A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)

1996 Bantam Promotional Advance Copy, Semi-Soft Cover with Dust Jacket. Book is New in Perfect, Unread Condition with shelf wear to page edges (just noticeable). Dust Jacket is New in Perfect Condition with light diagonal crease line at top corner of front dust jacket flap (flat fine line crease, just noticeable), light diagonal crease line at back bottom corner (flat fine line crease, just noticeable). (A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) by George R.R. Martin) (Stated: Advanced Reading Copy)

Readers of epic fantasy series are: (1) patient--they are left in suspense between each volume, (2) persistent--they reread or at least review the previous book(s) when a new installment comes out, (3) strong--these 700-page doorstoppers are heavy, and (4) mentally agile--they follow a host of characters through a myriad of subplots. In A Game of Thrones, the first book of a projected six, George R.R. Martin rewards readers with a vividly real world, well-drawn characters, complex but coherent plotting, and beautifully constructed prose, which Locus called "well above the norms of the genre."

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