George R. R. Martin was a writer and a producer for
the TV series, Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990), and wrote a number of
teleplays for episodes of this series. Now if I remember correctly,
Beauty and the Beast sucked, or if it didn't then, it's probably dated
now.
So how does a person redeem himself of such
unforgettable mediocrity? Firstly you begin experimenting with fantasy
and science fiction; then you write some seriously riveting,
hard-hitting shit.
A Game of Thrones
by George R. R. Martin
Book One of A Song of Ice and Fire
There are multiple plot lines throughout this series and the first book
introduces them all. First and foremost, you have the political
intrigue surrounding the ascension to the throne, and the power games
played by the great Houses of the 'Seven Kingdoms'. Secondly, there is
the return of some sort of supernatural threat, rapidly spreading south
from the frozen wastelands of the far North. Then you have the
machinations and imminent return of an exiled heir to the throne from
far across the sea.
Considering the complexity of this
novel, it might be best if I give something of a blurb as an
introduction to the series. Here is a quick run down of events
according to Lord Winterborne:
King Robert, having deposed the
mad Dragon-King in a rebellion thirteen years ago, is not the man he
was then. Once fearless in battle, Robert has found the
responsibilities of kingship too much to handle.
His friend
and partner during the rebellion, Lord Eddard Stark is Warden of the
North and is happily distant from the politics of the kings court. But
when their old companion Jon Arryn dies under suspicious circumstances,
the King calls upon Eddard Stark as the one man he can trust to replace
Arryn as Hand of the King.
Eddard is reluctant, but honor and
friendship dictate that he must go south, even when it means leaving
part of his family behind to guard the north. And too soon he learns
that a man of honor has no place amongst the political scheme and
intrigue of Kings Landing.
To complicate matters
further, Queen Cersei and her family, the Lannisters, are as hungry for
power as ever, and the Stark family realize that they may be in
considerable danger.
With the coming of a long winter, a new
danger threatens in the far north: the mysterious and ghostly Others
have returned. Jon Snow, the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark, heads
north to The Wall, where he confronts this new danger head on.
And meanwhile, a world away from the Seven Kingdoms, across the sea,
the Dragon Kings exiled heir plots to recapture the throne and he is as
mad as his long-dead father.
This story is told from multiple
points of view, so you come to know a range of characters, and although
you will find your favorites quickly enough, every perspective is
brilliantly told. George R. R. Martins character development is
excellent. Where as with lesser authors, baddie points of view can be
tedious, Gorgeous George manages to generate sympathy and understanding
with his depth.
When I said hard-hitting, I meant it. The
action sequences throughout are awesomely depicted. You cant help but
get caught up in it. Some very realistic dialogue helps here also.
Book
Two in the series, A Clash of Kings, and Book Three, A Storm of Swords
are excellent reads also, so it is shaping up to be a classic series.
Book Four; A Feast for Crows is due for release this year sometime. It
is to be a six book series.
Gorgeous George, ye have redeemed yourself!
Forthcoming titles: A Dance with Dragons (5th Book), and a Time for Wolves (6th Book).
Other novels by George R. R. Martin:
the TV series, Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990), and wrote a number of
teleplays for episodes of this series. Now if I remember correctly,
Beauty and the Beast sucked, or if it didn't then, it's probably dated
now.
So how does a person redeem himself of such
unforgettable mediocrity? Firstly you begin experimenting with fantasy
and science fiction; then you write some seriously riveting,
hard-hitting shit.
A Game of Thrones
by George R. R. Martin
Book One of A Song of Ice and Fire
There are multiple plot lines throughout this series and the first book
introduces them all. First and foremost, you have the political
intrigue surrounding the ascension to the throne, and the power games
played by the great Houses of the 'Seven Kingdoms'. Secondly, there is
the return of some sort of supernatural threat, rapidly spreading south
from the frozen wastelands of the far North. Then you have the
machinations and imminent return of an exiled heir to the throne from
far across the sea.
Considering the complexity of this
novel, it might be best if I give something of a blurb as an
introduction to the series. Here is a quick run down of events
according to Lord Winterborne:
King Robert, having deposed the
mad Dragon-King in a rebellion thirteen years ago, is not the man he
was then. Once fearless in battle, Robert has found the
responsibilities of kingship too much to handle.
His friend
and partner during the rebellion, Lord Eddard Stark is Warden of the
North and is happily distant from the politics of the kings court. But
when their old companion Jon Arryn dies under suspicious circumstances,
the King calls upon Eddard Stark as the one man he can trust to replace
Arryn as Hand of the King.
Eddard is reluctant, but honor and
friendship dictate that he must go south, even when it means leaving
part of his family behind to guard the north. And too soon he learns
that a man of honor has no place amongst the political scheme and
intrigue of Kings Landing.
To complicate matters
further, Queen Cersei and her family, the Lannisters, are as hungry for
power as ever, and the Stark family realize that they may be in
considerable danger.
With the coming of a long winter, a new
danger threatens in the far north: the mysterious and ghostly Others
have returned. Jon Snow, the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark, heads
north to The Wall, where he confronts this new danger head on.
And meanwhile, a world away from the Seven Kingdoms, across the sea,
the Dragon Kings exiled heir plots to recapture the throne and he is as
mad as his long-dead father.
This story is told from multiple
points of view, so you come to know a range of characters, and although
you will find your favorites quickly enough, every perspective is
brilliantly told. George R. R. Martins character development is
excellent. Where as with lesser authors, baddie points of view can be
tedious, Gorgeous George manages to generate sympathy and understanding
with his depth.
When I said hard-hitting, I meant it. The
action sequences throughout are awesomely depicted. You cant help but
get caught up in it. Some very realistic dialogue helps here also.
Book
Two in the series, A Clash of Kings, and Book Three, A Storm of Swords
are excellent reads also, so it is shaping up to be a classic series.
Book Four; A Feast for Crows is due for release this year sometime. It
is to be a six book series.
Gorgeous George, ye have redeemed yourself!
Forthcoming titles: A Dance with Dragons (5th Book), and a Time for Wolves (6th Book).
Other novels by George R. R. Martin:
- Dying of the Light (1977)
- Windhaven (with Lisa Tuttle, 1981)
- Fevre Dream (1982),
- Armageddon Rag (1983)
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