I have been debating this post for a while, trying to figure out the best way to tackle something so huge that it can't really be given the attention it truly deserves in a single post. No more procrastinating, here it is.
George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, and its HBO adaption: Game of Thrones.
I love novels that won't let you put them down, and The Song of Ice and Fire series is the best I have come across in a long time. A dynamic, immersive epic fantasy, The Song of Ice and Fire is unlike anything I have ever come across. It's characters are well defined, living, breathing, people with sometimes extraordinary everyday problems, who worry about the decisions that they make, and how their choices will effect the people around them. Every character has his or her own motivations that drive them, often at cross purposes with other characters. The plots (Yes plots, plural) are incredibly well fleshed out, and deviously convoluted. The beautiful part about this is no matter how obscure a reference, you can be certain that even a casual mention will impact the story down the line, and usually in a BIG way.
For those of you who haven't yet picked up the series for yourselves, what are you waiting for? I have tried to keep this post spoiler free, but there are some images and comments below that will reveal small things about the tale. I don't mean to ruin anything for anyone, but this is a series that begs to be discussed. Like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, rarely have I seen so many people fervently reading the same books at the same time, lugging 800-1200 page bricks around with them where ever they go, hoping for an opportunity to read even a few more pages, all of them dying to share their discoveries with fellow readers. Like friends comparing notes on favourite movies, these novels promote a strong sense of community between their readers and practically demand to be discussed in an open forum.
I was first introduced to George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy through the HBO adaption of his series titled Game of Thrones. With 10 episodes in it's first season, the HBO series aims to cover one book per season, a task that, thus far, it has done with remarkable precision. After watching the pilot I was hooked. All aspects of the HBO series are marvelously executed. I flew through the 10 episodes in about 3 days in late August. I immediately went out and bought the first 5 books of the series. To date, these are one only titles available, in what is eventually planned to be a 7 book series. I read the first book, 800+ pages, in 3 days and never looked back. As is so often the case, these books are better than the film version, and in this case, that is not an easy thing to do.
Set primarily in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, A Song of Ice and Fire is a feat of world building on scale with Tolkien's Middle Earth, or Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman's Deathgate Cycle. The parallels are easy to draw, but there are origin references that hint at an Atlantis-esque origin story as well, tipping the hat to our own diverse wealth of myth and legend. There is a rich, diverse history for each of the Seven Kingdoms and varied belief systems dating back roughly 12,000 years, that has a significant impact on the current events depicted in the novels. Like any setting that is this well defined, the reader has absolutely no problems becoming totally immersed in the day to day lives of the myriad characters that inhabit this fictional world.
The reader is introduced to a vivid and incredibly diverse cast of characters early on. In the first novel: A Game of Thrones, readers experience the story from the perspectives of roughly a dozen principal characters. Love them, or hate them, each of these principal characters elicit strong reactions from the readership. First and foremost we meet the Stark Family. One of the 8 primary principal Noble Houses of Westeros, owing allegiance to the Iron Throne, The Starks are the Guardians of the North, and can trace their lineage back to the Kings of The North, before Aegon the Conqueror united the various feuding states of Westeros into the untied Seven Kingdoms. Their heraldric arms depict a grey Direwolf rampant on a white field, and their Family words are "Winter is Coming." (Like I said, there is an immersive, well defined back story). When we first meet them, the Stark family consists of:
Eddard (Ned) Stark - The Father, Guardian on the North, Lord of Winterfell. In his mid 30's (late 40's in the HBO special) A seasoned man in his prime, Ned is a man for whom honour and duty are paramount. He has close ties to King Robert Baratheon, whom he was fostered with as a boy.
Catelyn (Cat) Stark - The Mother. In her early 30's (early 40's in the HBO special) Catelyn is the Elder daughter of Hoster Tully, the Lord of the Riverlands. Her marriage Ned Stark was intended to cement the alliance between these two powerful houses. She is utterly devoted to her husband, and fiercely protective of her natural born children Catelyn resents the presence of John Snow at Winterfell, as she still considers his existence as a slight to her marriage .
Robb Stark - Their first born son. 18 years old. Rob is Heir to Winterfell and the Title of Guardian of the North.
Jon Snow - Ned's bastard son, brought home to be raised at Winterfell after the successful Rebellion that put Robert Barathian on the Iron Throne. Jon has been raised amongst his half siblings since he was a year old. He knows nothing of his mother. 17 years old. He deeply cares for all of his 1/2 siblings, despite Catelyn's continued disapproval of his presence at Winterfell.
Sansa Stark - Their first born daughter. 13 years old. Renown for her youthful beauty, even at her early age, Sansa dreams of a life at court, filled with fine dresses, elegant balls, and handsome suitors.
Arya Stark - Their youngest Daughter, 9 years old. Arya is a tomboy, more at home climbing trees and causing mischief, then at her needlework. Arya is a free spirit who often laments her lot in life as a girl of noble blood.
Brandon (Bran) Stark - The 2nd born son. 8 years old. Bran is a free spirit to loves to climb the tallest towers of Winterfell, and dreams of being a knight when he is older.
