A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One A Song of Ice and Fire, #1
Paperback, 704 pages
English language
Published Jan. 5, 1998 by Voyager.
Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
As Warden of the North, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.
The old gods have no power in the south, Stark's family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne. --back cover
Really enjoyed this. I see some people are writing novels of their own, just to say hope much they hate it. Which is just weird.
There are no pure heroes. Some are better than others, but all the characters have their flaws. There is magic, but it’s wild and fairly uncontrolled. The politics and character flaws drive the story.
A forgettable exercise in reading what felt like a discovery writer trying to meet a daily word quota. Has the typical characteristics of a book by a pantser: really great characters with an ending that just kind of happens. I got through about four and a half of these before I just gave up.
The HBO series is much better, though I used to joke throughout season one it should have been named, "Game of Talking about Things Happening Off Screen, to Other Characters in Distant Lands."
I think I may just not be the right audience for this sort of book, as I am hard to sell on stories with many character viewpoints with slow pacing in the first place, and I don't really like nonstop violence against women and rape very much. It also just didn't grip me, perhaps because my emotional response to constant 'anyone can die' when I haven't bonded with any characters yet is to just not bond with any of them at all, but also because perhaps I just didn't strongly identify with any of the characters.
All the stuff I hated about Tolkien without any of what I liked about Tolkien, plus more stuff I don't like, is not a great combination.
вислухав аудіоверсію перекладу французькою.
I watched the TV shows just this winter and really liked it. Reading was even better as you get even more details and can better remember the facts that are sometimes presented too fast on TV, also there's more information and details.
Altogether a great book and I can't wait to read the next one. I really liked the way the chapters are written from a different character's viewpoint.
I really don't see why people love this series. I found this book to be tedious, in fact it has taken me three attempts to read it, I only stuck with it this time as it was part of a reading challenge. The characters are dull, moody and feel flat (one dimensional?) there are over 800 pages here and not much seems to have actually happened, any time that something exciting happens, like a big battle, it's like the author didn't have the balls to write the scene and just tells you the outcome. The battle at riverun would have been amazing to read if only it had been written.
I'm not a fan of the TV series, you can see why HBO show so many tits, its just to keep you awake.
I won't be reading any more of this series... unless it's forced on me in a reading …
I really don't see why people love this series. I found this book to be tedious, in fact it has taken me three attempts to read it, I only stuck with it this time as it was part of a reading challenge. The characters are dull, moody and feel flat (one dimensional?) there are over 800 pages here and not much seems to have actually happened, any time that something exciting happens, like a big battle, it's like the author didn't have the balls to write the scene and just tells you the outcome. The battle at riverun would have been amazing to read if only it had been written.
I'm not a fan of the TV series, you can see why HBO show so many tits, its just to keep you awake.
I won't be reading any more of this series... unless it's forced on me in a reading challenge.
Sobald ich das Buch nach dem Erhalt ausgepackt und das erste Mal aufgeschlagen hatte, konnte ich kaum die Finger von ihm lassen. Jedes Mal, wenn ich vorbei kam, musste ich etwas darin blättern und die großartigen Bilder und Zeichnungen betrachten. Oder zumindest die Drachen auf dem Cover streicheln und ihre Details bewundern. Auch bevor ich dazu kam mit der Lektüre anzufangen, hatte ich mich schon verliebt. Denn selbst ohne Text ist dies ein großartiges, interessantes Buch.
Die Zeichnungen sind von vielen verschiedenen Künstlern und dementsprechend sind manche mehr nach meinem persönlichen Geschmack als andere. Und wenn eine Person mal auf mehren Bildern zu sehen ist (was nicht oft vorkommt bei der großen Auswahl) sieht man eben auch verschiedene Interpretationen. Was ich aber gerade gut fand. Ebenso wie ich es toll fand, dass die Bilder meinem Eindruck nach sehr wenig von der TV-Serie und den jeweiligen Schauspielern inspiriert wurden, sondern wirklich …
Sobald ich das Buch nach dem Erhalt ausgepackt und das erste Mal aufgeschlagen hatte, konnte ich kaum die Finger von ihm lassen. Jedes Mal, wenn ich vorbei kam, musste ich etwas darin blättern und die großartigen Bilder und Zeichnungen betrachten. Oder zumindest die Drachen auf dem Cover streicheln und ihre Details bewundern. Auch bevor ich dazu kam mit der Lektüre anzufangen, hatte ich mich schon verliebt. Denn selbst ohne Text ist dies ein großartiges, interessantes Buch.
