Random Thought to Share

Okay, so right now Robert and Ned are talking. Aerys Targaryen is called the Mad King. Does anyone else find themselves wanting to know why he is called the Mad King? Of course it may have been discussed earlier and I missed it, but I noticed that my attention gets caught by the small statements. Do any of you find yourselves doing the same thing??

An Intricate Web of Entanglement

So, not being very far into the book I have to say my attention has been captured really well. I'm curious to know how everything is going to play out. There's such a web of complexity in this that is going to be fun to read. I'm also very glad for the Appendix in the back of the book so I can see what's going to happen.

Dude! I just have to say, I am so glad Bran didn't die! I don't know what's going to happen to him yet, but I just had such a sense of foreboding when he was climbing around the roofs and the stories of everyone trying to convince him not to.

Oh, and I want a direwolf now, hahaha.

The game has begun

Allyssa and I were talking about Game of Thrones yesterday and how we're both glad this wasn't written like Lord of the Rings.  I love how George R. R. Martin wrote and formatted this book to be about the characters and how each chapter gives us insight to a specific character.  This makes the book very enjoyable to read because I can connect to the characters. 

The prologue was very gripping and I'm wondering how this will come to play later in the book especially when Jon goes to join the Watch.  I want to know more about the Others and what exactly they are.

I know a couple of people have wrote on how Jon Snow is one of their favorite characters but along with Jon I also love Arya.  I love the relationship these two have and how close they are even though they are only half siblings.  Arya refers to Jon as her brother and not her half brother like Sansa. I am curious what path Arya will take since she is such a tomboy and takes after her father.  I feel for Arya's situation because I think most of us can relate - we're expected to play a certain role that we don't really fit into.  

The part of the book that breaks my heart is Bran.  He is so young and I hate that he was pushed off the ledge.  There is no mercy even for children in this world.  I hope he wakes up so he can at least tell what he saw with the queen.  I agree with Amanda about liking how the children take a big role in the story.  This world is harsh and the children have to grow up fast.  Sansa is eleven and is possibly going to be engaged soon.  Bran saw a man executed which in our world we would shield our children from.  It is important to see the children because it shows the upbringing they have and the way of life in this world.  

My other favorite character is Daenerys.  I am curious to see what happens with her marrying the barbarian Khal Drogo and her relationship with her brother.  I haven't watched the TV show but I did see a feature on it and I can't wait to see Daenerys grow stronger as a character and as a woman.

When you play a game of thrones you win or you die...

So far I have learned three things from Game of Thrones:

1. Winter is coming
2. Winter is coming
3. Tyrion Lannister is the best character in this book

From the opening scene in this book you can already tell that this world is going to be a hard one. People aren't going to be running around with unicorns, falling in love with handsome princes, or frolicking with fairies. This is a hard world to live in, and the characters reflect the nature and cut throat attitude of the world they inhabit.

As someone who adores the show I cannot help but make the connection between the book and the screen. I find that the dialogue is almost word for word in some scenes, and I feel like I can imagine more elaborate and gorgeous scenery. Unlike most authors George R. R. Martin had a lot of say in the production and casting of the show, and his input is taken into account when shooting began on season 1.

Most of the characters in the book are a lot younger than they are portrayed in the show. Daenerys Targaryen is one of those characters, in the show it seems less shocking when she is married off to Khal Drago.

One of the hardest scenes I have had to read so far is when Joffrey asks for the slaughter of Sensa's dire wolf, Lady. It broke my heart, especially when Ned Stark agrees to end her life instead of one of Joffrey's henchmen. I found it so touching that the other dire wolves sensed her death when they came to her grave in Winterfell. It was just as brutal in the show as well, but not as in depth.

I have already picked out my favorite characters as well: Tyrion Lannister (of course), Jon Snow, and Daenerys Targaryen. I think that all of these characters are the strongest willed, and try to be the most righteous, even if they have their own agendas.

It is very hard to read this book knowing what is going to happen at the end of it, but I am loving the scenes that weren't adapted to the screen. I feel like I am being introduced to a whole new story where gaps may have been missing, which I am enjoying immensely.

This is one of those epic novels that I know I am going to want to read the sequels to, Martin may be a stubborn author, but he knows how to create a world I want to explore.