game of thrones book 1 review

Well, let me tell ya ’bout this book, “A Game of Thrones,” by some fella named George R.R. Martin. It’s a big ol’ story, like them old-timey tales my grandma used to tell, but with more…stuff.

This fella Martin, he writes about kings and queens and knights, ya know? Like them pictures in history books, but way more…messy. They got this place, seven kingdoms, and everyone wants to be the boss. Sounds like my family reunion, ‘cept with swords instead of just sharp tongues.

• Kings and Queens: Lots of ’em, fightin’ and schemin’. Makes my head spin, all them names and who’s related to who.
• Knights and Swords: Plenty of clangin’ and bangin’. Reminds me of the blacksmith down the road, ‘cept way more dangerous.
• Magic and Dragons: Not so much in this first book, but they say it’s comin’. Like a storm brewin’, ya feel me?

The story starts with these Stark folks up north. Good people, mostly. Honest, hard-workin’. Remind me of the farmers back home, ‘cept they got a fancy castle instead of a barn. Then there’s them Lannisters down south. Rich folks, always up to somethin’. Think city slickers tryin’ to swindle ya, but with more gold and sharper knives.

So, this King, he dies, and everything goes to heck in a handbasket. Everyone’s grabbin’ for power, stabbin’ each other in the back. Reminds me of that time the chickens got loose and everyone was tryin’ to catch ’em, squawkin’ and flappin’ everywhere. But with less feathers and more blood.

This book, it’s long. Took me forever to read it, had to keep puttin’ it down to do chores. But it keeps ya guessin’. Just when you think you know what’s gonna happen, BAM! Something else crazy goes down. Kept me up nights, I tell ya, just like that time the dog got into the pantry and ate all the pies.

The writin’, it’s somethin’ else. Not always easy to understand, all them fancy words. But it paints a picture, ya know? You can see them castles, hear them swords clashin’. Feels like you’re right there, smellin’ the horse manure and the…well, never mind about that. Let’s just say folks in them days didn’t have fancy showers like we do.

There’s a lot of fightin’, too. Battles and duels and all sorts of nastiness. Not for the faint of heart, I tell ya. Reminds me of that time the neighbor’s bull got loose and tore up the whole fence. But again, way more bloody.

And the characters, they’re somethin’ else. Some you like, some you hate, some you just don’t know what to make of. Like that old stray cat that hangs around the barn, sometimes he’s friendly, sometimes he hisses and scratches. You never know what you’re gonna get.

Now, they made this book into a TV show, I hear. Folks say it’s good, but I ain’t seen it. Don’t got much time for watchin’ the telly, too busy with the garden and the chickens. But the book, it’s worth a read, if you got the time and the stomach for it. It’s a wild ride, that’s for sure. Like tryin’ to tame a buckin’ bronco, ya never know what’s comin’ next.

Overall, this “Game of Thrones” book is somethin’ special. Not like anythin’ I ever read before. It’s got kings and queens, knights and swords, magic and mayhem, and a whole lot of other stuff thrown in. If you like them big, epic stories, then you’ll probably like this one. Just don’t expect it to be all sunshine and roses. There’s plenty of darkness in this world, just like in real life, I reckon.

If you’re looking for a simple read this ain’t it. But if you want a big ol’ story to sink your teeth into then grab this book and settle in for a long ride.

Tags: [Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin, Fantasy, Book Review, A Song of Ice and Fire, Medieval, Kings and Queens, Knights, Epic]