Die Zeichnungen sind von vielen verschiedenen Künstlern und dementsprechend sind manche mehr nach meinem persönlichen Geschmack als andere. Und wenn eine Person mal auf mehren Bildern zu sehen ist (was nicht oft vorkommt bei der großen Auswahl) sieht man eben auch verschiedene Interpretationen. Was ich aber gerade gut fand. Ebenso wie ich es toll fand, dass die Bilder meinem Eindruck nach sehr wenig von der TV-Serie und den jeweiligen Schauspielern inspiriert wurden, sondern wirklich komplett nur nach Martins Texten von den Künstlern erschaffen wurden.
Aber auch inhaltlich ist es toll. Es lässt sich grob in vier Teile teilen: Die antike Geschichte von Westeros und anderen wichtigen Orten (beispielsweise Valyria) vor der Targaryen-Herrschaft , dann eine Chronik eben dieser Herrschaft (kurz: Krieg, vergossenes Blut und Inzest xD), eine Vorstellung der 7 Königsländer von Westeros und schließlich eine Vorstellung der anderen Länder/Städte neben Westeros wie Braavos, Asshai und viele mehr.Und dabei wimmelt es nur so von interessanten Details und Informationen. Gerade die Kapitel über Gebiete außerhalb von Westeros fand ich dabei gut, weil denen (bisher?) in den eigentlichen Büchern recht wenig Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt wurden und es mich gefreut hat mehr zu ihnen zu erfahren.
Geschrieben sind die Texte im Stil eines fiktiven Geschichtsbuches mit einem Maester der Zitadelle als Verfasser. Dieser bezieht sich auch oft auf andere Werke und Autoren, aus denen er auch hin und wieder zitiert. Diesen Kunstgriff finde ich eine hervorragende Idee.
es ist so nervend, dass es für diese Welt keinen Oberbegriff gibt
Ein paar kleine Kritikpunkte gibt es dann doch, wobei ein Teil davon unvermeidlich ist. Zum einen nutzt das Buch verständlicherweise die auch in den Hauptbüchern verwendeten deutschen Begriffe, was etwas verwirrend sein kann, wenn man mehr die englischen gewöhnt ist. Und was in aller Welt hat sich Martin bei den Vornamen der Targaryens gedacht? Einerseits ist es ja toll, dass man auf den ersten Blick erkennt, dass jeder mit 2 ‘ae’s und einem ‘y’ im Vornamen ein Targaryen sein muss, aber andererseits macht es die Namen auch verdammt ähnlich. Und dann haben die auch noch alle 2 Generationen die gleichen Namen.
Auch enthält es natürlich keine Spoiler über die noch folgenden Bücher, sondern ist was Stammbäume und dergleichen betrifft, auf dem aktuellen Standpunkt. Macht ja auch Sinn, ich will mir nicht die Reaktionen vorstellen, wenn hier schon Hochzeiten, Geburten und Todesfälle verraten worden würden.
Wobei das mit den Todesfällen eh so eine Sache ist. In den Stammbäumen wird nämlich leider nicht markiert, welche der Personen verstorben und welche noch am Leben sind. Klar, bei den zurückliegenden Generationen ist es offensichtlich, die sind alle tot. Aber gerade bei den aktuellen hätte ich es hilfreich gefunden. wenn es dabei gestanden hätte. Und Rhaego wird nicht einmal aufgeführt.
Jon Snow wird übrigens als uneheliches Kind von Ned Stark und einer unbekannten Mutter im Stammbaum geführt. Kann man jetzt daraus schließen, was man will xD
Man muss natürlich ein Fan der Bücherreihe und/oder Fernsehserie sein, um mit diesem Buch etwas anfangen zu könnten. Aber wenn ja, ist es wirklich eine großartige Ergänzung. Und einfach auch ein Schmuckstück. Ich weiß noch nicht genau, wo und wie ich mein Exemplar aufbewahre, aber es ist definitiv zu schade um in einem Bücherregal zu stehen, so dass man nur den Buchrücken sehen kann.