Rickon Stark - The youngest child of the Stark line. When we first meet Rickon, he is 3 years old.
We are also introduced to the Lannister's of Casterly Rock. Principal family of the Westerlands, the Lannisters are the richest family in Westeros, thanks to the gold mines found in and around their holdings at Casterly Rock and Lannisport. Their patriarch, Tywin Lannister served as Hand to the King, during the reign of King Aery's the Mad King prior to Robert Baratheon's rebellion. There coat of arms depicts a golden lion rampant on a red field. Their Family words are "Hear Me Roar." When we are first introduced to them they are as follows:
Lord Tywin Lannister - Warden of the West, Shield of of Lannisport, Lord of Casterly Rock. The patriarch.
Ser Jaime Lannister - Eldest scion of House Lannister. The King Slayer, Twin brother of Cersei. A member of the King's Guard. It was Jaime's sword thrust that ended the rule of King Aery's the Mad, thus winning the rebellion for Robert Barathian.
Queen Cersei Baratheon - Twin sister of Jamie. Wife of King Robert Baratheon.
Tyrion Lannister - The Imp. Youngest son of Lord Tywin. Heir to Casterly Rock. A source of constant disappointment for his Lord Father.
Crown Prince Jeoffery Baratheon - Eldest Son of King Robert & Queen Cersi. Grandchild to Lord Tywin.
Princess Myrcella Baratheon - Only Daughter of King Robert & Queen Cersi. Grandchild to Lord Tywin.
Prince Tommen Baratheon - 2nd born son of King Robert & Queen Cersi. Grandchild to Lord Tywin.
Just be warned, that these are only two of the families entwined in the Game of Thrones. Countless other characters inhabit these pages, breathing life into this fascinating and remarkable tale. For clarification, be sure to read the appendices that Martin has included in each novel.
The rich, detailed world combine with the realistic, believable characters to create a epic fantasy the likes of which I have never encountered. Martin's dark, visceral tale grips you early in the telling and refuses to let you go. Book after book, it is impossible to put them down. But be warned. These are not your typical fantasy novel. They are aimed at an adult audience. Good doesn't always triumph over evil. Nothing is black or white. Shades of grey prevail in this tale. The supposed hero doesn't always get the girl. This is a long, dark, read. It's genre defying novels like this that truly make make me appreciate the art involved in the writers craft.
Rather than cheapening the experience and delving into a lengthy synopsis of what happens in the novels, instead, I implore you to pick them up for yourself. Make your own discoveries. Form your own opinions. Like so many others around you right now, immerse yourself in this wonderful story. You'll thank me.
After all, Winter is Coming.
George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, and its HBO adaption: Game of Thrones.
I love novels that won't let you put them down, and The Song of Ice and Fire series is the best I have come across in a long time. A dynamic, immersive epic fantasy, The Song of Ice and Fire is unlike anything I have ever come across. It's characters are well defined, living, breathing, people with sometimes extraordinary everyday problems, who worry about the decisions that they make, and how their choices will effect the people around them. Every character has his or her own motivations that drive them, often at cross purposes with other characters. The plots (Yes plots, plural) are incredibly well fleshed out, and deviously convoluted. The beautiful part about this is no matter how obscure a reference, you can be certain that even a casual mention will impact the story down the line, and usually in a BIG way.
For those of you who haven't yet picked up the series for yourselves, what are you waiting for? I have tried to keep this post spoiler free, but there are some images and comments below that will reveal small things about the tale. I don't mean to ruin anything for anyone, but this is a series that begs to be discussed. Like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, rarely have I seen so many people fervently reading the same books at the same time, lugging 800-1200 page bricks around with them where ever they go, hoping for an opportunity to read even a few more pages, all of them dying to share their discoveries with fellow readers. Like friends comparing notes on favourite movies, these novels promote a strong sense of community between their readers and practically demand to be discussed in an open forum.
I was first introduced to George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy through the HBO adaption of his series titled Game of Thrones. With 10 episodes in it's first season, the HBO series aims to cover one book per season, a task that, thus far, it has done with remarkable precision. After watching the pilot I was hooked. All aspects of the HBO series are marvelously executed. I flew through the 10 episodes in about 3 days in late August. I immediately went out and bought the first 5 books of the series. To date, these are one only titles available, in what is eventually planned to be a 7 book series. I read the first book, 800+ pages, in 3 days and never looked back. As is so often the case, these books are better than the film version, and in this case, that is not an easy thing to do.
Set primarily in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, A Song of Ice and Fire is a feat of world building on scale with Tolkien's Middle Earth, or Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman's Deathgate Cycle. The parallels are easy to draw, but there are origin references that hint at an Atlantis-esque origin story as well, tipping the hat to our own diverse wealth of myth and legend. There is a rich, diverse history for each of the Seven Kingdoms and varied belief systems dating back roughly 12,000 years, that has a significant impact on the current events depicted in the novels. Like any setting that is this well defined, the reader has absolutely no problems becoming totally immersed in the day to day lives of the myriad characters that inhabit this fictional world.
