So you've heard about this fantasy series called A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. Maybe you watched Game of Thrones and want to know how different the books are. Or perhaps you're a fantasy reader looking for your next epic. Whatever brought you here, let's cut through the noise. I've been through these books three times since 2005, and let me tell you – it's a commitment. Not always an easy one, honestly.
Who Exactly is George RR Martin?
Before we dive into Westeros, let's talk about the guy who created it. George Raymond Richard Martin – that's what RR stands for – wasn't always the fantasy giant he is today. He started writing monster stories as a kid in New Jersey, selling them to neighborhood kids for pennies. The man's been obsessed with storytelling since before most of us were born.
Career stuff you might not know: He wrote for 1980s TV shows like Beauty and the Beast. Did horror novels (look up Fevre Dream). Even worked in chess tournaments. That eclectic background shows in A Song of Ice and Fire George RR Martin crafted – it's got political maneuvering that feels real, partly because Martin lived through actual corporate and creative wars.
Here's what shaped the series:
- Vietnam War opposition: Martin was a conscientious objector. That anti-war perspective bleeds into how he portrays battles – no glory, just mud and severed limbs.
- Comic book fandom: He edited superhero stories early career. Notice how each Stark kid has almost superhero-origin-story arcs?
- History nerddom: The War of the Roses? That's Lannisters vs Starks. The Wall? Hadrian's Wall on steroids.
Breaking Down the Books Themselves
Unlike most fantasy series, George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire doesn't follow the usual trilogy pattern. It sprawls. Each book is a doorstopper. Don't expect quick reads – these are novels you live inside for weeks.
The Core Five Books (So Far)
| Title | Release Year | Pages (Hardcover) | Major Events | Reading Time* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Game of Thrones | 1996 | 694 | Stark downfall, Daenerys' dragons born | 25-30 hours |
| A Clash of Kings | 1998 | 768 | War of Five Kings, Battle of Blackwater | 28-35 hours |
| A Storm of Swords | 2000 | 973 | Red Wedding, Purple Wedding, Wall battle | 35-45 hours |
| A Feast for Crows | 2005 | 753 | King's Landing aftermath, Iron Islands focus | 30-38 hours |
| A Dance with Dragons | 2011 | 1056 | Jon Snow's command, Daenerys in Meereen | 40-50 hours |
*Based on average reading speed of 300 words/minute
Why does Storm of Swords stand out? Simple – Martin kills more major characters in this book than most authors do in entire careers. The Red Wedding chapter? I threw my paperback across the room. Took me three days to pick it back up.
How to Actually Read These Monsters
New readers often ask: Should I read in published order? Skip sections? Here's what works:
- First-time readers: Publication order 100%. Feast for Crows and Dance overlap chronologically, but Martin deliberately split them geographically.
- Re-reads: Try the "Boiled Leather" combined reading order. Merges Books 4 and 5 into one mega-novel. Crazy but satisfying.
- What to skip: Honestly? Nothing. Even boring Brienne chapters pay off later.
Where to buy:
- Physical: Book Depository has UK editions with better paper quality
- Audiobooks: Roy Dotrice's narration (though his voices change between books)
- E-books: Often go on sale for $2.99-$4.99 during Amazon deals
Why This Isn't Just Another Fantasy Series
Look, Tolkien purists hated Martin initially. Too bloody. Too political. Too much sex. But that's precisely why A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin revolutionized fantasy. He treated medieval politics like a journalist covering modern Washington.
What sets it apart:
- Gray morality: Jaime Lannister starts as a kid-pusher. Ends up as... well, read the baths scene.
- Consequences matter: Ned Stark's honor gets him killed. Real lesson there.
- Magic is rare: Dragons and White Walkers exist but feel terrifying precisely because they're scarce.
Compared to other giants:
| Series | Good vs Evil | Magic Level | Main Character Deaths | Politics Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Song of Ice and Fire | Shades of gray | Low (increasing) | Frequent | High |
| Lord of the Rings | Clear battle | High | Rare | Low |
| Wheel of Time | Defined evil | Very high | Occasional | Medium |
The HBO Effect: When Books Met Television
Let's be real – without HBO's Game of Thrones, George RR Martin A Song of Ice and Fire might still be niche. The show exploded the books into mainstream culture. But adaptation wasn't perfect.
Where the Show Nailed It
- Casting: Peter Dinklage is Tyrion. Sean Bean embodied Ned perfectly.
