Lord Winterborne's Fantasy

George R. R. Martin was a writer and a producer for the TV series, Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990), and wrote a number of teleplays for episodes of this series. Now if I remember correctly, Beauty and the Beast sucked, or if it didn't then, it's probably dated now.

So how does a person redeem himself of such unforgettable mediocrity? Firstly you begin experimenting with fantasy and science fiction; then you write some seriously riveting, hard-hitting shit.

A Game of Thrones
by George R. R. Martin

Book One of A Song of Ice and Fire

There are multiple plot lines throughout this series and the first book introduces them all. First and foremost, you have the political intrigue surrounding the ascension to the throne, and the power games played by the great Houses of the 'Seven Kingdoms'. Secondly, there is the return of some sort of supernatural threat, rapidly spreading south from the frozen wastelands of the far North. Then you have the machinations and imminent return of an exiled heir to the throne from far across the sea.

Considering the complexity of this novel, it might be best if I give something of a blurb as an introduction to the series. Here is a quick run down of events according to Lord Winterborne:

King Robert, having deposed the mad Dragon-King in a rebellion thirteen years ago, is not the man he was then. Once fearless in battle, Robert has found the responsibilities of kingship too much to handle.

His friend and partner during the rebellion, Lord Eddard Stark is Warden of the North and is happily distant from the politics of the kings court. But when their old companion Jon Arryn dies under suspicious circumstances, the King calls upon Eddard Stark as the one man he can trust to replace Arryn as Hand of the King.

Eddard is reluctant, but honor and friendship dictate that he must go south, even when it means leaving part of his family behind to guard the north. And too soon he learns that a man of honor has no place amongst the political scheme and intrigue of Kings Landing.
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To complicate matters further, Queen Cersei and her family, the Lannisters, are as hungry for power as ever, and the Stark family realize that they may be in considerable danger.

With the coming of a long winter, a new danger threatens in the far north: the mysterious and ghostly Others have returned. Jon Snow, the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark, heads north to The Wall, where he confronts this new danger head on.

And meanwhile, a world away from the Seven Kingdoms, across the sea, the Dragon Kings exiled heir plots to recapture the throne and he is as mad as his long-dead father.

This story is told from multiple points of view, so you come to know a range of characters, and although you will find your favorites quickly enough, every perspective is brilliantly told. George R. R. Martins character development is excellent. Where as with lesser authors, baddie points of view can be tedious, Gorgeous George manages to generate sympathy and understanding with his depth.

When I said hard-hitting, I meant it. The action sequences throughout are awesomely depicted. You cant help but get caught up in it. Some very realistic dialogue helps here also.

Book Two in the series, A Clash of Kings, and Book Three, A Storm of Swords are excellent reads also, so it is shaping up to be a classic series. Book Four; A Feast for Crows is due for release this year sometime. It is to be a six book series.

Gorgeous George, ye have redeemed yourself!

Forthcoming titles: A Dance with Dragons (5th Book), and a Time for Wolves (6th Book).

Other novels by George R. R. Martin:

• Dying of the Light (1977)
• Windhaven (with Lisa Tuttle, 1981)
• Fevre Dream (1982),
• Armageddon Rag (1983)

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