The reader is introduced to a vivid and incredibly diverse cast of characters early on. In the first novel: A Game of Thrones, readers experience the story from the perspectives of roughly a dozen principal characters. Love them, or hate them, each of these principal characters elicit strong reactions from the readership. First and foremost we meet the Stark Family. One of the 8 primary principal Noble Houses of Westeros, owing allegiance to the Iron Throne, The Starks are the Guardians of the North, and can trace their lineage back to the Kings of The North, before Aegon the Conqueror united the various feuding states of Westeros into the untied Seven Kingdoms. Their heraldric arms depict a grey Direwolf rampant on a white field, and their Family words are "Winter is Coming." (Like I said, there is an immersive, well defined back story). When we first meet them, the Stark family consists of:
Eddard (Ned) Stark - The Father, Guardian on the North, Lord of Winterfell. In his mid 30's (late 40's in the HBO special) A seasoned man in his prime, Ned is a man for whom honour and duty are paramount. He has close ties to King Robert Baratheon, whom he was fostered with as a boy.
Catelyn (Cat) Stark - The Mother. In her early 30's (early 40's in the HBO special) Catelyn is the Elder daughter of Hoster Tully, the Lord of the Riverlands. Her marriage Ned Stark was intended to cement the alliance between these two powerful houses. She is utterly devoted to her husband, and fiercely protective of her natural born children Catelyn resents the presence of John Snow at Winterfell, as she still considers his existence as a slight to her marriage .
Robb Stark - Their first born son. 18 years old. Rob is Heir to Winterfell and the Title of Guardian of the North.
Jon Snow - Ned's bastard son, brought home to be raised at Winterfell after the successful Rebellion that put Robert Barathian on the Iron Throne. Jon has been raised amongst his half siblings since he was a year old. He knows nothing of his mother. 17 years old. He deeply cares for all of his 1/2 siblings, despite Catelyn's continued disapproval of his presence at Winterfell.
Sansa Stark - Their first born daughter. 13 years old. Renown for her youthful beauty, even at her early age, Sansa dreams of a life at court, filled with fine dresses, elegant balls, and handsome suitors.
Arya Stark - Their youngest Daughter, 9 years old. Arya is a tomboy, more at home climbing trees and causing mischief, then at her needlework. Arya is a free spirit who often laments her lot in life as a girl of noble blood.
Brandon (Bran) Stark - The 2nd born son. 8 years old. Bran is a free spirit to loves to climb the tallest towers of Winterfell, and dreams of being a knight when he is older.
Rickon Stark - The youngest child of the Stark line. When we first meet Rickon, he is 3 years old.
We are also introduced to the Lannister's of Casterly Rock. Principal family of the Westerlands, the Lannisters are the richest family in Westeros, thanks to the gold mines found in and around their holdings at Casterly Rock and Lannisport. Their patriarch, Tywin Lannister served as Hand to the King, during the reign of King Aery's the Mad King prior to Robert Baratheon's rebellion. There coat of arms depicts a golden lion rampant on a red field. Their Family words are "Hear Me Roar." When we are first introduced to them they are as follows:
Lord Tywin Lannister - Warden of the West, Shield of of Lannisport, Lord of Casterly Rock. The patriarch.
Ser Jaime Lannister - Eldest scion of House Lannister. The King Slayer, Twin brother of Cersei. A member of the King's Guard. It was Jaime's sword thrust that ended the rule of King Aery's the Mad, thus winning the rebellion for Robert Barathian.
Queen Cersei Baratheon - Twin sister of Jamie. Wife of King Robert Baratheon.
Tyrion Lannister - The Imp. Youngest son of Lord Tywin. Heir to Casterly Rock. A source of constant disappointment for his Lord Father.
Crown Prince Jeoffery Baratheon - Eldest Son of King Robert & Queen Cersi. Grandchild to Lord Tywin.
Princess Myrcella Baratheon - Only Daughter of King Robert & Queen Cersi. Grandchild to Lord Tywin.
Prince Tommen Baratheon - 2nd born son of King Robert & Queen Cersi. Grandchild to Lord Tywin.
Just be warned, that these are only two of the families entwined in the Game of Thrones. Countless other characters inhabit these pages, breathing life into this fascinating and remarkable tale. For clarification, be sure to read the appendices that Martin has included in each novel.
The rich, detailed world combine with the realistic, believable characters to create a epic fantasy the likes of which I have never encountered. Martin's dark, visceral tale grips you early in the telling and refuses to let you go. Book after book, it is impossible to put them down. But be warned. These are not your typical fantasy novel. They are aimed at an adult audience. Good doesn't always triumph over evil. Nothing is black or white. Shades of grey prevail in this tale. The supposed hero doesn't always get the girl. This is a long, dark, read. It's genre defying novels like this that truly make make me appreciate the art involved in the writers craft.
Rather than cheapening the experience and delving into a lengthy synopsis of what happens in the novels, instead, I implore you to pick them up for yourself. Make your own discoveries. Form your own opinions. Like so many others around you right now, immerse yourself in this wonderful story. You'll thank me.
After all, Winter is Coming.
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