- Visualizing Westeros: From Winterfell's courtyards to King's Landing's slums
- Battle scenes: Hardhome episode? Better than anything in the books
Where It Went Off the Rails
After Season 5, the show outpaced Martin's writing. What followed was... messy:
- Character assassinations (literally and figuratively)
- Teleporting armies
- That coffee cup incident
Major deviations from books:
| Book Element | Show Treatment | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Stoneheart | Cut entirely | Removed major revenge plotline |
| Young Griff | Omitted | Simplified Dany's conquest |
| Euron Greyjoy | Reduced to cartoon pirate | Lost dark magical elements |
Unresolved Mysteries We're Still Debating
Part of A Song of Ice and Fire's George RR Martin magic is the unsolved puzzles. Book fans have been theorizing for decades. Here's where things stand:
White Walkers: More Than Just Zombie Makers?
The show reduced them to icy death machines. But books hint at complexity:
- Possible peace pacts with ancient Starks
- Strange symbols (spirals) suggesting culture
- That haunting line: "Dead things in the water"
Who Really Will Rule Westeros?
Ignore the show ending. Book clues point elsewhere:
- Daenerys' vision of blue rose on Wall (Jon Snow link)
- Young Griff's stronger Targaryen claim
- Bran's growing powers and Bloodraven connection
Essential Companion Materials
Don't just read the main books. The A Song of Ice and Fire George RR Martin universe expands through:
- Fire & Blood: Targaryen history (like a medieval history textbook)
- Dunk & Egg Tales: Charming short stories set 90 years earlier
- World of Ice & Fire: Gorgeous illustrated encyclopedia
Reading order for maximum immersion:
- A Game of Thrones
- A Clash of Kings
- A Storm of Swords
- A Knight of Seven Kingdoms (Dunk & Egg)
- A Feast for Crows
- A Dance with Dragons
- Fire & Blood
Real Talk: Is This Series For You?
After 1500+ pages, you'll know. But upfront considerations:
You'll probably love it if:
- Political intrigue fascinates you more than magic battles
- You enjoy flawed, complex characters
- Slow-burn worldbuilding doesn't scare you
You might struggle if:
- You need clear heroes/villains
- Sexual violence triggers you (it's frequent)
- Waiting years between books frustrates you
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many books will there be total in A Song of Ice and Fire?
Martin insists seven. But given how Feast and Dance ballooned? I'll believe it when I see them. Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring are the planned final two.
Q: Why does George RR Martin kill so many characters?
He's said historical fiction inspired him – real wars killed nobles constantly. Also, it raises stakes. You genuinely fear for characters. Though sometimes it feels gratuitous (RIP, Red Viper).
Q: Should I read the books if I hated the Game of Thrones ending?
Absolutely. The books have more players (Young Griff, Lady Stoneheart), deeper motivations, and Martin's ending will diverge significantly. Dany's turn will likely make actual sense.
Q: What's the best map resource for following locations?
The Interactive Westeros Map shows character paths. Or buy The Lands of Ice and Fire poster set. Essential for tracking journeys.
Q: How accurate is the show's portrayal compared to the books?
Seasons 1-4: 85% accurate. Seasons 5-6: 50% with major cuts. Seasons 7-8: 10% book material. They omitted entire kingdoms (Dorne properly), characters, and prophecies.
Q: Why are there so many food descriptions?
Martin jokes he writes hungry. Seriously though, it grounds the world. Medieval life revolved around harvests and feasts. Also, contrast: lavish Lannister banquets vs Northern starvation.
Q: When will Winds of Winter be released?
Your guess is as good as mine. Martin thought he'd finish in 2020. Now? Maybe 2025? He's been burned before.
Personal Conclusion: Why It Still Matters
Despite the waits and frustrations, A Song of Ice and Fire George RR Martin created remains unmatched in modern fantasy. The detail. The characters who feel like real people. The sheer nerve to kill his "main character" in Book 1. I've reread these books more than any others except maybe Tolkien. They reward patience. Even Feast for Crows – dismissed by many – reveals genius on revisit with its focus on war's civilian toll.
Will Martin finish? I doubt we'll get A Dream of Spring. But what exists is already a monumental achievement. Start with Game of Thrones. Push through the initial names and places. When you hit that first "Oh!" moment – Ned uncovering the secret, or Daenerys walking into fire – you'll get it. Just clear your schedule first.
Comment