Und es macht mir richtig Lust darauf mehr über einzelne Teile aus dieser längst vergessenen Zeit zu erfahren. Valyria mit seinen Drachenherren beispielsweise finde ich hochinteressant und würde sofort einen ganzen Roman lesen, der dort spielt (also sobald die eigentliche ASoIaF-Reihe beendet ist).
Lives up-to its hype. If you are among the few who are skeptical of this series because of its immense popularity, I suggest you inhibit those doubts and should definitely read it.
Actual vote: 4.5 stars
Martin è senza dubbio un bravissimo scrittore.
Delinea i personaggi in modo cosi dettagliato che sembrano veri, umani, con i loro pregi e difetti, doppiogiochisti, onorevoli, orgogliosi o umili. Ti ci fa affezionare o te li fa odiare, ma come se fossero persone, quindi quello che sta simpatico a me può non stare simpatico ad un altro e via discorrendo. Di questo libro mi è piaciuto quasi tutto, in primis la scrittura o lo stile, per intenderci. Ciò che non mi è piaciuto non sono le morti che già sapevo perché ho visto la serie TV (anche se fino all'ultimo speravo che non accadessero), bensì i POV di alcuni personaggi prettamente noiosi o paranoici. Tutto cio, però, lo considero relativo. Mi spiego: anche in quei capitoli dove mi sono rotta le scatole succedeva qualcosa o veniva spiegato qualcosa di importante, infatti per questo li ho apprezzati. …
Actual vote: 4.5 stars
Martin è senza dubbio un bravissimo scrittore.
Delinea i personaggi in modo cosi dettagliato che sembrano veri, umani, con i loro pregi e difetti, doppiogiochisti, onorevoli, orgogliosi o umili. Ti ci fa affezionare o te li fa odiare, ma come se fossero persone, quindi quello che sta simpatico a me può non stare simpatico ad un altro e via discorrendo. Di questo libro mi è piaciuto quasi tutto, in primis la scrittura o lo stile, per intenderci. Ciò che non mi è piaciuto non sono le morti che già sapevo perché ho visto la serie TV (anche se fino all'ultimo speravo che non accadessero), bensì i POV di alcuni personaggi prettamente noiosi o paranoici. Tutto cio, però, lo considero relativo. Mi spiego: anche in quei capitoli dove mi sono rotta le scatole succedeva qualcosa o veniva spiegato qualcosa di importante, infatti per questo li ho apprezzati. Ciò che mi ha fatto tentare il suicidio più volte è il modo in cui alcuni personaggi metabolizzano gli eventi (avete visto che sono veri? Vi prego, ditemi che non sono l'unica a pensarlo). Ad esempio, Sansa! Spero che si dia una bella svegliata prima o poi perché è tutta un "Joffrey mi ama e anche la regina mi ama" oppure "ripeti a memori tutto quello che ti hanno insegnato a dire in queste situazioni". Oppure Catelyn! Miiiii! "Devo essere una Stark". I personaggi che dicono questo tipo di frasi ("devo comportarmi da...devo dimostrare di essere qui, là e insà") mi stanno sulle balle. Cara Catelyn non sarai mai una Stark, ma un l'insopportabile e rompipalle Tully! Oppure Bran... Martin, ma ti pare?! Non era meglio fare morire lui e tenere in vita Khal Drogo?! Perché devi storpiare un ragazzino che da paralizzato è inutile come una nutria e mi fai morire Khal Drogo per una morte stupida?! vabbe tralasciamo, tanto è inutile parlare con Martin... Insomma il tutto per dire che i personaggi sono vivi e sono legati da intrighi politici di tanto di cappello.
Consigliato? Assolutamente si! Anche a chi non è amante del fantasy dato che di Fantasy ha relativamente poco. Passatemi il concetto. Gli elementi fantasy in questo libro non sono portanti. I personaggi sono umani e la trama si snoda tra intrighi di corte, non attraverso un sistema magico.
I devoured this book a few years ago. While the language is awfully descriptive, and the language itself can get quite repetitive, the actual story and subplots are amazing. Characters are shades of gray, events are set up beautifully.
