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 Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:33 pm
Has anyone read this series? I've read a lot of fantasy, but this is my favorite. The story, the world building, and of course, the characters....they're all so well developed and unique and exciting. I love the way all the different stories blend together, though it does make things a little confusing at times. Very addictive, I highly recommend it to any fantasy fan.
Synopsis from Wiki:
A Song of Ice and Fire is set primarily in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, a large, South America-sized continent with an ancient history stretching back some twelve thousand years, and where seasons can last for years. The original inhabitants of the land, the "children of the forest" (whose "old gods" are still worshipped in the North) were conquered by the First Men, who came from the east. Later, the Andals, who brought their seven-faced god across the narrow sea with them, arrived and conquered the southern portion of Westeros, though due to natural defenses they were never able to conquer the North. The Andal kingdoms were later united by House Targaryen, particularly Aegon "the Conqueror", who took the southern kingdoms by force, while King Torrhen Stark of the North bent the knee rather than risk destruction under Aegon's dragons. Dorne, the last free kingdom, was brought into the realm via dynastic marriage about a century later, giving rise to a united Westeros. 283 years after Aegon's conquest, the Targaryens were overthrown in a civil war, and King Robert Baratheon, backed primarily by his friend Lord Eddard Stark and foster father Lord Jon Arryn, took the Iron Throne. The novels, which begin fifteen years into Robert's reign, follow the fall-out from this event across three major storylines, set not only in Westeros but on the eastern continent as well.
The first storyline, set in the Seven Kingdoms themselves, chronicles a many-sided struggle for the Iron Throne that develops after King Robert's death. The throne is claimed by his son Joffrey, supported by his mother's powerful family, House Lannister, but Robert's brother Stannis claims that Robert's children are illegitimate, and that the throne should fall to him. Robert's youngest brother, Renly, also places a claim with the support of the extremely powerful House Tyrell. Whilst these three claimants battle for the Iron Throne, Robb Stark, Lord Eddard Stark's heir, is proclaimed King in the North as the northmen and their allies in the Riverlands seek to return to self-rule. Likewise, Balon Greyjoy also (re-)claims the ancient throne of his own region, the Iron Islands, with an eye towards independence. This so-called War of the Five Kings is the principal storyline in the second and third novels, while the fourth novel concerns the realm's recovery from it in the face of the coming winter.
The second storyline is set on the extreme northern border of Westeros. Here, eight thousand years ago, a huge wall of ice and gravel was constructed by both magic and labor to defend Westeros from the threat of 'The Others', a semi-mythical race of ice creatures living in the uttermost north. This Wall, 300 miles long and 700 feet tall, is defended and maintained by the Sworn Brotherhood of the Night's Watch, whose primary duty is to guard against The Others, but by the time of the novels it is badly under-strength and has almost forgotten The Others, instead being threatened by the human 'wildlings' or 'free folk' who live to the north. This storyline follows Jon Snow, b*****d son of Eddard Stark, as he rises through the ranks of the Watch, learns the true nature of the threat from the north, and prepares to defend the realm from it, despite the fact that the people of Westeros are too busy warring to send support. By the end of the third volume, this storyline has become somewhat entangled with the civil war to the south.
The third storyline is set on the huge eastern continent and follows the adventures of Daenerys Targaryen, the last (known) scion of House Targaryen and another claimant to the Iron Throne. Daenerys's adventures showcase her growing ability, as she rises from a near-penniless wanderer to a powerful and canny ruler who possesses the last living dragons. Though her story is separated from the others by many thousands of miles, her stated goal is to reclaim the Iron Throne, and it is presumed she will travel to Westeros before the end of the series. While she has no memories of Westeros and is barely known there, she may still be welcomed: the chaos of two civil wars in rapid succession has led to much yearning among the smallfolk for the days of stability under the Targaryens.
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Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:56 pm
I LOVE this series! The only problem I have with it is how explicit it can be at times, but, for the most part, ASOIAF is an amazing series!
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:35 pm
maple_chan I LOVE this series! The only problem I have with it is how explicit it can be at times, but, for the most part, ASOIAF is an amazing series! Yeah, it can be a bit much as times...in sex and gore. Still, it kind of gives it that harsh, realistic feeling too. It may be a fantasy world, but people still act like people. No one bleeds glitter or cries perfect pearly tears. I like that.
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:14 pm
I agree. I like how everyone, even the percieved "good guys" (The Starks), has flaws, and how even the bad people (example: Jaime Lannister) have good sides. Very realistic, and absolutely fascinating to read.
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