Game of Thrones
"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."
I'm completely hooked on the TV series and the book, Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. It is magnificent stuff. I'm up to the eighth episode now of the TV series with two more to go. The last one will be shown this weekend. This is modern fantasy at its best, transporting viewers to a world of magic, romance, adventure, ambition, love, murder, betrayal and revenge. Geez, what more can you ask for?
With the season about to end, I'm dreading having to leave the world of Winterfell, King's Landing and the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. I'm so completely caught up in this world. There's a second season in the works but it will only premiere in April 2012! That's too long to wait so I've started reading book one. I'm a third of the way through and so far it's proving to be just as good as the TV series, maybe even better. Of course, it's not literature but it's a lot of fun. If you want a sweeping epic novel then definitely read this book.
The characters are captivating including the bad guys. Martin has created a cast that you really grow to care about. Eddard Stark, John Snow, Bran, Daenerys, Arya, the list is endless because Game of Thrones does have a large cast. I think it helped to see a few episodes before starting the book because I'm now able to put a face to every name.
Has anyone read these books? What did you think? How are the rest of the books in the series?
I started on the TV show before I knew it was a series of books (IGNORAMUS! YES!) and now I don't know what to do! Read the book and potentially spoil the series? Or watch and then go back and read, and fill in the details more richly?
ReplyDeleteThese are my problems. :D
My husband has been loving the show and I am planning on buying the books for him. I think he will really like them!
ReplyDeleteI've read half of the first book so far, and didn't start to watch the episodes cause I want to be ahead of the TV serie when I'll do. But I head a lot of good reviews about it, so I can't wait to see how it is !
ReplyDeleteI started this series way back in 2003 and have been so inpatiently waiting for the latest book, (yes it's still going strong.) and the tv series. I can say that even though I know what's going to happen, I am still completely hooked. The cast is amazing, the director has stuck AMAZINGLY true to the books, and Mr. RR Martin has a large part in the decisions that go on in the tv. Read the books, they're epic, and make the show so much more excititng to watch.
ReplyDeletejfeldt
I've neither read nor seen Game of Thrones, but I am looking for some escapist summer reading....
ReplyDeleteI enjoy this series, too! I probably wouldn't describe it as modern fantasy, but I have loved the books since my friend first introduced me to them years ago and I just wish GRRM would write FASTER as he is really big on cliffhanger endings... sigh.
ReplyDeleteI really really want to read the books now! Because the show's ending (something awful just happened and I think I need to read the books and come to terms with the awful thing that happened without having to, like, look at it on the screen) and won't come back for a year. I can't do without it for a year!
ReplyDelete@ConstanceReader & @LyraSullyvan - I saw the series till episode 8 before starting the book. I think it definitely helped to see the series first. It makes it easier to keep track of the different characters. That said, I'm finishing the book first before watching the last 2 episodes.
ReplyDelete@jfedlt & @aarti - Good to know that the next books are just as good!
@C.B.James - This is an excellent book choice for summer, holiday or a plane ride.
@Jenny - I tried not to read your comment. I don't know what happens in the end yet!
I've been a fan for so long that it's strange to see it now receive the recognition it deserves. The adaptation is doing justice to the books, mostly through a great casting (Arya! Tyrion! Ned!).
ReplyDeleteI'm sooo looking forward to the new book that's coming out this July!
I really like the books. Except: I really hate it when authors start out to write a trilogy and end up writing a 7 book series.
ReplyDeleteI like closure.
I read Pillars of the Earth after reading about it on your blog and I loved it! Game of Thrones sounds right my my alley :)
ReplyDelete@Vaishnavi - That's great that you enjoyed Pillars. It's always nice to hear back from readers that they enjoyed a book I recommended. You will like Game of Thrones for sure. The TV show is also good so you can try that first if you're not sure.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book, too! And I found I couldn't wait to read the second book; I'd rather spend my time reading it than watching the series, although of course, after seeing a couple of episodes, I knew why it was such a big hit.
ReplyDeleteOh and I loved the Pillars of the Earth, too! Absolutely one of my favorites! :)
I will wait for your review of Ishiguro's A Pale View of the Hills. I loved both Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day, but I haven't picked up another one of his books yet again. Too much on my plate right now. :)