The Book Bump

First published: 1996
Author: George R. R. Martin
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire
Book number: 1
Language: English
Genre: High Fantasy
My rating: 3.5/5

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin is the first novel in his high fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire.

The fragile peace that reigns over the Seven Kingdoms is threatened when Lord Jon Arryn, Hand of the King, dies unexpectedly.

King Robert Baratheon is in dire need of counsel, as the exiled Targaryens are searching for an army in the Free Cities beyond the Narrow Sea, and the Wildlings and other forces are amassing North of the Wall. He calls upon his childhood friend Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, to serve as his replacement.

However, the King’s visit to Winterfell sets events that will cause war between the North and the South in motion.

The novel is written from the point of view of several main characters. Most viewpoints are Starks, namely Lord Eddard Stark, several of his children (Bran, Sansa, Arya, and Jon), and his wife, Lady Catelyn Stark, née Tully. However, we also get insight from Lord Tyrion Lannister, the Queen’s younger brother and the exiled Princess, Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen.

Coming to terms with so many viewpoints can be quite a handful, especially when Eddard, Sansa and Arya live together under the same roof in King’s Landing. In the beginning, I questioned why he chose all three characters, as in the first half of the novel, Sansa and Arya generally experience the same things. However, the author’s choice becomes more apparent as the story progresses.

I would like to know whether, in the second instalment, the author keeps the same viewpoints or if he adds any. I might already know the answer, having seen some TV series episodes before reading the novels. However, I don’t know how much creative licence the directors allowed themselves when they based their TV series on the books.

Unfortunately, I found that character growth was a bit slow for all. There may be too many characters to consider. Or maybe because it is such a long series, all the development can’t come simultaneously. But for some characters, it bothered me. I’ll stick to only the main characters (from whose eyes we see the world).

• Sansa learns very little until the end of the book. Her attitude is childish, and I often find it hard to relate to her. Her sullen sulkiness is irritating. Her chapters were my least favourite. In book 2, she will likely become more appealing as she will be the only viewpoint character in the capital.
• Eddard, it would seem, learned absolutely nothing about survival. Yes, he uncovered the truth but never realised that King’s Landing was a different place from Winterfell. His character is the portrayal of honour, but I don’t think anyone of his age and life experience could still be so naïve.
• Arya is likeable, albeit also very sullen and sulky. But I found her much more relatable. She’s more the kind of child I used to be than Sansa. When I was little, I was less into pretty dresses and princes and more into climbing trees and rummaging with my brothers.
• Bran’s growth is slow but believable, given the circumstances. He is sullen and sulky, but he has every right to be. I am looking forward to reading more of Bran’s character arc.
• Jon’s character is one of, if not the most relatable one. He is an outsider who finally thinks he’s found an honourable calling. The disillusion is perfectly crafted and believable. His divided loyalties are expertly written and developed.
• Lady Catelyn Stark has more character growth than most. As a woman, it isn’t easy for her to make her place or be heard. But she doesn’t let that stop her. She is wise but also cunning. She generally knows how to get what she wants. The scene at the Inn is a good example. I believe she hasn’t unlocked her full potential yet.
• Lord Tyrion Lannister is smug and remains smug. His view on life is somewhat cynical, but again given his situation and upbringing; it isn’t surprising. But he also shows a softer side in his interactions with Jon and Bran, which is refreshing.
• Daenerys, at the beginning of the book, is very shy and quiet, maybe even weak. In the end, she has the potential to become one of the most powerful characters in all of Westeros. And given the cliffhanger on which the author left her character, there is much more in store for her.

The overall pacing of the book is good. Although, I find it takes a long time for Eddard Stark to discover the truth he seeks. It can be frustrating to leave certain characters at the end of chapters because their plot is thickening and becoming more interesting, namely Jon or Daenerys.

I found some battle scenes boring as the author spends much time describing the armour, the coat of arms and the banners. Overall, the description was a little heavy-handed. I wasn’t particularly interested in knowing what the characters were constantly wearing unless it was a conscious choice. For example, knowing what Sansa wears is relevant because she wants to look pretty for her betrothed. Knowing what Eddard Stark was wearing when he went to see the King seems unimportant. It in no way affects the plot or story.

I’ll admit I prefer when the first in a series can be a standalone novel. Having unanswered questions at the end of a book is something I find incredibly frustrating, especially if I am not compelled to read the follow-ons. And I rarely read a series back to back as I get bored and overdose on the setting. But I understand that writing a standalone first in a high fantasy series must be challenging, as the first novel only sets the scene.

On the back of my novel, it says: ‘Book One of A Song of Ice and Fire begins the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age.’ I wouldn’t say it was ‘the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age’, but I enjoyed it much more than The Witchwood Crown by Tad Williams.