I decided to revisit the GRRM classic after the show ended. I’ve been in a prolonged reading slump due in part to stuff going on in my private life and it’s been difficult to focus on anything new. My personal library is littered with books I lost interest in 10%, 30% and one 50%. Familiarity always helps me break out of slumps and I figured that would be the case here.
I was not disappointed. The book isn’t just as great as I remember…it’s somehow better. The storylines are rich and detailed. The characters are well-developed and complex. The fantasy aspects are more streamlined than I remembered; it’s still a lot to keep up with but it’s not complex for gratuity’s sake.
It was interesting to read this knowing in hindsight what will happen. This one feels like a Wars of the Roses fanfic written for a fantasy audience. Book two will deviate from that substantially and the rest of the series is uniquely Martin’s. However, I appreciated it all the same. Game of Thrones is what got me interested in history and historical fiction. Fantasy I could take or leave but I love the plotting, scheming, the court politics. It’s right up my alley.
Like many, I’m disappointed we still haven’t gotten the final two books in the series. I’m not as optimistic as others that we some day will. But rereading this one was a reminder to cherish what we have. This is an excellent book; I loved it even more than I did the first time. And I look forward to rereading the rest of the series.