I really wish I read this book before watching Game of Thrones. Remembering the events of the first season meant having to fight my feelings of dread and force myself to keep reading every time I came across an 'Eddard' chapter. I have to applaud GoT creators for staying so close to the book, though reading it added a lot of depth to many characters and relationships and made me re-evaluate my opinion of them.
Overall, a worthwhile read and very hard to put down. Will be continuing on with the series shortly!
The first novel in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series can only be described with one word - epic. In the truest sense of the word, A Game of Thrones is huge, captivating, and all-encompassing. Martin has a clear voice with which he writes, clarity that is essential amongst dozens of kingdoms and even more characters. Even with all the names and relationships to remember, Martin makes sure you will not forget them with his captivating descriptions and dialogue. A Game of Thrones is a lengthy novel, but every moment will have you on your toes, forcing you to read on into the next chapter or else be left wondering - Martin has a special knack for cliffhangers. All of these elements combined together give Martin a unique edge in the fantasy category. There are enough kings, magicians, and creatures to satisfy any avid fantasy reader, …
The first novel in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series can only be described with one word - epic. In the truest sense of the word, A Game of Thrones is huge, captivating, and all-encompassing. Martin has a clear voice with which he writes, clarity that is essential amongst dozens of kingdoms and even more characters. Even with all the names and relationships to remember, Martin makes sure you will not forget them with his captivating descriptions and dialogue. A Game of Thrones is a lengthy novel, but every moment will have you on your toes, forcing you to read on into the next chapter or else be left wondering - Martin has a special knack for cliffhangers. All of these elements combined together give Martin a unique edge in the fantasy category. There are enough kings, magicians, and creatures to satisfy any avid fantasy reader, but all are presented in such a way that A Song of Ice and Fire may very well be an introductory novel for many novice, future fantasy fans.
The intrigue and jockeying for the throne reminds me of Shogun.
Simply epic!!!
Even in 2017 I will maintain that this is the start of one of the best epic fantasy series ever. At the time I read this, I was devastated by the world, the characters, the death, blood and gore. I loved it. And I still do. It has some of my favorite characters (the Lannister twins, Jon Snow, Daenerys, Arya), some of the best villains or non-villains who are just people, and some of the most surprising plot twists and "oh no no no you cannot .... oh you can" moments. ASoIaF is immersive like little I had read before...
I just would not recommend reading these books anymore as the written series was over-taken by the HBO series--which in its own right is absolutely fantastic.
But I am currently assuming that beyond the most horrible cliffhanger that has ever been written (stabbing my favorite character in the back leaving …
Even in 2017 I will maintain that this is the start of one of the best epic fantasy series ever. At the time I read this, I was devastated by the world, the characters, the death, blood and gore. I loved it. And I still do. It has some of my favorite characters (the Lannister twins, Jon Snow, Daenerys, Arya), some of the best villains or non-villains who are just people, and some of the most surprising plot twists and "oh no no no you cannot .... oh you can" moments. ASoIaF is immersive like little I had read before...
I just would not recommend reading these books anymore as the written series was over-taken by the HBO series--which in its own right is absolutely fantastic.
But I am currently assuming that beyond the most horrible cliffhanger that has ever been written (stabbing my favorite character in the back leaving him most likely dead?) no more books will be forthcoming.
After the infamous GRRM is not your bitch line by Neil Gaiman himself, we're all terribly aware of the fine line between fan entitlement and whatever other reaction there could possibly be...
There are probably tons of reasons that next book has not been written. It is not for me to speculate about, comment on or criticize these reasons whatever they may be.
But I find it impossible to have no reaction at all after waiting for years and years for [b: The Winds of Winter|12111823|The Winds of Winter (A Song of Ice and Fire, #6)|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1465341854s/12111823.jpg|6570035] (now expected 2020) and finally realizing that it may never be written at all and definitely not the way it should have been. It makes me sad more than anything, to see that the potential of this series will likely remain unfulfilled because we'll never be able to find out just how it would have been written if there had been no HBO.
I have just stopped waiting for another book to ever be written. It's not that I don't care anymore or that I wouldn't read it (definitely would read it) but my excitement has just fizzled out.
And sometimes when someone gushes about the TV-show seasons that I haven't seen because I wanted to read the books first, I feel a stab of disappointment.
