A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One (A Song of Ice and Fire Illustrated Edition)
A dazzling illustrated edition of the book that started it all--for readers of A Song of Ice and Fire and fans of HBO's Game of Thrones. Published in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of George R. R. Martin's landmark series, this lavishly illustrated special edition of A Game of Thrones--featuring gorgeous full-page artwork as well as black-and-white illustrations in every chapter--revitalizes the fantasy masterpiece that became a cultural phenomenon. And now the mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure of this magnificent saga come to life as never before. A GAME OF THRONES
A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE: BOOK ONE
With a special foreword by John Hodgman Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King's Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert's name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse--unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen's brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister--the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki--whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys.
A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE: BOOK ONE
With a special foreword by John Hodgman Winter is coming. Such is the stern motto of House Stark, the northernmost of the fiefdoms that owe allegiance to King Robert Baratheon in far-off King's Landing. There Eddard Stark of Winterfell rules in Robert's name. There his family dwells in peace and comfort: his proud wife, Catelyn; his sons Robb, Brandon, and Rickon; his daughters Sansa and Arya; and his bastard son, Jon Snow. Far to the north, behind the towering Wall, lie savage Wildings and worse--unnatural things relegated to myth during the centuries-long summer, but proving all too real and all too deadly in the turning of the season. Yet a more immediate threat lurks to the south, where Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, has died under mysterious circumstances. Now Robert is riding north to Winterfell, bringing his queen, the lovely but cold Cersei, his son, the cruel, vainglorious Prince Joffrey, and the queen's brothers Jaime and Tyrion of the powerful and wealthy House Lannister--the first a swordsman without equal, the second a dwarf whose stunted stature belies a brilliant mind. All are heading for Winterfell and a fateful encounter that will change the course of kingdoms. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys, heir of the fallen House Targaryen, which once ruled all of Westeros, schemes to reclaim the throne with an army of barbarian Dothraki--whose loyalty he will purchase in the only coin left to him: his beautiful yet innocent sister, Daenerys.
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Community Reviews
A classic fantasy tale. Lots of darkness, with the occasional bright spot. I did however like several of the characters: Daenarys, Jon Snow, Arya and little Bran. The author's device of writing each chapter from the perspective of a different character was nice - really fleshed out the story's multiple perspectives, although it was a little confusing at first, before I really got a handle on the characters.
After watching the first season of Game of Thrones on HBO, I had to dive into the books. Seeing as how I refuse to read fantasy type books, this was a leap of faith. And it was a good one.
GoT isn't the regular fantasy series that I despise. This is incredibly well-written and focuses heavily on the characters. I get the dragons, kings, castles, and all that. But it was the people that made me want to read the books. Ned, Dany, The Lannisters, they are all such good characters that you cannot possibly be ambivalent about any of them. You either love or hate them.
Several things were different between book and TV show, but I really really liked reading this and getting all the extras that couldn't have been done on TV.
Since the books are so old, these can't count as spoilers. Book one ends with Ned beheaded (and millions of people wanting to kill Joffrey), Winterfell at war and a Lannister captured. And lest we forget my favorite, Dany and her dragons.
Really looking forward to the next one.
GoT isn't the regular fantasy series that I despise. This is incredibly well-written and focuses heavily on the characters. I get the dragons, kings, castles, and all that. But it was the people that made me want to read the books. Ned, Dany, The Lannisters, they are all such good characters that you cannot possibly be ambivalent about any of them. You either love or hate them.
Several things were different between book and TV show, but I really really liked reading this and getting all the extras that couldn't have been done on TV.
Since the books are so old, these can't count as spoilers. Book one ends with Ned beheaded (and millions of people wanting to kill Joffrey), Winterfell at war and a Lannister captured. And lest we forget my favorite, Dany and her dragons.
Really looking forward to the next one.
"and for the first time in hundreds of years, the night came alive with the music of dragons"
Second time reading this book, and what is there to say that hasn't been said already?
Second time reading this book, and what is there to say that hasn't been said already?
Top notch fantasy. Amazing characters and story telling.
[a:Keith Yagerman|25350068|Keith Yagerman|https:images.gr-assets.com/authors/1675497216p2/25350068.jpg]- author of [bc:Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond|102188662|Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond|Keith Yagerman|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675662770l/102188662._SY75_.jpg|114268809]
[b:Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond|102188662|Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond|Keith Yagerman|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675662770l/102188662._SY75_.jpg|114268809]
[a:Keith Yagerman|25350068|Keith Yagerman|https:images.gr-assets.com/authors/1675497216p2/25350068.jpg]- author of [bc:Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond|102188662|Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond|Keith Yagerman|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675662770l/102188662._SY75_.jpg|114268809]
[b:Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond|102188662|Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond|Keith Yagerman|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675662770l/102188662._SY75_.jpg|114268809]
I read this as part of a 4-book set, and immediately started on the 2nd book so I'm not entirely sure where this book left off and the second one began. This book seems to just introduce the world Martin has created so he can actually get to the story in Book 2, which makes it a little dull. Despite having an entire book to make his introduction, there are a lot of not-too-deeply developed characters in this book. And yet, here I am reading the second book without even pausing in between, so there must be something I love about it.
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