Book One (1996) by George R. R. Martin

If you’ve never seen the show, I’ll start off with saying you should read the book first. It’s an exact carbon copy of the TV show, as far as a lot of the same dialogue and pacing.

I watched the show before reading the book. I found it quite predictive at some points but still found it be an entertaining read.

I’ll say the characters are way more complex and fuller of depth in the book. Their desires are very defined and articulated throughout each chapter. The chapters consist of a POV from a random character. So as in the show, it jumps from place to place as we switch characters, though moving in a linear sequence of time.

Take the time to read the index and maybe familiarize yourself with the lore and families that inhabit the fictional world of Westeros. It will make the reading easier and maybe a bit more enjoyable.

Big warning. The characters in the book, including the main characters, are very much younger in the books than depicted in the show. For instance, Daenerys is thirteen in the book. I found it a bit uncomfortable to read certain scenes, as the book is graphic and mature in its plotlines. I didn’t know the ages of the characters in the books before reading so it was a surprise.

The book reads very well. It contains great descriptive words and imagery. Fantasy fans should give it a try if they haven’t already.

I’ll also say that if you have seen the show before reading that a great incentive to read the books is you get backstory details for more characters and you get explanations for some plotlines you see in the show that wasn’t focused on extensively or occurrences, (past occurrences) that were briefly mentioned. For example, when starting the show and seeing the Targaryen siblings, they never in depth explained how the siblings were protected after their family was dethroned. They explain that in the book.

I also only read the first book and won’t be continuing the series, but I enjoyed the first installment for sure. I know the books were not finished by the time the show ended. Maybe they depict a different ending? Another incentive to read, perhaps?

I don’t read fantasy that often, but this was fun.