A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R. R. Martin

This series is one of the major masterpieces in the fantasy literature, and a big achievement for George R. R. Martin. Even though it is a complex series to follow, the series has so far sold well over two million books in the US alone.

Books in A Song of Ice and Fire

  • A Game of Thrones 1996
  • A Clash of Kings 1999
  • A Storm of Swords 2000
  • A Feast for Crows 2005
  • A Dance with Dragons, forthcoming
  • The Winds of Winter, forthcoming
  • A Dream of Spring, forthcoming
See the next George R. R. Martin page for his bibliography!

The first volume, A Game of Thrones was published in 1996. The most recent, A Feast for Crows, in November 2005. This became a New York Times #1 Bestseller and also achieved #1 ranking on The Wall Street Journal bestseller list. Also, in September 2006, A Feast for Crows was nominated for a Quill award and for the British Fantasy Award.

The series has received much praise both from authors, readers and critics, and is one of the most popular series in this genre. Currently Martin is working on the fifth book, A Dance With Dragons. A Song of Ice and Fire is projected to run to seven volumes. This series, to my mind, is right up there on the top, along with the writings of Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, and Katharine Kerr!

A Song of Ice and Fire takes place in a fictional world, basically a continent called Westeros but also on a large landmass to the east, known as Essos. Most of the characters are human but other races are present as well, such as the cold and menacing Others from the far North and fire-breathing dragons from the East.

There are three main storylines in the series: The ongoing civil wars for control of Westeros among several competing families; the rising threat of the Others north of the border; and the story of Daenerys Targaryen, the exiled daughter of a previously murdered king.

It is a wonderful series, but a tough one to read: It is at times very graphic in its descriptions. As well, the characters are multi-faceted, each with surprisingly intricate pasts, inspirations, and ambitions, and simply keeping track is at times a challenging task. But - as is often the case with challenging tasks - the rewards, in terms of entertainment, are also great. This is a series that will make you bite your nails!

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) , by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones is one of those big, epic fantasy stories. And this is the first book in the series by George R. R. Martin that is called A Song of Ice and Fire. A Game of Thrones, by George R. R. Martin And indeed – the setting is fairly typical – it is a medieval or late medieval society where knights and their ladies rule. In it, there are several kingdoms that sometimes are allied, sometimes at war with one another. Does it sound fairly familiar?

So why should you bother with this one? There are many answers possible. But the simplest is quite possibly the best: This series is bloody good! It is one of the best ever written in this genre! A masterpiece, simply.

It takes place in a realm where a vast struggle for power is about to erupt into the open. And while the forces are mostly human, there is also a tad magic and dragons. As well, the group of kingdoms is challenged by hordes of powerful and savage forces both from the north and the south. The key story is an intricate political drama with rival houses, love affairs, betrayal, bad advisors, ill-suited kings, and hunger for power, lust, and ambition.

There is a strong resemblance to England during the Wars of the Roses in this story, with the Stark and Lannister families of this book standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. And the conflict between these families plays a prominent part. However, Martin has also borrowed from the Mongol culture, and behind a huge, ancient wall that marks the northern border of the kingdoms lurks the hordes, with barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves ready to menace the south. As well, Martin is influenced by the fantasy literature. Taken together, this makes for a pretty strong brew.

George R. R. Martin's story is quite intricate, but also very gripping and truly original. The plot, both in A Game of Thrones and the other books in the series, are winners right off the bat. Even so his greatest strengths lie elsewhere – in his rich, bold and spellbinding writing style and in his many-sided, fully developed, consistent and very memorable characters. The descriptions are vivid but controlled, and many of the book's images, like the gigantic black skulls of the Targaryen dragons, are very striking.

As well, it is a rather disturbing, gruesome, and in some instances terrible book. You will find some very graphic sex scenes, lots of horrendous, shocking violence, and lots of hardship, heroes that go off dying, treason and treachery.

A Game of Thrones is a book that has been very highly praised – even by fantasy giants like Anne McCaffery, Tad Williams, and Robert Jordan. As well, Martin's trophy case is stuffed with major prizes, including Hugos, Nebulas, Locus Awards and a Bram Stoker. He is a great writer! I loved reading it, and view it as one of the best contributions to the fantasy genre in years. To my mind, it is right up there along with The Lord of the Rings!

Links to George R. R. Martin's books: amazon US, amazon UK, and amazon CAN.

A Clash of Kings, by George R. R. Martin

In A Clash of Kings, George R. R. Martin continues to tell the titanic story of The Song Of Ice And Fire. It is as good as the previous book, if not better. And it is even grimmer and A Clash of Kings, by George R. R: Martin longer than the first volume.

It starts right where A Game of Thrones ends. King Robert is dead. Lord Stark's head has parted with his shoulders. In the realm there is total chaos. Several kings vie for power, there is war everywhere.

Princess Arya Stark flees her dead father's capital of King's Landing, disguised as a boy. And the kingdom is now divided, with several groups wanting the Throne. Robb Stark has been appalled by the treachery of the Lannister family, and has declared himself King of the North. As well, two of the dead King’s brothers also declare for the throne and plan war. At the same time, things are happening in the North, and it seems strange and mysterious forces are making their way into the civilized lands. Also, a young woman raises a trio of dragons and plots her revenge.

Tyrion Lannister – a very cynical and intriguing character indeed - is once again one at the centre stage in this book. Using his perspective, Martin is able to provide both humor and lots of intelligence.

Each of the three major plots is developing at great pace. And like the previous book, A Clash of Kings is full of scheming, plotting, betrayal, violence and action. The strings are masterfully held together by Martin, and the world of the Seven Kingdoms in vividly clear. Another great installment in a major saga you should not miss out on.

To the top Next page
Bøker til glede og nytte
www.leserglede.com
 © 2007 leserglede.com