show. I binged all eight seasons the summer after the series ended. I cant say that Im surprised that the book is three times as good as the first season. Knowing everything that happens does take some of the wind out of it though, I will say, since season one and book one are mirrors except that in the book you get the characters internal thoughts. I know the show omits a lot and deviates a lot, I just cant wait to get to that fork in the road.

It was difficult for me to keep up with the multiple POVs and excessive details in appearances and scenery though. Ive been meaning to finish this book for years and it wasnt until I started listening to audiobooks at work that I managed it.

This is a book series that Ill have to space out. I dont think Ill be starting the second one until Ive had time to soak up the first. It feels like Martin just stuffs you with half climaxes and a zillion little ideas like breadcrumbs to hold onto.

hilikus_00's review against another edition

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4.0

I don't normally read books of this genre but given all the buzz, and my interest in the television show, I thought I'd give this one a try. I really liked the narration style of this book, each chapter following the story of a different character. I thought that helped to keep things interesting and to keep the reader on the edge of their seats. I thought the character development was really great, giving us enough insight into each character to understand them and their motivations, but leaving enough to the imagination to let us draw our own (even if lead) conclusions. Daenerys was my favourite character, but she's probably everybody's favourite character, growing from weak to amazingly fierce and strong throughout the course of the book. Tyrion as well, because despite his sharp tongue and wit, the reader got a strong sense of his insecurities as well. So all in all, I did enjoy reading this book. It got a little bit slow in the middle but picked up again with AMAZING speed at the end. Well done.

amira63's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

peaguirr8's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

xdilox's review against another edition

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4.0

To be clear I have seen the entirety of the HBO Series prior to picking up this book. George R.R. Martin's ability to create such a vast and believable world is something I have never seen so greatly done. Now I haven't read any fantasy outside of this so take that for what you will. I thoroughly enjoyed how the chapters were split up for each character so you get their pov. The sole reason this book did not get a five star rating is that there is just so many characters and the politics at points becomes dry and boring. Although I respect how George is able to write such believable and realistic conversations on how to solve issues and how characters would react to them. In conclusion though his lengthy periods between each novel makes sense how he can achieve such phenomenal storytelling and world-building.

niccinite's review against another edition

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5.0

So I'm clearly late to this party...I don't watch the show and I hadn't even heard of the books until the show came out. Not a big Fantasy reader so I really have nothing to compare this to as far as genre goes.

I don't even know how to review this book except to say that I loved it. I have heard all the hype about the show and how great it was. I'm a "book is always better than film" girl to the core. So, at the urging of two friends I work with I decided to read the books before taking on the show (I probably should have watched the show first if for no other reason than to know how to pronounce character names). I don't even know who to root for, because most of these characters are so cunning and evil and deceitful...it's hard to tell who's bad and who's good. I will say this though, I can't recall a book that has made me actually HATE characters, this book did that....on to 'A Clash of Kings'

hncollins99's review against another edition

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adventurous tense

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

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