A Game of Thrones

by George R R Martin, George R.R. Martin
A Game of Thrones cover
Good Books rating 4.19
Fantasy
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  • ID: 4151
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780007378425
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2010-12-23
  • Reviews: 4

A Game of Thrones, the first volume in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, is a sprawling epic that has captivated millions of readers worldwide. Set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, the story unfolds through the eyes of several key characters, each navigating a treacherous landscape of alliances, betrayals, and power plays. The narrative is renowned for its complex characters, intricate plotting, and morally gray decisions, making it a standout in the fantasy genre. Beyond its compelling plot, the book is celebrated for its richly detailed world-building, drawing inspiration from medieval history and mythology. Martin's intricate political maneuvering and unforgettable characters have made A Game of Thrones a cornerstone of modern fantasy literature, appealing to both casual readers and dedicated fans of the genre.

Reviews
booksplease.org · Unknown · 2025-11-14
excellent 4.50

A Game of Thrones is a gripping and immersive fantasy novel that masterfully blends political intrigue, complex characters, and a richly detailed world. The story is compelling, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

A Game of Thrones is a masterful blend of political intrigue, complex characters, and a richly detailed world. The story is set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, where noble families vie for power and control. The narrative is gripping, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and flaws, making them relatable and engaging. The world-building is exceptional, with a detailed history and lore that adds depth to the story. The prose is vivid and descriptive, bringing the world to life in a way that is both immersive and captivating. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action and quieter, more reflective scenes that allow for character development and world-building. The themes of power, loyalty, and betrayal are explored in depth, adding a layer of complexity to the story. Overall, A Game of Thrones is a must-read for fans of fantasy and epic storytelling.

Quick quotes

    The story is compelling, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

    The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and flaws, making them relatable and engaging.

    The world-building is exceptional, with a detailed history and lore that adds depth to the story.

infinityplus.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-22
mixed 3.00

A Game of Thrones is a sprawling epic fantasy with a richly detailed world and complex characters, but it suffers from overly verbose writing and repetitive descriptions. The plot is engaging, but the execution is marred by lazy prose and ambiguity. The book has moments of brilliance, such as the surgical operation scene, but overall, it feels overlong and could benefit from tighter editing.

A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin is a massive undertaking, with a detailed world and a plethora of characters and political intrigue. The story is set in a world where children grow up fast, and the narrative is filled with houses, wars, prophecies, and dragons. The book has been highly hyped, and while it does deliver on the promise of an epic fantasy, it falls short in terms of writing quality. The prose is often overly verbose and repetitive, with ambiguous descriptions that can be confusing. For example, the description of a sword's sharpness is compared to a razor, which is a lazy and unconvincing metaphor. The book also contains scenes of paedophilia and violence that, while fitting within the dark tone of the story, can be jarring. Despite these issues, there are moments of brilliance, such as the surgical operation scene, which is described with a level-headed skill that the rest of the book lacks. The heart tree and the pseudo-occult ritual called bloodmagic are also well-handled elements. However, the book's length and the repetitive nature of the writing make it a challenging read. It feels as though the book could have been significantly shorter and more impactful with tighter editing.

Quick quotes

    The best books are those about which all previous impressions (if any) are dashed during the reading.

    It doesn't work. If we had been given earlier references to Will's knowledge of how to compare at a glance the relative sharpnesses of swords and razors, then we might forgive this sort of sloppiness.

    The reader is not stupid, and passages like these read like overkill.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer was blown away by 'The Final Empire,' praising its rich world-building, complex characters, and engaging plot. They found the moral philosophy and character dynamics particularly compelling, despite some info dumps.

The reviewer was absolutely thrilled with 'The Final Empire,' expressing regret for not reading it sooner. They appreciated the detailed world-building and the interesting info dumps that were seamlessly integrated into the story. The moral philosophy and character dynamics were highlights, adding depth to the plot and making the characters feel real and significant. The reviewer also enjoyed the heist-like plot, which was executed well without falling into typical tropes. They found the ending satisfying and are eager to explore more of the series and its lore.

Quick quotes

    OHHHHHHHHHH MY GOD WHY DID I WAIT OVER TEN YEARS TO ACTUALLY READ THIS!!!!!!!!

    There’s a touch of moral philosophy in here that I adored.

    I’m so happy I finally read this. ^.^

Editorial Department · 2024-01-07
fantastic 4.75

Martin's work is masterful, with a swift pace and plenty of action to introduce key points of conflict.

This review praises Martin's work as masterful, highlighting the swift pace and plenty of action that introduce the novel's key points of conflict. The reviewer appreciates the way Martin builds tension and keeps readers engaged with a variety of conflicts, from the Night's Watch to the political intrigues of Westeros. They also note that the book's characters are well-developed, with each one having their own unique motivations and arcs. Overall, the reviewer highly recommends the book to anyone looking for a great fantasy read, praising its ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Quick quotes

    Martin's work is masterful—a swift pace and plenty of action are used to introduce the novel's three key points of conflict.

    The characters are well-developed, with each one having their own unique motivations and arcs.

    It is a great fantasy read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

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