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A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

#128: Mar. - May 2014 (Fiction)
VMLM
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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I've just started reading the book (a quarter of a way through the first "Bran" chapter) and I just got to the scene where Robb finds the litter of Direwolves.... I have to say, there's things here I didn't realize were there the first time around.
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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I read "A Game of Thrones" last summer (I have read all 5 published volumes of "Ice and Fire"), and am currently watching Season One of the HBO series on DVD (a big thank you to my daughter). I have to say, that if I had not read the book, the TV series would make much less sense (to me anyway). It is a fascinating series; though the setting is fantasy, the plot is political intrigue. The marrying of children was a common practice in medieval times, and continued in some Asian countries up until the 20th Century. These marriages were usually arranged between the families, and as in "Thrones," were often made for political and/or financial reasons; the wishes of the boy and girl were seldom considered.

So far, and this has continued through book 5, my favorite characters are Arya Stark (female) and Tyrion "The Imp" Lannister (male). In the TV series, I especially like the actor who portrays Tyrion.

Speaking of actors, most of the characters are well acted; you really despise Joffrey and Cersei.

As I said, I first read this volume last summer, so some of my comments may not exactly match Chris's breakdown of the chapters.
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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Arya and Tyrion are also my favorite characters :).

I get the feeling Arya and Tyrion are two of the most lucid and humane characters in the story, so it's very easy to like them.
I like to think GRRM himself has something of a soft spot for those two characters.
Last edited by VMLM on Tue Feb 25, 2014 3:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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I just met Dany and her cruel brother. I am enjoying this novel very much, it's right up my alley. I don't read much fantasy, but I love stories like King Arthur, which GOT is reminding me of. I am a complete virgin to these novels, I have not watched any of the series. I also like the writing style, it transports me into the story. I appreciate writers that can do that. I can clearly visualize the characters and I am looking forward to getting to know them better.
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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I have seen interviews with GRRM and he has admitted Tyrion as being his likely favorite character.
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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I just ordered a few discs from season one of GoT from netflix. Netflix has four seasons, wow, where have I been? I usually read first and watch after but I think I will watch as I read. A friend of mine told me there is much content in the novels not incorporated in the show. I will try to stay ahead in the reading to avoid spoilers. Does each season represent a novel?
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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Good question, Suzanne.

This is how I understand the books to match up with the HBO series...

HBO Series Season 1 of Games of Thrones = A Game of Thrones, the first novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series.

HBO Series Season 2 of Games of Thrones = A Clash of Kings, the second novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series.

HBO Series Season 3 of Games of Thrones = the first 1/2 of A Storm of Swords, the third novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire book series.

So for now you are safe with considering Season 1 of the HBO series to properly correspond to Book 1 of the series.

Season 3 of the HBO series is the best season I think but they are all simply amazing. I think you're going to be blown away, Suzanne. Let us know what you think but wait till you're a few episodes into Season 1 to form any opinions.
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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Crystalline wrote:I started reading this book and quickly felt lost amid all the characters, their names and nicknames. The author introduces 30 characters in the first 38 pages of the book. I felt like maybe I needed to take notes as to who was who…
I have to agree with you here. Keeping track of all the characters is no easy feat. Normally, I wouldn't make such a suggestion but think about this idea. Since this fantasy book series is now an HBO series you might want to watch the series concurrently with reading the books. That way you have a face to associate with each name. I find it difficult to read a book, form ideas in my head about what each character looks like, and then later watch the book made into a movie and the characters are nothing like what I imagined.
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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Another 'trick' to remember is this... Martin has an appendix in each book listing the characters of the houses, at the Wall, the wildlings, etc. The copies I read also included maps of Westeros and the surrounding areas.
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Re: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One: Prologue through 07

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Good idea, Cattleman. I'll spend some time looking those pages over.
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