Saturday 23 April 2011

FANTASY REVIEW: A Song of Ice and Fire 1: Game of Thrones - George RR Martin

Release Date: 01/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

The first volume in the hugely popular and highly acclaimed epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. There is passion here, and misery and charm, grandeur and squalor, tragedy, nobility and courage. Now a major Sky Atlantic TV series from HBO, starring Sean Bean. Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plot, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men! all will play the Game of Thrones. Winter is coming!


REVIEW:

With the forthcoming TV series about to hit our screens and the latest escapades being released in July, we thought that it was high time to take a walk back down the deep dark roads of the origins of the epic Songs of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. As you’ve probably heard it is huge in all respects, it has a great cast, an author who plays for keeps and at times, one throw of the die is all you get before you have to pay the piper. It’s a dangerous game and with everyone seeking an advantage to gain them the upper hand it’s turned a kingdom against itself as everyone vies for the top position. Why anyone would want to be king beats me but at the rate it’s all going I’m going to be surprised if there is either much left of the kingdom or the people to rule over by the end. The Nobility in themselves are going to be pretty much wiped out and it can only begin again with most of the remaining upper classes being interrelated in future years so that everyone will have claim to the throne.

It’s definitely got a lot of things going for it and when you have an author who really loves to demonstrate that you don’t know much about what is going on until he lets slip a fact like it’s a drop of water to a dying man, then you know that the whims of the gods and characters are all that are keeping them from death.

On the downside front it’s the waiting time between titles with A Game of Thrones being originally released last century (1996) and we’re only now hitting book five (A Dance with Dragons which is purportedly being released in July 2011.) All in, if you want a huge cast of characters, great epic adventure, a superior writing style, then you have to give GRRM his due. He certain knows how to deliver. If you want your books quick, then either wait for the series conclusion and start then or perhaps find another author who’s a tad more regular.

1 comment:

Pat Hollett said...

Although it sounds like a great series, it's probably one that I wouldn't have time to read although after reading your review, I'd absolutely love to watch the series. I just hope it comes to Canada. Looks like Sean Bean on the cover. Very good actor and probably going to be an excellent series. Let's hope it stays true to the story. :)