A Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin, 1996
Fantasy Science fictionPolitics & societyTravel & nature
A winter that lasts years, a throne everyone wants, and a crowd of people whose choices all cost them something. Politics with knives and weather. The book moves with a cold, witty edge, shifting among many voices while dread gathers under the feasts and politics.
Feels like dread and wonder. About power, love and family.
Who it’s for
You may like it if you enjoy political fantasy with a large cast, sharp dialogue, and a sense of looming winter. Be prepared for a long, grim story where violence and betrayal are common and the many names take time to keep straight.
Why read it
It offers a grounded, uneasy look at power and family, with wit enough to keep the grimness from flattening into noise.
A page from the book
What it costs to be the cleverest man in a room that pities you.
You are your mother’s trueborn son of Lannister.""Am I?" the dwarf replied, sardonic. "Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he’s never been sure.""I don’t even know who my mother was," Jon said."Some woman, no doubt. Most of them are." He favored Jon with a rueful grin. "Remember this, boy. All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs."And with that he turned and sauntered back into the feast, whistling a tune.When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king. George R.R. Martin.Martin still writes the series on a DOS-era computer running WordStar 4.0, a word processor far older than the internet.
Books that feel like this
More by George R.R. Martin
A Feast for Crows
George R. R. Martin, 2005
After a war of kings, the survivors divide the wreckage—and queens, outlaws and broken men get their turn.
A Clash of Kings
George R. R. Martin, 1998
Five kings claim one throne. In the capital, the cleverest man alive has been handed the job of defending it.
A Storm of Swords
George R.R. Martin, 2000
For the prologue alone: a frozen conspiracy, a migrating people, and a steward sharpening a grudge.
Where to get it
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Questions readers ask
- Is A Game of Thrones for me?
- You may like it if you enjoy political fantasy with a large cast, sharp dialogue, and a sense of looming winter. Be prepared for a long, grim story where violence and betrayal are common and the many names take time to keep straight.
- What is A Game of Thrones like?
- The book moves with a cold, witty edge, shifting among many voices while dread gathers under the feasts and politics. Feels like dread and wonder. About power, love and family.
- What should I read after A Game of Thrones?
- If you liked A Game of Thrones, try You (Caroline Kepnes), Mistborn (Brandon Sanderson) and Kingdom of the Wicked (Kerri Maniscalco).
A taste of the feed
Why finishing a book feels like a breakup.
The problem with books is that they end. They seduce you. They spread their legs to you and pull you inside. And you go deep and leave your possessions and your ties to the world at the door and you like it inside and you don’t want for your possessions or your ties and then, the book evaporates.
You · Caroline Kepnes
What it would be like to be the ash, and not care.
Vin watched the downy flakes drift through the air. Leisurely. Careless. Free. The puffs of soot fell like black snowflakes, descending upon the dark city of Luthadel. They drifted in corners, blowing in the breeze and curling in tiny whirlwinds over the cobblestones. They seemed so uncaring. What would that be like?
Mistborn · Brandon Sanderson
The world resumes; she refuses to let it resume quietly.
Young women died. Life resumed. Such was the way of the world, at least according to men.
Kingdom of the Wicked · Kerri Maniscalco
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