You might have heard of the phrase “Game of Thrones” before, whether that’s on YouTube ads, articles, or simply because of the well-known tv show of this book series. In fact, the tv show is currently ranking fourth in the world’s most viewed tv show with a total view of over 19.3 million! Being so incredibly popular, the story definitely has something unique about it. The story takes place in a kingdom called “Westeros” (most likely the UK now) in mid-century Europe. The society is ruled not by governments but by high lords of great houses. There are nine main houses in the story: Stark of Winterfell, Lannister of Casterly Rock, Tyrell of High Garden, Arryn of The Erie, Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, Baratheon of the Storm’s End, Tully of the Riverlands, and Martell of Dorne. Unsurprisingly, the main characters, in fact many, are powerful lords and ladies in Westeros. The plots in the story are mostly dialogues of these lords who are trying to claim the throne after the old king has died. The readers get to know these characters better by reading these dialogues that gracefully represent their feelings and intelligence. As the story unfolds, more plots are revealed in different locations which makes the overall story more fascinating. Undoubtedly, the author gave a map of the region “Westeros” in each book so the readers can keep track of where the story is happening and when. Overall, I would rate the first series of the book a 5 out of 5 because of how drastic and surprising some parts were and how intelligent the characters seem when battling each other verbally. -@tiny_astronaut of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library

This book was fantastic! Definitely for a more mature audience; however, it hooks you from the beginning and keeps you interested throughout its entirety. I did not want to put it down! You grow to love certain characters, and detest others, which is only a peak at the development that George R. R. Martin carries out through the book. Although there were definitely deaths in the novel, I thought that it was well-balanced, as opposed to enforced for no reason. I also really enjoyed how the book changes narrator’s each chapter, because it allows for the story to follow multiple directions, while also lets the reader grow closer to certain character’s through seeing their perspective. This novel, in some ways, reminded me of a more mature version of the Throne of Glass series, so if you have by chance read, and enjoyed, those books I would definitely recommend this series. And if you haven’t yet, I would still recommend giving this series a try, so long as you are ok with some darker scenes and themes @PeneleopeScriptor of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library

I loved this book! I read it after watching the series, but wish I had read it before watching. George R.R. Martin's twists for characters' fates keeps you uncertain that what you think is going to happen in this book is actually going to happen. Highly recommend!

Add my voice to the chorus of voices praising this book. Reading it after watching the television show was awesome: it was like reliving the show all over again. Whether you have watched the show or are a newcomer, I strongly suggest you add this classic to your reading list.

I strongly recommend this read for fantasy loving adults! This story is not at all easy to predict! George R.R. Martin does a great job with world building and descriptions. Every time you think you've figured out the hero, something in the story changes. It does have a bit of rated R elements to it, but i recommend reading it. The series currently has five books and I still hold out hope that the sixth one is coming out someday. Don't think the TV series is anything like these books. It may start out that way, but these books take a different path than the TV series did.

Mr. Martin hits his stride from the get-go. His writing is so fluid here that he could have made baking bread interesting. Bloody brilliant.

This is a very addictive read ... I had trouble putting it down.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I just don't get the hype for this book. Every time you start to like a character, they're killed off. There's so much going on that it's incredibly hard to keep all of the characters in your head. And, most of all, there's just too much horrible, awful stuff going on for me to actually enjoy reading them. I got through 3 and then just couldn't want to continue.

A Game of Thrones is an interesting book. Basically, the plot revolves around several ruling dynasties/houses in a medieval-like fantasy setting fighting against each other for claim to the iron throne. George R.R Martin writes well, and it was easy to feel like you knew the characters right away. The book also never really felt boring or slow-paced. I liked the Starks’ story arc the best but also enjoyed getting to read from Jon Snow’s point of view. Some of Tyrion Lannister’s snarky and sarcastic comments were funny and I laughed occasionally.
But don’t get me wrong, there’s a reason I rated it so low. I’ll be honest and say that this is one the hardest books I have ever made myself read. I tried reading this once before a few years ago but didn’t make it past the prologue. I know why now. The book is vulgar, gory, and amoral - to the point where I felt grossed out and sickened by the things that were going on. This includes the descriptive sex and rape scenes, the incest, violence, and language. While you could argue that these things are realistic or historically accurate, I felt like GRRM added some of these things just for the sake of being vulgar or violent. Most fantasy books I’ve read have made up curse words (like The Wheel of Time), and it surprised me that Game of Thrones frequently used so much course language. I had problems with Daenerys’s character in this novel. I know that she’s supposed to develop from a frightened young girl to an empowered woman throughout the series, but she felt too stupid and crazy in this book. I also thought the scene at the end where she makes through the fire naked was really weird and after finishing the book, I felt pretty grossed out.

I would not recommend this book series to a younger audience. Game of Thrones is not Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. It’s fantasy, but it’s not a fun adventure story with a happy ending and it takes a lot of will power to get to the end. I probably won’t read this again and if I decide to continue reading the series, it will be a while before I do.

I absolutly loved the book... Its has soo much more detailes the the show... I kinda re watched the first seasson as i read this book... Definatly needed more details frm the book in the show... But i loved this book.. Will be starting the second book really soon

Winter is coming- loved house stark

Simply the greatest fantasy series ever written. Yes, better than Tolkien, and, yes, I will fight you. I first read this in 2000, and have been obsessed ever since.