A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones
by George R.R. Martin
Sycamore Public Library call number: FAN FIC MAR
on disc: CD FIC MAR
I read A Game of Thrones when a good, old friend put it in my hand and said, "You have to try this." Because I trust him, I did so, even though I've never been a Fantasy reader, or a fan of very long novels. I'm glad that I did; I've been converted.

Martin's Seven Kingdoms resemble England during the Wars of the Roses, with the Stark and Lannister families standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. The story of these two families and their struggle to control the Iron Throne dominates the foreground; in the background is a huge, ancient wall marking the northern border, beyond which barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves menace the south as years-long winter advances. Abroad, a dragon princess lives among horse nomads and dreams of fiery reconquest.

There is much bloodshed, cruelty, and death, but A Game of Thrones is nevertheless compelling; it garnered a Nebula nomination and won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. So, on to A Clash of Kings!--Nona Vero, Amazon.com

A Game of Thrones is the first of George R.R. Martin's series called A Song of Ice and Fire. Five have been completed to this date; according to the Wikipedia page for the series, there will be two more.

Reviewed by: Amy
Age Group: Adult
Class: Fiction (Fantasy)

Awards:

• Locus Award – Best Novel (Fantasy) (Won) – (1997)
• World Fantasy Award – Best Novel (Nominated) – (1997)
• Hugo Award – Best Novella for Blood of the Dragon (Won) – (1997)
• Nebula Award – Best Novel (Nominated) – (1997)
• Ignotus Award – Best Novel (Foreign) (Won) – (2003)

Rating: A